UTILITY COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, August 14, 2017

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1 UTILITY COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, August 14, 2017 A regular meeting of the Lompoc Utility Commission was held in the Council Chambers and was called to order at 6:05 p.m., Monday, August 14, ROLL CALL: Utility Commissioners Present: Staff Present: Audience: Vice-Chair John Linn Commissioner Robert Dunlap Commissioner Janet Blevins Commissioner Bob Holloway Robert Archer, Acting Wastewater Superintendent Bob Wetzel, Acting Water Superintendent Tikan Singh, Electrical Utility Manager Keith Quinlan, Solid Waste Superintendent Melinda Wall, Financial Services Manager Jennifer Main, Utility Conservation Coordinator Susan Segovia, Senior Utility Admin. Analyst Theresa Luna, Office Staff Assistant IV David Minsky, Santa Barbara News Press Dorin Marrs, Wastewater Collections Supervisor APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Commissioner Dunlap and seconded by Commissioner Blevins the meeting minutes of July 10, 2017 was approved as submitted on a voice vote of 4 ayes. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATIONS: None STAFF REPORTS: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Electric Utility Update The Electrical Utility Manager reported Utility Technicians participated in a cybersecurity table top exercise last week. Technicians experienced a live demonstration on how to deal with a cyber-attack. Last month, electric crews experienced an extended outage at 321 West North Avenue while upgrading the existing infrastructure. Crews determined the existing conduit had collapsed and couldn t be reused for the upgrade. To minimize the impact of the affected customers, emergency trenching was done, followed by the installation of new conduit and wire.

2 Page 2 of 7 2. Water System Activities. Update Water Pump Failure and Well #9 The Acting Water Superintendent reported on the recirculate pump failure of two recirculator pumps at the Water Treatment Plant. Pump #2 was scheduled to be removed on May 17, 2017 for repair; therefore, pump #1 was operating the Plant. Pump #1 failed on June 13, The Plant could have operated without the pump, however, the water delivered to the City would have not been its normal quality. The Water Treatment Plant was down for 29 hours, until pump #1 was repaired. The Acting Water Superintendent is considering two options for the future to prevent this from happening again. These options are: purchase of a third pump at an estimated cost of $42,000 or maintaining parts to repair both pumps. The Acting Water Superintendent also reported that Well #9 was taken off-line because of lowered production. Water staff received an estimate of $56,068 from a contractor to clean, video log, install four columns of pipes and bearings, and straighten all of the shafts. Commissioner Blevins commented that she was surprised that regular Water plant maintenance did not detect possible water pump failure before the Plant needed to be shut down. The Acting Water Superintendent explained that the goal is to never shut down the Water Treatment Plant and that the pumps are very reliable. Commissioner Blevins also asked if the parts to the water pump could be replaced periodically. The Acting Water Superintendent commented that the pumps are inspected and parts are replaced when needed. The Superintendent also explained that when well production drops wells are pulled and inspected. Water Basin #2, Water Main Replacement, Water Release, and No Water Waste Prohibitions The Acting Water Superintendent reported that on July 21, 2018 there was a broken shaft on Water Basin #2, which was repaired on August 1, On July 25, 2017 bids opened for water main replacement in the City. Staff is recommending that the low bid of $776, by R.L. Johnson Construction be accepted. The water main replacement will begin in 6 alleys that have 4-inch mains. Temporary water service will be provided to water customers in these areas, during the water main replacement. This is scheduled to go to the City Council on August 15, Commissioner Holloway volunteered to bring a map of the 4-inch mains in the City to the next Commission meeting. A water release from Lake Cachuma is scheduled to begin on August 21, Susan Segovia, Senior Administrative Analyst reported staff will make a recommendation at the August 15, 2017 City Council meeting to amend the no water waste prohibitions.

3 Page 3 of 7 Water Customer Questions concerning the Water Treatment Plant Vice-Chair Linn reported that a neighbor located near the Water Treatment Plant asked him questions about the Water Plant: Has the generator at the Water Plant been recently tested; and why are the centrifuges at the Plant not running? The Acting Water Superintendent reported the plant generator is regulated by the Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control District. The District only allows the generator to operate during limited hours for testing. The Superintendent also reported that there are four portable generators for wells that are in service. The Superintendent also reported that the centrifuges are down now and being tested with different styles of pumps. He also mentioned that there has been a cost savings of approximately $20,000 in electrical costs with the centrifuges down. He further mentioned that the centrifuges were installed in the early 1990s, when more water was being used and treated. He also mentioned that there are four centrifuges, which have a couple of control issues, because they are operated at very high speed. The control systems will have to be replaced. 3. Wastewater System Update The Acting Wastewater Superintendent reported the Wastewater Treatment Plant is treating approximately three million gallons of influent on a daily basis. The Wastewater Treatment Plant is well within its specifications as far as the treatment process is concerned. More than 99% of the constituents coming into the Wastewater Treatment Plant are removed and the effluent is put back into the environment. Staff is currently in the process of renewing the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit with the State. A new Wastewater Operator began work today. There are vacancies in the Laboratory: a Water Resources Tech and a Lab Assistant. The Chemist is very busy doing her job and two other jobs. She is very efficient and is doing quite well. There are no major issues to report at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the maintenance programs are very good. Dorin Marrs, Wastewater Collections Supervisor reported staff is getting ready to do a pipe bursting at E/F alley near the railroad track. The contractor will install about 60 feet of HDPE line underneath the railroad. Interruption of service will be approximately 6 hours. This repair should last approximately 25 years. Channel Plumping, Inc. from Santa Barbara will be the contractor and will begin the work on August 3, Broadband Project Update Nothing was reported.

4 Page 4 of 7 5. Conservation and Energy Efficiency Update The Conservation Coordinator reported that Conservation and other Utility Department staff attended the Old Town Market on August 4, The theme of the event was Celebrate Lompoc. The Utility Department had equipment and vehicles on display. Conservation staff provided information to attendees about rebate and conservation programs offered by the City. Water and energy conservation handouts were available. Showerheads and toilet leak dye tablets were given to attendees to promote water conservation. The Coordinator also reported that the Santa Barbara Water Agency is working with the water conservation outreach program, Shows That Teach, to contract with them to perform assemblies at Lompoc elementary schools this fall. Shows that Teach performed last year in local schools. Teachers reported that Shows That Teach did a great job getting the message out about water conservation. 6. Solid Waste Update The Solid Waste Superintendent reported the total tons received at the Landfill for the month of July 2017 were 4,037 tons; including trash, recycle, and greenwaste. The total tons recycled were 831 tons and the total tons disposed were 3,206 tons. The Landfill saw a 5% increase in trash tonnages for July 2017 over July 2016 tonnages. The Landfill is diverting or recycling an average of 400 mattresses per month. For July 2017, 440 mattresses were recycled. Year-to-date 3,080 mattresses were recycled. Since the program started, in mid-september 2016 nearly 4,100 mattresses have been diverted from the Landfill. The Landfill Gas Collection and Control System is operating. There were two questions asked by the Utility Commission: 1. Vice-Chair Linn queried staff if there was enough gas to operate the Gas Collection System. Staff replied, Yes, currently there is enough gas to operate the Gas Collection System. 2. Commissioner Blevins queried staff who required the Gas Collection System and what triggered it? Staff replied, the Gas Collection System was required by California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD). The trigger was the amount of waste in place and the surface emissions. 7. Finance Update The Financial Services Manager reported staff has been working on closing the FY and there was a preliminary June closing on Friday, August 11, 2017.

5 Page 5 of 7 The Tyler Software Upgrade for the City s financial system will go live in 7 weeks from now. Last week, Phase II of training began in Payroll which will go live on July 1, Two weeks before the City goes live, the last check run will be done and departments will be required to get their invoices in during the week of September 19 th thru the 22 nd, 2017, invoices submitted after that will be processed in the check run in the first week of October. Purchasing will enter purchase orders into the new system. In-house user s training will take place in September NEW BUSINESS: 1. Election of Officers (Chair and Vice-Chair) ACTION The Vice-Chair requested nominations for the Utility Commission s Chair and Vice-Chair. Commissioner Blevins objected to the election of the Utility Commission Chairperson and Vice-Chair of the Utility Commission, because the Commission is not a full body with 5 commissioners. She requested the Commission wait until City Council appoints another commissioner. Vice-Chair Linn reported the City Attorney reviews the Utility Commission s agenda and the Utility Commission should move forward and vote for the Chairperson and Vice-Chair. ACTION: Vice-Chair Linn moved to nominate Commissioner Holloway as Chairperson. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Dunlap and it carried on a voice vote of 3 ayes with 1 nay. Commissioner Blevins objected to the vote. ACTION: Commissioner Dunlap moved to nominate Vice-Chair Linn to continue as Vice-Chair. The motion was seconded by Chairperson Holloway and it carried on a voice vote of 3 ayes with 1 nay. Commissioner Blevins objected to the vote. 2. Discussion of the proposed 6% Utility Tax. ACTION Vice-Chair Linn provided a handout concerning expenses of City utilities. The Utility Commission discussed transfers to the General Fund from City utilities and the Cost Reimbursement Study. The Utility Commission expressed concern if the 6% Utility Tax was passed many customers would not be able to pay their utility bills. Discussion also occurred about revenue sources to assist people with utility bill payments. The City of Lompoc does provide Electric Rate Assistance to income qualifying customers. Commissioner Blevins asked if there was another revenue source to assist with utility bill payments. The Financial Services Manager volunteered to research this issue.

6 Page 6 of 7 ACTION: Chairperson Linn motioned that the Utility Commission hereby opposes the 6% utility tax. It was seconded by Commissioner Dunlap and it carried on a voice vote of 3 ayes with 1 nay. Commissioner Blevins objected to the vote. 3. Discussion of Utilities Budget. Vice-Chair Linn requested a copy of the list of Capital Improvement Outlays that the Utility Commission thought was not needed and Tim Smith, former Utility Commission Chairperson, was asked to submit to City Council at the June 20, 2017 Council meeting. Commissioner Blevins stated the City of Lompoc hires staff to do jobs in the City of Lompoc and the Utility Commission is not here to micro manage City of Lompoc staff. She also said she was not comfortable participating in the Utilities Budget discussion and requested leaving the meeting. Vice Chair Linn reported in the Utility Commission Handbook, they are instructed to review and make recommendations concerning the bi-annual budget for the Water, Wastewater, Electric, Solid Waste, and Broadband utilities prior to the adoption by City Council. Commissioner Blevins excused herself from the rest of the Utility Commission meeting at approximately 7:00 p.m. Vice-Chair Linn provided a handout of the Fiscal Year Fleet Replacement List and reviewed the Utilities Department s request for vehicles with staff. ACTION: Vice-Chair Linn motioned to supply the Fiscal Year Fleet Replacement List and explanations from the Utilities Department s staff to City Council in a formal resolution. If the budget doesn t get passed by the next Utility Commission meeting, then the Utility Commission could make recommendations on vehicles. It was seconded by Commissioner Dunlap and it carried on a voice vote of 3 ayes with Commissioner Blevins excusing herself from acting upon this action. COMMISSIONER REQUESTS: None WRITTEN COMMUNICATION: a. City of Lompoc Above and Below Narrows Cachuma Water Storage Accounts with Monthly Rainfall Count and Static Level Totals UB-2 A motion was made by Vice-Chair Linn and seconded by Commissioner Dunlap for adjournment. The Commission adjourned the meeting at 7:53 p.m. on a voice vote of 3 ayes.

7 Page 7 of 7 ATTEST: Robert Holloway, Chair Utility Commission Larry Bean Utilities Director