May 4, 2022 Draft Minutes
Extracted text (via pymupdf)
15398 characters
City of Glendale
Citizens Utility Advisory Commission
Oasis Water Campus
7070 W. Northern Avenue
May 4, 2022
6:00 P.M.
DRAFT MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Ford called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Robin Berryhill (arrived during agenda item 6), Vice Chair Amber Ford, Commissioner
Larry Flatau, Commissioner Jon Froke (via phone), Commissioner Ron Short
Absent: None
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 Henny, Deputy Director, Water
Services; Michael Carr, Deputy Director, Solid Waste; Amy Moreno, Superintendent, Solid Waste;
Megan Sheldon, Deputy Director, Environmental Resources, Water Services; Drew Swieczkowski,
Environmental Program Manager, Water Services; Joanne Toms, Environmental Program
Administrator, Water Services; Kim Mackert, Budget Administrator, 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 MINUTES
Motion by Commissioner Flatau, second by Commissioner Short, to approve the minutes of the
February 2, 2022 Citizens Utility Advisory Commission Meeting as written. Motion carried 4 –
0. [Chair Berryhill was not yet present.]
May 4, 2022
Citizens Utility Advisory Commission Draft Minutes
2
5. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
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 lead 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.
6. SOLID WASTE/LANDFILL FINANCIAL UPDATE
Mr. Carr presented the Solid Waste and Landfill Financial Update, which included financial details on
the following information:
• Solid Waste
o Rate Review: Residential, Commercial, and Rolloff
o Residential Services Rate Comparison: Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale and
Avondale
o Solid Waste Capital Costs: FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26, FY27 and FY28-32
o Major Cost Factors Change to FY2020: FY20, FY22, FY22 YTD
o FY23 Cost Indicators: Base Budget Increase, Cost Factors
o Solid Waste Rate Summary
• Landfill
o Landfill Rate Review: Current Rate, Internal Charges, Inter-Governmental Agreement Rate
o Landfill Rate Adjustments: Current, FY22, FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26
o Landfill Gate Rate Comparison: Glendale, Phoenix, Waste Management, Salt River Pima
Community
o Landfill Capital Costs: FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26, FY27 and FY28-32
May 4, 2022
Citizens Utility Advisory Commission Draft Minutes
3
o FY23 Cost Indicators: Capital Cost Increases, Construction Cost Factors
o Major Cost Factors
o 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. Carr 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
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
Mr. Swieczkowski presented the Water Resource Update, which included details on the following
information:
• Glendale’s Water Resources and
May 4, 2022
Citizens Utility Advisory Commission Draft Minutes
4
o 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
o In the Western U.S. – as of April 19, 2022
o Temperature Outlook – June, July, August 2022
o Precipitation Outlook – June, July, August 2022
• Overview of Colorado River Conditions
o Historic low water levels in Lake Powell (down 177 Feet) and Lake Mead (down 172 Feet)
o Lower water transfers from Lake Powell into Lake Mead
o Uncertainty about power production at both Hoover Dam (down 15 to 20%) and Glen
Canyon Dam (down 15%)
• Lake Mead Water Levels:
o Current elevation 1,056’ versus 1,080’ in May 2021
o 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
o Lake Mead will be in Tier 2a or greater shortage staring on January 1, 2023
o 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.
o Lake Mead and Lake Powell water levels predicted to continue to drop.
o Study shows possible deeper Shortage Tiers in 2024.
• Interior Department Actions Being Taken
o 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
o The reduction in volume transferred from Lake Powell negatively affects water levels in
Lake Mead.
o 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
o 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.
o Arizona is working within the Drought Contingency Plan guidelines.
May 4, 2022
Citizens Utility Advisory Commission Draft Minutes
5
o Conserve water in both reservoirs to help sustain water levels above critical levels.
• Salt River Project (SRP) Reservoirs
o Salt River reservoirs are currently 77% full.
o Verde River reservoirs are currently 33% full.
o The total system is 72% full. Last year at this time, the total system was 75% full.
o Monsoon season helped but winter runoff is needed to fill reservoirs.
o For 2022, more SRP groundwater will be used for delivery.
• Next Steps
o Glendale’s water portfolio remains secure but must continue to prepare for accelerating
and sustained shortage conditions.
o 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
o 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
o Glendale has a strong water portfolio. Glendale has stored over 4-1/2 years of supply
underground for future use.
o 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.
May 4, 2022
Citizens Utility Advisory Commission Draft Minutes
6
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
Chair Berryhill announced the following:
• 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 Avenue, Glendale, Arizona, 85303. The June
2022 and July 2022 Citizens Utility Advisory Commission have been vacated.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner Flatau, second by Commissioner Ford, to adjourn the meeting at 7:37
p.m. Motion carried 5 – 0.