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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.24.2013 WB Minutes Regular MtgB A R E R S F I E L D KAINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE WATER BOARD - CITY OF BAKERSFIELD Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 2:00 p.m. Water Resources Building Conference Room 1000 Buena Vista Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Hanson called the meeting to order at 2:00 p,m, rd ice' Present: Chairman Hanson, Vice -Chair Johnson, Member Smith Absent: None 3. MINUTES A, Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 8, 2013 for approval, Motion by Johnson to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May u. 2001 j. APPROVED ALL AYES � pUB!_IC �i�TEr�1'tr,�i,rc A. Harry Love, President, Kern Audubon -Society, spoke regarding the environmental studies area located near California State University and the bike path. The Foundation would like to place a sign stating "This is an Environmental Studies Area" and the web site to make the public aware of this area, Mr. Love stated quotes have been received for the sign and private funding and grants will be utilized. He requested approval to place the sign on public property to bring awareness to the environmental area. He also requested the City maintain the sign against graffiti. Vice -Chair Johnson directed staff to review the proposed sign design and the location, and authorized staff to follow -up. B. Dennis Fox spoke regarding Assembly Bill 711 sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States regarding eliminating lead bullets. Mr. Fox also suggested that a portion of the state tax received for habitat be used to mitigate the delta project. Bakersfield, California, July 24, 2013 - Page 2 4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS continued C. Rudy Valles, District Manager, California Water Service Company, introduced himself and Stephanie Hearn, Water Quality Project Manager. He stated Cal Water will continue to provide quality service to the City. 5. KERN RIVER LEVEE DISTRICT A. Isabella Dam Safety Modification Project Update, Art Chianello, Water Resources Manager, gave a brief update and stated the Corps is collecting user surveys at recreation sites through the summer and will use this information to help support a recreation plan in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service. Work continues to move forward for repair of the dam, testing of earth materials will continue during the excavation of the project. Also, Congressman McCarthy voted in support of the Fiscal Year 2014 Energy and Water appropriations bill, which provides funding to the Army Corps and other agencies. Board Information only, no action taken. 6. REPORTS A. Kern River & Isabella Reservoir Operations Report John Ryan, Hydrographic Supervisor, reviewed the graphs and stated the Kern River natural flow and regulated flow is down. The Isabella Reservoir storage is extremely low for the year. Storage is currently at 71,300 acre feet, and the April -July runoff is at 102,000 acre feet, below normal. Board information only, no action taken. B. Presentation by Representatives of California Water Service Company regarding Annual Consumer Confidence Water Quality Report. Art Chianello, Water Resources Manager, introduced Stephanie Hearn, California Water Service. Ms. Hearn gave a brief overview and stated the Water Quality Report is produced as a requirement of the Safe Water Quality Act. The report must contain information regarding the water system, sources of water received; any detections of contaminants, and how, and if in compliance with drinking water regulations. Consumers are the intended audience and receive the report annually. Board Information only, no action taken. C. Fish & Wildlife Service Designation of Critical Habitat for the Buena Vista Lake Shrew Report, Art Chianello, Water Resources Manager, stated in 2002 the Shrew was designated an endangered species. In 2005 the 2800 Acres was not designated as Critical Habitat for the Buena Vista Lake Shrew due to the City's approved Management Plan. The land was being re- evaluated as a result of a lawsuit. In lieu of designating the area critical habitat and facing future unknown regulations, Staff proposed an Enhanced Management Plan. City Bakersfield, California, July 24, 2013 - Page 3 • Vin; , _,,, C. staff has been working with the U,S, Fish & Wildlife Services since 2005 by providing annual monitoring reports. In 2011 the proposed Enhanced Management Plan was submitted to Fish and Wildlife Services for consideration to exclude the 2800 Acres as critical habitat land. In July 2, 2013 the final critical habitat designation for the Shrew was published, effective August 1, 2013, The 2800 acres was excluded from the final rule based on consistent implementation of a habitat management plan by the City of Bakersfield for the benefit of the Shrew. Board Information only, no action taken. 7. DEFERRED BUSINESS - None 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Water Sale Agreement with Kern River Endowment Foundation, Art Chianello, Water Resources Manager, stated the Panorama Vista Preserve consists of approximately 936 acres and 50 percent is in the City limits. The Foundation has received state grants for their re- vegetation project, The Foundation is seeking to secure a water supply for the future planting project. Motion by Johnson to approve the Water Sale Agreement with Kern River Endowment Foundation (WR13 -021). APPROVED ALL AYES B. Update on Kern Groundwater Management Committee, Art Chianello, Water Resources Manager, gave a brief update and stated the groundwater basin is in a state of overdraft. The local agriculture users have proposed to draft a cohesive Groundwater Plan to keep the State from regulating in the future. An Interim cost sharing agreement, in the amount not to exceed $10,000 and a draft Kern Ground Water Authority Joint Powers Agreement is also circulating, Two proposals have been received to prepare the groundwater plan, in the amounts of $375,000 and $165,000, Currently the City has not committed to either agreement and additional information is still needed. Board information only, no action taken. C. Water Conservation Inserts Mailed With Monthly Water Bills, Art Chianello, Water Resources Manager, stated the City has the ability to work with California Water to include water conservation inserts in the monthly water bills. Staff proposes two months of public information directed to the 42,000 water connections, In addition, this public outreach will meet required water demand, water management measures, The cost will be approximately $4,000 a month. Russell Johnson requested staff also do a Water Awareness Poster Contest with schools, Bakersfield, California, July 24, 2013 - Page 4 9. MISCELLANEOUS None 10. WATER BOARD STATEMENTS Harold Hanson directed staff review membership costs for the Water Association of Kern County and inform the Board. 11. CLOSED SESSION None 12. CLOSED SESSION ACTION None Chairman Hanson adjourned the meeting at 3;08 p.m. Harold Hanson, Chairman City of Bakersfield Water Board Bobbie Zaragoza, CIVIC Secretary, City of Bakersfield Water Board