Kevin Strauss

The Engineering and Operations Committee meeting agenda focused on several key recommendations and reports. Major items included recommending approval for the purchase of an Ion Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (IC-MS) laboratory instrument for perchlorate analysis, citing compliance with new regulatory detection limits. The committee also addressed the Sand Canyon Sewer Relocation Project, recommending the adoption of the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration and approval of a purchase order for final design services, noting the existing sewer line relocation and environmental compliance under CEQA. Furthermore, a recommendation was made to authorize a purchase order for final design services for the Newhall Avenue Railroad Pipeline Crossing and Extension Project, which aims to improve water distribution redundancy and is considered exempt under CEQA Section 15303. The agenda also included monthly reports on operations, production, and capital improvement projects.

The public meeting focused on the Saugus Formation Aquifer Non-Time Critical Removal Action. Key discussion points included explaining the project in plain English, detailing the role of the Saugus Formation aquifer in the water supply, and outlining steps being taken to restore water quality by removing hazardous substances. The presenters discussed the contaminants of concern, specifically perchlorate and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like trichloroethylene (TCE), which have impacted production wells (Saugus 1 & 2, Valencia 201, and Valencia 205). The session reviewed the history of contamination management, including the Saugus Perchlorate Treatment Facility, and detailed the Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis (ECA) process. Five removal action alternatives were evaluated: no action, alternative water supply, installing new production wells, and two alternatives involving treatment and/or blending to address perchlorate and VOCs at the affected wells. The primary objectives emphasized preventing public exposure to hazardous substances and restoring the beneficial use of the aquifer.

The agenda for the Regular Board Meeting included several significant items. Under the Consent Calendar, the Board was set to approve the Minutes of the July 1, 2025 meeting and address resolutions concerning the Expanded Monitoring in the Upper Santa Clara River Basin Project, including findings on CEQA exemption and awarding construction and consulting contracts. This project involves installing nested monitoring wells for groundwater data collection, with construction bids received, favoring Yellow Jacket Drilling Services, Inc. Other consent items involved approving negotiated property tax revenue exchanges resulting from annexations and detachments. A key action item involved considering a change in the meeting frequency for the Public Outreach and Legislation Committee to Bi-Monthly. The Board also planned to conduct a Visioning Workshop regarding the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan. The meeting included reports from the General Manager and Committees, updates on AB 1234 activities, and a Closed Session to discuss anticipated litigation regarding a property damage claim.

The meeting included the approval of the Consent Calendar. Key discussions involved an Emergency Response Presentation given by the Chief Operating Officer and a recap on the Water Leaders Program. The General Manager provided an update on activities, including the resumption of the staff Lunch and Learn program with a focus on "Water Treatment," updates on Director One-on-Ones, and recognition during the All Employee Meeting for staff efforts, notably John Woodworth's 40 years of service. The Board also reviewed Committee Meeting Recap Reports and received AB 1234 reports detailing director activities, including attendance at ACWA meetings and discussions regarding Cemex. The session concluded with Closed Session discussions regarding anticipated litigation concerning a mainline break claim from The ONE TaeKwonDo Inc., resulting in the Board voting to reject the claim.

The rescheduled Engineering and Operations Committee meeting included an informational presentation on a mobile solution for tracking leaks to identify trends in distribution maintenance. The Committee recommended approval for the replacement of 5,607 meters as part of the AMI Meter Replacement Program to be placed on the subsequent regular Board meeting consent calendar. Additionally, the Committee reviewed a recommendation to adopt a resolution for the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Rio Vista Water Treatment Plant Sewer Line Project, also recommending placement on a future consent calendar. The meeting concluded with reviews of the Monthly Operations and Production Report, the Capital Improvement Projects Construction Status Report, and the FY 2024/25 Committee Planning Calendar. Updates were provided on Agency permits with the Division of Drinking Water (DDW) and the status of the Bridgeport Pocket Park and the Water Treatment Plant Battery Storage Project, noting that a new battery supplier must be sourced for the latter.