1 00:00:37,070 --> 00:00:38,170 I'm going to jump on this call. 2 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:53,000 There you go. All right, good afternoon, pursuance to California Government Code Section 5495-3E. This meeting will be held by call conference only. 3 00:00:53,420 --> 00:00:58,140 If it's a collocation will be available for this meeting, however, members of the public will be able to participate in the meeting. 4 00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:08,120 In accordance with their requirements of Governor Cove Government Code Section 3VC reference, members of the public wishing to address the board committee and a video conference meeting. 5 00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:20,200 During public comments or any item list among the agenda should use the raise hand to a located in the meeting like listed on the agenda at the time the item is called speakers will be acknowledged by the board chair in the order of us to receive 6 00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:24,360 and granted speaking address to address the board. 7 00:01:25,180 --> 00:01:29,000 So I will now ask the clerk's office to call this meeting order. 8 00:01:30,760 --> 00:01:34,540 Thank you, Chair. Director Santos? 9 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:37,180 Yes. Director Cronin? 10 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:38,380 Yes. 11 00:01:39,340 --> 00:01:39,760 Chair Keegan? 12 00:01:40,780 --> 00:01:42,260 This constitutes quorum of the committee. 13 00:01:42,740 --> 00:01:45,880 Okay, time open for public comment on any item not on the agenda. 14 00:01:46,300 --> 00:01:49,620 Members of the public who is to address the committee on any item not listed on the agenda. 15 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:53,780 Should access the raise hand to a located in Zoom meeting linked listed on the agenda. 16 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:59,540 Speakers will be acknowledged by the committee chair and order request to receive and grant to speaking access to address the committee. 17 00:01:59,540 --> 00:02:04,080 speakers comments should be limited to three minutes or a set by the chair. The law does not 18 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:08,160 permit committee action on or extended a session of any item not on the agenda except under 19 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:12,920 special circumstances. If committee action is requested, the matter may be placed on a future agenda, 20 00:02:13,460 --> 00:02:18,840 all comments that require response will be referred to staff or reply and writing. The committee 21 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:24,140 may take action on any item of business appearing on the posted agenda. Are there any members of 22 00:02:24,140 --> 00:02:29,020 public that would like to speak to us on an item not on the agenda. 23 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:32,920 Madam chair, I see no hands raised at this time. 24 00:02:33,540 --> 00:02:39,960 Okay, thank you very much. We do not have minutes included in this package. That is correct. 25 00:02:40,700 --> 00:02:50,460 Okay, regular agenda item 4.1 election of 2022 board audit committee chair and vice chair Mr Taylor. Do you have anything to add to this? 26 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:56,000 Okay, I'll entertain a motion. 27 00:02:56,500 --> 00:03:00,640 There's a motion by the director said to us to a point. 28 00:03:00,900 --> 00:03:02,660 Director Barbara Keegan is chair. 29 00:03:03,100 --> 00:03:06,580 I will second that motion and I will also if a friendly amendment. 30 00:03:07,660 --> 00:03:09,480 Yeah, I'm to a point director. 31 00:03:09,720 --> 00:03:11,640 Keegan is chair. 32 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:12,740 Okay. 33 00:03:14,640 --> 00:03:15,180 So. 34 00:03:15,980 --> 00:03:16,860 Will call please. 35 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:18,100 Director Santos. 36 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:18,660 Yes. 37 00:03:18,660 --> 00:03:27,780 Director Creman? Yes, and Cherokee again. Yes. Do we have a motion for election of the 38 00:03:27,780 --> 00:03:28,360 vice chair? 39 00:03:31,860 --> 00:03:37,800 Okay, I will move. I think given the business of director Creman is 40 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:42,300 chair this year, you're probably not incredibly interested in serenance vice chair, so I 41 00:03:42,300 --> 00:03:47,760 will nominate director Sances as vice chair if I can get a second on that. 42 00:03:54,210 --> 00:03:54,210 Well, 43 00:03:54,210 --> 00:03:56,090 I think he's muted himself. 44 00:03:56,530 --> 00:03:58,010 I mean, I don't mind doing it. 45 00:03:58,030 --> 00:03:59,370 Yeah, it's how to you. 46 00:03:59,550 --> 00:04:01,690 You want to be very serious? Why would be? 47 00:04:02,050 --> 00:04:02,330 Sure. 48 00:04:03,010 --> 00:04:03,410 Okay. 49 00:04:03,790 --> 00:04:04,150 All right. 50 00:04:04,290 --> 00:04:07,150 You're on busy, but, you know, the important thing. 51 00:04:08,430 --> 00:04:12,610 So, um, and you have quite a bit of longevity on this committee. 52 00:04:13,370 --> 00:04:15,350 So, um, we have the motion. 53 00:04:16,730 --> 00:04:18,010 I'll second that motion. 54 00:04:18,690 --> 00:04:19,750 Um, roll call, please. 55 00:04:20,070 --> 00:04:21,430 Director Santos? Yes. 56 00:04:22,030 --> 00:04:22,830 Director Credit? 57 00:04:23,670 --> 00:04:24,110 Yes. 58 00:04:25,710 --> 00:04:32,090 Thank you very much everyone and I do want everyone to know I did take the and I share with staff. 59 00:04:32,870 --> 00:04:39,910 People on this committee like action items and they like to move quickly so we're going to try and do our very best with that. 60 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:11,540 Taylor, you are listed as the responsible manager that I do think that Mr. Hopper also participated in this. So I'll turn it over to you, Mr. Taylor. 61 00:05:12,220 --> 00:05:18,440 And thank you, and good afternoon, and I think I will turn over to Brian Hopper to go over the second. 62 00:05:19,260 --> 00:05:24,160 Thank you. Good afternoon to the committee. Senior Assistant District Council, Brian Hopper. 63 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:52,080 We're here to discuss some potential changes to the audit committee charter, so there are some red line to recommend it changes, note it and the packet and the second item is to get input from the committee regarding any further proposed changes to the audit committee charter and finally to ask that you recommend approval to the Board of Directors, these modifications. 64 00:05:52,720 --> 00:06:03,780 And so I'll just begin there is added language and article eight section three and let me know if it's useful for me to share my screen on this. 65 00:06:03,940 --> 00:06:07,460 I don't maybe have your packets in front of me, but article. 66 00:06:07,840 --> 00:06:11,040 What did you go ahead and share your screen if you wouldn't mind Mr. Hopper. 67 00:06:11,280 --> 00:06:12,160 All right. 68 00:06:24,830 --> 00:06:27,090 Okay, I hope I am sharing the audit committee. 69 00:06:28,850 --> 00:06:29,030 Item. 70 00:06:29,810 --> 00:06:30,410 Is that correct? 71 00:06:32,450 --> 00:06:32,730 All right. 72 00:06:32,730 --> 00:06:59,830 So the first change is in article eight section three article eight deals with the annual financial statement audit and we're including language for requirement that the financial statement audit results and pertinent information identified during the course of the audit must be communicated to the board audit committee and let me just turn to that actual language. 73 00:06:59,830 --> 00:07:01,710 which it's an arclet 74 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:09,560 section for the red line. 75 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:10,400 Yes. 76 00:07:16,060 --> 00:07:22,980 Right. So it's having affirmative obligation that the financial statement audit results 77 00:07:22,980 --> 00:07:27,820 in pertinent information, be communicated in writing or verbally to the Board of 78 00:07:27,820 --> 00:07:34,260 Committee, and it defines pertinent information as issues, concerns, practices, programs, 79 00:07:34,260 --> 00:07:41,540 or activities that may pose a reputational operational financial or service delivery risk to 80 00:07:41,540 --> 00:07:47,420 valley water regardless of the magnitude of the apparent risk. And Dr. Keegan may be 81 00:07:47,420 --> 00:07:53,120 wish to add on to this, but the thinking was that this was important to have because the 82 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:57,840 financial auditor is really retained by management. 83 00:07:59,980 --> 00:08:03,580 And this would ensure that such information is 84 00:08:03,580 --> 00:08:06,060 directly communicated to the Board Audit Committee. 85 00:08:07,300 --> 00:08:08,760 And I guess I would list your comments, 86 00:08:08,860 --> 00:08:13,060 direct to Keegan, if you had any or to our independent 87 00:08:13,060 --> 00:08:16,200 auditor, if you had any further comments on these changes. 88 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:18,720 Well, I'll just add one comment. 89 00:08:19,260 --> 00:08:23,600 I think that this came up as a result of seeing situations 90 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:28,520 with other public agencies where the management was informed 91 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:33,400 of issues or deficiencies, but the elected officials 92 00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:39,000 were not. And so the intent behind this was to ensure that there would be full disclosure of this 93 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:44,500 information through the audit committee and then subsequently as appropriate to the full board. 94 00:08:45,160 --> 00:08:51,540 So that was, I think, a big impetus behind this. And I don't know, George, if there's anything 95 00:08:51,540 --> 00:08:58,160 you would like to add in terms of the importance of this kind of clause in the audit charter. 96 00:08:59,680 --> 00:09:05,540 Yeah, I think that this kind of cause is actually quite consistent with the direction that 97 00:09:05,540 --> 00:09:13,300 audit committees are moving, that exposure to the audit committee of any potential audit findings 98 00:09:13,300 --> 00:09:18,860 is particularly related to financial audits, that the audit committee is being formed 99 00:09:18,860 --> 00:09:27,720 to those issues in a timely manner, and really to reduce the potential that significant audit 100 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:31,480 findings are only made aware to management and not government boards. 101 00:09:32,020 --> 00:09:36,660 So this is very consistent with what we're seeing in the industry overall. 102 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:44,940 So I think any provision that ensures the committee has insight into those potential problems. 103 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:46,160 I think that's all the better. 104 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:47,400 Okay, great. 105 00:09:47,420 --> 00:09:47,820 Thank you. 106 00:09:47,860 --> 00:09:51,220 Committee, Vice Chair, Creman, you've raised your hand. 107 00:09:54,760 --> 00:09:55,520 You're on mute. 108 00:09:58,720 --> 00:09:59,960 Just have a little construction work. 109 00:10:00,990 --> 00:10:18,110 So, I, you know, with respect to three, by the time you do the audit results of an annual audit, it's kind of too late because your, your months, your, you could be over a, well, you probably are a year over any issue. 110 00:10:18,110 --> 00:10:25,510 So, what I would say is, it should be, we should be, we should, number one, and certainly 111 00:10:25,510 --> 00:10:31,490 here we should have quarterly meetings with the financial auditor, to hear, as opposed 112 00:10:31,490 --> 00:10:39,170 to wait for a year, because we should have quarterly looks at the financial statements like 113 00:10:39,170 --> 00:10:47,470 we're just starting to have, number one, and then on Section 2, which says input, it should 114 00:10:49,870 --> 00:10:52,690 direction subject to the full board agreement. 115 00:10:54,770 --> 00:11:00,770 So input, what's a nonstandard here for me is input, 116 00:11:01,190 --> 00:11:06,650 because management can say, I want, of course, a manager will never do this, but theoretically, we want, 117 00:11:06,650 --> 00:11:12,370 and we want an auditor that's two people in a room, and I've actually been involved in that two people in a farmhouse, 118 00:11:12,370 --> 00:11:19,350 And it did produce out in financials, but we should be able to provide direction subject to the full board. 119 00:11:19,930 --> 00:11:21,450 So that would be my ass. 120 00:11:22,030 --> 00:11:25,450 And so it wouldn't be input to be direction subject to full board. 121 00:11:25,770 --> 00:11:31,670 And it would be quarterly meetings and pertinent information I would add. 122 00:11:33,630 --> 00:11:39,370 Repetential operational finance service delivery risk. 123 00:11:39,370 --> 00:11:41,990 I think that's pretty good. 124 00:11:41,990 --> 00:11:45,990 It should be actual apparent risk, I like that. 125 00:11:48,590 --> 00:11:59,570 I'm I'm going to want to ask the direction language to hear from district council, but before we move forward with this, the way I read the third clause. 126 00:11:59,810 --> 00:12:08,070 It says financial statement, audit results and permanent information identified during the course of the audit shall be communicated. 127 00:12:08,070 --> 00:12:20,870 And in my mind that meant it was supposed to be communicated to us in real time as opposed to the end of the audit, but maybe it's not clear here that that's actually what's being requested. 128 00:12:21,390 --> 00:12:25,990 So do you have anything more explicit, Mr. Kremlin that you would like to see? 129 00:12:25,990 --> 00:12:28,550 So I think we'd have to ask Mr. Taylor. 130 00:12:29,490 --> 00:12:34,870 I'm used to auditors that come in and review financials quarterly. 131 00:12:35,110 --> 00:12:40,410 They don't audit them, but they'll give it a review level quality. 132 00:12:40,610 --> 00:12:44,830 You know, no footnotes, just kind of like what we're getting now. 133 00:12:45,070 --> 00:12:46,890 And they look at those. 134 00:12:47,890 --> 00:12:53,150 And then they would give us any issues, concerns, practices, programs, etc. 135 00:12:53,150 --> 00:13:03,070 by the time the audit is, that's, that's so far in the since any event that occurred, it's not, it's not as useful. 136 00:13:04,150 --> 00:13:13,490 So what what you're saying is that this, this information would be, it would be like when they come to us quarterly, we expect this closure at that time. 137 00:13:13,510 --> 00:13:14,370 Is that your intent? 138 00:13:14,810 --> 00:13:19,250 That's right. And it should say they come to us quarterly. I don't see that in here. 139 00:13:19,250 --> 00:13:32,450 Okay, okay, yeah, and they come to present that score really and if there's any issues, and I'd like to ask the board auditor what has been on your experience,isters, 140 00:13:32,530 --> 00:13:42,330 styles like how are other agencies typically dealing with this, not that we have to follow necessarily with their duties, but just know what the normal practices. 141 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:53,600 The typical practice would be that the auditors, whether it's external or internal, so forth, would have a direct line of communication anytime. 142 00:13:53,720 --> 00:14:02,040 Any time they believe there was anything that the board should be made aware of or the committee should be made aware of. 143 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:26,900 But it certainly, and I think that's what three is getting to is any time an issue is raised in their mind that they think the committee needs to be made aware of, they're obligated to come to the committee and address that, but the implementation of quarterly meetings is, I think, is less common in the public sector. 144 00:14:26,900 --> 00:14:37,620 But it's also consistent with the trend of audit committees receiving more direct input from both internal 145 00:14:37,620 --> 00:14:41,120 auditors and external auditors on matters related to audits. 146 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:08,440 Regarding potential audit findings and managing risks, more in a real time and being informed of potential 147 00:15:08,440 --> 00:15:16,380 risk, more in a real time basis rather than waiting a year later. So it is less common to have 148 00:15:16,380 --> 00:15:21,260 quarterly meetings in the public sector from my experience. But I do think it is certainly consistent 149 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:29,600 with the moving direction that we're seeing in terms of audit committees and as an auditor that does 150 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:44,600 This kind of work performance on it work, not financial, I know I would welcome those kinds of meetings to meet with the board and brief the board on issues and have the board ask direct questions about what it is that we're saying so for so that's 151 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:47,500 That's what that's what I'm seeing in my experience. 152 00:15:47,720 --> 00:15:57,600 Okay, so we've had a couple of things I've identified here, I think that themes are it's okay and there's an interest in having 153 00:15:58,780 --> 00:16:06,420 the financial auditor come to the audit committee quarterly and even go to the board if that 154 00:16:06,420 --> 00:16:15,660 steam necessary. But rather the language perhaps during the course of the audit should be something 155 00:16:15,660 --> 00:16:20,960 in terms of if pertinent information is identified by the financial auditor shall be communicated 156 00:16:20,960 --> 00:16:25,580 it because we shouldn't wait until the quarter is up. I mean, if something has happened, they're 157 00:16:25,580 --> 00:16:30,420 actually. Yeah. Okay. So that's what we're interested in doing. That's one thing. And I think 158 00:16:30,420 --> 00:16:37,680 we can massage that. And then the other is this issue about input or direction. But before we 159 00:16:37,680 --> 00:16:43,140 go any further, I would like to ask Director Santos. If he has any comments that he would like 160 00:16:43,140 --> 00:16:48,760 to add Director Santos? Well, Chair Cigna, when you open the video, you said, you know, this committee 161 00:16:48,760 --> 00:16:55,240 wants more action and so on. So there it is. And I think that's really good because it keeps things fresh and not 162 00:16:55,240 --> 00:17:01,000 stale and I think like would Gary say that we don't want to wait a year. We want to keep up as stuff in 163 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:06,160 me and then we may have to share stuff with the board sooner. So this is a good input. 164 00:17:07,380 --> 00:17:14,200 Okay, good. Um, I think I would like at this point now to turn to district council Oriana 165 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:32,140 In terms of the second item, we're providing direction to value water management on the selection criteria, subject to board approval, whether you're thoughts on that. 166 00:17:32,140 --> 00:17:48,860 I think mechanically, I think the idea is certainly valid that the automatically should have a direct role in communicating and helping to advise staff and management on how to address these issues. 167 00:17:49,660 --> 00:17:58,540 Mechanically, I think it could be difficult to do that in real time if the committee were to have it then go back to the board for ratification of its direction. 168 00:17:58,540 --> 00:18:13,400 But I think given that the charter is approved by the board, my take is that an amendment to the charter that specifically delegated that authority from the board to the committee would accomplish that if the board were so, so to choose. 169 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:22,620 So Vice Chair Creman, I think that actually simplifies what you were requesting. Are you okay with that? 170 00:18:22,900 --> 00:18:30,040 Yeah. Yeah, it's delegated. You know, it's not to kind of think usually most people want to weigh in on, you know, 171 00:18:30,360 --> 00:18:37,740 size and the costs. It's just, it's not like the art. 172 00:18:38,180 --> 00:18:45,400 Through the chair, if I may offer a suggestion, perhaps to make it cleaner, and so that 173 00:18:45,400 --> 00:18:49,820 there's going to be about five, ten years from now, perhaps you can have the language 174 00:18:49,820 --> 00:18:52,100 say that the board specifically delegates that authority. 175 00:18:52,540 --> 00:18:52,940 Absolutely. 176 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:53,720 Yeah. 177 00:18:53,860 --> 00:18:54,060 Yeah. 178 00:18:54,580 --> 00:18:58,400 I think we would need to incorporate that in the Board of Charter, correct? 179 00:18:58,840 --> 00:18:59,140 Yeah. 180 00:19:00,140 --> 00:19:01,540 Because they would approve that. 181 00:19:01,700 --> 00:19:01,860 Right. 182 00:19:02,420 --> 00:19:02,700 Okay. 183 00:19:03,880 --> 00:19:12,920 So, we had one other item, which is the education component. 184 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:16,980 Well, we had one other item there, Chair. 185 00:19:17,560 --> 00:19:17,980 Sorry to interrupt. 186 00:19:18,220 --> 00:19:18,840 Okay. 187 00:19:19,160 --> 00:19:20,860 We should just set the date. 188 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:23,300 It should probably just be, you know, 189 00:19:23,300 --> 00:19:25,460 because I know we're out the bid right now. 190 00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:26,820 Correct, Mr. Taylor. 191 00:19:29,020 --> 00:19:33,280 We're in the process of developing the RFP for new financial orders. 192 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:37,160 Okay, so it sounds like we have a little time on this, right? 193 00:19:38,420 --> 00:19:38,940 Okay. 194 00:19:40,620 --> 00:19:41,120 A little time. 195 00:19:41,820 --> 00:19:43,000 A little very little. 196 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:08,520 We suggest is that I work with Mr. Taylor and Mr. Hoffer to modify the language here consistent with what we 197 00:20:08,520 --> 00:20:13,840 heard from the committee members and then have it go directly to the board and that would be one more 198 00:20:13,840 --> 00:20:24,720 opportunity for the committee members. That way we're not delaying it, bringing it back here, you know, we want to move forward in real time. Mr. Hoffer, do you think that's appropriate? 199 00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:33,700 Yeah, I think that's fine. If the committee wishes to delegate that authority to you, then we can work with you and then get the matter to the full board. 200 00:20:34,340 --> 00:20:39,680 Right, and we'll do that in consistent with what we've heard from the committee members today. 201 00:20:40,420 --> 00:20:43,800 The next one education is pretty simple. 202 00:20:45,760 --> 00:20:49,260 We wanted to provide a little more flexibility with the training, 203 00:20:49,900 --> 00:20:59,440 So that it doesn't, it can happen every year, but it doesn't necessarily, we'll put it on a two-year cycle because it can be difficult to try and get that training to the place. 204 00:21:00,980 --> 00:21:04,280 Is everyone okay? Are the community members okay with that approach? 205 00:21:12,300 --> 00:21:13,020 Director Santas? 206 00:21:13,020 --> 00:21:22,520 Yes, I'm good. Okay, and vice chair Creman. Yes, I'm so. All right, so let's see what we have here. 207 00:21:24,180 --> 00:21:34,260 And if I may Madam Chair, I think the other item was to even list any additional suggestions from the committee regarding proposed changes to the charter. 208 00:21:36,860 --> 00:21:54,360 So are there any other things in the charter that committee members would like to see modified or and this could be a long-term thing that we could take a look at over time, but at least this way it will have staff thinking about whether there's anything further we'd like to see. 209 00:22:01,340 --> 00:22:08,040 I'm not seeing anything at this time. Maybe we'll just, this is something we can revisit over time, 210 00:22:08,920 --> 00:22:14,960 and so that may be an opportunity for the committee members as time makes forward and 211 00:22:14,960 --> 00:22:21,160 and there may be new issues that come up that we can talk further. But I think these items 212 00:22:21,160 --> 00:22:25,740 we're talking about right now, well, especially the first one about the financial audit or our time 213 00:22:25,740 --> 00:22:29,960 sensitive, so we want to bring these changes to the full board as quickly as possible. 214 00:22:29,960 --> 00:22:32,440 Are my committee members in agreement on that? 215 00:22:32,600 --> 00:22:41,180 Yeah, Chair Kiggen also, and we have our evaluation a lot of times, you know, that sometimes brings up issues that we think about them, so yes, I agree. 216 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:42,680 Okay, good point. 217 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:44,800 And I see a nod from Vice Chair Kremlin. 218 00:22:45,400 --> 00:22:49,120 Okay, so the recommendation was to consider recommended changes. 219 00:22:49,420 --> 00:22:53,340 We've done that provide input regarding further changes. 220 00:22:53,620 --> 00:22:54,600 We're deferring that. 221 00:22:54,600 --> 00:23:00,540 and approve recommendation Board of Directors for modifications to Board Audit Committee Charter. 222 00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:09,200 So I'd like to entertain a motion that recommends that I work with staff to finalize the 223 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:14,120 modifications to Board Audit Committee Charter so that it can move forward to the Board for approval. 224 00:23:14,380 --> 00:23:20,020 I think that's a second. Okay. Thank you. Real call please. 225 00:23:20,020 --> 00:23:24,920 Director Santos? Yes. Director Creman? Yes. 226 00:23:25,700 --> 00:23:26,980 Chair Keegan? Yes. 227 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:28,180 Most of the houses. Great. 228 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:34,720 I know 4.3. The subject is receiving update on the status of the Chaco Res War Expansion Backpinding Investigation. 229 00:23:35,300 --> 00:23:40,920 And the recommendation is to receive an update on the status of the Chaco Res War Expansion Backpinding Investigation. 230 00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:44,400 and be a proof direction to staff to provide results 231 00:23:44,400 --> 00:23:46,540 for the fact finding to the report of directors. 232 00:23:47,900 --> 00:23:50,820 And I think Mr. Hopper is here item. 233 00:23:51,300 --> 00:23:52,600 Yes, it is. 234 00:23:52,820 --> 00:23:55,320 Again, senior assistant district council Brian Hopper. 235 00:23:55,740 --> 00:23:57,720 We're here on the update on the status 236 00:23:57,720 --> 00:23:59,660 of the Pacheco Reservoir expansion, 237 00:23:59,960 --> 00:24:01,420 effect finding investigation. 238 00:24:02,320 --> 00:24:04,460 And you will recall that there was direction 239 00:24:04,460 --> 00:24:06,700 from the board and then the committee 240 00:24:06,700 --> 00:24:11,440 to look into cost increases to that project. 241 00:24:12,260 --> 00:24:21,160 And percent of that direction, we retained a attorney-sepita Rufigar from the law firm, Jackson Lewis, to conduct the fact finding. 242 00:24:21,960 --> 00:24:25,900 As noted in the memo, she has completed that work. 243 00:24:26,280 --> 00:24:32,480 There is attached to the memo, an executive summary of her findings, of her work and her findings. 244 00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:50,280 And Mr. Rufigar is present at the meeting today, and we stand ready for her to answer any questions the committee may have regarding those efforts or if the committee would like she can make a brief presentation regarding the fact finding and her findings. 245 00:24:51,020 --> 00:24:52,940 It's the pleasure of the committee members. 246 00:24:53,540 --> 00:24:56,680 I don't need it. I read the report and I'd like to thank. 247 00:24:57,140 --> 00:24:58,660 I'm cooperating with the investigation. 248 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:04,700 The report, I don't think we need to go into it. I don't even issue with it. 249 00:25:04,820 --> 00:25:11,320 No, I think that some of the things we discussed about quarterly and those kind of things would enter and many of these things that wouldn't happen. 250 00:25:11,920 --> 00:25:16,000 And when we have a lot of example, rumors or different things, that's why it escalates. 251 00:25:16,300 --> 00:25:19,240 And I think what we're doing now would simplify those things. 252 00:25:19,740 --> 00:25:24,880 And we would have more information and it wouldn't take so long. So yeah, I agree with you. 253 00:25:25,500 --> 00:25:32,960 Okay, so we're supposed to approve direction to staff to provide results to the back finding to the full board of directors. 254 00:25:33,040 --> 00:25:37,100 I don't think this requires a motion, doesn't it's your offer just to consensus with a committee? 255 00:25:37,360 --> 00:25:38,400 It consensus is fine. 256 00:25:39,200 --> 00:25:41,100 Okay, I agree with my colleagues. 257 00:25:42,180 --> 00:25:46,960 So the consensus is for staff to provide the results of the back finding to the full board of directors. 258 00:25:47,380 --> 00:25:52,040 Thank you everyone, and thank you to the attorney for being present today. 259 00:25:52,220 --> 00:25:53,160 Thank you, Mr. Fedor. 260 00:25:54,920 --> 00:26:01,620 Okay, item 4.4, receive an update on the status of the district council audit recommendation implementation. 261 00:26:03,620 --> 00:26:06,160 Mr. Orianna, will you be taking this forward? 262 00:26:06,700 --> 00:26:16,260 Yes, check you. Thank you. Good afternoon to the committee. We have provided an update on the action items that came out of the audit of the district council's office back in 2019 2020. 263 00:26:16,800 --> 00:26:21,100 You'll note that we've made a good progress on most of the items and we're on track to close 264 00:26:21,100 --> 00:26:26,420 them out. Hopefully this year certainly stand open for questions on the updates. 265 00:26:27,180 --> 00:26:30,960 I do want to point out that this obviously only relates to the audit of the district council's office. 266 00:26:31,100 --> 00:26:35,520 I was completely back in 2020. It does not relate to any of the other items that may touch on the district 267 00:26:35,520 --> 00:26:39,440 council's office work that might be identified in the community's work plan. 268 00:26:41,010 --> 00:26:57,990 Okay, do we have any, I think district council laid it out pretty well, you know, there were issues that came up during the tenure of a prior district council. 269 00:26:58,630 --> 00:27:06,010 And now Mr. Orianna has been in the job. I didn't realize it was quite as long as it is, so it's more than half a year. 270 00:27:06,010 --> 00:27:22,090 So we've seen the progress report, I don't know whether there's any additional interest or any questions that we might have. 271 00:27:22,510 --> 00:27:25,370 Vice Chair Cremon, anything you'd like to ask? 272 00:27:26,410 --> 00:27:28,850 No, not at this time. I was satisfied. 273 00:27:29,830 --> 00:27:30,790 Director Santas? 274 00:27:30,790 --> 00:27:42,730 No, I would just imagine that another six months that Carlos would have many things that he has found out or reviewed that may have happened in the past may have some suggestions for the future. 275 00:27:43,230 --> 00:27:48,750 There's different styles, different management and some of those things can all be put out later on. 276 00:27:49,470 --> 00:27:55,950 Okay, and once again, I don't see any members of the public that want to weigh in on this. 277 00:27:55,950 --> 00:28:13,030 I'd like to thank District Council and his office for showing us the actions that they've taken and I think these are all good things and we look forward to seeing positive outcomes from it. 278 00:28:13,550 --> 00:28:15,430 So thank you again, District Council. 279 00:28:16,130 --> 00:28:17,230 Thank you as well. 280 00:28:17,230 --> 00:28:21,690 and let's see, so we've received an update that was all we needed to do in that. 281 00:28:21,890 --> 00:28:27,610 Okay, 4.5 status update on the implementation of recommendations from the 2015 282 00:28:27,610 --> 00:28:33,250 Consultants Contract Management process audit, conducted by Navigant Consulting and status update 283 00:28:33,250 --> 00:28:39,070 on the Consultant Contracts Improvement Process, and the recommendation is to 284 00:28:39,070 --> 00:28:43,030 receive a status update on the implementation of the recommendations made by Navigant 285 00:28:43,030 --> 00:28:49,790 In the 2015 consultant contracts management process audit and the status of the consultant contracts improvement process. 286 00:28:50,690 --> 00:28:54,350 And I just wanted to highlight for the board. 287 00:28:55,090 --> 00:29:03,330 This is actually an audit that was done on the management side of the organization. 288 00:29:03,610 --> 00:29:11,150 But the emphasis behind it was that the board had been made aware that there were some noncompliance events back in 2014. 289 00:29:11,150 --> 00:29:27,310 So, the audit was commissioned, and I know that staff had been a long time, by virtue of the fact of the complexity and the need for certain process improvements including technology updates. 290 00:29:28,190 --> 00:29:34,470 So, Miss Yoke, I know that you will be presenting or you'll be introducing this if not presenting it. 291 00:29:34,470 --> 00:29:36,770 So, we'll turn it over to you at this time. Thank you. 292 00:29:36,770 --> 00:29:41,750 Thank you very much, Chair Keegan, and good afternoon, Board Chair Creman and Dr. Santos. 293 00:29:43,030 --> 00:29:46,970 And both of the other water attendees and any members of the public, they're also on attendance. 294 00:29:47,410 --> 00:29:53,110 One to turn this over to concepts and Gayoteen, our unit manager for procurement and contrast to give the presentation. 295 00:29:54,110 --> 00:29:58,710 And my E.A. Janet is going to be advancing with our points slides. 296 00:30:15,290 --> 00:30:32,670 Next slide please. So today we're here to give you an update on what's happening with the 2015 Navigant Audits on the Consultant Contracts Management Process. Next slide please. 297 00:30:35,820 --> 00:30:49,320 We're here to just give you a summary of what the audit was about, some key findings, some accomplishments, and key performance data that we've tracked over the years. Next slide please. 298 00:30:51,980 --> 00:31:07,000 We reported, this is the third time of reporting and reported back in 2018 and back in 2021 and now back again for the most recent updates. 299 00:31:07,480 --> 00:31:08,340 Next slide, please. 300 00:31:09,620 --> 00:31:18,320 So, the audit findings were that we needed to develop clear and consistent policies and procedures. 301 00:31:19,380 --> 00:31:28,660 We're in the process of completing this through a development, the procurement manual and updating of policies. 302 00:31:29,540 --> 00:31:37,980 When I've arrived at Valleywater, I'm finding that all the policies practically are old and neat updating. 303 00:31:39,200 --> 00:31:47,700 We have been found, it was a finding that we needed to define roles, responsibilities, and target timelines. 304 00:31:48,500 --> 00:31:51,860 And we've accomplished actually five of those deliverables. 305 00:31:53,280 --> 00:32:01,720 We were able to define roles and responsibilities for contracts staff, as well as the program management staff. 306 00:32:01,720 --> 00:32:09,980 We improve boiler plates for consistent contract development, scope, and deliverables as well as established timelines. 307 00:32:11,080 --> 00:32:30,920 And along with those boiler plates, we continuously update them and standardize them, not only within the consultant contracts section of procurement, but also in the purchasing and the construction construction contracts side of the house. 308 00:32:31,720 --> 00:32:43,680 We also track performance and measured against the new milestones and finally we utilize a procurement plan check this to confirm those roles and responsibilities. 309 00:32:48,600 --> 00:32:59,040 We also develop some clear pre and post award processes including insurance compliance and with this particular finding we ended up 310 00:32:59,040 --> 00:33:04,160 changing our compliance vendor from 311 00:33:04,160 --> 00:33:11,760 exeges to e-bix and found e-bix a little bit more easier to work with and 312 00:33:12,880 --> 00:33:17,960 we're finding that we're able to track our compliance better but in the future 313 00:33:17,960 --> 00:33:26,160 what we want to do is track that compliance and you know and our goal is to reach 314 00:33:26,160 --> 00:33:34,160 You know, 95% compliance on anything, on any insurance that need renewals. 315 00:33:34,960 --> 00:33:36,040 Yes, question. 316 00:33:36,720 --> 00:33:37,620 Yes, go ahead. 317 00:33:38,260 --> 00:33:40,620 Can you tell us a little bit about e-bix? 318 00:33:41,640 --> 00:33:48,540 Yes, so e-bix is a third party insurance compliance provider. 319 00:33:49,240 --> 00:33:54,980 What they do is once we determine from the risk management, 320 00:33:54,980 --> 00:34:04,460 what those insurance requirements are, we submit them to e-bix and then along with them, 321 00:34:04,560 --> 00:34:10,740 we submit a copy of the endorsements as well as the certificate's e-bix. 322 00:34:11,100 --> 00:34:18,220 So the initial review of the insurance search can actually be conducted by e-bix, 323 00:34:18,220 --> 00:34:34,140 But we conduct those in-house and then once those are all approved, we upload them into e-bix and then year after year as the contract progresses e-bix continues to monitor that compliance. 324 00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:19,780 But also to the project manager, as well as to procurement. And from there, we just wanted to make sure that those insurance requirements are met. And if not, then we contact that vendor so that we can get assurance of those coverage. 325 00:35:21,940 --> 00:35:23,780 Thank you for that explanation. 326 00:35:23,980 --> 00:35:25,620 How does it tie in? 327 00:35:25,940 --> 00:35:27,000 Because we have a policy. 328 00:35:27,260 --> 00:35:29,240 Everything has no siloed info. 329 00:35:29,880 --> 00:35:37,060 Where is it tie into our, you know, our ERP or CRM, et cetera? 330 00:35:38,600 --> 00:35:42,860 So yeah, and it's not, it's not tied in whatsoever. 331 00:35:43,980 --> 00:35:47,040 We find that, for instance, we have a procurement portal. 332 00:35:47,700 --> 00:35:54,280 that is new for us, called Planet Bids, they do have an insurance module, but that insurance 333 00:35:54,280 --> 00:36:01,500 module only tracks the time in the cancellations, right? But if this not actually reviewed the 334 00:36:01,500 --> 00:36:07,980 insurance documents themselves for the requirements, it takes third-party providers such as this 335 00:36:07,980 --> 00:36:14,160 to be able to review that for compliance. And that's the reason why we're going with a third-party 336 00:36:14,160 --> 00:36:14,640 provider. 337 00:36:15,580 --> 00:36:19,160 The COC is there anything you'd like to add to at this time? 338 00:36:20,140 --> 00:36:22,480 It provides some expanded detailed information. 339 00:36:22,680 --> 00:36:28,020 Our bid documents, you know, as conception only indicated, you know, indicates a level of coverage, 340 00:36:28,100 --> 00:36:33,100 whether it's workers' com, general liability, you know, any types of bonds, requirements, and 341 00:36:33,100 --> 00:36:38,600 this offers intended to not only assist with that initial review, but ensure that those certificates 342 00:36:38,600 --> 00:36:40,680 of insurance are active at all time. 343 00:36:40,680 --> 00:36:48,440 If a vendor has a cancellation, if renewals coming up, that, you know, we have a mechanism 344 00:36:49,440 --> 00:36:57,040 that, you know, as an agency, we are not left with with exposure risk of, again, 345 00:36:57,320 --> 00:37:01,540 a having a project site without the vendor having the appropriate coverage. 346 00:37:01,820 --> 00:37:08,600 So this is what that software is intended to perform. And we're looking to integrate with 347 00:37:08,600 --> 00:37:12,080 a plan of bids module, which is, you know, the contracting module. 348 00:37:13,620 --> 00:37:19,360 So just, Vice Chair Cremon, just to give some of my personal experience, I've worked for three 349 00:37:19,360 --> 00:37:26,440 public agencies, and this insurance issue has been a significant problem at every agency. 350 00:37:27,020 --> 00:37:32,280 Because if they all come in due at different times, they can get 351 00:37:33,520 --> 00:37:42,080 cancels at any time. It's not always clear who owns it, does the project manage your own 352 00:37:42,080 --> 00:37:50,500 it, does procurement own it, does legal own it. And so it's really an ongoing problem. I mean, 353 00:37:50,520 --> 00:37:57,140 this does to me seem like a very good step forward. But I think your underlying concern was 354 00:37:58,340 --> 00:38:05,700 How accessible is this information to all parties within the district and my correct that that's your concern? 355 00:38:06,380 --> 00:38:07,140 Well, it's part of that. 356 00:38:07,280 --> 00:38:09,660 I'm just first of all, I think it's a policy violation. 357 00:38:09,960 --> 00:38:15,120 We're supposed to keep our we can't use software that doesn't tie in other software. 358 00:38:15,480 --> 00:38:18,220 Let me give an example of why it's relevant to this specific. 359 00:38:18,220 --> 00:38:28,360 Someone changes their address someplace, you'd have to change it in e-bex, and change it in the rest of our ERP system, unless there's APIs that tie in. 360 00:38:28,580 --> 00:38:42,560 I'm not saying it's not fixing an underlying problem, but there's 50, I'm looking at it right now online. There's many people who have coverage genius, Scotia, that have APIs. 361 00:38:42,560 --> 00:38:50,860 So you don't have this issue that it doesn't tie in the finance, you can't do projections based on when things that are expiring. 362 00:38:51,380 --> 00:38:54,920 So I'm not saying it's not solving an underlying problem. 363 00:38:54,920 --> 00:38:58,460 I just don't understand how this got passed IT. 364 00:38:59,020 --> 00:39:07,960 We're supposed to be for we use software to be sure things integrate in any way and I see none of that here. 365 00:39:07,960 --> 00:39:13,200 So we're bringing a lot of it. I think this is something we need to really look at if this is the right way to do it. 366 00:39:14,870 --> 00:39:20,890 So do we have anyone from IT to respond to the issues by Stewart Crim and Brett? 367 00:39:21,590 --> 00:39:24,050 So so I am here. I might cut that be a mis sort of off-surf. 368 00:39:25,150 --> 00:39:28,250 So I think we're probably missing a point of clarity here. 369 00:39:28,430 --> 00:39:38,350 Is that the ERP system is the system that is storing the final versions of the contracts and the insurance information, all that sort of stuff when the contract is executed. 370 00:39:38,350 --> 00:39:43,530 So we're talking about an address change in our contacted trade, it's changing something like that. 371 00:40:00,920 --> 00:40:17,180 I don't consider a separate software system that is the repository that holds all the insurance information, but rather I look at them as a third party that yes holds a copy of that information, but they're continually monitoring for any changes that we might need to them load into the ERP system. 372 00:40:18,460 --> 00:40:25,040 So if you've done it because it's not mentioned when I read the materials in immigration plan. 373 00:40:27,740 --> 00:40:32,700 So the integrations right now, so there's another parallel project going on. 374 00:40:32,880 --> 00:40:34,200 So it can set you mentioned the plan. 375 00:40:34,420 --> 00:40:37,100 It's software that's running our bid processes and contracts. 376 00:40:38,100 --> 00:40:43,280 That's actually going to be the integration point is the integration point into into info. 377 00:40:44,340 --> 00:40:45,820 So there's an integration there. 378 00:40:45,820 --> 00:40:47,620 point I did just sitting in the middle. 379 00:40:50,940 --> 00:40:55,760 Oh, there is. Yes. I don't want to bore people with this, but tell me more. 380 00:40:59,330 --> 00:41:05,370 Go ahead, Mr. Cook. Yes. So yeah, effectively, this point as much as we can on a 381 00:41:05,370 --> 00:41:08,710 make has been automated, but between the systems at this 382 00:41:10,720 --> 00:41:16,460 point. That's a, is much as you can, I mean, you know, 383 00:41:19,180 --> 00:41:25,720 The system in my stapler is integrated to my phone as much as I can, I mean, what does that mean? 384 00:41:28,500 --> 00:41:39,580 So, the e-bix, the e-bix offer is more just to be software, it's a team where they are monitoring these documents for people's insurance and 385 00:41:39,580 --> 00:41:47,620 operations and changes and all those sorts of things. So there is a manual element of it that the EBEX company is doing for us. 386 00:41:48,400 --> 00:41:57,480 So they're they're doing manual entry on their side. They have to notify us that they see anything that's actionable that we might need to go approach a vendor about on our side. 387 00:41:58,100 --> 00:42:02,260 So there's manual pieces back and forth there and we have to communicate back and forth with the vendors. 388 00:42:02,260 --> 00:42:08,780 But in terms of the documents exchanging back and forth between the system and the ERP system, 389 00:42:09,220 --> 00:42:12,740 all those pieces are automated and the ERP is the home for all of that information. 390 00:42:12,840 --> 00:42:18,660 It's just documents. There's their medical information being transferred back and forth. 391 00:42:19,740 --> 00:42:24,380 Yeah, yes, yes. Yeah. So why do I say documents? Yeah, so it's a whole document management system. 392 00:42:24,500 --> 00:42:31,980 So each document has its own metadata that's in our ERP. That's in our ERP. Correct. 393 00:42:32,480 --> 00:42:42,720 Okay, I will leave the fact that we're outsourcing work to someone else and we just found out about it right now in real time to another day. 394 00:42:43,240 --> 00:42:45,120 Okay, why don't we go on with the presentation. 395 00:42:45,980 --> 00:42:48,320 Well, actually, I have one question that came to my mind. 396 00:42:48,320 --> 00:42:51,680 and vice chair-crimin based on this. 397 00:42:52,320 --> 00:42:59,200 So as I mentioned, I've worked for in recent years, 398 00:42:59,200 --> 00:43:03,060 over the last 20 years, work for Valley Water, 399 00:43:03,300 --> 00:43:04,480 work for the City of Sunnydale, 400 00:43:04,640 --> 00:43:05,700 work for the City of San Jose, 401 00:43:05,840 --> 00:43:08,920 and this insurance issue was a major problem 402 00:43:08,920 --> 00:43:09,980 at all those agencies. 403 00:43:11,720 --> 00:43:16,000 The solution that we found are there other public agencies 404 00:43:16,000 --> 00:43:20,820 that are taking a similar approach to what we're doing to address this problem? 405 00:43:22,040 --> 00:43:28,660 We're currently using the state's vendor. We transition from a former solution provider 406 00:43:28,660 --> 00:43:35,420 exercises to evics and evics is utilized by the State of California's agencies. 407 00:43:36,900 --> 00:43:42,780 Okay, so we haven't been reinventing the wheel. We're in alignment with the best practices 408 00:43:42,780 --> 00:43:50,000 that other publications say. Okay, great. Thank you. I will let you go on with your presentation 409 00:43:50,000 --> 00:43:55,040 and Director Santos, please raise your hand or say something if you have any questions as well. 410 00:43:55,620 --> 00:44:04,420 So, back to you. I think in the future when we see these presentations especially with new 411 00:44:04,420 --> 00:44:10,920 software or processes, because here are processes that there's people doing stuff and software, 412 00:44:11,600 --> 00:44:37,080 It seems IT should be, you know, part of the presentation because I'm still left with some questions on, you know, is this some loose integration? Are we going to end up with more silos, more disparate copies of information? And I guess for this, I'm relatively assured, but I think that should be just as much as we put a spell check on a presentation. 413 00:44:37,080 --> 00:44:45,740 And we should check that we're doing it and we're integrating so we don't have the mess we've had in the past. 414 00:44:46,100 --> 00:44:48,540 We want to trust but verify, right? 415 00:44:49,660 --> 00:44:53,360 Well, we should have a process to decide the lines. 416 00:44:54,260 --> 00:44:57,740 Okay, I think I think staff that's heard your concerns. 417 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:15,740 Contract Administration, Improve Technology Tools. So this is an ongoing improvement with cycle times. And then we recently implemented ERP technology called in for. So we went go live by the first of January. 418 00:45:16,740 --> 00:45:22,300 The next one establish guidelines to improve the development of the scope of work. 419 00:45:23,760 --> 00:45:28,080 We have implemented a procurement bidding software called Planet Bits. 420 00:45:28,740 --> 00:45:33,240 At this point, we are almost through with implementation. 421 00:45:34,160 --> 00:45:39,160 We have, for consulting contracts, however, they are complete with implementation. 422 00:45:39,520 --> 00:45:43,880 They are fully using Planet Bits, construction contracts. 423 00:45:43,880 --> 00:45:51,840 there are also using planet bits fully. It's now just the purchasing, the purchasing team that is 424 00:45:52,260 --> 00:45:57,240 beginning to use and implement planet bits for the solicitation processes. 425 00:45:58,420 --> 00:46:05,080 Develop process for consultant evaluation and compliance and that's in progress at this point. 426 00:46:06,400 --> 00:46:10,880 We've worked on replacing CAS as suggested by the audit finding. 427 00:46:11,540 --> 00:46:23,160 And so we've transitioned from cast to planet Bids, and again, it's their completion, only the purchasing team actually needs to complete that implementation phase. 428 00:46:23,980 --> 00:46:24,800 Next slide, please. 429 00:46:25,220 --> 00:46:33,300 May I ask the same question about integration? Can we go back to how E-Bix integrates with planet Bids, which implements with. 430 00:46:33,340 --> 00:46:35,920 Integrates within 14 to tell me a little bit about it? 431 00:46:37,000 --> 00:46:39,420 I think that that semester occurs at you. 432 00:46:39,420 --> 00:46:53,880 Actually, you know, you're, you know, our present, our presenter, okay, you work. I'd like to know how you feel and integrates in together in for and planet beds and the other system we have. 433 00:46:53,880 --> 00:47:04,120 So we've integrated planet bids with our ERP technology very smoothly, where we are holding 434 00:47:04,120 --> 00:47:13,700 our solicitation documents, process within planet bids, and once those contracts are ready 435 00:47:13,700 --> 00:47:21,960 for award, we actually just transfer those awards or contracts to our ERP, and then from 436 00:47:21,960 --> 00:47:30,220 ERP that continues on with, you know, the change order process, the financial, all those pieces. 437 00:47:31,300 --> 00:47:39,240 When it comes to e-bix, e-bix is going to integrate with planet bids in terms of just the notification 438 00:47:39,240 --> 00:47:49,500 process. Because eBix and planet Bids, planet Bids is mainly where our agency, right? 439 00:47:49,500 --> 00:47:58,140 Agency staff and buyers are connected to, but not necessarily eBix, so we need to integrate 440 00:47:58,750 --> 00:48:07,340 that information into planet Bids. And then of course, whoever is awarded the contract that moves on to 441 00:48:07,340 --> 00:48:12,340 with the ERP section of the integration. 442 00:48:13,920 --> 00:48:16,560 Does that help direct a crime in? 443 00:48:17,300 --> 00:48:18,340 I think so. 444 00:48:18,340 --> 00:48:19,760 So I heard some of the integration, 445 00:48:20,420 --> 00:48:22,300 I don't wanna bore our, 446 00:48:22,620 --> 00:48:27,300 what it could be with all these details. 447 00:48:27,300 --> 00:48:32,540 But I think we get why it's important to keep you 448 00:48:32,540 --> 00:48:33,820 in the word side of the visualization. 449 00:48:33,820 --> 00:48:43,820 But you know, as we move from paper systems and as we have a retirement process, having all the information, one copy of the information. 450 00:48:43,880 --> 00:48:46,320 I'm going to place saves money. 451 00:48:48,440 --> 00:48:58,540 And I want to be sure that we have, I mean, like, for example, Mr. Cook, were you part of the approval process for planet Bids? 452 00:48:58,540 --> 00:49:07,600 Yes, yeah, the IT team actually PM the implementation of the plan of this. What about the purchase? Yes, okay. What about events? 453 00:49:10,160 --> 00:49:12,600 That one's been a little while I don't recall for top of my head. 454 00:49:14,560 --> 00:49:22,100 Well, if I recall, we certainly assist with integrations, but if I recall the purchasing team that the selection of the software. 455 00:49:23,480 --> 00:49:34,080 I'm not saying they don't, but, you know, if by the time they get you buy and you're forced to integrate a bad integration, in a way it's kind of too late. 456 00:49:35,020 --> 00:49:39,040 So maybe it's something for us to look at what's the best practice. 457 00:49:39,100 --> 00:49:41,140 I'd like to know what our auditor thinks. 458 00:49:41,260 --> 00:49:42,620 What's the best practice? 459 00:50:00,720 --> 00:50:07,660 Do the work? Is it left with kind of a spaghetti? And inconsistent info? 460 00:50:09,460 --> 00:50:14,080 So, Mr. Skyls, do you have anything to add to the discussion? 461 00:50:18,610 --> 00:50:19,550 You're on mute. 462 00:50:21,610 --> 00:50:33,930 I haven't been on both sides of this. As a contractor, we see the process that you're describing, the use of the events we're very familiar with that we've seen over the past maybe five years. 463 00:50:33,930 --> 00:50:45,050 significant number of agencies move to an external service like this to monitor essentially 464 00:50:45,050 --> 00:50:54,570 insurance compliance. And so it's not surprising to see that. I think that the keeping 465 00:50:55,360 --> 00:51:02,340 IT in the loop on any information technology purchases is something that 466 00:51:03,100 --> 00:51:09,320 frankly, is ideal in most organizations and lacking in most organizations. 467 00:51:09,900 --> 00:51:16,760 And so I don't know in this particular case to what extent information technology was kept in the loop. 468 00:51:16,840 --> 00:51:23,540 I may have been that a decision was made quite a long time ago to outsource this particular function 469 00:51:23,540 --> 00:51:29,820 and the view was really that this event was just a replacement of an existing outsourcing 470 00:51:29,820 --> 00:51:34,020 and so that the review of the need to outsource 471 00:51:34,020 --> 00:51:37,020 so the review of how would this system integrate 472 00:51:37,020 --> 00:51:40,100 with other solutions that are currently being prepared, 473 00:51:40,100 --> 00:51:41,640 possibly that didn't occur, 474 00:51:42,040 --> 00:51:44,660 but that disconnect between information technology 475 00:51:44,660 --> 00:51:49,360 and the procurement of software solutions like E-Bix 476 00:51:50,500 --> 00:51:51,780 is common. 477 00:51:52,060 --> 00:51:56,940 I will say to you that E-Bix is a little bit different 478 00:51:56,940 --> 00:52:04,400 most IT solutions in that part of it is you're paying you outsourcing a service and not just a 479 00:52:04,400 --> 00:52:10,700 solution and so there's staff at eBix that are monitoring compliance with this and so it is a 480 00:52:10,700 --> 00:52:18,420 little bit different but yeah I can understand that that disconnect but in my view from an audit perspective 481 00:52:18,420 --> 00:52:24,640 anytime there's outsourcing of information technology including IT to understand how that information 482 00:52:24,640 --> 00:52:30,820 would be integrated is crucial because with insurance provisions in particular that's where we see 483 00:52:30,820 --> 00:52:34,700 a lot of non-compliance and contracting requirements because it falls through the craft. 484 00:52:34,920 --> 00:52:41,360 It's very easy to do. So thank you, Mr. Scott. And what you said is definitely my 485 00:52:41,360 --> 00:52:48,840 past experience that it all threw the cracks. And so I see that Miss Yoke has her hand raised. So 486 00:52:48,840 --> 00:52:50,700 if please go ahead. 487 00:52:51,380 --> 00:52:52,800 Thank you very much, Director Keegan. 488 00:52:53,580 --> 00:53:00,200 I just want to assure this committee that all procurement decisions that involve IT across the organization. 489 00:53:00,640 --> 00:53:05,300 Informer actually is programmed that if someone enters a requisition is technology-related, 490 00:53:05,860 --> 00:53:07,140 that it routes to technology. 491 00:53:07,300 --> 00:53:12,860 It routes to an IT staff member to review and approve that. 492 00:53:13,280 --> 00:53:15,920 And this was the case even pre-in for that. 493 00:53:15,920 --> 00:53:25,020 across the process improvements that was put in place, shortly after I got here, we're 494 00:53:25,020 --> 00:53:30,380 seeing sure that we have the ability to have this collaboration, right, a conversation 495 00:53:30,380 --> 00:53:37,680 and we've got to IT procurement. So we're not letting you just any one purchase software. 496 00:53:40,320 --> 00:54:07,020 I guess my question is there's one thing routing at the IT but being part, you know, you don't want to, you know, to go to Rector Santos and my is coming about, you know, have a bias towards action, you don't want it to be a bottle neck, but if they're that part of the decision making as opposed to it's a faded complete and it just lands on their desk a couple brochures. 497 00:54:07,020 --> 00:54:13,730 This is what we're buying, yeah, I don't know. 498 00:54:13,990 --> 00:54:16,650 I don't need to best practice this is what I'm saying. 499 00:54:17,170 --> 00:54:20,190 Yeah, but I think I've said my piece. 500 00:54:20,590 --> 00:54:23,790 OK, well, actually that was why I asked the question 501 00:54:23,790 --> 00:54:25,530 whether other people were using e-vicks. 502 00:54:25,610 --> 00:54:32,430 And I think we've heard both from George and Tina. 503 00:54:33,410 --> 00:54:36,130 It is something that's commonly used. 504 00:54:37,210 --> 00:54:38,890 So maybe this is something where 505 00:54:38,890 --> 00:54:43,710 can get a report back in the future, especially as for moving forward with implementation, because 506 00:55:01,020 --> 00:55:05,300 So, would you like to see this come back to the committee by short comments? 507 00:55:05,980 --> 00:55:13,060 And although it's not about who is using it? It's the system that we built our backbone, our ERP. 508 00:55:13,520 --> 00:55:17,380 There might be a hundred people using it, and there's still an SAP world. 509 00:55:18,140 --> 00:55:26,460 So, that's not really relevant. It's installed basis. It's integration with what we've decided to do here. Does that make sense? 510 00:55:27,080 --> 00:55:29,260 Yeah, so that's my question. 511 00:55:29,700 --> 00:55:36,440 Okay, so that is that something that we can get a report back as we're implementing the rest of these things. 512 00:55:36,660 --> 00:55:41,860 Thank you, because I think this is an important discussion, and I appreciate the points that by sure are coming up. 513 00:55:42,220 --> 00:55:45,540 So, and thank you, Monsieur, for being willing to bring it back. 514 00:55:45,600 --> 00:55:49,940 And now we'll go back to Concepcion because she's still trying to get through this presentation. 515 00:55:50,780 --> 00:55:52,680 So, Ms. Skyton, please go ahead. 516 00:55:52,680 --> 00:56:03,520 Thank you. So I've mentioned all these accomplishments and improvements through the key findings, but I wanted to point out the last item here, which is the procurement advisory committee. 517 00:56:04,160 --> 00:56:17,040 We've established a committee where it's a way it's a way to communicate between procurement and the rest of the agency and actually it's by way of the unit managers. 518 00:56:17,040 --> 00:56:23,100 It's well received and so far each time we've had a meeting, we've had great attendance. 519 00:56:23,820 --> 00:56:31,860 I think in a mention, like over 75 each time or more. But in any case, this is a way for us to collaborate, right? 520 00:56:32,800 --> 00:56:37,780 Especially with info and planet bits and all these changes coming through procurement. 521 00:56:37,940 --> 00:56:46,560 We wanted to be able to communicate that to the departments and then have, for us to receive feedback 522 00:56:46,560 --> 00:56:48,940 on what they think about some of those changes, 523 00:56:49,060 --> 00:56:52,880 because some of the changes may make sense, right? 524 00:56:52,880 --> 00:56:55,140 Right away, but it may not make sense 525 00:56:55,140 --> 00:56:56,260 you're particular unit. 526 00:56:56,680 --> 00:56:58,280 So we wanted to hear that, 527 00:56:58,520 --> 00:56:59,640 wanted to figure it out, 528 00:56:59,840 --> 00:57:03,360 and try to figure out how to make it work for everybody. 529 00:57:04,000 --> 00:57:06,800 So anyway, it's a way for us to communicate better. 530 00:57:07,460 --> 00:57:08,300 Next slide, please. 531 00:57:10,780 --> 00:57:17,560 So here we've been tracking the numbers and the amount of volume 532 00:57:17,560 --> 00:57:29,360 work for the consultant contract side. From 2018, 2019, 2021, and as you can see, it's been 533 00:57:29,360 --> 00:57:37,680 more or less stable around the same numbers. But in actuality, the amount of work that goes in 534 00:57:37,680 --> 00:57:40,660 there is tremendous. Next slide, please. 535 00:57:42,720 --> 00:57:46,200 And then on top of that, we have amendments that we need 536 00:57:46,200 --> 00:57:56,900 take care of, not only does it vary in types, but also in value. Next slide, please. 537 00:58:00,160 --> 00:58:10,420 So, in summary, our current average processing times when it comes to contracts under over 225,000 538 00:58:10,420 --> 00:58:21,500 is three months contracts between 225 and a million about five to six months contracts over a 539 00:58:21,500 --> 00:58:32,600 million at six to seven months. These are more or less with expected but we are continuously 540 00:58:32,600 --> 00:58:43,380 looking for ways to improve that process. How does our processing time compare to other agencies? 541 00:58:46,740 --> 00:58:59,000 So when it comes to what we call invitation to bids, which are pure bids, it's not an RFP, 542 00:58:59,000 --> 00:59:12,080 That is usually, you know, six, four to six weeks and that's a minimum time and then depending on the complexity of that timing or that project, it could increase. 543 00:59:13,260 --> 00:59:21,980 Then you have what's called RFPs and mainly all the consultant contracts solicitations fall under that, those RFPs. 544 00:59:21,980 --> 00:59:37,800 And again, declining on the complexity, but the expectation is that we should meet the timeline of a minimum of six months, and of course, increase that timeline if the projects are more complex. 545 00:59:38,640 --> 00:59:47,220 So, right now, I believe that we are within those timelines, but we could improve just a little bit more. 546 00:59:47,220 --> 00:59:56,760 I think provide some context. Our first presentation following the audit in 2018, we had pulled 547 00:59:56,760 --> 00:59:59,980 almost two years worth of contracts. And, uh, 548 01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:07,460 Special support, because that is a significant timeframe. And again, regardless of the contract, ballot value. 549 01:00:08,000 --> 01:00:12,580 And so what we're seeing here is we're consistently tracking different types of contracts. 550 01:00:14,500 --> 01:00:18,440 And patients don't just went over a slide very quickly, the contract amendments. 551 01:00:19,300 --> 01:00:29,240 Some of these amendments take the entire timeframe as a way to contract issues relating with the amendments themselves. 552 01:00:29,240 --> 01:00:49,840 Some are more straightforward, such as a time will make sense in, but we are constantly tracking all the fees, these performance metrics, and we're finding the ability to support the organization with a quality contract with the least time possible. 553 01:00:49,840 --> 01:01:03,620 So, almost all of your contracts now are less than six months and a fair amount of them are less than three months, and the only exception is the IT related contracts probably due to their complexity is taking a little longer. 554 01:01:03,860 --> 01:01:14,340 So, you've already seen pretty significant improvement and the log diminishing returns is going to take into effect now because you've identified and put into play those efficiency is already. 555 01:01:15,700 --> 01:01:23,300 To some of that, we anticipate as we fully integrate planet-bid and really benefit from, 556 01:01:23,300 --> 01:01:28,960 we send integration of info that we're going to have some additional room for efficiencies. 557 01:01:29,800 --> 01:01:42,100 We may not see the huge time, you know, contracts, reductions in times that we've seen in the 558 01:01:42,100 --> 01:01:51,080 recommendations to to realize the efficiencies, but we do anticipate additional efficiencies in our process and we'll be coming back to us next year. 559 01:01:51,300 --> 01:01:54,100 So we'd have the opportunity to review that then. 560 01:01:55,460 --> 01:01:56,920 Ms. Guyaton, please continue. 561 01:01:57,900 --> 01:02:03,600 Yes, so yes, IT related contracts do you take a little bit longer because they involve demos. 562 01:02:04,180 --> 01:02:10,080 They involve a whole lot more stakeholders for review and accept this or particular solutions. 563 01:02:10,080 --> 01:02:23,960 non-compete contracts, over 500k, they actually take, I'm sorry, under 50k, over 50k is 564 01:02:23,960 --> 01:02:33,360 1 to 2 months, which is expected, single source to the 2 to 4 months, but we expect that we could 565 01:02:33,360 --> 01:02:38,780 be a little bit more efficient in that, time only. Here's a big difference here. 566 01:02:40,840 --> 01:02:42,440 Not a year ago, 567 01:02:44,060 --> 01:02:50,100 this is just a take four months, but now we're only taking one to one and a half months to actually 568 01:02:50,100 --> 01:02:57,840 to actually complete these amendments over 225k at three months and amendments under 569 01:03:01,080 --> 01:03:07,700 to 125K, oh I'm sorry it's backwards. So amendments take three months or four point six 570 01:03:07,700 --> 01:03:10,480 lights. Next slide please. 571 01:03:14,790 --> 01:03:19,650 So there's still some action plans and implementations that we 572 01:03:19,650 --> 01:03:25,770 have to follow through on. So we want to complete a procurement manual in a desktop procedure 573 01:03:25,770 --> 01:03:44,890 manual and we're anticipating that that would be complete by March 20, 2022 and after we've completed that, we're going to bet it through the procurement advisory committee. We're going to bet that through, you know, other stakeholders and then before we finalize that. 574 01:03:44,890 --> 01:04:04,030 We continue, staff training and development, we will be completing our key performance indicators and determining what those are at this point with the new technologies that we are implementing and we can report on those the next time around when we provide our update to you. 575 01:04:05,230 --> 01:04:12,110 And then we will continue collaboration and communication district wide through the procurement advisory committee. 576 01:04:13,030 --> 01:04:14,510 next slide please. 577 01:04:17,310 --> 01:04:23,170 So finally, we will come back to you in February 2020 green and maybe 578 01:04:23,170 --> 01:04:28,910 just slightly sooner to give you a report back on EX. That would be great. Thank you. 579 01:04:29,270 --> 01:04:36,010 Thank you. Any questions? Yes. Director Santas, I, the rest of us have had a number of questions. 580 01:04:36,210 --> 01:04:39,610 I haven't heard anything from you yet. Do you have any comments or questions at this time? 581 01:05:00,000 --> 01:05:05,120 Worked to different cities, not also Gary, because of all this background in software and those things. 582 01:05:05,440 --> 01:05:12,320 And I remember just having to interview with Tina here some years ago, and Gary was one of the keys, because he knew software and the key question. 583 01:05:12,940 --> 01:05:14,140 So I find it very fascinating. 584 01:05:15,040 --> 01:05:25,360 I remember in the past, there's been a lot of questions in this area called questionable by contractors, different people have met and I've questioned this on. 585 01:05:25,360 --> 01:05:29,300 I think Taylor's doing a pretty dug-on good job of changing things around. 586 01:05:29,720 --> 01:05:33,140 I haven't heard a lot of different complaints, but I'm really glad we're into it. 587 01:05:33,160 --> 01:05:35,970 I've learned a lot by listening, so thank you. 588 01:05:37,020 --> 01:05:38,660 Thank you, Director Sanctus. 589 01:05:38,960 --> 01:05:43,760 Are there any members of the public that have any questions at this time? 590 01:05:44,020 --> 01:05:46,580 I don't see any, but... 591 01:05:46,580 --> 01:05:47,820 No hands raised at this time. 592 01:05:47,900 --> 01:05:50,010 Okay, we don't have any hands raised at this time. 593 01:05:51,400 --> 01:05:52,380 Director Credit? 594 01:05:52,380 --> 01:06:00,060 I just like that, you know, these are not criticisms of anything we've adapted, I'm just trying 595 01:06:00,060 --> 01:06:06,620 to understand where we're going, everyone's working hard and doing a really good job. 596 01:06:07,240 --> 01:06:13,460 But sometimes, you know, you get so into the job, yeah, it's hard to pop up to the strategy 597 01:06:13,460 --> 01:06:14,320 and the tactic. 598 01:06:14,760 --> 01:06:19,120 You get so into the tactics of the strategies, hard to see, because you know, you're 599 01:06:19,120 --> 01:06:21,960 working at your job real hard, and that's why I'm asking the questions. 600 01:06:22,400 --> 01:06:28,900 It's always important to be strategic. No question about it, but I definitely think that we've made huge strides on this. 601 01:06:29,360 --> 01:06:36,200 So thank you everyone for the very spirited discussion and appreciate everyone's input. 602 01:06:36,300 --> 01:06:42,800 I just want to go back and make sure that we received an update. That's what we needed to do. That's what we received. 603 01:06:42,800 --> 01:06:50,060 and thank you, Miss Yoke and team for a very informative. Our next item is 4.6. It is the 604 01:06:50,060 --> 01:06:57,700 second quarter fiscal year 2021, 22 financial status update. Mr. Taylor, you're going to 605 01:06:57,700 --> 01:07:03,640 provide us with this update. Our financial status update is September 31, 2021. 606 01:07:04,580 --> 01:07:09,580 Yeah, I'll just start by saying that this is the second quarter FY22 financial status update 607 01:07:09,580 --> 01:07:12,680 and staff has prepared a brief presentation. 608 01:07:13,060 --> 01:07:14,860 Have to go through it with the committee of the committee. 609 01:07:15,080 --> 01:07:16,720 We'd like to hear it. 610 01:07:16,860 --> 01:07:18,160 What's the pleasure of the committee? 611 01:07:19,020 --> 01:07:19,700 Vice Chair Corman? 612 01:07:20,380 --> 01:07:21,300 Yeah, I'd like to hear it. 613 01:07:21,540 --> 01:07:22,520 OK, go ahead. 614 01:07:23,000 --> 01:07:24,820 OK, then I will turn it over to the budget manager 615 01:07:24,820 --> 01:07:26,480 and we get the end up. 616 01:07:26,740 --> 01:07:27,800 Thank you, I'm up to see a full Taylor. 617 01:07:28,120 --> 01:07:29,280 Good afternoon, Chair Fiegan. 618 01:07:30,080 --> 01:07:32,200 Board Chair Corman and Director Santos. 619 01:07:33,080 --> 01:07:34,360 I'm going to take it down a bunch of underage. 620 01:07:34,640 --> 01:07:37,260 And then I will be walking you through the media 621 01:07:37,260 --> 01:07:41,160 financial status update presentation, along with Treasure Charlene Sun. 622 01:07:44,970 --> 01:07:46,670 So Treasure Charlene Sun will be 623 01:07:46,670 --> 01:07:50,450 walking you to the first half of the presentation, covering the cash investments in the 624 01:07:50,450 --> 01:07:55,030 dead portfolio, and I'll cover the second half more specifically the sources and uses of funds, 625 01:07:55,150 --> 01:07:59,890 and also the reserve balances. So with that, I'll turn it over to Treasure Charlene Sun. 626 01:08:01,900 --> 01:08:11,480 Okay, next page, please. Can everyone hear me? Okay, thank you. The portfolio as of December 31st 627 01:08:11,480 --> 01:08:18,940 with $630 million as you can see on the left side of the screen, and this represents about 628 01:08:18,940 --> 01:08:26,860 a $35 million or 5% decrease compared to the prior quarter, and it's primarily due to 629 01:08:26,860 --> 01:08:32,420 various planned expenditures, also by revenues that we've collected during the quarter. 630 01:08:32,920 --> 01:08:39,440 The portfolio continues to meet the board's policy regarding investing in local things, 631 01:08:39,440 --> 01:08:45,060 and we currently have about 41 million or six percent of the portfolio invested in various 632 01:08:45,060 --> 01:08:52,100 small local dates. The aging report on the right-hand side of the screen shows that we have 633 01:08:52,100 --> 01:09:00,480 about 44 percent or 279 million dollars in very liquid funds with maturedies of under one year. 634 01:09:00,960 --> 01:09:07,200 The portfolio remains very liquid and our target is to maintain a cash balance at any given point 635 01:09:07,200 --> 01:09:14,340 time of about $150 million to ensure that we have sufficient liquidity to fund all obligations 636 01:09:14,340 --> 01:09:21,120 including any unanticipated or, you know, any surprises that we might have, so we have plenty 637 01:09:21,120 --> 01:09:27,620 of cash to withstand any fluctuations in the market place or our business needs. 638 01:09:28,960 --> 01:09:34,720 We're asking questions in the chair. What are we with? Are we current with our lines of credit? Are 639 01:09:34,720 --> 01:09:35,860 They still open. 640 01:09:36,260 --> 01:09:36,600 Are there any? 641 01:09:36,600 --> 01:09:37,000 Yes. 642 01:09:37,180 --> 01:09:37,800 We are. 643 01:09:38,020 --> 01:09:38,180 Yes. 644 01:09:38,180 --> 01:09:40,040 And I will get to that in two slides. 645 01:09:40,560 --> 01:09:40,960 Very soon. 646 01:09:41,120 --> 01:09:43,920 Isn't that part of our liquidity in a way to have lines of credit? 647 01:09:44,380 --> 01:09:44,680 Yes. 648 01:09:45,020 --> 01:09:45,700 Of course. 649 01:09:46,940 --> 01:09:47,720 Next slide please. 650 01:09:50,370 --> 01:09:53,130 So this is just a summary of our current debt portfolio. 651 01:09:54,190 --> 01:09:55,770 Everything is on track. 652 01:09:55,990 --> 01:09:59,730 We have about $71 million in debt service payments. 653 01:10:00,000 --> 01:10:12,580 We have a lot of issues with any of the debt that's outstanding. And in speaking of liquidity, next slide, our short term, liquidity, continues to be very, very robust. 654 01:10:13,220 --> 01:10:25,900 We have that $170 million line of credit that we have opened with US Bank as well as three small days. That is your open. In addition, we have the $1 150 million in commercial paper. 655 01:10:25,900 --> 01:10:36,240 that is also open. So we have combined the total of $320 million of short-term credit facilities that are available to us at any given pointy time. 656 01:10:36,240 --> 01:10:44,020 And this is a great strategy for us to have because it diversifies our risk in terms of exposure to market access. 657 01:10:44,020 --> 01:10:50,820 In terms of all financing plans for the year, we are going to be defeasing the water utility 658 01:10:50,820 --> 01:10:53,620 2006 piece by tune of this year. 659 01:10:53,980 --> 01:11:00,560 The board approved this strategy in the board meeting, we're very recently in January. 660 01:11:01,320 --> 01:11:08,580 And with that defeasants, we will be able to terminate the very old and antiquated master senior 661 01:11:08,580 --> 01:11:15,160 master resolution for the water utility and we will be able to convert to the much more 662 01:11:15,160 --> 01:11:21,300 current and lenient parity master resolution to govern all of our water utility debt. 663 01:11:21,820 --> 01:11:28,220 And that's a very, it's very, very nicely lined up because we will be negotiating and drafting 664 01:11:28,220 --> 01:11:34,480 the WIFI alone applications that will be carried off of this parity resolution. 665 01:11:34,480 --> 01:11:53,820 In terms of the actual debt issuance planned, we are probably looking at around November to refund any outstanding safely water CP that we may have issued in the water utility CP or revolver that we would have issued by that time. 666 01:11:54,220 --> 01:11:59,900 And as I mentioned, we have been very busy putting together the application for the WIFI alone. 667 01:11:59,900 --> 01:12:06,360 We actually just submitted the safely water with your loan application this week. 668 01:12:06,520 --> 01:12:27,140 As of yesterday, we submitted the application fee to the EPA as well as upload all of the 110 attachments and the application mountains of documents for the EPA to peruse and review from which we can start drafting and negotiating the actual loan agreements. 669 01:12:27,140 --> 01:12:32,460 We will be turning to preparing the Pacheco application immediately. 670 01:12:33,120 --> 01:12:43,240 The goal is to go back to the board by fall of this year to present the WIFIA loan agreements for the board's approval. 671 01:12:43,900 --> 01:12:45,280 And that concludes my presentation. 672 01:12:50,360 --> 01:12:51,280 Vice Chair Creman. 673 01:12:51,920 --> 01:12:52,140 None. 674 01:12:52,340 --> 01:12:53,640 Thank you very much. 675 01:12:55,140 --> 01:12:55,480 Great. 676 01:12:56,920 --> 01:12:57,600 Director Santos. 677 01:12:58,740 --> 01:12:58,940 Nothing. 678 01:12:59,520 --> 01:12:59,900 Thank you. 679 01:12:59,900 --> 01:13:05,800 any members of the public? So there's still another half to the presentation. Oh, go ahead. 680 01:13:06,780 --> 01:13:10,800 Thank you very much, Chair. Take it. So in terms of revenue, like six year total revenue 681 01:13:10,800 --> 01:13:16,280 for the first half, we're about $187 million. Just a few things to point out, the reason why 682 01:13:16,280 --> 01:13:21,460 there's only a cheap 35% first of all, groundwater receipts are a two on a two month away basis. 683 01:13:22,020 --> 01:13:26,400 We also have the conservation measures of 15% for the drought. 684 01:13:26,400 --> 01:13:29,460 I'm not appropriate to ask you a question on that. 685 01:13:29,580 --> 01:13:30,000 Sure, go ahead. 686 01:13:30,160 --> 01:13:32,000 You mentioned two months. 687 01:13:33,940 --> 01:13:35,820 So aren't we doing a cruel book? 688 01:13:36,000 --> 01:13:38,060 Doesn't it matter when we receive it? 689 01:13:38,680 --> 01:13:41,300 Don't we accrue what we expect? 690 01:13:42,080 --> 01:13:44,400 Or what we've failed even if we haven't received it? 691 01:13:46,550 --> 01:13:47,490 I think I don't. 692 01:13:47,510 --> 01:13:48,690 You want to say don't they? 693 01:13:48,850 --> 01:13:49,970 Yeah, I can jump in. 694 01:13:50,470 --> 01:13:54,570 So with regard to groundwater, not all wells are metered. 695 01:13:54,570 --> 01:14:00,250 And so that creates some delay in terms of putting together all the information, 696 01:14:02,570 --> 01:14:05,530 and there's some effort and some staff work that 697 01:14:05,530 --> 01:14:10,110 he's going to take into a lot of their information together. 698 01:14:11,410 --> 01:14:15,430 And the billing does happen after the treat to water billing. 699 01:14:15,430 --> 01:14:19,430 Treat water billing happens very quickly shortly after the close of the month. 700 01:14:19,870 --> 01:14:22,850 Groundwater billing just takes more time to pull information together, 701 01:14:22,850 --> 01:14:26,850 even for the meters, there's just a lot more meters to pull together, and so it does take 702 01:14:26,850 --> 01:14:32,150 a little bit more time. What about the material meters? You know, it's not, I'm not talking 703 01:14:32,150 --> 01:14:38,270 about the person in San Martín who's using a half acre foot. I'm talking about the material 704 01:15:01,060 --> 01:15:09,160 Months, you know, that kind of information. But without having information at our fingertips, you know, we, we would just be guessing. 705 01:15:12,120 --> 01:15:22,220 We would have that. The reason I'm asking is I know SFPC has like these electronic meters and they know every day. So we don't know every day. 706 01:15:22,220 --> 01:15:28,700 We don't we don't we don't we don't every day. Yeah we we're we're our our meters are 707 01:15:28,700 --> 01:15:35,280 dispersed. I mean we're not a retail provider. So our meters are dispersed in rural areas or 708 01:15:35,280 --> 01:15:40,800 other areas and and so so we're not household that are right next to each other where it makes 709 01:15:40,800 --> 01:15:46,400 you know the investment in that type of technology makes makes a lot of sense. I was referring to 710 01:15:46,400 --> 01:15:54,000 at PUC to their retailers. So Apple's Apple's comparison, we're a wholesaler, they know because 711 01:15:55,380 --> 01:16:01,500 they, I forget what they have, 27 retailers and they know that every day because you want to know 712 01:16:01,500 --> 01:16:06,800 every day. So my question is, don't we want to know every day? They're not a groundwater provider. 713 01:16:08,520 --> 01:16:15,120 But okay, so you're saying how, the major because it's concentrated in San Jose, 714 01:16:15,120 --> 01:16:20,220 water you're seeing at San Jose, what it doesn't know, how much ground water they take every day. 715 01:16:20,600 --> 01:16:23,460 Well, we could pick up the phone and call them if that's what you're suggesting. 716 01:16:25,440 --> 01:16:32,020 I mean, but yeah, I'm just saying that that our process for meter meter reading is such that 717 01:16:32,800 --> 01:16:37,440 it doesn't we don't get the information in as quickly as we get the treated water information. 718 01:16:38,320 --> 01:16:46,800 No, that just seems for operational reasons and for other reasons, I would think not only 719 01:16:46,800 --> 01:16:50,560 do you not want to wait a couple months before you get it, 720 01:16:53,320 --> 01:16:54,140 I would think you'd want to know 721 01:16:54,140 --> 01:16:59,100 that on it day to day. And we just don't trust in our meter reads. Do we, I think what you're saying is 722 01:16:59,100 --> 01:17:09,380 we listen to what they say. Don't we have a separate meter? We do our own meter is because I 723 01:17:09,380 --> 01:17:11,240 they were back all device in every day. 724 01:17:11,280 --> 01:17:14,100 It tells you every minute, every 15 minutes, 725 01:17:14,300 --> 01:17:15,560 it says how much water's passed. 726 01:17:15,700 --> 01:17:16,820 Why don't we do that? 727 01:17:17,140 --> 01:17:18,660 I think we've looked into that. 728 01:17:18,660 --> 01:17:20,480 That's probably more of a discussion for Aaron Baker 729 01:17:20,480 --> 01:17:24,040 and his crew to talk about metering technology 730 01:17:24,040 --> 01:17:27,440 to be on my purview, but that's something 731 01:17:27,440 --> 01:17:28,680 we could bring back perhaps. 732 01:17:28,680 --> 01:17:30,880 I think he is from a revenue point of view. 733 01:17:31,140 --> 01:17:33,360 So when I see 35% of the budget, 734 01:17:33,840 --> 01:17:36,680 I think it's hard for us to know if we're on track, 735 01:17:36,680 --> 01:17:58,280 If on a quarter basis, if we're not doing reasonable accrual books and we have ways to forecast, I mean, we could put together a forecast and that's something that we do, but something that we are able to do, we don't have the actual quarterly information, but we could easily put together a forecast that we pretty, pretty accurate. 736 01:17:58,800 --> 01:18:28,080 Because when I see what it says 135 million is our budget and I see 50 million and we're not at the, we're not there for all of these. I'm like, oh my God, what if they don't pass or why don't we know? So I think that's where projections could come in and I don't mean to put words in your mouth. I'm Mr. Taylor, but I think what I'm hearing is that there are solutions that could provide more information in a real time way, but it would cost a lot. 737 01:18:28,280 --> 01:18:34,020 to us, to, you know what, this is that one. I guess what I guess what I'm saying is what, what, 738 01:18:34,920 --> 01:18:40,180 what, in Ricky is showing here is, is the actual that's but what we could do very easily without 739 01:18:40,180 --> 01:18:47,740 a lot of effort is show the estimated actual for the quarter or for the half year that would include 740 01:18:47,740 --> 01:18:52,600 the projection for that groundwater revenue because it is, it is the late on the billing, but we could 741 01:18:52,600 --> 01:18:57,760 easily come up with a projection because director criminals, right? We kind of know what's happening 742 01:18:57,760 --> 01:19:01,620 with the major retailers and we know how to estimate that. 743 01:19:02,640 --> 01:19:02,700 Yeah. 744 01:19:04,120 --> 01:19:06,400 There's no point in doing books. 745 01:19:06,760 --> 01:19:08,680 A cruel books mid-year, quarterly. 746 01:19:09,860 --> 01:19:13,100 If they're not ready to be, if they're not every view quality. 747 01:19:13,760 --> 01:19:15,380 You know, this isn't a counting standard. 748 01:19:16,700 --> 01:19:19,540 And seeing, you know, how off we are in our projections. 749 01:19:21,120 --> 01:19:25,480 And we're asking Director Keegan or Chair Keegan about calling every meter. 750 01:19:25,480 --> 01:19:30,560 there's, there's someone on the phone who could, in five calls, I'll let you get 80% of our 751 01:19:30,560 --> 01:19:38,140 pumpers. How many, how many major pumpers do we have? San Jose Waters 57% of our remedy, right? 752 01:19:38,320 --> 01:19:44,920 So we could call, you know, okay, it's, it's, today we've called them, their operations department, 753 01:20:00,800 --> 01:20:13,540 Or we even have arrangements in email. So I would think by the time not just mid-year, but quarterly, we'd be pretty close within a percent. 754 01:20:14,360 --> 01:20:29,340 I'm in agreement. We could easily do that and come up with our estimated actual on the quarterly half-year basis without issue. What Enrique showing here is just the actual that was booked for that quarter as of that day. 755 01:20:29,340 --> 01:20:32,740 We could make that update very easily done. 756 01:20:32,920 --> 01:20:34,020 It's just some, I'm not sure. 757 01:20:34,080 --> 01:20:36,340 Would that satisfy you by sure Herman? 758 01:20:36,600 --> 01:20:39,540 It would because one of our principles are accurate financial statements. 759 01:20:40,480 --> 01:20:43,340 And this is a accurate because we haven't. 760 01:20:44,120 --> 01:20:45,340 It's, you know, 35%. 761 01:20:45,920 --> 01:20:51,260 You would think we can't be that our staff is so good at getting our projections right. 762 01:20:51,700 --> 01:20:54,340 So you would think we'd be way closer than 35%. 763 01:20:56,940 --> 01:20:58,360 That's my only point. 764 01:20:58,540 --> 01:20:59,000 Okay. 765 01:20:59,000 --> 01:21:01,260 So I think message or see Mr. Taylor? 766 01:21:02,180 --> 01:21:05,140 Yes, and again, that's not a step criticism, 767 01:21:05,880 --> 01:21:07,420 but it could be a process improvement 768 01:21:07,960 --> 01:21:11,280 to just have everyone at the end of every quarter email 769 01:21:11,280 --> 01:21:12,960 there are estimated usage. 770 01:21:14,540 --> 01:21:17,020 So perhaps Mr. Taylor can follow up with the CEO 771 01:21:17,020 --> 01:21:19,800 in terms of what we would like to see in the future. 772 01:21:21,000 --> 01:21:23,400 Yeah, I think this is within the CFO's 773 01:21:23,400 --> 01:21:25,380 purview though to do on his own. 774 01:21:26,080 --> 01:21:28,980 Okay, I just didn't want to get into a position 775 01:21:28,980 --> 01:21:31,540 direction where we're directing staff without time. 776 01:21:31,540 --> 01:21:32,960 No, I'm directing staff. 777 01:21:33,440 --> 01:21:34,780 I'm throwing out a suggestion. 778 01:21:34,980 --> 01:21:38,280 But if I just actually said it's up to CFO, 779 01:21:38,600 --> 01:21:39,500 Taylor, what do you want to do? 780 01:21:39,680 --> 01:21:40,640 It was zero direction. 781 01:21:41,180 --> 01:21:42,120 I'm never going to write staff. 782 01:21:42,320 --> 01:21:42,640 Okay. 783 01:21:44,280 --> 01:21:44,940 All right. 784 01:21:46,560 --> 01:21:49,280 Is it back to you, Mr. Ganda? 785 01:21:49,740 --> 01:21:49,860 Yeah. 786 01:21:49,960 --> 01:21:50,380 Thank you. 787 01:21:50,380 --> 01:21:51,000 Thank you, Tartiga. 788 01:21:51,960 --> 01:21:54,000 And also, I'd like to point out that this is, 789 01:21:54,000 --> 01:21:56,000 you know, comparable to last year's first half of the 790 01:21:56,000 --> 01:22:02,600 2021 based on this conversation, last year was about 37% and a 10 to the year results came in 791 01:22:02,600 --> 01:22:08,660 pretty favorable. I understand the point of the conversation. Thank you. So slide number seven. 792 01:22:09,180 --> 01:22:13,200 Slide number seven, I want to talk about the operating capital expenditures on the operating side. 793 01:22:14,300 --> 01:22:19,000 As you assume, we're pretty close to target. We're at 40% spent towards about $204 million. 794 01:22:19,880 --> 01:22:26,120 couple of funds that stand out, the safety and water fund, and that's lower due to a delay 795 01:22:26,120 --> 01:22:32,260 of the CP patients and also at the for all the bond issuance. And in terms of the 796 01:22:32,260 --> 01:22:37,220 benefit assessment funds, those expenses usually take place from the second half. And then 797 01:22:37,220 --> 01:22:43,060 for the service funds, IT payments, and then also risk for the risk fund insurance payments, 798 01:22:43,260 --> 01:22:47,980 usually take place from the second half of the fiscal year. So overall, we're doing pretty well 799 01:22:47,980 --> 01:22:51,980 as you all know, during the end of the year, 800 01:22:52,320 --> 01:22:53,720 become very, very close to target 801 01:22:53,720 --> 01:22:56,000 about 98% spent or so. 802 01:22:56,600 --> 01:22:59,620 The pro capital expenditures were $196.4 million. 803 01:22:59,800 --> 01:23:02,060 They're in a rock, but I'd like to go on that also. 804 01:23:02,660 --> 01:23:06,020 So why don't we do, if you consider doing, 805 01:23:06,220 --> 01:23:09,880 you know, each one budget as opposed to, 806 01:23:10,000 --> 01:23:14,140 because you're comparing full year FY22 adjusted budget 807 01:23:14,140 --> 01:23:16,820 to half your actuals, I would think you'd want. 808 01:23:16,820 --> 01:23:23,580 Number one, you want to compare half to half, not full to half, and number two, I heard what you said. 809 01:23:23,740 --> 01:23:26,360 That's interesting about the payments I do later in the year. 810 01:23:26,660 --> 01:23:33,540 But a cruel accounting says you should have accrued in half way through the year, even if you only bat the end. 811 01:23:33,920 --> 01:23:37,960 So we can easily do that too. I like to read, you know, we can slice the budget in half, 812 01:23:38,060 --> 01:23:44,780 we'd budget on a four-year basis. So we allocate hours by project. So we didn't slice this in half. 813 01:23:44,780 --> 01:23:50,300 the result would be about, you'd be almost exactly right, right, I'm trying to do the math 814 01:23:50,300 --> 01:23:57,540 that looks exactly, I'm good in the J. Yeah. Yes, sir. So yeah, understood, like as we budget a full 815 01:23:57,540 --> 01:24:03,320 year basis and we can easily cut the half and the result would be about 98% spent there. So 816 01:24:03,320 --> 01:24:09,140 so that would work. And there's a capital expenditures similar to what we've seen as a trend, 817 01:24:09,400 --> 01:24:14,540 we're a 16.4 million dollars spent and that's how we influence by the time of capital projects 818 01:24:14,540 --> 01:24:20,520 or the delivery of projects. Some of them are not, you know, projects usually ramp up, 819 01:24:20,560 --> 01:24:26,100 maybe expenditures take place during the year. If we have questions about a particular fund, 820 01:24:26,260 --> 01:24:30,540 we do have those details on a project by project basis, more than happy to answer that. 821 01:24:30,600 --> 01:24:36,560 Do we have any questions about overall that theme is, you know, projects, expenditures are 822 01:24:36,560 --> 01:24:41,980 ramping up or timing of projects for capital projects. We are improving as compared to 823 01:24:41,980 --> 01:24:44,680 to last year, we're spending 166.4, 824 01:24:44,980 --> 01:24:46,300 versus 109.7, 825 01:24:49,140 --> 01:24:50,340 any questions there? 826 01:24:53,880 --> 01:24:55,080 Okay, then the last slide we have 827 01:24:55,080 --> 01:24:56,100 are the reserved balances. 828 01:24:57,920 --> 01:24:59,900 So, reserved balances are affected by a few things, right? 829 01:25:00,000 --> 01:25:09,500 We ask the main fiscal year 22 to be $141.4 million higher than our adopted budget, which took place before the fiscal year closed last year. 830 01:25:14,660 --> 01:25:21,060 And just to wrap up the presentation, based on the conversation that we've had here, obviously we'll continue to monitor the performance of revenues. 831 01:25:22,380 --> 01:25:29,200 The only concern out there is the drought, the 15% conservation goal that we have out there, so that will affect the revenues. 832 01:25:29,980 --> 01:25:41,340 Open expenditures are closely target as usual and then the first half couple of expenditures are lower than budget and we'll see how it's coming at the end of the year. 833 01:25:41,660 --> 01:25:42,640 So we're ready for any questions. 834 01:25:45,950 --> 01:25:48,330 Okay, Director Sanchez, any questions? 835 01:25:49,610 --> 01:25:57,510 No, but I think that the input that Dr. Criminus given and Darren to solve issues and there 836 01:25:57,510 --> 01:26:02,470 are different ways to do that. I think it's really helpful. And I'm looking forward to listening 837 01:26:02,470 --> 01:26:07,170 more and more and more. This is very, very, very good. Thank you. 838 01:26:07,590 --> 01:26:14,410 Good. Vice Chair Crimin. Yeah, I'm not trying to suggest extra work. I'm trying to suggest, 839 01:26:14,410 --> 01:26:37,410 You know, maybe you spot problems a little bit earlier, um, you know, like, let's say we're not collecting as much revenue as we thought that does affect, you know, let's say we're collecting more revenue than we thought something good, and maybe we could put more money and water, or like water conservation program or something like that. 840 01:26:37,410 --> 01:26:48,130 Good points. Okay, any members of the public. I'm not seeing any. Okay, thank you very much staff for that presentation. 841 01:26:49,230 --> 01:27:00,190 Our next item is item 4.7 and this is received a final update on the status of the mitigation and monitoring compliance audit recommendation implementation. 842 01:27:01,750 --> 01:27:09,130 And the managers on this are Ms. Jennifer Codian and Mr. John Bourgeois. I don't know who's going to be taking the lead here. 843 01:27:10,110 --> 01:27:10,850 Thank you, Chair Keegan. 844 01:27:11,590 --> 01:27:21,090 Had Jen Codian deputy for Watershed, so when I'm and I'll take the lead in presenting our final update for the status of the mitigation and monitoring compliance audit recommendation implementation. 845 01:27:22,310 --> 01:27:37,130 So, most of you probably know that in 2014, we conducted a compensatory mitigation audit, it was done by Panorama environmental, and as a result of that audit, they made 15 different recommendations. 846 01:27:37,130 --> 01:27:43,650 14 of those have been implemented already and the last recommendation which was recommendation 847 01:27:43,650 --> 01:27:52,190 to see was the last component that we needed to implement and that was to consolidate the mitigation 848 01:27:52,190 --> 01:27:59,170 tracking databases that we were using and to include a GIS element. We expect to fully implement 849 01:27:59,170 --> 01:28:06,130 this in the next couple of months and to summarize how we'll be doing that we have fully integrated 850 01:28:06,130 --> 01:28:12,990 are stream maintenance program database, which is how we track our regulatory compliance and monitoring 851 01:28:12,990 --> 01:28:19,270 within Watershed's ONM with maximum, which is our asset management software program that we 852 01:28:19,270 --> 01:28:27,690 utilize. And that integration happened in June of 2020. And we're currently working on enhancements 853 01:28:27,690 --> 01:28:33,730 to the development of the geospatial data collection capabilities through mobile maximum, 854 01:28:33,730 --> 01:28:42,090 which should be implemented at that, you know, we're starting actually this spring, but it will be fully implemented by the end of 2022. 855 01:28:43,130 --> 01:29:00,450 In addition to that, we're also developing a cloud application that will be too spatially aware, and that's for both internal and external access, and so the regulators will be able to use this system and access historical SMP data, 856 01:29:00,450 --> 01:29:05,210 and to perform their regulatory approvals within this cloud database. 857 01:29:05,530 --> 01:29:06,990 So we're really excited about that. 858 01:29:07,130 --> 01:29:09,310 We won't have to submit the thousand page, 859 01:29:09,310 --> 01:29:12,270 notice the proposed work or annual summary reports 860 01:29:12,270 --> 01:29:15,290 that we currently do to the regulatory agencies. 861 01:29:16,670 --> 01:29:19,870 This is scheduled to go live by May of this year. 862 01:29:20,570 --> 01:29:24,810 And the data within this cloud application 863 01:29:24,810 --> 01:29:28,110 will also push through to EcoAtlas platform. 864 01:30:00,000 --> 01:30:06,220 We required us to enter data within this system. So officially, Watershed's O&M, under the Shuminance Program, 865 01:30:06,620 --> 01:30:12,500 and also all of the capital projects will be entering data into this Equal Atlas project tracker. 866 01:30:13,640 --> 01:30:21,380 As of this year, and it is due spatially aware. And so that, in summary, the addition 867 01:30:21,380 --> 01:30:27,620 of that data into the Equal Atlas, by both elements of our mitigation programs, will consolidate 868 01:30:27,620 --> 01:30:32,660 our valley water database for mitigation and monitoring purposes. 869 01:30:34,140 --> 01:30:35,440 Are there any questions? 870 01:30:36,840 --> 01:30:38,080 Director, Vice Chair Freeman. 871 01:30:39,060 --> 01:30:41,200 Sure. Well, my question is, how is it? 872 01:30:41,400 --> 01:30:42,080 Integrate. 873 01:30:43,960 --> 01:30:48,060 Well, actually, I was going to go down the integration path, 874 01:30:48,160 --> 01:30:50,260 but I was also thinking about this committee, 875 01:30:50,520 --> 01:30:55,740 we're spinning up about looking at ecological balance sheets 876 01:30:55,740 --> 01:30:56,620 And, 877 01:30:59,240 --> 01:31:22,740 you know, the fact that more and more financial players like people who borrow money care about, you know, what's your ecological assets and can we get data out of the system and can it tie into our ERP, I guess, and a future ecological balance sheet and income statement and things like that. 878 01:31:23,720 --> 01:31:30,440 Okay, is Mike Cook still on where you can help out what how that will tie into the ERP, Mike? 879 01:31:33,330 --> 01:31:37,710 I'm not quite, I'm not quite familiar with the term of the ecological balance. 880 01:31:38,430 --> 01:31:42,710 I think we're first talking about the geospatial system, the ECO Atlas first. 881 01:31:43,050 --> 01:31:43,970 How about that? 882 01:31:44,090 --> 01:31:44,430 Okay. 883 01:31:45,470 --> 01:31:52,530 So that the ERP solution is really focused on, you know, financial transactions in HR transactions. 884 01:31:54,130 --> 01:32:02,210 So what Jen is referring to here is kind of a different stack of applications that we currently have that are that are again all integrated. 885 01:32:03,850 --> 01:32:20,050 So, well, well, there are integration points between maximum and GA, some of these products that Jen was speaking of between the ERP they are related to things like financial transactions, things that we've bought that are then getting their their information stored as an asset inside of maximum. 886 01:32:20,050 --> 01:32:25,330 or like labor hours and side of the maximum that also need to be accounted for on the ERP system. 887 01:32:25,590 --> 01:32:28,230 So that's kind of where those integrations lie. 888 01:32:29,190 --> 01:32:42,050 But outside of the ERP sphere, the tools and systems that we're mentioned here are all heavily, heavily dependent upon one another with very complex integrations. 889 01:32:43,470 --> 01:32:51,870 And in all cases off the top of my head, in all cases off the top of my head, only one copy of the data exists, maximum is the owner of the asset information. 890 01:32:52,390 --> 01:32:58,510 The GIS databases, the owner of the geospatial information and the other applications are using that as their source data sets. 891 01:32:59,090 --> 01:33:05,950 So when we're talking about the development of these cloud applications and these move the cloud applications, it's not just like one or two things that are moving. 892 01:33:05,950 --> 01:33:09,930 we're talking about picking up whole databases and doing cloud migrations with them so they 893 01:33:09,930 --> 01:33:15,530 can all continue to interact together. Because I guess that's a good time to do those integrations 894 01:33:15,530 --> 01:33:23,090 when you're moving up to the cloud. So the maximum of the mobile maximum, I guess it's just a look 895 01:33:23,090 --> 01:33:31,950 at the data mobile layer. Yes, it is a front-end only. All right. And this in this, the one place 896 01:33:31,950 --> 01:33:33,850 the story isn't maximum. 897 01:33:34,270 --> 01:33:34,690 Correct. 898 01:33:35,630 --> 01:33:36,750 Thank you. 899 01:33:39,130 --> 01:33:41,990 So actually I have a question of you, Vice Chair Cremont. 900 01:33:42,270 --> 01:33:50,490 So is your interest in being able to capture the investment that we're making doing 901 01:33:50,490 --> 01:33:53,630 these things so that somehow we can be getting credit for it. 902 01:33:53,650 --> 01:34:00,790 Like we're not just doing it to satisfy other agencies, so I mean, we are doing that. 903 01:34:00,790 --> 01:34:15,710 But we want to be able to say, whether it's to the public or other parties, look, this is what we're spending and this is what we're spending it on and this is the areas of the county we're spending it in is that kind of the direction you're going in. 904 01:34:16,430 --> 01:34:28,030 Yeah, but it's just not to the public. It's actually to the financial community who's gives, who's starting to give credit and dedicated funds to green financing. 905 01:34:28,030 --> 01:34:39,110 So, for example, they treat someone who has a poor water shed different than someone who's done a lot of work in the water shed. 906 01:34:39,770 --> 01:34:42,510 And it actually has a financial impact. 907 01:34:43,350 --> 01:34:49,390 So, yes, it's the public and stakeholders, but there's increasing pools of money. 908 01:34:49,470 --> 01:34:52,190 I mean, our treasure could probably talk about that. 909 01:34:52,190 --> 01:34:59,870 It's got ESG money that rewards people or firms or entity. 910 01:35:00,000 --> 01:35:09,600 I was kind of what my thinking on this was. I don't know if you were have those fence of thoughts as well. And maybe that's something that this environmental committee could be taking a look at. 911 01:35:09,780 --> 01:35:11,740 Yeah, exactly. Yes, thank you. 912 01:35:12,060 --> 01:35:13,180 Okay, great. 913 01:35:14,320 --> 01:35:23,120 Well, thank you very much, Ms. podium. Any comment, additional comments or questions by committee members? I'm not seeing any. 914 01:35:23,120 --> 01:35:29,500 I don't see any member of the public that would like to speak on this and I just would like to 915 01:35:29,500 --> 01:35:35,580 thanks to that's a lot of work that you have done and it's right that we are almost done with it. 916 01:35:35,700 --> 01:35:36,540 So thank you. 917 01:35:36,820 --> 01:35:37,120 Thank you. 918 01:35:38,700 --> 01:35:42,040 And that we were just receiving the final update. 919 01:35:42,580 --> 01:35:42,920 All right. 920 01:35:43,520 --> 01:35:51,200 So 4.8 is discussed the 2022 2024 annual audit work plan and please take away. 921 01:35:52,340 --> 01:35:55,720 Well, thank you. I'm going to turn it over to our chief audit executive. 922 01:35:56,720 --> 01:35:57,500 I'm Mr. Skiles. 923 01:36:01,650 --> 01:36:12,010 So what we did was plan out the three separate performance audits that were identified in the last meeting. 924 01:36:12,230 --> 01:36:19,430 The first being the CIP process, the second being emergency response and the third being data management. 925 01:36:19,430 --> 01:36:26,330 I believe in the, in the audit plan, those were items, 926 01:36:28,490 --> 01:36:33,840 one, three and six, 927 01:36:36,420 --> 01:36:37,300 and so what they did 928 01:36:37,300 --> 01:36:43,880 in that memorandum is basically provide a brief chart that showed when we were planning 929 01:36:44,680 --> 01:36:49,210 to start and end each one throughout the course of this year. So as you can see, 930 01:36:49,210 --> 01:36:54,650 And we would plan on possibly starting the CIP process 931 01:36:54,650 --> 01:36:56,770 the first of the three audits. 932 01:36:56,990 --> 01:37:00,310 We'd be started in March and with an anticipated clothes 933 01:37:00,310 --> 01:37:01,150 in September. 934 01:37:01,930 --> 01:37:03,410 That's a little bit longer of a timeframe 935 01:37:03,410 --> 01:37:05,710 than we typically have in a performance audit, 936 01:37:05,830 --> 01:37:08,870 but my thought in this performance audit would be, 937 01:37:08,950 --> 01:37:14,090 looking at a broader scope than just the CIP planning process 938 01:37:14,090 --> 01:37:17,230 and number one, but looking at the CIP life cycle, 939 01:37:17,230 --> 01:37:26,310 which includes elements of items, number one, 12 and 26, and some overlap. So it's a 940 01:37:26,310 --> 01:37:33,550 little bit bigger in scope that I think we would typically do. With emergency response starting 941 01:37:33,550 --> 01:37:42,030 two months later, and ending in October. So we basically are planning a stagger start of two months 942 01:37:42,030 --> 01:37:44,090 for each project with data management, 943 01:37:44,290 --> 01:37:45,410 then starting in July. 944 01:37:46,050 --> 01:37:50,610 What that does is it allows us to have project completions 945 01:37:50,610 --> 01:37:53,610 stagger in the toward the end of the year, 946 01:37:53,950 --> 01:37:56,830 which would be the first project completed 947 01:37:56,830 --> 01:37:59,530 at CIP process, completing in September, 948 01:38:00,410 --> 01:38:03,170 then emergency response in October, 949 01:38:03,170 --> 01:38:05,030 and then finally data management December. 950 01:38:05,790 --> 01:38:10,110 So with these being projects that are not likely going 951 01:38:10,110 --> 01:38:17,850 see a great deal of overlap among staff and the staff support for working with us in the audit. 952 01:38:19,010 --> 01:38:25,070 It looks doable. There's a lot of work usually in the audit process and the starting up and then 953 01:38:25,070 --> 01:38:29,310 of the closing down. And then in the field where it's sort of that middle part of an audit, 954 01:38:29,490 --> 01:38:35,710 it's a lot of us doing analysis. We're not always bothering staff throughout that whole time. 955 01:38:36,430 --> 01:38:43,610 There certainly are a lot of follow-ups and walkthroughs and interviews and so forth, but there's a lot of data analysis. 956 01:38:44,370 --> 01:38:52,750 So figure staggering the audits, the three different audits in this manner would produce a least, would be least-intreative on staff, 957 01:38:52,850 --> 01:38:56,950 allowing us to complete these three audits during the calendar year. 958 01:38:58,430 --> 01:39:05,950 And then I provided as well a audit scoping document for the first audit, the CIP audit. 959 01:39:06,650 --> 01:39:08,210 And that's on page 29. 960 01:39:08,410 --> 01:39:10,690 It's attachment to page 3. 961 01:39:11,510 --> 01:39:19,230 And this, what we try to do with these scoping documents is this one might be a little bit more detailed than we might always provide. 962 01:39:19,250 --> 01:39:26,350 But we try to get a sense of what the scope of the audit is, what we are planning on looking at and what this does is it gives 963 01:39:26,350 --> 01:39:30,430 The committee and opportunity, an opportunity to ask us, 964 01:39:30,570 --> 01:39:31,790 hey, are you going to look at this? 965 01:39:31,790 --> 01:39:34,310 I don't see this particular subject in here. 966 01:39:34,550 --> 01:39:36,430 Is that something that you're interested in? 967 01:39:36,930 --> 01:39:39,890 But it's at a high level providing it an idea of what this scope is, 968 01:40:00,000 --> 01:40:04,680 It provides scheduling and budget information. 969 01:40:11,580 --> 01:40:15,260 And I don't know if anyone has any questions. I'm happy to answer those at this point. 970 01:40:16,720 --> 01:40:24,340 I don't have questions so much as maybe a couple of comments, which is, you know, given the size of our CIP. 971 01:40:24,340 --> 01:40:51,520 If we're able to identify even, you know, modest improvements, there's certainly the opportunity to save a lot of money and I think that that's a real positive and I do like on the second page the last part of the audit field work where you talk about conduct benchmarking research to identify best practices and CIP planning and monitoring large water districts and public works agencies in California. 972 01:40:51,520 --> 01:40:56,380 Yeah, so comparing the results with practices observed at 973 01:40:56,380 --> 01:41:02,620 bellywater and looking at what best practices, what other best practices are out there, 974 01:41:02,760 --> 01:41:09,340 I think that that does give us a great roadmap if we wanted to move the 975 01:41:09,340 --> 01:41:11,140 head and make some process improvements. 976 01:41:15,620 --> 01:41:20,040 So, there and is there anything you would like to add and then I will ask the 977 01:41:20,040 --> 01:41:21,460 many members for questions. 978 01:41:21,920 --> 01:41:25,480 Do you feel the schedule is doable as some is your skills 979 01:41:25,480 --> 01:41:26,600 was mentioning? 980 01:41:27,620 --> 01:41:29,180 Yeah, thank you for that question. 981 01:41:29,560 --> 01:41:32,440 I do appreciate the schedule as it was laid out. 982 01:41:32,440 --> 01:41:34,140 And I appreciate the preparation 983 01:41:34,140 --> 01:41:36,180 of the scoping document for the first thought. 984 01:41:36,620 --> 01:41:39,900 I do want to say one thing about the scoping document 985 01:41:39,900 --> 01:41:42,640 and that just kind of looking at the field work 986 01:41:42,640 --> 01:41:44,880 and the scope of that first thought it, 987 01:41:44,880 --> 01:41:46,900 it seems awfully big to me. 988 01:41:46,940 --> 01:41:48,880 I mean, really, really big. 989 01:41:48,880 --> 01:41:56,820 And so I just wanted to provide that feedback and maybe that's something that can have for their discussion with Mr. 990 01:41:57,020 --> 01:42:01,620 Skiles on that, but that's my fear is that it's it's just to like not do a little too big. 991 01:42:02,380 --> 01:42:03,620 So that's my comment. 992 01:42:04,340 --> 01:42:17,800 Okay, so there'll be some discussions in terms of the evaluating this scope and we can see a refined document perhaps at our next meeting. 993 01:42:17,800 --> 01:42:19,840 George, anything you'd like to add? 994 01:42:20,140 --> 01:42:24,960 Yeah, I think I would say I appreciate that. 995 01:42:25,420 --> 01:42:29,560 One of the things that we incorporate into this 996 01:42:29,560 --> 01:42:31,440 is in the audit planning phase. 997 01:42:32,140 --> 01:42:39,040 So we start off with our anticipated audit field work steps 998 01:42:39,590 --> 01:42:40,480 but they're anticipated. 999 01:42:40,800 --> 01:42:44,960 We don't always know and we didn't conduct the risk assessment. 1000 01:42:44,960 --> 01:42:49,360 So in any audit and this is, we're quite used to this. 1001 01:42:49,560 --> 01:42:58,940 We have a lot of times we'll respond to RFPs to conduct an audit and sometimes they're very detailed, sometimes they're not, we don't always know what we're going to see when we get in there. 1002 01:42:59,360 --> 01:43:11,300 And so it may be that the magnitude is so significantly larger than we're anticipating, but we have done a fair number of audits that relate to this activity. 1003 01:43:11,300 --> 01:43:18,180 So if I think we have a good sense, but there is always the potential that when we get in where 1004 01:43:18,180 --> 01:43:24,880 surprised at the magnitude, but we have a process of identifying that very early on in the audit 1005 01:43:24,880 --> 01:43:31,480 process that that planning phase. And what we'll do with our audit field, our proposed audit field 1006 01:43:31,480 --> 01:43:37,920 work steps is we'll start to modify those procedures to ensure that we can complete the audit 1007 01:43:37,920 --> 01:43:42,320 objective and answer the key questions within the resources that we're allocated. 1008 01:43:42,660 --> 01:43:50,300 Including the budget. Yeah, budget and time. Right. And so we'll adjust the methodology. 1009 01:43:50,880 --> 01:43:56,320 And if we ever get to the point and I can say honestly, I don't think it's ever happened 1010 01:43:56,320 --> 01:44:04,320 in my 22 years doing this. What I said, you know what I would. What we will be committed to 1011 01:44:04,320 --> 01:44:06,240 So far off of what we'll be able to accomplish, 1012 01:44:06,420 --> 01:44:08,080 we have to read this at the scope. 1013 01:44:10,320 --> 01:44:14,020 But this planning phase was that very early phase of the audit 1014 01:44:14,020 --> 01:44:17,680 is when we would capture that and then come back to you. 1015 01:44:17,860 --> 01:44:19,720 That's where is that process built in? 1016 01:44:19,900 --> 01:44:22,980 I don't anticipate it, but, you know, 1017 01:44:23,860 --> 01:44:26,840 there's always the potential for being wrong 1018 01:44:26,840 --> 01:44:28,320 when preparing a plan. 1019 01:44:28,940 --> 01:44:31,620 Right, and you have broken that out, 1020 01:44:31,620 --> 01:44:38,500 the foundation and planning and that would be a time where we could, you know, take another look at that. 1021 01:45:00,000 --> 01:45:13,000 But again, getting back to my earlier comment, you know, if we were able to even achieve a 1% reduction in our CIP costs, I mean, that would be a huge amount of money. 1022 01:45:13,000 --> 01:45:18,360 And if we were able to do something more than that, you know, we really would be able to move the needle, I think. 1023 01:45:18,360 --> 01:45:27,820 So I'd like to if Vice Chair Cremon or Director Sanchez has any questions or comments on this. Dr. Sanchez. 1024 01:45:28,940 --> 01:45:32,580 Oh, this has been very, very interesting and excellent work. Thank you. 1025 01:45:33,620 --> 01:45:34,300 Vice Chair Cremon. 1026 01:45:34,720 --> 01:45:35,900 Thank you. Thank you. 1027 01:45:36,700 --> 01:45:44,180 Okay. Well, this is exciting and I look forward to to this and the other audits, you know, as we. 1028 01:45:45,100 --> 01:45:58,160 What we spent a lot of time today talking about the third one data management, so clearly that's an interest on the part of the committee and emergency response is really a critical item too. 1029 01:45:58,260 --> 01:46:09,020 I mean, we have who would have thought six months ago, we would all be worried about visiting the Ukraine or avoiding Ukraine, you know, I mean, we live in very unsettled times. 1030 01:46:09,020 --> 01:46:12,020 So we have to be prepared for all eventualities. 1031 01:46:12,440 --> 01:46:13,540 So thank you very much. 1032 01:46:13,980 --> 01:46:16,660 And we look forward to seeing more work on that. 1033 01:46:16,720 --> 01:46:19,100 And that, let's see. 1034 01:46:21,390 --> 01:46:25,770 So I make sure that we have taken, we've discussed it. 1035 01:46:25,790 --> 01:46:27,830 OK, I don't see any members of the public wishing 1036 01:46:27,830 --> 01:46:28,550 to speak. 1037 01:46:29,690 --> 01:46:32,650 And our next item is review and discuss the 2022 1038 01:46:32,650 --> 01:46:35,270 board-optic committee work plan, Mr. Taylor. 1039 01:46:36,590 --> 01:46:37,170 That's thank you. 1040 01:46:37,190 --> 01:46:39,710 And I just just real quick on this item. 1041 01:46:39,710 --> 01:46:48,030 We did make some minor edits to the audit work plan or the committee work plan, many 1042 01:46:48,030 --> 01:46:53,670 forward administrative tasks, pushing the discussion of the annual audit training out to 1043 01:46:53,670 --> 01:46:59,750 the April meeting, things like that. So just really, really minor edits to schedule and 1044 01:46:59,750 --> 01:47:01,970 I'll open up to the committee for any comments 1045 01:47:07,160 --> 01:47:10,500 somewhere in here. I didn't see it earlier 1046 01:47:10,500 --> 01:47:13,620 but I might have missed it. 1047 01:47:14,100 --> 01:47:19,140 We split out from the district councils audit, 1048 01:47:22,020 --> 01:47:30,380 an item to do with how things were were not categorized 1049 01:47:30,380 --> 01:47:32,800 as confidential information. 1050 01:47:34,440 --> 01:47:35,920 Is that on our calendar or not? 1051 01:47:36,060 --> 01:47:39,400 I think we're willing to see how the discussion went today 1052 01:47:39,400 --> 01:47:46,820 with regard to the district council's audit, and we can certainly put that on the schedule. It's not on there. 1053 01:47:47,340 --> 01:48:07,800 Well, maybe we could just briefly touch on it here, which was, and I think this came as a result of input from you, Vice Chair Creman, about whether things were being classified as, you know, confidential that maybe could be public. 1054 01:48:07,800 --> 01:48:15,180 But I think it had more to do with the operations under the previous district council, is this still a concern for you? 1055 01:48:15,260 --> 01:48:16,200 It is not. 1056 01:48:16,420 --> 01:48:16,800 Okay. 1057 01:48:17,060 --> 01:48:20,560 I love the fact that we don't have to do this. 1058 01:48:21,480 --> 01:48:25,200 And we'll save time and money, and we can focus on other things. 1059 01:48:25,420 --> 01:48:25,740 Great. 1060 01:48:26,000 --> 01:48:27,600 And Director Santos, do you concur? 1061 01:48:28,680 --> 01:48:29,040 Yes. 1062 01:48:29,680 --> 01:48:30,060 Okay. 1063 01:48:30,140 --> 01:48:32,400 I just wanted to make sure that we close the loop on that. 1064 01:48:32,740 --> 01:48:34,200 So that's good news. 1065 01:48:34,200 --> 01:48:45,320 Anyone have any comments, you know, we always end up changing things a little bit, but it is good to have these things made out for us. 1066 01:48:45,680 --> 01:48:47,880 They're in anything you'd like to highlight at this time. 1067 01:48:48,300 --> 01:48:49,420 Nothing else. 1068 01:48:49,900 --> 01:49:02,500 Okay, well, I think that is that's all right, and 4.10 financial auditors selection process discussion. 1069 01:49:02,500 --> 01:49:30,260 Darren. Yes, thank you. This is a continuation of the discussion at the last committee meeting with regard to the selection process for the new financial order and we're bringing full recommendations for the committee with regard to selecting a financial order that meets the boards needs in the first recommendation is to incorporate language into the minimum qualification section of the RFP. 1070 01:49:30,260 --> 01:49:35,380 the two that says something on the order of experience conducting financial audits of other 1071 01:49:35,380 --> 01:49:40,600 public utilities and districts within California of a similar size or larger than valley water 1072 01:49:40,600 --> 01:49:44,840 in terms of things like revenue assets, customers, complexity, things like that. 1073 01:49:45,640 --> 01:49:53,440 Then the second recommendation is that the that as the RFP is drafted that staff could send out 1074 01:49:53,440 --> 01:49:58,460 a draft of the minimum qualification section or other sections that the committee would like to see 1075 01:49:58,460 --> 01:49:59,980 more for review and 1076 01:50:01,200 --> 01:50:21,240 It's particularly helpful to see who are the financial auditors serving other large public facilities. That's very informative. And having the criteria, really say that we want someone with a level of capability that has dealt with agencies outside is is helpful as well to represent us to your thoughts. 1077 01:50:21,540 --> 01:50:23,780 I think that's excellent. Thank you. 1078 01:50:23,780 --> 01:50:29,040 Okay. I'm not sure that I feel that Zone 7's auditor is that funny. 1079 01:50:31,060 --> 01:50:36,140 I was going to say that, but do you know what? It's good to hear from the slow as a big one. 1080 01:50:38,400 --> 01:50:39,500 But maybe funny. 1081 01:50:42,740 --> 01:50:43,920 Okay. All right. 1082 01:50:44,500 --> 01:50:51,680 So the recommendation is to approve the staff recommendations to be incorporated to financial auditor selection process. 1083 01:50:51,680 --> 01:51:00,540 I think Mr. Hopper, it's okay just we don't have to take a formal action, we can, it's just a consensus of the committee, correct? 1084 01:51:00,700 --> 01:51:01,620 That's fine, yes. 1085 01:51:02,020 --> 01:51:03,280 Okay, we all support this. 1086 01:51:03,740 --> 01:51:07,500 Okay, thank you very much, everyone, great discussion. 1087 01:51:08,040 --> 01:51:11,020 Item five is clerk review and clarification of committee requests. 1088 01:51:11,520 --> 01:51:13,040 Thank you, Jerky. 1089 01:51:13,340 --> 01:51:16,580 I do not have anything for clarification at this time. 1090 01:51:16,860 --> 01:51:17,360 Great. 1091 01:51:17,360 --> 01:51:23,280 All right, well we will now adjourn to our regular meeting at 2 p.m. on March 16, 2022. 1092 01:51:23,400 --> 01:51:26,960 Everyone stays safe and healthy and thank you all for a robust discussion.