This travel. Green.
>> Good afternoon. Like to
call a meeting of the Board of
Public Utilities for the city
of Santa Rosa to order. We MAY
have a roll call, please.
>> Board member right here.
Board Eisler. Board member do
it. PRESIDENT Board member
been fort here, Vice chair
Noni here and check out Let
the record reflect all board
members are present. Thank
you.
>> Any statements of
abstention by board members?
Okay. We have a new study
session. We have minutes for
the AUGUST 6th meeting. So at
this time last the board with
the have any changes they wish
to make to the minutes. Seeing
none. We'll open it up for
public comment on the approval
of the minutes used to make a
public comment. Please move to
the podium. Seeing no one
rise. The minutes will be
approved in and did it and
submitted.
>> Please show that I was not
in attendance for that
meetings. Thank you. Thank
you. We have to staff
briefings after Bourke. Thank
you. Chair Gavin and members
of the board are first.
>> Staff briefing is our water
recycle water supply update.
And Deputy Director Peter
Martin, deputy director water
resources. Peter Martin and
deputy director regional water
reuse operations. Mike will be
making the presentation.
>> Good afternoon, gentleman.
All right. Good afternoon.
Members of the board here with
a brief water and recycle
water supply update for you.
in terms of stories and Lake
Pillsbury on the River storage
is currently at about 41,700
Acre Feet representing about
20,000 acre feet below the
Target stores curve for this
time of year. If you recall
that 20,000 acre feet, he's
lost as a result of them not
being able to operate the
slide. Gates and like
Pillsbury a really it's a
seismic issues on the part
about project. They have taken
some proactive measures in
terms of requests for relief
in the form of productions and
flow and delivery through the
project to the upper Russian
River that will allow them to
manage storage adequately and
their goal for the target is
to retain at least 20,000 to
30,000 acre feet of water body
into the water year. And I say
they I mean, so. And just to
And Lake Mendocino again, just
mostly good news in terms of
storage on the Russian River.
They are operating under what
is termed to dry conditions
for water rights the required
fish flows. As of today,
there's about 68,000 acre feet
of Water. Lake Mendocino.
Which is about 61% of
available water supply for
that reservoir. They
anticipate based on their
modeling that there will be
approximately 55,000 acre feet
of water in that reservoir by
OCTOBER one, leaving decent
amount of water through carry
over through the winter. In
terms of storage and Lake
summit where we get our
contractual supplies very full
at about 242,000 acre feet. Of
today, those levels are
dropping about 2000 acre feet
per week. I think the last
update we gave you, we let you
know you know, there's a time
when the Army Corps operating
the releases of that reservoir
when it is above gray line and
they're operating in what's
considered the flood control
storage pool that was handed
over to water for
decision-making and releases
are, you know, basically last
month. And this is the latest
time in the year that that's
ever occurred and its
operations since 93. And then
just a real brief You have
been hearing from my colleague
Lisa Quayle r about outreach
to the community that's being
affected by the state's
non-functional turf
regulation. Just so, you
letters will be going out to
the community for all the
identified accounts over the
next course of the next couple
months. Well, but now out in
batches about 100 letters will
be going out this week. So
with that, we have putting
together additional resources
for those customers who MAY be
affected by the regulation.
And we will be redacted to
directing folks to the city's
web page, which is sr City Dot
org, slash in Ft and also have
a special e-mail inbox for
those inquiries at ft at sr
City Dot Org. So again, just
trying to support our
customers throughout this new
regulation requirements around
than on irrigation of
non-functional turf. That
concludes my portion of
afternoon. Chair gala members
aboard Mike Prinz deputy
director regional water reuse
operations for a quick.
>> Update on recycle water
storage. This is a chart
you've seen many versions of
in the past. I would draw your
attention to the red plot,
which is the current water
years. Recycle water storage
trend. Focusing on the right
hand half of the plot. You can
see the red trend relative to
last year's trend, which is
black there are some changes
mostly attributable to the
geysers, a maintenance
shutdown last year. The trend
during the shutdown was
basically level this year. We
notice, as you can see in the
red trend, an increase in
storage. That I would
attribute most likely to a
relatively mild summer and
associated lower irrigation
demand during the shutdown.
Nonetheless, the systems back
online and store it is coming
down mostly due to geysers
flow. But there is some
irrigation happening as well.
Moving on. I want to highlight
something that came to light
during the guys are shut down.
We were notified by Vineyard
owner of recycled water. The
leak did not reach any waters
of the state. It's soaked into
the ground, but it was at an
air release valve and the
Alexander Valley area. This
map just shows the top end of
the geysers system north of
Healdsburg and the red acts as
you would expect is where the
leak was detected. And this
image shows the entire
high-pressure length of the
pipeline Pine Flat Road up to
the terminal tank. Riviere
released found that was
leaking was not in the
high-pressure part of the
pipeline. It's in the
relatively flat section before
Bear Canyon. And this is a
picture of actually, I believe
it's in isolation valve Hall,
which is the rectangular
concrete surface. There. And
then release valves in the
circular. All right. Next to
it. You can see some of water
that had leaked out on the
ground and it actually had
floated short distance over
land and soaked into the
ground slightly down gradient
from where this picture was
taken inside the valve. All
you can see on the left-hand
side, the spray coming out
from air released out the leak
actually was occurring in the
riser or the pipe that comes
up from the flan The plant is
actually part of the pipeline
and the leak was in a really
problematic location in that
it was right next to a
Flanders. So we could easily
put what's referred to as a
full circle clamp on the riser
to seal off the leak things
were a little more complicated
because room we attempted to
stop the leak so repair could
be put into effect isolation
to isolation valves. We're not
ceding properly. That's what
we've been able to determine
so far. Anyway. And so we
couldn't pressurize that
section of the pipeline. So
fortunately, during the course
of the shutdown, we had our on
call contractor come out and
weld essentially Cannes over
the air b and effectively
temporarily abandon it era
least 1000, allow air to leave
the pipeline because you do
get certain amounts of air
inside a pipeline and air bees
allow that to be purged
essentially automatically. So
we are going to have to come
back and fix this permanently.
In order to do that. We are
engaging a contractor to help
us diagnose what MAY need to
happen to tune the isolation
valves and get them to see
properly so that we can
disassemble that equipment and
replace it. Essentially 2 d
pressurize that section the
pipeline. So obviously on the
left-hand side, that's the
leak. When discovered in on
the right hand side, that's
the temporary repair
afterwards. The green hose in
the photograph on the left is
just a section line for a
pump, 2 d water so he could
get down to the equipment and
investigate what was going on.
With that. That's all I have
for today. And Peter and I are
available for questions.
>> Thank you both, gentlemen.
Board member do it. Yes, sir.
Thank you for that report on
the temporary patch. How long
do you think it will take for
this to be resolved? You think
there's any kind of a price
estimate because we're using
an outside source.
>> I was asked to me, it MAY
take between 2 and 3 months. I
don't I don't think that's
going to be a problem.
>> I don't yet what the
conclusion is going to be
about the isolation valves. So
that's a little up in the air.
>> In terms of cost, I think
fixing the air via itself is
going to be pretty
straightforward because we'll
just remove the Flanders and
rv from the pipeline have a
new one ready to go in. I
estimate that that's going to
be less than $10,000. Ballpark
figure in terms the isolation
valves. I'm hoping that it MAY
just be an adjustment on the
bout stop to get the valve to
were completely. I would
expect that to be very
expensive at all. I'm hoping
that's what the issue is. But
right now, we don't know for
sure.
>> Thank you, sir. Good to
have hope. Other board member
questions or comments. Board
member of Fort.
>> Thank you both for deputy
director Martin. I'm maybe 15
72 on the non-functional turf,
which is our entire life what
seems like one, thank you for
the deliberate and thoughtful
outreach to customers. I think
it will be very, very, very
helpful and useful because I
think it is just by nature,
not the clearest definition in
the world. And there's a lot
of exemptions. You mention
you're going to do kind of
like a a staggered outreach of
letters that 100 per week are
going. Do we know about how
many accounts are going to be
affected by this?
>> Yeah. As of now the list of
Miller's is just center 1000
is my understanding. You know
that accounts for the fact
that there are people who are,
you know, Leaseholders are,
you actually on site. And
then, of course, you know, the
business owners that MAY be
perhaps out of state as well.
So there are some duplicate of
reporting for maybe some, you
there was a lot of ground
writhing in that to make sure
we tried to assign you know,
it's through imagery and
different things. Of course,
too, as well are, you And so
there was actually some ground
writhing to go look and But if
there is a possibility that,
you know, somebody MAY get
notified and accurately, it's
hard to tell, you know. And
which side is attached to
which meter. But, you know, we
did definitely do everything
we could to try to cast a
broad net, not regard so.
>> Testing. I think it
actually to have notification
going out to maybe multiple
contacts on the account might
actually be helpful because I
think one situation we might
run into is
>> potentially that that. The
person, the customer that we
have might not have any
control over what actually
happens on site with that
landscaping. And so I think
the more information, the
better the department has done
a tremendous job preparing for
will be interested to here
back how it's going. So
appreciate everything you guys
have done to prep and rule
out. Thank you.
>> Remember, do it? Yes. Thank
you for those comments. And
I'd like to follow up a member
of that subcommittee. Also,
school districts basically can
about under themselves and
ours. Roseland Wastewater.
Basically they've got
non-functional turf in front
of the schools. 2 or 3 of them
water runs out onto the
sidewalk. A lot all kind of
stuff like that. So I do hope
you can reaffirmed to school
districts should be nice if
they help with the state law.
Thank you. Other board member
questions or comments. Wright
will open up for public
comment on
>> item 6.1 2, which makes a
comment. I see someone at the
podium. If you give us your
name, please and wait for the
timer to start. Good
afternoon. My name is Fred.
All regarding the before and
after pictures of the air
release Valve would like to
>> compliment the photographer
on the after picture. It's
particularly well framed.
Well, composed. That's a great
picture that could go on. The
wall of some buddies office.
So whoever took that picture,
my compliments.
>> I have a feeling it was
Deputy Director Prince. It was
not but I will ask the of
though. I agree. It's a great
picture. Thanks. Any other
public comments. Very good.
That'll take care our staff
briefing. 6.1 will now move to
6.2.
>> Director Burke. Thank you.
Chair governor members of the
board item 6.2 is our
efficient fixtures, direct
installation program update.
And Lisa Queen Laura
sustainability coordinator for
water use efficiency. We'll
make the presentation. Welcome
to square.
>> Thank you. Good afternoon,
chair Galvin and members of
the
>> Ford.
>> And you'll see on this. A
title slide that Joan of who
is a warning sufficiency
civics park follow is supposed
to be here Co presenting with
me today. Unfortunately, she
is ill and couldn't be here.
And if I MAY, I just want to
pause and acknowledge Gianna
and the work, the significant
work she contributed to the
program. I'm about to share
with you all. If you're not
familiar, the Civics Park
fellowship is a competitive
fellowship sponsored by us.
AmeriCorps and the police's
recent college graduates at
civic institutions or
nonprofits to further their
planning initiatives and
resiliency initiatives. It
also is a great opportunity
for career development and
local workforce development
and me want to really
acknowledge the work Gianna
put into contributing to this
program. She helped it move
along very seamlessly and
offered excellent customer
service for. Customers
throughout our service area.
Okay. So to jump into the
specifics, the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation, Water, Smart
Water and Energy efficiency
Grant program provided funding
for projects that result in
quantifiable, water savings
plummet renewable energy
components and support fraud
or sustainability initiatives.
And on FEBRUARY 16th of 2024,
reclamation and Sonoma Water
executed a grant agreement and
the amount of 2 million
dollars. And Sonoma water
acting as a pastor entity
administered the grant for 11
participating agencies. Those
are 11 water contractors of
Sonoma water that included the
city of Santa Rosa. Sonoma
Water and the participating
agencies contributed an
additional 2.4 million
dollars. So bringing the
total. Project cost to 4.4
million. In JULY of 2014, the
Board of Public Utilities did
approve a funding agreement
between Sonoma Water and the
city of Santa Rosa. And the
amount of 1.8 million dollars
to fund what we refer to as
the efficient fixture direct
installation program in Santa
Rosa's. 55% match was just
under a million dollars. The
grant was from FEBRUARY of
2024. And it terminates at the
end of next month. The
efficient fixture direct
insulation program essentially
utilized contracted plumbers
to install ultra-high aficion
toilets at qualifying homes
and where feasible they would
also install low-flow
showerheads, bathroom and
kitchen readers. This was a
completely free service
offered to our custom
customers, things to the
bureau funding and are 55%
match. It was available to
single family and multifamily
water, sewer customers. And
any old toilets that were
replaced were recycled. The
program. Include the
following. So to qualify, the
toilet have to flush that 1.6
gallons or greater and they
were those high flush toilets
were replaced the Niagara
Stealth toilet, which is an
ultra high efficient model
that flushes that 0.8 gallons
per flush. It is. Those models
are indeed epa water cents
certified. And then the low
flow fixtures that went in the
shower heads, you know, the
flow rate was 1.5 gallons per
minute and the readers range
from one to 1.5 gallons per
minute. So Santa Rosa water,
the water sufficiency team
selected 3 contracted
plumbers. They went through a
pretty rigorous screening
process. These they were
dispatched to approved
applications came through to
do the installations, our
water use efficiency team
would review the application
and of evaluate each
individually either through
pictures, some medals and
sometimes they had to go and
do actual in-person site
visits. And then following
approval of the selected.
Palmer would go in and do the
installation approximately
within 2 weeks of the
application being approved. I
do know that some board
members participated in that
program had heard some
positive feedback. I'm glad.
You were able to it. Take
advantage of that benefit. We
did engage in a pretty robust
customer outreach efforts that
included distribution of water
bill inserts to all accounts
approximately 54,000 water
customer counts are at the
service area, were notified of
the opportunity. We send post
cards to targeted
neighborhoods, posters and
information were left at
libraries and community
centers our City Connection
Online newsletter, which has
over 100,000 subscribers, ran
promotional materials a few
times we have targeted Adams
to direct outreach to
multi-family residential
properties, tabled several
city-sponsored and local
events like the Saint Patty's
5 k. Ron Earth Day event.
Watersmart Expo and then we
did top are community
engagement manager to
distribute promotional
materials. Many community
events. This is just an
example. The latest postcard
that was sent out to customers
English from one side Spanish
on the other. A quick scan of
the qr code would take you to
the application. You can see
we're really trying to impress
upon folks supplies are
running out and to take
advantage while they can.
Regarding the additional
targeted neighborhood
outreach. We did focus on
neighborhoods that have
historically low water use
efficiency program,
participation or neighborhoods
with older homes where the
toilets were likely to be
those higher flush toilets
with significant water saving
potential once they were
replaced. So all in all the
slide was completed before it
got the recent totals. We've
actually met our quota. We
have assigned all 2,500
toilets for installation. So
the the applications actually
close this week as we do want
to short waiting list. And in
case a few folks to drop out.
So 2,500 toilets gone by the
end of SEPTEMBER, they will
all be in and over
one-thousand low-flow fixtures
were installed at
approximately 1200 residential
accounts across our service
area. The water savings are
pretty significant on an
annual basis. 5.8 million
gallons of water per year. The
life of the toilets are
estimated to be about 15
years. So again, significant
water savings. For this
program. And that concludes my
staff briefing. I'm happy
field any questions from the
board. Thank Great program.
>> I participated in it was
very, very seamless. Very
smooth. Board member questions
or comments. Remember, do it?
>> Yes, thank you for the good
presentation and thank you for
the information. The overhead
photo of that additional
neighborhood that has problem.
It's right next to a county
island Clover Drive. Their
homes are all also. Is there a
opportunities where people in
the county islands that MAY be
annexed into the city in the
future can participate in a
Santa Rosa program like this
this things done now and just
have to wait to the county
comes up with something.
>> As of this program is we as
a noted, all toilets have been
assigned to program about to
sunset our programs typically
require that you be a Santa
Rosa water, water sewer
customer to qualify. But
usually the bass requirements.
So as long as somebody meets
those requirements and then in
the case of toilets, you had
to have a high flush toilet.
All programs are different,
have different qualifying
criteria, but as long as you
have a service account with
the city water sewer, you can
participate.
>> Thank you for that.
Clarification is because many
of these people have wells and
to hear that you can do if you
have sewer connection with the
city. I appreciate that might
not. The board member
questions or comments. All
right. We'll open up for
public comment on item 6.2
viewers to make a public
comment. Please move to the
podium. Seeing no one rise
that will take care 6.2. We
have. One item on the consent
calendar. I move adoption of
the consent items a second. A
motion by vice chair and only
seconded by board member right
this time will open up for
public comments on item number
7.1. Seeing no one rise. Have
a roll call vote. Please.
>> Remember, right? Remember
my slur. Board member do it.
Yes. Board member Ben Fort. I
Vice Chair Tony, I and Chair
Gavin, I let the record
reflect that the consent
calendar passes unanimously.
Thank you.
>> We have a couple report.
Items will take item 8.1 0st
Director Burke.
>> Thank you. Chair Gavin and
members of the board. Our
first item is our clean water
state revolving fund
application and water,
infrastructure Finance and
Innovation Act letter of
interest and loan application
for the Fulton Road Sewer Lift
Station relocation, Project. I
think it's our longest title
making the presentation will
be Katie Robinson, our
administrative analyst with
our Administrative Division.
Welcome MISS Robinson. Thank
you. Director Burke. Good
afternoon. Chair Galvin
members of the board. My name
is Katie Robinson and I am and
administrative analysts with
Santa Rosa Water's budget and
finance team.
>> I'm here today to present
Santa Rosa water's financing
applications for the Fulton
Rose Sewer Lift Station
relocation project. Including
an application to the Clean
water state revolving funds to
the state water Resources
Control board. As well as a
letter of interest and loan
application for the water,
infrastructure, Finance and
Innovation Act program through
the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. So they all
provide some background on the
funding programs. Give a brief
overview of the project,
discuss the financing. Details
and then conclude with staff's
recommendation. The Clean
water State revolving funds or
cw srf is a federally funded
program and ministered in
California by the state Water
Resources Control Board. It
was created through the 1987
amendments to the Clean Water
Act. As a low interest
financing program for water
infrastructure projects. Since
then, it has helped
communities from the
construction and improvement
of wastewater treatment
facilities through long-term
below market rate loans. The
cw sr of programs operate much
like thinks federal and state
funding is used to capitalize
the programs which then
provide low-interest loans for
important water, quality
projects. As those loans are
repaid over terms of up to 30
years, the funds are recycled
back into the program to
support future water, quality
and public health
improvements. In addition to
the cws rf program, the epa
and ministers, the water,
infrastructure, finance.
Finance and Innovation Act or
with program. Established in
2014 with provide supplemental
flexible low-cost financing
for lower large water
infrastructure projects. With
the loans can cover up to 49%
of eligible project costs and
can be paired with other
funding sources, including
state revolving fund
assistance. For this project.
Those financing programs
provide an opportunity to
address some significant
challenges with the existing
Fulton Road Sewer Lift
Station. The Fulton Road Sewer
Lift Station has reached the
end of its useful service life
and needs to be relocated and
rebuilt. This project is a key
part of improving reliability
and reducing the risk of sewer
overflows during emergencies
and severe weather events. The
station conveys a large
portion of the city sewer flow
between major sewer trunk. So
taking it offline for
demolition and reconstruction
would create operational
challenges and require
extensive bypass pumping.
Rebuilding on the existing
site would also require
construction of a new store
force. Main been the center is
a creek. In addition, the
current site is too small to
adequately support regular
operation and maintenance
activities. The upgraded
station will improve
resilience to future
challenges, including power
outages, flooding and seismic
activity while also supporting
increased system capacity and
overall system performance.
The total estimated cost of
the project. It's
approximately 35 million
dollars to fund the project.
Santa Rosa Water is seeking a
combination of financing
through to water
infrastructure loan programs.
A 17.1 5 million dollar with
the loan and a 17.0.
85 million Dollar cw, srf
loan, both to be repaid over
30 years. The with program
provides flexible low-cost
financing that helps reduce
the need for cash funding up
front. One of the major
benefits is that repayment
terms can be customized to
align with projected revenue
revenues for up to 30 years
after project completion. And
payments can even be deferred
for up to 5 years after
completion. The with interest
rate is based on the U.S.
Treasury rate at the time of
closing and is calculated
using the weighted average
life or wall of the loan
rather than the final maturity
date. Because the wall is
generally shorter than the
full long-term. This remote
result in a lower overall
interest rate. The cw srf
program also offers long-term
financing of up to 30 years
with no maximum funding cap
and highly competitive
interest rates. The current
rate is calculated. Half of
the average general obligation
bond rate with the current job
and re at 4.71%. The resulting
cw srf interest rate would be
approximately 2.3, 5, 5%. For
loans. Interest rates are
locked in at closing and
interest does not begin
accruing until funds are
actually drawn for the
project. This means the city
does not pay interest on funds
that have not yet been drawn.
Together. These programs
provide a long-term financing.
Protests that supports the
pride's project. Well,
minimizing the need for
upfront cash. One thing to
note is that the with the loan
program includes federal equal
employment opportunity
requirements that contain some
terms requiring further
review. The city attorney's
office will review those
requirements in detail prior
to final applications and that
all. So based on that, it is
recommended by Santa Rosa
water that the board of Public
Utilities by motion recommend
that the City council
authorize the submission of a
financial assistance
application. So the state
Water Resources Control Board
for Clean Water State
revolving fund financing and a
letter of interest and loan
application to the U.S.
Environmental Protection
Agency for Water,
Infrastructure, Finance and
Innovation Act financing and
authorize the city manager or
designee to represent the city
in connection with the
financing agreements,
including taking all necessary
actions to execute and
administer the agreements and
any amendments there, too.
Thank you for your time be
happy to answer any questions.
Thank you very much. Very
complete presentation board
member questions or comments.
>> Vice Chair Tony. This is
just take comment that I want
express my appreciation for
the fact
>> that you did not write down
all the tax that you spoke.
Because I think that's what at
this hour presentation is
supposed to structured so that
its not just a matter of
reading the tax and you did a
very good job separating the
titles from the text. And I
just want express my
appreciation. Thank you. The
board member questions or
comments.
>> All right. We'll open up
for public comment on. Item.
Number 8.2 Any public
comments. If not, we'll
entertain a motion.
>> Okay. We have another long
one
>> I will move that the board
of Public recommend that the
City Council authorized the
submission of a financial
assistance application. The
state Water Resources Control
Board for Clean water State
revolving fund financing and a
letter of interest. And loan
application to the U.S.
Environmental Protections,
Protection Agency for Water,
Infrastructure, Finance and
Innovation Act financing. And
now author eyes the city
manager or designee to
represent the city in connect
shun with financing
agreements, including taking
all actions necessary to
execute and administer the
agreements and any amendments
there, too. A rush for the
second. We have a motion by
board member, right? Seconded
by board member bad in Fort.
We have a roll call vote.
Please.
>> Board member right eye.
Board Eisler. Board member do
it. Yes. Board member Ben
Fort. I Vice Chair Tony. I
check of an eye. Let the
record reflect that motion
passes unanimously. Thank you
again for the presentation.
We'll move to item 8.2.
Director Burke.
>> Thank you. Chair governor
members of the board item 8.2
is an update to the joint
exercise of Powers Agreement.
First, Santa Rosa, Plain
groundwater sustainability
agency. And Peter Martin,
deputy director water
resources will be making a
presentation. Come back. Yeah,
thank you.
>> Chair governor members of
the board a brief but very
important item for you today
to just a little background
Ifill. Let me the And 2014,
the state legislature passed a
suite of bills which are known
as the Sustainable Groundwater
Management Act are
colloquially as Sigma and it
was in response to declining
groundwater levels. Water,
quality issues, subsidence
throughout various groundwater
basins in the is particularly
in the Central Valley of
concern. There was risk of
irreparable damage to some of
the groundwater basins
throughout the state. So
something had to be done. This
regulation was created and one
of the important pieces that
made it unique was that they
require the formation of what
was called groundwater
sustainability agencies and
the intent of that was to give
local control to the entities
and a chart out future in
terms of achieving
sustainability for all these
groundwater basins throughout
the state. And so, you know,
empowered folks with land use
jurisdiction, water
authorities to form these
entities and they had to be
formed by 2017, which was no
small undertaking. I Director
Burke spent years point
together. This train Powers
Authority agreement to which
you are evaluating today. So
yes, the Santa Rosa Plain
Groner stimulation see was a
joint powers authority formed
in 2017 pursuant to Sigma.
They manage over 78,000 acres
of area with about 5,000
wells. If you're looking for
trivia fact for your next
dinner party, I recently found
out that there are over 45,000
wells in Sonoma County making
it the most well as per capita
of any county in California.
So the governance of ground
are saying the agency is
comprised of a board of
directors of the. You know,
initial members of the Joint
Powers Authority with
representatives from the
various cities and the town of
Windsor, as well as the county
of Sonoma and water. And also
there is a seat for event in
water systems. Those being
entities that are not
privately water companies.
There is a administration
comprised of staff and
consultants who are carrying
out the various activities of
the groundwater Stanley
Agency, as well as an advisory
committee comprised not only
the entities and that are and
comprise the board, but also
special interests, including
agricultural community Rove,
residential areas, business
and enter environmental
interests as well table for
the tribal interest in the
basin as well. Your
representatives for the city
are listed on the left,
including myself. So just the
authorities of a groundwater
Stanley agency, really a hard
look. 2 things. It's a
quantity and quality of the
activities in the basin. So
making sure that the quantity
of water does not diminish
over the horizon of the 20
year planning period as well
as making sure the activities
to not result in any
deleterious water. Quality
effects. So there gsa is are
empowered to conduct studies
register and monitor various
wells can require groundwater
extraction reports regulate
groundwater extraction and
assess fees to cover the costs
for operating the agency. So
we're in the 3rd phase of the
steps to sustainability by the
year 2040. Step 1, 1, of
course, was to form the going
or sustainably agency. A plan
was adopted to and 20 to. 22
and we are off and
implementing and trying to
achieve a long-term
sustainability for the base.
So a little background on the
Joint Powers Authority
Agreement has not been
modified since it first became
infected in 27 teen with the
exception of adding this a
basketball in 2019, the board
of directors, as you know.
Time progresses. Things evolve
has identified various
efficiencies and needs to
conduct business for the
agency and a more efficient
given that they are collecting
fees from different next
tractors and gave direction to
the administrative staff to
facilitate amendments to the
jpa agreement. And the by a
loss. The 2017 agreement does
require that all the governing
bodies of the respective joint
powers authority agencies
unanimously approved any
amendments to that agreement.
So that is the reason why I'm
here before you today. I will
just briefly tried to some of
the proposed changes to the
Joint Powers Authority
agreement that being allowing
Section 6.0 2 allows for each
member agency point the second
alternate director who MAY
exercise the rights and duties
of the primary directors when
they're absent are recused. It
does have limitations and that
those can only. So it's going
to be limited no more than 2
meetings a year. And then
there are some changes to the
majority voting requirements
clarifies that a super
majority is required to only
change the tone. Number
advisory committee seats. Is
not required for individual
appointments. There's a
rotating cast groups you know,
filling those seats has become
challenging and also getting
the super majority vote to
team that as well. And then
require us is this a majority
vote for contracts and member
agencies for technical and
outreach services. For
instance, water provides
various technical services and
also outreach services. Super
majority vote not be required
to contract with them, which
is in the best interest of the
And then just some clarifying
language allowing the annual
budget to be approved any time
before the beginning of the
applicable fiscal year. There
was some time constraints that
made it so that it had to be
presented a around time of
APRIL. And, you know, they are
trying their best to reduce
the number of meetings every
year you know, save money. Of
course. So being able to have
a flex play to present that
budget earlier and get by an
earlier would be advantageous.
Then also some minor
administration that to them
month to be approved by 3
force majority of board while
continuing to be acquired an
unanimous approval. So these
are just kind of some cleanup
related to the composition and
voting requirements. And then
there are other minor
revisions to degree. Mont,
outdated requirements,
projects that are no longer
relevant and applicable that
are in there as well. So with
that, the red line and clean
version of the proposed
amended and restated Joint
Powers Authority Agreement was
part of the back of today. So
its staff are seeking. They
are recommending that board of
Public Utilities by motion
recommend that the city
Council approved the amended
and restated joint exercises
powers Agreement for the Santa
Rosa Plain groundwater
sustainability agency so thank
you with that. I have and can
take any questions you MAY
Thank you. Deputy Director
Martin opened up for board
member questions or comments.
Portman for do it.
>> Yes, thank you for that.
There are some questions in
community of well, owners.
That see themselves as
farmers.
>> And they're concerned the
ag typically.
>> Enlarge organizations such
as this groundwater management
agency.
>> Is kind of influenced
heavily Biden, wind industry
more than any of these other
folks. So someone actually
even got in contact with me
because they see some people
come here and speak about this
groundwater. Management system
approach. The question I have
is. You talk about the
stakeholders and community
environmental, et cetera.
Could you explain to the
public that MAY be watching
this, who those are
specifically?
>> So I don't have the roster
before me, but MR. Laubach
representing some of the users
as well. But it's a comprised
of different folks. And I
could, of course it's
available on the website as
well. But I I'm I am
fortunate. Don't have that
roster for me. But there are
varied interests, folks who
have expertise and represent
these individual. Thank you
kindly for that explanation.
The fallback always. It's on
the Web. But there's a lot of
folks, especially older folks
with wells.
>> That occasionally watch
this type of thing. Having
that information available
helps them. I in no way, shape
or form tried to represent
myself as representative of
the city in any of this stuff.
All right. But people contact
me because they know that I'm
coming to meetings, cetera. So
one last thing. And this is
really important. Well, owners
that I know out there, some of
them are frightened. Still
that think in the future.
They're well as going to be
required to be monitored and
they feel they use water much
more conscientiously and the
big users like the wine
industry. So if you can maybe
talk with this agency and have
them put stuff out to allay
those fears of those small
well, owners who are careful
with their water and point out
that you're working with the
wine industry to help them
conserve more. There was
actually talk at the Board of
Supervisors on Tuesday about
ag issues and these kinds of
things would be helpful. Thank
you, sir. Thank The board
member questions or comments.
All right. We'll open it up
for pub public comment on
item. A point make public
comment. Please identify
yourself and wait for the
timer.
>> Hi, my name is Fred. All
the Sonoma Water appointee to
the Santa Rosa Plain gsa
Advisory Committee. I wasn't
planning to speak, since some
things came up that are that
are interest to me that answer
MAY be some of twain's
questions that that among the
basins stakeholders.
Agriculture is is one of the
largest users of groundwater.
But I believe that municipal
use an aggregate is even
larger than groundwater
stakeholder. So there's a
commercial. Municipal, a small
public system. Small private
systems industrial use. So
those are the people are at
the table and these people
have wells and they're in the
in the jpa there in the gsa.
>> Because their players and
ag is a big player as a big
fish. And you and you just got
to deal with them. So that's
who that that that there
there. And as far as the small
all users that for any any
small.
>> Rural residential property
that uses less than 2 acre
feet a year. What is not
required to be metered. So if
they have a small orchard or
whatever, if if they use less
than 2 a graffiti year, never
be metered. So those are more
like Hobby Ag Hobby Vineyards,
but there, but they're not all
under ag per se.
>> And also, Sonoma County is
full of lot of rural
residential properties. I
don't know. There's a lot to
say about all of all of the
basin. I had thought that, you
know, I would just give you
quick synopsis of of that. The
basin comes from Matanzas
Creek. Laguna de Santa Rosa,
Santa Rosa Creek, more west
inflows west towards Laguna
runs up against the Mendocino
Mountains Pools there and then
runs north out to to the
Russian River. And the basin
is basically stable on surface
and deep aquifers. And dot
there doesn't look like
there's any current problems
in the future. There could
possibly be some hundreds of
acre feet, less storage per
year because of drying climate
population growth. But I don't
know if the ag growth is going
keep up with those
projections. One time I think
that the basin really looks
pretty good. And there's
projects and management
actions should that. That off
hundreds of acre feet. All
potential loss. So I think
that gsa is well-managed
Sonoma, water's particularly
professional. It's kind of a
slow dance. It's a little
frustrating but I think
they're doing a good job.
>> Thank you very comments.
Other public comments on this
matter. Not all entertain a
motion.
>> I got right Move that Board
of Public Utilities by motion
recommended the city council
approved the amendment. We
started joint exercise of
Powers Agreement up for the
Santa Rosa, Plain groundwater,
sustainable agency. We have a
motion by board member, right?
Seconded by board member. My
>> And we have a roll call
vote. Please.
>> Board member, right?
Remember my slur. I remember
to it. Yes. Board member been
Fort. I vice chair know, knee
high and check out of an eye.
But the record reflect that
that motion passes unanimously
thank you again.
>> We'll move now to item.
9.1, which is a public
hearing. So I will Director
Bert to introduce the
presenter.
>> Thank you. Chair governor
members of the board our
public hearing is to consider
revising this schedule of
miscellaneous fees and charges
for water and wastewater
Related Services and m#
#
Harvey, our deputy director of
Water administration will be
presenting.
>> Welcome Deputy Director
Harvey. Thank you, Director
Burke and good afternoon
Golden members of the board.
Harvey, deputy director of
administration with Santa Rosa
Water. And we're here today to
discuss a possible adoption of
the increase, miscellaneous
fees and charges. So the
background, whenever we bring
miscellaneous fees to the
board, we liked always define
what a miscellaneous fee is
and how that differs from the
ordinary rates that we collect
from or repairs. So the
difference is that fees and
charges, miscellaneous fees or
other fees and charges for
reimburse enters the water for
specific services. And they're
only charge those customers
who received the service in or
not spread to the entire
repair base. So think things
like eateries sets
construction meter locks meter
locks for delinquent accounts.
Again, this is an important
distinction that they're only
charged to the customers for
whom the services are
performed. And that's an
important distinction to be
made with regard to Santa
Rosa, Water's ongoing prop to
18 compliance. Calculated
considering all costs,
including our labor rates and
vehicle in material rates. If
applicable. And again, the the
motive here, it's not a profit
motive. It's strictly a cost
recovery motive with regard to
miscellaneous fees. That's
another important distinction.
And of course, the fees are
adopted by the board at a
public hearing in the last
public hearing, you MAY recall
was back in OCTOBER 2024, when
our last miscellaneous rate
schedule was adopted by the
board. Our only proposed fee
modifications. This go-around
is for the trucks, waste
tipping fee schedule the truck
to waste fees were truck phase
waste recommendations that
we're making today or other
were informed by the Truck
Ways Program Evaluation report
that was Published and
performed by Brown. In
Caldwell, I'm an outside
consultant in 2022. And that
report is, I believe, attached
the agenda as exhibit b to the
proposed resolution on this
item. There was an overall
evaluation of operating cost
revenues, staffing capital
needs overall market
conditions to make
recommendations on the amount
and timing of tipping fee
increases to ensure. This is
the financial sustainability
that program going forward.
The tipping fees were not
increase when the schedules
last adopted in OCTOBER 2024.
Public hearing the reason
there are several reasons for
that, mainly that at that time
we had staffing needs in
particular. We had proposed
the position of truck to waste
coordinator and the plant
wanted that manpower to
specifically manages program.
And that was not something
that was yet in place at the
last public hearing. And so we
wanted to err on the side of
conservatism with regard to
any increases. And we've since
fill that position and they
will be doing ongoing
evaluation of the program as
we move forward and their
input will be valuable in
future proposed increases to
this program and its rates. So
should the proposed fee for
the updated tipping fees? The
updated schedule be adopted
today. The rates that are
charged per 1000 gallons of
waste delivered for each of
the categories as stated in
the table would take effect in
JULY one of each respective
year in the table through JULY
one, 2030. And just to serve
as a reminder with regard to
our other miscellaneous fees.
Order last public hearing
October 2024, the board
adopted resolution. Number 13,
32, which authorized the
director to adjust all fees,
not escalated on a separate
basis annually by the change
in the Bay area. Cpi as of
JULY one, the with the first
increase was authorized as of
JULY one 2026 and further made
that authorization effective
for each JULY. One thereafter.
The fees have been escalated
for the first time under that
authorization. You MAY recall
a few weeks back. I circulated
a memo demonstrating that
calculation in the methodology
there, too. And because it was
authorized. That methodology
was specifically authorized by
that resolution. The public
hearing is not required for
those escalations. And again,
certain fees were not
escalated in those fees.
Specifically would be since
this is a cost recovery
mechanism, those fees that at
our cost of not appreciably
increased have not been
escalated by this methodology.
Think non sufficient fund
charges and returned checks.
Collection agency percentages
withheld things of that nature
and again fees. It did not.
Charge by the whole dollar
increment Sophie's. It
escalate id by less than a
dollar under the approve
methodology. We're also not
escalated. In terms of public
outreach. We did send letters
to targeted audiences, namely
the waste haulers the Laguna
treatment plant. I worked with
the aforementioned truck waste
coordinator, the circulate
letters to the waste haulers.
And we also, I believe, posted
notices at waist receiving
station to Laguna treatment
plant. Bp Budget Review
subcommittee. Met a few weeks
back. And this updated fee
schedule was recommended by
that subcommittee. For
adoption by the full board and
pursuant to state law around
public hearing. We did publish
twice in the press. Democrat
wants on AUGUST 5th and AUGUST
10th informing the public of
this public hearing today and
their opportunity to provide
input. So again, in terms of
the overall schedule, we
published a AUGUST 5th intense
of this year. We're obviously
here today and the 20th
holding a public hearing. And
should you adopt the
recommendations today? Again,
pursuant to state law, those
fees would take legal effect
60 days after adoption. So in
this case that would OCTOBER
19 to 2026. And just a
reminder. So as the previously
mentioned, resolution 13, 32
authorized. We will continue
to escalate fees each year by
the increase in the Bay Area.
Cpi. But in the event that
that is not sufficient to
cover our costs and achieve
full cost recovery for those
line items, we would bring
them separately as we've done
today with these fees as a
separate public hearing item
in the future for your
consideration. And with that,
it is recommended by center is
the water that the Board of
Public Utilities by
resolution, one adopt revised
truck to waste program,
tipping fees. Effective
10/19/2026 to approve the
additional tipping fee
adjustments shown in the
adopted schedule for JULY one
of each year from 2027 through
2030, and 3 authorize the
director of Santa Rosa Water
to implement the board
approved adjustments on their
respective effective dates.
All other miscellaneous fees
and charges adopted by
resolution. Number 13, 32
would remain unchanged. And
happy to take any board member
questions. If Thank you for
the presentation will open up
now for a board member
questions or comments.
Remember rent and small
question them. In end, the
outreach we did to our
customers. Did we get any
responses or was it pretty
much nothing?
>> I will defer to our truck
to waste coordinator doesn't
appear that we did receive any
responses. So no, and that's
not atypical. Given our prior
experience with us with public
outreach. But we still.
>> 10 such nonetheless. The
board member questions.
Remember my son?
>> I'm just curious who who is
impacted by these fees? Who
pays them is that people,
individuals with septic
systems or is it larger users?
>> I would invite our deputy
director my Environmental
Services, Sean McNeil to come
down answer that question is
this program is run by his
team.
>> Good afternoon, chair
Galvin members of the board.
>> Thank you for the question.
The users of this program, our
entities that are unable to
treat the waste on 2
completions. So yes, septa
callers is one of our customer
types. We've an increase in
customer types then You're
Inc. Has the regulations
changed and how they manage
their waste? Water? They found
a in a beneficial service to
be able to bring some of their
waste to our facilities. We
also have other types of
material that can't just go
into the sewer like oils and
greases. And so those can come
to us by pumper truck and we
can pump that into our system.
There that way. We don't clog
their pipes. So it is a it's
an important service to our
community that we've learned
through this project and
having these this program and
we'll be coming to you with a
greater update on our program.
Metric Cordinator will give a
presentation to you on
SEPTEMBER. 3rd, going over the
entire program. So continuing
on my question.
>> Is this so if you for
example, our septic user and
individual. You know,
residential septic user that
cannot comply with. Kirk
requirements or whatever it
is. How often does the pumping
occur? I'm what I'm getting at
is how impactful are these
increases in cost over time to
individual? Yeah. So it's my
understanding. Well, I must
have a septic system.
>> The tipping fees is a small
percentage of the overall cost
of the service. The actual
pumping and the hauling of the
material is a much greater
part of the expense. So you've
heard in this presentation
We're just we're covering our
costs for that treatment. So
it is relatively inexpensive.
And when you compare our
costs, too other wastewater
treatment plants, we are a
little bit cheaper. And most
of our waste types compared to
our our other competitors. I
wouldn't say competitors
service office offer for
curious if the death.
>> Other board member
questions or comments. All
right. I'll Open up the public
hearing on item 9.1.
Consideration of the revised
into the schedule of
miscellaneous fees and charges
for water and wastewater
related services. If you would
like to make a comment, please
move to the podium. Seeing no
one rise. Will that now close
the public hearing and asked
for a motion?
>> I move adoption of the
resolution of the Board of
Public Utilities of the city
of Santa Rosa adopting changed
miscellaneous fees and
charges.
>> Motion by vice-chair Arnone
seconded by board member do
it. We have a roll call vote.
Please.
>> Remember, eye. Board
Eisler. Remember do it? Yes.
Board member about in Fort.
Vice chair. No knee. I and
check out eye. Let the record
reflect that passes
unanimously. Thank you again.
>> Next item on our agenda is
public comment on non agenda
matters viewers to make a
public comment on the
non-agenda matter. Go ahead.
State your name again for the
record. Please.
>> My name is Fred. All Buck
and I have an important
question. I want to know where
I can get one of those nice
blue water bottles in certain
for me and my wife.
>> Thank
>> But if you ask the
director, you might be able to
come get them. Get a couple.
And the other public comments.
We have no referrals. We have
no written communications. I
believe we have a subcommittee
report from.
>> Board member right?
>> Thank Yes, the budget
subcommittee met on Monday,
AUGUST 10th to review and
consider the proposed changes
to the miscellaneous fees and
charges which the board
considered at today's meeting
that the subcommittee
unanimously recommended
approval. And I'd also like to
point that Vice Chair Arnone
was PRESIDENT And he pointed
out that the meeting took 18
minutes.
>> So think. That's a record
even for a full board Any
comments or questions on that
report. If not, we'll open it
up for public comment on item
13. If you wish to make a
public comment, please move to
the podium. Seeing no one rise
that will take care of our
board members subcommittee
report. Any board member
reports.
>> Remember, do it?
>> I wanted to talk about this
morning. I was with a group of
people along Roseland Creek,
area we call the Roseland
neighborhood. Creek. Stuart
Volunteer. And there were
people there from different
parts of the community. Plus,
some trends in a big run to
habitat in the community.
There I wanted to make sure
everybody here understands
whatever I'm doing this
volunteering. I do not in any
way, shape or form trying to
pretend that I represent the
city of Santa Rosa. I have a
nice shirt today. A treasure,
if you will. It's given to me
because I am a creek volunteer
and it's kind of messed up now
from doing so much out there.
But the whole thing that's
really important is. When
people approach me about my
involvement with any of these
things I do here. I'm very
careful to point out that. I
am not representing the city
and I don't have a point of
view. That is the city's I
speak for myself. Only never
saying that. I work for the
city when I speak it any other
meeting or any other place.
This is important because one
of the people that came today.
Was under the impression that
somehow I could influence some
city stuff. And I was like not
doesn't work that way. This is
really important because we
need to get better
communication, if you will,
from the Santa Rosa water to
the people out in the
community. All the different
stuff that goes on. And I
understand it's a very
difficult job. So I'm always
making get on the same page of
a Caliph Oaks last but not
least. Also want to ask for
some patients to talk to some
city employees. I've been
given permission to speak with
Mr. McNeill and Claire Myers
and I didn't realize if I have
that position and that
permission to speak with them
more than once, because
there's some things I like to
follow up on. And then there's
the employee. Brian Wallace.
And Nick, should I know these
involving matters about creek,
water, improvement ball, kind
of stuff like that. So it's
relative to the work you're of
the board. But I want to make
sure I have the permission
from the director of the
enterprise Agency to speak
with those employees. Please.
>> I'm sure. Just sent me an
e-mail content, Shannon,
myself and well will get you
what you need.
>> You can't just say yes or
no. Right now. If you can. If
you work through Shannon
myself, that would be great.
Thank you. All right. Thank
you. Kindly.
>> Any other board member
reports? Now take public
comment on item number 14, if
you wish to make public
comment, this move to the
podium. Seeing no one rise.
Directors report.
>> Thank you. Chair Gavin
members of the board only have
one quick item today and that
is I wanted to share some good
news. 2 of our stormwater and
creeks staff members have been
invited to present at the
California Storm. Water
Quality Association annual
conference in OCTOBER Yes, our
environmental specialist chew.
He's been asked to present on
a multi-year research project
into the pathogens and
sediment reduction that we
have achieved through the
Lower Colgan Creek Restoration
Project and next to Don or
senior environmental says
nationalist has been asked to
present on the city's pilot
trash reduction project that
focused on reducing trash on
streets and storm drain
infrastructure. So just wanted
to share that good news. So
it's great to have other
agencies and associations asks
our team to present at various
conferences. And that's my
report. I'm happy to answer
any questions.
>> Congratulations to both of
them. That's very good board
member questions for the
director. Kaye open up for
public comment on item number
15. Seeing no one right is
that concludes our agenda for
today. So we are adjourned.
Thank