[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:00] I'm sorry.
[0:02] I'm sorry.
[0:08] President Alvarado?
[0:09] I'm here.
[0:11] Vice President Sudeck?
[0:15] Director Stanley?
[0:24] Is Dr. Martin Lutheran?
[0:26] Is she muted by chance?
[0:27] No, her, for some reason, she doesn't have audio.
[0:31] Yeah, triple shooter.
[0:35] Justin, are you able to help her?
[0:37] Yeah, I'm going to work on that.
[0:39] I'm going to go ahead, Director Weiner.
[0:42] Here.
[0:43] And Director's a Peta.
[0:45] Here.
[0:47] Okay.
[0:48] Okay.
[0:48] Seeing we have a column next item, please.
[0:52] Head of Allegiance or an observation of a moment of silence, please.
[0:56] Okay.
[0:57] I pledge allegiance.
[0:58] Do you not have to say to the flag?
[1:02] I'll be not.
[1:03] To the Republic.
[1:04] the West stand, one action.
[1:07] I don't know if there is a little place to go.
[1:11] Just for all.
[1:13] Excitement, please.
[1:15] Thanks.
[1:16] The item is the approval of the agenda.
[1:18] Any member, the board may request an agenda item be postponed, removed or heard out of order.
[1:24] Any item may not be added to the agenda unless it meets the requirements of an emergency
[1:28] situation is defined in government code section 54956.5.
[1:37] Okay, so I have another question on the staff to remove item 5G, which we're about
[1:42] the resolution, authorizing the general manager for a mental part program and approve
[1:48] an amendment to the Bainel budget by $1,000 to fund the part program and you're ending
[1:55] In 2021, I have a second.
[1:59] Second.
[2:01] These take the role.
[2:06] Sorry.
[2:10] President Alvarado?
[2:12] Yes.
[2:14] Vice President Sude.
[2:17] Director Weiner.
[2:18] Yes.
[2:19] Directors of Pena.
[2:21] Yes.
[2:23] And has Director Stanley joined us.
[2:29] She shows a lot. Yes, she's showing up. Let me, um,
[2:33] I'm mute. Okay. She's calling in through audio, so I don't know if this one's working. Okay.
[2:39] She's in here. We've got 40. Next item, please.
[2:46] Number three is public comments.
[2:48] Items not on the agenda. I did not receive any comments. Would you like me to proceed?
[2:53] Yes, proceed. Item four. Adam four is the consent calendars. Matters on the consent calendar are
[3:00] considered routine and will be applied without approved without discussion. Prior to approval
[3:06] of the consent calendar, a member of the board may request an item be removed for discussion.
[3:13] If a member of the public would like to speak to an item on the consent calendar,
[3:18] the members should email the board clerk, which is made prior to the start of the meeting,
[3:23] I did not receive anything, sir.
[3:26] Okay, what is the wish of the body?
[3:29] Can I have motion to approve the motion?
[3:31] Make a motion to approve the consent calendar.
[3:34] Okay, can you get a second please?
[3:35] Okay.
[3:38] Who said that I'm sorry?
[3:40] Director Reiner.
[3:42] Thank you.
[3:42] I see.
[3:43] It's been moved in a second, did?
[3:44] Please take the roll.
[3:47] President Alvarado?
[3:49] Yes.
[3:51] Vice President Suda?
[3:56] Sorry, I mean.
[4:01] Nice president suited.
[4:03] Both of us. Okay, thank you.
[4:09] Director Winner? Yes.
[4:12] Directors of Peda? Yes.
[4:14] And was that director Stanley?
[4:17] Okay, thank you.
[4:20] Okay, next time I'm happy to see you unanimously.
[4:24] Do I need to read the A and the B?
[4:28] For the consent calendar.
[4:32] Now you get it.
[4:34] Thank you.
[4:36] Number five is the action calendar.
[4:38] The board will discuss and seek public input before taking action.
[4:42] Section A is adopt a resolution of proving a new job classification and specification of health and safety coordinator.
[4:49] Authorizing the amendment of the fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021 position control list.
[4:56] and wage schedule effective may 20, 20, 20.
[5:01] Okay, who from staff is presenting this?
[5:04] I will be presenting, good evening.
[5:07] Is that the pipes or is that the Brown Act?
[5:12] Neither.
[5:13] This is the Health and Safety Coordinator.
[5:16] Okay, sorry about that.
[5:20] So, good evening.
[5:21] Just a level administrative services department manager.
[5:23] I'll just briefly introduce this item, and then we can kind of over to questions.
[5:29] So we are, we have looked at, we were hiring a health and safety manager with certain
[5:35] new existing classification, and we've had a struggle of finding enough candidates for
[5:41] that position.
[5:42] And so, you know, working with Andrew, we have come up with a slightly lower classification
[5:50] with the Health and Safety Coordinator, we feel we'll have a better and bigger pool of candidates
[5:56] that could fulfill the type of position that we're looking for.
[6:00] And so this action tonight is to approve a job classification for Health and Safety Coordinator
[6:06] and the Associate Salary Schedule.
[6:09] So what we intend to do is that we would not hire the manager position, but then we would just
[6:13] higher at this coordinator position. And you can answer any specific questions that you have about this.
[6:23] And you have more further comments or can we go to questions?
[6:28] No, I think you can proceed straight to questions. The report and the rationale I think is pretty straightforward.
[6:34] Sounds good. Director Sandy, please.
[6:36] We have to thank you.
[6:42] Director Weiner.
[6:44] I have no questions.
[6:47] I will move the question.
[6:50] as soon as I check for the other directions.
[6:53] Thank you.
[6:54] Director Spade it.
[6:56] No questions.
[6:58] Vice President Solace?
[7:01] No, sir.
[7:02] All right.
[7:02] I'm good.
[7:03] One question.
[7:04] Actually, one question.
[7:05] When will this be posted?
[7:10] We're not exactly sure when we're posting it yet. We wanted to make sure that we had the flexibility to have this position available.
[7:17] The first thing I want to do is make sure that we get a little assistance in putting together a work plan for the new coordinator
[7:24] and get a little assistance from some consulting resources that are not hiring a manager.
[7:31] I'm going to be asking an awful lot of this position. So I want to have a little bit more of a roadmap in place because I want to set them up for success
[7:37] ask rather than have them come in here and get overwhelmed, because we are hiring at a slightly
[7:42] lower class and we're looking at a different talent pool and are going to be looking
[7:47] and willing to hire somebody with the ability, with the attitude and with the experience enough
[7:53] that we know we can train them and have them be the right person that's going to fit and grow into
[7:58] the position as opposed to a manager, one of which we did find, but then they decided they didn't want
[8:04] position that we could just plug in and they could start to go and I think that depends
[8:10] if we I don't expect to find that person with this category. So we want to make sure we
[8:15] set them up well. And also just if I can add to it in terms of recruitment right now in general
[8:23] we've slowed down our recruitment wanting to make sure that we don't it's very difficult to
[8:29] bring someone we have onboarded people at this point but it's because they were hired
[8:33] prior to the pandemic. So we are being very cautious about
[8:40] recruitment and bringing people on during this time and we're doing a very
[8:43] selectively because we also want to minimize the number of people that are
[8:48] onsite as well as, obviously, starting in the midst of this is difficult.
[8:55] So we're evaluating it by position. So we will take the same view with this position
[9:02] in consideration with what Andrew is saying.
[9:06] Thank you.
[9:10] Questions in front of us, is that good?
[9:12] Yes, sir, thank you.
[9:13] Okay, I have no questions.
[9:16] Can I get a motion?
[9:18] I moved it.
[9:20] Sorry.
[9:27] I mean, I need to know who did work.
[9:29] I moved in the adopted resolution of proving
[9:32] a new class classification on specification
[9:34] of health and safety coordinator, authorizing amendment of the fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year
[9:41] 2021 position control this wage schedule effective in the 2020 2020.
[9:49] Thank you, Derek. Do we know can I get a second?
[9:53] Second.
[9:57] Was that was that vice president?
[10:00] Yes, ma'am. Thank you.
[10:02] Okay, please take the roll.
[10:07] That would be President Alvarado?
[10:10] Yes.
[10:12] Vice President Sudan?
[10:17] Director Stanley?
[10:19] Nope.
[10:22] Director Wainer?
[10:23] Yes.
[10:26] And directors of Payda?
[10:28] Yes.
[10:30] Okay, that's not unanimously.
[10:32] The next item is to adopt a resolution authorizing the general manager to execute an
[10:37] amendment to the contract with Signaro, WWT, incorporated by $212,053 to complete the cleaning
[10:48] and solid removal for critical water quality and resource recovery plant infrastructure for a total
[10:55] I'm going to have to exceed 366,073.
[11:01] Was that any other side of them?
[11:03] That would be me, President Alvarado,
[11:06] Zaryn Weiner, would be water quality department.
[11:11] Good evening, directors.
[11:13] And do you want me to run?
[11:15] Do you want me to run a thing for you?
[11:18] I've got two items that are waiting for presentations.
[11:22] Do you want me to run that or do you want to run it?
[11:27] I'm sorry, I'm not following the question.
[11:32] Do you want me to share my screen?
[11:34] No, actually, I haven't read any.
[11:37] Thank you on my screen.
[11:38] Thank you.
[11:39] No problem.
[11:40] So about a month ago, early in April, we came to you with a proposal for
[11:46] Digester Cleaning from Citagreau.
[11:49] The proposal was $154,000.
[11:52] As we've worked through the process of cleaning,
[11:55] It turns out we have more solids in the digester than we originally thought for a couple of reasons that I'll explain when we get to the questions.
[12:08] So we are requesting an additional 74,000 or just under 75,000 to complete the digester cleaning.
[12:17] Excuse me, in addition to that, we, when Cinergrill was here, we asked them for a proposal to clean EQ basin number one, which is the smaller of our stormwater EQ basins, which has never been cleaned before, by an outside contractor, the cost of that is 137,000.
[12:37] And so what we're asking you for is a, excuse me, is an increase, basically a change
[12:47] order or a amendment to cover the cost of those two additional items for CineGreau.
[12:53] And the rest of the details are, as noted in the staff report in front of you, and the
[12:59] only other thing that I wanted to mention was that we are hopefully soon going to be fit
[13:07] the cleaning and bringing digester to online at which point we will likely be coming back to you
[13:13] to you know with a proposal to clean digester number one after bringing that offline.
[13:21] And that's that's all I had to to introduce the item and take questions.
[13:26] Thank you Aaron. Well, there are customary any questions?
[13:29] No, thank you.
[13:33] You're the winner?
[13:35] Yes, I just wondered if I heard correctly.
[13:40] As I read the report, it was regarding the digestions 1 and 2.
[13:48] I'm making an e-cube basin.
[13:57] So I'm sorry, a couple of separate items. So what we're asking for tonight is 75,000 dollars just under to complete cleaning digester one and an additional 137,000 to clean fully clean EQ based in number one.
[14:18] And I may have flipped a lot that.
[14:20] I'm sorry, 75,000 to finish cleaning digester too.
[14:25] And the 137 to clean fully clean EQ based number one.
[14:30] Number digester number one will come to you as a separate item
[14:33] at a later date
[14:38] that clear, clear it up.
[14:40] Yeah, I misread the, I misread the report because I thought
[14:43] if we split the back and forth between the cost,
[14:46] I just, you and the digest from one.
[14:50] You notice that it was, we keep base and one now that I pulled on one, I understand.
[14:58] All right, do we need you all set?
[15:00] I'm good. Okay, direct this to Peter.
[15:05] I'm good. Okay, bye.
[15:20] Thank you. Okay, I'm good. Now, I'm motion to approve, please.
[15:31] I make a motion to move the item.
[15:35] Second, but the eyes have been moved and seconded.
[15:40] Please take the roll.
[15:43] President Alvarado?
[15:45] Yes.
[15:47] Vice-president Judith.
[15:50] So, Director Stanley?
[15:53] Sure.
[15:55] Director's a Pada?
[15:58] Yes.
[15:59] And Director Weiner?
[16:01] Yes.
[16:02] Pass us unanimously.
[16:04] Next item, please.
[16:08] Next item is see a doctor resolution
[16:11] authorizing the general manager to execute an amendment, excuse me. Execute an amendment to the agreement
[16:18] with regional government services by an additional $360,000 for human resource support and
[16:25] miscellaneous consulting services and increasing the term for a total not to exceed the amount
[16:32] of $3,158,334 dollars.
[16:38] Okay, what's the money?
[16:41] Did you have any presents ever out of game?
[16:42] This is just a level.
[16:43] I have all of you presenting this item.
[16:46] So, a regional government services
[16:48] have been providing a transitional leadership services
[16:52] as well as consultant support
[16:54] for the district for a little over two years now.
[16:59] And now that we've got, we have, we're getting staffed up, and a lot of the work from RGS is winding down.
[17:08] However, some of what they're working on, we still have several more months of need to work with RGS.
[17:15] principally in the infrastructure and planning department, one of the RGS consultants is helping us
[17:22] significantly with a lot of the sustainability initiatives. And just to get us through
[17:27] pretty much through September, and then we also have RGS working with us on several of our
[17:33] the human resources consulting. One of that is benefits administration, which is a pretty large
[17:40] chunk of one of the one of the RGS consultants as well as disability leave management and
[17:48] labor labor negotiations that are still ongoing. And so we need about $360,000. I'll get us through
[17:56] September of 2020 and how we are without get us through and we would pretty much wind down the
[18:03] contract and it's existing form with with RGS. And so I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have.
[18:15] Thank you, Justin. Dr. Stanley.
[18:19] I have no question.
[18:22] Dr. Weiner.
[18:24] No, I have no questions.
[18:26] Dr. Safeta.
[18:29] Question in the last meeting, we approved the budget for ADP to be able to help out with these HR.
[18:36] Can you tell us what they will be handling since we just hired ADP?
[18:41] Right.
[18:42] So, so the current on the HR functions with RGS, that person will help us to part of the implementation with ADP.
[18:52] And so once ADP goes live in approximately 12 weeks,
[18:56] so we're assuming by the September that that service is a lot of the benefits services that the
[19:03] RGS person is performing would go into, would be part of ADP, ADP products, and so that work would
[19:12] no longer be needed. So that's probably the principle amount. There's still be some occasional
[19:17] labor negotiations support, but that would be through a separate agreement in the future.
[19:25] Thank you.
[19:25] Spectacles that it would be under $50,000, so under the general manager of R&B.
[19:31] Thank you. And for the disability relief management, what exactly do they do for that?
[19:38] So currently, they are really helping us communicate between the doctors,
[19:46] There's notices or modified duty and writing up any modified duty action plans, essentially
[19:54] what they're helping us with right now.
[19:56] We know within the next several months, a lot of that work is going to be more transitioned
[20:00] in-house now that we know with our existing human resource analysts, that kind of transitional
[20:06] need is going to slow down significantly as well for the next several months.
[20:10] And the disability, and thinking, thinking for that disability, we were referring to, like, short
[20:14] disability, California state disability and long term disability.
[20:18] Right.
[20:18] So, you know, it, it, it's, it's, it's, it's happen to be a work for the kids.
[20:22] If you, or there was, or somebody was on FNLA.
[20:28] There, there.
[20:28] Especially just making sure, helping us make sure that we have all the paperwork, and all the documentation
[20:33] in order in part of it in a training with our existing staff.
[20:37] So then we'll fill in the future that we would be taking that component on in-house.
[20:45] Okay. I know the question. Thank you so much, Justin. And Lisa, thank you.
[20:48] Thank you, Director Spada, Vice President Settiff.
[20:53] Yes, I have questions. We'll go right ahead.
[20:56] Because RGA, this much money gives me a heartburn. I say every time these RGA stands out,
[21:06] how many people does
[21:08] This is covering, there are five people that are covering this amount of work.
[21:18] We're going to pay 360,000 for five people for human resources support for all of
[21:30] for not even five months, for activities that last year when this
[21:37] came up,
[21:41] we were told would be
[21:46] transitions in-house.
[21:48] And now we're talking about again that is going to be transitions in-house.
[21:53] I'm having issues with continuing to pay money to our G.S.
[21:58] And now we're well over $3 million out of outsourcing still, duties that I feel see should be
[22:09] that should be handled in writing up paperwork for modification of work duties should
[22:15] be in-house.
[22:17] And even if we're training people, it should not take to September to teach someone to write
[22:25] up these paperwork.
[22:26] They have no incentive to train our in-house theft.
[22:30] If we're going to continue to pay some body,
[22:32] some organization almost $400,000.
[22:36] For four to five months.
[22:39] I said it before, and I will say it again.
[22:41] I'm not going to continue to approve money going out the door
[22:48] to consultants when we should be training people to hire full time
[22:53] even if it's part time.
[22:55] to have jobs at West County West Water to employees at West County West Water.
[23:03] All of these consultants are eating up our bottom line.
[23:07] This is look how much money this is that we keep giving away to consultants.
[23:12] There's a lot of money over $3 million to RGS.
[23:18] There's a lot of money and I'm not seeing the where the return is when they walk out of the door even if it's in September.
[23:24] Where's the return to West County? Where's the retention of knowledge to West County?
[23:30] When they leave, they did at knowledge somewhere else.
[23:34] With County doesn't retain that. We're not hiring them as per many, but this time we should hire them.
[23:41] So where is our transition plan?
[23:44] Do we have that? We have a transition plan?
[23:49] I can answer that question. Do you want to
[23:56] a little bit, just to clarify on the split, 120,000 of the 360 would go to the HR services.
[24:07] And then the remaining is for infrastructure and planning works. There's a lot of project management,
[24:13] work related to sustainability initiatives.
[24:17] There are helping a lot on that area as well as some supervision within the infrastructure and planning department.
[24:24] So there are the two separate things.
[24:27] We are looking at actually putting all this stuff in house.
[24:33] So this is something that I'm working on as well as Michael
[24:37] on coming up with our plan to have all our staff.
[24:40] And so you'll see that in the next several months with different pieces
[24:45] that I'm working on to be able to have that staffing.
[24:47] And so we can have our HR functions in-house and not rely on RGS.
[24:54] So that is pieces that I'm working on is taken longer than anticipated, and I wasn't hired
[25:01] a year ago when this amendment, the last amendment went in June.
[25:06] So it's just a transition longer than anticipated, but we are working to not have used RGS
[25:13] such a large extent to really bring a lot of the pieces in-house that they're doing.
[25:19] And I do want to add, there are approximately three vacant positions right now that are
[25:25] we're anticipated to take on some of this work. Again, one of the things with ADP taking,
[25:31] that's the transition for benefits administration, which will move those things.
[25:36] But we also have an HR manager that the board approved as part of the budget that position
[25:42] does not exist. So we have to create a classification in order for that to exist. That once
[25:49] that exists and we hire for that. And both Justin and Michael and Aaron for that matter are
[25:56] basically doing their own evaluation. They've inherited some positions new positions and they
[26:02] wanted to do an evaluation, which is what they should be doing. To determine if those were really
[26:07] the right positions for their needs.
[26:10] One of those positions is the HR manager,
[26:12] so that has remained vacant this entire time.
[26:16] We will see some movement with that position,
[26:18] I think going forward shortly.
[26:20] Michael also has positions,
[26:22] I believe there are two positions currently vacant.
[26:26] One, there used to be a supervisor position
[26:28] in the infrastructure and planning department
[26:30] that oversaw the division that the RGS employee is now seeing
[26:35] And then there was no one, essentially, assigned to deal with the numerous environmental initiatives
[26:42] that we've now taken on.
[26:44] So there's some new tasks that we didn't have before.
[26:47] And there is a gap in supervision right now that we're currently dealing with.
[26:53] And that's part of the transition, both Justin and Michael, again, looking
[26:58] at their departments and assessing.
[26:59] So, I can't really say it's taking longer than anticipated except to say that they're doing
[27:06] a thorough analysis before they make a move, but there is absolutely the intent to move
[27:14] these things in-house to the appropriate positions in the right timeframe, because the last thing
[27:20] we want to do is move forward with the position, and it not be the right position with the right
[27:24] So, that was the only other piece I wanted to add, and we definitely understand and are an agreement that the reliance on the consultants is not something you want to do and that's what you'll see you've seen, and you'll see a dramatic change.
[27:39] Part of the problem was before essentially every single executive leadership position was being filled by the consultant because the only permanent person in place was myself and actually for a year I was in terms.
[27:53] So it is changing, I understand not maybe as quickly as you'd like, but it is going to happen and we are moving in that direction.
[28:04] This is true.
[28:05] Of course, you know that's my pain point.
[28:08] Yes.
[28:09] My point is that everything else I can do with, but that's my pain point.
[28:14] and consultants instead of employees,
[28:18] I can't point for me to give three million dollars
[28:22] to our GF, it's a pain point for me personally.
[28:28] To have to explain that to our community,
[28:32] we have this much money going to someone other
[28:36] than our community as hiring, hiring.
[28:42] I mean I would rather even see the consultants
[28:44] to do actual employees, but they're not even happening. So I get it. I know it's harder and hard time,
[28:51] hiring people myself, but these are the important for me, personally. So I'm glad to see that there's
[28:57] movement in trying to bring it in-house. I would rather have seen that as part of the staff report
[29:04] that is what's happening. So just a recommendation, and when you're writing the support,
[29:11] that you actually mentioned, that is why you're doing Mr. Savannah instead of a lawyer, that's what I would say.
[29:21] And my recommendation to you when you're writing the staff report, you put the staff's attention that, you know,
[29:28] Otherwise, it looked like we're spending $360,000 in four and a half months on temporary contractors.
[29:39] We know transitional Warsaw, and how we're doing bringing this in place.
[29:46] Thank you, Mr. President.
[29:48] I'm finished.
[29:49] Thank you, Vice President Suffin. I too share your concerns.
[29:52] I'd like to see that we get out of this contract with our GS and hire our own employees and it sounds to me like staff is moving
[30:00] In that direction, so hopefully we'll see RGS coming up again for additional funds. So I'm going to motion to approve this, please.
[30:19] I'll make a motion to move this over to move this out for a vote. So I'll make a motion to improve the motion. Thank you.
[30:34] I would like an explanation on what director Zepadar just said on a thing is so making a motion
[30:49] for a boat and either move forward or not because nobody was jumping at making a motion
[30:55] so I mean a motion so we can figure out where we're going but what was this we're making
[31:01] emotion to make a vote to get a vote, or I mean, to make a motion on the one of us being
[31:09] opposed, I wouldn't be the item. Correct? Okay, that's what I thought you were, but it didn't
[31:17] suck like it. Okay, I second that. All right, so the items have been moved and seconded please take
[31:23] the roll. President Alvarado? Yes. Vice President Siddit? No.
[31:31] Okay.
[31:37] Director Stanley, you have directors of PETA?
[31:44] Yes.
[31:45] And director Wiener.
[31:47] Yes.
[31:52] I don't know what to say because it's the motion pass because you have a core on right?
[31:57] Yes, that's right.
[31:59] Okay.
[32:01] All right, next item please.
[32:04] Item C is adopt the resolution.
[32:06] Not the resolution.
[32:07] No.
[32:08] That one.
[32:08] Item was moved.
[32:12] Oh, Rhonda six.
[32:14] Oh, sorry about that.
[32:16] Information reports, information reports are provided to keep the board updated on routine,
[32:21] recurring or specific matters, but do not require board vote.
[32:25] There will be no discussion of information reports on the specific items are pulled for discussion.
[32:32] A is received the general manager's report for the months of March and April 2020.
[32:38] I mean,
[32:40] again, just open, if you have any questions, I would like to request though that
[32:45] item C and D actually, guess we pulled forward discussion, we'd like to present a little bit
[32:52] of information on that one.
[32:58] Any questions on item A of six, Dr. Stanley?
[33:04] No.
[33:05] We're right the winner.
[33:08] Nope, they're right to subpoena.
[33:11] Nope, vice president.
[33:14] I'm sorry.
[33:16] Thank you.
[33:17] Good morning.
[33:18] Good evening.
[33:18] Adam B. Please.
[33:21] Adam B is received the board's attorney statement of services.
[33:23] David May 1, 2020.
[33:26] For services provided in the month of May 2020.
[33:30] He was actually for services provided in the month of April, 2021.
[33:34] This is a point on the agenda where you typically review my invoices and I answer any questions.
[33:40] I get sent out my typical email explaining what I thought he had additional explanation,
[33:45] but I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.
[33:48] Okay, there are constantly any questions.
[33:51] I will be asked my questions personally.
[33:54] Thank you.
[33:55] All right.
[33:55] Director Weener.
[33:57] No, I have no questions.
[33:59] Director Spade up.
[34:01] No questions.
[34:01] Vice President Sutter.
[34:05] I'm sorry, thank you.
[34:06] All right, I'm good.
[34:08] Next item, please.
[34:10] Item C, receiving update on the business of West County, West County Agents thing.
[34:17] Who's presenting?
[34:19] So Andrew is going to provide you with a brief update.
[34:25] Andrew, bye.
[34:28] Working on the unmute there.
[34:31] Yes, just a very brief update.
[34:32] We had a special meeting on May the 15th and the West County agency approved authorized us to enter into a contract with Corralo engineers to proceed with the design of the sodium bisophate facility.
[34:49] We're going to continue to work with Richmond on updating the agreement, the joint powers agreement, specifically to do a better job of defining the roles and responsibilities and try to address.
[35:01] Some of the concerns about the timing of payments, and I think we can make some arrangements on that regarding when we would receive funding for capital projects, for example.
[35:14] And I'm cautiously optimistic that we can work through that with Richmond and be able to come back with approval on that agreement by early fall, September, October, and be able to definitely do that before.
[35:30] we go out to bid for the construction project and that won't happen until at least late
[35:38] fall or early winter as we go through the design process. But I do think that on this project
[35:44] that we are cooperating and coordinating with Richmond fairly well, there will be some details
[35:50] in that JPA that may take some negotiations back and forth. So it's difficult to say exactly when
[35:57] will be back, but we're moving forward on the projects and we'll be going to the West County Agency
[36:03] with a budget update in June to pass that budget that will give Richmond plenty of time to be
[36:10] able to take a look and whatever machinations they need to go through to approve and appropriate
[36:17] the dollars into their budget. It's a little confusing exactly what they have to do there,
[36:23] But given them plenty of notice as to what we expect the budget to be, we'll have the budget passed in June.
[36:31] And they will be sending them an invoice in the next couple of days for the Coral will contract.
[36:37] That money was budgeted in this current fiscal year.
[36:40] They're well aware of that and in communication with their public works director.
[36:45] And then plenty of time, like I said, to have the funds available before we start construction.
[36:50] So, hopefully we can move these things along smoothly, but we will see how that progresses and we'll be back with updates to the board.
[36:59] Any questions or how did you answer?
[37:01] Thank you, Andrew.
[37:03] There are questions.
[37:06] No, thank you.
[37:08] There are the winner.
[37:10] I don't know.
[37:12] There are.
[37:12] There are.
[37:16] Andrew, just a quick question and I'm not sure you might know this or not.
[37:19] to someone who's buying a historical, but have we ever had any issues with any agencies that we
[37:24] weren't with not being able to meet the responsibilities?
[37:28] I don't have a lot of things to say.
[37:31] But I think that ultimately they have met the responsibilities. It's more about a timely
[37:37] decision. Okay. Because I know that Richard right now is going through a financial
[37:44] hardship. So I'm sure that if we're putting the money out that we get the money back.
[37:48] But as far as that goes, we're invoicing them for the consulting work, their public works
[37:56] are racked and indicated that they did have that funding budget in this year and they
[38:01] done whatever appropriation mechanism they have to do.
[38:05] Like I said, it's a little arcane in the way they explained it.
[38:08] I'm not fully understanding that process, but I do also understand that the monies that
[38:13] talking about for the construction project are part of it and NSRF fund alone. So it's not going
[38:22] to be monies that are coming from the general fund and the other areas that are going to be
[38:26] dramatically hit with the budget issues that they have now. So I'm optimistic that they will have
[38:33] the funding for the project. It's in an enterprise fund that will be paying back the the loan
[38:40] And we will not enter into a construction contract until the funds are in the WCA accounts.
[38:49] So we won't put ourselves in a position of not being able to pay the contractor.
[38:54] We're having to pay the contractor with West County wastewater funds.
[39:00] Thank you for that.
[39:01] No more questions.
[39:02] Thank you.
[39:03] Thank you, Director Superior.
[39:04] Vice President Sove?
[39:07] Yes.
[39:08] So last night, Richmond City Council meeting,
[39:14] another fun adventure, they were dealing with their waste water plants issue and what's going to came up?
[39:27] West County, this issue came up with the West County agency and also we came up.
[39:36] Mr. Martinez spoke about West County wastewater.
[39:42] I'm not talking about West County wastewater and the West County agency.
[39:47] I make sure that I give these comments great because I wanted to reach through the screen and shake him.
[39:55] because it kept talking about these wet county wastewater making a
[40:00] profit off of the relationship with a waste wall and it kept saying it and
[40:10] you know when you say it three times other people aren't really paying attention
[40:13] they start to believe what they first until finally the attorney had to
[40:20] correct him and then there was the guy from the O'Water was there and he also corrected him and then they got into this discussion about Richmond paying 70 30% of the upkeep and West County paying the 30% which is 60 70% and they started saying that oh and Mick you may want to weigh in on this.
[40:51] Well, we've been talking to West County and we're trying to move it towards 65-35 and we will continue to talk about it some more.
[41:10] We've only been verbal discussions so far and we're hoping that we can make this more formal soon.
[41:18] someone from the water waiting and then that's when they got into the
[41:24] huge discussion about if Weston County has a markup on the project and
[41:31] they said no they don't. The Oliya is contracting with Corolla for the
[41:38] project design bill but they were getting it mixed up between this money coming from
[41:42] with county agency and the money that they're getting from for the outfall and the
[41:51] money that Richmond needs to bring in for its own plant. But if someone get out into
[41:58] the universe for the citizens of Richmond because Richmond has to now, you know,
[42:05] then they passed it last night, do a rate increase. So now they've strong West County wastewater
[42:10] into this mix, right? So I would want all of you to please go back and watch last night.
[42:18] They're very painful meeting, but you need to watch it so you can see what's being said.
[42:24] But they've got us in the middle of this mix and somehow they're saying something about
[42:32] us getting a markup on this project and moving us from the 70-30 mix to 65-35 mix.
[42:40] So, do you not anything about this?
[42:43] Director, do you want to go ahead first, man?
[42:45] I do know something about this.
[42:47] 70-30 has never been discussed.
[42:50] When you look at the existing joint powers of agreement,
[42:53] the split, it was an audit split, is 6832.
[42:59] Richmond proposed since this is a little bit different project.
[43:02] Richmond proposed several months ago that they should pay 65%
[43:07] and the West County wastewater district should pay 35% of the bill.
[43:11] Apple and O&M cost and West County wastewater district agreed to that.
[43:15] We just need to memorialize it so I don't know where the 70-thirty comes from.
[43:20] Now that issue also came up at the last West County agency meeting and I thought we clarified it then as well.
[43:28] If I may add, at the last meeting, Mick did say those numbers exactly and I believe council member
[43:34] Martinez repeated them. It's a little unfortunate if it sounds like there's again a lot of
[43:41] confusion being thrown out there and their process is rather arcane but
[43:47] there was quite a lengthy process to determine what the splits should be
[43:53] and the amount of administrative costs that goes into managing the WCA which almost
[43:59] all of that burden is currently falling on the West County wastewater and not on Richmond at all.
[44:06] So it's a little disingenuous to suggest that somehow there's some kind of a markup on this and a
[44:11] profit being made because first it's illegal for us to make a profit. But like I said, I'm going to
[44:19] hopefully be back in September or October but I'm a little raffling on that somewhat because of
[44:25] exactly this is that if we have good faith negotiations with Richmond, as I think we will
[44:32] in talking to their staff, then we'll come up with some agreement and we'll define the
[44:37] roles and responsibilities, but there may be some contention around the actual split of
[44:44] costs going forward after this project. There may be some concerns about who manages the agency
[44:50] because it will be part of our proposal to say rich mandates your turn.
[44:55] You administer the agency.
[44:56] You seem to have an issue.
[44:58] We're more than happy.
[45:00] To turn it over to you for administration and we'll codify that into the into the agreement so that it wouldn't be this one agency or the other can do it will say that one agency will take it for a three to five years and we'll negotiate what that would be.
[45:17] Then it goes to the other agency, so it's very clear in the JPA, but the 65-35, that's based
[45:26] on flow numbers. And so they're real. And we have no problem with that. But we need to look at it going
[45:32] forward and work with them. But there's no magic to this. It's based on, we have the facilities there,
[45:40] what percentage of flow goes through those facilities from our agency and what goes through
[45:45] from Richmond. And so, I'm not sure what they're trying to accomplish quite honestly, but
[45:51] we will continue to work with staff and good faith on this end into the best that we can.
[45:56] Thank you. I know he was corrected twice last night of three times last night when he kept
[46:02] missing. So, you know, they kept trying to correct him. I thought I would just let you know.
[46:11] Thank you. Thank you very much. I too attended that meeting of Leo Zoom and heard the same
[46:19] things and it seems like Richmond just I don't know for some reason they don't have to
[46:25] gather. So I encourage people to look at the meeting but you know you're going to be frustrated
[46:32] As I was, and I'm sure Vice President Salip was, but what we discussed at the meeting, you know, they voted on, we voted on, and I think that's kind of binding. So, you know, we'll go forward from there.
[46:48] Next slide of please.
[46:50] President Alvarado?
[46:51] Yes.
[46:52] I think everyone is here.
[46:53] Yeah, I'll just pull her that out.
[46:57] Do you think it would be advantageous for us to send a person to give testimony to the board
[47:06] to present the facts, rather than rely on one of the members of the WCA to present them
[47:19] the Richmond City Council. In other words, you know, taking opportunity to respond to
[47:27] his, whatever he makes, whatever claims he makes.
[47:32] You know, as I think it would be advantageous, I don't think it would do any good, but
[47:38] rather than someone, we could also send them a written document saying what we agreed on and what we
[47:45] didn't. I think that probably would be better. But I'll leave that up to the board. When this comes up,
[47:53] we can also put it on the future agenda to discuss that. It's best the item to make sure that we're
[47:58] going in the right direction. I don't think your idea is a bad idea. President Alvarado, may I make a comment here?
[48:06] Sure. Make and I've already had some discussions around that in that we were memorialized at 65
[48:14] by 35 in the agreements that we're working on right now
[48:18] as regards specifically to the SPS project
[48:22] because we do agree with that and have no problem with that.
[48:26] As part of the JPA going forward, whether it's 65, 35,
[48:30] I think we have to continue to look at that,
[48:32] but it seems to be the reason a whole number
[48:35] based on the flow rates.
[48:37] And then when this comes up to the WHO agencies
[48:41] to approve, we're more than happy. I'll be more than happy at that point to go to a Richmond
[48:47] Council meeting and discuss it if that's necessary at that point but I think that we have
[48:52] quite a bit of a discussion that we need to have in the next couple of months to try to at least
[48:58] to the staff level hopefully come to some semblance of an agreement that we can move forward with
[49:03] I quite honestly don't quite understand what's going on with the politics of it but I think
[49:09] the staff level. We can work something out. Yeah, I don't think anybody understands that political
[49:15] level over there, but thank you, Andrew. Any further questions or comments?
[49:23] All right, seeing
[49:24] nothing next item, please. D is receiving update and update on West County wastewater's response
[49:31] to COVID-19 pandemic.
[49:37] Okay, who's giving us? Andrew. I'm back again, President Alvarado. The
[49:44] report is similar to what we've been providing each meeting, not a lot of significant changes.
[49:51] And I think that that's the important message is that going forward, they're been, as we've
[49:57] seen, a lot of politics, a lot of charge issues, a lot of reopening phase 1, phase 2,
[50:06] the restaurants, take out the retail. But we have been operating this entire time as essentially
[50:14] infrastructure and what we're doing is gradually bringing back a few more people
[50:19] we're working on our exposure control plan to make sure we can have that happen safely
[50:24] and we as an agency regardless of exactly what's happening with the state or the county orders
[50:31] we're going to continue to require face coverings for all employees through at least July 31
[50:37] First, we're going to make sure that we don't have any large events through the end of the year.
[50:44] We're going to continue along the lines pretty much with what we've been doing in trying to rather than, as the order says,
[50:52] now, maximize the number of employees that work remotely.
[50:56] As we move forward, we're going to, in the same spirit, minimize the number of employees in the office at any given time.
[51:04] So that we can allow for greater space to be able to continue the physical distancing with the idea that we want to continue our operations make sure we're providing it as efficiently and effectively as we can but at the same time keeping our employees safe and working for the good of everybody in the office and so we're making small changes and we're going to make those adjustments we're communicating those to stop and we're going to continue moving forward because there's just a lot of unknowns.
[51:34] And we don't want to feel a great deal of what we do feel it, but we don't want to react
[51:39] to a great deal of pressure to say that we must open up or do something differently.
[51:45] We are open and we are operating.
[51:47] What we want to do is operate in a safe manner.
[51:50] And so that's what we're going to continue to do.
[51:53] Thank you, Andrew.
[51:55] Quartz is in the board.
[51:56] But I had one quick thing before you moved to for questions or comments.
[52:03] I wanted to also just add that we're using this opportunity to do some where we can some improvements now to the building.
[52:11] For example, today we have some work done to upgrade our security access.
[52:19] And so we're also using the opportunity we're staffer out of the office.
[52:23] And again, we're at appropriate to do some of these things that are difficult to do when we have staff fully staffed in the office.
[52:31] So I just wanted to add that as well.
[52:34] Thank you, Lisa.
[52:35] Do I have to say any questions comments?
[52:39] No, thank you.
[52:40] They're at the winner.
[52:43] Have we had anybody say they got it or stay at home?
[52:49] So we can't actually get into that.
[52:53] we can't address that in a public meeting, but I will say that we are taking all of the precautions
[52:59] and if we did have somebody that did we are, we have protocols for that essentially.
[53:07] So you can, in general, we can't discuss the possibility that somebody
[53:13] I don't think that we should be talking about that, but we do have a small organization.
[53:18] So I'm happy to talk offline, but I will say that it's not something that because we have a small organization, I think it's better to not discuss that in this.
[53:30] I agree with that position. I think she's correct.
[53:36] All right, well I'll ask you offline.
[53:38] Okay.
[53:41] Y'all said there are the weiner.
[53:42] I am good.
[53:43] All right, do I just fade out?
[53:47] question for me. Thank you so much.
[53:50] Vice President of the South.
[53:54] Thank you.
[53:55] All right. I'm good. Next item, please.
[53:58] Next item is number seven.
[54:01] Matters from staff, general manager and attorney.
[54:04] A staff general manager, attorney,
[54:07] comments, communication reports on issues or matters pertaining to the overall
[54:11] operations of the district.
[54:17] Andrew, Andrew, Erin, Justin Michael, anything for me, guys?
[54:22] I got a quick update with Savannah, Infrastructure and Planning Department Manager.
[54:27] I just want to update board and a public on where we are with the two emergencies that we're wrapping up.
[54:33] There's the Hilltop Arena Marginacy, we're currently in the process of drafting and reviewing the staff report and the close-out report that will come back to the board shortly on that.
[54:44] of the work is done there and it's been done for some time. On Lakeside we have some
[54:49] spoils which are the dirt that we removed when we did the excavation. We need to get rid
[54:54] of those spoils. Tally up what that change order is going to look like and then we'll be
[54:58] preparing the staff report and close out report for the board on both of those. I'm hoping for any
[55:05] questions that anyone may have.
[55:09] All right. Questions? Dr. Stanley? Nope. Dr. Weiner.
[55:16] I have none.
[55:18] Do you want to spade up?
[55:20] No, I'm for me.
[55:22] Vice President Sutter?
[55:24] I'm sorry, thank you.
[55:25] All right.
[55:26] Next item, please.
[55:29] Be welcome.
[55:33] I just wanted to mention that we did.
[55:39] What day was that?
[55:41] We should go, I guess.
[55:44] The San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority did.
[55:46] approved our grant application for the Resiliency Project, which otherwise known as the Eco-Tone
[55:53] Slope or Living Levy. That's $600,000 in funding, and we'll be bringing that to the board
[56:01] on June 3rd to accept that grant and then to hopefully have the board acknowledge that the project
[56:09] that we want to move forward with is some form of a levy improvement of a wildlife habitat
[56:16] and flood protection along the waterfront there as we continue to try to work with other partners.
[56:23] And I've been in coordination with the restoration authority project managers.
[56:30] We're trying to put together the work program and we'll take us a couple of months to get into a contract.
[56:35] And then from there we'll start to hire some consultants to do some preliminary design work.
[56:41] And this is quite exciting from the standpoint that we are getting money for planning,
[56:46] which is not always that common and there is a good pot of funding out there for construction
[56:51] if we can get ourselves to a good project and it's going to be a challenge to try to get
[56:57] some partners and that's all we're working on over the next few months.
[57:02] Okay, thank you Andrew. Next item please. Next item is receive a presentation by board
[57:08] turning on the brown act? Would you like me to bring that up? Yes, please.
[57:18] And we need
[57:19] to go to the, um, what is a meeting's lie? Why is this not scrolling? Oh, there we are. Sorry.
[57:29] Not showing here. Okay. You can't see any of it. I can't see any of it, but I have it with my screen too.
[57:38] Can anybody else do it? Nick, you could, yeah, we can't see it. You haven't shared that screen with us.
[57:44] Oh, you need to go in there.
[57:46] It's really.
[57:47] Nick, Nick could share a screen as well.
[57:50] I think I would have a different computer, Justin.
[57:53] Okay.
[57:53] But here, I can do it now.
[57:55] Yeah.
[57:55] Yeah, you can share.
[58:03] You can see it now.
[58:04] This is where we started.
[58:05] That's right.
[58:05] With underlying principles.
[58:08] Keep going.
[58:09] Okay.
[58:09] So go forward.
[58:11] Yeah.
[58:11] It's a few slides in.
[58:13] Next slide.
[58:14] Keep going.
[58:17] Yep.
[58:18] What?
[58:18] Go get one more.
[58:21] next slide is it. Okay, this is where we are tonight. We ended last time with what is a legislative body and the question that we ended with was well why doesn't make a difference and the answer is that
[58:49] at the same time in location, including teleconference location.
[58:54] So that means any time three of you are in vote,
[58:56] you are the majority of the members of the legislative body
[58:59] to hear, discuss, deliberate, or take action.
[59:04] So it's not only a discussion that includes taking action
[59:10] is a discussion of a matter that's within your subject matter jurisdiction,
[59:15] whether or not action is involved.
[59:16] Now, I included at the point about not having to include actually because there's a historical
[59:22] reason for it, it used to be that a majority of members could get together and discuss
[59:28] district business as long as they were not trying to develop a collective concurrence on what
[59:33] they were going to do. That was a minute out about 15 years ago. And so now, any discussion among
[59:40] a majority of members, which could include only, this could be as simple as the exchange of information.
[59:46] constitute to me. We all know the easy case, right? Three directors get together to discuss
[59:52] district business. That's a needy. Same with standing committees. And this is where the language
[59:58] of the statute is important. It's said.
[1:00:00] As any congregation of a majority of the members, there are two members, a standing committee, and so one member is not a majority. That is why when only one member shows up and that it can be a member of member or a member and alternate. That's why when only one shows up, it's not a meeting, it doesn't constitute a majority of the members.
[1:00:21] And this applies, meetings occur to with collective breathing, suppose, for example, your district manager wants to sit you all 5 be a down and go through something that's important to her and that's within the subject manager's section of the district cannot do that without it constituting a meeting.
[1:00:41] So, why is all this matter? Next slide, please? It matters. And we'll get, I'll get to the
[1:00:49] zero leading test. It matters because meetings just need to be properly noticed. That's what
[1:00:54] it's all, that's what this is all about. If you're going to have a meeting, we've got a properly
[1:00:58] notice it. Regular meetings require 72 hours notice, special meetings 24 hours notice, a
[1:01:04] emergency meeting, some kind of an hour notice, sometimes no notice at all. So, one of the things
[1:01:11] One of the traps we have to look out for is what are called prohibited serial meetings, what are those, what's a serial meeting?
[1:01:19] That's the statute says, a majority of directors for the board that would be three directors for a committee that would be two directors.
[1:01:28] Shal, not outside of a probably notice meeting. This again is where notice comes in. If you notice a meeting between a majority of directors or a committee, then the rest of this is irrelevant,
[1:01:38] because you can discuss anything you want that's on your agenda.
[1:01:42] But you can't use a series of communications and directly or through intermediaries
[1:01:46] and we get back to the discussed delivery or take action.
[1:01:51] Discuss means exactly what it says.
[1:01:54] You can't exchange information about anything within the subject matter jurisdiction of the district
[1:02:01] without doing proper notice.
[1:02:03] And this includes every conceivable type of communication, email, Facebook,
[1:02:07] you name it. You can't do it. Next slide please.
[1:02:14] Typical types of serial meetings. How do they occur? First one's daisy chain. What's a daisy chain?
[1:02:19] One director contacted another who contacted another pretty simple right now.
[1:02:23] It's trying to think of a of a good way to remember this and for you baseball fans,
[1:02:28] take her to ever to chance. Do you remember that? Those of that was the short stop
[1:02:33] second baseman and first baseman of the Chicago Cup back in 1906-07 way back
[1:02:38] and very famous double plate combination.
[1:02:42] So the picture of the issue, the issue within the subject matter of the jurisdiction is the
[1:02:46] ball, ground ball being hit to short stop, that's been taken for picks it up, no meaning
[1:02:50] yet, right?
[1:02:51] Flips over to every second base, still no meaning, because there's only two of them involved.
[1:02:56] Ever so as if the chance of first base, you've got your serial meaning, all three of the
[1:03:00] three, which would be a part of the board, are involved.
[1:03:03] That's a serial meeting, one conveys information to the other who conveys information to the other.
[1:03:10] So, director A can't talk to B to talk to D about the same thing.
[1:03:16] Second type, public smoke, intermediaries, intermediaries use.
[1:03:20] For example, director A calls me and says, hey, call director B and director C and tell them this, tell them I want to do this.
[1:03:29] I then become the intermediary, and that becomes an illegal meeting as well.
[1:03:35] We're going to get into what is not a meeting that involves the area of general manager or staff next time.
[1:03:40] But you've got to be careful because you can inadvertently step into this and create a meeting just like communicating,
[1:03:47] and having somebody communicate on your behalf to two other directors if you are, oh, I'm sharing just setting it up.
[1:03:59] Anyway, next slide leads.
[1:04:04] Telecom is meetings.
[1:04:05] I wanted to put this up because we're doing it so often these days.
[1:04:09] And a question came up the last board meeting,
[1:04:11] as to whether they could be done when we're not in the COVID-19 lockdown.
[1:04:16] And the answer is yes.
[1:04:18] The telecom is meetings are permissible for all purposes.
[1:04:22] And telecomference doesn't mean just being on the telephone.
[1:04:25] It's any form of electronic means.
[1:04:27] So what we are reviewing now is technically
[1:04:30] They tell a conference meeting and it includes video, audio, any type of electronic communication.
[1:04:38] So long as it is for the benefit of the public and the district.
[1:04:41] You know, I suppose we could always debate what the idea is, but that's the legal criteria.
[1:04:46] But you could use it anytime not just during the shelter in place.
[1:04:52] Next slide.
[1:04:54] If you're going to do so, and I kind of like these actually, but if you're going to do so,
[1:04:59] there are some technical requirements. First, all holds have to be right by a won't call and
[1:05:04] present all the run of the doing that religiously. The agendas have to be posted at all teleconference
[1:05:09] locations. The meetings have to be conducted to predict the attendees' rights. What does that mean?
[1:05:14] That means you've got to be able to allow and have to allow people to exercise their constitutional
[1:05:20] rights and speak to you somehow. In order to facilitate that, the agenda has to identify all teleconference
[1:05:27] locations, they have to be accessible to the public, a core on that means three directors
[1:05:33] have to participate for within the district, and the agenda must allow for public
[1:05:38] conference comments, and this is interesting at each telecarbons location, so very five
[1:05:43] different locations, technically everybody has to allow public comment at each location,
[1:05:49] so you might have people knocking on your door at home.
[1:05:52] Next slide please, and director Stanley just sent me, are we supposed to be posting a agenda on our doors now? No.
[1:06:01] This is done. This is being done during the sheltered in place orders.
[1:06:04] And so what government knew some entities, the issue and executive order, and that executive order says,
[1:06:12] and I'm paraphrasing each teleconference location is not have to be identified. They do not have to be accessible.
[1:06:20] public comment is not required at each location and for that matter, technically not required
[1:06:25] at any location. You don't have to post a genus at each location. And here's to me, an interesting,
[1:06:32] you want a corner of the board doesn't need to be present within the district during this
[1:06:36] shelter in place, so you can be scattered everywhere. We can be doing this along over the world.
[1:06:43] You don't need to provide a physical location, a public comment, or observation. That is, you
[1:06:48] if you're going to do teleconference meetings other than during the shelter in place over now.
[1:06:54] This is going to end. I don't know when, but at some point the governor is going to
[1:06:58] rescind his orders and we'll have to go back to the way it is described on the prior slide.
[1:07:04] So I think that's the last slide.
[1:07:10] That's it for now and next time we're going to go through
[1:07:12] what is not a meeting and what you can do outside of the noticing requirements. I'm happy to answer
[1:07:18] any questions you may have. Thank you, Mick. There are questions, Stanley. Any questions?
[1:07:24] Thank you. Thank you. There are the weiner. Yeah, Mick, when there is no location for these zoom meetings,
[1:07:37] other than the interwebs. So why would a public and the public can comment through the chat
[1:07:53] or there's a participants, but if you're just an attendee question, you can submit questions and answers during the meeting.
[1:08:04] So, why does location even matter, even though the governor's report is that, you don't have to have a location, but as far as public comment goes, there is no way to describe it as a location. It's at the meeting.
[1:08:29] That's correct, and it's a good question, so that's why in a normal teleconference meeting,
[1:08:37] not during this COVID shelter in place order, you must allow them to actually come physically
[1:08:43] to where you are to make comments, and that means every director who's teleconversing,
[1:08:48] and if the meeting is at the district office, you have to give them a place to come.
[1:08:52] During this COVID shelter in place, that requirement has been lifted.
[1:08:56] The second part of your question was why why is there have to be a location and all I can say is that is what the legislature and it's infinite wisdom dictated the statute says other than this period in time there has to be a core of the board within the district boundaries even though you're right it makes no real difference.
[1:09:18] Also, with regard to public comment at this point, you don't have to allow public comment during these Zoom meetings.
[1:09:25] You can require public comment to be submitted for example 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
[1:09:31] So you don't need to allow the public to comment during the meeting itself.
[1:09:35] But that, again, is just during the shelter in place.
[1:09:41] Thank you.
[1:09:42] Thank you, Director Ween and Director Spada.
[1:09:48] Thank you, Mr. President.
[1:09:51] I have a question on the roll call vote.
[1:09:53] I've seen other meetings not have a roll call vote
[1:09:58] where they just do a voice vote
[1:10:04] and they'll go and say, all in favor say aye.
[1:10:09] All in any nays.
[1:10:11] And if there's any nays,
[1:10:12] then they'll do a roll call vote if it's neat up there.
[1:10:15] Otherwise it just moves on.
[1:10:17] and it's all yes. Is that? Are we taking that a more conservative take on that or is that written somewhere
[1:10:29] where others are not following it or are we following it or are there some red lines in there?
[1:10:35] This is no great lies. During the statutes specifically says all those taken during a telephone
[1:10:43] teleconference meeting shall be by roll call. That is not one of the required
[1:10:49] must the governor's executive order of the meeting. So technically, all
[1:10:53] votes must be by roll call. If others are doing it differently, they're not
[1:10:57] following the statute. All right, but to now. That is it. Thank you. That was
[1:11:04] my impression. Presentation. Thank you to work for Spade of Vice President
[1:11:08] yourself? Thank you. I'm glad you asked a question because yeah, that was always mine. I tried to
[1:11:16] correct few people and I'm a hate chapter, but the real call goes.
[1:11:26] Especially in membership
[1:11:28] organizations because you never know who's a member on the phone call or on the video conference
[1:11:34] And so, it always confuses me when people do a consent vote, that would work on vote.
[1:11:42] So, thank you.
[1:11:46] Thank you, Vice President.
[1:11:47] So, I have a question about committees.
[1:11:51] Why should the board have committees?
[1:11:55] If any board member can attend, and then it becomes a special board meeting.
[1:11:59] I mean, it's just a feast of purpose.
[1:12:01] because committees are recommending or not a approval for it, so I'm just a little confused about that,
[1:12:11] because of all the commissions and boards I may not, and this is the only one that allows all members to attend.
[1:12:19] The next one question, okay, let's start with committees.
[1:12:22] Committees are technically two members, so it's not a form of the board, right? Correct.
[1:12:27] And other directors can attend those meetings, as long as they sit there and say nothing, and then it remains a committee meeting.
[1:12:36] As a matter of policy, just district many years ago said, look, we want our directors to be able to attend committee meetings and participate.
[1:12:45] And so that is why they are noticed as special meetings.
[1:12:49] If you need to this district, I've never had anybody else do it, but it is legal.
[1:12:54] And really, that's a policy question if the board wants to change that and go back to a strict committee's structure or eliminate committees altogether, it can do I don't want that that's a policy question.
[1:13:06] Okay, so board can actually go back and say, committee meetings are committee meetings.
[1:13:13] Yes, that is a policy issue for the board.
[1:13:17] Yeah.
[1:13:17] And I'm surprised.
[1:13:17] President Alvarado, you didn't ask me about
[1:13:20] tangerine ever's the chance.
[1:13:23] Go ahead, explain to me.
[1:13:27] I already did.
[1:13:28] I can go through it again.
[1:13:30] Great double play combination.
[1:13:33] Chicago Cubs 1906.
[1:13:36] Who's on first?
[1:13:37] Yeah.
[1:13:39] No, now who's on first.
[1:13:40] I don't know who's on second.
[1:13:45] Ever.
[1:13:45] Yeah, that's who's there.
[1:13:47] I don't know.
[1:13:49] Mr. President, may I ask a follow-up question?
[1:13:52] Sure, everyone.
[1:13:53] I'd like to have a debate.
[1:13:56] I'll make a follow-up question on that committee.
[1:14:00] Where, which policy do we currently have that says what you just said,
[1:14:09] I'm pretty sure it's there.
[1:14:16] So it's that.
[1:14:17] on. So I will extract it. It is there and we did discuss it at the last planning committee meeting
[1:14:25] and that was one of the proposed changes that I made to that version. So yes.
[1:14:30] Do you have a member being there? I just we're not following how like maybe somewhere else that's
[1:14:36] another policy that we're not following. Now we got. That was a policy decision made sometime ago.
[1:14:45] So when you say policy decision, don't we actually have to change the policy because I believe the current policy says in writing that committees are two and then we have three and you have to have all the other stuff.
[1:15:00] Yes, that's correct. So the policy that as it's written currently allows for it, the provision basically says that it can be noticed as a special meeting and that's been the practice to allow for what make is referring to the policy decision that previous boards made about wanting that structure.
[1:15:20] the revised policy and procedures that I proposed and we talked about the planning committee,
[1:15:28] we rewrote that section so that that, so that that wouldn't be there, and I think
[1:15:33] we put in something about, you know, if a board member, a noncommittee member wanted to attend
[1:15:38] that they would have to notify us, I think it was like 11 days in advance or something to that effect.
[1:15:44] I don't have it in front of me, so that we could then notice it as a special board meeting.
[1:15:49] So anyway, so it's there and we can certainly talk about it further, but it is, that's a proposed change that staff is recommending.
[1:15:59] Thank you for asking you.
[1:16:01] Okay, thank you.
[1:16:03] Next item please.
[1:16:05] I'll present another question.
[1:16:10] Right.
[1:16:11] So,
[1:16:13] the stone is committees.
[1:16:15] So I think the bigger issue is not just that another board member attends,
[1:16:21] is that the committee may become a quasi board meeting.
[1:16:28] Yes, and that's what I think the concern is, right?
[1:16:33] But it's now now longer committee meeting.
[1:16:37] So if one of us wants to attend one of the committee meetings,
[1:16:43] I think it's fine.
[1:16:45] As long as you attend your capacity as an observer of the committee meeting,
[1:16:49] not as a member of the meeting itself.
[1:16:54] And so I think that's what we were, and you're great
[1:16:57] in the background for the Navarado,
[1:16:59] that's the kind of guidance or what that we're looking for is that
[1:17:05] we needed a distinction between the commitment,
[1:17:10] meeting and the board meeting.
[1:17:12] And the effort to,
[1:17:13] where there was one committee meeting, but everybody showed that.
[1:17:17] And there was literally no difference between it being a board meeting, except for the fact
[1:17:25] that it was the planning meeting, but it looks like a board meeting, and an actual board meeting.
[1:17:34] And we really need to keep those separate, and I don't, I personally think we need to make
[1:17:40] sure that if you're going to attend, and I think there was something that Director Weiner
[1:17:46] and he said, I'm here, but I'm not here.
[1:17:51] So, that's the way it should be.
[1:17:53] And that's the way it should be if you're going in,
[1:17:56] you know, if I'm going to attend the global warming meeting,
[1:17:59] I'm there, but at that point,
[1:18:01] I'm not there as a director, I'm there observing,
[1:18:05] because I'm interested in the warming,
[1:18:07] I'm going to sit in, and observe.
[1:18:09] So, I think that we need to make that distinction.
[1:18:13] if we're attending the committee meetings and soaking it in and not attending to, you know,
[1:18:23] in our capacity of directors because they've changed the nature and the tenor of the meeting
[1:18:32] in and of itself. That's correct. That was previously the in this interim time,
[1:18:41] The way that it was done in person is that the committee members would sit where the board
[1:18:48] evenly sits and then the other members, if they did attend, they sat in the audience essentially.
[1:18:55] In these meetings, the way in which it can be accomplished is that the non-committee members
[1:19:01] can simply enter through the public portal as if you're just a member of the public observing the meeting.
[1:19:07] So you still can hear the discussion. I think it's still submit a question. I don't I don't know that answer Mickey can address that but anyway
[1:19:17] The way in which you could do it is by going through the public portal and then it's very clear that you're attending the meeting
[1:19:23] Just as any member of the public and not at participating in the discussion which then if you did become that special board meeting that you're talking about wanting to avoid.
[1:19:34] Now, that's all correct. We're getting a little off the presentation here.
[1:19:39] You'll wave at the prior board try to balance that policy.
[1:19:43] It was also saying that when committee meetings are noticed
[1:19:46] the special board meetings, they still only make recommendations
[1:19:49] not decisions, such that all decisions still had to come to one of the regular meetings.
[1:19:56] Yeah, I think that the, I think that the feast of purpose of committees
[1:19:58] and we definitely need to discuss this further as a full board
[1:20:03] Because I want committees to have the power to be a recommending for it. I mean if we want to have board meetings to discuss stuff
[1:20:10] Eventually it's gonna come back to the full board anyway. I mean the committees don't even make recommendations. It'll make approvals
[1:20:17] So I think having committees that all the board attends is non-productive. It really is just like having extra meetings
[1:20:26] So we really need to get back to the nature of committee meetings and that's my recommendation
[1:20:36] And it's included in the updated policies and procedures and so we'll bring that forward
[1:20:43] for the boards to consider you can make that change so policies and procedures and then you can put it in effect and it'll be accurately reflected in the document.
[1:20:53] Okay.
[1:20:53] Thank you, Lisa.
[1:20:55] Next item, please.
[1:20:57] Matters from Members of the Board, A is meeting reports reports on committee activities, conferences, seminars, meetings,
[1:21:04] pertaining to the overall operations of the district.
[1:21:09] All right, I'd like to know if the, the ad hoc committee has a set of date for meeting yet.
[1:21:18] Yes, we set it up for today and we met actually right before this meeting.
[1:21:23] We are going to be getting ready to schedule another one in two weeks.
[1:21:28] We did really good work.
[1:21:31] And we are moving it along, so we should have another date where we send an email out soon to schedule another one for two weeks.
[1:21:41] Okay, thank you so much.
[1:21:42] Correct, Mr. Peda.
[1:21:43] Welcome, President Morgan.
[1:21:47] Anybody else?
[1:21:48] Director Stanley?
[1:21:52] No, thank you.
[1:21:53] Director Weenor.
[1:21:56] These are reports from our meetings that we had yet.
[1:21:59] No, this is a...
[1:22:01] Yeah, yeah, it is.
[1:22:02] Yeah, it is. Sorry. Okay, so I attended the, attended the mayor's Zoom conference and to add on to what are you talking about the mayor of some Pablo Richmond?
[1:22:17] No, mayor's conference. Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, got you.
[1:22:21] the mayor's conference conference, county mayor's conference.
[1:22:24] I'd like to thank you.
[1:22:25] On to add on to what Andrew said,
[1:22:29] it's not only the city of Richmond that is going to have
[1:22:33] budget shortfalls going forward,
[1:22:38] according to the report,
[1:22:39] legislative report, it's everyone.
[1:22:43] So from the state down to counties down to cities,
[1:22:49] everybody's budgets have been or will be affected by the loss of sales tax etc. However,
[1:22:57] they get their revenues, revenues are down, will be down. So that was what I found out
[1:23:03] that that meeting had a great global warming committee meeting. Awesome work is being done.
[1:23:13] I attended the legislative day, days on Monday and Tuesday.
[1:23:21] Tuesday was a live conference, and Monday there were three webinars posted.
[1:23:30] And the one I watched on Monday was all about doubt hers, and I asked some questions about
[1:23:40] what I think I knew or found out of Justin, and he got back to me, and it was about
[1:23:49] unfunded kitchen libraries and how they worked. And then on Tuesday there was the actual
[1:24:00] legislative discussion, and it was all about the advocacy that they want all of the individual
[1:24:09] districts to do going forward and I will be submitting a report regarding that and it's all online and I think whoever wanted to go and attend and missed it you can you can still look at the old meeting on Tuesday and it was a three hour meeting and then Monday the webinars are still up for review.
[1:24:39] That's my reward. Thank you director. We know director to say anything further.
[1:24:49] Sorry, I can move my mouse. My dog is moving my arm.
[1:24:54] No, nothing further.
[1:24:56] Thank you. My president's letters.
[1:24:59] I was just really quickly. I also attended legislative days.
[1:25:05] And I'll give you a report.
[1:25:08] They've been busy with, I'm doing extra work with trying to get our senses done in our area.
[1:25:19] So, we're going to fetch all of us in one way or the other and get in some money into our part of the county.
[1:25:28] I'm quite a few other days in a good day.
[1:25:32] This is the legislative period, ACLU Day.
[1:25:36] We actually have one of the days today.
[1:25:39] So I will send the report.
[1:25:41] I won't be late because it's getting close to time for me to break fast.
[1:25:45] I'm done.
[1:25:46] You got it.
[1:25:47] Thank you Vice President, sir.
[1:25:49] I have nothing.
[1:25:50] Next item, please.
[1:25:52] But if the order report on events, when I just did, report on events and activities, which
[1:25:59] may be of interest members of the board and community members.
[1:26:03] Okay, let's go down the line, direct to Stanley.
[1:26:07] I don't know.
[1:26:09] Thank you.
[1:26:10] Direct the winner?
[1:26:13] Nope.
[1:26:13] No, no.
[1:26:14] Especially words.
[1:26:15] Okay.
[1:26:15] Thank you.
[1:26:15] Dark the Spada.
[1:26:19] No reports.
[1:26:20] Thank you.
[1:26:21] Thank you.
[1:26:22] Vice President Settiff?
[1:26:26] Yes.
[1:26:26] All set and I'm good. Next item please.
[1:26:33] Future agenda items. Informal observations and inquiries regarding the business of the district or request for placement of items of interest on future agenda items.
[1:26:45] Doctor Stanley.
[1:26:47] No.
[1:26:49] There are the weiner.
[1:26:51] There was some you mentioned, I was asking a question and you said, maybe we should make that a future picture of the item.
[1:26:57] Anybody else beside me, remember what that was?
[1:27:07] I'm sorry, I wanted to add.
[1:27:14] I'm sorry, what did you say?
[1:27:16] I said I do remember something I wanted to add whenever you'd get done.
[1:27:21] Yeah, well, right back to you, thank you.
[1:27:23] I'm obviously done because I can't remember what it was. I wanted to read it.
[1:27:26] I'll be looking forward as well.
[1:27:29] All right, Derek, do you want to participate?
[1:27:31] Nothing for me.
[1:27:34] Vice President Svetta?
[1:27:36] Yeah, I would like to hear about the training plans that we have,
[1:27:42] the transitional training plans that we have for him resources.
[1:27:47] I mean, please like that.
[1:27:51] I know that it's not finished, so at some point in the near future, I would like to hear about that.
[1:27:59] All right.
[1:28:00] Thank you.
[1:28:01] Vice President of the Senate.
[1:28:02] Director Stanley?
[1:28:07] I would like to bring up the subject of a grant writer, again,
[1:28:16] to search for money.
[1:28:19] Okay.
[1:28:21] Thank you.
[1:28:22] And the only thing I want on future agenda items is to discuss the committee structures and and how we're doing it right now, but it sounds like it's already on the policy and procedures of the board.
[1:28:35] So I'll wait for that to come up.
[1:28:38] Next item, please.
[1:28:41] Thank you all very much, y'all stay safe, have a great weekend, a great week, and take care.
[1:28:51] The German 8 o'clock.
[1:28:52] Thank you.
[1:28:54] Have a great holiday weekend.
[1:28:57] Bye bye.