Agenda and Minutes

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MEETING NOTICE

THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE

STOCKTON EAST WATER DISTRICT WILL BE HELD

AT 12:30 P.M., TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2024 AT THE

DISTRICT OFFICE, 6767 EAST MAIN STREET

STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA 95215

Assistance for the Disabled:  If you are disabled in any way and need accommodation to participate in the meeting,

please contact Administrative Staff at (209) 948-0333 at least 48-hours

in advance for assistance so the necessary arrangements can be made.

FOR CONTINUED CONVENIENCE STOCKTON EAST WATER DISTRICT

BOARD MEETINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY TELECONFERENCE.

Please call (347) 566-2741/Passcode: 300 937 522#

to be connected to the Regular Board Meeting, to begin at 12:30 p.m.

Agendas and minutes are located on our website at www.sewd.net.

AGENDA

A.        Pledge of Allegiance (Legal Counsel Zolezzi) & Roll Call

B.        Consent Calendar (None)

C.        Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)

D.        Scheduled Presentations and Agenda Items                                                         

1.      Minutes 10/15/24                                                                                                                                                  

2.      Warrants

a.       Fund 68 - Municipal & Industrial Groundwater Fund                       

b.      Fund 70 – Administration Fund                                                       

c.       Fund 71 – Water Supply Fund                                                           

d.      Fund 91 – Vehicle Fund                                                                    

e.       Fund 94 – Municipal & Industrial                                                      

f.        Summary                                                                                          

g.      Short Names/Acronym List                                                           

h.      SEWD Vehicles & Heavy Equipment                                                

3.      Stockton East Water District – Consider Adoption Of A Wireless          

         Phone Policy Memo

4.      Letter of Support WaterSmart: Water and Energy Efficiency Grant 

           For the South San Joaquin Irrigation District Advanced Metering

          Infrastructure Project – San Joaquin, California

E.        Committee Reports  

F.         Report of the General Manager

1.        Water Supply Report 10/15/24                                                                                                                                                                                                     

2.      Informational Items: None

3.      Report on General Manager Activities                

a.       CVP Water Association – Executive & Financial

           Affairs Committee Meeting, 10/15/24

b.      Stockton East Water District Activities Update

4.      Stockton East Water District Finance Update

G.        Director Reports

1.        Contra Costa Water District – Value of Water Tour,  10/17/24

H.        Communications                                                                                         

I.       Agenda Planning/Upcoming Events

1.      Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce – 39th Annual San                  

          Joaquin AG Hall of Fame, 5:30 p.m., 10/29/24

J.         Closed Session

            1.   CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL –                                                                      ANTICIPATED  LITIGATION

                   Potential exposure to litigation – Government Code

                   Section 54956.9 – one case

K.        Adjournment

Certification of Posting

I hereby certify that on October 17, 2024 I posted a copy of the foregoing agenda in the outside display case at the District Office, 6767 East Main Street, Stockton, California, said time being at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Stockton East Water District (Government Code Section 54954.2). 

Executed at Stockton, California on October 17, 2024.

                Signed by: Priya Ram 10/17/24

                Priya Ram, Director of Finance & Administration

                 Stockton East Water District

Any materials related to items on this agenda distributed to the Board of Directors of Stockton East Water District less than 72 hours before the public meeting are available for public inspection at the District’s office located at the following address: 6767 East Main Street, Stockton, CA 95215. Upon request, these materials may be available in an alternative format to persons with disabilities.

THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OF STOCKTON EAST WATER DISTRICT WAS HELD AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE

6767 EAST MAIN STREET, STOCKTON, CA

ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2024, AT 12:30 P.M.

A.    PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL

Vice President McGurk called the regular meeting to order at 12:30 p.m., and Legal Counsel Zolezzi led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Present at roll call at the District were Directors Cortopassi, McGurk, Nakaue, Panizza, Sanguinetti and Watkins. Also present were Assistant Manager Vega, Accountant Rangel, District Engineer Evensen, Administrative Assistant Rodriguez and Legal Counsel Zolezzi. Director Atkins was absent.

B.     CONSENT CALENDAR (None)

C.    PUBLIC COMMENT (None)

D.    SCHEDULED PRESENTATIONS AND AGENDA ITEMS

1.      Minutes 10/15/24

A motion was moved and seconded to approve the October 15, 2024 Minutes, as presented

Roll Call:

Ayes:       Cortopassi, McGurk, Nakaue, Panizza, Sanguinetti, Watkins

Nayes:      None

Abstain:   None

Absent:    Atkins

2.      Warrants

a.       Fund 68 – Municipal & Industrial Groundwater Fund

b.      Fund 70 – Administration Fund

c.       Fund 71 – Water Supply Fund

d.      Fund 91 – Vehicle Fund

e.       Fund 94 – Municipal & Industrial Fund

f.        Summary

g.      Short Names/Acronym List

h.      SEWD Vehicles & Heavy Equipment

Vice President McGurk inquired on the expense on page 8, line 34 for US Bank – PayPal US Committee for 2024 USCID Conference in the amount of $675.00. District Engineer replied the conference was for U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage.

Vice President McGurk inquired on the expense on page 9, line 82 for Fishbio for September 2024 consulting Calaveras RST monitoring/ BMI, thermos, rescues in the amount of $3,654.07. Assistant Manager Vega replied RST stands for Rotary Screw Traps.

Vice President McGurk inquired on the expense on page 12, line item 131 for Sierra Hydrographics for monthly flow measurements at Tunnel Outlet in the amount of $900.00. Assistant Manager Vega replied Sierra Hydrographics verifies the flow measurements since the District’s measuring device is not as accurate.  

Director Panizza inquired on the expense on page 17, line item 200 for Valley Landscaping & Maintenance Inc for sprinkler work for TP irrigation system in the amount of $2,990.00. Assistant Manager Vega replied labor hours.

A motion was moved and seconded to approve the October 22, 2024, Warrants, as presented.

Roll Call:

Ayes:       Cortopassi, McGurk, Nakaue, Panizza, Sanguinetti, Watkins

Nayes:      None

Abstain:   None

Absent:    Atkins

3.      Stockton East Water District – Consider Adoption Of A Wireless Phone Policy Memo

Assistant Manager Vega presented the Board with a memo to Consider Adoption Of A Wireless Phone Policy. Assistant Manager Vega reported the District currently provides certain employees with a District-owned wireless phone for the purpose of conducting District business. Management staff have evaluated the costs related to the District-owned wireless phones and proposed development of a Wireless Phone Usage Policy to the Administrative Committee, om July 19, 2024. Assistant Manager Vega reported the District currently supplies wireless phones to 35 employees, with each phone costing $52.20 per month, leading to an annual expense of $21,924. Additionally, the District spends an average of $2,064 on wireless phone hardware and accessories, bringing the annual cost to approximately $24,000. Assistant Manager Vega also reported District staff recommend creating a Wireless Phone Usage Policy that would allow employees to receive reimbursement for personal phone use related to District business. The proposed stipend would be $50 per month, resulting in an annual cost of $21,000 if fully adopted, which would save the District $3,000 in wireless phone expenses. Assistant Manager Vega reported the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the Wireless Phone Usage Policy. The advantage would be cost saving and decreased liability for damaged equipment. The disadvantage would be unable to request and/or search wireless phone and phone records and the mix of wireless carriers.  Assistant Manager Vega reported Operations, Water Supply, Administration and SCADA would be the only lines in service. District staff recommends the Board approve adoption of the Wireless Phone policy, surplus of the District’s expensed wireless phones and transfer of District associated wireless phone numbers.

Director Panizza inquired how staff would be notified if an employee using their personal phone number leaves the District and the number changes. Assistant Manager Vega replied the District maintains an employee phone list that is updated regularly, so the process would remain the same under the new policy.

Director Nakaue inquired how many phone lines would the District keep. Assistant Manager Vega replied the District would keep seven numbers.

Director Watkins proposed adopting a Hybrid Wireless Policy, allowing employees to choose whether to carry one or two phones.

The Hybrid Wireless Phone Policy will return to the Board at a future Regular Board Meeting. Discussion followed.

A motion was moved and seconded to approve staff’s recommendation and amend the policy to “Hybrid Wireless Phone Policy”, as amended.

Roll Call:

Ayes:       Cortopassi, McGurk, Nakaue, Panizza, Sanguinetti, Watkins

Nayes:      None

Abstain:   None

Absent:    Atkins

4.      Letter of Support WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grant For the South San Joaquin Irrigation District Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project – San Joaquin California

Assistant Manager Vega provided the Board with a Letter of Support WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grant For the South San Joaquin Irrigation District Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project – San Joaquin California. Assistant Manager Vega reported the District prepared a letter of support for the South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID) about their Water and Energy Efficiency Grant application with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

A motion was moved and seconded to approve the Letter of Support WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grant For the South San Joaquin Irrigation District Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project – San Joaquin California, as presented.

Roll Call:

Ayes:       Cortopassi, McGurk, Nakaue, Panizza, Sanguinetti, Watkins

Nayes:      None

Abstain:   None

Absent:    Atkins

E.     COMMITTEE REPORTS

F.     REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER

1.      Water Supply Report as of 10/15/24

Assistant Manager Vega provided a handout of the Water Supply Report for information only that included storage, release, and production data collected from various sources as of midnight last night.

There is 177,239 AF in storage at New Hogan Reservoir. Current releases are set at 81 cfs. There is 1,804,493 AF in storage at New Melones Reservoir. Current releases are set at 1,113 cfs. The current release at Goodwin Dam to Stanislaus River is set at 550 cfs and release to all water users is set at 961 cfs. The District Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is currently processing 40 mgd. North Stockton is currently utilizing 8 mgd. South Stockton is currently using 8 mgd. Cal Water is currently utilizing 20 mgd. The City of Stockton WTP is currently processing 15 mgd.

2.      Information Items: None

·          

3.      Report on General Manager Activities          

a.       CVP Water Association – Executive & Financial Affairs Committee Meeting, 10/15/24

Director of Finance & Administration Ram attended the CVP Water Association – Executive & Financial Affairs Committee Meeting. Assistant Manager Vega reported the meeting addressed the WIIN Act True Up. The WIIN Act enabled the conversion of water contracts from service to repayment contracts, easing the payment of construction dues. However, the cost allocation implemented in 2022 altered the distribution of costs, resulting in municipal and industrial (M&I) users covering a larger share of the obligation while agricultural users paid less. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is expected to complete its analysis of this issue by 2032.

b.      Stockton East Water District Activities Update

Assistant Manager Vega reported the dam removals are ahead of schedule.

Assistant Manager Vega reported staff has begun work on Highway 4.

Assistant Manager Vega reported staff has begun initial construction on the trash racks, and Engineering is coordinating with PG&E to resolve outstanding issues. A grant of easement will be presented to the landowner for their signature.

Assistant Manager Vega reported the Dry Well Pilot Project is fully piped in and the District is expecting to receive water in the dry wells within the next week.

Assistant Manager Vega reported the District has experienced other break-ins in the northeast section of the property. To enhance security, the District has hired Delta Protective Service to patrol the campus from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. Meanwhile, staff will be reviewing security proposals from ADT, Calidad, and Bay Alarm to consider buying a security camera and monitoring system.

Director Nakaue inquired if there is a fence around the solar panels. Assistant Manager Vega replied the intruders are cutting the fence to get in.

Director Watkins suggested informing the tenant there will be security patrolling the campus.

Assistant Manager Vega reported there is an issue at the Hosie Crossing, where the grower is having difficulty moving their equipment due to the crossing being too narrow. Engineering staff are working on a permanent solution to address the problem.

Director Nakaue inquired if it was a new crossing. Assistant Manager Vega replied yes. Discussion followed.

4.      Stockton East Water District Finance Update

Accountant Rangel provided the Board with a Finance Update. Accountant Rangel reported the interest income from July – September which was $518K with LAIF at 4.71% and Class A at 5.36% for a total amount to date of $1M of interest income to date for the fiscal year. Accountant Rangel also reported staff had their first meeting to prepare for transition with Tyler Technologies.

G.    DIRECTOR REPORTS

1.      Contra Costa Water District – Value of Water Tour, 10/17/24

Director McGurk, Director Watkins, Manager Hopkins and Assistant Manager Vega attended the Contra Costa Water District – Value of Water Tour. Director Watkins reported they visited the Delta Intake, Los Vaqueros Dam and Interpretive Center, Contra Costa Canal, Randall-Bold Water Treatment Plant and Bailey Reservoir and Pump Station. Director McGurk reported it takes 320 employees to run the Contra Costa Water District. Director Watkins reported Contra Costa Water District had six different pump station levels and four intakes.

Assistant Manager Vega reported Contra Costa Water District uses ozone and generates its own ozone on-site.

H.    COMMUNICATIONS

I.       AGENDA PLANNING/UPCOMING EVENTS 

1.      Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce – 39th Annual San Joaquin AG Hall of Fame, 5:30 p.m., 10/29/24

2.      Director Watkins noted there will be an Ag Venture Day in Manteca on October 29, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.

J.      REPORT OF THE COUNSEL

1.      CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Potential exposure to litigation – Government Code Section 54956.9 – one case

President Atkins adjourned the meeting to closed session at 1:21 p.m. The regular meeting reconvened at 1:32 p.m., with no reportable action.

K.    ADJOURNMENT

President Atkins adjourned the meeting at 1:33 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Justin M. Hopkins
Secretary of the Board

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