Kirk Hamblin

Key discussions included the approval of most Consent Calendar items, excluding minutes and salaries, which were moved for separate action. The Operations Report detailed January 2026 potable water production (313 acre-feet), chemical deliveries, status of backflow testing, and recent infrastructure maintenance, including reservoir transmitter installations and lift station upgrades. A sanitary sewer spill of approximately 300 gallons on February 13, 2026, was reported, recovered, and classified as Category 3. Significant discussion centered on a theft and vandalism incident at the Anita B. Smith Water Treatment Facility, resulting in estimated losses of $100,000, prompting enhanced security measures including the hiring of a security patrol and installation of new alarms. Action items involved approving the minutes for the February 5, 2026 meeting and approving February 20, 2026 salaries, expenses, and transfers. Further action was taken to approve entering a Master Services Agreement for the 2026 Regional Geotechnical Report, including a $200,000 budget appropriation. The Board also approved budget amendments and authorization to proceed with the RCSD-JCSD Boundary Line Clean-Up Project concerning boundary reorganization and customer transfers, estimated to cost RCSD approximately $55,000. Finally, budget amendments totaling $500,000 were approved to fund enhanced security infrastructure at the Anita B. Smith Water Treatment Facility, covering costs for a CMU block wall, lighting, and surveillance upgrades.

The meeting addressed the Reorganization of Sphere of Influence (SOI) and Annexation with Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD). Key discussions included the RCSD leading the LAFCO process to match and clean up water and sewer service boundaries, involving the transfer of facilities. Specific actions involved detaching 11 parcels along Sedona Drive from RCSD to JCSD, annexing one JCSD customer to RCSD along Mission Boulevard, and detaching 14 parcels along Margie Way from JCSD to RCSD. The impact summary noted the transfer of two existing JCSD customers to RCSD and the closure of one JCSD account. Construction costs were reviewed, with RCSD responsible for $43,050 and JCSD for $366,755. Staff recommended approving a budget amendment to the FY 2025|2026 Water Capital Improvement Project Budget, increasing the Annexation Work line item by $55,000 funded from the Water Fund Unrestricted Reserves, and authorizing the General Manager to execute the inter-agency letter with JCSD for the boundary clean-up project.

The key discussion items for the meeting include the approval of March 6, 2026, Salaries. Agenda items requiring consideration involve DM 2026-15 regarding the Chino Desalter Authority (CDA) Operating Cost and Purchase Authorization for an Inter-Agency Operating Agreement concerning the Jewel Street Booster Station and Pipeline Interconnection. Other items include consideration for the California Special District Association Board of Directors Election Call for Nomination (Seat C for term 2027-2029) and casting a ballot for the Riverside Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) Special District Regular Member election (Western Region). A closed session is scheduled for the evaluation of the District General Manager.

The Board discussed several operational and capital improvement matters. Key actions included approving consent calendar items pertaining to prior meeting minutes and filing the December 2025 Statement of Cash Asset Schedule Report, while delaying deliberation on salaries, expenses, and transfers for February 6, 2026. Correspondence included an article detailing how recent winter storms eliminated most of California's drought classifications. In reports, staff provided updates on upcoming meetings, outreach events, and a tentative date for a Board Governance workshop. A significant action item involved approving the amendment to the FY 2025/2026 Water Capital Improvement Project Budget to increase funding for the rehabilitation of Wells 4 and 6, drawing $150,000 from unrestricted reserves. Another major item involved the rejection of all bids received for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project under prior specifications, with authorization to rebid using revised specifications that incorporate acoustic leak detection capabilities, despite concerns raised by one director regarding potential property damage from meter changes. The Board also conducted a closed session evaluation of the District General Manager.

The agenda for the meeting covered several items including the receipt and filing of the Statement of Cash Asset Schedule Report for January 2026. Key considerations involved accepting Water and Sewer Facility Easements for Mission Village, entering into a Master Services Agreement and issuing a Task Order for the 2026 Regional Geotechnical Report preparation, addressing the RCSD -- JCSD Boundary Line Clean-Up Project, and considering enhancing security infrastructure at the Anita B. Smith Water Treatment Facility. The session also included receiving an Operations Report and an Emergency & Incident Report, followed by a closed session for the evaluation of the District General Manager.