El Dorado Irrigation District

The meeting commenced with the adoption of the agenda, noting the removal of one consent calendar item. Key discussions included a General Manager report on facility capacity charges presentation and participation in a water strategies working group, as well as the scheduling of a public Board workshop on rate development. The Board approved the Water Forum Agreement 2050 and authorized the General Manager to sign. Significant project funding approvals included $44,000 for the Reservoir 1 Floating Cover Emergency Replacement Project and $1,040,095 for the Reservoir A Water Treatment Plant Backwash-to-Waste Valve Replacement Project. The Board also ratified warrant registers, approved an Investment Report, awarded a contract for vegetation management on the El Dorado Canal Fuel Break Project, contracted Vermont Systems for recreation reservation services, awarded contracts for polymer purchases for wastewater treatment plants, and approved contracts for the Strolling Hills Pipeline Improvements Project. A contract amendment for wastewater biosolids hauling and disposal services was also approved. The session concluded with a closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation.

The meeting covered the adoption of the agenda, which was approved unanimously. During the public comment period, a member addressed the board regarding the value of engineering within the organization and shared an anecdote about Neil Armstrong. Subsequent discussions involved general manager and clerk reports, which noted no items for recognition or comment. The board then approved the consent calendar, recognizing the vegetation management team for securing an $800,000 CalFire grant for fuel management along the canal, which protects assets and community safety. The information items focused on the annual legislative report delivered by legal counsel and the lobbyist, detailing the conclusion of the 2023 legislative session. Key topics included the state's fiscal outlook, the lack of public engagement in budget creation, and the removal of previously promised funding for water recycling and groundwater recharge in favor of a potential 2024 Climate Resilience Bond. The report also highlighted the successful passage of AB 1594, allowing water utilities to replace vehicles with similar gas/diesel models when necessary for essential services, and detailed significant advocacy efforts regarding water rights legislation, resulting in the signing of SB 389, which broadens the State Board's authority to issue information orders for water rights monitoring. Two other water rights bills (AB 460 and AB 1337) were tabled as two-year bills.

The board meeting commenced with roll call, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was adopted after a motion to move the nomination and election item to the end of the meeting. Discussions included public comment on the agenda adoption. The board addressed communications, noting no employee recognition items. During general public comment, a member inquired about the location of the water rate increase vote, which was identified as Public Hearing Item 16. The consent calendar was approved after item number one was pulled for separate discussion. Item one concerned ensuring director attendance was accurately reflected in the minutes from a November 13th workshop where there was no quorum. Following the approval of the consent calendar, the meeting moved to open items, starting with the public hearing on the proposed rate increase, which had been preceded by nearly a year of public meetings and workshops. The presentation detailed two alternatives: a 12% increase (meeting debt service requirements and deferring fewer capital projects) and a 9% increase (which risked bond ratings and required cutting capital projects). The 12% increase was presented as generating more revenue for pay-as-you-go capital projects compared to the 9% alternative. The presentation included comparisons of bills to other utilities and noted that due to lower density, the entity's costs per customer are comparatively lower than some Foothill entities. Public outreach efforts, including social media posts and tours, were reviewed. Following this, the Director of Engineering presented details on the water supply systems (Project 184 system, drinking water system), wastewater collection, recycled water system, and recreation services at various lakes.

The board meeting commenced with the adoption of the agenda. Key discussions included employee recognition for outstanding service provided by construction and maintenance workers in the drinking water division in responding to a significant water leak. The board also addressed public comments on agenda items. The consent calendar, excluding item six, was approved. Item six involved surplus lands changes, for which a board member shared positive feedback regarding a related article and pursuit of legislative action. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to recognizing the distinguished service of the retiring general manager, Jim Abbercrombie, detailing his extensive career achievements, leadership through financial and operational challenges, major infrastructure investments, success during drought and fire events, and community service. Following the recognition, the board voted to approve the resolution honoring him.

The meeting included recognition of operations staff for excellent field work performance. Public comment for items not on the agenda was opened but yielded no speakers. Following brief reports from the General Manager and Clerk of the Board, Board Director Anzini reported on attending the Mountain Counties Water Association meeting, which featured discussions on severe wildfire risk and included details on fire maintenance efforts conducted in 2019, specifically contrasting the effectiveness of maintenance versus an unburned area near Caples Lake. Director Osborne shared positive feedback received from campers regarding the staff's performance at Sly Park and provided an update on LAFCO activities, noting the search for an Executive Director and an upcoming water seminar. Board members also discussed sending a letter to the editor praising employee performance during the Caldor fire and addressed resident interest in water conservation moisture meters. A significant portion of the discussion centered on Consent Calendar Item 7, related to the award of a FEMA consulting RFP contract. A proposer voiced concerns regarding the evaluation process, citing a lack of cost comparison details and unreturned inquiries. Following procedural adjustments to allow for board review of scoring materials, the board discussed the scoring, noting that while the cost differential between the two bidders was significant, the proposed awardee (Aptim) scored higher based on weighted, objective criteria covering qualifications and proposal quality, as is the district's procurement regulation for best value.