Board Meeting
MINUTES
THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF STOCKTON EAST WATER DISTRICT WAS HELD AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE
6767 EAST MAIN STREET, STOCKTON, CA
ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2024 AT 12:30 P.M.
President Atkins informed the Board that Director Loralee McGaughey, representative of Division 6, passed away. President Atkins paid tribute with a minute of silence to honor Director McGaughey.
A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL
President Atkins called the regular meeting to order at 12:30 p.m., and Administrative Clerk Rodriguez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present at roll call at the District were Directors Atkins, Cortopassi, McGurk, Panizza, Sanguinetti and Watkins. Also present were Manager Hopkins, Assistant Manager Vega, Finance Director Ram, District Engineer Evensen, Administrative Clerk Rodriguez and Legal Counsel Zolezzi. Director McGaughey was absent.
B. CONSENT CALENDAR (None)
C. PUBLIC COMMENT (None)
D. SCHEDULED PRESENTATIONS AND AGENDA ITEMS
- Minutes 12/26/23 – Regular Meeting
Vice President McGurk made the following correction to the minutes;
Ø On page 3, section F-1, paragraph 1, line 7; add New Hogan Dam and Reservoir.
A motion was moved and seconded to approve the December 26, 2023 Regular Board Meeting Minutes, as amended.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Atkins, Cortopassi, McGurk, Panizza, Sanguinetti, Watkins
Nayes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: McGaughey
2. Warrants
a. Fund 68 – Municipal & Industrial Groundwater Fund
b. Fund 70 – Administration Fund
c. Fund 71 – Water Supply Fund
d. Fund 91 – Vehicle Fund
e. Fund 94 – Municipal & Industrial Fund
f. Summary
g. Short Names/Acronym List
h. SEWD Vehicles & Heavy Equipment
Director Panizza inquired on the expense on page 9, line item 19 for Planet Bids, LLC for Service and Support for Vendor and Bid Management in the amount of $3,978.00. Manager Hopkins replied this charge is for a one-year subscription to an online bid support and management software to advertise the District’s bids to a broader network of companies.
Director McGurk inquired on the expense on page 7, line item 4 for Stockton East Water District – Bank of Stockton for Principal North Site Property Qtr. Ending Jan 2023 and line item 5 for Stockton East Water District-Bank of Stockton for Interest North Site Property Qtr. Ending Jan 2023. Manager Hopkins replied it is the loan payment for the actual property. Director McGurk inquired why it took long to make the payment. Assistant Manager Vega replied it should say Jan 2024 instead of Jan 2023.
Director Sanguinetti inquired on the expense on page 12, line item 56 for Target Special Products for Herbicide for Weed Abatement Along New Melones System in the amount of $4,792.20. Assistant Manager Vega replied the Water Supply Manager is licensed in three different counties and has attended numerous courses which of those Target Special Products has offered. Manager Hopkins added that Target Special Products provides a Pest Control Advisor to evaluate the District’s vegetation and recommend products. Director Sanguinetti suggested working with local vendors for future purchases.
Director Atkins inquired on the expense on page 10, line item 21 for R-Tek Security and Consulting for Servers and Licensing for Security Cameras in the amount of $10,440.47. Manager Hopkins replied the server and camera licenses are only for the water treatment plant campus.
Director Watkins inquired on the expense on page 16, line item 96 for Salazar Transportation Inc for Transportation for D8 Dozer from Tom Allen Treatment plant in the expense of $824.10. Assistant Manager Vega replied the dozer was a D6 and not a D8.
A motion was moved and seconded to approve the January 2, 2024 Warrants, as amended.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Atkins, Cortopassi, McGurk, Panizza, Sanguinetti, Watkins
Nayes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: McGaughey
3. Approval of the Tri-Dam 2024 Budget
A motion was moved and seconded to approve the Approval of the Tri-Dam 2024 Budget, as presented.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Atkins, Cortopassi, McGurk, Panizza, Sanguinetti, Watkins
Nayes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: McGaughey
4. Stockton East Water District – 2024/2025 Board Committee Assignments
Manager Hopkins presented the Board with Stockton East Water District – 2024/2025 Board Committee Assignments. Manager Hopkins provided the Board with the current list of committees and assignments for any changes.
Director McGurk suggested to remove him from the Association of California Water Agencies Committees (ACWA) as the Authorized Voting Delegate and replace him on the Association of California Water Agencies/ Joint Powers Insurance Authority (ACWA/JPIA), Director Atkins will replace him.
A motion was moved and seconded to approve the Stockton East Water District – 2024/2025 Board Committee Assignments, as amended.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Atkins, Cortopassi, McGurk, Panizza, Sanguinetti, Watkins
Nayes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: McGaughey
5. Association of California Water Agencies Committee Assignments – 2024/2025 Term
Manager Hopkins presented the Board with Association of California Water Agencies Committee Assignments – 2024/2025 Term. Manager Hopkins provided an updated list to the Board with a list of the 2024/2025 term of the committees the District requested to participate in along with Legal Counsel and Consultants.
E. COMMITTEE REPORTS
F. REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER
1. Water Supply Report as of 12/26/23
Manager Hopkins provided a handout of the Water Supply Report for information only that included storage, release, and production data collected from various sources as of midnight last night.
There is 168,688 AF in storage at New Hogan Reservoir. Current releases are set at 200 cfs. There is 1,983,130 AF in storage at New Melones Reservoir. Current releases are set at 202 cfs. Current release at Goodwin Dam to Stanislaus River is set at 204 cfs and release to all water users is set at 0 cfs. The district water treatment plant (WTP) is currently processing 34 mgd. North Stockton is currently utilizing 12 mgd. South Stockton is currently utilizing 4 mgd. Cal Water is currently utilizing 18 mgd. The City of Stockton WTP is currently processing 0 mgd.
2. Information Items:
· Manager Hopkins noted items: F2a-1, F2a-2
·
3. Report on General Manager Activities
a. Stockton East Water District Activities Update
Manager Hopkins reported an update from the previous board meeting on the New Hogan Water Control Manual update. Manager Hopkins reported he reached out to U.S. Army Corps of Engineer (USACE) to obtain more information, USACE does expect to consider the forecast informed reservoir operations (FIRO) methodology as part of the update which will be included as an alternative amongst many other alternatives which will be evaluated, and one will be chosen. Manager Hopkins also reported USACE is planning to include a stakeholder coordination process which the District will be engaged early on in the process.
Manager Hopkins reported he attended a meeting with the board president from Rock Creek Water District. Manager Hopkins reported Rock Creek Water District is still interested in pursuing a potential long-term water transfer. Manager Hopkins informed the Board he will be creating draft items for the Board to consider at a future Board meeting
Manager Hopkins reported over the past seven months staff and himself have been working through several of the District’s surface water customer accounts to perform an audit per Rule 109, which provides discounts to customers based on their water rights. Manager Hopkins reported there are some discrepancies between the District’s files and how the rule is intended to be applied. Manager Hopkins informed the Board that Rule 109 will be an item for discussion in the upcoming Agriculture Operations Committee Meeting.
4. Stockton East Water District Finance Update
Finance Director Ram presented the Board with a finance update. Finance Director Ram reported for investments LAIF’s current interest rate is 3.59%, and California Class annualized interest rate is 4.8%. Finance Director Ram reported the year-to-date budget up to November 30th is at 67% and year-to-date expense is at 50%. Finance Director Ram also reported the District has the state controllers report due on January 31, 2024, and the annual billing is approaching where invoices will be mailed out by February 29, 2024.
G. DIRECTOR REPORTS
H. COMMUNICATIONS
1. City of Stockton, Office of the Mayor – Thank you Letter
Manager Hopkins reported the District received a Thank You Letter from the Mayor Lincoln in response to the Stockton East Water District (SEWD) Water Treatment Plant and the Bellota Weir Officials Tour.
I. AGENDA PLANNING/UPCOMING EVENTS
1. Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce Monthly Mixer – University of the Pacific Athletics at the Alex G. Spanos Center, 5:00p.m., 01/04/24
Director McGurk inquired if there will be a game for the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce Monthly Mixer. Chief Policy Officer Frank Ferral from the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce replied yes, there will be a men’s basketball game and free admission for members.
2. San Joaquin County and Delta Water Quality Steering Committee Meeting, 9:00 a.m., 01/08/24
J. REPORT OF THE COUNSEL
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED
LITIGATION Potential exposure to litigation – Government Code
Section 54956.9 – two cases
President Atkins adjourned the meeting to closed session at 12:58 p.m. The regular meeting reconvened at 1:18 p.m., with no reportable action.
K. ADJOURNMENT
President Atkins adjourned the meeting at 1:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Justin M. Hopkins
Secretary of the Board
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