MINUTES
ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, November 14, 2011
Town Council Chambers
11000 N. La Canada Drive
 
 
 
CALL TO ORDER - AT OR AFTER 7:04 P.M.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:
RICHARD DAVIS, VICE CHAIR
JOHN HOFFMAN, COMMISSIONER
ROBERT MILKEY, COMMISSIONER
ELIZABETH SHAPIRO, COMMISSIONER
WINSTON TUSTISON, COMMISSIONER

EXCUSED: DAVID POWELL, CHAIR
RICHARD REYNOLDS, COMMISSIONER

STAFF PRESENT:
Philip C. Saletta, Water Utility Director
Shirley Seng, Utility Administrator
David Ruiz, Engineering Division Manager
Robert Jacklitch, Project Manager

CALL TO AUDIENCE - At this time, any member of the public is allowed to address the Water Utility Commission on any issue not listed on today’s agenda.  Pursuant to the Arizona Open Meeting Law, individual Commissioners 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 Water Utility 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.
 


1.

APPROVAL OCTOBER 10, 2011 MINUTES


MOTION: A motion was made by COMMISSIONER TUSTISON and seconded by COMMISSIONER SHAPIRO to Approve the October 10, 2011 minutes

MOTION carried, 5-0.

2.

DISCUSSION AND UPDATE ON THE INTERIM DELIVERY OF CENTRAL ARIZONA PROJECT WATER                               (P. Saletta)


Mr. Saletta thanked all the Commissioners and Staff members for being present at the Oro Valley CAP Open House. He  expressed his appreciation and support from Council and the Commission in moving forward with the CAP project. He also thanked staff for working closely with Tucson Water to get things accomplished. Most of the easements are in place. One of the final easements will be presented to Council November 16, 2011. Staff is currently working with Tucson Water and wrapping up the final design which will be forwarded to Tucson Water. 

Construction will begin in December. We have our water storage permits in place, but our recovery well permits to store and withdraw our CAP water in AVRA Valley are still pending. Mr. Saletta ended his report.

Mr. Robert Jacklitch reported that Staff was meeting with the contractor to finalized the cost for the pipeline installation. Oro Valley’s of CAP wheeling through Tucson Water's system is expected the first or second week  in January 2012. Mr. Jacklitch ended his report.

Vice Chair, Davis thanked Staff and the City of Tucson for their representation at Oro Valley’s CAP Open House. He mentioned that Staff did a great job keeping the public informed and was also very pleased with the public’s participation. 

3.

DISCUSSION AND UPDATE ON COUNTRYSIDE ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT                        (S. Seng)


Ms. Seng reported that the contractors began replacing meters on November 1st and have replaced a total of 445 meters as of November 12, 2011 and have about 1,531 to go. They are working 6 days a week to meet the deadline with the exception of Thanksgiving week.

Estimated completion date is 12/23/11. There were 2 rain events setting the project back by two days.

We were informed that Sensus the manufacturer of the AMI equipment is finalizing their customer web portal. We will compare its capabilities and costs with that of Kortech Consulting before we make a final decision as to who we will contract with. We are looking at February or March before a contract is awarded.

Ms. Seng gave an explanation about the meter installation progress and  shared the information obtained from Google Earth. The meters transmit data every hour on the hour. Since November 1st we have received over 49,000 transmissions. She provided the Commission copies of the information. Ms. Seng ended her report.

Ms. Shapiro asked if the Countryside customers will be able to go on line and see their water usage. Ms. Seng reported that there was a delay with the contract, but by the end of this fiscal year the customers should be able to access their information on a customer web portal. There were no further questions, Ms. Seng ended her report.

4.

DISCUSSION AND REPORT ON THE POTABLE WATER SYSTEM AND THE RECLAIMED WATER SYSTEM (D. Ruiz)


Mr. Ruiz reported on various reports and Graphs:
2011 Well Pumpage Monthly Report - October 2011
Exceeded Sustainable rate of 5,500 AFY - October usage 6,800 AFY.

Annual Well Pumpage Report - October 2011
Exceeded Sustainable rate of 5,500 AFY, October Usage = 6,500 AFY. It is estimated that the Annual Pumpage could reach 7,500 - 8,000 AFY for the year.

Reclaimed Water System - October 2011 
Daily Demand Total: 96.829 million gallons
Yearly total: 691.926 million gallons

Annual Reclaimed Water Use - October 2011
Yearly total: 2,000 AFY

Potable Water System Overall Reservoir Storage and Precipitation - October 2011
Total reservoir storage: Maintaining 9.0 to 10.0 million gallons of storage
Daily Demand: 6.0 to 7.0 million gallons
Precipitation: 1 rain event

Mr. Ruiz ended his report.

5.

TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS/COMMUNICATIONS          (Councilmember Gillaspie)


Councilmember Hornat had no comments.

6.

SUBCOMMITTEE/COMMISSIONER REPORTS


a.

Finance Subcommittee                    (Commissioner Tustison)


Commissioner Tustison reported since Council’s approval of the no rate increase scenario the Finance Subcommittee has not met.

b.

Conservation Subcommittee            (Commissioner Davis)


Vice Chair Davis had no report.

c.

Renewable Water Resources Subcommittee        (Commissioner Hoffmann)


Commissioner Hoffmann had no report. 

7.

STAFF REPORTS


a.

Customer Service Report                   (S. Seng)


Ms. Seng reported the following:
Customer Service Report October 31, 2011:
Total Metered Connections = 18,530
Actual New Meter Installations as of 10/31/11:  Current Month 2
Projected Meter Installations for FY 11-12:  35
Actual New Meter Installations as of 10/31/11:  28
Projected EDU’s for FY 11-12:  44
Actual EDU’s as of 10/31/11:   35 

Meter Replacements
Meter replacements for FY 11-12: 102
Meter replacements for October 30, 2011: 19
Ms. Seng ended report.

b.

Capital Projects   (B. Jacklitch)


Mr. Jacklitch reported the following: 
Lambert Lane: The contractor has installed about 3,000 feet of pipeline the plan covers over 7,000 feet of pipeline installation. The Water Utility’s portion of the project will be completed next fiscal year.

El Conquistador Booster Station: The existing infrastructure has been completely demolished and a temporary booster has been in operation over a month. The contractor has been delayed because the motor control center has not been delivered, however this part should be delivered in January. This project will be completed sometime in February 2012.

N. La Canada 3.0MG concrete buried Reservoir: This reservoir has been on line and in service since September. Recently the contractor completed paving at the site and King Air Drive. The contractor is proceeding with landscaping and painting. A walk through with staff and the contractor is scheduled in the next two weeks. This project should be completed December 2011.

8.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT   (P. Saletta)


a.

Colorado River Streamflow and Snow Reports


Mr. Saletta reported the following:
Arizona Streamflow: Pointed out normal and above normal streamflows in the southwest Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico due to recent precipitation. 

Colorado Streamflow: Pointed out normal and above normal streamflows due to recent precipitation.
precipitation

Arizona Snow Water Equivalent: Pointed out northeast areas draining into the Colorado River and south areas into the Gila River. Arizona water areas at about 194%.

Colorado Current Snow Water Equivalent: Over 100% snow water equivalent. Slightly lower in the southwest area. We are beginning with a good year in terms of snow pack and water equivalent.
snowpack

b.

Upcoming WUC Interviews - Chair Powell last term will be ending  December 31, 2011. We are in the process of interviewing five candidates on Thursday, November 17th. Staff will be making a recommendation to Council and they should make their decision December 7th. In addition we have Commissioner Milkey and Commissioner Shapiro letters requesting reappointments.


c. WIFA - Mr. Saletta indicated that WIFA is partly funded by the Cleaned Water Act and Safe Drinking Water funds these are state revolving funds. This state revolving fund helps WIFA borrow money at lower interest rates and helps in subsidizing those loans. The funding of the subsidize portion is presently being held up in Congress. WIFA will still be able to make loans but probably not at lower rates. The Water Utility has been able to benefit significantly from these loans. Staff will be writing a letter of support for WIFA to our congressional representatives supporting the funding of the state revolving fund.

d.

Upcoming Meetings 


-11/16: Town Council meeting
-12/7: Town Council meeting
-12/8: Volunteer appreciation dinner
Mr. Saletta ended his report. 

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - There were no suggestions by the Commission at this time. 


CALL TO AUDIENCE - At this time, any member of the public is allowed to address the Water Utility Commission on any issue not listed on today’s agenda.  Pursuant to the Arizona Open Meeting Law, individual Commissioners 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 Water Utility 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.

NEXT MEETING: December 12, 2011

ADJOURN: 7:26

MOTION: A motion was made by COMMISSIONER SHAPIRO and seconded by COMMISSIONER TUSTISON to adjourn the meeting

MOTION carried, 5-0.