There were no speakers.
Vice Chair Davis turned the election process of Chair and Vice Chair over to Mr. Saletta.
Mr. Saletta and gave a brief overview of the election process.
Commissioner Arriaga nominated Richard Davis for Chair and Rick Reynolds for Vice Chair of the Water Utility Commission.
MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Campbell and seconded by Commissioner Tustison cease nominations and elect Richard Davis for Chair and Richard Reynolds for Vice Chair of the Water Utility Commission.
MOTION carried, 6-0.
The minutes were amended as follows: Commissioner Weagle and Commissioner Tustison abstained from approval of the January 12, 2015 minutes.
MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Tustison and seconded by Commissioner Weagle to approve the January 12, 2015 minutes as amended.
MOTION carried, 6-0.
Chair Davis read the recommended appointments for the Water Utility Commission subcommittees.
Water Conservation: Rick Davis, Chair -Anne Campbell, Member -Staff - K. Boyce
Water Resources: Rick Reynolds, Chair -Javier Arriaga, Member -Shanna Weagle, Member
Finance: Winston Tustison - Chair -Javier Arriaga, Member
Ms. Seng distributed the final Water Rates Report - 2014 to the Finance Subcommittee members.
Mr. Saletta reported that the Water Utility received a letter in October from the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) indicating they were selling 20,000 acre feet per year of long-term storage credits in the Tucson Active Management Area (TAMA). Oro Valley submitted a bid for the purchase of the water but the offer was declined. The USBR did not disclose the successful bidder, but details would be available after the contract is finalized. Oro Valley will continue to build up credits by purchasing CAP's entire water allocation and storing about 2500 to 2800 acre feet per year. The utility would like to build our long-term storage credits to about 30,000 acre feet within the next 5 to 10 years.
Mr. Saletta mentioned if there were any shortages of CAP water, the Arizona Water Banking Authority (AWBA) in the Tucson Active Management Area (TAMA) was also storing on behalf of other water utilities that have CAP contracts.
No action was required on this item.
Mr. Saletta reported that over the past few year's staff has discussed reviewing the cash reserve requirements. At the last Council meeting the Water Utility was directed to review the Groundwater Preservation Fee (GPF). Since both these items are related to the financial scenarios and water rates analysis, staff is recommending that the Finance Subcommittee review these items at their next meeting. Staff will bring the Finance Subcommittee's recommendation to the Water Utility Commission for approval in April. This item will be presented to Council in May.
Councilmember Hornat reported on:
-Stone Canyon property rights
-Discussion on 2.5% Sales tax
-Purchase of El Conquistador Country Club and filing of court appeal
-Ventana Medical facility expansion
-Biotech development
Commissioner Tustison had no report.
There was no meeting. Commissioner Davis reported that they will continue looking into AquaHawk's process and making it more intuitive.
Commissioner Reynolds had no report.
Ms. Seng reported the following:
-Total Metered Connections as of 1/31/15: 19,117
-New Meter Installations as of 1/31/15: 91 January
-Actual EDU's as of 1/31/15: 205 January
-AMI Meter Installations: 9,063 FY 14-15: 2,384
Estimated completion for this project December 2015.
-Water Conservation Audits as of 1/31/15: 75 January
Total audits completed from inception: 1,875
Ms. Seng also reported on the number of Credit card payments, ACH Customers, E-Bill Customers and registered AquaHawk accounts.
Mr. Jacklitch reported on:
Construction Projects
-Countryside Service Area -Installation of 12-inch water main Completion by: June 2015
-Tangerine Road widening -Relocation of existing reclaimed water and potable water mains. This project is part of the RTA program. -Construction schedule: January 2016
-Lambert Lane/La Canada west to Rancho Sonora: DIS department will be working on converting the street to 4 lanes. The Water Utility will install a 12-inch water main.
-Energy Efficiency program: The utility continues work on energy efficiency boosters and wells.
-Naranja Road CAP blending station: The utility installed a 12-inch pipe crossing for a future booster station.
-Arizona Power Authority: The application process will continue for another month and should end in March. The application will be made available in March.
Mr. Ruiz reported the following:
-Total Annual Water Production: January 2015
-2014-15 Monthly Water Production Report
-2014-15 Monthly Reclaimed Water Deliveries
-Daily Demand Operations Report & Daily Precipitation: January 2015
-Reclaimed Water System deliveries: January 2015
Mr. Saletta reported on:
-Colorado River Water Supply - January 25, 2015: Lake Powell and Lake Mead water levels
-Arizona Snowpack - February 5, 2015
-Colorado Snowpack - February 5, 2015
-Utah Snowpack - February 5, 2015
-Wyoming Snowpack - February 5, 2015
Snow pack is below normal in most areas with average levels in the Central and northern Rocky Mountains.
| a. |
Colorado River Basin Snowpack Reports |
Staff is currently working on the Annual Report and plans to forward an electronic copy to the Commission by February 26. The Commission's comments and recommendation will be considered at the March 9 meeting. Staff will prepare the final report and request Council's acceptance at their April 1 meeting.
-2/18: Town Council meeting
-3/4: Town Council meeting
-3/6: SAWUA Forum
-3/9: WUC meeting
-WUC Quick Reference list: Commissioners had no changes
-A billing insert was sent last week advertising for a Countryside Water Service Area Water Utility Commission representative.
-Overview of Water Utility Financial aspects (Commissioner Tustison)
-Field tour of reservoirs and wells (Chair Davis)
-Review Drought Response Plan (Commissioner Weagle)