[0:40] Fifty.
[0:42] Very, very, very.
[1:00] Andrew.
[1:02] All means order.
[1:07] This is the August 28th.
[1:09] Fourth, are you a board lady?
[1:14] West Fish Minister, Florida.
[1:21] And this is what time we will.
[1:25] It's a quorum,
would you please call the roll?
[1:30] Yes, Mr. President, Director Gloria Gray.
[1:42] Director.
[1:46] Director Tommy Favai. Here.
Director Desi Alvarez. Here.
[1:50] Director Scott Houston. Here.
President John Deere. Here. Mr. President,
[1:56] we do have a quorum.
It is worth noting that Director Gloria
[2:00] Gray was on the phone,
so we'll work with her to get her patched
[2:05] back in.
[2:06] There's no associates, Pat.
[2:09] Very much.
[2:11] Good.
[2:15] Go on our birthday boy for the pledge of
allegiance to Scott. All right, well,
[2:21] let's salute our nation's flag for
everyone who can stand and join me.
[2:27] Put your right hand over your heart and
let us begin.
[2:31] I pledge allegiance to the flag.
[2:34] of the United States of America and to
the Republic for which it stands,
[2:39] one nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
[2:43] Your vote, please be seated.
[2:56] Public comment.
I do believe we need at least one person
[2:59] on the phone. Yes, Mr. President,
we did receive one request for public
[3:02] comment that is joining us virtually.
It's worth noting that this meeting is
[3:06] being held both in person and virtually.
If there are any additional members of
[3:10] the public that would like to speak on a
public comment,
[3:13] please indicate so by raising your
virtual hand.
[3:21] And Mr. President,
I do not see any additional requests,
[3:24] so I'll have our board secretary
introduce the first public speaker. Okay.
[3:28] Thank you. Public speaker today,
we have Mr. Richard Fielding.
[3:33] Fielding? Yes, Richard Fielding.
[3:37] Later on.
[3:40] Good afternoon.
Thank you for the opportunity to address
[3:43] the board.
[3:43] Hello?
[3:45] Hello!
[3:47] Mr. Fielding,
would you wait one moment while we
[3:49] connect with our board members phoning in?
[3:52] Director Gray, are you there?
[3:55] Yes, I'm here. I'm sorry, I'm here now.
Thank you.
[3:57] I have the record show Director Gray is
here. We have a full quorum,
[4:01] all five members of the board,
and we'll go back now to public comment
[4:02] Thank you.
[4:05] and we have Mr. Fielding who answers.
[4:09] Thank you.
Thank you for the opportunity to address
[4:11] Yeah.
[4:12] the board. My name is Rich Fielding.
I own Upcycle Products in Morris,
[4:16] Illinois.
I wanted to recap you for a minute on
[4:19] what I presented to the Public
Information and Education Committee.
[4:22] We are a rain barrel manufacturer based
out of Morris, Illinois.
[4:27] Yeah.
[4:27] We've been of...
[4:30] Providers of yours from 2014 to 2019,
we've bid this project several times
[4:35] since.
The reason I went into the Public
[4:38] Information Education Committee was
[4:41] I wanted to express our company and our
employees, our employees.
[4:47] are paid at or above the fair living wage
law.
[4:50] We provide our employees with benefits.
[4:54] such as vacation, holiday, sick pay.
We do flex scheduling.
[4:58] We have a couple of employees that have
single parent homes that we're able to
[5:03] flex schedule around our schools.
We also have another employee of ours
[5:07] whose spouse has Ms.
and so it has to be her total caregivers.
[5:10] Two.
[5:11] We flex schedule around them.
[5:13] We offer an employee package with
education and retirement benefits also.
[5:15] Yeah.
[5:17] Okay.
[5:19] We've been in business since 1997.
We're just a few months short of 30 years.
[5:23] We're SPE certified by San Diego County
Water.
[5:25] Is it?
[5:27] And I could provide a list.
I did when I talked to the Education
[5:31] Committee,
but I did want to log in and just take an
[5:35] exception to a couple of comments from
the
[5:40] public report protest that was presented.
Our company has no major design issues
[5:46] with our rain barrels.
We've been inspected, certified,
[5:50] and actually
[5:53] recommended by several vector and
mosquito controls in the country.
[5:57] We've done work all over the United
States. In fact,
[6:02] San Gabriel Vector Control and Los
Angeles County Mosquito Vector Control
[6:06] gave us good grades on our product line.
I want to make sure that you're aware
[6:11] that we don't have issues. In fact,
when you go to your website under the
[6:16] rain barrels and information section,
it talks about draining the water down in
[6:21] the barrels if it accumulates it.
[6:23] to lift.
I don't want to belittle or bedraggle
[6:25] that whole concept.
I just want you to know that we don't
[6:29] have issues with our products.
We have a Made American policy,
[6:32] and I know you guys have for the last few
years, too. So saying that,
[6:36] I'll tell you that
[6:38] Price may be slightly higher,
and I appreciate you reviewing us,
[6:42] but I'll guarantee you that 100% of the
money will remain within our within
[6:46] America.
We always source American products in our
[6:49] in our.
[6:50] production. Not only that,
if you're going to be guaranteed at least
[6:53] 1500 less barrels are going to be dropped
into landfills across the US.
[6:58] That being said, thank you for your time,
and I'll just call.
[7:07] And, Mister President,
that concludes public comment. OK.
[7:14] In comments from our directors.
[7:20] Okay, we'll go on then to...
[7:23] Where are we? Over under presentation.
Are there any presentations?
[7:29] Staff has no presentations today.
[7:36] We are going to go into a...
[7:40] Ohh.
[7:41] Closed session at this time,
I guess some of the board members have to
[7:45] leave early and we want them to be able
to attend the entire closed session,
[7:49] so we will be trying to, we will.
[7:53] At the very end of the closed session,
there was going to be one special
[7:58] presentation. Okay.
So we now adjourn to your closed session.
[8:03] I didn't say that. Okay. Thank you.
[8:07] Like.
[50:03] But.
[50:04] Like, it was discussed in close session.
[50:09] Yes. Yeah,
but I'll report that there's no
[50:12] reportable action taken during closed
session. Very good. Thank you.
[50:15] At this time,
we have a special addition to the agenda.
[50:19] And I hope there will be hundreds of
people here,
[50:23] but we are going to have a brief
presentation on honoring one of our
[50:29] colleagues on his birthday today.
[50:33] Happy birthday. Happy birthday.
Happy birthday. Thank you very, very much.
[50:40] Appreciate that. We got a new. Yeah,
is it today? It is. Today is my birthday.
[50:48] No better way to celebrate.
That is correct on.
[50:56] We went yesterday. There you go.
[51:04] That's easy to do. Do you want us to be?
Yeah, yeah, sure, we're gonna see.
[51:11] How do you want to do it? Right now.
What's the procedure? OK. Ready everybody?
[51:21] One, two, three. Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you.
[51:30] Happy Birthday!
[51:46] I appreciate that.
[51:51] In some ways, yes, some ways.
[51:57] There, then. OK,
we'll pause in the agenda while we... OK,
[52:02] OK.
[52:06] Thank you. Bye. Sorry.
[52:16] Yeah.
[52:18] To that.
[52:20] Boxer.
[52:29] Sorry.
[52:35] She does.
[52:41] I think they're cutting it right now.
[52:45] You know, talk about it, so...
[52:49] This is Gloria. Whose birthday is it?
[52:50] Thank you.
[52:53] Director Houston. My birthday,
Director Greg.
[52:56] Oh, happy birthday, Director Houston.
Would you like me to say happy birthday
[53:01] to you?
[53:02] I think you should definitely say happy
birthday. If you like on the phone,
[53:03] Yeah.
[53:06] Yeah.
[53:08] I don't think so. What happy birthday,
darling.
[53:09] you can. Thank you.
[53:13] Happy birthday and many more director
Houston.
[53:13] Thank you.
[53:15] I.
[53:19] Thank you, Director Gray.
[53:21] Okay.
[53:23] What was that about?
[53:39] Yeah.
[53:47] Play it.
[53:50] I think that you would give those.
[54:01] Thank you.
[54:10] It's gotten it apparently, right? Yes,
we are right.
[54:13] So we'll quickly continue on with the
meeting now this time.
[54:17] That was the first of our presentations
of any others. Thank you.
[54:22] No other presentations.
We'll go on to item 6.
[54:25] And we have no items too late to be
agendized. OK, item 7.
[54:30] Set calendar.
[54:33] This is Director Houston.
I will move that we approve the full
[54:37] consent calendar.
[54:39] Is there a second to the motion?
I will second that, Chair. Move to second.
[54:43] Is there any discussion?
[54:46] A chapter.
[54:49] All right,
please call the roll on the consent
[54:51] calendar.
[54:52] Director Gloria Gray.
[54:55] I.
[54:57] Director Tommy Fabai.
Director Desi Alvarez.
[55:01] I and all items except item 7B,
the special board meeting of July 30th,
[55:09] 2026. I abstain,
I was absent and no on 7C and 7D.
[55:16] What are the last two?
Seven C and seven D standard.
[55:26] Director Scott Houston.
And President Don Deere. Yes.
[55:31] Motion passes and the consent calendar is
approved.
[55:39] Now on item 8, action count.
[55:43] Yes, thank you, Mr. President.
Item KA is adopted resolution number
[55:48] 08261240,
supporting the Association of California
[55:52] Water Agencies' Vision for Water Future
Initiative.
[55:55] This item was presented and approved by
the Water Policy and Legislative
[56:01] Committee earlier this month.
[56:04] And for the presentation,
we do have Augustine Hahn,
[56:06] our Water Policy and Resources
Development Analyst Two.
[56:09] And the item begins on packet page 112.
[56:13] Thank you, EJ. Directors of the board,
like EJ mentioned,
[56:17] the item was presented at the Water
Policy Committee meeting this month.
[56:23] I'm happy to skip to any questions that
you may have or also give the
[56:28] presentation very briefly.
[56:31] Have any questions?
[56:34] I have no questions. No,
I'd like to actually just go ahead and
[56:38] move the item. Mr. Chair.
Do you want a presentation on the item?
[56:42] No, thanks. No, thank you.
[56:45] Did you want to move the item? OK. Yes.
Or second to the motion? Second.
[56:50] Any further discussion?
[56:54] If you have to open,
we will then we have a second to approve
[56:59] the entire.
[57:02] Got it, and...
[57:06] Remember again here. It's item 8A.
[57:14] So please call the roll. Yes,
and let me read the recommendations.
[57:18] That the board approves, adopts,
and authorizes the president to sign the
[57:23] resolution number 0821240,
a resolution of the board of directors of
[57:27] West Face Municipal Water District
support of Aqua's vision.
[57:31] for our water future initiative.
I'll begin roll call.
[57:35] Director Gloria Gray.
[57:40] Yes.
[57:41] Item 8A, Director Gray.
I believe I heard a yes.
[57:45] She indicated yes. Director Tommy Fevine.
Yes. Director Desi Alvarez. Yes.
[57:55] Yes, Director Scott Houston, yes,
President Don Deere, yes.
[58:01] Yeah.
[58:05] The motion passes.
[58:09] On my information calendar.
[58:13] No, nothing on the agenda. I can.
[58:19] And we have several items to receive in
files or a motion.
[58:23] I will move it. I will second.
[58:27] No,
the motion has been made and seconded to
[58:31] approve item receiving file items 10A
through J. Any discussion?
[58:37] Sh.
[58:39] Just call a roll. Director Gloria Gray.
[58:43] I.
[58:44] Director Tommy Favai.
Director Desi Alvarez.
[58:50] President Vice President Scott Houston?
Yes. And President John Deere? Yes,
[58:55] and the motion passes on to item 10.
[58:59] So, and received, going to 11.
[59:04] Thank you very much, Mr. President.
I have both sent an e-mail to all the
[59:09] board of directors and provided a hard
copy of the general manager's update.
[59:14] You should have one there before you.
I just wanted to highlight a couple of
[59:19] things. One, last week,
Director Tommy Favai and I had the
[59:23] opportunity to attend the Urban Water
Institute.
[59:27] board meeting as well as the conference.
The board meeting was pretty interesting
[59:33] as far as talking about the future of the
Urban Water Institute and their upcoming
[59:39] events. Obviously,
West Basin has been a significant
[59:43] supporter and sponsor of those events.
[59:46] So I want to thank the board of directors
as well as the agency for all the support
[59:52] for that organization. And then secondly,
the California Water Reuse Association
[59:57] began its annual conference this weekend.
And I know that their committee meetings
[1:00:02] are taking place today.
Myself as well as some of our staff
[1:00:06] members will be
[1:00:08] for attending the rest of the conference,
leaving this evening,
[1:00:12] and then participating in the next couple
of days.
[1:00:15] It is worth noting that I have been
nominated to serve on the California
[1:00:19] Water Reuse Board of Directors.
And I believe that that vote will be
[1:00:23] taking place later this week.
So I'm looking forward to working with
[1:00:27] everybody.
[1:00:29] California Water Reuse.
I always remind people just the level of
[1:00:33] activity that West Basin has been a part
of at Water Reuse and just all the things
[1:00:39] that we've been able to accomplish in and
over the many years that we've been
[1:00:45] involved. So again, I want to thank
[1:00:47] West Basin's Board of Directors and our
agency for all the support that they've
[1:00:52] shown the California Water Reuse.
She shows the respect that your
[1:00:56] colleagues have for you too. Well,
thank you. Yes.
[1:00:59] And so I'm happy to answer any questions.
[1:01:04] Persons.
[1:01:07] No questions. Thank you, General Manager.
Going to the General Council's report.
[1:01:14] I have no report other than what we
discussed in closed session.
[1:01:19] 13.
[1:01:23] It was you, 1234 reporting compliant.
Anyone wish to report?
[1:01:29] I'll try my name still. OK. Anyone else?
[1:01:35] Okay.
[1:01:38] Fourteen Director's comments for future
agenda items. Again,
[1:01:44] happy birthday to you, Director.
That's on the agenda.
[1:01:57] I'll just say a word real quick.
First of all,
[1:01:59] thank you so much for your birthday
wishes. I do appreciate it.
[1:02:03] And it is actually my real birthday.
It's not like it was the other day.
[1:02:07] I want to say thanks to everyone for
celebrating it with me.
[1:02:11] I'm always happy to be here at the board,
the work I get to do.
[1:02:14] And I do want to say
[1:02:16] as well as with our committee meetings.
And you know,
[1:02:19] you all get to see each of us throughout
the month periodically.
[1:02:23] We get to see you every day like you can
do in our office.
[1:02:27] But I just wanted to again say thank you
so much for all the hard work.
[1:02:31] Thank you for everything you do behind
the scenes.
[1:02:35] especially to make the board look good as
you do.
[1:02:38] But please note that it does not go
unnoticed.
[1:02:41] And I think we still have one of the best
water districts in the state of
[1:02:46] California.
And that's personally my intent and
[1:02:49] mission to keep it moving forward.
But I also just want to say thanks.
[1:02:54] Wonderful. Another year, another,
by the way, another term.
[1:02:59] I'm going to be moving on. You know,
I did not have a competitor this cycle,
[1:03:04] so I will be here next four years.
And I'm very,
[1:03:08] very grateful for that as well.
I also look forward to the next year,
[1:03:12] Yeah.
[1:03:13] what that brings for our agency.
[1:03:15] So thank you very much. Thank you, Mr.
Chair. You're welcome. Chair. Tom.
[1:03:22] I just wanted to add a couple of comments.
You know,
[1:03:26] the UPWI conference where me and EJ
attended.
[1:03:30] I think there was a couple of takeaways
from the conference. AI came up.
[1:03:37] A lot in the different panel discussions,
data centers,
[1:03:42] and I think with the data center.
[1:03:48] discussion.
There's a lot of unknowns about data
[1:03:51] centers where a lot of the public don't
really understand data centers.
[1:03:57] And I think the more the more panel
discussions that we have on data centers
[1:04:02] is key to understanding how the
technology works, right? Whether it's,
[1:04:07] you know, water usage,
[1:04:09] or, you know, electrical usage.
There's a lot of...
[1:04:16] Um...
[1:04:18] fear mongering, different,
different negativity on data centers.
[1:04:23] And I think, you know, having, you know,
good,
[1:04:26] really good discussions and educating the
public is key. So I think, you know,
[1:04:32] that was one of the takeaways that I got
that I think we can build upon.
[1:04:38] having more discussions and more positive
discussions on data centers and then AI
[1:04:45] as well too.
And I think EJ bring it up too,
[1:04:48] I think on the Colorado River discussions.
I think one of the board members was
[1:04:55] there, right?
[1:04:58] DJ, and he did mention a couple things,
but it didn't really, you know,
[1:05:03] it's the same information that we hear at
every conference on the Colorado River
[1:05:09] discussions,
but it was good that they bring it up and
[1:05:13] where the discussions are leading to.
[1:05:16] Um, and hoping uh come to agreement there,
so...
[1:05:21] And they actually,
the last speaker talking about the city
[1:05:26] of Paradise and the fire responses and
tie that into Don Ortega's kind of
[1:05:31] presentation about the impacts of stuff
like that. It's pretty impressive.
[1:05:38] Thank you, Chair. Thank you.
I assume that.
[1:05:44] Always keep an eye on our director.
Is he OK? He's gone.
[1:05:49] He left? Yeah. He left out here.
I'll get it to him. OK.
[1:05:54] Make sure we want him to lose property.
OK,
[1:05:58] that's the end of our reports and the
closed sessions have been held.
[1:06:05] So go on to item 16, which is adjournment.
[1:06:08] We are adjourned. Thank you very much.
Thank you.