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MINUTES WATER UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION September 11, 2023 HOPI CONFERENCE ROOM 11000 N. LA CAÑADA DRIVE

REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 5:00 PM

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Hitt called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present:	Alan Forrest, Vice Chair
	Patricia Olson, Commissioner
	Niranjan Vescio, Commissioner
	David Atler, Commissioner
	Kay Lantow, Commissioner
	Tom Marek, Commissioner
	Greg Hitt, Chair
Staff Present:	David Allred, Operations Manager
	Mary Rallis, Water Utility Administrator
	Peter A. Abraham, Water Utility Director

CALL TO AUDIENCE - at this time, any member of the public is allowed to address the Commission on any issue not listed on today’s agenda. Pursuant to the Arizona open meeting law, individual Commission members may ask Town staff to review the matter, ask that the matter be placed on a future agenda, or respond to criticism made by speakers. However, the Commission may not discuss or take legal action on matters raised during "Call to Audience." In order to speak during "Call to Audience", please specify what you wish to discuss when completing the blue speaker card.

There were no speakers.

REGULAR SESSION AGENDA

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 14, 2023 REGULAR SESSION MEETING MINUTES


				Motion by Commissioner David Atler, seconded by Commissioner Patricia Olson

				Vote: 7 - 0 Carried

	2.			UPDATE AND DISCUSSION ON THE PARTNERED AND INDEPENDENT NWRRDS PROJECT (P. ABRAHAM)
				Water Utility Director Peter Abraham provided the following regarding an update on the NWRRDS Partnered project: The foundation of the NWRRDS Project NWRRDS partnered project update CMAR qualifications with 5 qualified candidates Two-step process Review committee will submit their scores on 9/17 Water Utility Director Peter Abraham provided the following update on the NWRRDS Independent Project: Oro Valley requires its own reservoir and booster station that will pump water into the E-Zone La Canada will have a two zone booster (check audio for this section) Independent portions that haven't been moved forward with are the partnered forebay reservoir and the Independent Booster Station 500,000 gallon reservoir Discussion ensued between the commission and Water Utility Director Peter Abraham. Vice Chair Forrest and Water Utility Peter Abraham discussed the amount of water distributed within the past year. Further discussion ensued between Commissioner Niranjan Vescio and Water Utility Director Peter Abraham regarding groundwater and CAP water and the amount of water being delivered to the community, and how much of the water is being stored. Discussion again ensued between Vice Chair Alan Forrest and Water Utility Director Peter Abraham. Commissioner Vescio asked for clarification on hydrogeology. Commissioner Tom Marek asked if Public Works is going to have some involvement in the project. Vice Chair Alan Forrest asked if CMAR is one project.

	3.			UPDATE AND DISCUSSION ON THE COLORADO RIVER WATER SHORTAGE IMPACTS (P. ABRAHAM)
				Water Utility Director Peter Abraham provided an update on the following: Reservoir levels have increased due to the rainfall Upper and lower basin states water entitlements In 2024, Oro Valley will be under a tier 1 CAP water reductions Discussion ensued between the Commission and Water Utility Director Peter Abraham regarding the Colorado River System.

	4.			DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE ARIZONA WATER BANK FIRMING AGREEMENT (P. ABRAHAM)
				Water Utility Director Peter Abraham provided information on the following: What the Arizona Water Bank is Who benefits from the Water Bank What the AZ Water Bank firming agreement is and what the process is to apply for it Agreement highlights Discussion ensued between the Commission and Water Utility Director Peter Abraham regarding the Arizona Water Bank firming agreement. Water Utility Director Peter Abraham presented the recommendation for Council to the commission approve the intergovernmental agreement between the Arizona Water Banking Authority and the Town of Oro Valley for Municipal and Industrial Firming.


				Motion by Commissioner David Atler, seconded by Commissioner Niranjan Vescio to approve the recommendation to Town Council to approve the intergovernmental agreement between the Arizona Water Banking Authority and the Town of Oro Valley for Municipal and Industrial Firming.

		Vote: 7 - 0 Carried

	5.	TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS/COMMUNICATIONS (COUNCILMEMBER BOHEN)
		Town Councilman Timothy Bohen provided an update on the following: Conditional Use Permit was approved for a drive-through on La Canada 36 acre annexation in Moore and La Canada southwest Discussion ensued among the commission and Water Utility Director Peter Abraham.

	6.	DIRECTOR'S REPORT
		Water Utility Director Peter Abraham provided a report on the following: September Town Council meeting date SAWUA Forum reminder October Town Council meeting date October Water Utility Commission meeting Water News on the Colorado River System Reservoir Status Information on Water Conservation Grant Fund The NWRRDS program was selected for review on September 25, 2023

CALL TO AUDIENCE - at this time, any member of the public is allowed to address the Commission on any issue not listed on today’s agenda. Pursuant to the Arizona open meeting law, individual Commission members may ask Town staff to review the matter, ask that the matter be placed on a future agenda, or respond to criticism made by speakers. However, the Commission may not discuss or take legal action on matters raised during "Call to Audience." In order to speak during "Call to Audience", please specify what you wish to discuss when completing the blue speaker card.
		There were no public speakers.

ADJOURNMENT


				Motion by Chair Greg Hitt, seconded by Commissioner Tom Marek to adjourn the meeting at 5:57 p.m.

Vote: 7 - 0 Carried

I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular session of the Town of Oro Valley Water Utility Commission of Oro Valley, Arizona held on the 11th day of September 2023. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.

Dated this 14th day of November 2023.

___________________________
Maritza M Valenzuela
Senior Office Specialist