Jan 18, 2024 Utilities Commission

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THE MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER AND WE'LL HAVE THE ROLL CALL.

PRESIDENT RAINEY HERE.

VICE PRESIDENT MCGUIRE IS ABSENT.

SECRETARY SCOTT PRESENT.

COMMISSIONER SHANNON? SURE.

COMMISSIONER CORDERA HERE.

WE HAVE A QUORUM.

OKAY.

WE ARE GONNA GO TO CLOSED SESSION.

UH, PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH B DASH ONE OF SECTION 54 9 5 7 AND SECTION 54 9 5 7 6 OF THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE REGARDING PUBLIC EMPLOYEES PERFORMANCE, EVALUATION, TERM OF EMPLOYMENT AND COMPENSATION FOR THE GENERAL, UH, MANAGER.

UM, WE DON'T ANY PUBLIC.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY PUBLIC, ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE CLOSED SESSION ITEM? UM, SEEING NONE, THE BOARD WILL ADJOURN TO THE, UH, CLOSED SESSION.

I,

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[CALL TO ORDER]

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[ROLL CALL]

PRESIDENT RAINEY.

PRESIDENT.

OH, YES.

PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT MCGUIRE.

HERE.

SECRETARY SCOTT.

OH, HERE IS HERE.

NO, NO.

THAT HE'S NOT HERE.

HERE, HERE.

SHANNON, PLEASE, BABY.

WE WILL HOLD.

OKAY.

SECRETARY SCOTT PRESENT.

COMMISSIONER SHANNON.

COMMISSIONER CORDERA.

HERE WE HAVE A QUORUM.

OKAY.

UM, OUR PLEDGE OF

[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]

NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, LIBERTY AND JUSTICE WORLD.

OKAY.

UM, OH, NOW WE ARE MISS OH, I HAVE NO

[ANNOUNCEMENTS]

AND WHERE IS CHRIS? OKAY.

ARE THERE ANY, UM, ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? SOME, DID I SEE SOMEONE'S HAND UP, GLORIA? YES.

YEAH.

UM, I JUST WANTED TO BRIEFLY JUST, UM, SAY WE HAD A REALLY, REALLY GOOD, UH, COLORADO RIVER INSPECTION TRIP.

IT'S NOW A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

UM, AND I WANNA THANK, UM, ESPECIALLY DIANA AND DELISE FOR, UH, PUTTING THAT TOGETHER ON OUR END.

UM, METROPOLITAN ALWAYS DOES A GREAT JOB, BUT IT WOULDN'T BE WITHOUT OUR, OUR PEOPLE HERE THAT, UM, REALLY MAKE IT HAPPEN AND WORK WITH OUR, UM, OUR GUESTS.

SO IT WAS A SMALLER GROUP.

UM, I WAS REALLY EXCITED THAT COMMISSIONER SCOTT WAS ABLE TO ATTEND.

IT WAS A, UM, ACTUALLY A VERY, VERY, WE HAD, UH, PETER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FROM THE AQUARIUM WAS THERE.

WE HAD SEVERAL, UH, CHRISTINA DUGAN.

I'M FROM THIRD DISTRICT.

UM,

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A LOT OF GOOD, GOOD QUESTIONS.

UM, SO I WANNA, AGAIN, THANK YOU.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF COMMISSIONER SCOTT WANTED TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT, UH, I'D JUST LIKE TO ECHO YOUR REMARKS.

IT WAS MY FIRST TIME ON A INSPECTION TOUR LIKE THAT, AND IT WAS EXTREMELY EYE-OPENING.

UM, UH, I'M REMINDED THAT WE'RE STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS, UH, EVERY TIME WE TURN ON A, UH, A WATER TAP, UH, IN OUR HOME OR IN OUR BUSINESS.

UH, AMAZING, UH, THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE AND, AND THE FACT THAT WE'RE ABLE TO ADD TO THAT IN THE COMING YEARS WITH OUR, UH, IMPROVEMENT PLANS AND, AND JUST THE MORE WE DO THE, IT, IT'S, IT, IT'S INSPIRING YOU.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? YES.

SO, REAL QUICKLY, UM, THE CITY ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT, UH, THEY EXPECT TO HAVE A $28 MILLION DEFICIT FOR FY 25.

AND, UH, THEY HAD ORIGINALLY ESTIMATED AROUND 14 MILLION.

NOW IT'S 25 MILLION.

AND THE, THE TWO DRIVING FACTORS THEY SAID WERE THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF OIL REVENUE, WHICH THEY ESTIMATED ABOUT $20 MILLION A YEAR IF THE, UH, BALLOT MEASURE GETS APPROVED, WHERE THEY WOULD LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF OIL PRODUCTION.

UM, AND THEN THE SECOND THING WAS THE RAISES THAT THEY HAVE GIVEN OUT TO THE VARIOUS LABOR GROUPS.

UM, THEY DID, UH, CREATIVE NEGOTIATIONS THIS YEAR.

UH, 'CAUSE WE, I THINK I MENTIONED BEFORE, WE HAD A 22% VACANCY RATE IN THE CITY, WHICH WAS JUST OUTSTANDING AS FAR AS, YOU KNOW, THE IMPACT UPON SERVICES.

AND SO I THINK THEY'VE, UH, REALIZED THAT THEY HAD TO COME UP TO MARKET IN A LOT OF THESE POSITIONS.

AND SO THEY DID A VERY GOOD JOB, I THINK IN LOOKING AT, UM, NOT ALL THE POSITIONS, BUT MOST OF THE POSITIONS IN TERMS OF WHERE WE STAND AGAINST THE MARKET.

YOU KNOW, IN YEARS PAST, IT WAS SORT OF A, YOU KNOW, CATCH ALL 1%, 2% ACROSS THE BOARD.

THIS YEAR THEY DID IT MUCH DIFFERENTLY TRYING TO CATCH UP TO THE, TO THE MARKET.

AND THEN, UM, TODAY THEY'RE GOING TO BE ANNOUNCING, UM, AND THE MAYOR MENTIONED IT IN HIS STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS, THAT, UH, THEY'RE GOING TO PUT ON THE, UH, BALLOT IN MARCH, NOVEMBER, NOVEMBER, NOVEMBER, A, UH, CHARTER CHANGE TO, UH, UM, WHICH WOULD IMPACT THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.

AND THE WAY THE MAYOR HAS, THEY'RE, THEY'RE GONNA, UH, UNVEIL THE DETAILS TODAY.

BUT THE WAY THE MAYOR HAD MENTIONED IT DURING THE STATE OF THE CITY WAS THAT THEY WOULD MOVE ALL THE, UH, HIRING PROCESS UNDER ONE DEPARTMENT, UNDER HR.

SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE'RE THE ONLY CITY IN CALIFORNIA THAT HAS A SEPARATE CIVIL SERVICE STRUCTURE AND A SEPARATE HR STRUCTURE.

AND SO WE'RE GONNA COMBINE THOSE TWO, AT LEAST THAT'S THE PROPOSAL.

AND CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION WOULD REMAIN, BUT ONLY HANDLE PERSONNEL MATTERS.

SO WHEN WE HAVE DISCIPLINARY ACTION, THEY WOULD HANDLE, UH, ANY APPEALS FROM THAT.

SO WE'LL GET MORE DETAILS TODAY AND I'LL SHARE THAT WITH YOU ONCE WE GET THOSE.

UM, CITY COUNCIL, UM, THEY'RE GONNA BE HAVING THEIR MEETINGS OFFSITE AT LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE, 'CAUSE THEY'RE DOING SOME REPAIRS TO, I SHOULDN'T SAY REPAIRS, UM, TO THE NEW CITY HALL.

IT'S UPGRADES TO THE AUDIO AND VISUAL IN THE, UH, COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

SO THEY'LL BE HAVING THEIR MEETINGS AT LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE FOR THE NEXT, I THINK TWO MONTHS.

AND THEN LASTLY, I, I DON'T DUNNO IF I MENTIONED LAST WEEK, BUT, UH, UM, TOM MOKA, THE CITY MANAGER, ANNOUNCED HIS, UH, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, AND THAT'S APRIL WALKER, UM, WHOSE HUSBAND ALSO WORKS FOR US, UH, BRANDON.

AND, UH, SO WE WANNA CONGRATULATE HER AND SUPPORT HER IN OUR NEW ROLE.

THAT'S IT.

THANK YOU.

THANK ITEM NUMBER

[1. 24-51815 Recommendation to approve January 4, 2024 Board meeting minutes.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

MOTION TO APPROVE.

SECOND.

OKAY.

IT'S BEEN MOVED BY MCGUIRE AYE.

AYE.

YES.

WE SHOULD ASK FOR PUBLIC COMMENT EVEN ON MINUTES.

EVERY ITEM.

OH, PUBLIC COMMENTS.

[2. 24-51817 Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute a one-year contract, with the option for two one-year extensions with Carpi & Clay to provide federal advocacy and lobbying services, in an amount not to exceed $58,000 per year.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

TODAY WE HAVE WITH YOU JULIE MINERVA FROM CARPI AND CLAY.

AND THE RECOMMENDATION BEFORE YOU IS TO EXTEND THE EXISTING AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE WITH THEM, UM, AS, AS A, A NEW ONE YEAR AGREEMENT, BUT SAME TERMS AND CONDITIONS, SAME DOLLAR AMOUNT FOR THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE, THAT SAME GREAT LEVEL

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SO JULIE HAS EXTENSIVE HISTORY IN WASHINGTON, DC WORKING WITH EVERY MEMBER OF, UM, THE CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES, UM, THE, UH, BUREAU OF RECLAMATION AND A NUMBER OF OTHER AGENCIES AS WELL.

SHE'S BEEN TRACKING, UM, GRANT OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING THOSE ARE, UH, RELATED TO RECYCLED WATER AND MET AS THEY KIND OF TIE INTO THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

AND I'LL LET HER INTRODUCE HERSELF AND GIVE A BRIEF PRESENTATION TO THIS BOARD, AND YOU CAN, UM, THERE'LL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR QUESTIONS OF BOTH OF US AFTER.

SO, JULIE, THANK YOU DIANA, AND GOOD MORNING.

IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

I BRING GREETINGS FROM MY COLLEAGUE, LAURA MORGAN KESSLER, WHO'S BACK IN WASHINGTON DC DEALING WITH MORE EXPECTED SNOW.

SO I THINK I GOT THE BENEFIT OF COMING OUT TO THE CALIFORNIA SUN.

SO THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

AS DIANA MENTIONED, I AM, UM, A PARTNER AT CAR AND CLAY.

WE ARE A GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FIRM IN WASHINGTON DC AND WE SPECIALIZE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATION, IN PARTICULAR FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES THAT HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

SO I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A QUICK OVERVIEW OF HOW THINGS LOOK IN WASHINGTON.

I'M GONNA KEEP THIS TO ABOUT 10 MINUTES.

IT'S VERY POSSIBLE THAT AT THE PACE THINGS ARE MOVING IN DC RIGHT NOW, THINGS COULD POP UP IN THAT 10 MINUTES.

SO IF I GET A QUICK ALERT HERE, I'LL, I'LL DO SOME REAL TIME UPDATING, BUT WITH THAT, I WILL DIVE IN.

SO YOU'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT THIS FIRST SLIDE THINKING, WHAT EXACTLY IS THIS? THIS REALLY IS THE KEY CODE TO HOW WE WORK OUR WAY THROUGH ANY LEGISLATIVE CYCLE.

SO MY OLDER BROTHER GOT ME HOOKED ON THOSE INTERACTIVE ESCAPE ROOM BOOKS WHERE YOU TURN TO A PAGE, YOU TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO SOLVE, AND THEN YOU, YOU HAVE KEY CODES TO GET YOU THROUGH.

THIS IS MY PERSONAL KEY CODE.

SO HERE WE'VE GOT THE COMBINED CONGRESSIONAL CALENDAR, WHICH SHOWS US AT A GLANCE WHEN CONGRESS IS IN WASHINGTON DC AND WHEN CONGRESS IS BACK FOR RECESSES AND, AND THEN EITHER THEIR HOME STATES OR THEIR HOME DISTRICTS.

AND THEN HERE, UM, THE, THE RED AND THE BLUE REPRESENTS THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE CURRENT BALANCE OF POWER.

YOU'VE HEARD US TALK ABOUT IN THE PAST HOW 218 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, BECAUSE THAT TWO 18 REPRESENTS A MAJORITY.

RIGHT NOW, REPUBLICANS HOLD JUST 220 SEATS OUT OF 435, WHICH MEANS THEY CAN LOSE JUST TWO MEMBERS ON ANY GIVEN VOTE TO MAINTAIN A MAJORITY.

THAT MAKES SKIDDING MAJOR PIECES OF LEGISLATION THROUGH VERY, VERY TRICKY.

WE ALSO HAVE SEVERAL, UM, OPEN SEATS RIGHT NOW, ONE OF THEM BEING FORMER SPEAKER MCCARTHY AND THE GOVERNOR HAS ANNOUNCED A SPECIAL ELECTION THERE.

WE ALSO HAVE A SPECIAL ELECTION IN NEW YORK TO FILL THE SEAT BY GEORGE SANTOS AND A COUPLE OF OTHER RETIREMENTS THAT ARE UPCOMING.

SO THINGS ARE VERY, VERY TIGHT, UM, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND LIKEWISE IN THE SENATE.

WE HAVE A VERY CLOSE, UM, MARGIN WHERE WE HAVE THE VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS COME TO BREAK A NUMBER OF VOTES IN THE SENATE.

SO JUST KNOW THAT ANYTHING THAT WE DO IN WASHINGTON IS FIRST GONNA REFLECT THE SCHEDULE.

SECOND IS GONNA REFLECT THE BALANCE OF POWER, AND THIS IS HOW WE ARE GONNA GET THROUGH THE YEAR.

BUT I DO LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THE CALENDAR AS WELL, BECAUSE THERE'S LOTS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO COME TO WASHINGTON DC AND ENGAGE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, BOTH WITH YOUR OWN RESPECTIVE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATIONS AS WELL AS WITH THE FEDERAL AGENCIES.

BECAUSE WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW AND THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, WE'RE TAKING A MUCH MORE COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT WATER AND GAS NEEDS, UM, HERE IN WASHINGTON DC.

SO LOTS OF FRIENDS TO COME AND MAKE WHEN YOU ARE AVAILABLE.

LIKEWISE, SINCE THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR, ANY OPPORTUNITY WHERE YOU SEE WHITE ON THAT CALENDAR REPRESENTS A TIME THAT YOU'RE A MEMBER OF CONGRESS WILL BE BACK IN THE DISTRICT.

AND PERHAPS YOU DO AN EVENT HERE IN TOWN, OR YOU DO SOME SORT OF SITE VISIT WITH CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION STAFF TO SHOW THEM YOUR PROJECT'S UP CLOSE.

SO THE KEY DATES FOR 2024 ARE ALL REALLY POLITICAL, AND THAT'S BECAUSE WE ARE IN AN ELECTION YEAR.

NORMALLY I WILL SHOW YOU A SLIDE THAT HAS DEADLINES FOR APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS WHEN THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET IS GOING TO BE RELEASED.

BUT BASED ON THE WAY THINGS ARE IN WASHINGTON RIGHT NOW, EVERYTHING IS REALLY BEING DRIVEN BY THIS MORE POLITICAL AGENDA HERE TODAY.

WE ARE EXPECTING THAT THE HOUSE AND SENATE WILL PASS A NEW CONTINUING RESOLUTION TO KEEP THE GOVERNMENT OPEN AND FUNDED UNTIL MARCH 1ST AND MARCH 8TH, RESPECTIVELY.

SO AS YOU SEE, WE ARE JUST, UM, ABOUT A DAY AND A HALF AWAY FROM THE CURRENT

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AND CONGRESS, OF COURSE, IS DOWN TO THE WIRE GETTING THAT PASSED.

UM, BUT THE SENATE IS EXPECTED TO PASS THIS NEW CR TODAY.

IT WAS ANNOUNCED EARLIER TODAY THAT BECAUSE OF THE INCLEMENT WEATHER IN WASHINGTON, THE HOUSE PLANS TO ALSO PICK UP THAT CR AND VOTE FOR IT AND THEN NOT HAVE VOTES TOMORROW.

SO THESE, THIS NEW, UH, SET OF DEADLINES WILL BE MARCH 1ST AND MARCH 8TH, BUT THEN WE GET INTO THE CONVENTIONS, UM, IN THE SUMMERTIME, BOTH FOR THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

AND THEN WE COME BACK FROM THAT SUMMER BREAK, THE TRADITIONAL AUGUST RECESS, AND WE ONLY HAVE ABOUT 30 DAYS FOR CONGRESS TO FINALIZE THE FY 25 APPROPRIATION BILL.

SO JUST KNOW THAT ANYTHING THAT CONGRESS IS GOING TO DO IN CALENDAR OF 2024 REALLY NEEDS TO BE THROUGH BOTH CHAMBERS BY JULY IF IT'S GOING TO HAVE A CHANCE OF PASSING AND BECOMING LAW IN THE FALL.

SO JUST A MUCH MORE CONDENSED CONGRESSIONAL CALENDAR THAN WE TYPICALLY HAVE.

SO WITH RESPECT TO YOUR DELEGATION, I WILL TELL YOU THEY ARE JUST A DREAM TO WORK WITH SO MANY REALLY TALENTED PEOPLE WORKING FOR, UM, BOTH CONGRESSMAN GARCIA AND CONGRESSMAN BARRAGAN.

WE'VE GOT ALSO SENATOR PADILLA, NOW THE SENIOR SENATOR FOR CALIFORNIA.

OF COURSE, SENATOR FEINSTEIN HAD BEEN SUCH A LONG TIME CHAMPION OF WATER ISSUES FOR THE STATE.

AND SENATOR PADILLA HAS WASTED NO TIME WHATSOEVER PICKING UP THAT LEADERSHIP AND REALLY WORKING ON WATER ISSUES.

UM, SENATOR PADILLA HAS BEEN SERVING ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE, WHICH FROM A JURISDICTIONAL JURISDICTIONAL PERSPECTIVE, FOCUSES MORE ON THE US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND THE EPA.

AND IN THAT ROLE, HE'S BEEN FOCUSED ON CLIMATE AND EQUITY IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE.

BUT NOW, UM, WITH THE PASSING OF SENATOR FEINSTEIN, THERE'S BEEN SOME REORGANIZATION OF COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS AND THIS HAS OPENED UP SENATOR PADILLA TO SERVE ON THE ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE, WHICH HAS MORE DIRECT JURISDICTION OVER THE BUREAU RECLAMATION AND MORE OF THOSE WATER SUPPLY ISSUES, COLORADO ISSUES, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

UM, SENATOR PADILLA WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO SERVE ON THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND, AND THAT'S A POSSIBILITY FOR HIM IN THE NEXT CONGRESS.

BUT RIGHT NOW WE DO NOT HAVE A, UH, SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA SERVING ON THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.

I DO WANNA HIGHLIGHT THAT SENATOR PADILLA THIS WEEK, UM, GOT 24 OF HIS COLLEAGUES TOGETHER TO WEIGH IN WITH THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE TO CONTINUE TO FUND THE LOW INCOME HOUSING HOUSEHOLD, EXCUSE ME, HOUSEHOLD WATER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN THE FINAL FY 24 APPROPRIATION BILL.

YOU'LL RECALL THAT THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS STARTED, UM, DURING THE PANDEMIC AND IT PROVIDES SOME RELIEF FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER BILLS GIVEN ALL THE PRESSURES WE ARE SEEING WITH INFLATION AND OTHER FACTORS.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SENATOR PADILLA SEES A STRONG NEED TO CONTINUE AS A PART OF THE APPROPRIATIONS BILLS, AND HE LIKELY WILL DO SOMETHING IN A MORE FORMAL WAY WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION LATER IN THE YEAR.

SENATOR, UM, BUTLER AS WELL, I DON'T MEAN TO SKIP OVER HER, WE'RE ALL GETTING TO KNOW HER AND HER STAFF.

SHE'S HIRED A REALLY TALENTED, UM, GROUP OF STAFF MEMBERS AND SHE'S KEPT A COUPLE OF STAFF MEMBERS FROM SENATOR FEINSTEIN'S OFFICE AS WELL.

SO AS YOU ARE TALKING TO PEOPLE IN THE FIELD OFFICES AND EVEN COMING BACK TO DC YOU WILL SEE SOME FAMILIAR FACES THERE.

IT WAS ONLY ABOUT A WEEK OR SO INTO HER APPOINTMENT AS THE NEW SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA THAT SHE ANNOUNCED SHE WOULD NOT BE SEEKING REELECTION.

SO SHE IS SELF-IMPOSED TERM LIMITED, IF YOU WILL, AND WILL ONLY BE SERVING IN THIS CONGRESS.

UM, SHE WILL HAVE, UM, HER OFFICE CLOSED UP BY THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR AND THE NEW SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA WILL BE SWORN IN IN JANUARY OF CALENDAR 2026.

SO AS I MENTIONED, THERE IS A LOT GOING ON IN WASHINGTON DC AND SO MUCH OF THIS IS DRIVEN BY THE PASSAGE OF THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW AND THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.

SO JUST WE'RE CAPTURING SOME HIGHLIGHTS HERE FOR YOU BECAUSE OF ALL THAT'S GOING ON IN DC.

WE'VE ALSO CHANGED THE FREQUENCY OF OUR COMMUNICATIONS AS WELL AS THE STYLE OF OUR COMMUNICATIONS WITH ALL OF YOU.

WE CONTINUE TO DO OUR MONTHLY UPDATES THAT CAPTURE THE BIG PICTURE OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN WASHINGTON ON A MONTHLY BASIS.

BUT WE'VE STARTED DOING WEEKLY WATER UPDATES SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE SOME MORE REAL TIME INFORMATION, WHAT WE PICK UP BY WALKING THE HALLS OF CONGRESS, WHAT WE PICK UP BY MEETING WITH MEMBERS, UM, AT THE AGENCY LEVEL SO THAT YOU CAN BE PREPARED FOR YOUR NEXT GRANT APPLICATION OR

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I'VE BEEN WORKING IN WASHINGTON DC SINCE 1999.

I HAVE NOT SEEN A FLOW OF INFORMATION AT THIS INTENSITY IN THE, THE PAST 20 YEARS.

AND SO WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO NOT ONLY CAPTURE THAT, BUT PROVIDE REALLY GOOD RESOURCES SO THAT AS YOU'RE PREPARING FOR A MEETING, AS YOU'RE WORKING TO MEET WITH YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS, AS YOU'RE DOING YOUR INTERNAL STRATEGY OF WHERE THE FUNDS ARE AND WHAT YOU SHOULD APPLY FOR, THESE ARE EVERGREEN DOCUMENTS TO HELP YOU THROUGH THAT.

SO AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAD A VERY BUSY START TO THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR, A VERY BUSY START TO THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.

AND WE ARE ANTICIPATING, UM, A SAME BUSY SCHEDULE FOR 2024.

THE ONE THING THAT I WILL NOTE IS SOME OF THE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES WILL LIKELY ROLL OUT A LITTLE BIT FASTER IN 2024 BECAUSE IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR.

AGENCIES WILL WANNA TRY TO REVIEW THOSE GRANT APPLICATIONS AND AWARD THOSE FUNDS WELL BEFORE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

WE ALSO ANTICIPATE THAT IT WILL BE BUSY ON THE REGULATORY SIDE OF THINGS, BUT BECAUSE THE ADMINISTRATION IS BARRED FROM MAKING MAJOR REGULATORY, UM, DECISIONS BEFORE AN ELECTION, WE WILL SEE THE REGULATORY AGENDA START TO SLOW DOWN, UM, AROUND SUMMERTIME.

SO BIG OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, FUNDING IS ALWAYS A REALLY, REALLY BIG OPPORTUNITY.

AND WHAT WE ARE SEEING TRENDING IS THAT COMPETITIVE GRANTS TEND TO BE THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR WATER UTILITIES SUCH AS YOURSELF, CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING OR COMMUNITY FUNDED PROJECTS.

THOSE ARE THE NEW TERMS FOR EARMARKS THAT ARE OUT.

THERE ARE SOMETHING THAT CONGRESS RESTORED EARLIER THIS CONGRESS, BUT WE ARE SEEING THOSE IN A VERY LIMITED CAPACITY.

WE ARE NOT SEEING THE SAME NUMBER OF ACCOUNTS OPEN FOR EARMARKING OPPORTUNITIES.

AND THE LEVEL OF FUNDING FOR THESE INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS HAS BEEN REDUCED GREATLY.

SO EARMARKS TEND TO GET AWARDED SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE $500,000 TO ABOUT THE TWO AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS RANGE WHERE A COMPETITIVE GRANT OPPORTUNITY YOU CAN ASK FOR MUCH, MUCH MORE.

SO IT'S GOOD TO DO BOTH, BUT I'D LIKE YOU TO HAVE SOME CONTEXT ABOUT WHERE THOSE FUNDING LEVELS COME IN.

UM, WE'VE ALSO ARE TRACKING MANY, MANY PIECES OF LEGISLATION, THE PIPES ACT, THE FLUSHABLE WIPES ACT.

UM, A LOT OF THINGS IN DC NOW HAVE SOME FUN ACRONYMS TO GO WITH THEM.

WE DON'T MEMORIZE AS MANY BILL NUMBERS AS YOU DO AT THE STATE LEVEL.

WE LIKE TO USE OUR ACRONYMS OUT THERE.

UM, AND THEN WE'VE GOT SOME KEY ISSUES THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING FOR, FOR YOU AS WELL.

OVERALL, CLIMATE EQUITY RESILIENCE ARE THE HALLMARK OF THIS ADMINISTRATION AND REALLY WHAT WE ARE SEEING DRIVING A LOT OF LEGISLATION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

SO LAST BUT NOT LEAST, UM, THIS IS YOUR HOMEWORK OR MY HOMEWORK WITH YOU, RIGHT? WE ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE DOING.

SO, UM, WE'LL BE WORKING WITH DIANA ON THIS AS WELL.

BUT TO SCHEDULE A WASHINGTON FLY IN, COME OUT TO DC MAYBE ON A WEEK WHERE WE DON'T HAVE SNOW, UM, AND MAKE THE ROUNDS, THERE ARE LOTS OF NEW PEOPLE TO MEET AT BOTH THE STAFF LEVEL AS WELL AS SOME FOLKS WE'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO AT THE AGENCY LEVEL.

UM, OUTSIDE OF THESE FLY-INS TO WASHINGTON DC WE'VE REALLY BEEN UTILIZING A LOT OF VIRTUAL BRIEFINGS.

THAT IS ONE OF THE SILVER LININGS OF THE PANDEMIC, IS INTRODUCING US ALL TO USING TEAMS AND ZOOM AND GOOGLE MEET.

SO IF THERE IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS AN IMMEDIATE NEED, WE CAN EASILY ARRANGE THOSE VIRTUAL MEETINGS SO WE DON'T HAVE TO SCHEDULE EVERYTHING AROUND JUST ONE WASHINGTON TRIP PER YEAR.

SO WE REALLY LIKE TO USE THE VIRTUAL RESOURCES.

I'M A HUGE FAN OF IN-PERSON.

I WOULD NOT SAY HAVE VIRTUAL IN PLACE, THE IN-PERSON, THE WALKING THE HALLS, BUT IT DOES HAVE A VERY RELEVANT APPLICATION THAT IS HELPFUL WITH YOUR AGENDA.

LIKEWISE, WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET YOUR DELEGATION OUT TO LONG BEACH TO SHOW THEM WHAT YOU'RE WORKING ON.

AND THERE'S GONNA BE LOTS OF OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT IN THE SPRING WITH A TWO WEEK RECESS IN AUGUST WITH A MONTH LONG RECESS, AND THEN AGAIN IN OCTOBER WHEN MEMBERS WILL BE HOME CAMPAIGNING.

THOSE ARE ALL REALLY GOOD OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE MEMBERS HERE AND ALSO INVITE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.

UM, THE FY 25 APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS WILL BE HERE BEFORE WE KNOW IT.

SO WE'RE WORKING WITH YOU TO EVALUATE WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE.

WE TYPICALLY GET ABOUT A TWO WEEKS NOTICE OF WHEN THOSE ARE DUE.

SO WE LIKE TO BE AHEAD OF THE CURVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU MIGHT BE SEEKING.

BUT OVERALL, UM, WHAT WE LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU ON IS A VERY, VERY PROACTIVE AGENDA.

SOME OF THIS INVOLVES SOFT TOUCHES, SOME OF THIS INVOLVES HARD ASKS, BUT OVERALL WE LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DELEGATION KNOWS WHAT YOUR PRIORITIES

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SO WE HAVE A VERY GOOD PARTNERSHIP WORKING WITH YOU AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT INTO, UM, THIS CURRENT CALENDAR YEAR.

SO I WILL WRAP IT UP AT THAT.

I PROBABLY WENT OVER 10 MINUTES THERE, BUT THERE'S A LOT TO SHARE AND I'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS.

I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION.

OH, GLORIA.

HI.

THANK YOU.

HI, JULIE.

UM, THAT'S QUITE A BIT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GOOD WORK ADVOCATING FOR US BACK THERE.

UM, COUPLE OF THINGS.

ONE, UM, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE PUT SENATOR PADILLA'S EFFORTS ON, NOT LOW INCOME RATE ASSISTANT, BUT IT WAS, WHAT WAS IT CALLED? IT'S ACTUALLY TO HELP WITH THE UTILITY BILLS ITSELF.

I'LL TELL YOU THE NAME BECAUSE IT'S ANOTHER ACRONYM THAT DOESN'T QUITE ROLL OFF THE TONGUE.

IT IS THE LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLD WATER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

YOU MIGHT, YEAH.

OKAY.

OKAY.

YEAH.

SO LIHEAP IS THE ENERGY SIDE, SO YES, NATURAL GAS, UH, UH, ELECTRICITY.

SO THE WATER WAS MODELED OFF OF THE ENERGY SIDE.

OKAY.

SO, UM, IN TERMS OF THE STATE LEVEL, I, I KNOW WE HAD SOME DISCUSSION AT METROPOLITAN.

AFFORDABILITY IS A HUGE ISSUE.

YES.

UM, AND IT, THERE'S NOTHING AT THE STATE LEVEL HERE THAT DOES A LOW INCOME RATE ASSISTANCE, WHICH COULD BE A SECOND STEP.

IS THAT RIGHT? WE THINK DIANA.

SURE.

SO CALIFORNIA, UM, FOLLOWED SUIT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, ESPECIALLY DURING COVID AND, UH, CREATED A, I BELIEVE THEY CALLED IT COOP.

DON'T ASK ME TO , UM, SPELL ALL THAT OUT RIGHT NOW.

BUT WE DID ACTUALLY APPLY FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE MAY BE THE LAST ROUND OF COOP, UM, AT THE END OF LAST YEAR AND DREW DOWN ON ABOUT $1.2 MILLION TO SUPPORT APPROXIMATELY 3000, UM, PRIMARILY RESIDENTIAL, BUT ALSO SOME COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTS FOR THEIR WATER AND SEWER BILLS.

SO THESE WERE ACCOUNTS THAT HAD, UM, ARREARAGES OR, OR DEBT, UM, TOTALING I BELIEVE 60 OR MORE DAYS.

AND THAT MONEY WAS, UM, FORGIVEN THROUGH THIS STATE PROGRAM.

AND LWOP AND LIHEAP ARE BOTH, UM, PROGRAMS THAT OUR UTILITIES, UM, CONSTANTLY, UM, KIND OF, UM, PROVIDES TO ACCOUNT HOLDERS WHO ARE CALLING FOR PAYMENT ASSISTANCE.

SO LWOP, LIHEAP, COOP.

UM, AND THEN INTERNALLY WITHIN OUR OWN UTILITIES WE HAVE LOW INCOME ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THAT FOLKS CAN QUALIFY FOR AS WELL BASED ON, UM, IT IS THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, IT'S THE STANDARD THAT WE HAVE TO USE.

UM, SAME STANDARD THAT EDISON USES.

UM, AND THAT'S ESTABLISHED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

UM, THE SECOND THING IS, UM, IN TERMS OF A HUMAN RIGHT TO WATER, I KNOW CALIFORNIA IN 2012 DID THAT, BUT I THINK WE'RE THE ONLY STATE, IS THAT CORRECT? I BELIEVE YOU ARE.

OKAY.

UM, IS THERE ANY HOPE TO DO THAT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL? IS ANYBODY TALKING ABOUT THAT? I'M NOT HEARING THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE, BUT I DO THINK IT IS SOMETHING WORTH BRINGING UP WITH SENATOR PADILLA'S OFFICE BECAUSE THEY ARE SO INVESTED IN WATER AS AN EQUITY ISSUE.

UM, THEY'VE REALLY BEEN FRONT AND CENTER ON THE AFFORDABILITY PIECE.

THEY'VE ALSO REALLY BEEN FOCUSED ON THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PIECE OF IT ALL.

BECAUSE WHEN WE HAVE BIG OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW AND THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, THERE'S A RECOGNITION THAT SOME OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT NEED THAT ASSISTANCE MOST DO NOT HAVE THE TECHNICAL CAPABILITY TO APPLY FOR IT.

SO I THINK WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT CERTAINLY IS WITHIN, UM, THE SENATOR'S PRIORITIES AND WE CAN HELP YOU TO TALK ABOUT THAT IN A MORE MEANINGFUL WAY.

YEAH, I KNOW IT'S A LOFTY LIFT, BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY NEEDED.

UM, DIG DEEP.

THE BOARD THAT I'M ON IS, UM, A NATIONAL BOARD.

IT'S A SMALL BOARD, BUT IT'S A NATIONAL BOARD.

IT WORKS IN, AS I'VE TOLD PEOPLE, NAVAJO, EL PASO AND APPALACHIA AND THEY DIG DEEP.

OUR STAFF IS WORKING IN WASHINGTON TO TRY AND DO SOMETHING WITH HUMAN RIGHT TO WATER.

SO IT MIGHT BE A GOOD LINK.

AND THEN I'VE MENTIONED IT METROPOLITAN TOO, IF YOU HAD SOMEONE LIKE MET BEHIND IT AND LONG BEACH, ANOTHER AGENCIES.

GREAT.

IF YOU WANNA CONNECT, PUSH UP, WE'D LOVE TO TALK TO THEM.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

SOUNDS GOOD.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU AGAIN.

APPROVE MOTION BY GLORIA RO AND THE SECOND.

SECOND.

UM,

[01:25:01]

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSITION? HEARING NONE, IT PASSES.

THANK YOU AGAIN.

ITEM NUMBER THREE,

[3. 24-51819 Recommendation to adopt Specifications UD-23-127 and authorize the General Manager to execute contracts with Badger Meter Inc., Sensus USA Inc., and Ferguson Waterworks to furnish and deliver meter boxes, covers, water meters, AMI registers, and related materials and parts in an aggregated amount not to exceed $3,237,522 for a one-year period, and authorize the General Manager to exercise the option to renew for two additional one-year periods.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

AND FERGUSON WATER WORK.

UM, JERRY, AND BEFORE HE BEGINS, JARED'S ONE OF OUR NEWER MANAGERS.

HE'S BEEN IN THE POSITION FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW, IS THAT CORRECT? UH, MARCH, YES.

OKAY, SORRY.

23.

AND IS AB ABSOLUTELY DOING A FANTASTIC JOB RIGHT AT THE END, UH, REALLY HAS EARNED THE RESPECT OF HIS PEERS AND HIS STAFF, SO I REALLY WANNA GIVE HIM A SHOUT OUT.

WELL, THANK YOU CHRIS.

WELL THANK YOU JERRY.

GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.

A QUICK BRIEF PRESENTATION ON ON ITEM NUMBER THREE.

UH, FURNISH AND DELIVER WATER METERS AND RELATED MATERIALS AND PARTS WATER METERS.

ALLOW WATER UTILITY SYSTEMS TO MONITOR THE VOLUME OF WATER A CUSTOMER USES FOR THE PURPOSE OF BILLING.

EACH BILLABLE UNIT LONG BEACH UTILITIES CHARGES IS EQUAL TO A HUNDRED CIC FEET OF WATER OR 748 GALLONS.

OUR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM HAS OVER 90,000 SERVICE CONNECTIONS, WHICH REQUIRE DIFFERENT METER TYPES BASED ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL SERVICE NEEDS.

WE HAVE POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT METERS RATE FOR LOW TO MODERATE FLOW RATES.

THESE METERS MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF OUR 81,000 RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS.

WE HAVE TURBINE METERS DESIGNED TO BE USED WHERE HIGH FLOW RATES OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME IS REQUIRED.

THESE ARE THE METERS OF CHOICE FOR OUR 1300 IRRIGATION SERVICES.

COMPOUND METERS ARE A TURBINE METER AND POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT METER INTEGRATED TOGETHER GREAT FOR HIGH AND LOW FLOW PURPOSES.

YOU'LL TYPICALLY SEE THESE ON OUR OVER 7,000 COMMERCIAL SERVICES.

OUR ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE, ALSO KNOWN AS A MI, ALLOWS US TO GATHER BILLABLE READS MORE EFFICIENTLY BY SENDING METER READS TO OUR BILLING SYSTEM VIA THE CENSUS NETWORK.

WE CAN USE THESE, READ THIS READ DATA TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS INVITING POTENTIAL LEAKS ON THEIR PROPERTY.

THIS THIS REQUIRES LONG BEACH UTILITIES TO ENSURE ALL METER COMPONENTS ARE REGISTERING AND COMMUNICATING PROPERLY, AS WELL AS INSTALLING NEW METERS AND RADIOS FOR NEW PROJECTS SUCH AS ADUS, MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, UH, TO SUPPORT STATE HOUSING, UH, GOALS.

MAINTAINING SUFFICIENT INVENTORY IS A PRIORITY OF OPERATIONS.

THIS CONTRACT WILL ALLOW US TO ORDER THE NECESSARY INVENTORY TO ENSURE WE CAN DELIVER TIMELY ACCURATE BILLING TO OUR CUSTOMERS.

THIS INVENTORY OF METERS DIALS, WATER METERS, METER BOXES AND RADIOS WILL BE TO SUPPORT OUR METER EXCHANGE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AS WELL AS GENERAL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS.

BID OPENED ON NOVEMBER 28TH, 2023.

THREE BIDS WERE RECEIVED.

OPERATE OPERATIONS CONDUCTED A BID ANALYSIS, AWARDING ALL THREE BIDDERS, A PORTION OF THE CONTRACT BASED ON THE LOWEST CONFORMING BID PRICING.

THIS IS ENSURING LONG BEACH UTILITIES OBTAINED THE BEST PRICE.

PRICE PER LINE ITEM, UH, CENSUS WAS 1.3 MILLION.

FERGUSON WATERWORKS JUST UNDER 1 MILLION AND BADGER METER 900,000.

AND IT IS STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT SPECIFICATION UD DASH TWO THREE DASH 1 27 AND AUTHORIZED THE GENERAL MANAGER TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS WITH BADGER METER INCORPORATED SINCE USA INCORPORATED AND FERGUSON WATERWORKS TO FURNISH AND DELIVER METER BOXES, COVERS WATER METERS, MI REGISTERS AND RELATED MATERIALS AND PARTS, AND AN AGGREGATED AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $3,237,522 FOR A ONE YEAR PERIOD.

AND TO AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER TO EX TO EXERCISE THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR TWO ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR PERIODS.

WITH THAT, I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS, ANY COMMISSION'S, COMMENTS.

OKAY.

UM, DO WE HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVE SECOND.

MOTION BY SHANNON AND SECOND BY MRS. CORDERO.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

I OPPOSITION? ANY OPPOSITION? HEARING NONE.

THE MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU.

ITEM.

THANK YOU.

ITEM

[01:30:01]

[4. 24-51820 Reccommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute contracts, and any necessary documents, including any amendments, with Alura Workforce Solutions, Emploi Group dba AtWork Personnel Services, and Howroyd Wright Employment Agency dba AppleOne Employment Agency, to provide temporary staffing services in a total aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000 for a one-year period, and authorize the General Manager to exercise the option to renew for four additional one-year periods.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

AND HI ROY WRIGHT, UH, EMPLOYMENT AGENCY.

I ASKED, UM, LEGAL COUNSEL IF YOU, IF YOU KNEW THE PEOPLE AND HE SAID, I DIDN'T HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING, BUT I WANNA MAKE IT CLEAR.

I DO KNOW.

HIGH RULE.

OKAY, GO ON.

GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR.

STAFF REQUEST THE BOARD TO AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS IN ANY NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS WITH LOWER WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS EMPLOYEE GROUP, DOING BUSINESS AS AT WORK PERSONNEL SERVICES AND ROY WRIGHT EMPLOYMENT AGENCY, DOING BUSINESS AS APPLE ONE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY STAFFING SERVICES IN A TOTAL AGGREGATE AMOUNT, NOT TO EXCEED $250,000 FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR AND AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR TWO FOUR ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR PERIODS.

SO BACKGROUND ON THIS, THE CITY HAS BEEN WORKING ON TEMPORARY STAFFING CONTRACTS FOR A WHILE.

UM, THE OLD ONE HAD EXPIRED AND THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON A NEW ONE SINCE 2022.

UM, THEY ISSUED THE RFP, THEY GOT OVER 20 PROPOSALS.

IT WENT THROUGH TWO ROUNDS OF REVIEW AND THEY ALSO ENGAGE WITH THE LABOR GROUPS TO TALK ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS OF USING TEMPORARY STAFFING.

UM, THE GOAL OF THE TEMPORARY STAFFING IS REALLY ONLY TO DEAL WITH SITUATIONS WHERE WE HAVE UNANTICIPATED SURGES IN STAFFING NEEDS AND OR WE DON'T HAVE A EXISTING VIABLE CIVIL SERVICE LIST.

AND SO THERE ARE VERY STRICT RULES ON HOW TO USE THE TEMPORARY STAFFING AGENCY COMPANIES.

UM, THERE ARE THESE GRANDFATHER, GRANDFATHER CLASSIFICATIONS.

UM, THOSE ARE THE ONLY CLASSIFICATIONS THAT WE CAN USE THE TEMPORARY STAFFING SERVICES FOR.

AND THEN GENERALLY, UM, THE TEMPORARY STAFFING CANNOT EXCEED 960 HOURS A YEAR.

AND SO EVEN THOUGH WE ARE ACTUALLY ASKING THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE FROM THREE DIFFERENT AGENCIES, YOU CAN'T JUST WORK FOR ONE AGENCY FOR 960 HOURS AND THEN BOUNCE TO A DIFFERENT AGENCY AND WORK FOR AN ADDITIONAL, IT IS ALTOGETHER 960.

THAT'S IT.

UM, AND THEN IDEALLY THE CITY WILL HAVE A LIST FOR US TO ACTUALLY HIRE PERMANENT EMPLOYEE AND GET OFF OF TEMPORARY STAFFING.

AND SO THIS, AGAIN, THIS IS JUST TO HELP US DEAL WITH TEMPORARY SURGES AND STAFFING NEEDS.

UM, HISTORICALLY, I THINK LAST YEAR WE SPENT SOMEWHERE AROUND 170,000 WITH APPLE ONE TO DEAL WITH A LOT OF THE CALL CENTER ISSUES DEALING WITH, UM, RESUMING, UM, UM, SHUTOFFS AND ALL THAT STUFF.

AND ALSO WITH THE, UH, HIGH BILL THAT WE EXPERIENCED DURING THE LAST WINTER, WE HAD A LOT OF PHONE CALLS.

SO WE NEEDED A LOT OF STAFFING SUPPORT.

UM, IT CAME IN AS A SUDDEN SURGE AND SO WE USE, UM, TEMPORARY STAFFING TO HELP US WITH DEALING WITH THAT.

SO WITH THAT, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ON THIS AGENDA ITEM.

ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS, ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS, ANY COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS? OKAY.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND? DO YOU HAVE A MOTION? I SO MOVE.

SECOND.

MOTION BY MCGUIRE.

SECOND BY ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED? OKAY.

HEARING.

WE HAVE A MOTION? UH, WE HAVE A IN FAVOR AND WE HAD NO OPPOSITION, SO, OKAY.

PRESIDENT RAINEY, WILL YOU BE RECUSING YOURSELF FROM THIS VOTE? I, I DON'T HAVE TO RECUSE MYSELF, BUT I JUST ANNOUNCED THAT I DID KNOW THE PEOPLE, BUT OKAY.

I HAVE NO BUSINESS WITH THEM.

OKAY, SO ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE.

THE MOTION CARRIES.

OKAY.

[5. 24-51821 Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute a contract, and any necessary documents, including any amendments, with Ocean Blue Environmental Services, Inc., to provide as-needed hazardous waste removal services in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 for a two-year period.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

AND IT'S MR. TY AGAIN.

THANK YOU PRESIDENT RAINEY.

SO FOR GENERAL ITEM NUMBER FIVE, UM, STAFF REQUEST, THE BOARD AUTHORIZED THE GENERAL MANAGER TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AND ANY NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS WITH OCEAN BLUE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES TO PROVIDE AS NEEDED HAZARDOUS WASTE REMOVAL SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1 MILLION FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS.

UM, BACKGROUND ON OCEAN BLUE.

SO OCEAN BLUE IS, UM, AN ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP COMPANY.

[01:35:01]

UM, SOME OF THOSE SERVICES, FOR EXAMPLE, IS WHEN WE HAVE A SEWER SPILL AND, UM, IT'S COMING OUTTA THE MANHOLE AND IT, UM, CONTAMINATE AND CLOSE DOWN THE GUTTER TOWARDS THE STORM DRAIN.

WE ARE ABLE TO WORK WITH HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT.

WE BLOCK IT OFF, WE SEAL IT FROM GETTING INTO THE, UM, PUBLIC WATERWAYS INTO THE OCEAN, BUT THEN WE HAVE TO CLEAN THAT UP.

AND SO WE GET OCEAN BLUE TO COME OUT.

THEY WILL VACUUM OUT ALL THE, UM, THE SEWAGE THAT SPILLED OUT.

THEY'LL PUT IT BACK INTO THE SEWER AND THEN THEY WILL CLEAN UP THE AREA SO THAT THERE'S NOT RAW SEWAGE ON THE GUTTERS AND IN THE STORM DRAIN.

AND SO, UM, WHENEVER WE HAVE A SPILL, WE ASK OCEAN BUILDER TO CLEAN UP WHEN WE HAVE MAIN BREAKS AND WE HAVE A LOT OF DEBRIS, MUD ON THE STREETS, UM, ON THE CURB.

UM, WE NEED EXTENSIVE CLEANUP ASSISTANCE.

SO WE HIRE OCEAN BLUE TO COME OUT AND DO THAT CLEANUP.

AND THEN THERE ARE OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING AND CHEMICAL DISPOSAL SERVICES THAT WE USE OCEAN BLUE FOR.

UM, OVER THE YEARS, THE USAGE OF OCEAN BLUE CAN VARY DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF SPILLS THAT WE MAY HAVE OR BREAKS OR, OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

AND IT HAS VARIED BETWEEN 400 TO $600,000 A YEAR.

AND SO ON AVERAGE IT'S AROUND $500,000 A YEAR.

UM, AND SO WE HAVE HISTORICALLY USED OCEAN BLUE, UM, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO USE OCEAN BLUE BY PIGGYBACKING OFF OF THE CITY PROCESS, UM, TO USE OCEAN BLUE TO CONTINUE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDOUS WASTE SERVICES.

SO WITH THAT, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

IT'S REAL FUN TO ASK SOMEBODY TO HELP YOU PUBLIC COMMENT, PUBLIC COMMENT.

I DO.

SO, UM, I'LL MOVE THE ITEM.

OH, I'M SORRY.

OH, OKAY.

GO AHEAD.

I JUST WANNA APPRECIATE THE, UH, THE SHOUT OUT TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

I THINK IT'S OFTEN OVERLOOKED THAT, UH, UH, OUR FIREFIGHTERS ARE, ARE OFTEN FIRST TIME, FIRST ON SCENE AND THE FIRST PEOPLE TO MID MITIGATE HAZARDS LIKE A SEWER LINE BREAK OR, OR, UH, ANY OTHER NUMBER OF HAZARDS, GAS LINES AND, AND WATER MAIN BREAKS, ET CETERA.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

THANK YOU SCOTT AND TY.

I ALWAYS LIKE THE PRESENTATIONS, SO THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH OF A MOTION.

SECOND GEORGE SHANNON, AND A SECOND.

SECOND, SECOND BY GLORIA ERO.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.

UM, ANY OPPOSITION? THANK YOU.

[PUBLIC COMMENT Opportunity to address the Utilities Commission on non-agenda items. Each speaker is limited to three minutes to make their comments unless extended by the Chair.]

SO WHAT WE CAN

[ADJOURNMENT]

SO YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND ADJOURN THIS MEETING AND THEN WE'LL GO BACK INTO THAT MEETING AND WE'LL, AND WE'LL REPORT OUT IF THERE'S ANYTHING TO REPORT WHEN WE'RE DONE.

I.