MINUTES

DEPARTMENT OF WATER & POWER
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 28, 2005

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Department of Water & Power, City of Big Bear Lake, was called to order at 8:03 a.m., by Chairman Herrick, at the DWP Board Room, 41972 Garstin Drive, Big Bear Lake, California.

FLAG SALUTE: Led by Vice Chairman Etter

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:

Rick Herrick, Chairman
Eddie Etter, Vice Chairman
Susan Conley, Treasurer
Bill Speyers, Board Member
Barbara Willey, Board Member

BOARD MEMBERS EXCUSED: None

OTHERS PRESENT:

Jerome D. Gruber, General Manager
Scott Heule, Assistant General Manager
Diane Muir, Administrative Manager
Steve Wilson, Water Superintendent
Bill La Haye, Principal Analyst
Jennifer McCullar, Water Conservation Specialist
Frank Schilling, Purchasing/Inspector
Robyn Bratton, Secretary to the Board
Darrell Mulvihill, Mayor
Ken Dally, Mayor Pro Tem
Bob Colven, CSD Board President
Steve Schindler, General Manager BBARWA
Danielle Seckler, Bear Valley News
Michele Pinney, Big Bear Grizzly
Four Members of the Public

ITEM NO. 2 - INTRODUCE NEW WATER CONSERVATION SPECIALIST JENNIFER MCCULLAR

GM Gruber introduced the DWP's new Water Conservation Specialist, Jennifer McCullar. This position is funded by the Water Demand Offset Program.

ITEM NO. 3 - PRESENTATION TO FRANK SCHILLING

Chairman Herrick presented Frank Schilling with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Board and staff for his diligent and hard work inspecting the Big Bear Boulevard Water Mainline Replacement Project.

ITEM NO. 4 - PRESENTATION TO OUTGOING VICE CHAIRMAN EDDIE ETTER BY MAYOR MULVIHILL

Mayor Mulvihill presented a plaque to outgoing Vice Chairman Etter on behalf of the City Council and City Manager thanking him for his hard work and dedication to the DWP and community.

ITEM NO. 5 - PRESENTATION TO OUTGOING VICE CHAIRMAN EDDIE ETTER BY THE DWP BOARD AND STAFF

GM Gruber presented a refurbished water meter as a lasting reminder of the DWP's appreciation for Vice Chairman Etter's dedication and support to the DWP for seven years.

ITEM NO. 6 - PUBLIC FORUM

No one from the public wished to speak.

ITEM NO. 7 - CONSENT CALENDAR

Motion made by Treasurer Conley, seconded by Vice Chairman Etter, and carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Calendar.

ITEM NO. 8 - ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR

Board Member Speyers asked that Consent Item No. 3.1 be removed from the Consent Calendar.

Motion made by Treasurer Conley, seconded by Board Member Speyers and carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Calendar with an amendment to Consent Calendar Item No. 3.1.

ITEM NO. 9 - COST ESTIMATE FOR IMPORTED WATER SUPPLY

AGM Heule gave a PowerPoint presentation on the cost estimate for imported water and discussed the various options for imported water should the issue arise. There was general discussion between the Board and staff.

ITEM NO. 10 - BIG BEAR BOULEVARD UPDATE

GM Gruber reported on the current status of the Big Boulevard Water Pipeline Project and there was general discussion between the Board and staff.

ITEM NO. 11 - CEDAR RESERVOIR SLOPE STABILITY

AGM Heule and Water Superintendent Wilson discussed the stability of the rock slope south of the Cedar Reservoir. Also, a large boulder rolled down the hill after a tree was cut down. The tree hit the boulder in such a way that it pushed the boulder down the hill and it landed on top of the telemetry system and damaged the cage on the reservoir access ladder. FEMA representatives came up to view the slope stability threat to the Cedar Reservoir site and will meet with us again in the near future.

ITEM NO. 13 - CONSTRUCTION COST INDEX INCREASE

Administrative Manager Muir discussed with the Board and staff the annual Construction Cost Index in association with fee increases that are included in the DWP's current water fees.

ITEM NO. 14 - REQUEST FOR 2ND BILLING ADJUSTMENT - RADOI

Administrative Manager Muir reviewed with the Board and staff additional details of a leak adjustment request by Mrs. Radoi who described her problem at the Board's May meeting and requested an additional leak adjustment (she had already received one leak adjustment in October 2004).

Motion made by Vice Chairman Etter, seconded by Treasurer Conley, and carried 5-0 to be consistent with past practices and approve Option (b) voiding the previous adjustment and allowing the current leak to be the one-time adjustment in the amount of a $6,116.74 write-off.

ITEM NO. 15 - CITY REPORTS

Mayor Pro Tem Dally reported that at the last City Council meeting, there was lengthy discussion on the Village Maintenance Assessment District and how to fund it. This issue has not fully been resolved as yet.

ITEM NO. 16 - BOARD MEMBER REPORTS

• Board Member Willey reported that she is still attending BBARWA meetings and trying to get fully educated on the Recharge Project.
  
  
• It was stated that we need to have a second budget meeting to discuss radio reads and need to move forward.
  
  
• Regarding grants, Dave Kennett has been working diligently and something should be happening within the next month. Due to his busy schedule, telephone/video contacts will probably be the best way to communicate with Chairman Lewis' office.
  
  
• Treasurer Conley thanked Board Member Speyers for taking over signing of purchase orders during her time off the hill.
  
  
• Chairman Herrick stated that with regard to minute-taking, if the Board has something they want stated in the minutes, they need to make mention of it at the time of any agenda item discussion. Chairman Herrick also wanted to thank the City Council for the new increase in their monthly salaries.

ITEM NO. 17 - FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

GM Gruber reviewed the July and August Agenda items with the Board.

Chairman Herrick adjourned the meeting at 9:50 a.m. for a break.

Chairman Herrick reconvened the meeting at 10:13 a.m.

ITEM NO. 18 - CLOSED SESSION

Into Closed Session at 10:13 a.m.

CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
Pursuant to Section 54956.8 of Government Code

(a) Property: APN #304-126-04 (West)
Negotiating Parties: General Manager & Assistant General Manager

(b) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION
Pursuant to Subdivision (b) of Section 54956.9 of Government Code
Number of Cases (1)

ITEM NO. 19 - OPEN SESSION

Into Open Session at 10:31 a.m. - No reportable action taken.

ITEM NO. 20 - ADJOURN

There being no further action to come before the Board, Chairman Herrick adjourned the meeting at l0:31 a.m.

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Robyn Bratton, Secretary to the Board

Approved at meeting dated: July 26, 2005

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