[0:00] >>board secretary, chante
[0:00] mitchell:
[0:01] good morning and welcome to the
[0:02] regular meeting of the board of
[0:02] water and power commissioners.
[0:03] today is tuesday november 18,
[0:04] 2025. This meeting is being
[0:04] broadcast on channel 35.
[0:05] the exact broadcast times can be
[0:06] found by contacting channel 35.
[0:09] board of water and power
[0:11] commissioners please say present
[0:12] for roll call.
[0:14] commissioner nurit katz?
[0:16] >>com. Nurit katz: present.
[0:16] >>board secretary, chante
[0:17] mitchell: president richard
[0:18] katz?
[0:19] >>pres. Richard katz: present.
[0:20] >>board secretary, chante
[0:20] mitchell: commissioner pinder?
[0:22] >>com. Wilma pinder: present.
[0:23] >>board secretary, chante
[0:23] mitchell: three board members,
[0:24] a quorum is present. Mr.
[0:26] president?
[0:28] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[0:29] you.
[0:31] >>com. Wilma pinder: wow. Has
[0:31] it come to this?
[0:33] [laughter]
[0:34] >>pres. Richard katz:
[0:36] [laughter]
[0:36] don't start wilma. It's going
[0:42] to be a long day. Couple
[0:44] things.
[0:47] [off-mic indiscernible]
[0:49] >>pres. Richard katz: they have
[0:50] already sent me out. So you
[0:52] know, it's, first thing that
[0:55] goes to the mic. We have two
[0:57] items that are being deferred
[0:59] number n6 and n 24. Okay.
[1:06] I want to --
[1:08] >>com. Wilma pinder: do you
[1:08] want to take the n24 so then I
[1:10] can be --
[1:11] >>pres. Richard katz: we can't.
[1:12] >>com. Nurit katz: we have to
[1:13] wait.
[1:17] >>pres. Richard katz: thank you
[1:17] for the offer. Welcome to this
[1:21] meeting, this is a relatively
[1:23] long agenda, because people were
[1:24] trying to as much in as
[1:27] possible, not before the end of
[1:29] the year but before quorums got
[1:31] questionable. So, we got a lot
[1:33] of stuff at the last moment.
[1:35] and thank you to chante and her
[1:36] staff for getting it all ready
[1:38] for us. And we will go ahead.
[1:49] I'll make my comments later.
[1:50] so, let's just go to the agenda.
[1:53] any comments by other
[1:56] commissioners?
[1:57] >>com. Nurit katz: not at this
[1:58] time, I will save for a specific
[2:00] period.
[2:01] >>pres. Richard katz: okay.
[2:02] >>com. Wilma pinder: thank you.
[2:03] the same.
[2:04] >>pres. Richard katz: okay
[2:05] thank you wilma. Public
[2:06] comment?
[2:07] >>board secretary, chante
[2:08] mitchell: public comment is
[2:09] open. Public comment is open at
[2:13] this time. We have
[2:15] approximately ten public
[2:17] commenters. The first public
[2:18] commenter is lilly freidland,
[2:21] who will be followed by connor
[2:24] everts.
[2:37] >>speaker: hello. And I want
[2:38] to thank the board for being
[2:39] willing to hear a really serious
[2:41] issue that I think you need to
[2:43] address. I'm lilly freidland, I
[2:51] may not be able to express all
[2:54] as well as I would want to.
[2:56] before I start two quick things,
[2:59] first we spoke with a woman
[3:02] named clarissa rubio, she is
[3:06] lovely. We have been trying to
[3:07] get ahold of someone who is
[3:09] truly listening to the situation
[3:10] that my mom is going through
[3:12] she's the only person that we
[3:13] have connected with that heard
[3:15] us here. Second my mom has a
[3:19] disability placard she was
[3:21] unable to find parking. That's
[3:23] something -- mr. Chapman should
[3:26] be aware of this she was unable
[3:28] to park in a district parking
[3:31] spot. We are normal citizens my
[3:35] mom lives alone she about a year
[3:38] ago, her account number first
[3:40] and foremost is 99,461,000. She
[3:44] got a bill in excess of $6,000.
[3:52] she called and said what is this
[3:53] bill about, and she said oh, the
[3:56] water meter has not been working
[3:58] for over five years, even though
[4:00] she has been paying regularly
[4:04] 850 plus dollars a month, or
[4:06] whatever, the billing cycle,
[4:08] every two months, whatever that
[4:09] situation is. And they said
[4:11] sorry, there was something wrong
[4:12] on our end, but you're still
[4:14] required to pay that entire
[4:15] bill. Who has that kind of
[4:18] money available like this? But
[4:22] more so, it's not her
[4:24] responsibility. There was a
[4:28] problem with the water meter
[4:29] that she had no idea about.
[4:30] there was no way that she would
[4:32] have been able to rectify the
[4:34] situation, and after constant
[4:36] going back and forth, they did
[4:37] reduce it to -- do we have a
[4:39] time limit?
[4:42] >>com. Wilma pinder: yes. But
[4:42] more so importantly, and those
[4:45] things do happen. Who should
[4:47] she speak to so that they can
[4:49] take it personally while you're
[4:51] here on the premises and talk to
[4:53] you.
[4:54] >>speaker: thank you because
[4:55] she just got another bill for
[4:58] $3,500.
[4:59] >>com. Wilma pinder: she and I
[5:01] must be linked to the same water
[5:03] meter.
[5:03] >>speaker: I pay my bill every
[5:06] month it's usually a thousand
[5:09] dollars.
[5:11] >>speaker: I have christian
[5:14] estrada who is the manager of
[5:16] customer relations who can get
[5:18] to the bottom of it I understand
[5:20] your situation I'm sorry you had
[5:22] to come here to get the
[5:23] attention that you need.
[5:24] >>speaker: I appreciate that.
[5:25] I know the time is up. I'll
[5:27] respect that. But when we have
[5:29] called they have said oh we see
[5:33] you have called and the
[5:34] situation should be rectified
[5:36] and I'm like, no.
[5:40] >>com. Wilma pinder: but you do
[5:40] have it madam, today.
[5:43] >>speaker: we have the
[5:44] capability to come down here
[5:45] today. Many people probably
[5:47] don't.
[5:48] >>com. Wilma pinder: and we
[5:49] appreciate it. And you're so
[5:51] good to stand with your mom. I
[5:53] wish one of my daughters would
[5:56] stand with me on my water bill.
[5:58] [laughter]
[5:58] thank you. And I really mean
[6:01] that.
[6:01] >>pres. Richard katz: thank you
[6:02] joe for taking care of that.
[6:05] let us know how --
[6:07] >>joseph m. Ramallo: I will.
[6:08] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[6:09] you. Connor, you're up.
[6:14] >>speaker: thank you richard.
[6:17] >>speaker: welcome back.
[6:23] >>speaker: I have to say that's
[6:26] deja vu all over again when our
[6:29] family put in a landscape meter
[6:31] they were adding instead of
[6:35] subtracting and unresolved for
[6:37] two years. Things are now much
[6:41] better. I'm here today for two
[6:42] reasons, one to thank richard
[6:45] katz for his service, now we
[6:47] have only one katz as
[6:49] commissioner. I want to thank
[6:51] you for addressing me
[6:52] personally. I appreciate that.
[6:53] we have known each other for a
[6:55] long time. I also want to say
[6:57] again because I have been coming
[6:59] fairly regularly that, what we
[7:02] really felt was an agreement and
[7:05] the expansion of the tillman
[7:06] plant which I worked promoting
[7:07] for many, many, many years, with
[7:10] that -- the expansion would
[7:12] allow water as required by the
[7:13] state water resource control
[7:15] board to go back to the levels
[7:17] for mono lake. So, I want to
[7:19] remind that. And without
[7:21] richard here, we hope others
[7:22] will carry on and thank you very
[7:24] much I'm sorry I can't stay. I
[7:27] actually had to take 30-empty
[7:31] parking because I had the same
[7:32] problem the handicapped spots
[7:35] were filled there is a couple of
[7:37] people there who don't belong as
[7:39] well. Thank you for the time I
[7:42] look forward to the future.
[7:43] >>pres. Richard katz: thank you
[7:45] richard for your consistency and
[7:49] advocacy I know it will
[7:52] continue.
[7:53] >>speaker: just to show up.
[7:56] >>pres. Richard katz: that's
[7:57] half the game at least, right?
[8:00] >>com. Nurit katz: richard I
[8:02] will continue the communication
[8:04] with you on mono lake.
[8:07] >>speaker: I appreciate that
[8:08] and you also being on the inyo
[8:15] standing committee representing
[8:18] tribal issues.
[8:19] >>com. Wilma pinder: take care
[8:21] in this damp weather.
[8:22] >>board secretary, chante
[8:26] mitchell: the next speaker will
[8:27] be mark gold who will followed
[8:31] by setting jacobson. You will
[8:34] have two minutes to speak.
[8:37] >>speaker: good morning
[8:37] everybody I'm mark gold here
[8:40] today to -- I thought it was
[8:41] going to be a roast, richard,
[8:44] that would be a lot more fun.
[8:46] >>pres. Richard katz: it still
[8:49] may.
[8:50] [laughter]
[8:50] >>speaker: thank you for your
[8:51] leadership and service here at
[8:53] ladwp and to echo what connor
[8:56] just said, the leadership on
[8:58] tillman has been so important.
[9:01] it's just way too long
[9:02] happening. And now this
[9:03] happened, you can just feel the
[9:05] difference in momentum on
[9:08] recycled water in los angeles,
[9:10] and that's just so critical.
[9:12] and, really, the commitment to
[9:14] move towards climate resilience
[9:17] and local water supply and
[9:19] tillman has been a critical part
[9:22] of that. And speaking of
[9:24] resilience, leadership on
[9:25] machine owe lake, the more we're
[9:27] learning about mono lake the
[9:28] more we realize the impacts of
[9:29] climate change on mono lake have
[9:31] been pretty substantial. And so
[9:36] your statement of potential
[9:38] policy moving forward on mono
[9:40] lake, is greatly appreciated,
[9:43] because that's obviously such an
[9:45] incredible resource for the
[9:47] state of california. And the
[9:49] reality is, with climate change,
[9:52] it's not because ladwp hasn't
[9:54] been doing, you know, what they
[9:56] can to better protect mono lake,
[9:59] at the same time, the lake
[10:01] levels just haven't been met.
[10:02] so, you know, obviously a lot
[10:04] more needs to be done and
[10:05] climate change wasn't taken into
[10:07] account in that original
[10:09] agreement. But bottom line,
[10:11] thank you, richard, for your
[10:12] leadership here. I don't know
[10:13] what the hell you're going do
[10:15] with all your time now. But,
[10:16] anyways.
[10:17] [laughter]
[10:19] >>speaker: great seeing you
[10:20] man.
[10:20] >>pres. Richard katz:
[10:21] basketball games and bruin
[10:24] games.
[10:25] >>com. Nurit katz: thank you.
[10:26] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[10:27] you, mark. Welcome.
[10:35] >>speaker: thank you I'm hoping
[10:36] I can get more than two minutes
[10:38] because I want to talk about an
[10:40] agendaized item and also want to
[10:41] congratulate you number 33.
[10:43] maybe you will give me a few
[10:45] minutes. I'm here representing
[10:48] mono lake committee jeff
[10:49] mcquillan here last meeting for
[10:53] a variety of reasons, machine
[10:55] owe lake committee first of all
[10:58] congratulate and support dwp on
[11:01] its october 28th decision to
[11:03] expand the tillman reclamation
[11:08] facility we think that's a major
[11:10] step in the right direction to
[11:13] get mono lake as said at the
[11:20] last meeting 66392 which would
[11:26] obviously be an incredible
[11:28] opportunity we believe the
[11:29] opportunity here for this
[11:31] commission to communicate that
[11:33] to the state water board and
[11:34] communicate the biodiversity the
[11:36] need for air pollution controls
[11:39] and others would be tremendous
[11:41] it's time to think based on
[11:43] comments at the last hearing to
[11:45] work together collaboratively
[11:46] with anselmo and his team to
[11:48] come up with a letter we're
[11:50] happy to work collaboratively
[11:52] and find a way to communicate to
[11:53] the state water board the
[11:56] opportunity for local water
[11:57] sources as both mark and connor
[12:01] mentioned, ultimately, as
[12:04] commissioner mcgraw who used to
[12:06] sit here said that we urgently
[12:10] need to reduce the dependence on
[12:12] local water and then
[12:13] commissioner katz your eloquent
[12:15] 
[12:19] exemplifies the best of what we
[12:20] can do in this city the
[12:22] commission discussion around
[12:23] machine owe lake replenishment
[12:26] and water plan has been noticed
[12:28] by so many people since the
[12:30] meeting and we are really
[12:31] hopeful that we can come to an
[12:33] opportunity to work together
[12:34] collaboratively and maybe come
[12:35] up with that lastly I personally
[12:37] want to say I have known you
[12:40] since the day we were two,
[12:43] [laughter]
[12:44] we both had more hair, the
[12:46] tremendous work that you have
[12:48] done, your public service is
[12:51] tremendous and you're going to
[12:53] be well missed in the short time
[12:54] you have been here you have
[12:56] managed to do a lot and I know I
[12:57] speak from the 1400 members of
[13:00] the mono lake committee among
[13:02] other things and thank you for
[13:03] your help and time.
[13:06] >>pres. Richard katz: thank you
[13:07] very much. I appreciate it.
[13:07] >>board secretary, chante
[13:09] mitchell: the next speaker will
[13:10] be tracy quinn followed by
[13:14] melanie torres.
[13:23] >>speaker: good morning
[13:24] commissioners.
[13:24] >>com. Wilma pinder: good
[13:25] morning.
[13:25] >>speaker: my name is tracy
[13:27] quinn I'm the ceo of heal the
[13:30] bay. I really want to applaud
[13:31] our commissioners and ladwp for
[13:33] your commitment to climate
[13:36] resilience, especially with
[13:37] local water supplies, seeing the
[13:39] expansion of tillman, moving
[13:41] forward, is something that we
[13:42] have all been rooting for, for a
[13:45] very long time. Like many of
[13:47] the speakers before me, I'm
[13:49] really hopeful that this can be
[13:51] part of the solution that helps
[13:53] us to address the crisis that's
[13:55] happening at mono lake. Climate
[13:58] change is hitting us harder and
[14:00] faster than any of us could have
[14:02] expected and it calls on all of
[14:04] us to do more. And, you know,
[14:06] this commission, you know, with
[14:07] some of the former commissioners
[14:10] as well, show tremendous
[14:13] environmental leadership
[14:14] commitment to resilience not
[14:15] only here in los angeles but in
[14:17] all the places that we touch
[14:18] with the work we do and with our
[14:20] infrastructure. So, hoping that
[14:22] we can continue the work that
[14:25] president richard katz has led
[14:27] with trying to be able to invest
[14:30] in projects here that will help
[14:33] restore mono lake to levels that
[14:35] are needed now and in the
[14:37] future. And to president katz,
[14:40] you know, your leadership here
[14:43] at ladwp has been incredible,
[14:47] like, some of the former
[14:49] commenters just -- like, what
[14:50] you have been able to accomplish
[14:51] in such a short time has given
[14:53] are us a lot of hope for what
[14:56] ladwp can be in the future.
[14:59] we're really hopeful that the
[15:00] folks who come in after you and
[15:02] to replace the empty seats here
[15:06] share your commitment to caring
[15:08] deeply for our community and for
[15:09] the environment. So, thank you
[15:11] so much for your public service,
[15:12] and we will miss you dearly.
[15:14] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[15:16] you, tracy, appreciate it. And
[15:17] also thank heal the bay for
[15:19] their ongoing stewardship of our
[15:22] ocean waters and beaches and
[15:26] streams throughout la. It's the
[15:28] gold standard for organizations
[15:29] that I have been really pleased
[15:31] to be part of for a long time.
[15:33] so.
[15:41] >>speaker: good morning.
[15:43] >>pres. Richard katz: hi.
[15:44] >>speaker: good morning. My
[15:45] name is melanie, I'm a community
[15:48] organizer with pacoima beautiful
[15:50] we're an environmental justice
[15:52] non-profit in the northeast san
[15:55] fernando valley. I want to
[15:56] congratulate the board, and want
[15:59] to congratulate the board of
[16:00] water and power commission for
[16:01] both the decision to expand the
[16:03] tillman water reclamation plant
[16:05] and to refresh 40,000 acre feet
[16:09] of groundwater per year and the
[16:11] commission's recognition that
[16:12] this new water supply will
[16:15] enable ladwp deposit mono bake
[16:20] water diversions so that mono
[16:24] lake can restore its healthy
[16:26] 6392 feet of surface elevation
[16:29] through proclaim beautiful I
[16:32] have had the privilege to take
[16:34] community members up to mono
[16:36] lake and for them it's the first
[16:38] time they see birds and such an
[16:42] ecological beauty, mono lake is
[16:44] more than just a body of water
[16:46] it's a living classroom source
[16:48] of inspiration for our
[16:49] community. When they're out
[16:51] there they truly see what's at
[16:55] stake and they return home with
[16:57] a deeper understanding of
[16:58] environmental justice and
[16:59] urgency to take care of shared
[17:01] resources we strongly urge to
[17:03] convey this plan to the state
[17:05] water board and request that the
[17:07] board move expeditiously to
[17:09] implement the common sense win
[17:13] plan and also want to thank
[17:14] president katz for his
[17:16] leadership we appreciate all
[17:17] he's done for los angeles and
[17:19] for mono lake. Thank you all
[17:21] for listening.
[17:23] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[17:23] you.
[17:24] >>board secretary, chante
[17:24] mitchell: next speaker will be
[17:25] john farside. Followed by
[17:30] alejandra garcia.
[17:32] >>speaker: good morning
[17:32] commissioners. My name is john,
[17:34] policy director for crop swap
[17:37] la, we're a south los angeles
[17:40] non-profit focused on resilient
[17:42] community-based water and food
[17:44] systems I'm going to join the
[17:47] chorus here and thank president
[17:49] katz for your leadership and
[17:51] service during your tenure here
[17:53] your long history of public
[17:54] service longer than I have been
[17:56] arrived and it heartens me to
[18:02] hear commissioner katz say we're
[18:05] ready to carry the torch for
[18:07] mono lake here. Recent la times
[18:15] coverage noted we're entering a
[18:17] new era of local water
[18:19] resilience built on wastewater
[18:22] recycling expanded stormwater
[18:24] capture and decentralized green
[18:27] infrastructure, investments
[18:29] strengthen their own reliability
[18:31] also give la flexibility to
[18:34] reduce pressure on the fragile
[18:37] ecosystems mono basin and
[18:39] sensitive areas that have borne
[18:42] the impacts of these historic
[18:44] diversions. The proposal to
[18:47] allocate water is a clear win.
[18:51] using the portion of this new
[18:52] tillman supply to support the
[18:54] local habitat restoration allows
[18:55] for improved ecological
[18:57] conditions mono basin comes at
[18:59] no cost ladwp water rights does
[19:03] not diminish the city's ability
[19:06] to meet demand pairing increased
[19:08] recycling with continued
[19:09] upgrades on stormwater capture
[19:11] saves money in the long run for
[19:13] la. I heard at the last meeting
[19:18] president katz said the next
[19:20] step would be a letter writing
[19:23] the state water board we have a
[19:26] robust coalition that's happy to
[19:29] continue the advocacy. We want
[19:31] to acknowledge and thank you for
[19:32] that idea and commitment I urge
[19:35] the commission to advance that
[19:38] communication to the state board
[19:39] and act promptly on this. La
[19:42] has the chance to lead. Thank
[19:47] you very much for your time.
[19:48] appreciate it.
[19:49] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[19:50] you.
[19:50] >>board secretary, chante
[19:51] mitchell: alejandra garcia.
[19:53] >>speaker: hello my name is
[19:56] alejandra garcia, van nuys,
[20:00] ladwp ratepayer I'm a youth
[20:04] organizer here at pacoima
[20:06] beautiful our mission is to
[20:07] educate advocate for local
[20:09] policy change celebrate arts,
[20:12] and culture to create a
[20:13] healthier more sustainable san
[20:17] fernando valley a acquiring
[20:20] support the solution is simple
[20:27] doable and ensures los angeles
[20:29] has the water it needs while
[20:32] allowing mono lake to raise it
[20:33] to its 6,392 protection level.
[20:36] we ask the full commission to
[20:38] support this plan and to
[20:40] communicate the support to the
[20:41] state water board. Mono lake
[20:43] needs our help and this proposal
[20:45] offers a clear path forward.
[20:48] let's make this plan happen. We
[20:50] also want to thank president
[20:52] katz for his leadership we
[20:54] appreciate all he has done for
[20:55] los angeles and for mono
[20:56] headache, thank you,
[20:59] commissioners for listening.
[21:02] >>com. Nurit katz: if I may,
[21:04] alejandra, thank you for being
[21:06] here we really need the youth
[21:08] voices thank you for taking the
[21:09] time to come here and speak in
[21:11] public we appreciate it. I grew
[21:13] up in van nuys it's good to hear
[21:15] of your leadership in the
[21:17] community, thank you for
[21:20] speaking forward local water
[21:21] support. I'll reiterate my
[21:23] commitment to try and continue
[21:24] the work of president katz.
[21:27] >>speaker: thank you so much.
[21:28] I appreciate it.
[21:29] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[21:30] you.
[21:30] >>board secretary, chante
[21:35] mitchell: the next speaker is
[21:36] william funderburg followed by
[21:40] kim chakins.
[21:52] >>speaker: good morning
[21:53] president katz. I want to begin
[21:56] by recognizing you, and not
[22:00] leaving you an as afterthought.
[22:03] on what I understand is your
[22:04] final meeting. Over the years I
[22:11] have crossed paths with richard
[22:13] in multiple civic and strategic
[22:16] contexts from transportation
[22:17] manning, to environment, to
[22:19] infrastructure equity. And I
[22:22] have relied on his sage council
[22:26] counsel more than once his
[22:29] advice was never performative it
[22:32] was grounded generous and always
[22:34] calibrated to the complexity of
[22:36] the moment. His legacy at ladwp
[22:39] is not just institutional. It's
[22:42] personal to those of us who
[22:44] benefitted from his wisdom.
[22:46] when jules radcliffe introduced
[22:51] me to you, back when kenny hahn
[22:53] was still alive, and jimmy hahn
[22:57] had just been elected city
[23:00] attorney after being controller,
[23:02] rick tutle was controller, yada,
[23:05] yada, yada, I didn't know that
[23:07] my life would change as much as
[23:10] it did from having known and
[23:12] benefitted from your wisdom.
[23:17] that's not to say that I needed
[23:19] more time
[23:20] [laughter]
[23:21] but I may need -- I wanted to
[23:24] comment on every single one of
[23:26] the agenda procurement items,
[23:28] for this reason. That seems to
[23:31] be a misunderstand -- and staff
[23:34] have worked tirelessly since I
[23:37] was on the board with mel, more
[23:40] than ten years ago, to implement
[23:43] equity metrics. And general
[23:49] manager quiñones, gracias, I
[23:55] really appreciate how you have
[23:57] embraced it and continued to
[24:00] imbue it in your culture. I'm
[24:16] concerned though that there is a
[24:18] disconnect with the staff. The
[24:20] white paper that commissioner
[24:21] katz I know has, I think
[24:23] everybody should have a copy of
[24:26] the white paper have you read
[24:28] it? The white paper and its
[24:32] intent and regs losings that
[24:35] followed in 2016 and 2018t
[24:37] wasn't intended to create an
[24:44] administrative burden on dwp it
[24:46] was intended to create
[24:47] transparency and generate
[24:49] efficiency and increase our bond
[24:50] rating, miss santilli, through
[24:53] the increase in efficiency, and
[24:57] so I did put a comment for every
[24:59] one of the items because I have
[25:00] some suggestions and what I was
[25:02] think suggest maybe what I'll do
[25:04] is send these suggestions to
[25:05] staff. President katz, who
[25:08] should I send those to? Because
[25:12] equity metrics --
[25:14] >>com. Nurit katz: let's focus
[25:15] on supply chain and procurement.
[25:18] >>speaker: would that be
[25:21] kendall.
[25:24] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce: it
[25:25] depends on what the suggestions
[25:26] are if based on procurement
[25:28] process, john, if equity metrics
[25:35] kendall.
[25:37] >>speaker: but equity metrics
[25:40] incorporate 50 metrics several
[25:41] of which are procurement one
[25:44] scppa at least one of which is
[25:46] pension fund which nobody wants
[25:48] to talk about because it's kind
[25:50] of off limits and the union
[25:52] seems to have little control of
[25:54] it.
[25:54] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[25:55] there's a board for the
[25:57] retirement fund.
[25:59] >>speaker: I understand that
[25:59] but it should be made public
[26:00] where the money is going.
[26:02] >>com. Nurit katz: I would send
[26:02] the comments to kendall and john
[26:04] to start with and they can help
[26:07] route to areas that are not
[26:08] within the purview.
[26:10] >>speaker: I'll close my
[26:11] comments out.
[26:12] >>pres. Richard katz: I think
[26:13] that's a good suggestion, nurit,
[26:15] but also just make sure other
[26:17] commissioners are copied on it
[26:18] so they're aware of it as well.
[26:21] >>speaker: are there any
[26:22] commissioners that left?
[26:23] >>pres. Richard katz: it's a
[26:24] smaller list than it would have
[26:25] been but there are commissioners
[26:27] and I understand there is a new
[26:28] one on the way.
[26:30] >>com. Nurit katz: pending
[26:31] council confirmation we'll have
[26:34] quorum.
[26:34] >>speaker: let me just skip
[26:35] through, last time I testified,
[26:37] I talked about the paucity of
[26:44] mexican american commissioners
[26:46] this century, I think there have
[26:48] been two or three the last one
[26:49] was in 2013, and I don't like to
[26:51] focus on race for a number of
[26:53] reasons, equity metrics, I like
[26:57] to focus on gender, class
[27:10] geographic area I like to focus
[27:12] on things that are not racial I
[27:13] think mexican american isn't a
[27:16] race but I think that because
[27:17] the city is 40% mexican american
[27:20] I know you have no appointment
[27:21] power but I want to note for the
[27:24] record that was requested
[27:25] several names andrea leon
[27:29] grossman, veronica padilla,
[27:37] carlos poras, delia aybara,
[27:43] richard amador, regular salinas
[27:47] and these names were vetted by
[27:49] both irma munoz and tom soda,
[27:52] and I would like to make sure
[27:53] that the mayor's appointment
[27:55] person has those names and they
[27:56] are being considered.
[27:58] >>com. Wilma pinder: I do want
[27:59] to add to that we do not tell
[28:01] the mayor's appointment person I
[28:05] want to be clear.
[28:06] >>speaker: I'm familiar with
[28:07] the rules.
[28:08] >>com. Nurit katz: do you have
[28:09] the right contact info I would
[28:12] be happy to send you the contact
[28:14] info.
[28:15] >>com. Wilma pinder: he knows
[28:16] the process very well.
[28:17] >>speaker: maybe I should just
[28:18] send that to the mayor's office.
[28:21] >>com. Nurit katz: yes, please.
[28:22] >>speaker: and finally I would
[28:23] like to highlight the perma city
[28:27] foundation where I have been a
[28:28] board member and senior advisor,
[28:30] commissioner katz we welcome as
[28:32] a board member of perma city
[28:34] foundation you collaborate with
[28:36] us as you go into whatever the
[28:38] next stage of your life is we're
[28:40] building two data centers that
[28:44] are powered by, exclusively by
[28:48] renewable energy, in the los
[28:50] angeles basin, and aiming to
[28:53] reduce emissions of carbon by
[28:56] 10%. That's pretty much --
[29:00] let's see, pretty much about it.
[29:03] commissioner katz leaves a
[29:04] legacy of service, I urge this
[29:09] board to ensure his successor
[29:12] reflects the equity
[29:14] representation los angeles
[29:16] deserves thank you commissioner
[29:17] pinder, commissioner katz, and
[29:18] commissioner richard katz,
[29:21] graciously.
[29:22] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[29:23] you.
[29:23] >>com. Nurit katz: thank you.
[29:24] >>pres. Richard katz: we'll
[29:25] make sure the names get passed
[29:26] on to the mayor's office, as
[29:28] well.
[29:30] >>speaker: good morning
[29:31] president katz and members of
[29:33] the commission, and staff. At
[29:35] the risk of getting this so
[29:38] richard won't get out of here,
[29:39] because his head will be this
[29:42] big, a couple of comments.
[29:44] politics is relatively easy.
[29:47] governance is really hard. What
[29:49] you all are trying to do to
[29:51] govern is really hard. And the
[29:53] way I see leadership is trying
[29:56] to put those two things together
[29:58] to make things happen. And to
[30:00] do that, you need to be able to
[30:04] see things and you need to be
[30:05] able to hear things. My sense
[30:08] is, president katz, being able
[30:10] to see the connectivity, see the
[30:15] countries where you saw tillman,
[30:19] you saw -- you saw mono lake a
[30:21] long time ago, but you're
[30:24] putting it, and to be able to
[30:25] see that countries, and say we
[30:27] can make something happen, and
[30:29] not let the perfect be the
[30:31] unintentional of the good, try
[30:32] and move something forward and
[30:34] make it happen, you also need to
[30:37] be able to hear and/or read. I
[30:39] know there is 800 plus letters
[30:42] that have been submitted on
[30:43] public record on behalf of what
[30:45] we're all talking about here,
[30:49] connecting tillman and the
[30:50] 40,000 acre feet to the
[30:53] situation in mono lake, which
[30:54] has been happening far too long.
[30:57] in my mind that's what
[30:59] leadership is about, is being
[31:00] able to see that, meld the
[31:03] politics with the governance,
[31:05] make some decisions and get
[31:06] stuff done. So, I would
[31:08] encourage you all to follow the
[31:11] leadership, see the countries,
[31:15] go after it and make the
[31:17] decision to make stuff happen.
[31:18] so, rich afford, thank you for
[31:19] your service, and your
[31:20] leadership.
[31:21] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[31:22] you, ken. Much appreciated.
[31:23] >>board secretary, chante
[31:23] mitchell: the last speaker will
[31:25] be tony wilkinson.
[31:43] >>speaker: tony wilkinson, I
[31:47] chair the dwp neighborhood
[31:48] council memorandum of
[31:50] understanding committee. But
[31:51] I'm here as an individual, and
[31:54] president katz I have personal
[31:56] thanks and some remembrances
[31:58] under item 33. But right now as
[32:00] long as commissioner funderburg
[32:03] mentioned the equity strategy I
[32:04] would like to say, the equity
[32:08] strategies for la 100 it was
[32:12] ended before work was finished
[32:13] and there is a lot more public
[32:15] discussion that needs to go on,
[32:16] on equity strategies. I would
[32:18] like to see that. I also want
[32:21] to thank all of you guys for
[32:22] expanding tillman. Hopefully
[32:23] also some phased recycling from
[32:27] hyperion, which is a giant
[32:28] project. With all respect to
[32:31] the folks who are coming here
[32:32] with their heart out on mono
[32:35] lake, I personally do not think
[32:36] there is any logical connection
[32:38] between the additional water
[32:40] from tillman recycling and mono
[32:42] lake. It is the most expensive
[32:44] water we will have, it's for
[32:46] disaster protection in case we
[32:47] have salt water intrusion
[32:49] somewhere, we're going to put it
[32:51] in our aquifer in east valley to
[32:53] use it when we desperately need
[32:56] it. But if you look at the
[32:57] three terminal lakes famous ones
[33:00] in the west, salt on lake,
[33:03] salton sea, mono lake, salt on
[33:05] lake and salton sea are starts,
[33:14] ecological disasters mono lake
[33:15] is the only healthy one of the
[33:17] three, because of its care and
[33:21] streams and environments and
[33:23] ladwp know it is needs it water
[33:25] when we can't get it anyone else
[33:28] even if we recycle everybody
[33:30] from tillman and hyperion we
[33:32] would still be dependent as a
[33:34] city we couldn't live without it
[33:37] there is no alternative to the
[33:39] water we have in mono, and I
[33:41] respectfully think it should not
[33:42] be connected. Thank you.
[33:44] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[33:44] you.
[33:47] okay?
[33:48] >>com. Nurit katz: I think
[33:49] that's everybody.
[33:50] >>board secretary, chante
[33:50] mitchell: public comment is now
[33:51] closed.
[33:52] >>com. Nurit katz: may I make a
[33:53] comment, richard?
[33:54] >>pres. Richard katz: sure.
[33:55] >>com. Nurit katz: so, I'll
[33:56] save my richard comments for
[33:58] later, president richard katz
[34:01] comments for later. I did want
[34:03] to thank all commenters today
[34:05] who even with differing
[34:07] perspectives we just heard all
[34:09] recognize the importance of
[34:10] local water sources near la this
[34:12] is a deep commitment of this
[34:14] board and the mayor's office to
[34:15] push towards our servant% local
[34:17] water. So, thank you to mono
[34:19] lake committee, pacoima
[34:21] beautiful, crop swap well. A,
[34:23] heal the bay, commissioner
[34:24] funderberg, mark gold and others
[34:26] who spoke today, tony wilkinson.
[34:29] but a number of you also spoke
[34:31] to equity strategies which is
[34:33] something that we are also
[34:34] deeply committed to on this
[34:35] board. The equity strategies
[34:38] work for la 100 continues and
[34:40] we're actually expanding the
[34:46] equity work to the water side
[34:47] stay tuned to that with the
[34:50] equity and environmental focus
[34:51] in comments today I want to take
[34:53] a moment to recognize the
[34:54] passing of a very important
[34:56] environmental justice leader in
[34:58] the community, jesse marquez,
[35:00] who was the founder of coalition
[35:02] for a safe environment and
[35:04] advocated tirelessly for the
[35:05] community of wilmington in
[35:07] reducing diesel emissions. We
[35:09] don't get to where we're going
[35:11] on our own, as government, and
[35:14] the activists and advocates who
[35:15] are out there on the front lines
[35:17] and supporting our communities
[35:20] have an incredibly important
[35:21] role to play as we transition to
[35:24] local water, as we transition to
[35:26] renewable energy. So, just
[35:28] wanted to take a moment to honor
[35:30] his passing. Then I also wanted
[35:33] to take a moment, because it is
[35:34] november, and november is native
[35:36] american her at that time month,
[35:38] and I have now stepped up at the
[35:40] tribal engagement committee
[35:42] member. And I want to recognize
[35:43] an important milestone that just
[35:47] happened in the city where the
[35:49] los angeles city council adopted
[35:50] a citywide land acknowledgment
[35:53] for the city of los angeles
[35:54] focused on our area here this
[35:56] was the work of la civil rights,
[36:00] the civil human rights equity
[36:02] department and went through a
[36:04] number of committees I want to
[36:06] while we're still at the start
[36:08] of our meeting just read the new
[36:10] acknowledgment that's been
[36:11] approved.
[36:12] so, the county of los angeles
[36:13] recognizes that we occupy land
[36:13] originally and still inhabited
[36:14] and cared for by the tongva,
[36:24] tataviam, serrano, kizh, and
[36:25] chumash peoples. We honor and
[36:27] pay respect to their elders and
[36:27] descendants - past, present, and
[36:28] emerging - as they continue
[36:29] their stewardship of these lands
[36:29] and waters. Resulted in land
[36:30] seizure, disease, subjugation,
[36:31] slavery, relocation, broken
[36:43] promises, genocide, and
[36:43] multigenerational trauma. This
[36:51] acknowledgment demonstrates our
[36:52] responsibility and commitment to
[36:59] truth, healing, and
[36:59] reconciliation and to elevating
[37:00] the stories, culture, and
[37:01] community of the original
[37:01] inhabitants of los angeles
[37:02] county. We are grateful for the
[37:03] opportunity to live and work on
[37:03] these ancestral lands.
[37:04] we also honor the
[37:05] self-attestation of the current
[37:07] mission based tribes confirming
[37:11] their connection to the
[37:12] ancestral lands which we live
[37:14] and work today the gabrieleno
[37:20] san gabriel band of mission
[37:22] indians led by the gabrieleno
[37:29] tongva tribal council, the
[37:33] gabrieleno band of mission
[37:34] indians kizh nation, the
[37:38] fernandeno tataviam band of
[37:38] mission indians and the northern
[37:41] chumash tribal council. I want
[37:42] to say that a land
[37:42] acknowledgment is the beginning,
[37:46] not the end of this work. That
[37:47] a land acknowledgment is the
[37:48] beginning and not the end of
[37:48] this work we have much work
[37:49] ahead of us to continue to
[37:49] repair and build these
[37:50] relationships this tribal
[37:51] acknowledgment was developed for
[37:51] the land here in the city of los
[37:52] angeles but especially as we
[37:53] talk about mono lake in indio
[37:53] county I want to acknowledge
[37:54] that our use of water here in
[37:55] los angeles has impacts *north,
[37:55] as well, so, I want to
[37:56] acknowledge that we will
[37:57] continue to build and develop
[37:57] relationships and reciprocity
[37:58] with the tribes in the owens
[37:59] valley and in payahunados. So
[38:05] this is the beginning, not the
[38:07] end of this journey. But want
[38:10] to take a moment to recognize
[38:16] native american heritage month.
[38:19] thank you.
[38:20] >>pres. Richard katz: thank you
[38:22] nurit. Other comments? Comment
[38:24] by commissioners. If not we'll
[38:26] go to janisse.
[38:27] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[38:31] thank you. I want to
[38:32] acknowledge native american
[38:34] heritage month november is the
[38:37] month to recognize our tribes
[38:38] and partners in la a time to
[38:40] reflect, learn and honor the
[38:42] enduring legacies and cultures
[38:44] and contributions of native
[38:47] american peoples across the
[38:48] united states. This month
[38:50] invites us to recognize the
[38:51] profound and lasting impact
[38:54] native community have had on
[38:56] shaping the lands values and
[38:57] histories of this country, since
[39:01] time immemorial and continuing
[39:05] to this day we work hard on
[39:07] building the relationships with
[39:09] the tribes in owens valley and
[39:12] here in la we're grateful for
[39:14] the partnership. I want to
[39:15] acknowledge veterans day which
[39:17] happened november 11th we have
[39:19] an event today around 12:30
[39:22] celebrating our veterans very
[39:24] important day to celebrate the
[39:25] sacrifices of our service
[39:26] members and how they support the
[39:28] freedoms and values of this
[39:29] country and now more than ever
[39:31] this day represents a lot for
[39:32] our employees that continue to
[39:35] serve the communities as
[39:38] employees of the department, and
[39:40] the city of la. With that, I'm
[39:42] going to pass to dave hanson to
[39:46] talk about the power system. We
[39:48] have a couple of events that
[39:49] happened in navajo and the
[39:52] lineman's rodeo in kansas also
[39:57] update on the storms that we
[39:58] just had, and more rain coming
[40:00] through. Dave.
[40:03] >>dave hanson: as usual the ceo
[40:05] covered it all I'll pass it to
[40:07] anselmo.
[40:08] [laughter]
[40:08] we're going to talk about the
[40:10] lineman's rodeo last board
[40:12] meeting we went long so we're
[40:13] carrying it forward if this
[40:15] meeting. This occurred
[40:18] october 15th through 18th this
[40:20] kansas city our international
[40:22] line workers rodeo that we
[40:24] participate in every year dwp
[40:25] had a showing with multiple
[40:27] individuals working across the
[40:29] stage to receive awards we're
[40:31] very proud of them. Apprentice
[40:33] category mr. Pierce placed first
[40:37] in the municipal division and
[40:40] 5th overall, mr. Brian gabelli
[40:44] second in the municipal division
[40:47] overall 14th overall in the
[40:54] journeyman category dustin rose
[40:56] tom crevier and george jiminez
[41:01] placed third in the municipal
[41:03] division 19th overall mr. Marco
[41:03] jimenez efrain bularrn, jr. And
[41:04] martine rivera placed 5th in
[41:05] senior division.
[41:09] congratulations to them all very
[41:10] proud. Power transmission
[41:12] distribution crews along with
[41:14] power construction and
[41:14] maintenance crews recently
[41:16] completed a successful mutual
[41:17] aid training exercise with
[41:20] navajo nation approximately 63
[41:24] employees worked 12 hour shifts
[41:26] six days a week four weeks
[41:29] during the effort the team
[41:30] installed 547 poles strung 44
[41:35] miles of conductor and placed 16
[41:38] transformers 11 homes were
[41:40] energized for the first time in
[41:42] history many generations of
[41:45] family living in those
[41:46] structures they assisted
[41:50] rewiring several other houses to
[41:52] ensure they passed inspection
[41:55] this highlights the dedication
[41:57] and expertise of our crews and
[41:59] commitment to mutual training
[42:02] that will support underserved
[42:04] communities. This weekend we
[42:07] saw the rain hit us in an
[42:09] unprecedented the manner this
[42:11] weekend infer 14th to 17th we
[42:13] experienced a significant rain
[42:14] storm overall we fared well we
[42:21] had a total of 76 outages
[42:27] affecting 59,000 customers not
[42:30] all at once, the largest impact
[42:33] of the storm was are yesterday
[42:35] at distribution station two we
[42:37] had a roof leak that intruded
[42:40] inside the station and caused
[42:42] some equipment to flash over
[42:43] that resulted in peak outage
[42:46] just over 23,000 customers
[42:49] average ever 40 crews working
[42:52] tirelessly throughout the four
[42:54] days restoring customer power we
[42:57] completed 773 trouble calls
[43:01] majority of outages were short
[43:03] in duration. Restoration of
[43:06] service. November 8th we did
[43:09] have a large area outage when we
[43:12] lost an entire receiving station
[43:15] mid-city receiving station delta
[43:17] it was unplanned outage due to
[43:19] an issue on the 138,000 volt
[43:22] side root cause under
[43:25] investigation we're finding out
[43:27] exactly what happened there.
[43:28] that's all I have. Actually,
[43:30] also, we did have an injury
[43:32] during the storm. One of our
[43:34] line patrol mechanics out there
[43:36] working in the rain fell 12 feet
[43:39] from a ladder he was transported
[43:42] to a local hospital treated and
[43:44] releases and we expect him to
[43:45] make a full recovery. That's it
[43:46] for my report.
[43:50] [off-mic indiscernible]
[43:51] will do. Thank you, sir.
[43:51] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[43:53] I'll add that mutual aid is an
[43:55] important component of our
[43:56] training and last year -- this
[43:58] year, actually -- it's been a
[44:01] long year, this year, navajo
[44:04] nation came to support us during
[44:06] the wildfires so we were in
[44:09] navajo nation this time, but the
[44:11] relationship that crews have
[44:12] built creates a lot of trust so
[44:13] when they come in to help us in
[44:15] our territory, are already
[44:19] established it's a role both
[44:22] teams play to support each
[44:25] other.
[44:26] >>dave hanson: when we were in
[44:28] the middle of the palisades
[44:30] during the emergency navarro
[44:32] called us and said we're on the
[44:33] way; we didn't even ask.
[44:33] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[44:37] first time with mutual aid it
[44:39] was a big step in the right
[44:41] direction.
[44:54] >>pres. Richard katz: it was
[44:55] impressive they came and brought
[44:57] their own instructions.
[44:57] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[45:00] also dwp supporting the event we
[45:02] learned a lot through that I the
[45:03] to highlight during the storm
[45:06] preparations we had our
[45:07] emergency management department
[45:08] working with power to get ahead
[45:09] of the storm and communications
[45:12] to ensure that we were able to
[45:13] talk to our customers about our
[45:15] preparations and keep them
[45:17] updated as we fared pretty well.
[45:23] every time it rains in la it's a
[45:25] major event.
[45:31] I'm going to pass it to dan
[45:38] aeschleman to talk about our
[45:41] campaigns.
[45:43] >>dan aeschleman: thank you
[45:44] janisse first I want to
[45:45] highlight the annual flu vaccine
[45:47] event at ladwp we do every year
[45:52] we had it at the building
[45:55] training facility to make it
[45:57] accessible for all employees.
[45:59] we had almost 350 employees
[46:01] participate in that event an
[46:02] uptick from each year since the
[46:05] pandemic happened which we're
[46:08] excited about. The disease
[46:09] control prevention indicates
[46:11] getting the flu vaccine is
[46:13] important during the flu season
[46:17] to protect yourself. Ladwp is
[46:20] proud to make this preventative
[46:24] carefree and accessible each
[46:26] year. We had our annual ladwp
[46:32] safety week which was a huge
[46:33] success we had tremendous
[46:35] unprecedented the participation
[46:36] in that event. We had 4,069
[46:41] employees take a pledge to
[46:43] safety during that week. And we
[46:45] also had almost 9500
[46:49] interactions and participants in
[46:51] the events 9500 participations
[46:53] in those individual events
[46:55] during that week. That was a
[46:56] really exciting response and we
[46:57] want to take time to acknowledge
[46:58] and thank all those who
[47:00] participated not only those that
[47:02] planned this event to make this
[47:06] a success this week. Looking
[47:09] forward to report-out next year
[47:10] it's an ongoing event for us.
[47:13] >>pres. Richard katz: great.
[47:13] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce: we
[47:14] saw the navajo teams during
[47:16] stand down during safety we they
[47:18] took their time to participate
[47:20] in the safety week. It was
[47:22] widespread across the department
[47:23] and well-received by our
[47:24] employees. I'm going to pass it
[47:26] off to joe for the briefing
[47:29] update and a couple of awards
[47:31] that comms teams have received.
[47:34] >>speaker: good morning
[47:34] commissioners I want to
[47:35] highlight we have completed the
[47:37] 2024, 2025 briefing book this is
[47:41] a compilation from across the
[47:43] department in terms of policies
[47:44] programs and initiatives that
[47:46] really encapsulates in one place
[47:48] a resource book for stakeholders
[47:50] policy makers as well as the
[47:51] public it can be found online at
[47:53] ladwp.com forward slash reports
[48:00] if anyone would like to read it
[48:03] one of the key parts of what we
[48:06] focus on working to educate our
[48:08] customers public and policy
[48:09] makers about our operations. We
[48:11] do that well we invite to you
[48:13] take a look at it we have extra
[48:15] copies I want to thank are the
[48:17] communications team graphics
[48:18] team our print shop for pulling
[48:20] it together. A significant
[48:22] effort one we have been
[48:24] undertaking now since 2013 a
[48:28] publication initiated back then
[48:30] and we have published every
[48:33] since. The department was
[48:35] recognized by the american
[48:36] public power association during
[48:37] the excellence and public power
[48:40] communications awards that's for
[48:42] ladwp intake, intake has been
[48:46] published for over 100 years by
[48:51] the department's public affairs
[48:52] and communications team we took
[48:53] it online a couple of years ago
[48:56] it's a beautiful publication
[48:59] encapsulates day-to-day week to
[49:01] week month to month work here at
[49:04] the department initiatives
[49:07] employees really telling their
[49:08] story. The intake took the
[49:11] award of excellence in print and
[49:12] digital category this year and I
[49:14] want to thank the team and
[49:15] congratulate the team for their
[49:16] work on that some of the members
[49:18] are here with us now. And
[49:19] before we recognize them, I also
[49:22] want to highlight a really proud
[49:25] award that we received, regan
[49:29] communications is a national
[49:30] organization comprised of
[49:31] communications and marketing
[49:33] profiles, and this year we took
[49:35] home the zenith ward of
[49:38] distinction in the platforms
[49:41] technology category for the
[49:44] water quality dashboard web site
[49:45] that was created during response
[49:47] to the palisades fire while
[49:50] working to restore water quality
[49:51] to over 8,000 customers who were
[49:55] impacted this was built on arc
[49:59] gis story maps it was the first
[50:02] of its kind set the bar for how
[50:05] community respond and shares in
[50:09] a transparent manner the
[50:10] information that customers now
[50:12] expect they want to see water
[50:13] quality results, the dashboard
[50:17] and all the work our team did to
[50:20] compile and present was
[50:23] recognized by a national
[50:24] organization. I want to thank
[50:25] the sometimes led by water
[50:27] quality, together with it and
[50:28] communication, tremendous team
[50:29] effort. Norma started her job a
[50:35] few weeks before justin sarris,
[50:40] sun chung water quality jonathon
[50:45] leong casal, rachael,
[50:49] communications really core team
[50:52] congratulations award well
[50:54] deserved thank you all for your
[50:56] work.
[50:57] >>pres. Richard katz: let me
[50:57] just add in addition to the
[50:59] thanks to the commission and
[51:04] everyone for the work joe and
[51:05] the department's doing the
[51:08] increased outreach with all the
[51:10] publications beneficial to the
[51:13] mission of dwp all employees and
[51:16] folks that are trying to get
[51:17] done the more they get the word
[51:19] out, when you drill down and see
[51:22] how it all fits together it
[51:23] makes a lot more sense because
[51:25] we're all interdependent on each
[51:29] other particularly in this
[51:31] department getting the story out
[51:32] and successes is huge and joe
[51:36] thank you for expanding that.
[51:39] >>com. Wilma pinder: in-house
[51:41] saves quite a bit of money.
[51:43] appreciate that.
[51:44] >>com. Nurit katz: yeah I'll
[51:45] echo that and say
[51:46] congratulations to you and the
[51:47] team on these awards. You know,
[51:49] having had friends and family
[51:50] impacted by the palisades fire I
[51:52] know that water quality
[51:54] dashboard really was important
[51:55] to the community and really made
[51:57] a difference. So,
[51:59] congratulations on that. Also
[52:00] great to hear about the safety
[52:01] efforts. In terms of the storm,
[52:03] you know, our crews do amazing
[52:06] work every day but I'm
[52:07] particularly grateful when there
[52:08] is conditions like this and to
[52:10] the 40 crews that were out there
[52:12] working in the heavy rain, we
[52:14] definitely are grateful for your
[52:17] service as well as the emergency
[52:19] management group. And I'll echo
[52:22] president katz in wishing a
[52:25] smooth recovery to the employee
[52:28] who was injured. Also want to
[52:30] 
[52:33] just passed thank you to ceo
[52:36] quiñones for her service and
[52:37] also dave you were reality
[52:39] highlighted as part of the 250th
[52:41] anniversary of the navy for your
[52:43] position as electricians first
[52:45] class subservice.
[52:47] >>pres. Richard katz: at the
[52:48] start.
[52:50] >>dave hanson: yes.
[52:51] >>pres. Richard katz: been
[52:54] doing this for a while.
[52:57] >>com. Nurit katz: thank you
[52:58] for your service both for the
[52:59] work you did to make sure that
[53:02] our valor group got established
[53:04] and that we support veterans
[53:06] every day in this organization.
[53:09] >>dave hanson: thank you.
[53:10] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[53:11] I'll add, the dashboard has
[53:14] become the standard of the
[53:16] industry and so people are
[53:17] expecting this. Do you want to
[53:18] add?
[53:19] >>anselmo collins: sure. Can I
[53:20] tell you that every year we meet
[53:22] with the division of drinking
[53:23] water and we have our meeting
[53:26] maybe a month and a half ago and
[53:28] I made that comment and just
[53:30] having several members of the
[53:31] commission drinking water there,
[53:32] and I did talk about the fact
[53:34] that we were able to do a really
[53:35] good job with the dashboard and
[53:37] basically a story map. And they
[53:39] all agreed that this kind of
[53:41] sets a new bar for the
[53:43] expectation on transparency when
[53:45] we have these incidents. And I
[53:47] took the opportunity to
[53:48] highlight to them that when we
[53:50] were finally able to remove the
[53:54] do not drink notice, there was a
[53:56] lot of media attention on that
[53:57] day. And the media went around
[54:02] and was talking to some of the
[54:03] customers, they went up and
[54:06] talked to a gentleman and asked
[54:08] do you trust the water is safe
[54:09] to drink and the gentleman said
[54:12] I have been looking at the web
[54:14] site I see all results they
[54:16] posted and I am comfortable the
[54:18] water is safe to drink. Right
[54:20] there, it demonstrated that the
[54:24] work joe's team and water
[54:25] quality staff jonathon did as
[54:27] well was worth it because it
[54:31] demonstrated transparency we
[54:37] brought a lot of information in
[54:38] an easy way to search one of the
[54:41] challenges we had was
[54:43] communication pressure zones
[54:45] that the average person doesn't
[54:46] know what that is so putting
[54:48] that information in a way that
[54:50] was easy to search and
[54:52] understand makes a big
[54:55] difference so the division of
[54:56] drinking water is appreciative
[54:58] they didn't say that and it's
[55:00] going to become the standard but
[55:02] I did get the wink and nod.
[55:06] >>pres. Richard katz: we're
[55:07] more than happy to lead that
[55:09] parade. Congratulations to your
[55:10] team and joe's as well and
[55:12] everybody who makes that happen.
[55:15] one of the great things is we
[55:16] have an opportunity to show it's
[55:18] just not theory, not just on
[55:22] paper, but in realtime how it
[55:24] makes a difference in people's
[55:26] lives that's what dwp does day
[55:29] in and day out sometimes it
[55:30] takes a crisis or emergency for
[55:33] people to understand it but also
[55:35] an opportunities to tell stories
[55:36] and stories that need to be
[55:37] told.
[55:38] >>com. Nurit katz: it is and I
[55:39] think it also points back to
[55:40] commissioner funderburg's
[55:42] comments earlier about the
[55:43] importance of transparency. I
[55:44] think those comments you just
[55:45] shared illustrate the power of
[55:48] transparency and really sharing
[55:49] the hard work that this
[55:50] department is doing and really,
[55:53] including the public in
[55:54] everything that we do. It just
[55:56] creates stronger trust. It just
[55:59] creates a purpose relationship
[56:00] so that a fantastic example with
[56:13] of that. Thank you.
[56:15] >>anselmo collins: when it
[56:16] rains we're concerned about the
[56:17] system and challenges but on the
[56:19] other hand the hand opportunity
[56:20] to do capture of stormwater I
[56:22] want to hospital that first of
[56:24] all this november is probably
[56:27] one of the wettest novembers we
[56:29] have had in the last 40 years in
[56:32] los angeles we typically get in
[56:33] the whole season 15 inches 15
[56:37] inches of rain. In this water
[56:38] year we started october 1st we
[56:40] already got in downtown la 3.7
[56:43] inches over 3% of normal. In
[56:47] the san fernando valley around
[56:48] 5.7 inches of water.
[56:49] >>pres. Richard katz:
[56:50] yesterday, I think.
[56:51] [laughter]
[56:52] >>anselmo collins: yeah and
[56:53] more to come which is great.
[56:54] what it means, we have been able
[56:57] to capture a little over 3
[56:59] billion gallons of water. So,
[57:01] all efforts we have made and
[57:04] investments we have made in
[57:05] stormwater capture are paying
[57:07] off for us. I can tell you as
[57:08] of november 1st, once again, we
[57:13] captured 13 thousand hundred 27
[57:21] acre feet of water. Water used
[57:24] to recharge the san fernando
[57:26] basin collaboration between us,
[57:28] la county, and I'm going to
[57:30] continue to report on our water
[57:32] supply conditions moving forward
[57:34] hopefully every meeting, in
[57:38] addition precipitation here in
[57:39] la and eastern sierras as well.
[57:42] november 12th we did host a
[57:44] games water council executive
[57:46] meeting the games are quickly
[57:49] approaching. We're 969 days
[57:51] away from the olympic games here
[57:53] in la and for the first time
[57:55] ever we actually have a games
[57:57] water council. The meeting was
[57:59] well attended at the lacrosse
[58:01] innovation center we had over 20
[58:03] agencies that participated
[58:05] including commissioner katz that
[58:07] was there, the mayor's office
[58:08] and many other folks that were
[58:10] there, the office of public
[58:12] accountability was there as
[58:13] well. It was opportunity for us
[58:16] to collaborate and coordinate
[58:18] efforts. As you know the
[58:19] olympic games are not only in
[58:21] the city of la, also in cities
[58:24] adjacent we need to collaborate
[58:26] to make sure everybody is
[58:28] prepared we have developed
[58:29] several committees procured by
[58:31] different agencies and
[58:32] everything with the effort to
[58:33] make sure that from a water
[58:35] perspective the games go out
[58:37] without a hitch. So, I wanted
[58:39] to pass that along. Because the
[58:40] state of la, dwp, is taking a
[58:44] leadership role when it comes to
[58:48] olympic games, energy council
[58:50] and games water council.
[58:53] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[58:53] you. A lot of hard work. The
[58:56] one city, oklahoma
[58:58] [laughter]
[58:58] we're going to get them in there
[59:00] too.
[59:02] >>anselmo collins: also they
[59:04] participated in a hybrid
[59:05] meeting.
[59:05] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[59:07] that leadership, we have never
[59:11] had a games water council in the
[59:12] history of olympics. It's a
[59:14] very important commodity for the
[59:16] games and having that
[59:18] collaboration between all the
[59:19] agencies is really critical,
[59:20] especially during emergency
[59:22] response. And.
[59:25] >>com. Nurit katz: and I
[59:26] especially appreciated the
[59:28] efforts of the water council to
[59:34] the heat and climate resilience
[59:36] aspects which are being tackled
[59:38] and which water will play a key
[59:39] role in. Thank you.
[59:42] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[59:42] you.
[59:43] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce: my
[59:43] last comment I want to
[59:44] acknowledge in the mono headache
[59:47] committee members report and
[59:49] comments have high respect for
[59:53] your emission. I know more
[59:56] about mono lake than I would
[59:58] ever know about mono lake like I
[1:00:00] never knew mono lake and now I
[1:00:02] know mono lake that speaks to
[1:00:04] your commitment of educating
[1:00:06] stakeholders and the public and
[1:00:07] I think that's really important
[1:00:09] and commendable. I would say my
[1:00:11] position in the department's
[1:00:13] position is that we're open to
[1:00:15] an updated state water board
[1:00:18] study. It's been over 20 years
[1:00:19] since the last study happened,
[1:00:21] and as mentioned climate change
[1:00:23] has impacted many things but
[1:00:25] also our workplan has increased
[1:00:28] significant he and what we had
[1:00:30] 20 years ago is not what we're
[1:00:31] having today and what we will
[1:00:33] have in 20 years. Right? So
[1:00:35] our water plan, infrastructure
[1:00:36] plans continue to increase, our
[1:00:38] investment in local water
[1:00:39] continues to increase. And
[1:00:41] really understanding what that
[1:00:42] looks like for the next 25 years
[1:00:43] will be important to educate us
[1:00:45] on what's the best approach. We
[1:00:47] continue to operate based on our
[1:00:49] annual operating man, which
[1:00:51] involves all the stakeholders,
[1:00:53] including mono lake committee,
[1:00:55] and we maintain that position to
[1:00:56] stay in the context of that
[1:00:58] plan. And I will be remiss to
[1:01:01] not mention that we have
[1:01:02] invested over $50 million to
[1:01:04] restore mono lake since the
[1:01:06] study was done, 20 years ago and
[1:01:09] we continue to be committed to
[1:01:11] that mission. So, thank you.
[1:01:13] that's it.
[1:01:14] >>pres. Richard katz: if I was
[1:01:14] going to be cynical I would say
[1:01:16] it's the least we can do at mono
[1:01:20] lake considering.
[1:01:20] [laughter]
[1:01:21] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[1:01:21] yeah but one of the things -- it
[1:01:23] might sound simple, just don't
[1:01:25] take water.
[1:01:26] >>pres. Richard katz: it's not
[1:01:27] simple.
[1:01:28] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce: for
[1:01:28] me mono lake is very concerned
[1:01:31] about mono lake for me as ceo of
[1:01:34] dwp I have to be concerned about
[1:01:36] mono lake, owens valley, la
[1:01:38] operations, environmental
[1:01:40] impacts not just to mono lake
[1:01:41] but also endangered species
[1:01:44] across the aqueduct
[1:01:45] affordability equity and many
[1:01:46] other issues. It's not as easy
[1:01:50] as people think stop taking
[1:01:52] water at mono lake there is a
[1:01:54] lot that goes into it that's why
[1:01:56] we're supportive of a
[1:01:58] comprehensive study. It's not
[1:01:59] an easy solution.
[1:01:59] >>pres. Richard katz:
[1:02:01] [laughter]
[1:02:02] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[1:02:02] that's it.
[1:02:03] >>pres. Richard katz: all
[1:02:04] right. Moving along. N1.
[1:02:13] >>board secretary, chante
[1:02:14] mitchell: ratepayer advocate.
[1:02:16] >>pres. Richard katz: tim. I'm
[1:02:17] sorry.
[1:02:19] >>tim o'connor: thank you
[1:02:20] president katz.
[1:02:20] >>pres. Richard katz: you were
[1:02:21] so quiet this morning. Welcome.
[1:02:23] tim o'connor.
[1:02:26] >>com. Wilma pinder: waiting to
[1:02:27] strike.
[1:02:28] [laughter]
[1:02:29] >>tim o'connor: I appreciate
[1:02:29] the opportunity to provide
[1:02:31] comment today. Office of
[1:02:33] accountability has had
[1:02:34] substantive conversations with
[1:02:35] the staff on a range of items
[1:02:37] before the board today,
[1:02:39] including items 9 through 11, 19
[1:02:43] through 21, 27, and 31 through
[1:02:48] 33, of course, number 33, and
[1:02:51] item 18, which we provided
[1:02:53] written comments about.
[1:02:55] opa's review and discussion of
[1:03:00] these items focus on the
[1:03:02] relevance. Individual items for
[1:03:03] supporting the utility
[1:03:05] effectiveness as well as the
[1:03:08] reasonableness of the
[1:03:10] assumptions and calculations
[1:03:11] upon which they're based in
[1:03:13] reviewing the items we found
[1:03:14] each one of them we reviewed
[1:03:17] were reasonable and we offer no
[1:03:18] written comments other than
[1:03:20] those provided on item number
[1:03:22] eight. Item eight focuses on
[1:03:24] the approval of a contract, two
[1:03:26] contracts, before the board
[1:03:27] regarding marginal cost studies
[1:03:29] and rate consulting services.
[1:03:31] we offer comments on these
[1:03:33] because these two items and what
[1:03:37] they portend future rate making
[1:03:46] activities by the department are
[1:03:47] critical for supporting
[1:03:48] long-term affordability for
[1:03:50] reasonableness of rates and
[1:03:51] department effectiveness and
[1:03:53] maintaining a strong financial
[1:03:55] position. We look forward to
[1:03:56] participating in those
[1:03:57] processes. We have heard
[1:04:02] already done speaking with the
[1:04:05] fso team and indicated that opa
[1:04:07] will have an active role going
[1:04:09] forward and how item 18 in the
[1:04:14] contract are executed and we
[1:04:16] look forward to that dialogue.
[1:04:17] as it relates to, of course,
[1:04:19] item 33, we very much appreciate
[1:04:25] the guidance that the board has
[1:04:29] given opa to take an active role
[1:04:32] in looking at the calculations,
[1:04:35] the assumptions, and each of the
[1:04:38] individual items that have come
[1:04:39] before the board. And with your
[1:04:41] guidance, president katz, we
[1:04:44] have leaned in on that role, and
[1:04:47] we appreciate your willingness
[1:04:49] and openness to receive our
[1:04:51] comments as we have gone forward
[1:04:52] and look forward to continue to
[1:04:54] do that with the commission, you
[1:04:56] know, going forward. One item I
[1:04:59] do want to put out there is that
[1:05:01] we have had an active agenda
[1:05:05] over the last month at the
[1:05:07] office of public accountability,
[1:05:10] visiting many of the critical
[1:05:11] infrastructure sites of the
[1:05:13] utility. In the last month, we
[1:05:15] have visited the la aqueduct
[1:05:19] filtration plant, the energy
[1:05:20] control center, valley
[1:05:22] generating station, the
[1:05:23] truesdale training facility, the
[1:05:26] castaic pumped hydra facility on
[1:05:28] top of the past visited at the e
[1:05:32] land solar plus storage facility
[1:05:40] as well as tillman site. And
[1:05:41] with the help of the secretary
[1:05:43] of the commission miss mitchell
[1:05:45] and the help of staff from the
[1:05:46] water and powers is we got to
[1:05:48] see not only the critical
[1:05:50] infrastructure but the people
[1:05:51] behind making this critical
[1:05:53] infrastructure work and the
[1:05:54] department has been so welcoming
[1:05:55] and open in those dialogues and
[1:05:58] has really helped our office
[1:05:59] understand the operations as
[1:06:00] well as the kind of puts and
[1:06:05] takes challenges and
[1:06:07] opportunities at each that helps
[1:06:09] us look at what's coming down
[1:06:10] the pike of which we know that
[1:06:14] there is pretty big items that
[1:06:16] the department is going to face
[1:06:17] in terms of investments and
[1:06:19] infrastructure upgrades going
[1:06:20] forward and we look forward to
[1:06:21] that ongoing dialogue. I'll
[1:06:23] close with saying that when we
[1:06:25] look at all items before the
[1:06:27] board today there is a number of
[1:06:29] individual expenditures and a
[1:06:31] raft of things before the board,
[1:06:32] going forward, you know, it's
[1:06:34] challenging, of course, for this
[1:06:36] board to look at these in a
[1:06:38] process of evaluating each of
[1:06:44] these. So, we would recommend
[1:06:45] that as this board continues to
[1:06:48] staff up and to replace the
[1:06:50] commissioners, that it be done
[1:06:52] so with ongoing enhancements in
[1:06:55] the level of support that are
[1:06:58] provided to the commissioners
[1:07:00] themselves. This is a
[1:07:01] significant undertaking. And
[1:07:03] with the staff's support, the
[1:07:06] staff at the department there is
[1:07:09] a lot of really important
[1:07:10] information that's considered
[1:07:11] but we do recommend in the
[1:07:14] reconstitution of the board
[1:07:15] additional support and
[1:07:16] opportunities for opa and for
[1:07:18] analysis to be given to the
[1:07:19] board as it continues to think
[1:07:24] through all important endeavors
[1:07:27] and investments that are coming
[1:07:28] before the board
[1:07:29] >>com. Nurit katz: thank you.
[1:07:30] we really appreciate that
[1:07:30] recommendation and always
[1:07:31] appreciate all support and
[1:07:33] insights from opa.
[1:07:34] >>com. Wilma pinder: and as I
[1:07:35] have said, too, the general
[1:07:37] audience today, when -- when the
[1:07:40] comment was made about the --
[1:07:42] who comes on to this board, you
[1:07:44] have connect -- you have a
[1:07:46] direct line to the mayor and
[1:07:49] other people who -- and the
[1:07:51] council, who make these
[1:07:53] decisions. We really don't, as
[1:07:55] you know, have our hands on
[1:07:58] those reins at all. And I can
[1:08:01] certainly say as a person now
[1:08:03] who has served for over a year
[1:08:05] and a half, that it's a great
[1:08:08] demand on our time and interest.
[1:08:09] we're fortunate that even the
[1:08:11] public who comes before us, and
[1:08:13] even if they're shaking their
[1:08:16] fingers at us, they have a right
[1:08:17] to do that, and I respect that.
[1:08:19] and they want this board to do
[1:08:22] all the things it's supposed to
[1:08:24] do. So, anything that you, as
[1:08:26] our ratepayer advocate can do to
[1:08:29] make sure that the people who
[1:08:30] come to this board understand
[1:08:33] the great demand, I don't think
[1:08:35] the general public -- I know my
[1:08:38] acquaintances are always shocked
[1:08:39] when I say this is not a paying
[1:08:42] board. And then they say, you
[1:08:43] know, you couldn't pay me to be
[1:08:45] on that board.
[1:08:46] [laughter]
[1:08:47] so, this is a no-win situation,
[1:08:50] pay or no pay, people realize
[1:08:53] that -- I don't want to say the
[1:08:55] buck stops here, but many do
[1:08:57] think that it does. So that, is
[1:08:59] why you will always see me very
[1:09:01] quick to respond with a smile or
[1:09:04] not a smile, to the audience,
[1:09:06] because I want the public to
[1:09:10] understand we are extremely
[1:09:13] conscientious here there is no
[1:09:15] other reason to be here than to
[1:09:18] be contentious. We get a bill
[1:09:19] too. And I wasn't just being
[1:09:21] fun we that lady when I said,
[1:09:23] who the heck is sending out
[1:09:25] these bills. I mean, seriously.
[1:09:27] that is why the city of la draws
[1:09:30] from its own city people because
[1:09:32] we feel the pain of things as
[1:09:35] well, or if something is not
[1:09:37] right, or if a power line behind
[1:09:39] our house falls down or
[1:09:42] whatever, or there is a
[1:09:43] landslide, we're not divorced
[1:09:46] from these things, whatever
[1:09:47] influence you have I know we, as
[1:09:49] a body, would appreciate that.
[1:09:52] >>tim o'connor: thank you
[1:09:53] commissioner pinder, and we have
[1:09:54] been making those
[1:09:55] recommendations, and we support
[1:09:57] -- we support that, and also
[1:10:01] just support -- the level of
[1:10:04] support that this body has given
[1:10:05] to opa and our role to be active
[1:10:08] in this process, as well. So,
[1:10:09] we do what we can to support
[1:10:11] your decision-making going
[1:10:12] forward.
[1:10:13] >>com. Wilma pinder: thank you.
[1:10:15] >>com. Nurit katz: 12:40. Oh.
[1:10:16] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[1:10:25] okay yeah. The one that's here.
[1:10:27] >>pres. Richard katz: want to
[1:10:28] turn for a special presentation
[1:10:30] and before the ceremony
[1:10:32] downstairs.
[1:10:32] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[1:10:33] okay. So, patrick, are you
[1:10:35] doing the presentation?
[1:10:40] >>speaker: yes, ma'am it will
[1:10:41] be three of us.
[1:10:43] >>pres. Richard katz: mic them.
[1:10:48] these are your colleagues, also,
[1:10:50] that would be helpful.
[1:11:08] >>speaker: good morning
[1:11:08] honorable commissioners,
[1:11:10] distinguish management and
[1:11:11] guests we're honored to be here
[1:11:12] on behalf of valor to present
[1:11:16] our presentation to the board
[1:11:20] and audience on our one year
[1:11:24] anniversary. I'm patrick of
[1:11:30] valor joined by roman morales
[1:11:33] vice president and gonzalez,
[1:11:34] secretary of valor. Here are
[1:11:38] pictures of us and some in our
[1:11:41] former glory in uniform.
[1:11:44] [laughter]
[1:11:45] we want to thank our ceo and
[1:11:49] general -- and general manager
[1:11:53] janisse, and chief engineer,
[1:11:57] janisse quiñones, for her
[1:11:58] stalwart support to valor, to
[1:12:01] veteran dwp employees, as well
[1:12:03] as to those currently serving
[1:12:05] military service, and we note
[1:12:06] with pride that she came from
[1:12:08] among these ranks very served 20
[1:12:11] years in the coast guard also.
[1:12:14] and our agenda includes updates
[1:12:17] on the following items. Valor's
[1:12:25] mission and objectives, our
[1:12:30] first formation forming our
[1:12:31] executive board and committees,
[1:12:32] membership status events
[1:12:35] highlights and future plans.
[1:12:38] these glasses don't do distance.
[1:12:40] that was quite a feat right
[1:12:42] there. In another year I may
[1:12:45] not be able to do that.
[1:12:46] [laughter]
[1:12:47] our valor mission was created
[1:12:49] shortly after valor's inception.
[1:12:52] ladwp valor will serve, promote,
[1:12:54] and advocate for a supportive
[1:12:56] workplace environment by
[1:12:57] offering networking
[1:12:58] opportunities, mentorship
[1:13:00] volunteering and fostering
[1:13:01] culture that values and respects
[1:13:04] contributions of all employees.
[1:13:07] our objectives flow from that
[1:13:09] mission to foster camaraderie,
[1:13:12] develop mentor, and empower
[1:13:15] employees support veterans with
[1:13:19] support and advocacy with
[1:13:20] special efforts to recruit and
[1:13:21] retain veteran talent through
[1:13:24] employment in the department and
[1:13:25] the city at-large and finally to
[1:13:28] actively engage and serve the
[1:13:30] broader los angeles community
[1:13:32] and our affiliates.
[1:13:36] in november of last year, a
[1:13:38] small group of veterans met on
[1:13:40] the invitation of mr. Greg reed,
[1:13:43] who I think is in the audience,
[1:13:45] and is in that group photo in
[1:13:48] the middle. Among others, and
[1:13:50] greg joined us, and it marked
[1:13:52] the inception of valor, which
[1:13:54] would later be given a name we
[1:13:56] now know as valor that stands
[1:13:58] for veterans alliance for
[1:14:01] leadership, outreach, and
[1:14:02] recognition, hence of acronym
[1:14:05] valor. We were then honored as
[1:14:07] we are now, to present to the
[1:14:09] ladwp board, and now -- and at
[1:14:13] that time, presented with carrie
[1:14:14] mccorkle, now retired from
[1:14:17] legislative intergovernmental
[1:14:19] affairs, and eric yoshida, vice
[1:14:22] president, still serving, and
[1:14:24] myself. We have been supported
[1:14:26] throughout this valor endeavor
[1:14:27] by mr. Dave hanson, our valor
[1:14:31] executive sponsor and navy
[1:14:33] submarine veterans who
[1:14:36] fortuitously was also a
[1:14:37] recruiter in the navy and who
[1:14:38] has shared his strategies that
[1:14:41] valor has successfully leveraged
[1:14:43] in our ongoing veteran employee
[1:14:46] recruiting efforts and more to
[1:14:47] come in this briefing on that.
[1:14:52] valor executive board and
[1:14:53] committees, over the course of
[1:14:55] the last year, valor has formed
[1:14:57] a volunteer executive board and
[1:15:00] committees who have been
[1:15:03] indispensable in the roles and
[1:15:04] strategic leadership,
[1:15:05] governance, and operational
[1:15:06] oversight, ensuring valor's
[1:15:09] long-term success and stability.
[1:15:10] the executive board handles
[1:15:12] broad scope planning decisions
[1:15:17] and goal setting while our valor
[1:15:19] committees have ably provided
[1:15:23] focused expertise and efforts to
[1:15:25] help execute the valor
[1:15:26] strategies and manage day-to-day
[1:15:28] operations, spanning the
[1:15:29] gentleman us of our mission.
[1:15:34] and here you can see some of our
[1:15:36] committees are communications,
[1:15:38] operations, education, outreach,
[1:15:41] social, and membership.
[1:15:47] here are some of our valor
[1:15:49] members. And that is just a
[1:15:54] small fraction of them. We are
[1:15:55] now at about 200 members and
[1:15:58] growing. That equates to about
[1:16:01] 1.3% of the dwp employee body.
[1:16:12] and now I'll turn it over to
[1:16:14] secretary gonzalez.
[1:16:17] >>speaker: the letter o in
[1:16:20] valor stands for outreach. In
[1:16:21] less than 365 days valor has
[1:16:25] participated in over 30 events
[1:16:27] throughout the city this gives
[1:16:29] veterans opportunity to give
[1:16:30] back. I would like to share
[1:16:32] with you photographs of the
[1:16:34] wonderful event that is our
[1:16:35] veterans have engaged with
[1:16:37] throughout the year. These are
[1:16:39] the list of the events. The
[1:16:42] first photograph we have is the
[1:16:46] -- following the fires in the
[1:16:47] palisades, valor was invited by
[1:16:49] post 283 to set up flags out in
[1:16:52] central park. This symbolized
[1:16:56] patriotism, resiliency, and
[1:16:59] just, the rebuild.
[1:17:03] we were also a part of fleet
[1:17:06] week. This was at the end of
[1:17:08] may. It was an incredible
[1:17:09] opportunity for the veterans of
[1:17:11] valor to set up a booth
[1:17:14] alongside with recruitment, as
[1:17:15] well as well as the speakers
[1:17:17] bureau to get information and to
[1:17:19] engage with other organizations
[1:17:20] in the community. Over the
[1:17:22] course of fleet week, the
[1:17:23] veterans of valor and members
[1:17:25] spoke with over 100 veterans on
[1:17:29] the careers at the department,
[1:17:31] as well as their military
[1:17:34] experience and how it translates
[1:17:36] over to the civilian workforce.
[1:17:43] >>speaker: you can see in this
[1:17:44] photo valor is not just for
[1:17:46] veterans. We welcome veteran
[1:17:49] supporters like andres gar ses
[1:17:52] who is second to the right as
[1:17:54] well as family members who
[1:17:56] joined us on memorial day clean
[1:17:58] up of head stones as well as
[1:18:01] placement of flags on grave
[1:18:03] sites. The young man in the
[1:18:05] bright blue shirt is actually my
[1:18:07] son and sharing a moment with
[1:18:08] him was incredibly moving.
[1:18:12] being side by side with him
[1:18:14] honoring the fallen and passing
[1:18:15] on the meaning of sacrifice and
[1:18:19] remembrance.
[1:18:21] >>speaker: the letter r in
[1:18:23] valor stands for recognition.
[1:18:25] on june 5th, ladwp was presented
[1:18:28] with the 2025 veteran employer
[1:18:30] of the year. And this was by
[1:18:31] the california employer advisory
[1:18:33] council. Our chief engineer
[1:18:37] janisse quiñones was there
[1:18:38] present to accept the award on
[1:18:41] behalf of ladwp.
[1:18:43] >>speaker: on july 2nd, we
[1:18:45] hosted our first independence
[1:18:48] day barbecue at jfb serving
[1:18:52] around 100 employees and
[1:18:53] creating a fun afternoon of food
[1:18:55] and camaraderie.
[1:18:58] >>speaker: and on july 27th, we
[1:19:00] hosted another barbecue, valor's
[1:19:03] first labor day barbecue, at the
[1:19:05] truesdale training facility, we
[1:19:07] had approximately 200 attendees
[1:19:11] and valor had the chance to
[1:19:12] honor the dwp workers who helped
[1:19:13] in the emergency repairs during
[1:19:16] the porter ranch, granada hills
[1:19:19] water emergency.
[1:19:23] >>speaker: and to commemorate
[1:19:26] september 11th, and the attacks
[1:19:29] of that hobble day, we held a
[1:19:32] ceremony here at john for
[1:19:39] ferraro building and we had
[1:19:41] mr. Dave hanson as a speak,
[1:19:44] mr. Lucero from security
[1:19:48] services, albert rodriguez from
[1:19:51] corporate communications as a
[1:19:53] speaker since many of our cohort
[1:19:56] in our era joined because of
[1:19:58] this event you know many of us
[1:20:01] global war on terror veterans
[1:20:02] who have served over the last 25
[1:20:05] years joined us because of this
[1:20:08] seminole day. Ramalo behind me
[1:20:12] was in high school looked out
[1:20:14] for new jersey where he lived
[1:20:17] and saw the burning buildings my
[1:20:20] cousin I know was killed in the
[1:20:22] trade center and high school
[1:20:23] friend of mine was a green beret
[1:20:26] and he perished within two weeks
[1:20:29] in afghanistan so it's personal
[1:20:32] and motivated a lot of us I was
[1:20:38] honored and pleased that we at
[1:20:39] dwp could remember this day and
[1:20:41] have this event.
[1:20:43] >>speaker: in addition to all
[1:20:44] events we did lots of outreach
[1:20:46] events partners with different
[1:20:48] organizations in this paragraph
[1:20:50] you have a couple of different
[1:20:52] events going on we did a ruck
[1:20:53] with some weight that's
[1:20:55] basically a weight with a pack
[1:20:57] from downtown to the palisades
[1:20:59] with shepherdsmen on 911 that
[1:21:05] was the morning of a group of
[1:21:07] veterans from valor were with
[1:21:09] the shepherds men they're
[1:21:14] non-profit basically raise money
[1:21:17] to raise awareness for veterans
[1:21:19] that suffer from post traumatic
[1:21:21] stress disorder and traumatic
[1:21:25] brain injury we also got
[1:21:27] tremendous support from local 18
[1:21:29] we have a photograph
[1:21:31] mr. Murruffo supporting the
[1:21:34] event they provide period
[1:21:36] hydration station for the event
[1:21:40] and were very generous to do so
[1:21:42] we have more photographs
[1:21:46] pictures are worth 1,000 words
[1:21:47] right. We have photographs at
[1:21:49] different events we did a
[1:21:51] baseball game we also did
[1:21:53] numerous events in this lineman
[1:21:55] rodeo down in the corner as well
[1:21:57] as neo events a special event
[1:21:59] that we had opportunity to take
[1:22:01] part in was at ucla we went out
[1:22:07] there also to clean tomb stones
[1:22:10] recently and also provide
[1:22:12] support to veterans providing
[1:22:14] résumé workshop and just helping
[1:22:17] them professionally build them
[1:22:18] up. On this slide shows valor
[1:22:21] has served as liaison with local
[1:22:24] government officials on the top
[1:22:26] left we have an event it was
[1:22:28] california state senator
[1:22:30] caroline mengevar she is also a
[1:22:34] united states marine corp
[1:22:37] veteran that was last year at
[1:22:38] their san fernando valley
[1:22:43] veterans day event valor was
[1:22:45] there we were involved. At the
[1:22:47] bottom of the photograph we have
[1:22:51] valor until attendance at the
[1:22:52] west it was west la, va hospital
[1:22:57] for an event with new directions
[1:22:59] that council member down there
[1:23:03] with myself patrick and kerry to
[1:23:08] the right of that we have a
[1:23:10] photograph with council member
[1:23:11] padilla from council district
[1:23:13] six they were very generous. We
[1:23:16] connected with them in the
[1:23:17] photograph, next to that the
[1:23:20] bottom one on the rights
[1:23:22] presented valor with an award
[1:23:24] for just the support and
[1:23:26] actually brought that award
[1:23:27] today just to show you, we were
[1:23:31] presented with our first award
[1:23:33] for outreach from council
[1:23:34] district six.
[1:23:35] [applause]
[1:23:36] thank you very much. Again we
[1:23:38] continued with more events just
[1:23:40] photographs capturing moments of
[1:23:42] our veterans events and outreach
[1:23:44] in the community.
[1:23:51] >>pres. Richard katz: great.
[1:23:54] >>speaker: and on this slide
[1:23:55] I'll be going over the challenge
[1:23:58] coin. A challenge coin
[1:24:00] represents recognition, respect,
[1:24:02] and a sense of belonging it
[1:24:05] honors a person's meaningful
[1:24:07] contribution. Valor's challenge
[1:24:09] coin was designed by daniel
[1:24:11] bautista electrical engineering
[1:24:14] social three and navy veterans
[1:24:16] who served five years as a fire
[1:24:18] control man on submarines and
[1:24:21] he's actually to the right over
[1:24:23] here up front.
[1:24:23] [applause]
[1:24:28] [laughter]
[1:24:29] and then he previously designed
[1:24:32] challenge coins in the navy and
[1:24:33] now has applied that experience
[1:24:35] to valor. Here is the based of
[1:24:37] design, what each element
[1:24:41] symbolizes. In front of the
[1:24:42] coin, it shows the sunset or
[1:24:45] sunrise, represents the closing
[1:24:47] of a military career, or the
[1:24:49] beginning of a new chapter in
[1:24:51] civil service. The electricity
[1:24:54] symbolizes the power that we
[1:24:56] deliver to our customers. Valor
[1:24:58] in the middle of the coin
[1:25:00] symbolizes the -- and serving as
[1:25:02] a bridge across all systems,
[1:25:04] water, power, and joint. Water
[1:25:07] represents the essential water
[1:25:10] service provided to our
[1:25:11] communities, and then the single
[1:25:14] star located on the bottom
[1:25:17] symbolizing hope, hope and
[1:25:20] opportunities for continuing
[1:25:21] serving their community whether
[1:25:23] after active duty or while in
[1:25:28] the reserve service on the back
[1:25:29] of the coin honors all military
[1:25:32] of the united states. At this
[1:25:34] time we would like to present
[1:25:35] challenge coins.
[1:25:36] >>speaker: and I would hasten
[1:25:38] to point out, the coin is like
[1:25:41] valor and dwp at-large. It's a
[1:25:43] fusion of effort. So, that
[1:25:44] center blue bridge that ramalo
[1:25:48] referred to was actually
[1:25:49] designed by eric botero,
[1:25:52] virginia candia and the team for
[1:25:59] mr. Row mallow in corporate
[1:26:02] communications and so we thank
[1:26:05] them for helping in the design
[1:26:07] that valor logo complements the
[1:26:10] design that mr. Bautista made in
[1:26:14] this challenge coin. Just a
[1:26:17] manifestation of that fusion
[1:26:18] effort.
[1:26:19] >>speaker: so, at this time I
[1:26:20] will present the challenge coins
[1:26:22] to our valor members and turn it
[1:26:25] over to read citations while
[1:26:29] patrick begins presenting the
[1:26:32] coins.
[1:26:33] >>speaker: the challenge coins
[1:26:34] are presented as recognition and
[1:26:38] award as token of appreciation
[1:26:41] members that have been doing
[1:26:43] outstanding service for valor in
[1:26:45] our community just overall
[1:26:47] representing valor in a very
[1:26:48] nice way.
[1:26:51] >>speaker: valor is pleased to
[1:26:52] present ralph sanchez for his
[1:26:55] valor challenge coin for his
[1:26:58] contributions as a cook during
[1:26:59] the 4th of july barbecue and
[1:27:01] labor day barbecue feeding more
[1:27:04] than 400 ladwp employees, also
[1:27:07] helped fill out critical
[1:27:08] paperwork to expedite
[1:27:10] procurement of the valor
[1:27:11] challenge coins and lower the
[1:27:13] american flag during the morning
[1:27:15] of september 11th in honor of
[1:27:17] that day.
[1:27:18] valor is pleased to present leo
[1:27:20] with valor challenge coin for
[1:27:25] contributions as a cook during
[1:27:26] the 4th of july barbecue and
[1:27:28] labor day barbecue feeding more
[1:27:31] than 400 ladwp employees, been
[1:27:34] part of a community outreach
[1:27:35] where he volunteered time
[1:27:39] planting over 250 flags at last
[1:27:42] year's memorial day ceremony at
[1:27:46] forest lawn.
[1:27:48] valor is pleased to present
[1:27:51] andreas garces with the valor
[1:27:54] challenge coin for contributions
[1:27:56] as valors education and
[1:27:58] recruitment chair, where he
[1:27:59] organized recruitment of
[1:28:01] professional development with
[1:28:03] local universities which
[1:28:09] included a resume workshop at
[1:28:10] ucla veteran center and resource
[1:28:11] fair for veterans at cal state
[1:28:11] dominguez hills. Andreas has
[1:28:12] volunteered his time and
[1:28:13] planning with barbecues and
[1:28:13] contributed to the success of
[1:28:14] the group by creating flyers for
[1:28:15] all of the events.
[1:28:16] valor is pleased to present min
[1:28:20] wen for contributions as valor
[1:28:24] social chair organized and
[1:28:26] delegated tasks to ensure
[1:28:28] mission accomplishments. Min
[1:28:31] has been instrumental in
[1:28:31] planning of valor events and
[1:28:34] responsibilities for beyond his
[1:28:35] role, which include creating
[1:28:37] valor's linkedin page and
[1:28:40] monitoring valor's e-mail. Also
[1:28:41] created design and shirts and
[1:28:43] helped with procurement and
[1:28:44] delivery of shirts.
[1:28:49] valor is pleased to present
[1:28:51] daniel bautista with the valor
[1:28:54] challenge coin for contributions
[1:28:55] at valor's outreach chair where
[1:28:58] we organized and delegated tasks
[1:29:00] to ensure mission accomplishment
[1:29:02] also played an instrumental role
[1:29:04] in creating the presentation for
[1:29:06] valor's one year event and
[1:29:08] helped create and design the
[1:29:10] procurement of the valid
[1:29:11] challenge coin. And last but
[1:29:13] not least, pleased to present
[1:29:15] pablo sento with challenge coin
[1:29:21] for contributions as operations
[1:29:23] chair where he executed tasks to
[1:29:26] ensure mission accomplishments
[1:29:28] and pablo volunteered his time
[1:29:30] during fleet week both barbecues
[1:29:33] as well as set up of and
[1:29:35] planning of today's veterans day
[1:29:38] event.
[1:29:40] >>speaker: thank you, all.
[1:29:41] [applause]
[1:29:51] >>speaker: and we now know how
[1:29:54] important the challenge coins
[1:29:55] are, what they represent.
[1:29:57] they're an honor, and we would
[1:29:58] like to convey that honor to our
[1:30:00] esteemed commissioners. George
[1:30:03] is a marine veteran, and served
[1:30:06] as an elite embassies guard
[1:30:10] during his time in service,
[1:30:11] supporting foreign embassies of
[1:30:13] america. And with that, we
[1:30:15] would like to have him, as
[1:30:18] security, enter the well and
[1:30:19] provide the commissioners a
[1:30:21] challenge coin. Memorializing
[1:30:24] their support, ongoing, and
[1:30:26] past, and reflecting our thanks
[1:30:28] for them.
[1:30:37] >>com. Wilma pinder: may I say
[1:30:38] this as he comes forward? When
[1:30:42] I served as an attorney with the
[1:30:44] city's attorney's office, this
[1:30:48] gentleman and I, we have known
[1:30:50] each other for many years, and I
[1:30:52] felt very secure when I came
[1:30:54] here last march 2024 to serve as
[1:30:56] a commissioner. It's just a
[1:30:58] great honor to shake your hand.
[1:31:01] and thank you very much so much
[1:31:02] for that. I have to hug you.
[1:31:03] [applause]
[1:31:03] [applause]
[1:31:04] [applause]
[1:31:43] >>speaker: we'll move on to the
[1:31:45] next slide. I would like to
[1:31:47] highlight bin win for leading
[1:31:53] the design of the valor pole low
[1:31:56] shirts in collaboration with
[1:31:59] albert rodriguez corporate
[1:32:01] communications who helped design
[1:32:02] the valor logo as patrick
[1:32:05] mentioned earlier to create
[1:32:06] professional unified look for
[1:32:08] our group when we attend events.
[1:32:11] bin is navy who served four
[1:32:19] years as sonar technician and
[1:32:21] now contributes to department
[1:32:23] systems analyst. I want to
[1:32:26] thank jennifer shar from
[1:32:28] recruitment for her support and
[1:32:29] helping us procure the challenge
[1:32:31] coins and apollo shirts.
[1:32:35] >>speaker: that brings us to
[1:32:36] the end of our 2025 valor
[1:32:38] briefing to this ladwp board of
[1:32:41] commissioners. Thank you for
[1:32:41] the opportunity. I want to
[1:32:42] point out that membership is
[1:32:44] over 200 people so far and
[1:32:46] growing. It continues to grow,
[1:32:48] not least of which, from valor,
[1:32:50] and an expanded effort in
[1:32:52] recruiting. And, also, a
[1:32:57] belated happy birthday to the
[1:32:58] united states navy, at 250 years
[1:33:01] in the united states marine
[1:33:03] corp, at 250 years, big numbers
[1:33:08] but in this room alone I did a
[1:33:10] quick calculation and total
[1:33:12] amount of years in service some
[1:33:14] of us have over 20 years not
[1:33:16] looking at janisse, but looking
[1:33:20] at janisse and myself the gray
[1:33:22] is real but in this room alone
[1:33:24] we have over 100 years of
[1:33:27] veteran military service just in
[1:33:29] this room. So, thank you. And
[1:33:30] we want to invite everyone first
[1:33:32] of all to everyone, we want to
[1:33:36] invite anyone and everyone it's
[1:33:38] free to be a part of valor you
[1:33:39] can send an e-mail to the e-mail
[1:33:42] address or use the cr code and
[1:33:45] express your interest and we'll
[1:33:47] add you to the member roles we
[1:33:49] love to have you, civilian or
[1:33:52] veteran both are welcome.
[1:33:54] equally welcome. Today we're
[1:33:57] going to have a celebration of
[1:33:59] veterans day in the lobby level
[1:34:02] here of john ferraro building a
[1:34:05] bit later today starting off
[1:34:07] around 12 noon, 12:30. So all
[1:34:12] are welcome.
[1:34:13] >>speaker: thank you.
[1:34:15] >>com. Nurit katz: thank you
[1:34:15] very much for that presentation
[1:34:16] but more important he for your
[1:34:17] service previously in the
[1:34:19] branches but also today as
[1:34:20] employees here at dwp especially
[1:34:22] those honored for all the time
[1:34:24] you put in and leadership we're
[1:34:27] really grateful having signed up
[1:34:28] a while back even though I have
[1:34:30] not served myself I have enjoyed
[1:34:32] being part of the e-mails from
[1:34:34] valor and seeing everything that
[1:34:35] you're doing and I will work to
[1:34:37] earn this challenge coin and
[1:34:38] continue to support and be ally.
[1:34:41] so, thank you very much.
[1:34:42] >>speaker: thank you.
[1:34:50] >>com. Nurit katz: and I
[1:34:51] believe we'll have opportunity
[1:34:51] to take break so people can go
[1:34:54] to the event later. But first
[1:34:55] if I may ask president's katz
[1:34:59] permission that we take item 33.
[1:35:01] there are some folks that have
[1:35:03] been waiting to speak. Would
[1:35:05] that be all right.
[1:35:07] >>pres. Richard katz: yes. Get
[1:35:08] it over with.
[1:35:10] >>com. Nurit katz: I know it's
[1:35:13] reluctant on your part but
[1:35:15] important to let us honor you.
[1:35:16] during this portion for item 33
[1:35:18] I'll be reading the resolution
[1:35:20] then we have different remarks
[1:35:22] from commissioners from
[1:35:22] leadership of the commission and
[1:35:25] department and from a few
[1:35:26] guests. Before I read the
[1:35:28] resolution I want to take a
[1:35:32] moment to say growing up here in
[1:35:35] los angeles whenever I met
[1:35:37] people they learned my last name
[1:35:39] usually first thing out of their
[1:35:41] mouth was are you related to
[1:35:43] richard katz and I will say for
[1:35:46] the record again no in rant not
[1:35:53] in recent history that we're
[1:35:54] aware of it's an honor to
[1:35:57] finally have this opportunity to
[1:35:58] get to know you and work with
[1:35:59] you having heard so much so many
[1:36:02] good things over decades here in
[1:36:03] los angeles we're really going
[1:36:04] to miss and you wish that you
[1:36:07] were able to continue but we
[1:36:09] wish you well in everything that
[1:36:11] you do. I'll read the formal
[1:36:13] resolution. Honoring the
[1:36:15] service of richard katz whereas
[1:36:17] mr. Richard katz was appointed
[1:36:20] to the board of water and power
[1:36:21] commissioners board by mayor
[1:36:23] karen bass and confirmed by the
[1:36:25] los angeles city council on
[1:36:26] march 2024 and elected board
[1:36:29] president on march 26th 2024 and
[1:36:32] whereas mr. Katz is a long time
[1:36:34] public servant and state policy
[1:36:36] maker with specific expertise in
[1:36:38] the areas of water,
[1:36:38] transportation, and land use
[1:36:40] whereas as board president
[1:36:41] mr. Katz served in numerous
[1:36:43] capacities during tenure
[1:36:45] including the executive standing
[1:36:47] committee, audit standing
[1:36:48] committee, ad-hoc advisory
[1:36:50] committee on power procurement
[1:36:52] options, ad-hoc advisory
[1:36:55] committee on scppa and finance
[1:36:58] standing committee and whereas
[1:36:59] mr. Katz has been instrumental
[1:37:00] in advancing los angeles mayor
[1:37:03] karen bass' visionary
[1:37:06] initiatives to achieve the
[1:37:07] city's ambitious climate goals
[1:37:10] and address critical
[1:37:11] infrastructure challenges
[1:37:15] thereby ensuring reliability and
[1:37:18] resilience for all residents.
[1:37:20] and whereas led the board with
[1:37:25] unwavering dedication fostering
[1:37:27] a culture of enhanced
[1:37:29] accountability transparency and
[1:37:30] public trust in utility, setting
[1:37:31] a benchmark of excellence.
[1:37:32] whereas mr. Katz exemplary
[1:37:35] leadership the board has
[1:37:37] prioritized essential areas such
[1:37:38] as housing stormwater capture
[1:37:40] and integration of new
[1:37:41] technologies, along with
[1:37:43] implementing programs and
[1:37:43] policies that equitably benefit
[1:37:45] all city residents. And whereas
[1:37:47] mr. Katz is passionate advocate
[1:37:52] enthusiastic supporter of ladwp
[1:37:55] workforce proudly refers to as
[1:37:57] first responders, consistently
[1:38:00] highlighting unparalleled
[1:38:03] professionalism and dedication
[1:38:04] to the city of los angeles and
[1:38:07] significantly strengthened ladwp
[1:38:08] collaboration with other city
[1:38:10] departments celebrating joint
[1:38:11] efforts as groundwater
[1:38:14] replenishment project at donald
[1:38:15] c tillman water reclamation
[1:38:18] plant a testament to ongoing
[1:38:20] partnership between ladwp and la
[1:38:23] san championed ladwp pursuit of
[1:38:31] 100% of clean energy therefore
[1:38:33] be it resolved on behalf of the
[1:38:36] management of this department
[1:38:38] its employees and residents of
[1:38:39] the city of los angeles thank
[1:38:41] mr. Katz for his dedicated
[1:38:44] service and wish him good health
[1:38:45] and continued success in all
[1:38:48] endeavors. His presence and
[1:38:49] leadership will be missed on
[1:38:51] this commission. Be it further
[1:38:54] resolved that the secretary be
[1:38:55] instructed to place this
[1:38:57] resolution in the minutes of
[1:38:57] this board as permanent record
[1:38:59] and that an engrossed copy of
[1:39:02] this resolution will be
[1:39:03] presented to mr. Katz in
[1:39:05] recognition of his committed
[1:39:07] dedication to the public service
[1:39:08] of the city I hereby certify
[1:39:11] that the foregoing is a full
[1:39:17] certified copy of a adopted by
[1:39:24] the board of water and power
[1:39:25] commissioners of the city of los
[1:39:27] angeles held november 18th, 2025
[1:39:29] thank you. Before we present
[1:39:31] the resolution I would like to
[1:39:33] call on board secretary chante
[1:39:36] mitchell first.
[1:39:36] >>board secretary, chante
[1:39:37] mitchell: thank you for giving
[1:39:38] me the opportunity to speak. I
[1:39:39] know it's not out of the norm of
[1:39:41] business but richard, I don't
[1:39:43] really understand -- but richard
[1:39:45] the day I met you I met you
[1:39:48] getting your opening counsel and
[1:39:51] I had on tennis shoes and I knew
[1:39:53] I was going to like you one
[1:39:55] thing that I know but is
[1:39:56] whenever I speak to you I'm
[1:39:58] going to laugh or learn
[1:40:00] something and it's usually both.
[1:40:02] everybody knows about your
[1:40:04] political career how much how
[1:40:06] many things you have touched
[1:40:07] that you have impacted things
[1:40:08] that I didn't know about the
[1:40:10] city of los angeles that you
[1:40:12] helped forge that I and my
[1:40:14] children get to take advantage
[1:40:16] of being angelenos but more
[1:40:19] importantly the person that you
[1:40:20] are, I hope that I could be the
[1:40:22] type of leader that you are
[1:40:24] which makes people feel seen and
[1:40:26] heard and acknowledged and you
[1:40:29] have always asked myself and
[1:40:30] david for our opinion and you
[1:40:31] have always listened and I hope
[1:40:33] one day I can be that kind of
[1:40:35] person. So, thank you for the
[1:40:37] way that you treat all of the
[1:40:38] people that support you here
[1:40:39] with love, kindness, we really,
[1:40:43] all we want to do is bolster you
[1:40:47] up because you know how good of
[1:40:51] a person you are, and I just
[1:40:52] want to say thank you from the
[1:40:53] bottom of my heart for making
[1:40:55] every day that I have been able
[1:40:58] to work with you a wonderful
[1:41:00] day. Thank you.
[1:41:00] [applause]
[1:41:01] >>com. Nurit katz: thank you so
[1:41:03] much chante, I was holding it
[1:41:04] together. And now I'm crying.
[1:41:06] >>com. Wilma pinder: I know,
[1:41:07] are we going to be able to.
[1:41:09] >>com. Nurit katz: with that
[1:41:10] I'll call on commissioner wilma
[1:41:12] pinder.
[1:41:13] >>com. Wilma pinder: thank god
[1:41:14] she stood up and spoke. Because
[1:41:16] she really expressed the general
[1:41:18] feeling that we all have had we
[1:41:21] breathe in the air and we're
[1:41:23] trying to live up to richard's
[1:41:26] standard and chante is his right
[1:41:28] arm in that regard. I so
[1:41:30] appreciated your remarks.
[1:41:32] because I do think they speak,
[1:41:33] really, for all of us, that you
[1:41:35] just can't improve on that.
[1:41:36] there is no division as to who
[1:41:38] this person is or that person.
[1:41:40] the only thing that is, is the
[1:41:43] person, meaning the greater city
[1:41:45] that we're trying to work for.
[1:41:47] I know I didn't count until
[1:41:49] somebody called up and said, if
[1:41:52] I can -- I have worked with
[1:41:56] wilma pinder, she is a good
[1:42:02] person, I hope she meets your
[1:42:04] expectations. Seriously that's
[1:42:06] the way we have all felt we're
[1:42:08] trying to follow. The great
[1:42:12] path that you have set long
[1:42:15] before you came here has been a
[1:42:17] great honor thank you richard.
[1:42:20] >>com. Nurit katz: thank you
[1:42:20] wilma. Next we have janisse
[1:42:27] quiñones ceo.
[1:42:27] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[1:42:28] thanks richard. You started
[1:42:30] like a week before I started
[1:42:31] this job like ten years ago
[1:42:34] probably
[1:42:35] [laughter]
[1:42:35] I have to -- I'm very thankful
[1:42:38] for the friendship and the
[1:42:39] relationship, your wisdom, your
[1:42:41] values and your characters, your
[1:42:46] dry humor that sometimes piss me
[1:42:48] off and makes he laugh but every
[1:42:50] time we got a place where I just
[1:42:52] admire the heart that you have
[1:42:54] for angelenos, for the people in
[1:42:57] the department and just to do
[1:42:58] the right thing. Right? And
[1:43:01] there is a lot of that that has
[1:43:03] to happen across this great
[1:43:05] city. This job is not easy. I
[1:43:08] think wilma said, no matter if
[1:43:09] that I pay you or doesn't pay
[1:43:11] you. Thank you for taking the
[1:43:15] call and volunteering and doing
[1:43:16] a phenomenal job and one of the
[1:43:19] hardest times that the
[1:43:21] department has faced in a
[1:43:22] language time. It hasn't been
[1:43:24] an easy year, but it's been
[1:43:26] easier because you have been
[1:43:27] there as my partner and sidekick
[1:43:30] and a lot of challenging areas,
[1:43:33] and your advisement and just
[1:43:35] experiences invaluable. Thank
[1:43:41] you. Have a lot of fun. I know
[1:43:44] you and I are missing our boys,
[1:43:46] and life is so much more, right,
[1:43:50] when he comes home give him a
[1:43:53] big kiss and make him as big as
[1:43:55] you are. Thank you.
[1:43:58] >>pres. Richard katz: thank you
[1:43:58] janisse.
[1:44:00] >>com. Nurit katz: next I'll
[1:44:01] turn to water system.
[1:44:08] >>anselmo collins: I have got
[1:44:08] to learn how to turn this thing
[1:44:10] on. It's a power thing. Right?
[1:44:14] button. You never miss an
[1:44:16] opportunity.
[1:44:18] [laughter]
[1:44:19] president katz on behalf of the
[1:44:20] water system I want to thank you
[1:44:21] for all the support that you
[1:44:23] provided to us. I will say that
[1:44:24] to me it was especially
[1:44:26] noticeable during the palisades
[1:44:29] incident. And after. I heard
[1:44:33] you speak at many events after,
[1:44:35] and you have always made a point
[1:44:37] to remind people of the high
[1:44:40] school work that the water
[1:44:42] system folks did to
[1:44:44] re-established the system.
[1:44:45] regardless of where you were
[1:44:46] speaking you would always make
[1:44:48] that point. To me that mental
[1:44:50] health a lot. I'm grateful for
[1:44:51] you doing that. Because me
[1:44:52] saying it is very different than
[1:44:53] the board president saying it.
[1:44:55] the and I think people recognize
[1:44:56] the great work that the men and
[1:44:59] women in the water system did in
[1:45:01] restoring the system. So, on
[1:45:03] behalf the water system, I
[1:45:05] wanted to provide you or give
[1:45:07] you this gift, present you this
[1:45:10] gift. This is a water meter,
[1:45:11] and I'm going to stand up so
[1:45:14] everybody can see it hopefully
[1:45:15] won't throw my back. There you
[1:45:17] go. Thank you, sir.
[1:45:19] so one of our traditions we have
[1:45:21] in the water system is to
[1:45:23] provide a water meter to certain
[1:45:25] people. Not everybody gets it
[1:45:26] this particular meter that you
[1:45:27] have here actually was in
[1:45:29] service. So this is not just a
[1:45:31] pretty meter, this actually
[1:45:33] served the city of los angeles.
[1:45:35] because of that, we actually
[1:45:36] have a certificate of
[1:45:39] authenticity to give you.
[1:45:40] [laughter]
[1:45:43] just roll with it, right? I'm
[1:45:44] going to read what it says here.
[1:45:45] >>pres. Richard katz:
[1:45:47] [laughter]
[1:45:49] >>anselmo collins: meter
[1:45:52] 4207110 has successfully
[1:45:54] completed its career of service
[1:45:56] in the department of water and
[1:45:57] power water distribution system
[1:45:59] serving as bypass aid to a four
[1:46:02] inch hersy detector check valve
[1:46:06] number 42007110 proudly served
[1:46:11] at 303807 broadway place from
[1:46:18] october 10th, 1963 until
[1:46:19] retirement march 15, 2019. So
[1:46:22] that means this meter was in
[1:46:24] service for 56 years you have
[1:46:26] been on the board for less than
[1:46:29] two so I think you owe me 54
[1:46:31] years. So we're going to make
[1:46:33] sure you come back and serve the
[1:46:39] rest time. Once again on behalf
[1:46:41] of the water system, thank you
[1:46:43] for your leadership thank you
[1:46:44] for the support and for all the
[1:46:46] kind words you said about my
[1:46:48] staff.
[1:46:48] [applause]
[1:46:56] >>com. Nurit katz: thank you
[1:46:56] very much. And we'll move now
[1:46:58] to the power system.
[1:47:01] >>speaker: thank you very much.
[1:47:02] I'm realizing now, coming in the
[1:47:03] wake of anselmo, as I always do,
[1:47:06] we forgot to take the price tag
[1:47:08] off of the --
[1:47:10] [laughter]
[1:47:10] but, really, president katz it's
[1:47:12] been an honor to sit up here
[1:47:15] with you for the last year.
[1:47:16] it's very important that we have
[1:47:17] a supportive board for us to be
[1:47:19] able to accomplish the things
[1:47:20] that our hardworking men and
[1:47:23] women out in the field are
[1:47:25] working towards just for
[1:47:27] procurement, from contracts,
[1:47:28] from major projects. None of
[1:47:30] that happens without the support
[1:47:31] of the board, and that's been
[1:47:33] something that you have
[1:47:34] spearheaded. I have felt
[1:47:36] supported the entire time.
[1:47:37] thank you very much for
[1:47:38] everything that you have done.
[1:47:39] like anselmo said, the way that
[1:47:41] you speak about the hardworking
[1:47:42] men and women out there in the
[1:47:44] field, it's easy to forget, you
[1:47:45] know, what the department
[1:47:47] actually is, and it's the field
[1:47:49] folks. You're either a field
[1:47:51] person or you support a field
[1:47:53] person. That's the way we look
[1:47:54] at it, and that's the way it
[1:47:56] seems to come off when you speak
[1:47:59] about them as well. I know they
[1:48:01] appreciate it. We're going to
[1:48:02] miss you around here. So what
[1:48:04] we like to do in the power
[1:48:05] system is give you a meter that
[1:48:07] we're slowly changing out one at
[1:48:09] a time for automated metering,
[1:48:11] right?
[1:48:15] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce: I
[1:48:16] ask him if it's a smart meter.
[1:48:17] [laughter].
[1:48:22] >>dave hanson: nothing is ever
[1:48:22] good enough for richard.
[1:48:23] actually wired to turn when you
[1:48:25] plug in the lamp and if your
[1:48:27] wife lets you keep this in the
[1:48:30] house, you will be the first.
[1:48:32] everyone else has to put it in
[1:48:34] the garage. Good luck to you
[1:48:36] sir. Thank you very much for
[1:48:38] the support you have given us in
[1:48:40] the power system. It's been our
[1:48:41] pleasure.
[1:48:42] [applause]
[1:48:49] that's why we need you.
[1:48:53] >>com. Wilma pinder: I'm
[1:48:54] telling you.
[1:48:55] >>pres. Richard katz: thank you
[1:48:55] very much.
[1:48:57] >>dave hanson: yes, sir. Thank
[1:48:57] you.
[1:49:00] thank you very much.
[1:49:02] >>com. Nurit katz: thank you
[1:49:03] very much.
[1:49:04] >>com. Wilma pinder: it's
[1:49:05] perfect.
[1:49:06] >>com. Nurit katz: uh-huh.
[1:49:07] neat looking.
[1:49:09] all right. Thank you. And
[1:49:10] thank you, wilma, for taking
[1:49:11] care of that.
[1:49:13] [laughter]
[1:49:13] all right. Now we'll move to
[1:49:15] communications.
[1:49:16] >>speaker: thank you. Richard,
[1:49:17] I have known and respected your
[1:49:19] work and valued your friendship
[1:49:21] for over 20 years now, longer
[1:49:23] than both of our boys before
[1:49:25] they were born. And I'm
[1:49:27] grateful that we formally got to
[1:49:30] work together because I have
[1:49:32] admired you from a distance and
[1:49:34] appreciated and saw the work
[1:49:35] that you put in, the
[1:49:37] thoughtfulness, the humility and
[1:49:39] principles that you have adhered
[1:49:40] to in all your positions through
[1:49:43] the years whether at legislation
[1:49:45] or metrorail other portions that
[1:49:48] you served on with dedication on
[1:49:52] behalf of the city, this area,
[1:49:53] it's various mayors and it's a
[1:49:56] testament really to your
[1:49:57] leadership and really whatever
[1:49:59] commented earlier today, your
[1:50:01] ability to understand the
[1:50:01] difference between politics and
[1:50:03] governing. And that's what's
[1:50:04] very hard to do. And we
[1:50:06] appreciate all the
[1:50:07] thoughtfulness you brought here
[1:50:08] to the department. I only wish
[1:50:10] it could have been longer. Just
[1:50:12] your professionalism, your
[1:50:14] kindness, your willingness to
[1:50:15] listen, and to lead. And we
[1:50:19] appreciate it on behalf of the
[1:50:20] joint system. I want to thank
[1:50:22] you. All of the divisions that
[1:50:23] make up joint, really, as you
[1:50:24] know, we exist to serve water
[1:50:26] and power, but most importantly
[1:50:28] to serve our customers and you
[1:50:29] understood that, appreciated it,
[1:50:31] and have put those votes, and
[1:50:34] the money, that your money where
[1:50:38] your mouth is there in
[1:50:40] supporting all the work we have
[1:50:41] brought forward that we're
[1:50:42] trying to do to improve customer
[1:50:44] experience thank you on behalf
[1:50:45] of everyone in joint and behalf
[1:50:47] of our customers. Thank you
[1:50:49] thank you. Remarks from ann?
[1:50:50] [applause]
[1:51:13] >>com. Nurit katz: all right.
[1:51:14] and remarks from ann santilli.
[1:51:17] >>ann m. Santilli: thank you.
[1:51:18] president katz, I can't thank
[1:51:20] you enough for all of your
[1:51:21] leadership, working with us on
[1:51:22] helping us get all of our bond
[1:51:25] sales done, our first joint
[1:51:27] powers authority for rate
[1:51:29] reduction bonds. So many
[1:51:31] things. And I think chante said
[1:51:33] it best, because you learn a lot
[1:51:36] when we talk to you, as well as
[1:51:38] laugh and all of us come out
[1:51:40] with a win-win situation. So,
[1:51:42] best of luck in your retirement.
[1:51:44] and thank you, again for all
[1:51:48] your leadership.
[1:51:49] >>pres. Richard katz: thank you
[1:51:50] ann for explaining things in
[1:51:52] terms I can even understand.
[1:51:54] I'm grateful for that as part of
[1:51:57] it. So, thank you.
[1:51:59] >>com. Nurit katz: thank you.
[1:51:59] all right. We have remarks from
[1:52:01] labor partners. If there is
[1:52:03] anybody here who would like to
[1:52:04] speak?
[1:52:08] all right. We'll come back if
[1:52:10] needed. Remarks from hilary
[1:52:13] norton. Oh there she is.
[1:52:16] behind the podium.
[1:52:24] >>speaker: well, I am supposed
[1:52:26] to say, because it's true, that
[1:52:27] I am here on behalf of many,
[1:52:29] many, many other people who
[1:52:31] wanted to be here to make
[1:52:33] remarks today. So, consider me
[1:52:35] being here for lots and lots of
[1:52:36] people who wanted to honor you
[1:52:38] today, president katz.
[1:52:41] thank you so much for leading
[1:52:42] this commission for the past 20
[1:52:44] months. You, your colleagues,
[1:52:46] and ceo quiñones issued in a new
[1:52:53] era of ethics and it customers
[1:52:59] in the city of los angeles and
[1:53:00] for you we're deeply grateful of
[1:53:04] you and mayor bass. You respect
[1:53:11] people you serve with and
[1:53:14] everything you do every time you
[1:53:16] speak to the public your
[1:53:18] commitment to mono lake and
[1:53:19] environmental stewardship and 45
[1:53:21] years of public service have led
[1:53:23] to your unparalleled leadership
[1:53:26] of the dwp commission thank you
[1:53:28] for all that you have done for
[1:53:30] the state of california and the
[1:53:31] city of los angeles and your
[1:53:33] friends like me just want to
[1:53:35] thank you once again for putting
[1:53:36] your pay, putting your time,
[1:53:38] putting your personal life
[1:53:42] behind public service and the
[1:53:44] people of this state and the
[1:53:46] city. Because it is your
[1:53:47] dedication to all of us that has
[1:53:49] made our lives better even
[1:53:57] though your life has taken a
[1:53:59] little bit of a hit so we're so
[1:54:03] glad that you are going to
[1:54:05] dedicate some time to you now.
[1:54:07] thank you for your service.
[1:54:08] >>pres. Richard katz: thank you
[1:54:09] hilary.
[1:54:11] >>com. Nurit katz: thank you
[1:54:11] next we have remarks from tony
[1:54:13] wilkinson. Welcome back.
[1:54:24] >>speaker: tony wilkinson,
[1:54:27] making travel for the city
[1:54:28] neighborhood council, dwp,
[1:54:31] memorandum of understanding
[1:54:32] committee. I'm actually here to
[1:54:33] just -- to express my thanks
[1:54:37] for, it's been 45 years. You
[1:54:39] may not remember, but we met
[1:54:41] each other in 1980. I happen to
[1:54:45] be the marketing services
[1:54:46] manager for save co title
[1:54:54] insurance it was just after the
[1:54:56] real estate crash in 1979 I was
[1:54:59] going around putting billboards
[1:55:02] all over the city to help our
[1:55:04] real estate broker friends
[1:55:08] saying with the pink panther buy
[1:55:11] real estate today you will be in
[1:55:13] the pink tomorrow and my
[1:55:15] marketing director had moved me
[1:55:17] and the team to a little
[1:55:19] building in north hills because
[1:55:21] he was having a fight with the
[1:55:22] president and downstairs low and
[1:55:25] behold our new assemblyman had
[1:55:28] his first office in that little
[1:55:30] tiny building, parthenia street
[1:55:33] and that's where we actually met
[1:55:36] I department know it's been 45
[1:55:37] years you certainly have darker
[1:55:40] hair than I do. I want to
[1:55:43] because everything what everyone
[1:55:44] has said it thank you for
[1:55:48] representing a life of true
[1:55:50] civic service whether it's an
[1:55:52] elected official 16 years in the
[1:55:54] assembly everything you have
[1:55:55] done since it's something we
[1:55:56] need to bring back in the city
[1:55:58] and certainly too I really
[1:56:01] appreciate the board secretary's
[1:56:03] remarks because when you have a
[1:56:05] good person around that makes
[1:56:07] everything work borrowed, thank
[1:56:10] you. Thank you very much for
[1:56:12] the 45 years it's been a
[1:56:14] language time and come full
[1:56:17] circle but have a great years
[1:56:19] ahead of you. Thank you.
[1:56:23] >>pres. Richard katz: thank you
[1:56:24] so much.
[1:56:24] >>com. Nurit katz: any other
[1:56:25] speakers that we missed before
[1:56:26] we move on? Please come up.
[1:56:31] >>speaker: wendy mitchell I'm
[1:56:32] the mother of mitchell katz that
[1:56:38] the much lauded by his father
[1:56:40] and I wanted to come and support
[1:56:42] richard and thanks thank him for
[1:56:44] all his public service, public
[1:56:48] servants are much maligned these
[1:56:52] days there are some good people
[1:56:54] that do good work and richard is
[1:56:56] at the top of that list. He has
[1:57:01] not enriched himself by being in
[1:57:03] public service, he's done the
[1:57:06] hard work in difficult
[1:57:09] situations and this is just the
[1:57:11] last of man of services that
[1:57:16] he's provided to the city and
[1:57:18] the state and proud of him
[1:57:20] congratulations on your
[1:57:21] retirement much deserved and all
[1:57:25] the applause today. Thank you.
[1:57:26] [applause]
[1:57:29] >>com. Nurit katz: thank you to
[1:57:30] everyone for your remarks. I
[1:57:34] want to echo everything that's
[1:57:35] been said as I was working on a
[1:57:39] commencement speech this year to
[1:57:40] inspire graduates I looked to
[1:57:42] richard and ended up sharing
[1:57:44] what he said what he tells
[1:57:47] people who work with him which
[1:57:48] is do the hard thing you have
[1:57:51] had a career doing those things
[1:57:53] that are hard and seem
[1:57:54] impossible in public service
[1:57:56] really grateful for your
[1:57:58] leadership so now you have
[1:58:01] opportunity to make some
[1:58:02] remarks.
[1:58:03] >>pres. Richard katz: thank you
[1:58:04] I never served on a board with
[1:58:06] another katz before it's been
[1:58:09] interesting and fun. Thank you
[1:58:11] nurit, janisse, and everybody
[1:58:14] who had comments and said nice
[1:58:17] things about me as hard as it
[1:58:21] might have been for some I
[1:58:24] greatly appreciate it all. This
[1:58:26] has been of all the experiences
[1:58:29] in public life roughly two years
[1:58:34] here at the commission has been
[1:58:36] some of the most interesting and
[1:58:39] most challenging. The idea of
[1:58:42] blending power and water
[1:58:44] together in a way that doesn't
[1:58:45] kill somebody how you keep the
[1:58:48] city from going where it's
[1:58:50] supposed to go but to do it for
[1:58:52] public good is interesting and I
[1:58:54] have always been impressed with
[1:58:56] the men and women of dwp but I
[1:58:59] was not prepared for how
[1:59:01] impressed I would be as I got to
[1:59:03] know them better over the last
[1:59:06] two years as janisse said all of
[1:59:09] us who get exposed to our
[1:59:11] challenges we're more impressed
[1:59:14] every day the men and women of
[1:59:18] ladwp who respond take care of
[1:59:21] business and get it done. The
[1:59:22] there is a reason our safety
[1:59:24] record is good, our satisfaction
[1:59:27] records are good reason our
[1:59:29] rates are lower than others and
[1:59:31] these are the people that make
[1:59:32] it happen. We get to sit up
[1:59:35] here and make speeches and get
[1:59:38] thank-yous. But it's really the
[1:59:39] folks day in and day out
[1:59:42] literally 24/7 who are out
[1:59:43] there. I was thinking about it
[1:59:45] yesterday, the -- the big river
[1:59:55] in the sky when I first heard
[1:59:58] about atmospheric rivers I said
[2:00:01] there is as much water in an
[2:00:04] atmospheric river as there is in
[2:00:06] the mississippi river except
[2:00:08] it's above you it makes you
[2:00:10] notice. But you don't see the
[2:00:12] people here not just the people
[2:00:15] around the dais or audience but
[2:00:16] the men and women who come in
[2:00:18] every day, seven days a week
[2:00:22] every day of the year make a
[2:00:23] difference in people's lives,
[2:00:25] don't hesitate we're so lucky.
[2:00:31] people say don't you feel bad
[2:00:33] when the wall street journal
[2:00:35] criticizes california and city
[2:00:38] the los angeles and I said no,
[2:00:40] we take it as a badge of honor
[2:00:42] if the wall street journal
[2:00:43] starts saying nice things about
[2:00:45] us we're going to have to
[2:00:47] reexamine what we're doing
[2:00:48] [laughter]
[2:00:49] because we have our own style
[2:00:50] and our own way of doing it and
[2:00:52] dwp is an example of that and
[2:00:54] the quality of people who work
[2:00:55] here and it's a great city
[2:00:57] because of the people not the
[2:00:58] other way around, and too many
[2:01:01] people forget that it's easy to
[2:01:03] get wrapped up in all the pomp
[2:01:04] and circumstance and moves and
[2:01:06] bright lights and all of that
[2:01:08] but what makes it special is the
[2:01:09] people that work here day in and
[2:01:11] day out take time away from
[2:01:13] their families to make this a
[2:01:14] really great place to live and
[2:01:16] as much as we have accomplished
[2:01:18] we have a lot more to do. I'll
[2:01:20] look for finding ways to still
[2:01:22] be of helpful and of use and I
[2:01:24] look forward to continuing
[2:01:25] relationships with the friends I
[2:01:26] have made at the department.
[2:01:28] ibew18 and our friends in labor,
[2:01:32] there is a lot to be proud of
[2:01:33] here, and that's -- I was very
[2:01:36] happy to hear about the expanded
[2:01:38] story telling, if you are, about
[2:01:41] what takes place here. Because
[2:01:43] people really need to know about
[2:01:45] the heros here. And everybody
[2:01:46] who works here whether working
[2:01:49] in the building or out in the
[2:01:50] field is a hero in my mind, and
[2:01:52] makes this, you know, one of the
[2:01:54] greatest cities in the world,
[2:01:55] but despite all our charges. I
[2:01:58] don't think we prefer to have
[2:01:59] challenges, because we wouldn't
[2:02:01] know what we would do if we
[2:02:02] didn't have them. We could use
[2:02:04] a few less from time to time.
[2:02:06] but I'm really thankful to the
[2:02:08] mayor for the appointment and
[2:02:09] for the couple for approving me
[2:02:10] and for all of you being here
[2:02:12] today and being a part of this.
[2:02:13] and just grateful to be part of
[2:02:16] this city. And with that, I
[2:02:21] think I'll stop with that. But
[2:02:23] just say again, thank you, thank
[2:02:25] you, thank you. My life is so
[2:02:28] many richer for being able to
[2:02:29] spend time all of you and I look
[2:02:32] forward to whatever the next
[2:02:33] chapter is and continuing.
[2:02:35] >>com. Nurit katz: thank you so
[2:02:36] much.
[2:02:36] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[2:02:37] you.
[2:02:37] [applause]
[2:02:39] >>com. Nurit katz: all right.
[2:02:40] so --
[2:02:40] [applause]
[2:02:57] >>com. Nurit katz: so, I think
[2:02:58] I defer to chante, do we need a
[2:03:00] motion to approve the
[2:03:02] resolution?
[2:03:03] [laughter]
[2:03:03] okay. I thereby make a motion
[2:03:07] to approve the resolution
[2:03:08] honoring the service of richard
[2:03:10] katz. I think richard you're
[2:03:12] going to have to vote on it.
[2:03:15] >>pres. Richard katz: I'll
[2:03:16] second that.
[2:03:17] >>com. Nurit katz: all right.
[2:03:18] seconded. Hearing no objection,
[2:03:20] we'll count all of us as aye
[2:03:23] votes. With that we'll present
[2:03:26] you with this formal resolution
[2:03:28] and folks can come join us fair
[2:03:30] photo. Wilma, come to join us.
[2:03:42] we'll hold it nicely.
[2:04:30] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[2:04:31] you, all, again. We're going to
[2:04:33] break this into two pieces.
[2:04:36] consent items while we have
[2:04:38] quorum. And we'll take I break
[2:04:40] so people can go down and
[2:04:42] participate in the valor event.
[2:04:44] then we'll come back and finish
[2:04:46] the rest of this agenda.
[2:04:48] >>com. Nurit katz: all right.
[2:04:49] >>pres. Richard katz: on the
[2:04:50] consent items, I have n, 1, 4,
[2:04:55] 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14
[2:04:59] through 18, 20 through 23, and
[2:05:01] 30 through 32.
[2:05:04] >>com. Nurit katz: okay.
[2:05:05] motion to approve those items.
[2:05:09] >>pres. Richard katz: second by
[2:05:12] miss pinder?
[2:05:14] >>com. Wilma pinder: second.
[2:05:16] >>pres. Richard katz: with all
[2:05:16] those present as aye votes.
[2:05:22] such will be the order. That's
[2:05:24] part of it. Janisse the time
[2:05:26] downstairs?
[2:05:27] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[2:05:29] 12:30.
[2:05:30] >>com. Nurit katz: we have time
[2:05:31] to finish any other items.
[2:05:33] >>pres. Richard katz: let's try
[2:05:34] to knockout a couple other
[2:05:37] items. Give me five minutes
[2:05:39] before we'll go down.
[2:05:41] we had a couple of items that we
[2:05:43] called out as special on the
[2:05:45] agenda. Let's start with n2,
[2:05:51] which is -- [indiscernible]
[2:05:55] I believe. Is this yours?
[2:05:57] >>speaker: it's mine.
[2:05:59] >>pres. Richard katz: I'm
[2:05:59] sorry, john.
[2:06:01] >>speaker: do you just want the
[2:06:02] presentation or you have
[2:06:03] specific questions?
[2:06:05] >>pres. Richard katz: a quick
[2:06:05] summary, this is the dollars for
[2:06:07] the next phase of tillman, of
[2:06:09] the building.
[2:06:10] >>speaker: ready mix.
[2:06:11] >>pres. Richard katz: the
[2:06:12] agreement. Okay.
[2:06:14] >>speaker: we're asking for
[2:06:15] additional funds.
[2:06:16] >>pres. Richard katz: okay.
[2:06:17] >>speaker: so with that, my
[2:06:18] folks from supply chain
[2:06:20] services.
[2:06:21] >>pres. Richard katz: I got it.
[2:06:22] all right.
[2:06:24] >>speaker: so, this is hector
[2:06:26] lucero, and lucero, and tui.
[2:06:37] >>pres. Richard katz: good
[2:06:38] morning.
[2:06:40] >>com. Wilma pinder: people are
[2:06:41] waiting.
[2:06:41] >>pres. Richard katz: they're
[2:06:42] bailing.
[2:06:43] [laughter]
[2:06:43] >>speaker: good morning. First
[2:06:44] time here. Hector lucero,
[2:06:47] assistant director supply chain
[2:06:49] services material services
[2:06:50] otherwise referred to as stores.
[2:06:53] >>pres. Richard katz: okay.
[2:06:54] >>speaker: good morning.
[2:06:55] installment director procurement
[2:06:57] services.
[2:06:58] >>speaker: quick summary.
[2:07:00] >>pres. Richard katz: some of
[2:07:01] this was approved previously.
[2:07:02] >>speaker: correct. So, what
[2:07:03] you have here is the amendment
[2:07:04] number one to this contract for
[2:07:06] ready mix concrete and backfill
[2:07:10] slurry. So, over the course of
[2:07:12] the first year, we experienced
[2:07:13] greater than average usage.
[2:07:17] some projects that were not
[2:07:18] forecasted as part of the
[2:07:20] original estimate for the bid.
[2:07:22] this year has proven to be very
[2:07:25] challenging for the department
[2:07:25] with a lot of emergencies. So,
[2:07:27] we had greater usage. We did --
[2:07:31] we're asking here for approval
[2:07:33] of $3 million for the first
[2:07:35] year, $5 million to add to the
[2:07:38] first and second optional
[2:07:40] renewal periods. And that comes
[2:07:42] down to making sure that we have
[2:07:44] sufficient funding for the first
[2:07:45] year. And as we're looking at
[2:07:49] some part of what we're looking
[2:07:50] at is the rebuild of palisades
[2:07:53] and other projects that weren't
[2:07:54] accounted for originally. So we
[2:07:56] want to make sure that we have
[2:07:57] enough funding for those
[2:07:58] projects in the future. For
[2:08:00] this year, we did acknowledge
[2:08:03] earl on that we need some
[2:08:04] additional funding. So, we came
[2:08:06] to ask for ensuring this we have
[2:08:08] funding to carry us, for any
[2:08:10] remaining invoices that we have
[2:08:11] for this current year.
[2:08:13] >>pres. Richard katz: this is
[2:08:14] to what's already been invoiced
[2:08:16] for.
[2:08:17] >>speaker: part has been
[2:08:21] invoiced at this point we have
[2:08:23] 95% of the invoicing handled we
[2:08:25] want to make sure we have
[2:08:26] sufficient funding.
[2:08:29] >>pres. Richard katz: and --
[2:08:31] >>speaker: richard key points
[2:08:34] about this contract is it's one+
[2:08:36] one contract so funding doesn't
[2:08:38] carry over to the next fiscal
[2:08:41] year.
[2:08:42] >>speaker: this is why they're
[2:08:44] asking for additional --
[2:08:45] >>pres. Richard katz: got it.
[2:08:46] >>speaker: that's where this is
[2:08:47] different from a normal 36 month
[2:08:49] contract where funding is
[2:08:50] available.
[2:08:51] >>pres. Richard katz: I
[2:08:52] appreciate that. One thing to
[2:08:52] be clear for people listening,
[2:08:55] you're talking about this being
[2:08:56] 95% of what you already have in
[2:09:01] that's not all we anticipate for
[2:09:03] palisades going forward.
[2:09:04] >>speaker: correct.
[2:09:05] >>pres. Richard katz: I don't
[2:09:06] want anybody to get impression
[2:09:07] that we're getting off swell
[2:09:10] from the palisades we're going
[2:09:12] to have a lot more coming but
[2:09:14] we'll pay those when requested.
[2:09:17] >>speaker: yeah this is a wide
[2:09:20] contract that supports both the
[2:09:21] water and power system not only
[2:09:23] for palisades but undergrounding
[2:09:25] as well as trunk line but higher
[2:09:28] usage we're at a deficit.
[2:09:30] >>pres. Richard katz: all
[2:09:31] right. Any more questions?
[2:09:34] >>com. Nurit katz: none for me.
[2:09:35] >>pres. Richard katz: motion
[2:09:36] and second?
[2:09:38] >>com. Wilma pinder: second.
[2:09:40] >>pres. Richard katz: three
[2:09:41] votes pass on that one.
[2:09:44] >>com. Nurit katz: thank you.
[2:09:45] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[2:09:46] you. Item 13.
[2:09:50] >>speaker: commissioners item
[2:09:51] 13 is a contract with four
[2:09:53] firms. It's a cooperative
[2:09:55] purchasing agreement with firms
[2:09:56] that are currently utilized by
[2:09:58] the city of l.a.'s department of
[2:10:00] finance. It is a specific focus
[2:10:04] on this contract only is for
[2:10:07] collections related to closed or
[2:10:10] inactive accounts. So customers
[2:10:12] who currently do not have their
[2:10:14] account active with us it's for
[2:10:16] one year with one option to
[2:10:19] renew. I want to -- as you
[2:10:21] know, we're working closely on
[2:10:23] an arrear's strategy for our
[2:10:26] active customers that we're
[2:10:28] collaborating on with finance
[2:10:30] and we've have outreached to and
[2:10:34] will be formally engaging ucla
[2:10:38] in assisting us with developing
[2:10:40] a strategy for low-income
[2:10:42] lifeline customers specifically
[2:10:43] really collections foreclosed
[2:10:45] accounts is a foundational part
[2:10:47] of our financial health miss
[2:10:49] santilli has looked at this and
[2:10:51] encouraged us to have it we have
[2:10:52] had these firms on a contract or
[2:10:55] firms like them in the past
[2:10:57] there were some data sharing
[2:10:59] issues that occurred just prior
[2:11:00] to 2020 covid that prevented us
[2:11:05] from continuing to use them this
[2:11:07] contract seeks to bring them on
[2:11:09] board also important I want to
[2:11:12] make sure everyone understands
[2:11:13] that accounts that remain unpaid
[2:11:15] are paid by all the rest of our
[2:11:18] customers because we're a
[2:11:19] municipal utility and ensures
[2:11:21] that those who have incurred
[2:11:23] costs who is are no longer our
[2:11:26] customers have opportunity to
[2:11:27] pay and make us whole for those
[2:11:29] charges and for the service that
[2:11:31] they received. I ask for your
[2:11:33] support.
[2:11:35] >>pres. Richard katz: I know
[2:11:36] the department goes to
[2:11:38] extraordinary lengths to make
[2:11:39] sure that people have different
[2:11:41] ways opportunities different
[2:11:42] avenues we don't want to shut
[2:11:44] anybody off pretty fundamental
[2:11:46] to basics but like you said the
[2:11:49] debt gets spread out over those
[2:11:51] who are paying and that's not
[2:11:52] fair either so I know it's part
[2:11:54] of what ucla involvement is
[2:11:57] going to look at also how we can
[2:11:59] do better on it maybe if we get
[2:12:01] an expense itch survey we can
[2:12:04] apply it to other city
[2:12:05] departments that's us money
[2:12:09] because there are some big
[2:12:11] numbers over there.
[2:12:11] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[2:12:13] richard it could impact our
[2:12:14] credit rating which in turn
[2:12:16] turns into more cost for our
[2:12:18] customers.
[2:12:19] >>speaker: we also only have
[2:12:20] four years to collect it's
[2:12:22] important we have these services
[2:12:23] for those closed accounts at
[2:12:24] this time.
[2:12:26] >>pres. Richard katz: got it.
[2:12:26] >>speaker: thank you.
[2:12:27] >>pres. Richard katz: tim were
[2:12:28] you looking to --
[2:12:29] >>tim o'connor: yes thank you.
[2:12:30] one question about this contract
[2:12:32] -- actually a couple questions,
[2:12:34] did we have an estimated
[2:12:37] timeline for when these debt
[2:12:39] collection services would begin
[2:12:40] once these contracts are made to
[2:12:43] be executed?
[2:12:44] >>speaker: I have staff from
[2:12:45] our customer service division to
[2:12:47] answer that, tia montes whole
[2:12:53] come forward to speak to that.
[2:12:55] >>speaker: good morning.
[2:12:56] credit management customer
[2:12:58] service division. So we will as
[2:13:00] soon as we get approval from
[2:13:02] cities to proceed we're going to
[2:13:05] on-board and agree. A lot of
[2:13:08] terms how we are going to
[2:13:09] proceed with our customers and
[2:13:11] accounts really is to our option
[2:13:17] -- discretion we're looking to
[2:13:20] bring on board about six months
[2:13:22] at worst-case scenario we
[2:13:24] require that it be a manual
[2:13:27] process we don't have it
[2:13:29] implementation in place yet for
[2:13:30] these specific contracts which
[2:13:32] is a piggyback to the city we
[2:13:35] hope to put all in place within
[2:13:38] six months we have another rfp
[2:13:41] coming through a permanent one
[2:13:43] and that will have integration
[2:13:47] with it so that will take a bit
[2:13:50] longer to on-board this will be
[2:13:53] interim until that happens.
[2:13:55] >>tim o'connor: great given
[2:13:56] that these accounts are
[2:13:58] technically rate payers and each
[2:14:00] of them for whatever reason in
[2:14:02] some position of not being able
[2:14:03] to pay or just not paying our
[2:14:06] office may begin to receive --
[2:14:08] we get calls, e-mails about
[2:14:10] department actions, people
[2:14:12] getting bills, calls from
[2:14:13] collection agencies, would
[2:14:15] probably start to engender
[2:14:18] additional contacts it would be
[2:14:19] great to make sure that you're
[2:14:20] team as you're executing your
[2:14:23] work with these individual firms
[2:14:27] items that you identify to
[2:14:29] identify common themes and
[2:14:31] feedback you're getting if you
[2:14:32] could alert our office and make
[2:14:33] sure that we're well-positioned
[2:14:35] to be able to respond. The
[2:14:39] team, joe, you have been very
[2:14:41] gracious in connecting us with
[2:14:42] the folks in customer service to
[2:14:43] make sure that as we're getting
[2:14:45] incoming, we're able to route it
[2:14:47] to the right people and have
[2:14:49] issue resolution so we would
[2:14:51] just appreciate the opportunity
[2:14:52] to have a continuation of that
[2:14:53] and maybe even an expanded level
[2:14:55] of connectivity with the
[2:14:58] ratepayer advocate offices as we
[2:14:59] start this effort.
[2:15:02] >>speaker: without a doubt tim
[2:15:03] we'll be pro active with that
[2:15:05] effort letting you know once we
[2:15:08] proceed once we give those
[2:15:10] accounts to those agencies
[2:15:13] making sure you're aware without
[2:15:16] a doubt be proactive with our
[2:15:20] approach and communication.
[2:15:22] >>tim o'connor: one final
[2:15:22] question would this, sort of,
[2:15:25] given the potential outsources
[2:15:27] of this work to other firms by
[2:15:30] which those firms may not have
[2:15:31] the same care and feed and
[2:15:36] training that great customer
[2:15:38] service folks here at the
[2:15:39] department have, what steps have
[2:15:41] been taken to ensure that the
[2:15:43] level of customer service and
[2:15:45] professionalism and engagement
[2:15:46] that occurs in terms of the
[2:15:47] context that will continue
[2:15:49] forward you know to these firms
[2:15:51] is there guidance and structure
[2:15:53] that's being given to these
[2:15:55] firms and collection processes.
[2:15:57] >>speaker: it will be extension
[2:15:58] of the city we have our own csd
[2:16:02] customer service division here
[2:16:04] also in the department how we
[2:16:06] interact with our customers as
[2:16:07] part of onboarding we'll have
[2:16:10] discussions with agencies again
[2:16:11] for agencies we can determine
[2:16:12] how we share the workload among
[2:16:14] those four but before proceeding
[2:16:18] giving any of those accounts to
[2:16:19] agencies we'll have on-boarding
[2:16:23] to make sure customer service is
[2:16:25] on par.
[2:16:26] >>pres. Richard katz: I was
[2:16:27] going to ask once they get
[2:16:30] started the attitude doesn't
[2:16:32] change once they get part way in
[2:16:34] or get tired of dealing with
[2:16:35] folks that haven't paid it's a
[2:16:37] touchy subject but there are
[2:16:38] still people who live in la that
[2:16:40] we are to care for and want to
[2:16:42] care for but they're in a
[2:16:43] horrible position. As joe has
[2:16:46] and said tim has said, we don't
[2:16:48] want to make it worse we want to
[2:16:50] give them a chance to make it
[2:16:51] better.
[2:16:52] >>speaker: understood board
[2:16:53] katz without a doubt we'll
[2:16:55] communicate regularly with these
[2:16:57] agencies, whoever we decide to
[2:16:59] give the work to, that will be
[2:17:00] part of our ongoing
[2:17:02] conversations with them.
[2:17:04] >>pres. Richard katz: okay.
[2:17:04] any other questions? Comments?
[2:17:06] >>com. Nurit katz: no. Motion
[2:17:07] to approve.
[2:17:08] >>pres. Richard katz: motion
[2:17:08] and a second. All three of us
[2:17:10] here.
[2:17:11] >>com. Wilma pinder: and
[2:17:11] second. Yeah.
[2:17:12] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[2:17:13] you. All three of us in favor.
[2:17:15] so, that motion is approved.
[2:17:16] >>speaker: thank you, all.
[2:17:17] >>pres. Richard katz: thank you
[2:17:18] very much.
[2:17:19] item 19.
[2:17:23] >>ann m. Santilli: item 19 is
[2:17:24] from financial services. At the
[2:17:25] last board meeting, the board
[2:17:27] approved 190 million extension
[2:17:29] of the donald c tillman plant.
[2:17:33] that is actually owned by bureau
[2:17:35] of sanitation. However ladwp
[2:17:37] finances it because our
[2:17:39] customers will benefit from that
[2:17:40] water when it's served to the
[2:17:42] customers. So, we're requesting
[2:17:44] a regulatory asset accounting
[2:17:46] treatment for the board so we
[2:17:48] can capitalize this asset and
[2:17:50] amortize it over a period,
[2:17:52] instead of expensing it all at
[2:17:53] once which we would be required
[2:17:55] to do if this was not approved.
[2:17:57] >>pres. Richard katz: I thought
[2:17:58] we just had a better credit
[2:17:59] rating than sanitation did.
[2:18:05] [laughter]
[2:18:06] >>ann m. Santilli: actually
[2:18:07] we're paying for it it's not our
[2:18:08] asset. So the board --
[2:18:10] >>pres. Richard katz: it's not
[2:18:11] I money. Great. Got it.
[2:18:13] [laughter]
[2:18:13] go ahead.
[2:18:16] >>com. Nurit katz: second.
[2:18:17] >>pres. Richard katz: motion
[2:18:17] and second. -- we'll go back.
[2:18:19] motion and second. All members
[2:18:20] present as aye votes. Item 19
[2:18:23] has passed. Item 24 -- 24 has
[2:18:30] been deferred.
[2:18:34] >>speaker: yes deferred.
[2:18:36] >>pres. Richard katz: nicely
[2:18:37] handled.
[2:18:38] 27 we have a bench contract --
[2:18:40] bench contracts. Anselmo?
[2:18:43] >>anselmo collins: yeah for
[2:18:43] that one we have greg director
[2:18:45] of water, engineering and
[2:18:47] technical services come up. And
[2:18:49] commissioner if you have
[2:18:51] specific questions or you want a
[2:18:52] short presentation?
[2:18:54] >>com. Wilma pinder: very
[2:18:54] short.
[2:18:55] >>pres. Richard katz: short
[2:18:55] presentation.
[2:18:56] >>speaker: about five minutes.
[2:18:57] >>pres. Richard katz: yeah we
[2:18:58] have got about five minutes
[2:18:59] before we go down.
[2:19:02] [laughter]
[2:19:04] >>speaker: good morning
[2:19:04] commissioners.
[2:19:05] >>pres. Richard katz: good
[2:19:06] morning. I do have one
[2:19:06] question. To get on the bench
[2:19:10] for those competitively bid?
[2:19:13] >>speaker: they were. Yes.
[2:19:15] >>pres. Richard katz: okay.
[2:19:15] good.
[2:19:17] >>com. Wilma pinder: that's
[2:19:18] always kind of the bottom line.
[2:19:22] >>speaker: in addition to the
[2:19:22] task order, in addition to the
[2:19:24] competitive process to get on to
[2:19:25] the bench every task order will
[2:19:27] be competitively bid as well.
[2:19:28] >>pres. Richard katz:
[2:19:30] outstanding.
[2:19:30] >>speaker: I would like to
[2:19:31] introduce our supervising civil
[2:19:34] engineering associate ben
[2:19:41] schwinn who is also the contract
[2:19:46] administrator for this
[2:19:46] particular contract.
[2:19:50] >>pres. Richard katz: good of
[2:19:50] the welcome back. Any
[2:19:51] questions? Motion and second.
[2:19:56] >>anselmo collins: thank you
[2:19:57] very much.
[2:19:58] >>speaker: I'll add my voice of
[2:19:59] appreciation for your leadership
[2:20:00] and wish you the best in your
[2:20:01] next endeavors, board president.
[2:20:04] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[2:20:05] you. I appreciate it.
[2:20:06] >>com. Wilma pinder: we're all
[2:20:07] taking a little bit of his blood
[2:20:09] and inserting it into --
[2:20:12] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[2:20:13] you.
[2:20:15] >>tim o'connor: president katz
[2:20:16] if I may offer a point? On this
[2:20:19] item it is of course a contract
[2:20:26] expenditure item opa you have
[2:20:28] looked at it feels appropriate
[2:20:32] for us to comment that we'll be
[2:20:34] looking at underlying
[2:20:35] expenditures as opposed to the
[2:20:38] budget and investment plan which
[2:20:39] is the place where we would
[2:20:42] evaluate this type and so
[2:20:44] certainly recommend and support
[2:20:45] the department having staff and
[2:20:48] capability it needs to
[2:20:50] accomplish this task and see
[2:20:51] this as necessary and approval
[2:20:55] of the expenditure of 120
[2:20:58] million that goes to the
[2:20:59] underlying approval of the
[2:21:02] budget investment plan. Really
[2:21:05] just supporting the staff
[2:21:06] ability to execute on those
[2:21:09] duties.
[2:21:11] >>pres. Richard katz: good
[2:21:12] point hopefully not doing this
[2:21:15] every week. Do you have --
[2:21:19] >>tim o'connor: just an
[2:21:19] observation this is not
[2:21:21] necessarily approval of the
[2:21:22] expansion of the budget but it's
[2:21:23] a way to add capacity to the
[2:21:25] department to be able to execute
[2:21:26] on its duties that be approved
[2:21:29] by this board.
[2:21:33] >>com. Nurit katz: great.
[2:21:33] >>pres. Richard katz: thank
[2:21:34] you.
[2:21:35] >>com. Nurit katz: motion to
[2:21:36] approve item 27.
[2:21:36] >>wilma pinder: second.
[2:21:37] >>pres. Richard katz: three
[2:21:38] ayes without objection on item
[2:21:41] 27. We'll go to item 29.
[2:21:46] >>anselmo collins: do you have
[2:21:46] a particular question on this or
[2:21:49] you want background?
[2:21:51] >>pres. Richard katz: why are
[2:21:52] we building it at berkley? Why
[2:21:53] not building here ucla.
[2:21:53] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[2:21:56] yeah. I knew it.
[2:21:57] [laughter]
[2:21:58] I told him. It's the college.
[2:22:02] >>anselmo collins: this
[2:22:02] particular facility was --
[2:22:04] >>pres. Richard katz: how many
[2:22:04] years have I represented la?
[2:22:06] never represented berkeley.
[2:22:10] >>anselmo collins: this
[2:22:10] facility was started in
[2:22:12] cooperation collaboration with
[2:22:13] east bay municipal water east
[2:22:16] bay mud. Once started they
[2:22:18] reached out to me other and
[2:22:20] utilities in the region to
[2:22:21] contribute towards the
[2:22:21] development of this particular
[2:22:23] center. I will say that it is
[2:22:24] really geared towards some of
[2:22:26] the larger utilities. So, east
[2:22:28] bay mud, metropolitan water
[2:22:31] district, sfpuc, or san
[2:22:39] francisco public utilities
[2:22:41] commission and ladwp are some of
[2:22:42] the key members there were
[2:22:44] others as well. Something
[2:22:45] similar was being done in
[2:22:46] cornell, which meant anytime we
[2:22:48] had to send it all the way up
[2:22:50] the east coast. So this
[2:22:53] facility really is more
[2:22:54] supporting the western united
[2:22:56] states. Interesting part, it's
[2:22:58] large-scale testing of trunk
[2:23:00] lines few agencies install pipe
[2:23:02] as big as we do and having
[2:23:05] ability to test characteristics
[2:23:07] of the other pipe are important
[2:23:09] so it's very important asset to
[2:23:11] us I have searched -- the
[2:23:15] assistant director here and
[2:23:17] randy hirata also west. If you
[2:23:24] have other questions there are
[2:23:25] folks that have been working on
[2:23:27] this for a bit who can have
[2:23:30] better than I can.
[2:23:31] >>pres. Richard katz: should we
[2:23:32] build another facility down
[2:23:34] here?
[2:23:34] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[2:23:35] president katz, we have ucla,
[2:23:37] usc, we have all the community
[2:23:40] college we spend a lot of money
[2:23:40] in l.a.
[2:23:42] >>pres. Richard katz: I know we
[2:23:43] do.
[2:23:43] >>anselmo collins: we do have
[2:23:44] agreements with ucla and to do
[2:23:46] other studies as well. Not the
[2:23:48] large scale testing. Go bruins.
[2:23:51] >>pres. Richard katz: any other
[2:23:51] questions?
[2:23:52] [laughter]
[2:23:53] >>com. Wilma pinder: at
[2:23:54] berkeley, that's a pretty good
[2:23:55] institute.
[2:23:56] >>com. Nurit katz: all in the
[2:23:57] family.
[2:23:58] >>pres. Richard katz: got it.
[2:23:59] motion and second. You know, in
[2:24:02] either order you want them and
[2:24:03] the three zero votes to approve.
[2:24:06] that is done.
[2:24:06] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[2:24:11] then it's 12:35.
[2:24:15] >>com. Nurit katz: do you have
[2:24:20] any more left.
[2:24:21] >>pres. Richard katz: item 32?
[2:24:22] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce:
[2:24:22] that would be the last one?
[2:24:24] let's get that one.
[2:24:27] >>anselmo collins: for that
[2:24:28] one, greg either you or ophelia.
[2:24:32] item 32, approval, amendment to
[2:24:36] an existing contract we have
[2:24:37] with web core, yiashi and lyles
[2:24:44] folks that have been working on
[2:24:46] the headworks projects two
[2:24:49] buried tanks we have totaling
[2:24:52] 110 million gallons for contract
[2:24:57] to be extended the contract ends
[2:24:59] in december putting final
[2:25:01] touches on the facility
[2:25:03] currently in process to evaluate
[2:25:05] proposals to hire somebody to
[2:25:07] help with finishing the two
[2:25:08] tanks we have are actually on
[2:25:10] the ground and with phase four
[2:25:11] we're going to finish up the
[2:25:13] property completely we feel it's
[2:25:21] advantageous for the facility,
[2:25:25] to know able to finish it for
[2:25:28] us.
[2:25:29] >>com. Wilma pinder: when will
[2:25:30] the finish date be.
[2:25:32] >>speaker: in four years before
[2:25:34] the olympics this's been a
[2:25:36] request from the stakeholders we
[2:25:38] can't complete all of it by
[2:25:40] olympics but hope to finish most
[2:25:42] by then.
[2:25:44] >>anselmo collins: this is
[2:25:45] ophelia rubio in charge of the
[2:25:48] management of the water system.
[2:25:51] >>tim o'connor: thank you
[2:25:52] president we had discussion with
[2:25:53] the water team on friday about
[2:25:54] this item. We did ask for
[2:25:57] additional information around
[2:25:58] the cost associated with the
[2:26:01] expansion of the estimates for
[2:26:04] phase four. We understand the
[2:26:06] department is still giving some
[2:26:08] of that putting that map
[2:26:10] together but at this point we
[2:26:11] find that the estimates are
[2:26:13] reasonable. And have no
[2:26:15] concerns about the approval of
[2:26:17] the item at this point.
[2:26:18] >>com. Wilma pinder: thank you.
[2:26:19] did you hear he has no --
[2:26:26] >>pres. Richard katz: motion
[2:26:27] and second.
[2:26:27] >>com. Nurit katz: approved.
[2:26:28] >>pres. Richard katz: without
[2:26:29] objection three-zero. Motion on
[2:26:33] the last one?
[2:26:34] >>com. Nurit katz: motion to
[2:26:35] approve the minutes from the
[2:26:36] prior ladwp board meeting.
[2:26:40] >>com. Wilma pinder: second.
[2:26:40] >>pres. Richard katz: motion
[2:26:41] and second. Three zero vote.
[2:26:43] that's done that part of the
[2:26:47] agenda we have some closed
[2:26:48] session items but first we're
[2:26:49] going to go downstairs.
[2:26:53] >>janisse quiñones, ceo/ce: do
[2:26:53] you want to read it in?
[2:26:56] >>pres. Richard katz: whatever
[2:26:57] makes everyone happy.
[2:27:00] >>com. Nurit katz: okay great.
[2:27:01] ben you can read it then we'll
[2:27:03] --
[2:27:03] >>gen. Counsel, ben chapman:
[2:27:04] the board shall publicly report
[2:27:06] any action in closed session and
[2:27:12] vote or abstention of every
[2:27:14] member present thereon in
[2:27:16] accordance section 54957.1 of
[2:27:22] the california governed code.
[2:27:24] thank you.
[2:27:26] >>pres. Richard katz: we'll
[2:27:27] head down to the lobby then come
[2:27:29] back for closed session.
[2:28:01] resume to open session president
[2:28:03] katz we're back in session we
[2:28:04] have one item from closed
[2:28:06] session to report-out. Pursuant
[2:28:08] to 54957.1 of the california
[2:28:12] government code we're reporting
[2:28:13] back on 02, jeffrey hughes v
[2:28:17] ladwp los angeles superior court
[2:28:19] case 20stcv35654, step and fall
[2:28:22] on a broken water meter 350