Wendy L. Chambers

The meeting addressed several key agenda items, including the approval of previous board meeting minutes from January 12, 2026. The Board adopted positions on legislative proposals related to wildfires and water supply assessments. Approvals were granted for the Water Supply Assessment and Verification for the Orange Heights Planned Community Project. Furthermore, the Board authorized professional services agreements and budget additions for engineering design related to the San Joaquin Hills Road Recycled Water Pipeline Replacement and Sand Canyon Dam Seepage Improvements. A settlement was approved for a claim related to a mainline break from February 21, 2024. Under the Action Calendar, the December 2025 Treasury Report was received and filed, including approvals for payroll and accounts payable disbursements, despite concerns raised regarding the District's new Investment Policy. Finally, a significant budget increase and addition were approved for the Coastal Zones B & D and Coastal Zone OC-63 to Zone 4 Pump Stations rehabilitation, along with the selection of engineering design consultants.

The agenda for this Special Annual Board Meeting included several key items. The Board was asked to formally deem this meeting as the annual meeting for 2026, in place of the usual June meeting. Another item was the election of officers for the ensuing year. Furthermore, the Board was required to approve both the State and Federal Exempt Organizational Tax Filings for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025, due to specific tax reporting mandates.

The agenda for the Special Annual Meeting included several critical items. The Board was asked to deem this meeting as the annual meeting for 2026 in lieu of the regularly scheduled June meeting. The election of a President and Vice President was scheduled, as the term for current officers expires. Furthermore, the Board was required to approve both the State and Federal Exempt Organizational Filings for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025, due to tax reporting requirements.

Key discussions included an oral communication regarding the Dyer Road Wellfield operations and the status of the Orange County Basin Groundwater Conjunctive Use Program. The Board addressed the ongoing negotiations with Orange County Water District (OCWD) concerning the annexation of IRWD lands and the associated groundwater production modeling. Discussions also covered an existing emergency water transfer agreement with south Orange County water agencies. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a public hearing concerning the issuance of Consolidated Refunding Bonds, Series 2008A and Series 2008B, with findings made that the consolidated sale would not increase costs for constituent Improvement Districts. The Board approved the issuance of Certificates of Participation as Variable Rate Demand Obligations and retained Lehman Brothers as underwriter and remarketing agent for the 2008 Refunding COPs. Furthermore, the Board authorized the implementation of competitive wage adjustments effective July 1, 2008, based on the 2008 Compensation Survey results, resulting in estimated cost savings. A workshop updated the Board on a flume meter error identified in cooperation with the Orange County Sanitation District, and the General Manager reported on legislative meetings and the OPAMWC merger proxy count.

Key discussions included a presentation titled "We'll Help You Through This: Transitioning Back to Normal as the Moratorium Ends," which reviewed COVID-19 assistance programs and guidelines. The Action Calendar addressed the format of future Board and committee meetings following the expiration of executive orders, with staff recommending a return to traditional in-person meetings under the Brown Act, while continuing Webex broadcasts for observation. General Manager comments covered a new COVID-19 case, approximately 4,000 customers with overdue balances totaling $3 million, coordination with Sea and Sage Audubon regarding oil spill cleanup assistance, and the current plan for employees to return to the office full time. Community updates mentioned ongoing work in Santiago Canyon due to insect infestations and a pipeline restoration project in Williams Canyon. Directors provided updates on various external meetings and briefings concerning water policy, groundwater, and legislative matters. The meeting concluded with adjournment in memory of Mr. Jonnathan "Jonny" Monroy.