Stephen Whitburn

The board meeting included reports from various committees, including Administrative and Finance, Engineering and Operations, Imported Water, Water Planning and Environmental, and Legislation and Public Outreach. Key actions included adopting a resolution for vote entitlements for 2023, approving the annual statement of investment policy, authorizing a contract for Project Labor Agreement implementation services, awarding construction and valve procurement contracts for facility projects, approving a contract amendment for the San Vicente Energy Storage Facility, authorizing grant applications for water conservation, and establishing legislative policy guidelines and priorities. Additionally, the board received updates on financial forecasts, drought conditions, energy programs, and detached agency matters, and approved continued remote meeting protocols under AB 361.

The Board of Directors and its various committees conducted several business items. These included adopting positions on various state bills related to water assistance, regulatory streamlining, and budget software maintenance, and authorizing the completion of the Kearny Mesa Headquarters HVAC project. The Board also discussed the retirement of a director, adopted an ordinance to amend the Administrative Code, established investigative procedural rules for ethics and conduct violations, and received various reports from committee chairs and staff regarding water use efficiency, supply conditions, and ongoing litigation.

The Board meeting covered a wide range of administrative and operational items. Key discussions included the authorization of various professional services agreements for environmental consulting and engineering services, support for the Yerba Valley Annexation and Poseidon Resources financing activities, and an update on drought response and supply conditions. The Board also discussed rate-setting processes for upcoming calendar years, amendments to the Administrative Code, the approval of legislative positions on state bills, and updates regarding legal services contracts and ongoing litigation. Additionally, the Board addressed organizational business, including a report from SANDAG, the appointment of a new General Counsel, and considerations under AB 361 for remote teleconference meetings.

The board meeting included deliberations across several committees. Key actions included the renewal of software maintenance agreements with Oracle USA, Inc., the authorization of debt management activities for bond defeasance, and the approval of purchase contracts for vacuum circuit breakers for the Lake Hodges facility. Additionally, the board accepted a notice of completion for the Hauck Mesa Storage Reservoir project, adopted positions on legislative bills, appointed an independent auditor, and approved the appointment of a retired annuitant to an interim management position. Information items covered business plan performance, financial reports, aqueduct operating plans, and various updates from water and outreach committees.

The meeting encompassed several key topics including the adoption of administrative code amendments, the setting of the 2025 Board meeting calendar, and the approval of contracts for legal services, civil and traffic engineering, and federal advocacy. The Board received updates on the Energy Program, reviewed proposed Legislative Policy Guidelines, and discussed Water-Use Efficiency Policy Principles. Additionally, the Board heard reports on the State Water Project, the Delta Conveyance Project cost-benefit analysis, and received updates from Metropolitan Water District delegates. The meeting also included honoring a retiring Board member and the appointment of a new Director.