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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Citizens Utility Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 5/4/20220 ON - Glendale A R I Z O N A MINUTES CITIZENS UTILITY ADVISORY COMMISSION OASIS WATER CAMPUS 7070 NORTHERN AVE. GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85303 MAY 4, 2022 6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL Vice Chair Amber Ford called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present: Robin Berryhill, Chair Amber Ford, Vice Chair Larry Flatau, Commissioner Jon Froke, Commissioner Ronald Short, Commissioner Also Present: Craig Johnson, P.E., Director, Water Services Michelle Woytenko, Director, Field Operations Katrina Alberty, Deputy Director, Water Services Dan Hatch, Financial Administrator, Water Services Ron Serio, Deputy Director, Water Services John Henry, Deputy Director, Water Services Michael Carr, Deputy Director, Solid Waste/Landfill Amy Moreno, Superintendent, Solid Waste Megan Sheldon, Deputy Director, Water Services Drew Swieczkowski, Water Resources Program Manager, Water Services Joanne Toms, Environmental Program Administrator, Water Services Kim Mackert, Financial Analyst, Field Operations Lisa Esquivel, Support Services Administrator, Water Services Candace Schulte, Management Assistant, Water Services Stacy Mawhiney, Account Specialist, Field Operations 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS Ms. Jane Short, a Glendale resident, made the following comments to the Commission regarding dirty garbage cans in her neighborhood. At the October 6, 2021, meeting, I made statements regarding the dirty garbage cans in the neighborhood. Ms. Woytenko brought three staff, who searched all of the recycle cans when out, they put a lot of tags on the cans, and it has been cleaned up. If this was also done for the regular trash cans, it would really help too. 4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES a. Citizen Utility Advisory Commission Minutes of February 2, 2022. Motioned by Commissioner Larry Flatau, seconded by Commissioner Ronald Short Chair Robin Beryhill arrived later in meeting and did not participate in this vote. AYE: Vice Chair Amber Ford Commissioner Larry Flatau Commissioner Jon Froke Commissioner Ronald Short Passed 5. DIRECTOR'S REPORT a. Solid Waste/Landfill Update Presented by: Michelle Woytenko, Director, Field Operations Water Services Update Presented by: Craig Johnson, P.E., Director, Water Services a. Solid Waste/Landfill Update Ms. Michele Woytenko, Director, Field Operations, provided a report, which included the following: • There is a new link on the City's website which shows where the bulk trash trucks are picking up in real time. It updates approximately every half hour. Residents can see online where the bulk trash trucks are in the City in real time. • Next Tuesday, May 10, 2022, Solid Waste staff will present the MAG grant for sweepers to Council for acceptance. This grant will save the City $300,000. • The North Cell of the Landfill is completely lined and the operational layer will be put down soon. • APS has stopped taking the Landfill gas. An RFP was issued for this service and there were five responses to the RFP, which are currently under review. b. Water Services Update Mr. Craig Johnson, P.E., Director, Water Services, provided a report, which included the following: • Mr. Johnson introduced Ms. Lisa Esquivel, the new Support Services Administrator for Water Services. • A Stormwater Management Workshop was held in April. It was a public workshop held in Council Chambers and streamed on Facebook Live. There were 150 views. A great job was done by staff and, notably Ms. Sheldon, who led the effort. • On May 10, 2022, staff will provide a Water Resources update to Council during Workshop. Council will vote on adopting the tentative FY22-23 Budget at the voting meeting. • On May 24, 2022, Council will vote on adopting the final FY22-23 Budget at the voting meeting. • Three staff members, Mr. Tony Lytton, Mr. Buddy Napoles, and Mr. Carlos Valenzuela, won the state championship again for putting together a complete fire hydrant, with the fastest time of 113 seconds. A few years ago, they won the state championship and set a state record. On June 20, 2022, the team will compete in the national championships. SOLID WASTE/LANDFILL FINANCIAL UPDATE a. Solid Waste/Landfill Financial Update Presented by: Michael Carr, Deputy Director, Field Operations Mr. Carr presented the Solid Waste and Landfill Financial Update, which included financial details on the following information: • Solid Waste • Rate Review: Residential, Commercial, and Rolloff • Residential Services Rate Comparison: Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale and Avondale • Solid Waste Capital Costs: FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26, FY27 and FY28-32 • Major Cost Factors Change to FY2020: FY20, FY22, FY22 YTD • FY23 Cost Indicators: Base Budget Increase, Cost Factors • Solid Waste Rate Summary • Landfill • Landfill Rate Review: Current Rate, Internal Charges, Inter -Governmental Agreement Rate • Landfill Rate Adjustments: Current, FY22, FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26 • Landfill Gate Rate Comparison: Glendale, Phoenix, Waste Management, Salt River Pima Community • Landfill Capital Costs: FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26, FY27 and FY28-32 • FY23 Cost Indicators: Capital Cost Increases, Construction Cost Factors • Major Cost Factors • Landfill Rate Summary Vice Chair Ford announced Chair Berryhill entered the meeting during the presentation, at 6:20 p.m. Commissioner Flatau asked for the reason that the City of Peoria was not included on the Solid Waste Residential Service Rate Comparison slide. Ms. Woytenko explained that Peoria currently picks up bulk trash only once a year, so it was not a direct comparison. Commissioner Flatau asked for clarification of Indirect Costs. Mr. Can- explained the Indirect Costs were insurance, specifically Fireman's Liability and Workers Compensation and the department does not have control of the allocation. The agenda item was concluded. 7. WATER SERVICES FINANCIAL UPDATE a. Water Services Financial Update Presented by: Dan Hatch, Water Services Financial Administrator, Water Services Mr. Hatch gave a detailed presentation on the Water Services Financial Update, which included the following information: • FY22 Revenue • FY22 Expenses and Uses • FY23 Operating Budget Request: FY22 Budget, FY23 Request • FY23 Supplemental Requests — Water • FY23 Supplemental Requests — Sewer • Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) FY23-27 5 -Year Cash Flow Commissioner Flatau asked how inflation was incorporated into the budget projections. Mr. Hatch said staff discusses the projections with the City Manager's Office and the Budget Office. Mr. Hatch indicated that a contingency is included in the budget and staff is keenly aware of increases as they come through. Commissioner Short inquired if staff vacancies were allocated as a savings. Mr. Hatch said the budget includes the full salary cost, whether or not all positions are filed. Mr. Hatch explained there would be salary savings due to vacancies when, through the year, the actual salary expense is realized. Commissioner Short inquired as to the current number of vacant positions. Mr. Hatch relayed there were currently 20 to 24 vacant positions. Mr. Hatch noted that a few years ago, the vacancies were approximately 15, however, there have been staffing challenges and commented on the increasingly mobile workforce. The agenda item was concluded. 8. UPDATE ON COLORADO RIVER SHORTAGE a. Update on Colorado River Shortage Presented by: Drew Swieczkowski, Water Resources Program Manager, Water Services Mr. Swieczkowski presented the Water Resource Update, which included details on the following information: • Glendale's Water Resources and • Total Water Use in 2021: 45,113 acre-feet (AF) .,Central Arizona Project (CAP): 48% • Salt River Project (SRP): 39% • Groundwater: 6% • Effluent: 7% • Drought Conditions — maps displayed • In the Western U.S. — as of April 19, 2022 *Temperature Outlook— June, July, August 2022 • Precipitation Outlook — June, July, August 2022 • Overview of Colorado River Conditions • Historic low water levels in Lake Powell (down 177 Feet) and Lake Mead (down 172 Feet) • Lower water transfers from Lake Powell into Lake Mead • Uncertainty about power production at both Hoover Dam (down 15 to 20%) and Glen Canyon Dam (down 15%) • Lake Mead Water Levels: • Current elevation 1,056' versus 1,080' in May 2021 • In Tier 1 Shortage • Lake Powell Water Levels: Current elevation 3,522' versus 3,563' in May 2021 • April 24 -Month Study from the Bureau of Reclamation • Lake Mead will be in Tier 2a or greater shortage staring on January 1, 2023 • A Tier 2 shortage • Reduces Arizona's Colorado River supply by an additional 80,000 AF of water. • Total Arizona supply reduction to 592,000 AF. • Projects Lake Powell will be a Minimum Power Pool (no energy production) in March 2023. If so, Page, Arizona, would not be able to get water. The Navajo Reservation would have to find other power and energy resources. • Does not reduce Glendale's Colorado River supply. • Lake Mead and Lake Powell water levels predicted to continue to drop. • Study shows possible deeper Shortage Tiers. in 2024. • Interior Department Actions Being Taken • To help protect Lake Powell water levels and energy production • U.S. Secretary of the Interior will transfer less water from Lake Powell to Lake Mead in 2022 • Will transfer water from upstream dams to Lake Powell • The reduction in volume transferred from Lake Powell negatively affects water levels in Lake Mead. • Both the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) and CAP have indicated that bigger cuts are coming in the future. The ADWR, CAP, and Bureau of Reclamation are having a meeting on May 6, 2022 to discuss future cuts and what can be done. • Actions Being Taken • Arizona, California, and Nevada's 500 Plus Plan (Compensated Conservation) • This plan saves up to 500,000 AF of water in Lake Mead in 2022. • Glendale's participation was discussed at the January 25, 2022, Council Workshop. • Council will vote on Glendale's participation (350AF) at the May 10, 2022 Council meeting. • Arizona is working within the Drought Contingency Plan guidelines. • Conserve water in both reservoirs to help sustain water levels above critical levels. • Salt River Project (SRP) Reservoirs Salt River reservoirs are currently 77% full. Verde River reservoirs are currently 33% full. The total system is 72% full. Last year at this time, the total system was 75% full. Monsoon season helped but winter runoff is needed to fill reservoirs. For 2022, more SRP groundwater will be used for delivery. • Next Steps • Glendale's water portfolio remains secure but must continue to prepare for accelerating and sustained shortage conditions. •AMWUA, along with Glendale, is revising messaging to proactively transition with changing conditions. • Long-term adaptation — look beyond the next few years. *Explain the seriousness of the situation. • Remind customers we are not running out of water. Need to use water wisely and protect water sources. • Summary • With support of City Council and management, Glendale is preparing water shortages by: • Drilling new groundwater wells for resiliency and redundancy • Interconnect projects with Peoria and Phoenix • Working with the Salt River Project on new water supply projects • Conservation and adaptability projects • Glendale has a strong water portfolio. Glendale has stored over 4-112 years of supply underground for future use. • Glendale staff will continue to message, plan, and implement. Commissioner Flatau noted that Glendale was a growing city and asked when constraints may be imposed on new growth. Mr. Swieczkowski stated Glendale's 100 -Year Water Supply Designation will be updated in 2025. Mr. Swieczkowski said a new Integrated Water Master Plan was being prepared, which is a large study to see how Glendale can grow and the best way to do it in relation to water supply. Commissioner Short recalled during a CUAC meeting last year, it was reported that Glendale had a water demand of 50,000 AF, the second report was 45,000 AF and now it is reported at 45,000 AF and there was over 100,000 AF available. He asked about current numbers. Mr. Swieczkowski stated that Glendale's assured water supply is currently 117,000 AF and surmised the designation may decrease due to the decrease in the Colorado River supply. Mr. Swieczkowski said the Integrated Water Master Plan is specific and looks at all of the supply and gives suggestions that can be done up until 2060. He said the Integrated Water Master Plan was a guiding principle. Commissioner Short asked if the Integrated Water Master Plan was just for Glendale. Mr. Swieczkowski replied in the positive and said every municipality has an Integrated Water Master Plan. Commissioner Short asked if there was a regional Integrated Water Master Plan. He noted the new development near the White Tanks and said regional planning and a growth boundary was needed. He asked if MAG, the state of Arizona, or the Water Department was looking at the region. Mr. Swieczkowski said the Department of Water Resources prepares a regional groundwater model, which is about to be updated. He relayed ADWR also looks at water resources in the Phoenix Management Area as well as four other Management Areas across the state. He indicated Glendale was close to being built out land -wise, has a strong water portfolio, was in a good position, and has done a great job with its water supply. Commissioner Flatau asked how the City could protect its water supply, for example, if Glendale was directed to share water with other cities that may have issues with supply. Mr. Swieczkowski relayed if one city is cut water from the Colorado River supply, all cities will be cut. He said Glendale owns its water and there would be a court battle, if the City was so directed. Vice Chair Ford asked about any impact of the Minimum Power Pool to Glendale. Mr. Swieczkowski said Glendale would not be directly impacted by this. Chair Berryhill asked if there was any concern regarding the health of the dams, due to the dryness. Mr. Swieczkowski surmised this was being looked into, as safety was the utmost importance. Chair Berryhill asked if the City would look at the number of permits issued in the future. Mr. Swieczkowski indicated Glendale was in a good situation, as it did not have a lot more land build -out potential as did other cities, such as Buckeye and Peoria. 9. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS Commissioner Flatau commented on the great presentations and well-prepared staff. Commissioner Short said the presentations were great and staff was always outstanding. Vice Chair Ford concurred. 10. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS August 3, 2022: 1. Solid Waste/Landfill Financial Update 2. Landfill Gate Rates 11. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Citizens Utility Advisory Commission will be held on August 3, 2022 at 6:00 p.m., at the Oasis Water Campus, 7070 W. Northern Ave., Glendale, Arizona, 85303. *The June 2022 and July 2022 Citizens Utility Advisory Commission have been vacated.* 12. ADJOURNMENT Motioned by Commissioner Larry Flatau, seconded by Vice Chair Amber Ford Meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m. AYE: Chair Robin Berryhill Vice Chair Amber Ford Commissioner Larry Flatau Commissioner Jon Froke Commissioner Ronald Short Passed The Citizens Utility Advisory Commission meeting minutes of May 4, 2022, were submitted and approved this 3rd day of August 2022. Denise Ka�mierczak l Recording Secretary