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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-08-09; Water Commission Ad Hoc; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF: WATER COMMISSION DATE OF MEETING: TIME OF MEETING: 2:OO p.m. PLACE OF MEETING: 5950 El Camlno Real August 9, 1995 (Regular Meeting) CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Melideo called the Meeting to order at 2:OO p.m. ROLL CALL Present Commissioners Melideo, Henley, Kubota, Louis and Maerkle Absent: None. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Commissioner Henley. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: There were no requests to address the Commission. OLD BUSINESS: Update on Metropolitan’s IRP Bill Plummer gave the report on Metropolitan’s Integrated Resources Plan, stating he attended two meetings on this plan. He gave a background on how Metropolitan has gotten where they are today; a look at the board view of the water resource options and a consensus on the desired level of service and reliability, with the last part of the plan being to develop a mix of projects; local as well as imported, combined with management strategies. A draft interim report was made in 1994, and a final report will be issued later. Mr. Plummer stated the population served by Metropolitan Water District is projected to be almost 19.5 million in 201 0. The actual water demand is expected to increase from 2.4 million acre feet to 5.0 million acre feet, while the firm water supply has been reduced from 4.2 million acre feet a year to 2.7 million acre feet a year, since 1990. Mr. Plummer used slides to indicate the different areas of the report, including conservation and development of new local water supplies. He said the purpose of the development of new local water supplies is to assure the economic security of the region. He showed the different costs of water supplies and added that desalination was not included in the list of recommendations because of the high cost. However, there is still research being done on desalination. The combined programs of Metropolitan will provide 100 percent of the wholesale water demand 90 percent of the time; and less than 80 percent of full service wholesale demands. August 9, 1995 WATER COMMISSION Page 2 OLD BUSINESS: (Continued) Mr. Plummer said that Metropolitan is looking at six programs; drought management plan; wheeling water to areas where it is needed, including water quality and water rights; seasonal storage; in-lieu storage; direct ground water deliveries and direct reservoir storage; local resources programs and water conservation programs. He said that Metropolitan wants to develop a very comprehensive water conservation program through rebates. The IRP program schedule for development of water management programs started July 1 l., 1995, and anticipates Board action on November 14. The agencies are waiting for the policies adopted by the Board. Bob Greaney stated that they will have to study the reclamation proposals, as the administrative procedures set up may not help the Water District. Chairperson Melideo commented that there is "X" amount of water needed, and "X" amount available. We have to conserve, or we will not have the amount of water we need. She felt the reclaimed water program is not working with the potable water program, and even if we conserve water, we will have to pay more. Mr. Plummer said that Metropolitan has a capital improvement program which is very expensive. However, at this time, they are deferring some of the projects. The Commissioners requested copies of Mr. Plummer's report for their files. UDdate on Water Reclamation Proaram Bill Plummer gave the report, stating the purpose of this program is to develop a feasible water reclamation plan to serve the markets within Carlsbad. There is a five-phase master plan which covers the programs to buildout. The cost would be 63 million dollars, if all of the plans are implemented. Mr. Plummer stated that in 1990, the Water District applied for a low-interest loan of five million dollars from the State Water Resources Control Board. That was the maximum amount allowed. The District actually got $2,429,000, with interest at 2.9 percent for 20 years. Commissioner MaerWe inquired about the two tanks that were converted to reclaimed water, and whether there has been payment for those tanks. Mr. Plummer stated that the reclaimed fund has no money of its own, with the only money available being the loan from the State. Mr. Plummer listed the customers for reclaimed water now and those proposed in the future. Commissioner Louis stated that the homeowners association for the condos along La Costa's golf course would also like to have reclaimed water available, and Mr. Plummer said he would research that. Mr. Plummer stated that the reclaimed water is so mineralized, that some means of de-mineralizing it is going to have to be devised. The Commissioners again requested copies of Mr. Plummer's presentation. Chairperson Melideo declared a recess 3:20 p.m., and the Commission re-convened at 3:30 p.m., with all five Members present, August 9,1995 WATER COMMISSION Page 3 OLD BUSINESS: (Continued) Update on District Capital Proiects Mr. Plummer reported on the District capital projects for the FY 1995-96 Capital Improvement Program, listing the water projects, sewer projects and reclaimed water projects and the Water Resources Master Plan, with RFP’s to be issued in September 1995. WATER COMMISSION: Report on Rate Study Citizens Committee Commissioner Kubota reported that the special committee has concluded their commission from the Water Board of Directors, with their last meeting on July 26. The final report is being prepared and will be given to the rate consultants for them to proceed. Bob Greaney stated he is meeting with the consultants August 17 to review the draft, and the final draft of the report will be brought to this Commission in September, and to the Board of Directors by October or November. Report on WARAC Commissioner Kubota reported on the July 24,1995, meeting, stating the program was desalination issues and financial assistance programs. Three of the financial assistance applications were for ground water programs and one was for reclamation. He stated that the annual review of water reclamation financing programs was given, and he was startled to learn that combined funding from the Bureau of Reclamation and the local agency total almost 3.7 million dollars in the water reclamation program. Commissioner Kubota stated that WARAC sponsored a tour of the desalination facilities in Huntington Beach. Presidents and Managers Meetinq Commissioner Maerkle gave a report on the meetings, the Minutes of which were included in the packet. GENERAL MANAGER REPORTS: Update on Buena Vista Pump Station Bob Greaney stated that the sewage spill at the Buena Vista pump station site was caused by the contractor drilling through the pipe. The Fish and Wildlife Department came out and spearheaded the effort to clean up the lagoon and all the dead fish. Mr. Greaney said that Vista got a letter outlining approximately $1 82,000 for damages caused by the spill. This included payment for the number of days lost to the public when they couldn’t view the wildlife. Vista objected and said the spill was not intentional and that was a great deal of money for mitigation, and that they would not pay that amount. Then the Regional Board sent Vista a letter noticing a public hearing and civil action against Vista. Vista went before the Board requesting postponement. August 9, 1995 WATER COMMISSION Page 4 Update on Buena Vista Pump Station (Continued) Mr. Greaney said that at that time, the attorney found out that Carlsbad was a part-owner of the pump station and would be mentioned and responsible for part of the monies due. He said Carlsbad is scheduled to appear with Vista at the Regional Board meeting tomorrow to ask for postponement. Carlsbad is not prepared to present the case, having been just notified of this last month. Mr. Greaney said that Carlsbad has said they have nothing to do with the contractor, and are not the lead agency; therefore, they should not be responsible for the fine. Mr. Greaney stated that Mayor Lewis is very interested in setting up a trip to northern California for the Board of Directors to tour the State water projects through Metropolitan. A State Water Projects tour is scheduled for October 6, 7 and 8. He said that 12 people can attend from each entity, and four Council people have signed up to go. Metropolitan will send out personal invitations to all those who plan to attend. At this time, Commissioners Melideo, Kubota, Henley and Louis all indicated they would attend. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Commissioner Henley, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held May 24, 1995, were approved as presented. AYES: Melideo, Henley, Kubota, Louis and Maerkle SET NEXT MEETING DATE: Mr. Greaney stated the next meeting would be August 23, 1995. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of August 9, 1995, was adjourned at 4:20 p.m. pp r tt Babbi Minutes Clerk