HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.21.23 WB Minutes Regular MtgBAK R FIELD
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR
MEETING OF THE
WATER BOARD - CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
Wednesday, June 21, 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 Freeman, Member Gonzales
Absent: None
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS - None
4. MINUTES
A. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 17, 2023.
Motion by Member Freeman to approve the Minutes of May 17, 2023.
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
5. KERN RIVER LEVEE DISTRICT - None
6. REPORTS
A. Kern River & Isabella Reservoir Operations Report
Miguel Chavez, Hydrographic Supervisor, stated at the last Water Board
Meeting it was reported the Kern River and Kern River Interests were moving
water at a significant rate and amount in anticipation of the historic snowpack
and snowmelt this year, with concerns of flooding in Bakersfield. Conditions
have drastically changed since that last report. There has been a historic
cooling pattern that has entered the area which has slowed down the
snowmelt. Inflows into Isabella are at a much lower rate than anticipated. On
April 1St, DWR was projecting 1.83 million acre-feet (ac -ft) for the April -July
runoff period, 429% of normal. On June 13th, DWR updated their forecast to
Bakersfield, California, June 21, 2023 — Page 2
1.69 million ac -ft for the April -July runoff period, 396% of normal. Due to the
slower snowmelt, the Army Corp of Engineers and the Kern River Interests
have shifted their focus from a flood control operation to filling the reservoir
to capacity. Referring to a graph, Mr. Chavez stated based on the latest
forecast the reservoir is projected to be at full capacity of 568,000 ac -ft by
mid-July. Currently, storage at Isabella Reservoir is at 479,027 ac -ft which is
84% capacity. To date inflow to Isabella is 7,737 cfs and outflow release is
5,625 cfs. Water flow in the Kern River through Bakersfield is anticipated to
continue for the remainder of the year. Chairman Smith inquired to the
timeframe the siphons would stay in place at Coffee Road weir. Member
Freeman asked if more storage areas were created to retain all the water in
Kern County. Member Gonzales made the comment that the Water
Resources Department has done an excellent job throughout this
challenging time and to continue to provide the citizens of Bakersfield with
updates and data.
B. Update on Water Conservation in the City's Domestic Water Service Area
Tylor Hester, Domestic Supervisor, reported early this year the Governor
rescinded his call for a voluntary 15% reduction in water use to the water
providers along with rescinding an order requiring urban water suppliers to
activate Level 2 of their water shortage contingency plans. The City of
Bakersfield has chosen to keep their Level 2 in place for now. Referring to
graphs, Mr. Hester explained the monthly water usage and savings for 2023
compared to 2020. In 2023, the City's Domestic Water Service Area has
saved 1,658 ac -ft of water compared to the same period in 2020, which is a
savings of 14.40%. The City's Domestic Water Service Area has grown over
the past two years, the population has had an increase of over 6,100
residents with over 1,800 new service connections. Considering the
population growth in the City's system, the average water use reduction
equates to approximately 18% per person per day this year. Member
Freeman asked about data that an AMI meter could provide to assist in
conservation efforts. Tamara Johnson, California Water Service District
Manager gave insight and cost regarding the AMI meters. Daniel Maldonado,
Assistant Water Resources Director, stated that the City of Bakersfield Water
Resources Department received a grant to install 5,500 AMI meters in the
City's Domestic Water Service area.
7. HEARINGS - None
A. Update on O&M Agreement No. 92-250 with California Water Service Co.,
to increase in the amount of 4.3% for year 2023 (starting with January
2023), increasing annual cost by an estimated $378,806.
Daniel Maldonado, Assistant Water Resources Director, states on November
4, 1992, the City of Bakersfield entered into Agreement No. 92-250 with
Bakersfield, California, May 17, 2023 — Page 3
California Water Service Co. (CWS) to operate and maintain the City's
Domestic Water System, to which includes the daily operation of the system
pumps, stations, water treating or disinfection, utilizing CWS equipment
operators, routine maintenance of the meters, meter reading, and water
quality sampling, inventory and warehouses supplies, customer service,
monthly billing and payment processing for our users on behalf of the City of
Bakersfield, in exchange for a set rate paid on each active City water
connection. Current number of active service connections in the City's
Domestic Water System is approximately 50,646 connections. Allowed
under the terms of the agreement there is a clause for an annual review and
CWS may request annual increases to this rate to ensure their costs are
covered. City Staff and CWS has agreed on the increase of 4.3% on each
active connection starting January 2023.
9. WATER BOARD STATEMENTS - None
10. CLOSED SESSION — None
11. CLOSED SESSION ACTION - None
12. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Smith adjourned the meeting at 10:39 a.m.
4
ob SehChairman
City of Bakersfield Water Board
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Kimberly Aleman, Secretary
City of Bakersfield Water
Board