[0:00] Well, good morning everybody. I'll
officially call to order the regular
[0:05] meeting of Coachella Valley Water
District Board of Directors. It is April
[0:09] 14th, 2026 here in Palm Desert.
And
[0:15] guess what? Somebody else is going to do
the pledge of allegiance today.
[0:19] [laughter]
[0:21] » We have we have uh Director Nelson, go
for it.
[0:25] » All right. Ready? Begin. I pledge
algiance to the flag of the United
[0:30] States of America and to the republic
for which it stands. One nation under
[0:36] God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
[0:41] » Amen.
>> Nicely done.
[0:44] » Well done.
[0:49] » Roll call, please. Thanks.
>> Yes. Good morning. President Pal
[0:53] » here. Vice President Estrada will arrive
late and we [music] will note the time
[0:57] of his arrival for the record. Director
Biano
[1:01] » here.
>> Director Aguular
[1:02] » here.
>> And for the last time, Director Nelson
[1:06] » here.
A
[1:10] [laughter]
[1:12] had some violins.
>> A we could arrange that. Uh all right.
[1:18] And we'll so we'll note director or vice
president Estrada's arrival when when uh
[1:22] when that happens which is imminent. Do
we have any additions, deletions or
[1:27] adjustments for today's agenda?
>> No sir.
[1:30] » I would just note um as discussed
President Pow if we could just on item
[1:34] seven if we could just move the
recognitions to um uh take the employee
[1:39] recognitions first and then we would
proceed with director Nelson's
[1:42] recognitions.
>> Yes.
[1:43] » Thank you. So 7B.
[1:49] » You guys, you know, I can adjust.
>> Yeah, I get it. All right. So, um,
[1:57] I'm going to just slow play this because
I want Vice President Estrada to be
[2:00] here. Do we have anyone from the public
wishing to comment at this time? And not
[2:05] regarding Director Nelson, but about
other things.
[2:07] » Yeah, sorry, Tom. Uh we changed that as
well then [laughter]
[2:11] » because we have we have an agenda item
for for people to to make presentations
[2:16] and say their goodbyes etc. Um
do we have
[2:26] [clears throat]
[2:29] » any public comment? No. All right.
Consent calendar consists of items 5 A
[2:35] through G.
[2:40] Is there a motion to approve the consent
calendar?
[2:43] » I'll make a motion.
>> Second.
[2:47] » All in favor say I.
>> I.
[2:48] » I. Pass 40.
>> So we'll do seven B, which should buy us
[2:56] enough time. We have five anniversaries.
All all 20s except for Brian, which is
[3:05] 25. And then we have retirement. And I'm
going to read those that are present.
[3:13] Uh, and after I read that, you can come
on up and we'll do photo. Uh, so 20-year
[3:19] anniversary, Victor Cordova.
Victor Cordova's 20-y year career at
[3:24] CBWD was built much like the block
walls. He learned to build with his
[3:28] father, steady hands on, and brick by
brick. Raised in thermal, Cordova began
[3:33] his career in construction and masonry
before joining CBW in 2006. His wife of
[3:38] 23 years, Brenda, joined the district in
the customer service department in 2005.
[3:44] A year later, Cordova followed, becoming
a utility worker on the paving crew.
[3:48] Over the next decades, Cordova built his
skills, earning his class A license,
[3:52] water distribution 2, and water
treatment 2 certifications along with
[3:57] project management and supervisory
training through UC Riverside, a
[4:01] foundation leading to roles as a
distribution operator three and a lead
[4:05] at West Shores before moving to domestic
equipment technician. Today, Cordova
[4:11] helps maintain well sites and access
roads, assists during storm response,
[4:15] and supports any crew that needs extra
hand.
[4:18] Uh, when we are in there, we are all
equal. Everybody steps up. Everybody is
[4:23] willing to help, says Cordova. Cordova
and Brenda um share four children and a
[4:29] grandson. Outside of work, he enjoys
off-roading, fishing, and annual summer
[4:33] trips with the family to the Columbia
River in Oregon.
[4:38] Very nice. And then we have one more
that I'm going to read. Haime Mora, uh,
[4:43] operations crew chief, also with, um, in
domestic, also with 20 years. Quote, I
[4:49] like where I started because I learned a
lot about water, the delivery, the
[4:53] production, installing new valves, main
lines, fire hydrants, and repairing fire
[4:57] hydrants. It helped me move up and gave
me a good understanding of how water
[5:01] distribution works, said operations crew
chief. Domestic Haime Mora born in
[5:08] Chicago and raised locally. Mora
graduated from Palm Desert High School
[5:12] in 1999 and later earned his water
distribution 3 and water treatment 2
[5:16] certifications. He joined CBWD in March
2006 and built a career across domestic
[5:22] system maintenance, airvac operations,
and the chlorine crew. This past year,
[5:27] he was promoted to crew chief for the
date palm area as crew chief. Uh Morris
[5:32] spends his days overseeing the chlorine
crew at production wells, reservoirs,
[5:36] booster stations, and responding to
customer service calls. Outside of work,
[5:41] Haimey and his wife of 22 years,
Yolanda, are dedicated parents to sons
[5:47] Diego and Max, and a beloved German
Shepherd, Luna.
[5:52] I like the dogs. Uh, [clears throat]
weekends are filled with family
[5:56] gatherings, hiking with Luna, and
cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs.
[6:01] Morris says what first drew him to CBW
20 years ago still motivates him today,
[6:08] the camaraderie, the problem solving,
working with good people, and helping
[6:12] customers understand how our system
works.
[6:16] Um, so congratulations both of you. Also
just to to read the other names that are
[6:21] not attending with 20 years Andre
Alejandra Angulo uh Lisa Sanchez and
[6:28] then 25 years Brian Fog and then
retiring with 20 years is Ray Rodriguez.
[6:34] Um so gentlemen come on up.
>> Victor come up first
[6:38] » one at a time apparently.
[6:47] » [applause]
[7:13] » Does this now? Is it working?
Thanks.
[7:18] » I just say uh I just want to say that's
a a pleasure to be working here. It was
[7:23] a lot of great bunch of uh people, guys,
and the crews and our official uh offers
[7:32] people that help us complete our job
till the day because we all need to work
[7:36] together to get stuff done here.
>> Stuff. That was a clean way to say that.
[7:42] [laughter]
>> [applause]
[8:00] » I want to get a private picture.
[8:19] » [snorts]
>> if you
[8:24] » I wasn't expecting to speak. I might
have bypassed, but regardless, I'm just
[8:29] kidding. Uh
[laughter]
[8:32] » I really I really enjoy working here
especially uh the people that that I
[8:37] work with are they're really great
people. They're brilliant minds and uh
[8:43] you know they just make you want to be
better and so I don't take it for
[8:47] granted.
>> Thank you guys.
[8:51] [applause]
[8:53] » So um I just want to put it
>> if you don't use the mic. He's one of
[8:58] the guys why I'm here at CBWD. Him and
I, our kids, grew up together. Um we uh
[9:04] coached um soccer together. Uh we were
the first team to go all the way. We
[9:10] traveled all over. Uh we were uh both
dual coaches and then he was a coach uh
[9:17] in baseball. We spent years together uh
at practices and and a lot. And when I
[9:23] first came to him and said, "I want to
run from CBWD," he was encouraged me uh
[9:27] to go for it and thought I would be
great and and was there. Uh I picked his
[9:33] brain a lot. Um we had a lot of good
times. I miss you. We live real close to
[9:36] each other, too. So, um I can't believe
20 years.
[9:41] » So, congratulations.
>> Thank you. Thanks, [applause]
[9:47] All
>> [applause]
[9:58] » right. [clears throat]
[10:09] » Really?
>> 50 years old.
[10:12] » 50 years of service.
[laughter]
[10:17] Yeah, we do.
All right.
[10:24] » Yeah.
15.
[10:35] Yeah. He texted me to push it to 820.
Well, we have other stuff, right?
[10:41] » I have other stuff. Why don't we get do
do a little more leaprogging here? We'll
[10:47] save 7A for for a minute. So, why don't
we move on to the action calendar
[10:53] 8A?
>> This is uh Glenn presenting. There you
[11:00] are.
>> Good morning. Go ahead. Floor is yours.
[11:05] » Uh good morning pres uh President Pal,
members of the board. Uh my name is
[11:09] Glenn Lubie, acting engineering manager
for domestic water. This item before you
[11:14] is for the uh reservoir 47113 and4
project. Um so the request is to
[11:19] authorize the general manager to con to
authorize the construction contract with
[11:23] Canyon Springs Enterprises for um as the
lowest responsive and responsible bidder
[11:29] for the construction of the reservoir 47
113 and 4 construction project in the
[11:34] amount of 5,946,000.
[11:38] It's also recommended that the board
authorize the following expenditures in
[11:42] the amount of1,393,955
[11:47] for a total request of 7,339,955.
[11:54] So this project um the total
construction cost is estimated to be
[11:58] 7,400,000.
It's a multi-year construction contract.
[12:03] Um, and it's included in the capital
improvement budget uh for this fiscal
[12:07] year in the amount of $750,000.
We uh also received a grant from DWR in
[12:13] the amount of $850,000.
Um, and the rest is going to be paid for
[12:18] with WSBFC funds.
This uh the project includes the
[12:24] construction of two 1 million gallon
steel reservoirs. They're going to be
[12:28] replacing two 100,000galon
uh capacity steel reservoirs. They're
[12:33] bolted steel tanks. Um one was
constructed in 1993. One was constructed
[12:38] in 1999.
Um they have uh they're deteriorating
[12:44] condition and u corrosion and starting
to have minor leaks. [snorts]
[12:51] So uh the project will provide will
improve water storage for that. That's
[12:56] the ID8 system. Ensure reliable and
sustainable domestic water supply and
[13:00] improve um fire flow reliability and
pressure drops in the event of of a of
[13:05] of a fire.
We received uh six bids on March 17th um
[13:12] for via planet bids and the lowest uh
bidder was Kan Springs Enterprises and
[13:18] so we recommend the award to to that
contractor. Um and I'll be happy to
[13:23] answer any questions that you might
have.
[13:25] It's 8A.
I I had a question.
[13:31] Um,
and maybe I missed it reading through
[13:35] it. Is is what did the district put
down? Um, because this has probably been
[13:40] on our CIP for a few years now. What was
the what was the original number that we
[13:46] came up with on how much this was going
to cost?
[13:50] Um, so the project has been um in the
works since I think about 2015. Um, so
[13:55] it has been a long time and um I'm sure
the various budget updates over the
[13:59] years as costs have changed. Um, I don't
have the uh last the last estimate for
[14:06] the the the budget on this project. Um,
but I don't believe we're we're far off.
[14:12] So, I don't have um the previous
proposed budget in front of me
[14:16] » because this was probably in our our CIP
packet uh last year or the year before.
[14:21] I just wanted to know how close we were
when with our estimates if we're way off
[14:25] if we're millions off or we're a couple
hundred thousand.
[14:27] » Uh yes. Um I so I don't have uh don't
have that in front of me, but I can
[14:31] start the followup. Um I believe this
was in in the the range we expected.
[14:36] » Okay.
um in the future. Could we please have
[14:39] all these
>> these in here so we can we can see how
[14:42] things are progressing?
>> It kind of gives us an idea of of uh
[14:46] what the future holds and how far we're
off on these.
[14:53] » Understood.
>> Thank you.
[14:57] Anything else?
>> All right. Is there a motion to approve
[15:01] AA?
[15:05] I'll make a motion to approve the item.
[15:12] Is there a second?
[15:17] » I'll second.
[15:22] » And this is paid through water service
backup facilities charges.
[15:25] » Yes. And then the grant funds as well.
>> And grant funds. Yeah. Okay. Any other
[15:30] discussion or questions before we vote?
All in favor say I. I
[15:34] » I Any opposed? Pass 5.
>> Thanks.
[15:38] » All right, that was 8A. We're going to
go back now to the presentation of 7A,
[15:44] resolution recognizing Peter Nelson,
Division 4 CBW board of director for his
[15:49] dedicated years of service to Coachella
Valley Water District.
[15:55] And I know there's probably a Sylvia,
you have a
[16:02] » um do we have an order of of uh yeah the
program here or is that that's the
[16:07] actual resolution?
>> This is CWD's resolution
[16:11] » which was included in which was included
in the consent calendar and
[16:16] » I know I voted on it, John.
>> We we [laughter]
[16:19] uh you did. That's clever. Uh, it was
unanimous. So, um, I don't know that we
[16:26] want to read it. It's pretty long.
>> Yeah. You don't need to, but it's it's
[16:30] very good.
>> You like to read a couple whereases?
[16:33] » Oh my god.
>> Maybe one or two.
[16:35] » Do you want me to go get your glasses?
>> No. No. [laughter]
[16:38] So, th this is I know it's really big.
>> Um, and welld deserved. We're we're
[16:46] kidding around, but to be honest, I
mean, I could I could talk about what's
[16:50] in here because it's really
if you want to read it, it's on it's
[16:55] posted on the agenda packet under the
consent calendar. [snorts]
[17:00] But, Director Nelson, I mean, you've
done so much. You've been here so long.
[17:05] And
what this says is that, you know, you've
[17:11] been a real kind of stalwart on western
water and the rights for the Coachella
[17:16] Valley and our whole existence relies on
that. And so you've [clears throat] been
[17:22] a you've been a really important part of
this district getting from the year 2000
[17:30] to the year 2026.
It's a really important time because I'm
[17:35] sure you'll let us know later, the water
situation, the hydrarology is not very
[17:40] good right now. And for us to be able to
have somebody fighting for our rights
[17:45] and it's not just, you know, doing
things at the board, it's doing things
[17:48] outside [cough] and having those
relationships [clears throat] with folks
[17:51] in other agencies, uh, both in
California and outside. But uh
[17:58] what you've been able to do here and
also your leadership on the Colorado
[18:01] River Board as chair for a while and
you've been on there a long time partly
[18:05] as chair uh has really set up I think
California
[18:10] facing maybe the most one of the most
difficult things we've ever gone through
[18:15] as a state of how do we negotiate our
shortage guidelines going forward when
[18:20] we're in the middle of maybe the driest
time ever on the Colorado River. So, uh,
[18:25] it's that, but also leadership here. I
mean, being a colleague on the board,
[18:31] all the pipes we've built, you know,
>> uh, that you've been a also fighting for
[18:38] lower rates. I know that's in here, but
uh keeping the water management plan on
[18:43] track, the the fact that the amount of
water that's in the ground now
[18:50] uh through all this difficult time is
higher than it was 20 years ago. That's
[18:55] unbelievable. And that's a should be
something that you you know that you
[18:59] should be very proud of and we all
benefit from that. So I don't know if
[19:03] anyone wants to actually read it
>> [snorts]
[19:05] » um you can do that. But now therefore,
be it resolved that the board of
[19:09] directors of CVWD applauds Director
Peter Nelson for a job well done and
[19:14] wishes him and his family
the very oh my gosh the very best in
[19:20] their future
>> endeavors
[19:22] » endeavors. [laughter]
Anyways, thank you very much. Yeah. And
[19:26] we're gonna we're gonna give this to
you.
[19:28] » Oh my gosh.
[laughter]
[19:33] » Thank you so much. Of course. Yeah. Do
you want to be in front?
[19:37] » Yeah. [laughter]
[applause]
[19:45] » They want a photo.
>> I think we got to take a picture.
[19:48] » Let's do the
[20:02] » Just you.
[20:14] on three. One, two, three.
One, two, three.
[20:20] » Excellent.
[20:24] » We'll get that over to the desert sun
later today.
[20:28] » No speech.
>> Speech.
[20:29] » No speech.
I'll say something.
[20:40] » Yeah, we're on. Good.
>> Yeah. No, thank you, John, and thank
[20:45] you, the board. So, all all the things
in the
[20:49] in the proclamation really are a team
effort. Um, and I played a small part in
[20:56] that. And so I think when we came in
2000 and John was uh you know before
[21:03] that time and then after that time there
was uh Corky Larson snuck in there for a
[21:08] little bit. Uh but I I I was recalling
this morning um the
[21:14] election dinner at the newly constructed
uh Indian Wells Tennis Garden. And uh
[21:23] Jim Batton had been a uh big help to
John and I in our campaigns and we were
[21:30] having a um we were having a celebration
dinner there. Jim won handily and I
[21:38] actually went back and looked and I and
I got 74% of the vote and uh
[21:44] » and this last election I got 76%.
So I actually increased by 2%. That
[21:50] that's uh that's pretty good. You know,
usually folks go down, but uh anyway, I
[21:55] was I was really
>> uh surprised about that. But uh
[22:00] » Darlene and I who um who were at that
dinner, we we left and we owned a place
[22:06] in Palm Royale Country Club uh right
across the street. And so we just walked
[22:13] home. And when we when we walked there
um we didn't have our clicker. And so we
[22:19] and it was it's like 12 o'clock at night
and we had to jump the gate. Uh but uh
[22:25] I've I've come a long way since then,
but [laughter] uh uh no, I've really
[22:30] appreciated all the relationships and uh
Tom, you're here. Um you know, been
[22:35] great to work with you at the Salt and
Sea Authority. We got so much done
[22:38] there. Uh but uh you know it's it's a
challenge and you know there's a there's
[22:44] those challenges sometimes that are
difficult to meet and there's some that
[22:48] are impossible to meet and uh we're in a
super dry hydrarology and and salt and
[22:55] sea kind of reflects that today. Uh, but
we did a lot, I think, good work there
[22:59] and um and brought the community
together and and Glenn over at City of
[23:05] India, you know, we we argued and argued
about
[23:09] » how we're going to pay for this
replenishment program and, you know, you
[23:13] guys just didn't see the benefit for
that. And uh uh I I think today, you
[23:19] know, 20 that was about in 2009. And you
know, we had to put that QSA water
[23:24] somewhere. And and um I appreciated that
those negotiations. Um I think I was
[23:30] chair of this board at the time and and
that was a lot of hard work with uh with
[23:35] Indo, but you know, we we we we really
got it done in a way that um you know,
[23:41] benefited the valley. And so those those
um relationships were super important uh
[23:48] to uh be able to you know have that
water in the ground more today than we
[23:54] had back then. Um, and I'll I'll just
say, you know, thanks to, you know, the
[23:59] Weeks family who, you know, Lo Weeks was
a friend of mine at the uh before I got
[24:05] involved on the board, you know, and he
was a former general manager here. Um,
[24:11] and Low and I went to church together.
And um, uh, you know, I there's a story
[24:17] in the Bible that talks about Jesus
meeting the woman at the well. and he
[24:24] actually served her water. He was a Jew
who that the Jews didn't uh associate
[24:30] themselves with Samaritans. And he drew
the water for her and supplied her
[24:36] water. And that's really what I wanted
to do. uh take that model and and
[24:43] supply, you know, address that to my
position here on the board was I wanted
[24:49] to be able to make a uh difference in
people's lives in giving them something
[24:55] that they needed. And so, um that was,
uh where Lo and I started. And um you
[25:02] know, it just went from one GM to the
next. And you know, now we're stuck with
[25:05] Jim. But, uh, [laughter]
no, it's, uh, much thanks, I think I've
[25:11] said it before, but, much thanks to the
board over the years, um, and to the GMs
[25:17] and especially to the staff members. Uh,
you know, I I I hope that we've made it
[25:23] good for you here um, in terms of u your
quality of life and compensation and all
[25:30] that. Um uh but the real reward is the
fact that together we're serving, you
[25:38] know, a living substance, you know,
something that people need on a daily
[25:43] basis and that you find uh reward in
that. So with that, I'm done. And uh all
[25:49] you other guys, you you don't have to go
too long. So, [laughter]
[25:54] [applause]
[25:58] [applause]
>> okay, Sylvia, do you have would you want
[26:02] to call this? Sure. From here, please.
>> So, we'll start kind of in the order
[26:06] that I have um first with uh Congressman
Calvert's office. I believe we have
[26:11] Glenn Miller. And thank you.
>> Morning, Glenn.
[26:15] [applause]
[26:24] Is it on? Oh, good morning everyone. I'm
Glenn Miller. I'm the district
[26:28] representative for Congressman Ken
Calbert. It's a beautiful day and a sad
[26:32] day at the same time. I've known Peter a
long time and we've worked together on
[26:36] many things, but your dedication, your
love, your passion for not only the
[26:42] Coachella Valley Water District, the egg
industry, your family, but this whole
[26:46] valley is seen through your eyes. And
the work that you've done, not only
[26:50] here, but throughout the valley, has
changed many, many people's lives. and
[26:55] you think back into your mind of all the
people you've met, all the people you've
[26:59] mentored, all the people you've talked
to, the people you've given jobs to, the
[27:03] people that you've helped, and you
realize the impact that you have done in
[27:06] the 25 years plus here in the Coachella
Valley. Uh on behalf of Congressman
[27:12] Calbert, we understand that everybody
needs to ride off into the sunset, but w
[27:17] with what you've done, they'll never
forget you. and on behalf of Congressman
[27:20] King Calbertt, my staff, and and the and
the 700,000 people he represents, thank
[27:26] you very much for all you do. God bless
you and enjoy your retirement.
[27:29] » Thanks. Thanks. [applause]
[27:46] Thank you so much. Appreciate it.
>> Yeah. One one thing is uh you know you
[27:51] mentioned I'm going to ride off into
retirement and and so Lorraine and I had
[27:57] a conversation about well signing or you
are retiring. I'm like well I'm not
[28:02] retiring because I'm still going to stay
involved with the community and uh and
[28:07] you know have opportunities to to do
that and and I've already gotten started
[28:12] on that. Um but resigning because that's
that's like, you know, the latest uh
[28:18] federal guy
that
[28:22] I'm still going to be involved in the
community. [clears throat]
[28:25] » We need you.
>> Yeah, of course.
[28:28] » All right. Thank you.
>> Okay. And next we have um Armando Avalos
[28:33] from Senator Steve Padilla's office.
>> Did I say Avalos? Avalos.
[28:39] » Good morning, Armando.
>> Good morning.
[28:46] Armando,
>> excuse my boss. So, good morning. My
[28:50] name is Armando Aalos. I'm uh district
representative for state senator Steve
[28:54] Padilla. Um just want to say thank you.
25 years is quite the accomplishment.
[28:59] Hold this correctly. So, 25 years is
quite the accomplishment. To put that in
[29:03] perspective, Gladiator was a number one
movie at the time.
[29:07] And California gas prices were $1.70 on
average. Oh,
[29:11] » so that just goes to show how much time
you've invested into the community and
[29:15] into CBWD. And on behalf of State
Senator Steve Padilla, we just want to
[29:19] thank you for everything that you've
done and all your contributions to the
[29:21] community.
>> Great. Thank you so much.
[29:23] » Thank you. [applause]
[29:37] » You know, I'm gonna say a few words
between all these things. It's all all
[29:42] what I forgot. But I feel like sometimes
I won't capture it and then if I want to
[29:48] come back and listen to it.
>> Uh I I [clears throat] defin I
[29:52] definitely am not uh leaving this board
like um aged wine. You know, wine gets
[29:59] better, right? Uh I feel like I'm uh
sometimes leaving like one of those uh
[30:04] reservoirs that we approved today. It's
it's old and decrepit and rusted and
[30:09] you're going to get a new one. But, uh,
I'm I am I'm very hopeful for this board
[30:14] as as they go through the process of
replacing me that, uh, that the new one
[30:19] is going to do even better than the old
one. So,
[30:26] » next,
>> um, next we have Felipe Ortiz from
[30:30] California Assembly Member Wallace's
office.
[30:34] Hi
[30:41] there. How are you?
>> Good. Good to see you. Good to see you.
[30:44] » Well, good morning everybody. My name is
Philip Prtiz and I'm a senior field
[30:47] representative for Assembly Member Greg
Wallace. Just like Armando Glenn said,
[30:50] thank you so much for 25 years. This is
a long time. Thank you for all your
[30:54] dedication, effort to make the community
valley better and for to make this
[30:58] district better. So, on behalf of the
summer walls, I just want to present a
[31:01] certificate for and enjoy your uh
retirement. Thank you.
[31:04] » Great. Thank you.
[applause]
[31:20] » Next.
>> No words. Okay. Um, and next we have
[31:23] Darren Shimmer. Shimmer. Shimmer from uh
Riverside County Supervisor Pedes's
[31:29] office.
[31:34] Hey, good morning. Um, it's an honor to
to be here to present this recognition
[31:40] to you from uh, Supervisor Perez, you
know, and he he would like to be here.
[31:45] He's um, got a Riverside County Board of
Supervisors meeting right now in in
[31:51] Riverside. But um you know what he
remembers most um Director Nelson is um
[31:59] you know the kind words you had and the
um dedication of uh Lake Kawa Veterans
[32:05] Regional Park. Just the um um just being
happy for for what's being done at at
[32:13] that water resource but being done, you
know, for veterans in the the Coachella
[32:18] Valley. and he wanted me to um pass that
along to you and and uh and just
[32:24] congratulate you on um 25 years of um
public service to um protect and enhance
[32:33] um water supplies of the Coachella
Valley. So congratulations
[32:39] and uh thank you so much.
>> Great. Thank you so much Darren.
[32:42] Appreciate it. Appreciate the
supervisor's work uh across the valley
[32:46] as well. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
[32:49] » [applause]
[32:54] [applause]
[32:58] » Thank you.
>> Okay. And then we have two individuals
[33:03] that asked to provide um public
comments. So I will go in the order
[33:06] received. Uh first we have Ben Olsen.
Come on up, Ben.
[33:14] I can't answer all the secrets.
[laughter]
[33:18] all the skeletons.
>> I've probably known Peter longer than
[33:24] his wife has. Um, Peter and I first met.
His father worked for a large farming
[33:29] company and so did I in the in the early
70s.
[33:34] Um, his father used to bring him out to
the ranch when he was 13 years old.
[33:40] Peter and I probably first met 1974.
That's a long time ago. I started
[33:44] getting paid when I was 14.
>> Okay. Well, it was it was about that
[33:49] time. So, I do uh I followed his career
for a long time. Very proud of him. Very
[33:54] proud for all the things you've done. Um
consider Peter in a from a water
[34:00] standpoint, the rudder from of the ship.
This is a pretty good size ship and uh a
[34:06] rudder always for the ship giving
direction and uh and without pushing and
[34:11] pulling but certainly with uh you know
um [clears throat] concern for the
[34:16] constit his con constituency
and so I just wanted to say uh thank you
[34:22] for everything you've done uh from you
know from the time you moved down in
[34:27] down here mid 80s I believe
>> 87
[34:30] » 87 with the Crocker Ranch
and uh still progressing.
[34:36] Thank thank Darlene also for her
patience over the past few years where
[34:42] it's been a drive back and forth every
now and then and uh glad you glad to see
[34:48] you guys are back in the deal. But wish
you all the best in the future and thank
[34:52] you from everyone here and everyone in
the Coachella Valley for all the work
[34:57] you've done.
>> Okay, man. [applause]
[35:07] else.
>> Okay. And next we have Tom Kirk with
[35:10] CAG.
[35:15] » [laughter]
[35:18] » Uh well, John, you uh mentioned uh
Peter's established a few relationships
[35:22] over the years. And uh I think one of
the reasons those relationships are so
[35:28] strong is people see in Peter what I see
him, integrity.
[35:33] And when Peter gives his word, it means
something. And Peter also does it with a
[35:38] smile on his face. And when he's
protecting our interest, whether it's a
[35:43] interest or urban interest in the
Coachella Valley, or if he's protecting
[35:47] California's interest, he does it with a
smile on his face, but he's earnest and
[35:52] serious and he protects our interest.
And the results we've seen in the
[35:58] Coachella Valley have been significant.
You've been a big part of that. You're
[36:02] not a small part of it. You're a big
part of it. And I think your seat is
[36:06] going to be a very difficult one to
fill. you don't just fill a seat with a
[36:10] new person and have the kind of
relationships you've had, you will be
[36:14] missed. And on a uh a CEAG note, we do
appreciate your support on CV Link.
[36:21] We've had a fantastic partnership. Thank
the board and the entire staff, Jim.
[36:26] Your staff's been fantastic. Uh we've
built something that's will survive long
[36:31] after us. In fact, eight inches of
concrete will probably survive longer
[36:36] just than just about everything else out
here. Appreciate that support. And on a
[36:40] uh somewhat comical note, I want to note
u when Peter shows up at a CB Link
[36:46] event, he rides his bike there and maybe
the only one that does. I don't think
[36:52] I've ridden a bike on CB Link yet. You
have. Yes.
[36:56] » And uh I also want to note that you've
also demonstrated how dangerous it is.
[37:01] » Yes.
>> To ride a bike.
[37:02] » Yes, I have.
>> On our on our city streets,
[37:05] » right?
>> Oh, no. So,
[37:08] » the pin [laughter]
will
[37:11] » Yeah. And you did that for CV Link.
>> I did.
[37:14] » Peter, may you have a great retirement.
Spend more time with Darlene. Thank you
[37:18] for your service.
[applause]
[37:31] Can Can I say something
>> board members?
[37:33] » Yeah, go ahead.
>> You know, um,
[37:37] uh,
the desert, the water here is our
[37:41] lifeblood, and this is a thankful job. I
mean, 25 years, you know, it's it's it
[37:48] pretty much attributes to a a part-time
job of 20 hours a week. Um, this this
[37:53] seat and and to think that Peter did it
for 25 years, but not only did he do it,
[37:59] he was leading it. And um from the QSA
uh to the negotiations with employees
[38:06] every two years to uh I mean we're a
small water district comparative to the
[38:13] rest of California's water and for him
to be the president of the Colorado
[38:18] River Board for some time and to lead
that organization I've been in those
[38:23] meetings. For him to be the leader and
then to look at him that tells you
[38:28] something. You know, every single city
in this Coachella Valley from Palm
[38:33] Springs to Coachella should all have,
and I'm calling on them all to have
[38:38] Peter Nelson uh uh celebrated [snorts]
at their meetings. Everybody should know
[38:45] what this man has done to the Coachella
Valley and where we stand. Some of the
[38:50] cheapest water rates in the Coachella
Valley, I mean, in the in the state of
[38:53] California, uh we're only uh one of a
few that are in balance. That means
[38:58] we're putting more water in than we're
taking out
[39:02] in in in the desert. 128 golf courses.
He was instrumental in in in putting uh
[39:09] pipes to our golf courses and getting
them off groundwater. Instrumental in
[39:13] bringing in this QSA water. Instrumental
in in in trying to save the what we can
[39:19] of the Colorado. I mean, I can go on and
on and on. He's been a mentor to me from
[39:23] the beginning. We've known each other
for quite some time before CBWD. Um, and
[39:29] then the employees, I want you to know,
you know, we have negotiations every two
[39:33] years. His vision for you guys and
taking care of the employees, um, was
[39:39] second to none to to helping us who were
newly on the board 10 years ago, 12
[39:45] years ago, and John what, 20 years ago,
and you four years ago or five years
[39:50] ago. It's it's it's
I can't say enough. So, um, I'm going to
[39:56] miss you a lot. I I hope that you're
still involved in in water negotiations,
[40:02] um, in the future. I I hope that there's
some carveout or something we can do to
[40:07] to to make you still part of that
because, uh, your services are needed.
[40:11] And I know you're not retiring. This is
just this is just another chapter and
[40:16] you're on the back nine. That's right.
Right. You're on the back nine.
[40:19] [laughter] So, uh,
>> no, I appreciate that. I could go on and
[40:22] on. No, I appreciate that. Um, yeah,
that that certainly means a lot. And I
[40:26] know some other folks might say some um
something else, but uh I would like to
[40:32] say that all of those things that you
just outlined are I was supported every
[40:39] step in the way with my wife Darlene
here who um um you know was back giving
[40:44] me that uh impetus to uh uh you know go
out and do things and do things well and
[40:51] couldn't have done it without her. So,
[applause and cheering]
[41:01] » John, yeah, let me let me just say first
of all, it's going to be really hard to
[41:05] to add on to what everybody else has
said, which I completely concur with,
[41:09] and Tom took one of my words that I was
going to use about integrity. That um is
[41:13] something that you really brought to
this organization five years ago when I
[41:17] was first appointed and then
subsequently elected. Um, one of the
[41:21] reasons why I wanted to be part of this
organization was because of the
[41:23] credibility of this organization, which
I think you are largely in part
[41:27] responsible for over those years, Peter.
And um, when I first was on the board, I
[41:32] reached out I was advised to actually by
several people to to reach out to you on
[41:38] dishes regarding the Salt and Sea
Authority. We met, we had a bite to eat,
[41:42] and you were uh, incredibly generous
with your time and effort and and words
[41:47] of advice. So, um I'll miss my seatmate.
It's going to be um almost impossible to
[41:53] replace somebody with with the expertise
and experience and historical uh
[41:58] background that you brought to us. So,
um I'm sad about that, but happy for
[42:02] what's next.
>> Great. Thank you, John.
[42:04] » Sure.
>> Appreciate it.
[42:05] » Yeah. Thanks.
[42:08] » Well, uh I think we've we've uh recently
had a lunch and we talked a lot. So, I
[42:14] just wanted to say again that it was an
honor for me to serve with you over the
[42:18] last 12 years. I certainly learned a lot
from you. Um, all the things that have
[42:22] been shared already are are true. Um,
you've played a huge role in what
[42:27] Kachala Valley is today. And I think
you've uh you've you've really helped us
[42:33] through a lot. As you mentioned, you
know, we we aren't the the biggest
[42:37] agency, but I think we're very well
respected. And I think in a lot of ways
[42:40] is because a lot of what you've done and
how you've kind of carried yourself. So
[42:44] I'm looking forward to staying
connected. Um I I would like to stay
[42:48] connected. Um and and uh I hope that
you stay involved and uh looking forward
[42:56] to that. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Yeah.
[43:00] » Yeah. I I'll say thank you to Darlene,
too.
[43:04] You've been there the whole time.
Really? Um,
[43:09] you deserve credit.
It's a lot of It's a lot of time away
[43:13] and a lot of of hours.
All right. Well, Jim, did you have
[43:19] something?
I didn't prepare any remarks. No, sir. I
[43:24] uh I I do very much appreciate all the
support that the entire board has given
[43:28] us as we've tried to move forward. Um,
but particularly with Peter. Uh I can
[43:33] remember uh traveling with Peter and
then maybe stopping and having an adult
[43:37] beverage or two. Um and you know getting
uh learning more about Peter, the man,
[43:43] the individual um which also kind of
helps us guide uh the staff through um
[43:50] the priorities that that we need to have
so or need to accomplish. Um I truly
[43:56] will miss him. uh he's been a good
friend uh as as we have tried to work
[44:01] through the challenges that uh we're
responsible
[44:04] uh and the things that we are required
to deliver. Um so uh I appreciate it and
[44:11] uh I don't uh envy the board's challenge
in trying to find a successor. Uh but we
[44:18] will turn our attention to that uh next
week um after you depart.
[44:24] » Yeah. So, uh, again, thank you very
much, sir. It's been an honor and a
[44:28] privilege to serve with you.
>> Yeah. Thank you, Jim.
[44:30] » Thank you. I hope you still are going to
Crew every year because nobody can roll
[44:35] numbers like he can on [laughter] the
crafts table.
[44:38] » That's true.
[44:42] » Right. You do too, [laughter]
>> I think. Unbelievable.
[44:46] » That's That's when we're off the clock,
right?
[44:48] » Yeah.
>> That's when we're off the clock. That's
[44:50] right. [clears throat]
[laughter]
[44:53] » Good. Well, um very nice presentation.
If there's nothing further,
[45:00] then uh why don't we move on to our
remaining agenda items.
[45:06] » 8B.
[45:11] » As part of the GL, I think Glenn, you're
back up here for two more. I was going
[45:15] to say as the part of the crowd departs,
I wanted to kind of update uh Director
[45:20] Biano on the costs for the reservoir
project out there. We did not publish a
[45:26] 25 uh 26 budget book and right now we're
working on the 2627 budget, but the 2425
[45:34] budget book had that project in for 5.6
million. Uh the construction bid was 5.9
[45:41] uh not including the soft costs. the
2324
[45:46] uh budget book uh had it in for 4.23
million. Um and then the 2223 budget
[45:54] book only had a placeholder in it for
25,000. Um you know these are numbers
[45:59] that we publish as part of the budget as
we go through. So there was cost
[46:03] escalation uh at least from the 2324
number which was 4.23 23 million and
[46:09] even from uh the budget from 2425 which
is actually a year before the current
[46:15] year. I don't have what it was in this
in this one. So we'll have to get back
[46:19] to you on that.
>> Is that I mean so if we're asking for
[46:22] that for other items that come up for
approval I mean I I think it's an
[46:26] interesting question.
>> It is it's not one we have control of.
[46:30] » No I know but it's how does it evolve
you know over the years. Um and scope
[46:35] can change, but inflation is a big part
of obviously driving those costs up,
[46:40] which we've seen
>> kind of
[46:42] » and delaying the decisions to move
forward certainly does have an impact on
[46:48] what we will pay.
>> But you usually that's in there. Usually
[46:51] it's in there. That's why usually it
it's it's in the write up. It says, you
[46:56] know, we the we our estimate was this
and and this is what it came to. So we
[47:02] we can see. So, this one just didn't
have it in there.
[47:04] » Yeah, you're you're right. Um, part of
the challenge was the the budget had
[47:07] evolved multiple times over the years,
but also uh we're we're we've just been
[47:11] updating all the budgets for the
following fiscal year. So, all the
[47:14] documents I had uh on hand, I had those
those new numbers and not the old ones.
[47:19] So, I do apologize for that. We'll make
sure we include that type of information
[47:21] in the future. And um do have the
information for um at least this next
[47:26] item uh here.
>> Okay, good. So, let's do AB.
[47:31] So this [clears throat] this project is
in regards to the reservoir 4730-2
[47:36] construction project. Um this is uh in
being it's a developer project. So it's
[47:42] with with PY and the desert retreat
development. Um it it did go to board
[47:47] previously for the special agreement um
that outlined the the obligations of uh
[47:52] PY um for that that development and the
the obligations of CVWD.
[47:58] One of the items that they need to um
cons that needs to be constructed to
[48:02] support that development is the
reservoir 4730-2 project. Um so um it
[48:08] previously went to board um for
reimbursement CBWD's obligation for the
[48:13] reimbursements of the upsizing of the
reservoir. It's a they're obligated to
[48:17] provide a $ 1.7 million million gallon
um reservoir or capacity and we are
[48:23] upsizing the reservoir to 7 million
gallons. Um, this was all outlined in
[48:26] the the previous uh board item. Um, that
item included reimbursement in the
[48:32] amount of just over $6 million um to
cover CBW's share of the construction.
[48:37] Um, this request here is to authorize a
5% contingency in the amount of
[48:42] $297,820.
[48:45] Um, and for the general manager to
execute task order five with uh to the
[48:50] professional services agreement with
Verdantis for uh $69,180
[48:55] for geotechnical and soils inspection
services um to support the project. Uh
[49:00] we're also requesting for um inspection
fees to uh for for the project. Um so
[49:06] those items were not included in the
previous board item. So, we're coming
[49:10] today to u request authorization for
those uh those costs that CBW is
[49:15] obligated to to cover. Um our
obligations are to cover um based on the
[49:22] upsizing 75.6% of the construction um
the the construction contract, the
[49:28] inspection costs, um approved change
orders um and project management costs.
[49:33] So that contingency would be to cover uh
any any change orders CBW's share of any
[49:38] change orders that might come up
um as well as the 388,000 for the
[49:44] inspection costs. That does represent
the total um value of the expected task
[49:49] orders for inspection costs of which
CVWD share would be 293,328
[49:56] estimated.
Um and PY would be providing they've
[50:01] already provided a deposit to cover um a
portion of the inspection costs and that
[50:05] will be adjusted as we move forward and
have uh more accurate costs on on that
[50:10] work.
So um this uh project is a a multi-year
[50:16] uh project estimated to have a total
cost of $8,665,000.
[50:21] That's total cost. Um and uh of which uh
CVWD's share is expected to be
[50:28] 6,533,410.
[50:34] So uh with that, I'd be happy to answer
any questions.
[50:40] » So
will this take care of any other
[50:43] development that's in that area that's
yet to be done?
[50:46] » Yes. So the additional costs are are
paid through WSPFC funds. So it won't
[50:51] affect rates and it will support for
further growth. Desert retreats
[50:55] obviously for the that 1.7 million
gallons of of storage capacity and we're
[50:58] adding um you know we're we're upsizing
to 7 million. So there's there is
[51:02] additional capacity. So other
developments in that area they would
[51:05] just have to pay their their fees and
not necessarily construct a new new
[51:09] reservoir if they're below that.
>> And then as as the other developments
[51:12] come online, they they'll pay their fair
share of of
[51:15] » the fees. Yes.
>> Okay.
[51:18] » I know all that. I just like to hear you
say it.
[51:21] » Yeah. [laughter] Yeah. Appreciate that.
Good. Uh, is there a motion to approve
[51:26] 8B?
>> I'll make a motion.
[51:30] » Second.
>> Okay. Um, all in favor say I.
[51:35] » I.
>> I.
[51:36] » Pass. 5.
>> One more. HC.
[51:43] Let's do it.
>> All right. So, um, for this next item,
[51:46] um, this request is for the reservoir
5617-1 and-2 rehabilitation. Um, the
[51:54] request is to authorize the general
manager to execute a task order um to
[51:58] the PSA with TKE engineering in the
amount of $175,025
[52:03] for the design of the rehabilitation of
reservoirs 5617-1 and two. Um, we're
[52:11] also requesting the additional
expenditures in the amount of $29,975
[52:16] for total request of $25,000.
Um, this uh these reservoirs, the first
[52:23] one 567-1, it's a 2.5 million gallon
tank that's approximately 44 years old.
[52:29] Um, we've done a recent inspection um
and found that the the coating is is
[52:34] pasted its useful life. it's it's it's
failing in multiple areas and not
[52:38] adequately protecting the steel
structure. Um so it's in need of of
[52:42] recoding rehabilitation. The other
reservoir is a 3.5 million gallon weld
[52:47] seal tank. Um it is about 40 years old.
Um and it was also identified in a
[52:52] recent inspection um that to have
coating uh deficiencies um particularly
[52:57] on some of the structural steel members
um and and no longer adequately
[53:01] protecting the steel structure from
corrosion. Um neither tank has uh
[53:05] currently cathotic protection system. So
that's something else that would be be
[53:09] be added. In addition, some safety uh
improvements um uh fall protection and u
[53:16] uh you know things things of that nature
to to make it more more safe when it
[53:20] needs to be inspected um and just for
general maintenance. So, um, this
[53:27] project, um,
has is estimated to cost one for the
[53:33] construction an estimated $3 million.
Again, it's another multi-year project.
[53:37] Um, it's included in the current fiscal
budget for amount of $150,000 and that
[53:41] the rest would be uh budgeted for future
fiscal years.
[53:46] » Okay.
>> But that I'm happy to answer any
[53:49] questions.
[53:53] » No.
[53:59] I'll make a motion to approve.
>> Okay. Is there a second?
[54:05] » Second.
>> Second by Agular.
[54:09] And all in favor say I.
>> I.
[54:11] » I. Passed. 50.
>> Thank you.
[54:13] » Just wondering I'm wondering how close
the giraffes are to this thing.
[54:18] » They're I think they're right in that
pen right there. They're right there.
[54:22] Right.
I [clears throat] don't know. Okay,
[54:28] » David. Go ahead. 8D.
[54:32] » Purpose of this item is to authorize the
general manager to execute a
[54:36] construction contract T Roberts as the
lowest responsible for the O2
[54:42] project 191,265
uh dollars. The total cost of the
[54:49] request, which includes uh construction
management and contingency, is $221,265
[54:57] uh dollars. The
01 pump station was recently improved as
[55:03] part of the Oasisu recharge project. Um
the 01 lifts water up to the O2. The 01
[55:11] historically struggled. It was
horizontal centrifugal pumps. We swap
[55:15] them out for horizontal or rather for
vertical can pumps stabilize the flows
[55:20] on the distribution system um with a
reservoir upstream uh and and slightly
[55:26] larger pumps for this location. However,
the portion of the design that delivers
[55:31] to the O2 was based on record drawings
[clears throat] that turned out to be
[55:34] incorrect. And so the O the 01 um as it
has in the past still struggles
[55:40] delivering to the O2. And so this
project is in lie of replacing the pump
[55:46] at the 01 which could be upwards of a
million dollars in and very long lead
[55:50] items is to put in 160 ft of pipe and
connect it to the um Oasis South
[55:56] distribution system from Avenue 74 right
across the street. It's a short it's a
[56:02] quick fix to the to the problem. So uh
the uh project open bids on March 16th.
[56:10] We received five bids for this project.
Um the the the bids came in, you might
[56:16] notice, uh at the low bid came in at 248
545, but we had an add alternate there.
[56:23] We were investigating them the a
different pipe material to see if we
[56:26] could get a different a better cost uh
which we did not. So the real ask here
[56:30] is uh to award the contract less the bid
alternate in the amount of 191265.
[56:37] And with that, I'll take any questions.
[56:41] Okay,
[56:46] » we don't have any recourse against the
design. I mean, who did the design on
[56:50] that?
>> It it was all consultants and it's a
[56:54] combination. It's it's not all the
designer. It's a it is a combination of
[56:58] things. However, that the the consultant
has donated some time in and addressing
[57:02] this particular issue.
>> Okay.
[57:08] So out of abundance of c caution uh
since I have property close to there I'm
[57:14] going to recuse myself from doing this
Jeff.
[57:20] So based on that and the uh we request
that you then leave the dis and uh
[57:26] during the vote on this item and we'll
note for the record that to avoid even
[57:30] the appearance of a conflict due to a a
financial interest of real property
[57:34] interest that you've elected to recuse
yourself.
[57:38] » Thank you.
[57:42] » What's the distance the 500 ft?
>> It's 500 feet. you take into account
[57:47] other right
>> considerations but to avoid even getting
[57:50] into that [clears throat] analysis
>> right I get you
[57:52] » all right so uh we are ready to vote we
need a motion right
[57:56] » John I would move approval second
>> okay um all in favor say I
[58:03] » I pass 40 with one recusal
>> thank you
[58:06] » thanks David
>> David if you wouldn't mind go retrieve
[58:10] director Biano from
>> Sure
[58:14] » thank you. This brings us toformational
items and reports.
[58:21] There was, I believe, one written
communication included.
[58:25] Um, and then we have um this
[clears throat]
[58:30] um conservation as a way of life
compliance summary for CBWD. Adam, good
[58:36] morning. [clears throat]
>> Good morning.
[58:41] » Morning, President Pal, members of the
board. So, my name is Adam McUade,
[58:44] conservation manager, and I'm just
providing a quickformational update on
[58:49] the district's compliance with the
state's urban water use objective,
[58:54] otherwise known as the making
conservation a California way of life
[58:58] regulation.
Um, let's see if this is working.
[59:08] There we go. Um, so yeah, so with
respect to the regulation, the
[59:12] district's required to submit the water
use objective report annually. It's due
[59:17] January 1 of each year and it covers
that prior fiscal year's consumption. So
[59:23] this compliance summary that was
attached um that was due January 126 uh
[59:29] evaluated the fiscal year 25
consumption. So July 24th through June
[59:34] 25. Um this slide is just to provide a
real quick overview of what the
[59:40] regulation is. Um so essentially the
state is um assigning a water budget or
[59:46] the objective to each um water provider.
Um this is the calculation
[59:52] um of how that objective is calculated.
Um each of these components is
[59:58] aggregated into a total objective and
the district's overall total use is
[1:00:04] compared to that total. So there's no
requirement to meet each of these
[1:00:07] components individually. It's just
looking at total use and the the overall
[1:00:11] objective. Um the regulation went into
effect January 125 and it's um each of
[1:00:20] these components at different periods
kind of tightens over the the next 15
[1:00:25] years and so the objective kind of
becomes more restrictive as as time goes
[1:00:29] on. So to provide us time to implement
programs and measures to to remain
[1:00:34] compliant. Um I picked out just a couple
tables from the summary to just
[1:00:40] highlight everything. So like I
mentioned um it's looking at just
[1:00:43] overall objective compared to use. You
can see the district did meet the
[1:00:47] objective.
>> So I just have a question.
[1:00:48] » Yeah.
>> So we are mandated to tighten those
[1:00:53] » or is that a mandate that we put on
oursel or the state has told us that we
[1:00:57] have to do that?
the each of those standards is
[1:01:01] decreasing. So there's no like I
mentioned there's no requirement to meet
[1:01:05] each thing individually but how the
objective as a whole is being calculated
[1:01:10] is more restrictive. So our
>> by by who?
[1:01:14] » Um so it's here this future standards is
this table and so that's reflecting how
[1:01:19] each of those components
>> but that's something that we put
[1:01:22] together or the state has said that we
have to do.
[1:01:25] » Oh this is from the state. So I just
don't want to get caught up like we
[1:01:29] don't have to say reduce the indoor
standard because the our purpose is to
[1:01:35] meet the overall objective. So we can do
that however we see fit but we do have
[1:01:40] the requirement to meet the overall
objective.
[1:01:45] So um for example the residential indoor
standard is reducing from the state is
[1:01:50] currently calculating that as a 55
gallons per capita per day by fiscal
[1:01:55] year 41. that's being they're how
they're calculating that is reducing
[1:01:59] down to 42.
But we don't necessarily have to do the
[1:02:04] same thing with how our indoor budget is
calculated if that makes sense.
[1:02:09] » We just got to meet our budget.
>> We just have to meet the overall total
[1:02:12] budget.
So
[1:02:15] um yeah, so with the objective for this
reporting period, it was calculated by
[1:02:21] the state to be um just under 95,000
acre feet. So 94,772.
[1:02:27] Um that was the state's calculation for
the for the objective that we needed to
[1:02:31] meet and our water use was just over
93,000 acre feet. And so we met that. Um
[1:02:37] and as I mentioned there's some in the
summary report there's some tables
[1:02:42] trying to kind of reflect what the
estimated impacts are over the next 15
[1:02:47] years. You may see by um fiscal year 31
they're estimating we may have to reduce
[1:02:52] say 2% consumption to remain compliant.
By fiscal year 41 we may have to
[1:02:58] conserve up to 16%. Um the primary
drivers of that is going to be the uh
[1:03:04] commercial dedicated irrigation meters.
Um how that landscape efficiency factor
[1:03:09] which is basically a combination of like
plant factor and irrigation efficiency.
[1:03:14] You can see currently um it's just what
we report as the objective. Um but
[1:03:19] that's going to adjust over the next
several years once the the that those
[1:03:23] areas are mapped by the state. we
evaluate and provide that mapping of how
[1:03:27] much area is being irrigated by those
meters and then they're gonna
[1:03:31] » I just a little confused why I mean this
sounds like
[1:03:36] uh for for for areas um or water
districts that that are
[1:03:43] using
that that aren't meeting the sigma
[1:03:46] requirements and that aren't um you know
that are pulling more water out than
[1:03:51] they're putting in that I just don't
understand Why were lumped into that
[1:03:56] this
>> well this was a um regulation I don't
[1:04:02] know exactly when it was adopted I think
201617 state water board spent about
[1:04:07] five years developing the total
regulation we were involved and flew up
[1:04:11] to Sacramento multiple times to provide
public comment um on what was being
[1:04:16] proposed I believe initially it had
maybe a 10-year roll out it was adjusted
[1:04:21] by the state I mean there is a lot of u
negoti iating going on to to finalize
[1:04:27] the through the rule making process and
this was what was developed and applies
[1:04:32] statewide.
>> Nobody's exempt from this, right?
[1:04:36] » Correct. And this is the urban it's the
urban water use objective so specific to
[1:04:40] urban use. Um, it's a I mean all our
efforts put us in a great spot. We're
[1:04:45] compliant as it rolled out and minimal
impacts over the f several first several
[1:04:51] years and um I mean that was why the big
push was to give the provide the
[1:04:56] districts enough time to implement
programs that they had time to meet that
[1:04:59] objective as those standards tightened
by uh fiscal year 41.
[1:05:03] » But but everyone's household water
budget everyone has an individual one.
[1:05:08] We we are going to tighten that.
>> No, not necessarily. I mean,
[1:05:14] » we're going to we're going to decrease
that every year.
[1:05:17] » No.
>> Okay.
[1:05:18] » Well, that's up to you.
>> That's up to the board.
[1:05:21] » Okay. It It sounds like that's
>> that's what we've we've put in stone
[1:05:26] that it's
>> No, no, it's one of the components. I
[1:05:28] mean, as Adam said, you know, the indoor
water budget is one of the components,
[1:05:33] but it's one of a of a few. back up to
the previous slide where you see all the
[1:05:39] » and so over time the you know if we have
to reduce our the overall water budget
[1:05:44] for the district by 16% by 2040 we'll
look at other ways of doing that. We're
[1:05:50] continuing our conservation programs and
you know I think we've really done an
[1:05:55] excellent job in in meeting all the
requirements that the states put on us.
[1:06:00] We had the 20 by 2020 20% reduction by
2020. Um and we met that. I think our
[1:06:08] number was we exceeded it by 12% I
think. So we reduced by 32%.
[1:06:14] So I think we're in a really good shape.
It's going to be up to the board over,
[1:06:18] you know, maybe we don't have to do
anything. Maybe we just continue with
[1:06:22] our current conservation programs
>> and our rebate programs. And then and
[1:06:26] then also all the new homes that are
being built between now and 2041
[1:06:32] » and that will increase have a have a way
different standard. I mean the look is
[1:06:35] completely different.
>> They're they're and that those homes are
[1:06:39] going to
>> be calculated with the current homes and
[1:06:43] so Okay.
>> Yeah. And and just so the board knows I
[1:06:47] mean we engaged on this regulation quite
actively. We wrote letters along with
[1:06:53] every other water agency. There was one
state water board meeting. I think it
[1:06:58] started at like 9 in the morning and it
was still going on at 10:00 at night.
[1:07:04] There was a lot of engagement on this. I
had calculated some rough estimate that
[1:07:09] it would cost our customers $800 million
to comply at one point with a previous
[1:07:15] draft of that regulation.
Um, so it would have been pretty
[1:07:19] draconian, but we the water agencies
really um kind of engaged on it and got
[1:07:26] a regulation that made more sense. So I
think CVWD is in a great place.
[1:07:32] » Good. That's good news. You know,
something to think about next time that
[1:07:36] that we have to go up and talk to the
board is
[1:07:40] if there were some way to get relief
from Prop 218, that would really help us
[1:07:44] to
>> incentivize this.
[1:07:50] » Yes, sir. I'll send you uh Aqua just
recently sent out an update. There is
[1:07:55] legislation proceeding forward on 218.
Uh and so I'll I'll give you I'll send a
[1:08:00] couple
>> you know I mean that
[1:08:02] » yeah that's John that's super important
because you know challenged on um you
[1:08:08] know tiered rates and so forth and when
when I look at this plus plus and uh you
[1:08:13] know in the urban area this the tiered
rates are um are an effective tool um
[1:08:20] for conservation and you take that tool
away
[1:08:24] » and now you're putting the cost of
conservation on the least able to afford
[1:08:30] uh water and that's just a policy issue
that the state should be very concerned
[1:08:36] with about throwing all this
conservation cost onto disadvantaged
[1:08:40] communities.
>> I agree.
[1:08:44] » That is it. Any further questions?
>> No. Thank you.
[1:08:47] » No.
[1:08:51] » Yeah. Thanks, Adam.
Uh this brings us to board general
[1:08:56] comments.
>> Director Nelson.
[1:09:00] » Oh gosh, I'll tell you. So the my water
report today uh in one word, dry.
[1:09:06] » U when you look at uh Utah has just said
that their snow pack is five times worse
[1:09:14] than the worst snow pack they've ever
had. and the the runoff uh from in the
[1:09:20] Colorado basin is now down to 22%
u of normal. Um so that's going to be
[1:09:28] draw uh that's going to be you know
devastating to Lake Pal. So even with a
[1:09:34] a DROA contribution where they're
bringing water from Flaming Gorge and
[1:09:38] Luke Mesa down to PAL um it's likely
that uh there's going to have to be a
[1:09:45] reduction of the 7.23 two three uh
planned uh movement of water from Pal
[1:09:50] down to Lake Me which is going to hurt
Lake Me because it's been suggested as
[1:09:55] low as six million acre feet and I think
that's probably the number that we're
[1:09:59] going to see. So that would put like PAL
uh in the fall and in December down in
[1:10:05] the uh,25,050
[1:10:10] uh uh lake elevation which u with a 6
million acre foot release which is going
[1:10:16] to be um pretty close at the bottom of
where we plan for in the drought
[1:10:22] contingency plan u and it'd be maximum
uh contributions if that program is
[1:10:28] implemented. And I think for Coachella
it's somewhere between 26 and 34,000
[1:10:33] acre feet which I I think is very
manageable for for us without any you
[1:10:39] know farming or golf course uh
cretailment. So I think you know we can
[1:10:44] manage through it but uh for the long
term it's it presents you know huge huge
[1:10:48] » problem. But but would you say that
another year like this would really
[1:10:55] put the ultimate strain on the system if
we had another winter like this?
[1:10:59] » Yeah. Yeah. And that was really the
average that was really the concern in
[1:11:04] 2022
uh in 2021. I mean that's I mean
[1:11:08] » were we worse then than we are now? We
we were about the same spot,
[1:11:13] » but but but we had a snow pack in 2023
that really saved our our behinds uh in
[1:11:21] there. So that's kind of what we need
now. So yeah, it's going to be
[1:11:26] challenging. So sorry to leave you with
conditions.
[1:11:29] » Thanks.
>> Yeah, but you're not leaving the board.
[1:11:32] » We're leaving the Colorado River Board,
right? No, I requested Director Nelson's
[1:11:37] water hydrarology report because it's
always so good. But it is it's good in a
[1:11:43] packed with negative information, but
it's still very good.
[1:11:46] » Yeah. So, a couple things on the board,
right? The Colorado River Board.
[1:11:50] » That's up to us.
>> Okay. Yeah, it's up to you guys.
[1:11:53] » Yeah.
>> Yeah. I've offered to stay on and it's
[1:11:56] up to you guys. So, whatever whatever
you want to do.
[1:11:59] » Um but I I you know, I think I could be
of service to you all. Um so with that
[1:12:05] um there's until August 15th which is
the 24 month study that is used for the
[1:12:12] 2027 annual operating plan. That's the
that's the typically the studies the
[1:12:21] runoff's done the water use done it
plans for releases for 2027.
[1:12:26] So, um, we there's 123 days to that
point. And so, in that time, you know,
[1:12:33] some kind of agreement's got to be made.
And, um, Doug Burman, the Secretary of
[1:12:38] the Interior, said nobody's going to be
happy and, you know, no trueer word
[1:12:43] spoken,
>> right? So,
[1:12:45] » but uh
>> I will report on a couple meetings I had
[1:12:48] with Robert in um in the interimm in
terms of um you know potential
[1:12:57] addressing of the situation and so
forth. So, I'll I'll report on those.
[1:13:01] » Okay.
>> Um Director Aguilar,
[1:13:05] » no comments.
>> Biano,
[1:13:07] » no comments.
>> None.
[1:13:09] » All right. And I'll I'll uh pass also
Um, do we have any board requests for
[1:13:16] future agenda items?
We do have a special what is the
[1:13:23] » We do have We had a previously a hold
for a study session and we've uh changed
[1:13:27] that to a special board meeting next
Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. and it is to
[1:13:31] address the division for board vacancy
and that will be the only item on the
[1:13:35] agenda.
>> Yes. Perfect. Um, okay.
[1:13:39] » That's on our calendar.
>> That's next Tuesday at 1:30.
[1:13:42] » Yes. You should all counter.
>> It is.
[1:13:44] » Yeah, [laughter]
>> I'm sure it is. I believe you.
[1:13:47] » We need you.
>> I don't know if you've accepted, but
[1:13:49] it's Vincent.
>> I'll be there.
[1:13:54] Good. Uh, meetings. Let's start. We have
director Strada on this water education
[1:14:01] for Latino leaders.
>> Yeah, I that should be removed. I was uh
[1:14:05] not able to attend that well in advance
provided notification to staff but it
[1:14:10] must have stayed in the
>> that that was an oversight on on our
[1:14:12] part. We we inadvertently added that
>> senior inspiration director Aguular.
[1:14:18] » Yes. So um uh as always that's a really
great event um held this year at the
[1:14:24] Hyatt. Sorry held this year at the Hyatt
and we had a full table this year um
[1:14:29] thanks to Scott and several members of
his staff. We also had Bob McKenna who's
[1:14:35] the former uh director of the senior
center in Cathedral City and his guest
[1:14:40] and uh it was good good you know good
contacts. I had the opportunity to chat
[1:14:44] with Amber and Russ Martin from Mission
Springs and uh we got some nice
[1:14:50] publicity in the brochure here. Okay.
>> So it was a great event.
[1:14:53] » Good. Very nice. April one we have a
discussion. Director Nelson.
[1:15:00] » Uh yeah. So last meeting I had brought
up that the state water resources
[1:15:03] control board had issued their draft uh
water right for sites reservoir and that
[1:15:08] there were some uh issues that were
concerning uh in there. Uh I had a
[1:15:14] conversation with Robert uh uh on the
1st. Uh he was headed off to a uh sites
[1:15:21] reservoir committee meeting the next day
and um and so uh you know expressed
[1:15:27] concern about um which of the issues
that the state water board ruled on were
[1:15:34] of consequence and which were not. and
um so had a good conversation and um
[1:15:40] obviously there's uh we're going to come
back the reservoir committee um which he
[1:15:45] met with the next day you know took some
of our comments and concerns uh to heart
[1:15:50] there so that was it
>> good good April 7th Eastern Kella Valley
[1:15:56] water supply project workshop
director
[1:16:01] » uh yeah so that that's uh
it's a workshop uh
[1:16:07] We we're working on on the updating the
eastern Kacha Valley water supply plan
[1:16:11] and the sewer consolidation plants that
we put back uh we put these together
[1:16:15] back in like 2018 2019 and so there's
been a number of projects that have been
[1:16:20] complete. Uh there might be some new
existing um small water systems out
[1:16:25] there that we need to account for. So
it's it's just to try to put an update
[1:16:30] to this older plant. Uh the
it was a pretty packed room. Um there
[1:16:37] was different folks there from housing
coalition, uh nonprofits, um community
[1:16:44] members, uh mobile home park owners,
etc.
[1:16:49] And so we um you know, we talked about
why we were doing this. We had a a few
[1:16:55] exercises that we did to try to figure
out what as as we move to prioritize
[1:17:02] these projects. We we're trying to
figure out what criteria we should look
[1:17:06] at. And so we had an exercise to get a
sense from the community and others what
[1:17:12] um the priorities should be that we
consider. and uh looks like um we have a
[1:17:20] um a lot of interest and so I think it's
going to be good and we we'll continue
[1:17:24] to talk about this in our DAC meetings
and so maybe there's another workshop
[1:17:30] coming up again I don't know how many we
have scheduled but does uh anybody here
[1:17:35] from
>> none currently scheduled
[1:17:38] » none okay so we'll just continue to talk
about it in the task force meeting so
[1:17:42] » it was good it was good um lengthy but
it went
[1:17:45] That's it. Good. Uh, Coachella Valley
Conservation Commission, Director Agal.
[1:17:50] » Yeah, John, I would just point out that
uh on both the Energy Conservation
[1:17:54] Commission and on the uh Sustainability
Energy Commission, I did not attend uh
[1:18:00] in part because I was not notified
>> to attend. So, just for the record, I
[1:18:04] wanted to get that on there.
>> Um, and then lastly, I'll just go ahead
[1:18:10] with the last item, John.
>> Yeah.
[1:18:12] » Yeah. I'm speaking tomorrow at the
Coachell Valley local government vendor
[1:18:16] fair that's going to be held at the Palm
Springs Convention Center. And so I met
[1:18:20] with staff to uh Scott and and his folks
to develop some speaking points. They
[1:18:25] expect about 400 people businesses to
attend. So we have a chance to to tell
[1:18:30] folks how to do business with us and I'm
looking forward to that.
[1:18:33] » Okay. All right. Good. That's great.
>> Yeah. Interesting.
[1:18:36] » And I had an emergency or I would have
been at both of those. I was planning on
[1:18:39] it but I just I had to cancel last
minute. All right.
[1:18:42] » Yeah.
>> And and just for clarification, Director
[1:18:44] Agular, I believe, serves as the
alternate, but does not intend unless
[1:18:48] notified. So, that was an oversight on
on our part. So, I apologize for that.
[1:18:52] » All right.
Uh are there any other meetings we need
[1:18:56] to report on?
>> I I have a couple, John. Um first, uh
[1:19:02] Robert did meet at the sites reservoir
committee and then we we met afterwards
[1:19:07] on the third um via phone and uh we
talked about the sites board um
[1:19:16] addressing those concerns that they have
with the with the a board. So our our
[1:19:20] comments were were very well taken there
uh and um much like some of the others
[1:19:25] too but uh very well taken. So the sites
committee is going to be doing a lot of
[1:19:31] study on that. Um, and then also we
talked about some of the strategies uh
[1:19:37] to uh think about addressing uh any
curtailments uh that might come with
[1:19:44] Colorado River this year uh in terms of
implementing the DCP or uh trying to get
[1:19:52] the federal government to which would be
kind of a last minute push uh to push to
[1:19:58] continue some of the conservation
programs that are occurring right now
[1:20:02] both in Imperial, Coachella, um,
Palverity and all of California. Um,
[1:20:08] which would include some funding. So, uh
be aware of that and um you know look
[1:20:14] [snorts] look for some of those
opportunities that u um can go through
[1:20:20] um you know the DCP implementation or uh
advocating with Congress for um
[1:20:28] continuation of some of those programs.
So
[1:20:30] » good that that should be on your radar.
And then on um on the 9th um I attended
[1:20:37] my last um state water contractors
reservoir committee and um and the story
[1:20:45] there is the same story as on the
Colorado in terms of you know there's a
[1:20:49] 30% allocation they're going to be able
to meet that uh on the state water
[1:20:54] project uh but behind it uh both at uh
lake uh Orville uh is you know not is uh
[1:21:04] going to receive not as much uh
runoff and then what's behind it is is
[1:21:10] pretty low. So there's some concerns. In
fact, the CBP the state uh the central
[1:21:16] valley project fryant division is
actually reduced their their releases um
[1:21:23] out of fryant which from 100 down to 80
or 85 or they're planning on doing that
[1:21:28] in the next couple days. So, uh, that
puts more pressure on on the state water
[1:21:34] project system as those guys try and
move water around from the aqueduct over
[1:21:40] to the Frankal. So, um, last meeting
there, same story. It's turning out dry.
[1:21:48] » Yeah.
>> Yeah.
[1:21:50] » I think I've heard enough from you.
[laughter]
[1:21:54] » Too much dry.
>> Get a late storm recently that helped.
[1:21:57] And then there's there's another storm
coming in. We're going to have a few in
[1:22:02] April, it looks like.
>> I love your optimism. And in fact,
[1:22:04] » I [snorts] mean, it's not going to get
us out, but it's but it's it's not going
[1:22:07] to hurt.
>> It snowed at Big Bear last night.
[1:22:10] » Yes.
>> Yeah. So, uh crazy.
[1:22:12] » And they got they got a foot of snow in
uh in Mammoth and um that's making its
[1:22:17] way to I'm sure to Colorado.
>> Let's hope so.
[1:22:21] » Utah.
>> Yeah, let's hope so.
[1:22:23] » Yeah,
>> that' be four times worse. Not
[1:22:24] » you need to be optimistic. [laughter]
Uh, any other reports? Is there a motion
[1:22:30] to approve PDM for the meetings reported
on?
[1:22:33] » I'll make a motion.
>> Second. All in favor say I.
[1:22:37] » I.
>> I. 50.
[1:22:41] » General manager report.
>> Yes, sir. Just a couple of things. Um,
[1:22:45] I've been asked by Mission Springs Water
District to come attend their study
[1:22:49] session on Thursday uh the 16th at 3
p.m. to uh they will pass a resolution
[1:22:56] on the ID8 uh transfer. I'm not sure yet
whether we have to uh this board has to
[1:23:02] also provide a resolution. My my
understanding was we just had to provide
[1:23:06] a letter of intent but as we get further
into the details um I may be coming
[1:23:11] back. I have not heard. I attended uh a
Miami Dunes uh board meeting on the 1st
[1:23:17] of April. You uh may recall that we're
on the other side of that transfer as
[1:23:22] the recipient. Um but they didn't have
an update. Uh asked us if we had any
[1:23:27] information and I said no, I had not. Um
so I'm not sure what the timeline for
[1:23:32] that one is. Uh the other big issue that
we've got is uh we have recruited um for
[1:23:38] the for Carrie's vacancy the director of
engineering. We've got about 30 apps.
[1:23:43] They're being reviewed now by the uh
recruiter, the executive recruiter, and
[1:23:47] we'll hopefully start uh some
interviews.
[1:23:50] I don't know that we'll get them by the
end of this month, but we'll certainly
[1:23:52] be doing that early next month.
>> So, we have a third party recruiter on
[1:23:57] » Yeah.
>> on uh
[1:23:58] » Yeah, we typically use a recruiter for
the executive team members.
[1:24:02] » Okay.
>> Because we want a broad um
[1:24:04] » Sure.
>> broad aperture on those. And that's all
[1:24:07] I've got, sir.
>> Thank you. Council report. Yes. I'd just
[1:24:11] like to thank Director Nelson on behalf
of myself and our firm uh for giving us
[1:24:16] the opportunity to be general counsel.
This district is a very prestigious,
[1:24:22] large, influential client, not just for
me, but for our firm. We appreciate it.
[1:24:26] » Thank you.
>> Do we have any departmental reports?
[1:24:30] » Yes, sir. I believe waiting extremely
patiently in the audience is Joanne. Uh
[1:24:35] she'd like to make an introduction.
>> Come on up, Joanne.
[1:24:42] Good morning, President Pound and
members of the board. I'm very thrilled
[1:24:46] to introduce Lupe Lara. She's our new
environmental services administrator
[1:24:51] that's leading the water resources
planning team to continue to uh manage
[1:24:57] the or you know uh feeding into the
long-term management of the uh Mission
[1:25:04] Creek and India subbasins sustainably um
in collaboration with our GSAs. And
[1:25:10] Peter, thanks for all you do
>> um and we'll continue this this effort.
[1:25:15] » Did you say Lupe?
>> Lupe. Yes. Law, well, welcome.
[1:25:19] » Thank you. Appreciate it. Um, yeah,
thank you board all for having me. I'm
[1:25:24] really excited to be part of um really
such a team filled with uh expertise
[1:25:30] really is what the the division is what
I've come to know to be filled with. Um
[1:25:35] I am a Southern California native, but I
do come from uh central Washington. I
[1:25:41] was with Department of Army, so recently
moved down here back to back to my
[1:25:45] roots. So really excited to to be part
of the team.
[1:25:48] » Oh, welcome.
>> Thank you.
[1:25:49] » It's an important role.
>> Very important.
[1:25:53] » Yeah. Good.
>> Big role to fill
[1:25:55] » again. Welcome. Look
>> forward to it. Thank you.
[1:25:57] » Yeah.
>> Any other department reports?
[1:26:02] » No, sir. Nobody's jumping up.
>> No, I don't see any others. And um we do
[1:26:06] not have a closed session.
>> We do not.
[1:26:09] » No, but we do have an activity that the
audience is welcome to join in.
[1:26:15] uh in the uh board conference room. I
think we have some cake and an
[1:26:20] opportunity to personally uh provide
well-wishing to uh director.
[1:26:26] » Okay. Well, good. And with no further
business, we're adjourned. Thank you.
[1:26:30] Thank you.