Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/16/23 WATER BOARD MINUTESBAKERSFIELD .HE sow of MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE WATER BOARD - CITY OF BAKERSFIELD Wednesday, August 16, 2023 - 10:00 a.m. Water Resources Conference Room 1000 Buena Vista Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93311 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Smith, Member Freeman, Member Gonzales Absent: None 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS - None 4. MINUTES A. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 21, 2023. Motion by Member Freeman to approve the Minutes of June 21, 2023. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED 5. KERN RIVER LEVEE DISTRICT - None 6. REPORTS A. Kern River & Isabella Reservoir Operations Report Miguel Chavez, Hydrographic Supervisor, stated at the last Water Board Meeting it was reported the Army Corp and Kern River Interests had a goal to fill the reservoir throughout the month of July. On July 251h the reservoir was filled to 550,000 acre-feet (ac-ft) completing the data requirements of the Army Corp. At the June Water Board Meeting, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) was projecting 1.69 million acre-feet (ac-ft) for the April - July runoff period, 396% of normal. The water year ended up coming in at 1.59 million ac-ft at 372% of normal which is to date the second wettest year on record. Referring to a graph, Mr. Chavez stated storage at Isabella Bakersfield, California, August 16, 2023 — Page 2 Reservoir is at 479,355 ac-ft. Outflow release is 2,991 cfs and inflow to Isabella is 1,673 cfs. Going forward storage will decrease in preparation for November 1 Sc carryover target of 170,000 ac-ft. The Watermaster sent a request on behalf of all the Kern River Interest to the Army Corp asking for the carryover amount to be increased to 245,000 ac-ft. Member Freeman inquired about expanded recharge facilities around the city to which Mr. Daniel Maldonado, Assistant Water Resources Director, assured Member Freeman expanded recharge had occurred. In the past our max diverted amount been 5,400 cfs and this year 7,200 cfs was able to be diverted on straight demand for recharge in different areas and still meet irrigation demands. Recharge facilities all over the city have been expanded. In the event of another storm the Kern River Interest has confidence and has shown the ability to divert up to 7,000 cfs safely and to use it to the maximum benefit. Member Freeman inquired about the forecast for next year. Mr. Chavez stated that the DWR publishes reports as well as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that there are El Nino conditions in the Pacific which historically means a wet winter. Although it is too early to predict a wet winter, we are optimistic. Chairman Smith inquired about the carryover request to which Mr. Chavez confirmed it is a per year request. Member Gonzales asked if there would be a postmortem discussion to analyze what went well or not so well during this historically wet year. Mr. Maldonado stated the DWR and Kern River Interests currently have such a meeting scheduled in September. Member Gonzales requested feedback from the meeting. The board members were concerned with the bad information given by the DWR to the public regarding flooding. Mr. Chavez stated that DWR is working to correct their maps and information. B. Update on Water Conservation in the City's Domestic Water Service Area Tylor Hester, Domestic Supervisor, reported early this year the Governor rescinded his call for a voluntary 15% reduction in water use to the water providers along with rescinding an order requiring urban water suppliers to activate Level 2 of their water shortage contingency plans. The City of Bakersfield has chosen to keep their Level 2 in place for now. Referring to graphs, Mr. Hester explained the monthly water usage and savings for 2023 compared to 2020. In 2023, the City's Domestic Water Service Area has saved 2,540 ac-ft of water compared to the same period in 2020, which is a savings of 12%. The City's Domestic Water Service Area has grown over the past three years, the population has had an increase of over 6,500 residents with over 1,900 new service connections. Considering the population growth in the City's system, the average water use reduction equates to approximately 15% per person per day this year. C. Report on the City's Landscaping Standards compared to California State Landscaping Standards Mr. Maldonado stated the report to be given was due to a referral from the board at the Water Board meeting in June. Mr. Maldonado introduced Bakersfield, California, August 16, 2023 — Page 3 presentation regarding the landscaping standards of City of Bakersfield compared to California State Landscape Standards. Chairman Smith clarified what started this discussion was the Board was informed there was conflict in those standards, heard the City of Bakersfield requires more grass than the State allowed in residential areas. Mr. Boyle gave a history of Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), AB325, AB1883 and Governor's Executive Order B-29-15. The City of Bakersfield's Landscape Standards; Ordinance 4010, Ordinance 4624, and Ordinance 4943 follow a similar timeline as the State. Mr. Boyle, referencing a conversation with the City's Planning Director, stated the question was asked if the City of Bakersfield requires anything that is more restrictive than the State of California and his response was absolutely not. Mr. Boyle defined various projects that require MWELO compliance, review, and certain thresholds for each. The Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) Compliance Pathway Flowchart is used to determine if MWELO applies to a project. Estimated Total Water Use (ETWU) must not exceed Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA) per the ordinance. The City of Bakersfield has two pathways in place; the prescriptive pathway compliance option — Appendix D of Title 23, Chapter 2.7 MWELO which is typically every single-family home and the performance pathway generally used for commercial projects. D. Report on Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) within the City's Domestic Service Area Report given by Tylor Hester, Domestic Supervisor, in response to a referral from the board at the Water Board meeting in June. The board requested information on AMI with the intent to incentivize customers or developers to install AMI meters to help conserve water. The City purchases and installs all water meters within our service area. In 2021, Water Resources began exploring AMI technology with the intent of reducing water cost and losses. Mr. Hester, referring to the provided table of current cost of meters, explained there are two sizes of meters in our system, the older areas of our system uses 5/8" meters and the newer areas use 1" meters. Retrofitting is also utilized where a device is installed on to a non-AMI meter allowing it the capabilities to function as a full AMI meter. Water Resources does not have plans to retrofit only replace with new as the need arises. Earlier this year the City received a grant and matching funds to install AMI meters at the end of their lifespan in the Laurelglen, Sagepoint, and Spice Tract areas which is bounded by Gosford Road and New Stine on the west and east and Ming Avenue and White Lane on the north and south. Water Resources plans to strategically select areas to replace old meters at the end of their lifespan with AMI meters, gradually replacing our whole system with AMI meters and new development as well. Tamara Johnson, California Water Service District Manager gave insight and explained the cell -site based network the AMI meter utilize. Chairman Smith requested a report to see if the City can meet a goal to convert whole system to AMI in a six year time period similar to California Water Service. Bakersfield, California, August 16, 2023 — Page 4 7. HEARINGS - None 8. NEW BUSINESS - None 9. WATER BOARD STATEMENTS - None 10. CLOSED SESSION — None 11. CLOSED SESSION ACTION - None 12. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Smith adjourned the m et" gat 11:02 a.m. ob Smith, Chairman City of Bakersfield Water Board f Kimberly Aleman, Secretary City of Bakersfield Water Board 1