Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.23.24 WB Minutes Special MtgBAKERSFIELD THE SOUND OFC5ak2Eiyuff Vei(a MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE WATER BOARD - CITY OF BAKERSFIELD Wednesday, October 23, 2024 - 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.-02 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Smith, Member Gonzales (seated at 10:10 am) Absent: Member Freeman 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS - Chairman Smith stated Dennis Fox recently passed away. Mr. Fox consistently attended the Water Board meetings and will be missed. 4. MINUTES A. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Water Board Meeting of August 21, 2024. Motion by Member Gonzales to approve the Minutes of August 21, 2024. APPROVED WITH MEMBER FREEMAN ABSENT 5. KERN RIVER LEVEE DISTRICT A. Activities and Budget Update Soloman Sackett, Water Resources Planner, provided an overview of the Kern River Levee History, FEMA Accreditation, Sphere of Influence and Maintenance and Operations. Robert Szilagyi, Budget Officer, presented the Kern River Levee District Financial Summary. Chairman Smith inquired of revenue source and when it began. In addition, staff explained boundaries, responsible parties, and the biggest challenge concerning levees are rodents. Bakersfield, California, October 23, 2024 — Page 2 A. Bellevue River Weir Project Solomon Sackett, Water Resources Planner, presented the Bellevue River Weir Emergency Maintenance Project. Mr. Sacket reported due to heavy flows in the Kern River in 2023 and 2024 the Bellevue Weir accumulated heavy amounts of sediment and debris that requires removal to return the channel to its original capacity. Beginning early September, staff conducted inspections and assessments of the river and the weir to determine maintenance requirements. QK biologist conducted biological surveys. Permit applications submitted to the Army Corp of Engineers, Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, and submitted an Operation of Law Construction Work Schedule to the CDFW. Mid -October Water Department staff received authorization from regulatory agencies to perform maintenance operations. On October 21, 2024, Water Department staff commenced maintenance activities at the Bellevue River Weir. Maintenance included removal of debris, reestablish rock protection, redistribute sediment, and grading. Mr. Sacket provided photos and maps of before and after maintenance. Staying within the primary flood channel approximately fifteen trees will be removed from the downstream channel and three trees from the upstream channel. Water Department worked closely with Recreation and Parks Department to establish a Revegetation Plan. Recreation and Parks will be planting four 48" box native trees and eighteen 24" box native trees at The Park at Riverwalk to be planted within 6 months. Chairman Smith inquired to the frequency of the sediment removal to which staff responded approximately every 5 years. Member Gonzales directed staff to notify the public of the revegetation with some signage near the area. B. Update on Front Yard Landscape Project at the Water Department Henry Kouyoumdjian, Engineer 11, reported on the purpose of the project, and the problem and solution of the project. Mr. Kouyoumdjian displayed before and after photos as well as during construction and discussed construction methods used. Project consisted of utilizing 34 different species of plants with future educational QR codes to educate the community and bring awareness of drought tolerant plants and water conservation. Solar lighting was installed as well. The project benefits the community by providing an educational garden where residents and businesses can explore and learn, demonstrating a variation of drought tolerant plants, trees, DG combinations, for individuals to adapt sustainable practices at their homes or workplaces, and improve and add value to the local community. Chairman Smith inquired about the potential water savings to which staff responded typically the savings when converting turf to garden yields 30- 50% water conservation. Member Gonzales is proud the City kept conservations in place as a culture change. Member Gonzales also asked staff to develop a plan to publicize this project. 7. HEARINGS — None Bakersfield, California, October 23, 2024 — Page 3 REPORTS (continued) 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Update on Kern River Backup Weir Daniel Maldonado, Assistant Director — Water Resources, reported on the Kern River Backup Weir, which is located upstream of Coffee Road Bridge. Mr. Maldonado displayed pictures and gave a timeline for the project. The Kern River Backup Weir is undersized for flood management. In 2019, it was determined that the weir is deteriorating, damaged, and needs to be replaced. In 2020, the City began design work and consultations with regulatory authorities. After receiving 90% design plans in 2022, the project was eligible to be submitted as a candidate to receive integrated regional water management program funding. In 2023, the City was awarded 1.3 million dollars in state funding for construction of the project with completion required by March 2026. In 2024, the City received all necessary permits and agreements to begin construction of the Kern River Backup Weir. Currently, the City has completed the bidding process receiving bids from Nicholas Construction, Granite Construction, and Griffith Construction, with Nicholas Construction's proposal being the most favorable. Staff anticipate the construction agreement to go before City Council for approval on November 61 2024, with prep work to begin January 2025 and full reconstruction of the weir to begin March 2025. Chairman Smith inquired how long construction is expected to last. Staff replied approximately 5 1 /2 months. 9. WATER BOARD STATEMENTS Referring to the minutes from the August 21, 2024 Regular meeting, Member Gonzales inquired about the Kern River winter outlook report. Staff explained there is an annual snow conference being held in November and staff attending will receive more information from expert forecasters and will be presented at an upcoming Water Board meeting. 10. CLOSED SESSION — None 11. CLOSED SESSION ACTION — None 12. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Smith adjourned the meeting at 11:10 a.m. Bob Smith, Chairman City of Bakersfield Water Board Kimberly Aleman, Secretary City of Bakersfield Water Board