HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.14.22 WB Minutes Reg MtgB KER FIELD
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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