HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.21.24 WB Minutes Regular MtgBAKERSFIELD
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR
MEETING OF THE
WATER BOARD - CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - 12:00 p.m.
Water Resources Conference Room
1000 Buena Vista Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93311
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chairman Smith, Member Freeman,
Absent: Member Gonzales
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS - None
4. MINUTES
A. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Water Board Meeting of April 17, 2024.
Motion by Member Freeman to approve the Minutes of April 17, 2024.
APPROVED WITH MEMBER GONZALES ABSENT
5. KERN RIVER LEVEE DISTRICT- None
6. REPORTS
A. Water Resources Monthly Report - July 2024
Kristina Budak, Water Resources Director, stated Water Resources Monthly
Report was in packets for review. Ms. Budak discussed an item not in the
report, which was a mid -July meeting staff had with the US EPA to review
required reporting based on the AWIA American Water Infrastructure Act of
2018. Staff not only identified critical assets in our water system that are
susceptible to threats, but the Wastewater critical assets as well. Efforts
produced a Risk and Resilience Asset Report allowed us to certify all critical
assets with the US EPA mid -August 2024. Member Freeman inquired if City
of Bakersfield Water System is susceptible to a cyber-attack. Staff explained
SCADA system is internal, and operators can run system manually if needed
with back up generators at key sites.
Bakersfield, California, August 21, 2024 — Page 2
REPORTS (continued)
B. Update on Water Conservation in the City's Domestic Water Service Area
Tylor Hester, Water Superintendent, started the report with a background
recap of Governor Newsom's rescinding the 2021 voluntary 50% reduction
in water usage in March 2023 and Level 2 Drought Plan of 2021 order. The
City of Bakersfield decided to keep the Level 2 Drought Plan in place, to
encourage conservation with our residents. The City of Bakersfield Municipal
Water Service area has continued to see a reduction in total usage. This year
compared to 2020 we have saved 841 ac-ft. Over the past 4 years the City
of Bakersfield Municipal Water Service area has grown, with an increase of
10,000 new residents which equates to 3,000 new service connections. Mr.
Hester reviewed graphs of consumption, savings, and consumption vs
growth. Member Freeman inquired about the drop of usage in 2021-2023.
Mr. Hester responded with the increased awareness of water conservation,
Governor Newsom's call to voluntary 50% reduction and the utilizing the
CitySourced App where residents are able to report broken sprinklers, leaks
in the road and water wasting, aided in the reduction. Mr. Freeman inquired
about public outreach to which staff explained our education partnership with
Water Association of Kern County. Examples of public education are wraps
round the water tanks and city busses, campaign "Don't be that Guy", Kern
County Fair Water Day and turf replacement public outreach all focus on
water conservation. Joe Conroy, Public Information Officer, stated there are
conservation reminders posted regularly on the City of Bakersfields social
media as well. Daniel Maldonado, Assistant Director — Water Resources,
added with the AM Meter project residents will be able to see their usage in
real time and will further encourage water conservation.
C. Kern River & Isabella Reservoir Operations Report
Miguel Chavez, Hydrographic Supervisor, reported on the Kern River and
Isabella Reservoir 2023-2024 water year. Original forecast was projected
close to a 100% of average water year but that number has been updated to
90% of average water year. Currently the inflow is 405 cfs, outflow is 1,405
cfs, storage at Isabella Reservoir is at 220,787 ac-ft. Next board meeting Mr.
Chavez will have the winter outlook. Chairman Smith inquired to our storage
allowable amount going into the winter months. Mr. Chavez stated the Army
Corp allows us 170,000 ac-ft of carry over water on November 1st, but a
request has been submitted to the Army Corp to increase the amount to
245,000 ac-ft. Of the 170,000 ac-ft allowable, 44,000 is Water Department
water.
7. HEARINGS — None
A. Sewer Connection Fees for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Evette Roldan, Assistant Director -- Wastewater, presented to members of
Bakersfield, California, August 21, 2024 — Page 3
the board a PowerPoint presentation for proposed Sewer Connection
ton Fees
for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 that will be given at the September 11
p , 2024, City
Council meeting. Ms. Roldan explained what Sewer Connection Fees are
and how they are used. Sewer Connection Fees are onlyused to support
growth pport
g and not used for operation and maintenance. With sewer, planning
for capacity at the ' p g
p ty treatment plants, infrastructure, trunklines, is necessary
ears in advance. M
10 to 20
Y ember Freeman asked how much capacity we
have for growth before we need to expand. Ms. Roldan explained Pla
nt ant 3
capacity is 32 mgd and is operating at 18 mgd. Plant 2 capacity is to the poin
t
of looking at a future expansion. Discussions have begun regarding
g g ding
colle
ction infrastructure, parallel lines, and choke points. Ms. Roldan
explained the methodology and how the fees are calculated. Sewe
r
Connection Fees are determined by utilizing common industrypractice ceof
using utility valuation of City facilities which includes treatment plants, sewer
p
infrastructures, facility expansions, and improvements. The last rate inc
rease
was in 2010. The proposed connection fee chart was r displayed and
discussed. Staff recommend adopting the proposed fees.
Motion by Member Freeman to Receive and File Report.
APPROVED WITH p
MEMBER GONZALES ABSENT
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)
Chairman Smith recessed the regular meeting to Closed Session at 12:
56 p.m.
Chairman Smith adjourned Closed Session and reconvened to the regular
gu ar meeting
at 1:55 p.m.
11. CLOSED SESSION ACTION
Deputy City Attorney Collom stated there is no reportable action regarding 9 g Closed
Sessio
n on Item A.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Smith adjourned the meeting at 1:56 p.m.
Bob Smith, Chairman
City of Bakersfield Water Board
Kimberly Alemran, Secretary
City of Bakersfield Water Board