December 4, 2019 Draft Minutes
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Citizens Utility Advisory Commission City of Glendale Citizens Utility Advisory Commission Oasis Water Campus 7070 W. Northern Avenue December 4, 2019 6:00 P.M. DRAFT MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Liebman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Jonathan Liebman, Vice Chair Ron Short, and Commissioners Robin Berryhill, Larry Flatau, Amber Ford, and David McGrew Absent: None Also Present: Craig Johnson, Water Services Director; Kerri Logan, Water Services Administration Deputy Director; Michelle Woytenko, Field Operations Director; Katrina Alberty, Water Services Administrator; Megan Sheldon, Environmental Resources - Water Services Deputy Director 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS None. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner McGrew, second by Commissioner Berryhill, to approve the November 6, 2019 Citizens Utility Advisory Commission meeting minutes as written. Motion carried 6 – 0. 5. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Craig Johnson, Director, Water Services, stated that there was no formal report this evening and wished all Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Ms. Woytenko, Field Operations Director, gave a report which included the following: • The department continues to work on the recycling program. In partnership with ASU, there was a fall class on recycling and staff listened to student’s presentations today. Messages from the presentations include better, simpler outreach and consistency. 6. PROPOSED CY2020 MEETING AGENDA Ms. Logan distributed a list of proposed agenda topics for Calendar Year 2020. Ms. Logan’s comments included the following: • Budget and financial topics will be presented periodically, such as for the Rate Study and Rate Increases. December 4, 2019 Citizens Utility Advisory Commission Draft Minutes 2 • There are rate increases for 2020 and 2021. Council approved increases for four of five years. A consultant will be hired to assist with conducting the Rate Study for the fifth year. The goal is to meet financial targets to achieve the CIP. Chair Liebman asked if Council would receive information on the first five years and then another five- year study. Ms. Logan stated that the new study would look at the fifth year and also beyond. Chair Liebman asked when the Commission would weigh in. Ms. Logan replied that the Commission’s recommendation would be needed during the budget cycle for the proposed rate increase. Chair Liebman asked if the fifth year should be separated from the rest of the study. Ms. Logan replied that a snapshot of all at one time would be presented. Chair Liebman asked if more than one meeting would be needed for review of the Rate Study and recommendation. Ms. Logan relayed that staff provided a great deal of educational background to the Commission for the previous Rate Study, however additional or one-on- one training can be scheduled or more time is needed, this can be accommodated. Vice Chair Short relayed that Councilmember Turner attended a water conference in Israel and noted that half of the water used in Israel is reclaimed. Vice Chair Short requested a briefing from Councilmember Turner on the topic. Mr. Johnson stated that he met with Councilmember Turner today to prepare for a meeting and Councilmember Turner had indicated he would like to provide information on his trip to the Commission. Mr. Johnson will follow up on scheduling. Commissioner Flatau suggested the following topics for the upcoming agendas: • Balanced Scorecard Update • Onsite meeting at a CIP project construction location • Information on how the department is trying to keep its skilled employees • Update on the Blue Barrel Containers • Update on Competition with Commercial Providers Commissioner Flatau stated that he was interested in the training offered by Ms. Logan. Ms. Woytenko gave a briefing on the Blue Barrel Pilot Program: • Ocotillo District: Mid-pilot audit showed contamination is down from 37% to 26% • Barrel District: Mid-pilot audit showed contamination is down from 34% to 22% Ms. Logan will follow up on the request to visit a construction location, noting that a tour may have to be conducted during the day and there may be safety and liability issues to clear. Ms. Logan relayed that the City issued an RFP to evaluate the department’s compensation which Human Resources is currently working on. Ms. Logan stated that once the information is received, it will be shared with the Commission. Commissioner Ford suggested it might be easier to tour a project in each Commissioner’s respective district as it may be difficult to schedule all Commissioners for a tour on the same date. Commissioner Ford suggested the following agenda topics: Water Quality Updates and a Drought Update. Commissioner McGrew expressed interest in the training offered by Ms. Logan. December 4, 2019 Citizens Utility Advisory Commission Draft Minutes 3 Ms. Logan announced that there will be some training and touring of new staff and Council assistants and she would like to include the interested Commissioners in this training. Ms. Logan will follow up on timing. Commissioner Berryhill requested the following agenda topics: • Information on Senator McSally’s Senate bill on aging infrastructure • Information on the substance that the City of Phoenix is looking at placing under soil to prevent water from evaporating quickly Ms. Logan stated that she sent the Commission an update on Senator McSally’s bill. Ms. Logan said that since proposed bills can go through many changes, if it passes, it will be placed on the agenda. Mr. Johnson announced that there will be a Grand Opening at the Arrowhead plant for Mayor and Council; prior to this event, the Commission could take a tour of the location. Mr. Johnson reported that the Pyramid Peak and Cholla plant construction projects are moving forward. Mr. Johnson will give an update on skilled employees in an upcoming Director’s Report. Chair Liebman commented that Commission action can be taken on the proposed agenda at the February meeting. 7. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS Commissioner Berryhill wished all a Happy New Year. Commissioner Flatau wished all Happy Holidays. Commissioner McGrew thanked staff for the informational reports and wished all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Chair Liebman complimented the work of staff and thanked staff for their feedback and for listening to the Commission. 9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Previously discussed. 10. NEXT MEETING The next meeting regular meeting of the Citizens Utility Advisory Commission will be held on February 5, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at the Oasis Water Campus, 7070 W. Northern Avenue, Glendale, Arizona, 85303. 10. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Flatau, second by Commissioner Berryhill, to adjourn the meeting at 6:36 p.m. Motion carried 6 – 0. Respectfully submitted, Denise Kazmierczak