HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.10.21 WB Minutes Regular MtgBAK RSFIELD
THE SOUND OF 5b4AWf .r
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR
MEETING OF THE
WATER BOARD - CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 - 12:00 p.m.
Water Resources Conference Room
1000 Buena Vista Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93311
SPECIAL NOTICE
Public Participation and Accessibility
March 10, 2021 City of Bakersfield Water Board
On March 18, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-29-20, which includes
a waiver of Brown Act provisions requiring physical presence of the Council or the public in light
of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Based on guidance from the California Governor's Office and Department of Public Health, as
well as the County Health Officer, in order to minimize the potential spread of the COVID-19
virus, the City of Bakersfield hereby provides notice that as a result of the declared federal, state,
and local health emergencies, and in light of the Governor's order, the following adjustments
have been made:
1. The meeting scheduled for March 10, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. will have limited public access.
2. Consistent with the Executive Order, Water Board members will attend the meeting via
Zoom or telephonically and to participate in the meeting to the same extent as if they
were physically present.
3. The public may participate in each meeting and address the Water Board as follows:
• If you wish to comment on a specific agenda item, submit your comment via email to
Water Resources at waterCa),bake rsfieldcity. us no later than 8:00 a.m. Wednesday the
day of the Water Board meeting. Please clearly indicate which agenda item number
your comment pertains to.
• If you wish to make a general public comment not related to a specific agenda item,
submit your comment via email to Water Resources at waterpbakersfieldcity. us no later
than 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, day of the Water Board meeting.
• Alternatively, you may comment by calling (661) 326-3100 and leaving a voicemail of no
more than 3 minutes no later than 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, the day of the Water Board
meeting. Your message must clearly indicate whether your comment relates to a
particular agenda item, or is a general public comment. If your comment meets the
foregoing criteria, it will be transcribed as accurately as possible.
• If you wish to make a comment on a specific agenda item as it is being heard, please
email your written comment to Water Resources at water(a bake rsfieldcity. us. All
Bakersfield, California, March 10, 2021 — Page 2
comments received during the meeting may not be read, but will be provided to the
Committee and included as part of the permanent public record of the meeting.
Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chairman Smith, Member Freeman, Member Parlier
Absent: None
Chairman Smith welcomed Member Freeman to the Water Board
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Dennis Fox submitted a voicemail message regarding the need for homeless
amenities along the Kern River. Voicemail was transcribed by City Clerk's Office
and read by Water Board Secretary.
4. MINUTES
A. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 9, 2020 for
approval.
Motion by Member Freeman to approve the Minutes of December 9,
2020.
APPROVED ALL AYES
5. KERN RIVER LEVEE DISTRICT - None
A. Update on Water Usage in the City's Domestic Water Service Area
cumulative 2020.
Tylor Hester, Domestic Water Supervisor, reported over the past year, the
City's Domestic Water Service Area has saved 1392.96 acre-feet compared to
2013 quantities. The cumulative water saving over this time period is about a
3.15% reduction from 2013 quantities. The City's population has increased
about 17.17% over the seven-year period. Therefore, considering the
population growth and the reduced amount of water used, the average water
use reduction equates to approximately 13.85% per person per day.
Member Freeman inquired regarding incentives for residents to conserve
water. Art Chianello, Water Resources Manager, explained ongoing residential
water conservation program that provides rebates for high -efficiency washing
machines, toilets, and smart irrigation controllers. Home conservation kits and
water efficient sprinkler nozzles are offered at no cost to city residents.
Board information only, no action taken.
Bakersfield, California, March 10, 2021 — Page 3
6. Reports (continued)
B. Initial Water Management for 2021
Kristina Budak, Water Resources Director, presented a PowerPoint
overview of the City's use and need of Kern River Water and the City's
typical Annual Demand.
Miguel Chavez, Hydrographic Supervisor, reported on Kern River Natural
Flow, Regulated Flow, Isabella Storage, Kern River Snowpack
Accumulation and City's Project 2021 Water Supply. The City has been
operating with Natural Flow since October 2020 with peak inflow at 394
cubic feet per second (cfs) and peak outflow at 315 cfs. Storage level has
remained consistent with a current storage level of 94,284 acre feet (ac -
ft). Current inflow to the Isabella Dam is 263 cfs and current outflow from
Isabella Dam is 246 cfs. Snow pack is very weak. Department of Water
Resources is projecting 29% normal water year, October 2020 -September
2021, which will be the second consecutive dry year. The City anticipates
receiving 47,334 ac -ft of entitlement, 4,225 ac -ft of other water which
includes some State Water and storage transfers, and 6,872 ac -ft storage
carried over from December 2020 for a Total Estimated 2021 Supply of
58,431 ac -ft.
i4otion by Member Freeman to Receive and File Repotf
A PPRO VED ALL AYES
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. Report on Proposed Domestic Water Rate Increase
Art Chianello, Water Resources Manager, reported on Water Resources
Department Domestic Division Operating budget. Mr. Chianello shared a graph
of the Operating Domestic Budget which included FY 2018-19 Adopted, FY
2019-20 Adopted, FY 2020-21 Adopted, and FY 2021-22 Proposed Domestic
Water Budget. Mr. Chianello explained the years chosen represent the new
normal after our aggressive $47 Million TCP Contaminate Removal Capital
Improvement Project. Water Resources proposing a 4% rate increase based
on increased operational costs including increased electricity cost, change out
of Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC), system repair and maintenance, and
Capital Improvement Projects and upgrades to the City's older water system.
Mr. Chianello shared a comparison graph of 5 local Water Purveyor monthly
water bill cost based on an average of 28 CCF. Currently the City of
Bakersfield has the lowest rate in the metropolitan area and would still be the
lowest rate in the area even with the proposed 4% increase.
For Board information only, no action taken
Bakersfield, California, March 10, 2021 — Page 2
8. !DATER BOARD STATEMENTS - None
9. CLOSED SESSION - None
10. CLOSED SESSION ACTION — None
11. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Smith adjourned the meeting at 12:57 p.m.
Bob Smith, Chairman
City of Bakersfield Water Board
Kirdberly Alemaii,Secretary
City of Bakersfield Water
Board