West County Wastewater District

The meeting commenced with the pledge of allegiance and established rules for public participation, including a three-minute time limit per speaker. There were no public comments on non-agenda items. During the public comment period for agenda items, several employees and a union representative expressed concerns regarding contract negotiations, specifically highlighting issues of equitable pay increases (mentioning discrepancies between 3.8% raises received by some groups and lower offers for the FOU group) and the dedication and hard work of the field staff who ensure public and environmental safety 24/7. A ratepayer also spoke in support of the workers, emphasizing their commitment to the community. The board announced its transition into a closed session to discuss negotiations, followed by a return to open session later in the evening.

The meeting focused on reviewing and proposing modifications to the existing reserves policies, which were last adopted in 2015. Key discussions involved clarifying reserve classifications by introducing 'committed reserves' and updating terminology in line with GFOA recommendations. Staff proposed changing the operating reserve target from 90 days to six months of operating expenditures to better manage cash flow fluctuations, particularly given the large capital program. Changes were also recommended for the capital reserve, suggesting a target of 50% of cash-funded capital projects rather than six months of budget expenditures. Furthermore, the proposal included creating a dedicated emergency reserve, targeting 7% of annual operating expenditures (approximately $1.5 million) to cover unanticipated costs, natural disasters, or infrastructure failures. The equipment replacement reserve language was recommended to be integrated directly into the main reserves policy document, setting a target of at least 80% of the full replacement cost of vehicles. Finally, the committee discussed handling excess funds by potentially applying them toward liabilities like pension and OPEB obligations.

The meeting involved public comments primarily focused on non-agenda items concerning sewer lateral inspection notices sent to residents and HOAs. Complainants expressed concern over the short compliance timeline (less than three weeks), the introduction of a new $290 video review fee effective July 1st, and a lack of prior communication from the District/West County Wastewater. Residents requested documentation and rationale for the new fee, suggested the fee structure should be lower or applied per HOA rather than per unit, and asked for an extension to resolve compliance issues. Separately, a staff member provided an update regarding labor negotiations with the ACU unit, noting that retroactive pay was being sought due to perceived delays in the negotiation process, which commenced in March, despite union efforts to begin discussions earlier in October 2024.

The committee meeting included a review and approval of the minutes from the previous February 9, 2021, meeting. Key discussion centered on status updates for several projects. Updates were provided on new effluent pumps, which were on schedule for delivery and installation, allowing for the decommissioning of a temporary pumping station. Additionally, the status of the plant security gate replacement, destroyed over a year prior, was noted as kicking off the following week. A detailed update on the North Richmond Storm Pump Station highlighted its history of disrepair and inherent safety issues from its 1974 design, leading to its recent comprehensive upgrades, including new natural gas-powered engines and improved ventilation controls. Next steps involve evaluating post-upgrade reliability and standardizing the operation and maintenance agreements for this and two other contract-operated stations.

The meeting commenced following roll call confirming a quorum, with Vice President Cepeda serving as Parliamentarian. Initial public comment solicitation for items not on the agenda yielded no responses. The Board addressed the Consent Calendar (Items 1 through 3), during which Director Wiener requested to pull Item 2, the Debt Management Policy adoption, for discussion and potential motion, which required a successful vote to pull. Item 3, concerning the Reserve Policy revision, was noted for brief questions during the consent calendar period to avoid needing to be pulled. Item 2 was successfully pulled and moved to the regular calendar sequence (after Item 4). The Board then unanimously approved Items 1 and 3 of the Consent Calendar. Item 4 involved a motion to approve an amendment for the West County Agency (WCA) JPA agreement with the City of Richmond concerning contracting procedures for the SBS project, aiming to streamline payment timelines and contracting structure by aligning with Richmond's existing processes. This motion passed unanimously. Finally, the Board addressed the pulled Item 2, the Debt Management Policy adoption, where Director Wiener indicated he wished to make a motion regarding the policy, following a brief report from the Chair of the Finance Committee (Vice President Zepeda).