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MINUTES WATER UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION January 8, 2024 COUNCIL CHAMBERS 11000 N. LA CAÑADA DRIVE

REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 5:00 PM

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Greg Hitt called the meeting to order at 5:05 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:	Peter A. Abraham, Water Utility Director
	Mary Rallis, Water Utility Administrator
	David Allred, Water Operations Manager
	Lee Jacobs, Engineering Division Manager

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.

No public speakers.

REGULAR SESSION AGENDA

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 13, 2023 REGULAR SESSION MEETING MINUTES


				Motion by Vice Chair Alan Forrest, seconded by Commissioner Patricia Olson to approve the minutes with changes.

				Vote: 7 - 0 Carried

	2.			NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF COMMISSION CHAIR EFFECTIVE JANUARY 9, 2024


					to nominate Commissioner Alan Forrest for Commission Chair

				Vote: 7 - 0 Carried

	3.			NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF COMMISSION VICE CHAIR EFFECTIVE JANUARY 9, 2024
				Water Utility Director Peter Abraham congratulated the new chair and vice chair, and thanked Chair Gregg Hitt for his service and dedication to the Commission.

	4.			UPDATE AND DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE 2024 WATER UTILITY COMMISSION WORK PLAN (P. ABRAHAM)
				Water Utility Director Peter Abraham reviewed the 2024 Water Utility Commission Work Plan. Commissioner Vescio thanked Water Utility Director Peter Abraham for his commitment to the Commission.


				Motion by Vice Chair Alan Forrest, seconded by Commissioner Niranjan Vescio to approve the 2024 Water Utility Commission Work Plan

				Vote: 7 - 0 Carried

	5.			UPDATE AND DISCUSSION ON CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (L. JACOBS)
				Engineering Division Manager Lee Jacobs provided an update on the following: Well Rehabilitation of Well E-2 Nakoma Sky Production Well Steam Pump Production Well Catalina Shadows and Palisades Area Countryside Wheeling Station Upgrades Rancho Vistoso Booster Design and Construction Big Wash Gallon Reservoir Relining Project La Canada Two Zone Booster Design NWRRDS Independent Booster Station & Forebay Reservoir NWRRDS Partnered Project Commissioner Vescio asked Engineering Division Manager Lee Jacobs how many contractors the Utility has. Engineering Division Manager Lee Jacobs stated that the Utility has 5 distribution contractors and 5 facilities contractors.

	6.			UPDATE AND DISCUSSION ON WATER UTILITY FINANCIALS (M. RALLIS)
				Water Utility Administrator Mary Rallis presented the following updates: All updates are through December 31, 2023 Updates on revenues Service fees Updates on expenses Customer Service updates Discussion ensued amongst the Commission and staff.

	7.			UPDATE AND DISCUSSION ON WATER OPERATIONS ACTIVITIES (D. ALLRED)
				Water Operations Manager David Allred provided updates on the following: Water Production 2023 statistics Water Control System statistics Water Distribution statistics Water Meter Operations statistics Water Quality statistics Discussion ensued between the Commission and Water Operations Manager David Allred.

	8.			UPDATE AND DISCUSSION ON WATER RESOURCE USAGE (P. ABRAHAM)
				Water Utility Director Peter Abraham presented the following: Oro Valley Delivery and Production from January-December 2023 Countryside Service Area Delivery and Production Commissioner Patricia Olson acknowledged the water conservation efforts of the Utility and stated that the efforts are going unrecognized. Discussion ensued between the Commission and Water Utility Peter Abraham.

	9.			DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PROPOSED WATER RATES (P. ABRAHAM)


				Motion by Commissioner Tom Marek, seconded by Commissioner Kay Lantow to submit the rates to council

		Vote: 7 - 0 Carried
		Water Utility Peter Abraham presented and reported on the following: Water rates analysis goals Water rates analysis assumptions Water Utility is an enterprise funds- the Utility does not receive any monies from the general fund, but pays service fees to the general fund Assumptions specific to the Water Utility Recommendation on Water Rates for FY 24/25 Operating Revenues Operating Expenses Recommendation on proposed potable water rates and fees Discussion ensued amongst the Commission and Water Utility Director Peter Abraham.

	10.	TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS/COMMUNICATIONS (COUNCILMEMBER BOHEN)
		No council report.

	11.	DIRECTOR'S REPORT
		Water Utility Director Peter Abraham provided an update on the following items: Upcoming meetings Colorado River System Reservoir Status Colorado River Water Users Association Conference Assured Water Supply Renewal Application

ADJOURNMENT


				Motion by Vice Chair Alan Forrest, seconded by Commissioner Niranjan Vescio to adjourn the meeting at 7:01 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 8th day of January, 2024. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.

Dated this 13th day of February, 2024.

___________________________
Maritza Valenzuela
Senior Office Specialist