MINUTES
ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, April 8, 2013
HOPI CONFERENCE ROOM
11000 N. LA CAÑADA DRIVE
 
 
 
CALL TO ORDER - AT OR AFTER 6:00 P.M.

No

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:
Robert Milkey, Chair
Winston Tustison, Vice Chair
Richard Davis, Commissioner
John Hoffmann, Commissioner
Richard Reynolds, Commissioner
Elizabeth Shapiro, Commissioner
Richard Verlaque, 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 speakers present.

1.

APPROVAL MARCH 11, 2013 MINUTES


Click here for Item 1

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Tustison and seconded by Commissioner Hoffmann to Approve the March 11, 2013 minutes.

MOTION carried, 7-0.

2.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CENTRAL ARIZONA PROJECT NON-INDIAN AGRICULTURAL WATER                    (P. Saletta)


Click here for Item 2

Click here for Item 2a

Mr. Saletta reported that June 14th was the application deadline for the 1st Round. If the Commission decides to move forward with the application process Staff would present this item to Council in May. If the Commission recommends not applying for the 1st Round staff will write a report to Council. At this time, staff recommends not applying for the Central Arizona Project Non-Indian Agricultural Water but it will be important to reevaluate in 2021. 

The Water Utility Commission did not see the need for the 1st Round application and agreed not moving forward. They felt there would be additional opportunity for the 2nd round in year 2021. 

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Davis and seconded by Vice Chair Tustison recommend that the Water Utility Commission accept Staff's recommendation to not move forward with an application for the 1st Round of the Central Arizona Project reallocation of Non-Indian Agricultural Water.

MOTION carried, 7-0.

3.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A LOAN APPLICATION WITH THE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE AUTHORITY OF ARIZONA        (Commissioner Tustison and S. Seng)


Commissioner Tusition mentioned that the Finance Subcommittee met this morning to discuss the WIFA loans versus bond interest loans.
Ms. Seng mentioned that the Utility needs to finance the AMI project starting next fiscal year. We considered a loan through the Water Infrastructure Financing Authority but bonds are very comparable to WIFA's financing. Staff will develop an analysis on the different financing aspects and the term of the loans. This item was presented as information only. No action was required or taken on this item.  This item will be presented to the Commission in June for further discussion. 

4.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING REFUNDING OF THE SERIES 2003 EXCISE TAX BONDS          (Commissioner Tustison, P. Saletta and S. Seng)


Commissioner Tustison reported that the Finance subcommittee met and had a presentation on this item.

Item #4 WUC MTG Refunding of series 2003 Excise Tax Bonds

Mr. Saletta gave a power point presentation. -Overview Series 2003 Excise Tax Revenue Bonds    -Terms of Refunding    
-Proposed Schedule:  4/8: Finance Subcommittee reviewed     4/8: Commission recommendation    5/15: Town Council    5/17: Bond closing (tentative)

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Tustison and seconded by Commissioner Davis to Recomend Approval that the Water Utility Commission recommend that Town Council approve the refunding of the Series 2003 Excise Tax Revenue Bonds with a minimum saving of $225,000.

MOTION carried, 7-0.

5.

DISCUSSION AND UPDATE REGARDING GROUNDWATER EXTINGUISHMENT CREDITS                              P. Saletta)


Mr. Saletta mentioned that the Water Utility was interested and planning to discuss with Tucson Water and other entities the purchases of Groundwater Extinguishment Credits. The Utility could spend approximately $400,000 for these credits. These GW Extinguishment credits can be used in lieu of Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District. 
 

Staff will continue to talk with other entities and will bring this back to the Commission when a draft agreement is available for review. This draft agreement will be forwarded to Town Council for their consideration and approval.

No action was required or taken on this item.

6.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING POSSIBLE RESCHEDULING OF        THE JUNE 10, 2013 WATER UTILITY COMMISSION MEETING      (Chair Milkey)


Mr. Saletta will not be available for the June 10th WUC meeting.  The Commission unanimously agreed to reschedule their meeting Tuesday, June 18th. 

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Shapiro and seconded by Commissioner Davis to Approve to hold the June Water Utility Commission meeting on June 18th.

MOTION carried, 7-0.

7.

TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS/COMMUNICATIONS           (Councilmember Hornat)


Councilmember Hornat mentioned that the Annual Report was exceptional and it was well received by Council.

Mr. Saletta thanked the Water Utility Commission for their support and staff for all their effort.

8.

SUBCOMMITTEE/COMMISSIONER REPORTS


a.

Finance Subcommittee                    (Commissioner Tustison)


Commissioner Tustison had no report.

b.

Conservation Subcommittee            (Commissioner Davis)


Commissioner Davis had no report.

c.

Water Resources Subcommittee                 (Commissioner Hoffmann)


Commissioner Hoffmann had no report.

9.

STAFF REPORTS


a.

Customer Service Report         (S. Seng)


Click here for Item a

Ms. Seng reported on Customer Service Report - March 2013
-FY 12-13 Total Metered Installation as of 3/31/13:  18,782 
-FY 12-13 Actual New Meter Installations as of 3/31/13: 183     Current: 34 
-FY 12-13 EDU's as of 3/31/13:   229                                      Current: 40
-FY 12-13 Meter Replacement as of 3/31/13:  280                    Current month: 21
-FY 12-13 Water Audits as of 3/31/13:  86                               Current month:  12 

-Update AMI Project:  Installing antenna equipment by the end of the month. The installation will begin immediately after. We expect to replace 2900 meters in 7 to 8 weeks.

The customer web portal is also up and running.

b.

Capital Projects                                (B. Jacklitch)


Mr. Jacklitch reported on CIP Projects:
-A notice to proceed has been issued for Tangerine Hills/Tangerine Meadows and High Mesa facility. Construction should begin by the end of the month.

-CAP Phase II pipeline study is 95% complete
-Blending CAP water booster is 75% complete
Mr. Jacklitch mentioned that a 15 year CIP program was also developed for this years Town Budget.
 

c.

Potable and Reclaimed Water System Report                 (D. Ruiz)


Click here for Item 9c

Mr Ruiz reported the following:
-Total Annual Water Production
-2012/13 Monthly Water Production Report
 

-Daily Demand and Precipitation - March 2013

-2012/2013 Monthly Reclaimed Water Deliveries

-Reclaimed Water System - March 2013

10.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT                           (P. Saletta)


a.

Colorado River Streamflow and Snow Reports


Click here for Item 10a

Mr. Saletta gave a brief report on the following:
Stream flow reports for Arizona & Colorado March 2013

Colorado River Water Supply Report - Total System Contents - March 2013.

Arkansas Colorado and Rio Grade Basin Snowpack - April 1, 2013

Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Western U.S. Snow Water Equivalent - 4/8/2013

b.

Upcoming Meetings 


-4/10: Council Budget Study Session
-4/17: Council meeting
-5/01: Council meeting
-5/13: WUC meeting 
-5/15: Council meeting
Mr. Saletta reported that he would be in Washington D.C week of 4/15, representing AWWA and AZWA to discuss proposed bill for federal low interest rate program for water and wastewater infrastructure. He will be meeting with Arizona delegation staff.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
May agenda items: 
-Update on Youth Education Program - K. Boyce
-Update USGS - J. Hoffmann
-Update WIFA Loan - S. Seng 
-Summary of Long term Capital Improvement plan

NEXT NEETING: May 13, 2013   Location: Hopi Conference Room

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 speakers present.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Shapiro and seconded by Commissioner Reynolds to Adjourn the meeting.  

MOTION carried, 7-0.