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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.17.2023 WB Agenda Packet Regular MtgCity of Bakersfield Water Board Regular Meeting of May 17, 2023 McClung Weir at 2800 Acres Water Resources File Packet AKERSFIELD THE SOUND 0F,5atyie0jWj, Ve,*,,r WATER BOARD Bob Smith, Chair Bruce Freeman Andrae Gonzales CITY OF BAKERSFIELD WATER BOARD REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, May 17, 2023 - 10:00 a.m. Water Resources Building Conference Room 1000 Buena Vista Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311 AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS A. Agenda Item Public Statements B. Non -Agenda Item Public Statements 4. MINUTES A. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Water Board Meeting of April 19, 2023 - For Board Review and Action 5. KERN RIVER LEVEE DISTRICT 6. REPORTS A. Update on Department's Response to Flooding Concerns within the City of Bakersfield - For Board Information 7. HEARINGS 8. NEW BUSINESS 9. WATER BOARD STATEMENTS Water Board Agenda May 17..2023 10. CLOSED SESSION 11. CLOSED SESSION ACTION 12. ADJOURNMENT POSTED: May 12..2023 d oft ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT BAKERSFIELDTHE SO U ND OP WATER BOARD MEETING DATE: May 17, 2023 AGENDA SECTION: Minutes ITEM: 4. A. TO: Bob Smith, Chairman Bruce Freeman, Member Andrae Gonzales, Member APPROVED FROM: Daniel Maldonado, Asst. Water Resources Director DEPARTMENT HEAD Z�1/0//Z DATE: May 12, 2023 SUBJECT: Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Water Board Meeting of April 19, 2023. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the Minutes of the Regular Water Board Meeting of April 19, 2023. BACKGROUND: AKER FIELD THE SOUND OF �a44kf Ve#0 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE WATER BOARD - CITY OF BAKERSFIELD Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - 10:00 a.m. Water Resources Conference Room 1000 Buena Vista Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93311 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Smith, Member Gonzales Absent: Member Freeman 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS A. Agenda Item Public Statements — None B. Non -Agenda Public Statements - None 4. CLOSED SESSION A. Conference with Legal Counsel —Potential Litigation Closed session pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2), (e)(1). Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney requested the board add a closed session item to the agenda. After the City of Bakersfield's Water Board Agenda for April 19, 2023, was published in accordance with the Brown Act, staff has determined an immediate need to take action and that the need arose after the posting of the Water Board Agenda. Ms. Gennaro requested the Closed Session be immediately following Public Statements. A blue memo was circulated and on the table for public viewing. Motion by Member Gonzales to add a Closed Session regarding Potential Litigation to the Water Board Agenda. APPROVED WITH MEMBER FREEMAN ABSENT Chairman Smith recessed the regular meeting to Closed Session at 10:02 a.m. Bakersfield, California, April 19, 2023 Chairman Smith adjourned Closed Session and reconvened to the regular meeting at 10:28 a.m. 5. CLOSED SESSION ACTION City Attorney Gennaro stated there is no reportable action regarding Closed Session Item A. 6. MINUTES A. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 2, 2023. Motion by Member Gonzales to approve the Minutes of March 2., 2023. APPROVED WITH MEMBER FREEMAN ABSENT 7. KERN RIVER LEVEE DISTRICT A. Update on the Kern River Levee District Daniel Maldonado, Assistant Water Resources Director, explained the background, and how the City of Bakersfield in coordination with Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) operates and maintains the Kern River Levee District. Mr. Maldonado explained the responsibilities, sphere of influence map, and purpose of the Kern River Levee District. Levees are accredited by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 8. REPORTS A. Update on Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project. Kern River & Isabella Reservoir Operations Report Daniel Maldonado, Assistant Water Resources Director, gave background information regarding the reason for Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project. Mr. Maldonado explained the components of the construction project consisting of Main Dam, Auxiliary Dam, service spillway, and Labyrinth Weir. Once completed the reservoir (Isabella Lake) has gross storage capacity of 568,075 -acre feet. On April 4, 2023, the Army Corp of Engineers held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the completion of Phase 2 of the project. Although there are still minor projects to complete, the structural portion of the project has been completed and is ready to be utilized this season. Miguel Chavez, Hydrographic Supervisor, stated in the last report given to the board in February 2023 that water content and snow depth has greatly increased. We received significant storms entering our Kern River Watershed including a Category 3 Atmospheric River which occurred on March 10, 2023. Referring to the graph titled "Kern River Basing Snowpack Accumulation", Mr. Chavez compared 2023 snowpack to one of the wettest years on record of 1982-1983 with the record being 1969 1.7 million acre-feet of run off April through July (A -J). In 1982-1983 season the A -J run off was 339% of our historical average. In February it was reported that the Department of Water Bakersfield, California, April 19, 2023 -- Page 3 Resources (DWR) forecasted the A -J run off to be 187% of normal, since then on April 1, 2023, DWR forecasted the A -J run off to be 429% of normal or 1.83 million acre-feet. With records going back to 1893, currently we are on pace to have the wettest year on record. Referring to the graph titled "Kern River Natural Flow, Regulated Flow, & Isabella Reservoir Storage 2022-2023 Water Year", Mr. Chavez stated March brought a lot of action to the Kern River. The March 10th Category 3 Atmospheric River was a sub -tropical storm that brought warm moisture into the Kern Watershed melting off the lower elevation snow up to 7000 ft of elevation as a result flooding occurring in Kernville. Peak flows were recorded at 45,700 cubic feet per second (cfs), which is the second highest recorded flows in our history. The highest being December 6, 1985, of 120,000 cfs. March had significant increases of storage elevation. March 1St storage elevation was at 135,000 acre -ft and on March 31St storage elevation was at 343,620 acre -ft, increasing 200,000 acre -ft or 29 ft. Throughout Bakersfield we increased about 2,000-2,500 cfs, which we were able to safely manage and move to our recharge ponds and Buena Vista's recharge ponds. Prior to the storm on March 9th the outflow from Isabella was 440 cfs and we ended the month with 4,400 cfs. Currently the outflow from Isabella is at 5,650 cfs, inflow is at 5,540 cfs and storage is at 299,792 acre -ft; anticipate all three elements to increase as the snow begins to melt off. On Monday, April 17, 2023, the Army Corp of Engineers requested the Kern River Interests incrementally, increase outflows to 7000 cfs, and Mr. Chavez projected to reach that level by early May. Chairman Smith requested the total cost of Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project to which Mr. Maldonado stated staff will research and provide to the board. Motion by Member Gonzales to Deceive and File Report. APPROVED WITH MEMBER FREEMAN ABSENT B. Report on Water Conservation Practices of Phoenix, AZ and Las Vegas, NV In response to a referral at the February 15, 2023, Special Water Board Meeting, Sameena Gill, Water Resources Engineer III, presented a report reviewing water conservation practices of Phoenix, AZ and Las Vegas NV. Phoenix, AZ promotes Water Conservation as a way of life, utilizing Water Smart HOA, Water Smart Business, Leak Detection Program, and Water Conservation Education conservation initiatives. Population has increased in Phoenix, but water use has decreased. Las Vegas, NV is another example of increased population growth and decreased water use. Las Vegas utilizes a Water Smart Program which includes Water Efficient Fixtures and Appliances, Water Smart Landscapes, Free Water Audits, Water Waste Enforcement, and Water Conservation Education. Las Vegas also utilizes a Water Smart Landscape Program which includes Xeriscaping, Landscape Design Assistance, Water Efficient Plant Selection, Irrigation System Upgrades, and Water Efficient Maintenance Practices. Las Vegas also implemented new initiatives; Cutting Back on "Non -Functional" Grass, Prohibiting Installation of New Grass. Other restrictions evolving fountains and water features, new golf courses, existing golf courses, and swimming pools are in place as well. Water Board members instructed staff to provide Local and State of California Bakersfield, California, March 2, 2023 — Page 4 Development Standards of landscaping and stormwater for commercial and residential properties. Member Gonzales requested information regarding the Turf to Garden programs' success rate. Rafael Molina, California Water Service Assistant District Manager, offered work with City staff and to make a presentation to the Water Board regarding conservation programs and success rates at a later meeting. Motion by Member Gonzales to Receive and File Report. APPROVED WITH MEMBER FREEMAN ABSENT C. Update on Water Conservation in the City's Domestic Water Service Area Tylor Hester, Domestic Water Supervisor 11, reported in the Month of March the Governor of California rescinded his 15% voluntary reduction of water as compared to water usage rates in 2020. Also last year the Governor rescinded an order that required Urban Water Suppliers to activate Level 2 of their Water Shortage Contingency Plans. Even with the recent, significant rainfalls and snow pack the Governor still has the emergency drought conservation regulations in place including provisions around wasteful use. In 2023, the City's Domestic Water Service area has saved 1,280 acre -ft compared to the same period in 2020, which equates to a savings of 20.22% for the 2023 year of January through March. Water savings amounts are for the total water deliveries within the system. The City's Domestic Water Service Area has grown in the past two years. In 2020 the population served by the City's Domestic Water Service area was approximately 157,440 residents and the population currently served is about 163,386 residents, an increase of almost 6,000 residents with 1,600 new service connections. Considering the population growth in the City's system, the average water use reduction equates to approximately 22% per person per day this year as compared to the same period of 2020. Residential gallons per capita per daily calculation is 160.67 gallons compared to 86 gallons per capita goal of Las Vegas in previous report to which Ms. Gill corrected current per capita of Las Vegas is 110 gallons with the goal to reach 86 gallons by year 2035. Mr. Maldonado stated the governor maintained the wasteful water regulations such as automatic shutoff nozzle on hoses, outdoor watering 48 hours after measurable rainfall, and watering decorative or nonfunctional turf in commercial, industrial, and institutional areas. Mr. Maldonado explained in November 2021 Water Resources Department staff brought before the Water Board that the City of Bakersfield would be entering into Shortage Level 2 in response to the governor's drought proclamation, which included the limiting of outdoor landscaping and turf watering to three days per week while highly recommending two days per week for our residents. Water Resources staff asked for input from the Water Board if there would be any consideration to rescind any type of water regulations including the shortage Level 2 status which is currently implemented within the City of Bakersfield or would conservation efforts continue. Chairman Smith and Member Gonzales agreed with long term conservation and continue to plan for dry years going forward. Bakersfield, California, April 19, 2023 — Page 5 9. HEARINGS - None 10. NEW BUSINESS - None 11. WATER BOARD STATEMENTS - None 12. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Smith adjourned the meeting at 11:18 a.m. Bob Smith, Chairman City of Bakersfield Water Board Kimberly Aleman, Secretary City of Bakersfield Water Board d oft W BAKERSFIELD THE SOUND OF �e+�te(li PF ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT WATER BOARD MEETING DATE: May 17, 2023 AGENDA SECTION: Reports ITEM: 6. A. TO: Bob Smith, Chairman Bruce Freeman, Member Andrae Gonzales, Member APPROVED FROM: Daniel Maldonado, Asst. Water Resources Director DEPARTMENT HEAD Z�1/09 DATE: May 12, 2023 SUBJECT: Update on Department's Response to Flooding Concerns within the City of Bakersfield RECOMMENDATION: For Board Information BACKGROUND: Staff will provide a presentation and graphics on the Department's response to flooding concerns and its preparation of the upcoming snowmelt season.