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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.14.22 WB Minutes Reg MtgB KER FIELD THE SOUND OF 5WeVrMf ge#e MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE WATER BOARD - CITY OF BAKERSFIELD Wednesday, September 14, 2022 - 10:00 a.m. Water Resources Conference Room 1000 Buena Vista Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93311 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Smith, Member Freeman, Member Parlier Absent: None 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS David Beard, Improvement District No. 4 Manager at the Kern County Water Agency, spoke thanking Art Chianello, Water Resources Manager and City staff for their assistance cleaning out aquatic weeds from their pond. Dennis Fox spoke regarding legal actions in Sacramento beginning regarding the Delta and Sacramento River. 4. MINUTES A. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 9, 2022. Motion by Member Freeman to approve the Minutes of March 9, 2022. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED 5. KERN RIVER LEVEE DISTRICT - None Bakersfield, California, September 14, 2022 — Page 2 6. REPORTS A. Update on Water Usage in the City's Domestic Water Service Area Tylor Hester, Domestic Supervisor, presented an update regarding the City's Domestic Water Service Area. California is experiencing its worst drought since the 1800's. In June 2020 the Governor of California called on residents to reduce water usage based on -the quantities used in 2020. Mr. Hester referred to graphs showing water usage in 2022 compared to 2020. Cumulative the City's Domestic Water Service Area saved over 1000 acre- feet compared to 2020 which is 4% reduction from the 2020 baseline. The City of Bakersfield Domestic Water Service area has grown; in 2022 we have 6,000 more residents compared to 2020. Accounting for growth factor the average reduction is 9% compared to 2020. Board information only, no action taken. B. Kern River & Isabella Reservoir Operations Report, Update on Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project, Annual Hydrographic Report Daniel Maldonado, Water Resources Planner, gave an overview of the current Kern River and Isabella Operations, update on Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project and Annual Hydrographic Report. Mr. Maldonado referred to several graphs which showed regulated outflow, natural inflow, and Isabella storage and reported the current the inflow to Isabella Lake is 159 cfs, outflow from Isabella Lake is 150 cfs, and storage is at 40,806 acre-feet. In August we saw some monsoonal activity which peaked the inflow at Kernville to 728 cfs. Current inflow levels are a result of that monsoonal activity. Current storage levels are at 11 % of the restricted pool capacity, and 7% of the full capacity. The City's storage is at approximately 4,750 acre-feet. Mr. Maldonado provided a three-month outlook with no major changes in operations and Kern Delta Water District will restart their exchange program with Improvement District #4 to deliver Kern River water to Henry C Garnett Treatment Plant in October -November. The forecast predicts 91 % chance of La Nina conditions through the winter. Referring to the Average April -July Runoff chart, Mr. Maldonado pointed out 2022 is the 7th driest year on record, 2021 is the 2nd driest year on record, and 2020 the 24th driest year on record with our Average Runoff dropping. Truxtun Lakes operations in 2015 diverted 283 ac -ft and the lakes did not go dry, in 2021 diverted 333 ac -ft and the lake did not go dry, in 2022 diverted 431 ac -ft and the lakes went dry. The City made efforts to maintain water levels and the lakes still went dry. The Isabella Dam Safety Modification Project is nearing completion. The Labyrinth Weir is expected to be completed in November 2022 with the Main Dam expected completion in September 2022. The Permanent Operation Facilities are to be completed in 2023. The Army Corp is seeking for a controlled fill of the Lake up to the gross storage capacity of 568,075 acre-feet. The flood conservation pool's offseason capacity will remain at Bakersfield, California, March 9, 2022 — Page 3 170,000 acre-feet from November to January. Conversations between the Kern River Watermaster and Kern River interest with the Army Corp 'on REPORTS (continued) the potential to increase the carryover capacity following a wet year have been positive and will be reviewed on a year-to-year basis. The completed project will allow for increased operational efficiency with higher storage capacity during the irrigation season. The Project is a positive because the City will be able to control their water supply on wet years to manage their operations so the water supply can be beneficially used within the City of Bakersfield at its various recharge facilities including in the Kern River. Annual Hydrographic report was completed and distributed the first week of September 2022. Board information only, no action taken. 7. HEARINGS - None A. Weather Modification Precipitation and Reimbursement Agreement with North Kern for participation in Weather Modification Program Art Chianello, Water Resources Manager, explained this is a three-year Reimbursement Agreement between City of Bakersfield and North Kern Water Storage District for Weather Modification Program. RHS Consulting is the company that North Kern contracts with for the cloud seeding program. The cost of the program is split 4 ways between the City and three other Kern River interests. On October 23, 2019, the City Council approved a reimbursement agreement with North Kern Water Storage District to enable the City to pay its 25 percent contribution to the program. The current reimbursement agreement will expire on October 23, 2022. This agreement is to pay our 25 percent portion not to exceed $268,384.50 for 2022 through 2025. City staff recommends the Water Board refer the Reimbursement Agreement with North Kern Water Storage District to City Council for approval at the October 19, 2022 meeting. Motion by Member Freeman to refer agreement to City Council for approval. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED B. Agreement with Sierra Hydrographics to conduct gauge operation, maintenance, and verification (Kern River SCADA) for a 5 -year term. Daniel Maldonado, Water Resources Planner, explained this agreement is for the operation, maintenance, and verification of the newly implemented Kern River SCADA system. SCADA system was recently completed by W.M. Lyles who worked with Sierra Hydrographics to install the telemetry and other equipment at 15 locations along the Kern River. SCADA provides real time surface water, meteorological, and remote camera monitoring. Data is uploaded to an online portal every 15 minutes for field staff and office staff to monitor and ensure our deliveries are accurate. City staff Bakersfield, California, September 14, 2022 — Page 2 r recommends the Water Board refer the Agreement with Sierra � Hyrographics to City Council for approval. Motion by Member Freeman to refer agreement to City Council for approval. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED 9. WATER BOARD STATEMENTS - None 10. CLOSED SESSION A. Conference with Legal Counsel —Potential Litigation Closed Session pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2),(e)(3) (One matter) 1. Water Audit California letter dated July 27, 2022 Chairman Smith recessed the regular meeting to Closed Session at 10:48 a.m. Chairman Smith adjourned Closed Session and reconvened to the regular meeting at 11:23 a.m. 11. CLOSED SESSION ACTION City Attorney Gennaro stated there is no reportable action regarding Closed Session on Item A. 12. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Smith adjourned the meeting at 11:24 a.m. f Bob Smith, Chairman City of Bakersfield Water Board J Kimberly Aleman, Secretary City of Bakersfield Water Board