HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.09.2011 WB Minutes Special MtgB A K E R S F I E L D
MINUTES OF THE SPECI � L MEETINe�
OF THE
KERSFIELL-
Wednesday, November 9, 201 1 - 2 :00 p.m.
Water Resources Building Conference Room
1000 Buena Vista Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311
MIN TES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Couch called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
Present: Chairman Couch, Vice -Chair Hanson, Member Johnson
Absent: None
3. MINUTES
A. Minutes of the special meeting of September 7, 2011 for approval.
Motion ioii y Hanson to approve the minutes of the special meeting of
September 7 2011. APPROVED ALL • Y S
4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
None.
E iai ��I
E
None.
R��ORTS:
A. Kern River & Isabella Reservoir Operations Report.
John Ryan, Hydrographic Supervisor, gave a brief update and stated the U.S.
A.C.E. storage curve mandate for November l It carryover of 170,000 ac -ft was
met on October 30th. The Kern River outflow is on modified natural flow bases
for the rest of the winter. Board information only, no action taken.
Bakersfield, California, November 9, 2011 - Page 2
a REP RTS c•,�i!�ueci
B. California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program.
Jason Meadors, Water Resources Director, stated he and John Ryan,
Hydrographic Supervisor, attended the Snow Conference in Grass Valley. The
Snow Conference provides opportunities for various agencies to network.
The State of California Climatologist, Mike Anderson, predicted highly variable
wet conditions due to current La Nina conditions. Board information only, no
action taken.
7. DEFERRED BUSINESS
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. A Resolution of the Council of the City of Bakersfield setting Domestic Water
Availability Fees.
Maurice Randall, Business Manager, stated the Domestic Water Availability
fee is brought to the Board on an annual basis. The fee is set for new
development and has no effect on existing customers. The fee is collected
and used to install infrastructure required for new water wells for new
development. The fee increase is 1.3% ($73.00) according to the construction
cost index. Staff is requesting the Board approve the Domestic Water
Availability fee and recommend to the full Council for consideration and
adoption of the resolution following the public hearing to be held on
December 14, 2011.
tc V1otion by N.nsor to approve i Avoilal�ility F =� ir,creose
and recommend the resolution to City Council for adoption. APPROO' ED ALL
AYES
B. A Resolution of the Water Board Committee of the Council of the City of
Bakersfield recommending adoption of Enhanced Habitat Management
Plan.
Art Chianello, Water Resources Manager, stated staff has been working with
the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) for the past year- and -a -half. The
USFWS is in the process of reconsidering approximately 5,600 acres in the
Central Valley to be classified as critical habitat, and 50% is the City's 2800
Acres Recharge Facility. Staff has met with the USFWS both locally and in
Sacramento to request the City be allowed to continue to manage the land
per an enhanced habitat management plan. In discussions with USFWS and
City consultant Rick Hopkins, Live Oak Associates Inc., an enhanced plan,
which is an amendment to the plan approved in 2004, has been prepared.
The USFWS is requesting a draft enhanced habitat plan approved by the
Water Board to review. The enhanced habitat plan will be one of the points
the USFWS will use to make their decision to not classify the 2800 Acres as
critical habitat. It is the City's hopes that that will happen. The draft enhanced
Bakersfield, California, November 9, 2011 - Page 3
B. plan will only become effective if USFWS does not reclassify the land as critical
habitat. There are many unknown factors if the land is classified critical
habitat. Staff is being proactive in preparing the enhanced habitat plan to
allow the City to do business as usual.
Motion by Johnson to approve Resolution No. 01- I I WB of the Water Board
recommending adoption of the Enhanced Habitat Management Plan.
APPROVED ALL AYES
9. AAIISCELLA SOUS
A. Schedule a Regular Water Board meeting on January 18, 2012.
Art Chiancello, Water Resources Manager, requested the board schedule a
regular Water Board meeting on January 18, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in the Water
Resources Conference Room at 1000 Buena Vista Road, Bakersfield. The 2012
meeting calendar will be approved at the January meeting.
Motion by • •o schecolu le C� • X71 wC�7fei • • • - 6 Ui' �P,`iU�11Y
2012. APPROVED ALL AYE
! ATER BO • R � � ��e���ITS
None.
11. CLOSED SESSION
A. 1. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation
Closed session pursuant to subdivision (a) of Government Code section
54956.9 (Two cases).
a. North Kern Water Storage District. v. State Water Resources
Control Board, City of Bakersfield
Kern County Superior Court Case No. S- 1500 -CV- 270613
b. North Kern Water Storage District v. City of Bakersfield
Kern County Superior Court Case No. S- 1500 -CV- 275010 -SPC
2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Potential Litigation
Closed session pursuant to subdivision (b) (3) (A) of Government Code
section 54956.9 (One matter). This item was pulled from the Agenda at
the request of the City Attorney.
Chairman Couch recessed the regular meeting to Closed Session at 2:13 p.m.
Chairman Couch adjourned the meeting from Closed Session at 2:43 p.m.
Bakersfield, California, November 9, 2011 - Page 4
12. CLOSED SESSION ACTION
Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney, announce Closed Session action as follows:
11. A. l .a. No reportable action.
11. A. l .b. No reportable action.
11. A. 2. This item was pulled from the Agenda at the request of the City Attorney.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Couch adjourned the meeting at 2:44 p.m.
David Couch, Chairman
City of Bakersfield Water Board
Bobbie Zarag6z4,,QMC
Secretary, City of Bakersfield Water Board