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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Water Services Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 4/6/2016 'WA Water Services Advisory GLENDfE Commission Oasis Water Campus 7070 W.Northern Avenue April 6,2016,6:00 P.M. FINAL MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER—6:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Robin Berryhill, Robert Gehl, Ruth Faulls, Ron Short, Vice-chair Roger Schwierjohn, and Chairman Jonathan Liebman Absent: Commissioner John Sipple(Excused) Staff: Craig Johnson, John Henny, Dr. Doug Kupel, Ron Serio, Amanda McKeever, Dan Hatch, Mark Fortkamp,Drew Swieczkowski,and Anthony Weathersby III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Approval of the Final Minutes,March 2,2016 meeting-Motion for approval made by Comm.Faults, seconded by Comm.Berryhill. APPROVED 6-0 IV. DIRECTOR'S REPORT—Craig Johnson,P.E.,Water Services Director Mr. Craig Johnson presented a brief update on a tour of City Hall 4th Floor given to six classrooms of 4th graders from Sierra Verde Elementary located in the Cholla District. Mr. Johnson explained he gave the students an explanation of what Water Services does and answered questions. He shared information on the Glendale Garden Gathering held on March 19 presented by the Conservation and Sustainable Living Division. He reported the event had 159 attendees that got to enjoy such activities as a guided bird walk in the Xeriscape Garden, 10 exhibitors, 5 kid-friendly activities,and 2 landscape classes. He told the Commission that on March 29, Mayor Weiers proclaimed April as Water Awareness month during the Council voting meeting. The proclamation was accepted by two elementary teachers who are champions of the "Water Watchers" program offered by the city and one of the department's Conservation Specialists. Mr.Johnson shared information on the Urban Irrigation Request for Proposal which will be presented to Council on April 12. Three firms responded and an evaluation panel selection has been made. He also explained that he is not at liberty to make the announcement regarding the top bidder before Council sees the report. On a related Matter, Mr. Johnson reported that the Urban Irrigation Resolution will follow the city's standard notification process and will be presented to Council at the June 14 voting meeting. City of Glendale Water Services Department•7070 West Northern Avenue•Glendale,AZ 85303•(623)930-4100 April 6, 2016 Water Services Advisory Commission Final Minutes Page 2 Comm. Gehl asked if this was the first time the competitive bidding process had been held. Mr. Johnson replied that it has always been done in this manner, however, only one response has customarily been received. He stressed that the best qualified response must be selected since care must be taken on who works on the system. Comm. Berryhill asked if there will be a price increase and if it is known. Mr.Johnson explained the cost is less than what has been budgeted for. He stated the$190,000 budgeted covers the cost of water and contingency and is the same format usually used. He explained that the requested appropriation amount is always more than anticipated need. He further shared that the department will oversee all aspects of the repairs and approve them in advance. Many repairs being done now are in the city's right of ways and the department is doing those ourselves. Comm. Benyhill asked if the amount is $190,000 or$230,000. Mr. Johnson clarified that the total amount is $230,000 which is $190,000 for Water Services and $40,000 for the Parks Department. Comm. Berryhill asked if the new rates for urban irrigation customers were known. Mr. Johnson stated that the rate will be pro-rated after it is approved and will be $11 per year. Dr. Kupel added that this is the same figures that were provided to the Commission in prior information. The urban irrigation delivery schedule will begin on April 11. All known repairs will be completed by that date. The most recent edition Urban Irrigation Connection newsletter is set to be delivered the week of April 11. ACTION: NO ACTION REQUIRED,INFORMATION ONLY V. WATER QUALITY-CCR(CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT) Mr. James Williams, Water Quality Laboratory Manager,presented information to the Commission in the 2015 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) which reflects data obtained from January 1 to December 31, 2015. Over 25,000 samples were analyzed of which 96.9% were completed by in- house laboratory staff. Mr. Williams explained the analysis table contained in the report, detailing several values and the importance of limiting totals. Vice-chair Schwierjohn asked when the elevated totals for Total Coliforms occurred. Mr. Williams explained one was during the summer and the other was in October. He further explained that 200 samples per months are taken and only two instances occurred. Mr. Williams touched on the Flint, Michigan situation of contaminated water. The Flint water providers changed the water source and the water was corrosive. Glendale does not have any issues similar to that. The city does not have lead service lines,there are many copper lines,but none with lead. There should not have a situation like that occur in the Glendale. Mr.Williams wants to assure everybody that Glendale doesn't have any of these issues. Comm. Berryhill asked if the numbers were averages since the city receives water from three sources. Mr.Williams confirmed they are. Mr.Williams discussed the Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)section. He stated questions on water hardness is the most common topic(for customers with water softeners)with chlorine taste and odor being the second most common questions. He offered information on how to legally drain pools, safely dispose of unused medications,and water conservation. Chairman Liebman asked about the EPA regulations. Mr. Williams stated the lab is inspected once every two years. The lab is state-certified to perform 60 different analyses in house and Chairman Liebman asked which analyses are out-sourced. Mr. Williams replied that semi-volatiles are April 6,2016 Water Services Advisory Commission Final Minutes Page 3 outsourced and gave examples of such. Comm. Faulls asked why certain analyses are out-sourced. Mr. Williams replied it is cost and space. Semi-volatiles require a prep lab and area designated just for the tool used for doing only those tests. Additionally, there are hazardous wastes generated by completing those tests. Vice-chair Schwierjohn asked if more analyses could have been done to which Mr. Williams explained there could have been more if more staff and time were available. He further clarified that 150 microbial tests per month are required and the lab tests over 200 samples per month. Comm.Gehl asked if CCRs are required of all water agencies by the federal government. He further asked why Flint,Michigan got away with not reporting problems when Mr.Williams confirmed that all water providers must produce them. Mr. Williams explained that prior to transferring water sources,the Flint Michigan water was fine and not corrosive. Once switched,the water had low Ph and corrosive elements. This should have been caught by who was putting the water into the system. Apparently it was overlooked. The issue could have been remedied had there been corrosive controls in place. Dr. Doug Kupel stated there are tiered notification levels for exceedances and gave details on levels and requirements. Mr. Williams replied that it is based on population levels when Comm. Short asked if private water companies are required to produce CCRs. NO ACTION REQUIRED,INFORMATION ONLY VI. PROPOSED STANDING AGENDA ITEM: COMMENTS Amanda McKeever, Water Services Administrator, presented information to the Commission on adding a standing item for Commissioners'comments to the agenda as requested by a Commissioner. Ms. McKeever explained the intent would be for only comments with no responses or follow-up discussions. Ms.McKeever further explained that a time limit could be implemented as several other boards and commissions have established limits,and time could not be gifted from one Commissioner in order to another to extend their speaking time. Comm. Faulls asked if comments would be required from each commissioner. Ms. McKeever clarified that it is optional and also that it is for items that are not already on the agenda. Chairman Liebman asked if it was similar to the citizen comments process; Ms. McKeever agreed that it was. Comm. Short asked for clarification on staff responding to questions asked. Ms. McKeever stated she would be hesitant since it could be construed as discussion. Chairman Liebman asked how adding this standing item plays into their mission statement of making policy recommendations to Council. Ms. McKeever replied the request had been brought forward from a Commissioner request. Chairman Liebman asked what the value would be of adding a comment section. Comm.Gehl stated while he sees no added benefit to the statement,he sees no harm in adding it with a time limit. Comm. Berryhill sees a benefit for addressing current event items, comments of praise, suggestions, or omissions. Chairman Liebman asked if future agenda items could be added by this section. Ms. McKeever explained that future agenda topics have been set by the Strategic Plan already developed by the Commission. Vice-chair Schwierjohn's summation was that it would allow Commissioners to make comments about things. April 6,2016 Water Services Advisory Commission Final Minutes Page 4 Comm. Gehl stated that future agenda items could be added through this section to allow flexibility in the commission's schedule and therefore should be placed before the future agenda item section. Comm. Berryhill said she would like to see it as a comment section, separate from future agenda items at the end of the agenda just before adjournment,where anything could be introduced. MOTION—Comm. Short Add a standing agenda item for future agendas called"Commissioner Comments" NO SECOND ON THIS MOTION MOTION—Vice-chair Schwierjohn Place a standing agenda item for "Commissioner Comments" between the "Future Agenda Items" and"Next Meeting Date"agenda items, and it will be subject to the same time limit as the "Call to the Audience"of three minutes. Seconded by Comm. Gehl. PASSED 5-1,(Faulls dissenting) VII. CALL TO THE AUDIENCE No audience members spoke. VIII.FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Storm Water IX. NEXT MEETING: May 4,2016,6 p.m. X. ADJOURNMENT—Motion to adjourn was made by Vice-chair Schwierjohn, seconded by Comm. Faulls. MOTION APPROVED by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sall i elling