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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-04-05 WUCFD MINUTESDISTRICT BOARD OF THE WATER UTILITIES COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT (APACHE JUNCTION WATER COMPANY) CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA REGULAR MEETING APRIL 5,1999 The regular meeting of the District Board of the Water Utilities Community Facilities District (Apache Junction Water Company),City of Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on April 5,1999,at the Apache Junction City Council Chambers pursuant to the notice required by law. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Coleman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Board Members Present:Chairperson Douglas Coleman Vice Chairperson Surra (arrived during executive session) Mr.Joe Durbala Mr.R.E.Eck Ms.Carol Urich Mr.John Insalaco Mr.Rick Dietz Staff Present:Curtis Shook,District Manager George Hoffman,Assistant District Manager Keith Lewis,District Finance Manager Kathleen Connelly,District Clerk Doug Dobson,District Operations Manager John White,District Accountant Jim Cowles,Water Superintendent Others Present:Ken Anderson,City of Mesa VOTE TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION WITH DISTRICT MANAGER AND DISCUSSION ON PERSONNEL MATTERS Water Utilities Community Facilities District Meeting Minutes of April 5,1999 Page 1 of 11 REGARDING PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF OISTRICT MANAGER )Ms.Urich MOVED THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION BE HELD TODAY AT 6:00 P.M.IN THE CITY CONFERENCE CENTER. Mr.Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Chairperson Coleman recessed the meeting at 6:25 p.m.for the board to meet in executive session. Chairperson Coleman reconvened the meeting following the executive session. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 14.1998 ) )Mr.Durbala MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 14,1998,BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED. Mr.Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. PRESENTATION,DISCUSSION AND/OR DIRECTION ON DISTRICT WATER LOSS AND WATER METERS ) )Mr.Eck briefed the board on the item.He commented there was an extremely high water loss on the last monthly report.He believes water metering may solve the problem.He had invited Ken Anderson, who runs the metering shop for the City of Mesa,to the meeting to give a presentation. Mr. Ken Anderson, City of Mesa,stated he had been in the metering business since 1961 and had worked for the City of Mesa since 1982.When he started with Mesa,their unaccountable water was 37%. They tested ten different kinds of meters for numerous years,in addition to buying precision meters.During tests,i t appeared the meters were not performing according to the manufacturer's listed standards, except for Precision Water Utilities Community Facilities District Meeting Minutes of April 5,1999 Page 2 of 11 PMX.After replacing over 700 compound meters with the 2"PMX meters over a period of years,the unaccountable water for over 110,084 customers is now only 2.2%.It is a direct drive meter so the inside cannot be destroyed.He believes i t is one of the best products on the market today. Chairperson Coleman verified that the unaccountable water loss had dropped from 37% to 2.2%. correct. period of time was involved. 1982. else had been done towards water loss. Mr.Ken Anderson stated that was Chairperson Coleman asked how long a Mr. Ken Anderson stated that was since Chairperson Coleman asked if anything Mr.Ken Anderson stated i t was the residential metering up to 2"that was causing all the deficit and the unaccountable water.He commented the aggressive water does not eat up the PMX: they have some that have been out there for 18 years and are they are still running. Mr.Dietz asked what the cost differential would be between the meters. Mr. Ken Anderson stated they are paying $34 each for the PMX;the 2"are $184 each and the 1.5"are $164.The 1"are $84. for the 3/4". correct. to install of the meters. Mr.Eck asked if they were paying $34 Mr.Ken Anderson stated that was Mr. Durbala asked how long it took them Water Utilities Community Facilities District Meeting Minutes of April 5,1999 Page 3 of 11 Mr.Ken Anderson stated the 2" meters are still being installed;they have about 10 left to install. Mr.Durbala asked if that was for the whole city. Mr.Ken Anderson stated that was correct.They had to install over one thousand 2" meters all over the city. Mr.Durbala asked if the water is metered out that the fire department uses to flush its lines. Mr.Ken Anderson stated that is part of the unaccountable water. Vice Chairperson Surra asked if there was a particular mechanism used for the monitoring;were certain people assigned to regularly monitor the meters to see i f the meters were the cause of the unaccountable water. Mr.Ken Anderson stated they would go out and replace them with other meters and test them in the shop.They would find out that the other meters were slowing down.Once the Precision PMX was in place,they had no further problems. Vice Chairperson Surra asked if this is an ongoing process. Mr.Ken Anderson stated it is. Vice Chairperson Surra asked if this was started in 1989. Mr.Ken Anderson stated they started the process in either 1988 or 1989. Vice Chairperson Surra asked if it had taken 10 years for it to drop to 2.2% unaccountable water. Mr.Ken Anderson stated that was correct. Water Utilities Community Facilities District Meeting Minutes of April 5,1999 Page 4 of 11 Vice Chairperson Surra asked i f an initial huge drop was seen. Mr.Ken Anderson stated it was a gradual drop as the meters were replaced. Mr. Eck commented it is fortunate that the City of Mesa is large enough to be able to have a meter shop.When all of these meters were changed out,they were brought in to the shop to be tested and the information was entered in a data base.They have the results of how accurate different types of meters are.He recommended the district consider purchasing the Precision PMX meters. Mr. Durbala asked what the district is doing now for its water loss and what is being implemented to monitor whether that is starting to come down. District Operating Manager Doug Dobson stated they have ordered 25 Precision PMX.They had already installed 25 of the PMMs.He has met with the fire department to request that they advise the district on all of the water that they pump out of the fire hydrants when they flush them.In the past they have reported zero water used.Chief Zanella stated they will start giving the district that report monthly.The district is now doing a better job of tracking water that is lost due to main breaks,service connections and other things.They are working on the problem.All the 6" meters and larger are being replaced.The meters are being upgraded. Mr.Durbala stated he frequently sees a puddle at Southern and Winchester.He does not know if it is a leak or just drainage. District Operating Manager Doug Dobson stated that is caused by drainage from people washing their cars and driveways in the area.It all pools there. Mr.Durbala asked if there would be a water conservation program for the public. District Operating Manager Doug Dobson stated they do not have a good program at this time.The new superintendent will be working on that program.There are flyers in the office,but no actual Water Utilities Community Facilities District Meeting Minutes of April 5,1999 Page 5 of 11 program. Mr.Durbala suggested putting some of the water conservation information on their billing,changing it periodically. District Finance Director Keith Lewis stated they could add some,but there would still be a gap on the bill. Mr. Dietz asked if there were any PMXs installed now. District Operating Manager Doug Dobson stated there are some in the ground now,but he has nothing to confirm anything now.They had originally ordered the PMMs,which are oil -filled and magnetic, when they should have been ordering the PMXs.The last 50 residential meters have been Precision meters. Mr. Dietz asked if the new meters were going into new installations;they are not changing out any of the old meters. District Operating Manager Doug Dobson stated if one goes bad they will change it out.They are not limiting them to new subdivisions,they are putting them in different locations so they can monitor them. Mr. Eck commented the City of Mesa does tours of the meter shop;they have an open door if anyone would like to go down and tour the shop and see the data. Vice Chairperson Surra asked if there was any data on baseline information pertaining to the way the meters were functioning. District Operating Manager Doug Dobson stated there was none. Vice Chairperson Surra asked how he had collected the information on the percentage of water loss. District Operating Manager Doug Dobson stated he got the information from the Department of Water Resources annual Water Utilities Community Facilities District Meeting Minutes of April 5,1999 Page 6 of 11 report.The water loss is figured by the difference between the amount of gallons sold and the amount that was pumped out that cannot be accounted for. Vice Chairperson Surra asked i f any kind of testing was done on the equipment once the high water loss was realized. District Operating Manager Doug Dobson stated a meter testing service came out and tested the large meters.All but two of the big meters have been replaced. Bill,a staff member,stated the only two remaining are for the sewer district and Quail Run.They have Hersey's and should be replaced. Vice Chairperson Surra asked if they will be replaced quickly. District Operating Manager Doug Dobson stated they will.There will not be a big drop overnight as they cannot replace that many meters in one year.They can tighten up on the water loss by having accurate reports from the fire department and estimating the amount of water stolen. Mr.Dietz asked if they would be staying with the PMXs in the future. District Operating Manager Doug Dobson stated he will try them for a while in order to get some data that he can bring back to the board at a later date. Mr. Dietz asked what the difference is in cost between the meters. Bill stated the PMXs are $34,the others are $29. Mr.Eck stated if the meters were reading properly,they would have all the water conservation in the world.When the meters are registering properly,people do not want to use the water. Ms.Urich commented people needed to Water Utilities Community Facilities District Meeting Minutes of April 5,1999 Page 7 of 11 be reminded that they live in the desert and should practice water conservation, such as checking toilets to see if they are leaking.These tips may not have to be on the water bill,but they could be included with the water bill. District Manager Curtis Shook applauded Mr.Eck for bringing the issue to the table.The district is beginning to use the meters that he and the City of Mesa have found to be accurate.He will continue to talk to the district superintendent about the necessity of going through a meter improvement program.He encouraged the superintendent to take the proper people on a tour of the City of Mesa meter shop. Chairperson Coleman closed the discussion and moved on to the next item. UPDATE AND DISCUSSION ON THE STATUS OF ADDITIONAL WATER FOR THE DISTRICT )District Operating Manager Doug Dobson stated this was not given to them in advance because the figures change daily.The 1,000,000 gallon storage tank on Baseline has been completed and they are currently testing it.A new well location is proposed in the area of Elliot and Tomahawk.It is projected to supply 1,200 gallons per minute.He is in the process of obtaining the right-of-way on Tomahawk now.He estimates about two more weeks of review and the district should have it in about 30-45 days.He already has the special use permit to do the test drilling and the specifications required.The bid specifications are ready.The commercial lease is in process. State Land has given us a price for the purchase of water.However,he felt the price was too high and they are now in the process of appealing it.The last two items are not critical at this time until it is determined by the test that the district wants the water.Once the agreements are entered into,they have to take the water whether they want it or not.He wants to see what kind of water they have down there first.They have been doing groundwater recharge through Roosevelt Water Conservation District,but now they are going through New Magma Irrigation.The district must now apply for groundwater recovery permits for Wells #5, #6 and #7 so they can use the groundwater credits available.This way they can take the water out of any well they want to.He is waiting for the forms to be received so that he can complete them.The land purchase on Ironwood can be applied for again after April 16.This time it should go through as it has been determined that no federal,state or county office will require the land.The Broadway water main between Ironwood and Idaho will be upgraded during the city bond project.The Baseline water main will be completed between Cactus and Tomahawk. Water Utilities Community Facilities District Meeting Minutes of April 5,1999 Page 8 of 11 Mr.Eck asked if the test drill will be a water analysis to test the water. District Operating Manager Doug Dobson stated they would drill a 6"hole and they will test each level as they go down. testing. stated that is correct. it for contaminants. Mr. Eck stated he is talking about zone District Operating Manager Doug Dobson Mr.Eck asked if they would be testing District Operating Manager Doug Dobosn stated they would be testing i t for everything.They want to know if there are any contaminants and how much water they can expect to get out of there.If everything goes well, they will drill next to the test site. Chairperson Coleman closed the discussion and moved on to the next item. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL AND AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE TWO PICK-UP TRUCKS THROUGH STATE CONTRACT ) District Manager Curtis Shook briefed the board on the item.He commented these are items that were included in the budget and recommending approving the purchase. Vice Chairperson Surra MOVED THAT WE APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF THE TWO 1999 DODGE RAM 2500 PICK-UPS FROM HEALY AUTO CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $34,200.00. Mr.Eck SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Water Utilities Community Facilities District Meeting Minutes of April 5,1999 Page 9 of 11 DISTRICT MANAGER REPORT District Manager Curtis Shook introduced the new Water Superintendent,Jim Cowles. Water Superintendent Jim Cowles addressed the board.He stated he was formerly with the City of Glendale as a facilities supervisor.He added he was looking forward to working for the district and working with the board.He believes a big part of the water conservation problem can be solved with the metering program.The City of Glendale had seen a drop in unaccountable water when a new metering program was instituted there.It is an important part of his job and the district is held accountable for the water by the Department of Water Resources.It cannot be ignored.He believes conservation programs are a key issue,also. DISTRICT TREASURER REPORT District Treasurer Keith Lewis stated they had received several reports since the last meeting,and the audit had also been given to them.He will be available for questions at his office should any arise. District Manager Curtis Shook asked how many more payments are left on the Pinal County taxes. District Treasurer Keith Lewis stated there is only one left at the end of this month. DISTRICT COUNSEL REPORT None. Vice Chairperson Surra wanted it entered into the record that the water district has received a considerable number of compliments about the crews and staff that certainly were not present before the city assumed the water company.The people of the district seem to appreciate the courtesy and the efficiency and the quick response time of all the staff.She believes the district operating manager should be complimented for that. ADJOURNMENT )Chairperson Coleman adjourned the meeting at 7:03 p.m. Water Utilities Community Facilities District Meeting Minutes of April 5.1999 Page 10 of 11 ACCEPTED THIS 6TH DAY OF JULY ,1999,BY THE CHAIRPERSON AND DISTRICT BOARD OF THE WATER UTILITIES COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT (APACHE JUNCTION WATER COMPANY),CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 6TH DAY OF JULY Douglas 9bleman Chairperson ATTEST: Kathleen Connelly District Clerk ,1999. WATER UTILITIES COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT MINUTES CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the Water Utilities Community Facilities District of the City of Apache Junction,Arizona,held on the 5th day of April, 1999.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 7th day of April,1999. "6,77,Ag, Kathleen Connelly District Clerk Water Utilities Community Facilities District Meeting Minutes of April 5,1999 Page 11 of 11