West Basin Municipal Water Dist

The meeting involved a roll call confirming a quorum, followed by a public comment segment where no requests were received. The primary discussion item concerned the proposed biannual budget rates and charges for the fiscal years 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029. Key drivers for the baseline rate increase included the expiration of federal funding under the Inflation Reduction Act, adjustments in projections for the sale of stored water, and increases in departmental operating and maintenance costs. Incremental drivers focused on reducing risk and increasing reliability, specifically through increasing the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for repair and replacement, funding the replacement of critical operating equipment, and incorporating staffing to support operations and maintenance over a six-year rollout plan. The budget also included funding for Stage 1 of the 45 MGD Pure Water Project. The presentation detailed the resulting overall rate impact and provided analysis on unrestricted reserve balances, revenue bond coverage targets, and projected water transactions, noting shifts in cost recovery between system access rates and standby capacity charges.

The Water Policy and Legislation Committee meeting covered several action items. Key discussions included the approval of the updated 2017 Greater Los Angeles Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP) and authorizing the submittal of a grant funding application for Proposition 1 Round Two. The committee also adopted a support position for State Assembly Bill 1655, which proposes establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday. Informational items included a presentation on the 2022-2023 Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment and Shortage Reports, highlighting that the West Basin is not currently in a shortage position despite state curtailments.

The meeting included public comments where representatives from the West Basin staff union introduced themselves and provided an update on contract negotiations, noting tentative agreement on four of twelve articles and highlighting ongoing discussions regarding annual pay increases and teleworking arrangements. Presentations featured an appreciation segment from the Santee Valley Union High School District board president and superintendent regarding the district's partnership in education, sustainability, and facility tours. Proclamations were read and observed for Black History Month and National Engineers Week, recognizing contributions to the community and the importance of STEM careers. Action items included the ratification of the 2026 standing committee appointments for various committees (Engineering and Operations, Finance and Administration, Public Information and Education, Water Policy and Legislation, Ethics) and related ad hoc committees.

The meeting, which was a special meeting of the board of directors and the Engineering & Operations Committee, began with a quorum determination. The primary discussion centered on Action Calendar item 5A: approval for the solicitation of on-call services for design engineering and construction management. Staff presented the need to solicit new contracts as current agreements expire in June 2026, aiming to select a pool of five consultants for each category (engineering and construction management), with a total pool amount of $3 million and a task limit of $350,000 per task. Board members raised concerns regarding the distribution of work among the selected firms, specifically addressing the possibility of one firm receiving multiple task orders in one year and ensuring participation from smaller firms for smaller projects like pipeline extensions or valve installations. Staff committed to modifying the solicitation process in the Request for Proposal (RFP) to address these concerns, including potentially setting aside contract slots for firms with revenues under $5 million. A discussion also occurred regarding the submission portal, confirming that while OpenGov is the primary platform for the initial solicitation, posting the RFQ/RFP on the main website would be investigated to improve accessibility, particularly for smaller firms.

This special board meeting, designated as Budget Workshop #1, included a roll call to establish a quorum. There were no requests for public comment. Key agenda items involved the approval of a $1,000 sponsorship for the Helping Elders Live Productively (HALP) 2026 GALA benefit, which includes advertising with conservation messaging. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the contract award for financial audit services for Fiscal Years 2026 through 2030, totaling not to exceed $315,858 with Davis Bar LLP. Director commentary raised concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of the proposal review process, specifically mentioning the exclusion of certain bidders from interviews and the lack of formalized policies for diversity inclusion (such as SBE/LBE programs). Staff responded by confirming compliance with current administrative code but acknowledged the directors' desire to review and potentially broaden the procurement and interview process for future RFPs.