08/04/2021 Draft Minutes

City of Glendale 
Citizens Utility Advisory Commission 
Oasis Water Campus 
7070 W. Northern Avenue 
August 4, 2021 
6:00 P.M. 
DRAFT MINUTES 
 
 
 
 
1.  CALL TO ORDER  
Chair Berryhill called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.  
  
2.  ROLL CALL 
Present: Chair Robin Berryhill, Commissioner Larry Flatau, Commissioner Amber Ford, Commissioner 
Jon Froke, and Commissioner Ron Short 
Absent: Vice Chair David McGrew 
 
Also Present: Craig Johnson, P.E., Director, Water Services; Michelle Woytenko, Director, Field 
Operations; Katrina Alberty, Deputy Director, Water Services; Megan Sheldon, Deputy Director, 
Environmental Resources, Water Services; Candace Schulte, Management Assistant, Water Services; 
Ron Serio, Deputy Director, Water Services; John Henny, Deputy Director, Water Services; Dan Hatch, 
Financial Administrator, Water Services; Kerry Sheward, Administrator, Water Services 
 
3.  CITIZEN COMMENTS  
None. 
 
4.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Motion by Commissioner Flatau, second by Commissioner Ford, to approve the minutes of the 
May 5, 2021 Citizens Utility Advisory Commission Meeting as written.  Motion carried 5 – 0.   
 
5.  DIRECTOR’S REPORT   
Ms. Michele Woytenko, Director of Field Operations, reported the following: 
• The Solid Waste Rate discussion will not be held this evening as more time is needed for further 
analysis of alternative options to the Glendale Materials Recycling Facility, which is now closed 
due to a fire and operational efficiencies.  The topic can be placed on the September agenda.   
• The department is working on efficiencies for Solid Waste service and improvements via 
technology.  
• New tablets have been mounted on the collection trucks to assist with routing and track 
locations. Up until recently, paper maps for routes were utilized and now routes are automated 
on the new tablets.  This has resulted in greater efficiencies for collections.  The tablets also track 
any hard driving, hard breaking, or speeding in the collection trucks.  Lastly, a driver can use the 
tablet to snap a photo of a downed tree limb or other issue spotted while on their route, so that 
the matter can be resolved quickly.   
 
Mr. Craig Johnson, Director of Water Services, reported the following: 
• A brief status update of the projects at the City’s water and wastewater facilities.

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• There is a lot of pipe work underway. 
• Valves are being replaced in conjunction with the streets repaving project. 
• A sewer project will be conducted on Union Hills avenue at Highway 101.  The lining is coming 
loose on this pipe. 
• Work on the lift station at Luke Air Force Base has begun and will be completed in Spring 2022, 
before Luke Days is held.  
• The department had a goal of spending $60 million during the last fiscal year and has spent 
approximately $72 to $75 million. 
• On July 27th, a public outreach meeting was held on Facebook Live which went very well.     
• City offices will be closed on September 6th for the holiday. 
 
6.  FINANCIAL UPDATES & RATE STUDY 
a. Water/Sewer Rate Discussion & Public Outreach Results 
 
Ms. Alberty gave a presentation on the Results of the Public Outreach Plan for the 2022 Proposed Water 
& Sewer Rates, which included information on the following: 
• Public Outreach Update  
o Dedicated Website and Email 
o Informational Video (played this evening for the Commission) 
o Councilmember District Newsletters 
o Glendale Chamber of Commerce 
o Flyers in English and Spanish placed at City facilities, libraries, and aquatic centers 
o Press Releases  
o Media Interviews 
o Social Media 
o Postcard mailers to over 60,000 service addresses 
• Public Meeting Update 
o Meeting held on July 27th at 2:00 p.m. on Facebook Live and in person option as well 
o Attendee Counts 
▪ In person:  approximately 20 people 
▪ Before, during, and after the meeting, there were 688 views on Facebook and 179 
views on YouTube.  Live streaming of the meeting and subsequent taped 
viewings have resulted in more participation than the in-person option.   
▪ The meeting was held at 2:00 p.m. on a weekday as suggested by the Public 
Affairs Department.  In the past, there was low participation on evening and 
weekend public meetings.   
• Next Steps 
o August 10, 2021: Council Workshop / Present Public Outreach Results 
o August 10, 2021: Council Meeting / Adopt Notice of Intention and Set Public Hearing 
Date 
o October 26, 2021: Council Meeting / Conduct Public Hearing on Proposed Rate 
Adjustments 
o October 26, 2021: Council Meeting / Formal Vote on Proposed Rate Adjustments 
o January 1, 2022:  Effective Billing Cycle, if Rates are Approved

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Ms. Alberty announced the comments received from the Public Outreach Meeting were compiled and 
will be sent to Council.   
 
Commissioner Short stated that he watched the meeting on Channel 11 and complimented staff on an 
excellent job with the presentations and answering questions.  Commissioner Short said that the meeting 
was a tremendous opportunity for the public to speak with experts on the topic.   
 
Commissioner Ford asked if responses to questions that could not be answered during the meeting 
would be made available to the public.  Ms. Alberty replied in the negative and explained that the 
questions requiring additional follow up were not sent to her, rather to appropriate department personnel.  
 
Commissioner Ford noted that one specific topic of concern voiced during the meeting was water 
quality.  Commissioner Ford suggested providing information to the public which shows the link 
between a rate increase and quality water.  Commissioner Ford stated that she watched the public 
meeting live and complimented staff on the presentations.   
 
Mr. Johnson assured the City has high quality water and never compromises on water quality.   
 
Commissioner Flatau reported that he watched the meeting as well and stated that it was well managed.  
Commissioner Flatau asked if a similar presentation would be given to Council.  Mr. Johnson relayed 
that Council would take the public comments for use in its consideration.   
 
Chair Berryhill thanked staff for the excellent presentation and stated that staff does a lot of work to 
ensure the public can learn and understand the information.   
 
7. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS  
Commissioner Flatau thanked staff for the professional presentation this evening.  
 
8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
Motion by Commissioner Short, second by Commissioner Flatau, to move the Solid Waste 
Collections/Landfill Rate Discussion to the Citizens Utility Advisory Commission’s September 
2021 agenda.  Motion carried 5 – 0. 
 
Chair Berryhill announced the following: 
• September 1, 2021:  Solid Waste Collections/Landfill Rate Discussion 
• October 6, 2021: 
1. Chair and Vice Chair Recommendations 
 
 
 
2. Water Supply Update 
 
 
 
3. Balanced Scorecard Review 
 
• November 3, 2021: 
1. Water Services & Field Operations Financial Updates    
 
 
 
 
9.  NEXT MEETING 
The next regular meeting of the Citizens Utility Advisory Commission will be held on September 1, 
2021 at 6:00 p.m. at the Oasis Water Campus, 7070 W. Northern Avenue, Glendale, Arizona, 85303. 
  
11. ADJOURNMENT

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Motion by Commissioner Flatau, second by Commissioner Ford, to adjourn the meeting at 6:58 
p.m.  Motion carried 5 – 0.