Jun 06, 2024 Utilities Commission

CALL TO ORDER.

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[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]

THANK YOU.

LISA, WOULD YOU CALL

[ROLL CALL]

VICE PRESIDENT MCGUIRE.

HERE.

SECRETARY SCOTT? PRESENT.

COMMISSIONER SHANNON? HERE.

COMMISSIONER CORDERO.

HERE.

WE HAVE A QUORUM.

UH, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO EXCUSE PRESIDENT RAINEY FROM TODAY'S MEETING? SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? OKAY.

UH, WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO CLOSED

[CLOSED SESSION]

ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE CLOSED SESSION? SEEING NONE, THE BOARD WILL RECESS FOR CLOSED SESSION.

UH, OKAY.

THAT'S IT.

I THINK THAT'S OKAY.

SEE YOU LATER.

, DO WE WANT YOU ALL TO BE VERY QUIET? STAY QUIET, THINK.

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[ 24-53614 Pursuant to Paragraph (b) (1) of Section 54957 of the California Government Code and Charter Section 1403(2) regarding Public Employee Employment: Appointment of General Manager ]

UM, AARON, THE CITY ATTORNEY OFFICE, WOULD YOU, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT FROM OUR CLOSED SESSION? THANK YOU.

NOTHING TO REPORT AT THIS TIME.

OKAY.

THEN WE'LL MOVE ON

[1. 24-53615 Recommendation to approve May 16, 2024 Board meeting minutes.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

UM, FIRST IS TO NUM, ITEM NUMBER ONE IS TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM OUR LAST BOARD MEETING, MAY 16TH.

DO I HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THAT? SEEING NONE, ANY COMMISSIONER COMMENTS?

[01:00:01]

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM

[2. 24-53616 Recommendation to approve Transfer of Funds for June 6, 2024.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

DO I HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? ANY COMMISSIONER COMMENT? DO I HAVE A MOTION? MOTION TO APPROVE.

SECOND.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES.

OKAY.

THAT WAS QUICK

[3. 24-53617 Receive and file the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the period ended September 30, 2023.       Suggested Action: Receive and file. ]

UH, WE WE'RE GOING TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2023.

I'M GONNA CALL ON BRANDON WALKER.

MORNING COMMISSIONERS.

I WON'T SLOW THE MOMENTUM DOWN.

JUST THREE QUICK POINTS ON THIS ISSUE.

UH, FIRST AGAIN, THIS IN FRONT OF YOU IS THE FI AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR OUR LAST FISCAL YEAR, FY 23.

SO WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT IS THIS IS THE DOCUMENT THAT THE INVESTORS, THE COMMUNITY AND WALL STREET USES TO, UM, PRICE OUR BONDS AND GIVE US OUR RATING.

SO WE WERE GIVEN A CLEAN RATING, UH, FINANCES ABOVE BOARD.

SO THAT'S GREAT NEWS.

SECOND POINT IS, UH, I KNOW COMMISSIONER SHANNON BRINGS THIS UP EVERY YEAR, IS THAT THIS IS OUR LAST YEAR USING KPMG AS OUR, AS OUR AUDIT FIRM.

SO THE NEW YORKER LEAVING THE BOARD.

SO WE COULDN'T DO THIS BEFORE YOU LEFT.

UH, I THINK IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE A FRESH SET OF EYES LOOKING AT OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

SO CITYWIDE THE CITY AUDITOR IS ACTUALLY BRINGING OUT A, A FIRM CALLED CROW.

A BIG, HUGE FIRM NATIONWIDE.

THEY'RE COMING ON AND THEY'LL BE DOING OUR AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NEXT YEAR.

SO, UM, WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM.

AND THIRD, LAST, BUT NOT ONLY BETTER LATE THAN EVER, RIGHT? , UH, THE LAST ISSUE, I JUST WANT TO, UH, GIVE A HUGE THANKS TO OUR ACCOUNTING TEAM.

SO THIS IS THE FIRST STATEMENT UNDER THE JOINT UTILITY.

SO YOU WOULD THINK IN A PERFECT WORLD, YOU PUSH A BUTTON, THIS REPORT COMES OUT.

UM, I WISH IT WAS THAT EASY.

THIS WAS SIX MONTHS OF, OF THE MOST PRODDING DETAILED QUESTIONS IMAGINABLE.

THE SAME THING EVERY YEAR.

BUT OUR GAS TEAM AND OUR WATER TEAM, THE SENIOR ACCOUNTANT TEAM, I INVITED THEM.

THEY'RE TOO SHY, THEY'RE VERY MODEST.

THEY'RE HIDING BEHIND, UH, US AND THEIR AUDIENCE, OR BACK AT THEIR OFFICES NOW, BUT A HUGE SHADOW ON KUDOS TO THEM.

THIS IS, THIS IS A LARGE UNDERTAKING.

SO THE FACT THAT WE WERE GIVEN A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH, QUOTE, UNQUOTE FROM OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENT, IS A, UH, A GOOD FEATHER IN OUR CAP.

SO, BUT THAT, ANY QUESTIONS? I'M HERE TO HAVE YOU TO ANSWER.

WELL, THI THIS IS THE REPORT THAT HE'S SPEAKING OF, LIGHT, LIGHT, UH, EVENING READING.

UM, IF YOU, IT'S THE A HUNDRED PERCENT CURE FOR INSOMNIA.

SO IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE, GO AHEAD AND LOOK THROUGH IT LAST NIGHT AS WELL AS I COULD.

OH MY GOD.

ANYWAY, UM, THANK YOU.

THEY MAY BE SHY, BUT THEY'RE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED AND PLEASE EXTEND THAT DEFINITELY WILL DO.

THANKS TO THEM.

IT WILL APPRECIATE THAT.

IT'S A GREAT EFFORT.

THE OVERVIEW IS A REALLY GOOD READ, ACTUALLY, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THE HIGH LEVEL REPORTING AS WELL.

THANK YOU FOR READING THAT TOO.

IT'S OF COURSE.

NEED A MAGNIFYING GLASS.

OKAY.

ANYWAY, THANKS SO MUCH, BRANDON.

WE WANNA THANK BRANDON.

ONE, ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES WE HAD WAS, UH, WITH THE MERGER IS BRANDON HAD EXPERIENCE OVER ON THE GAS SITE AND THE WATER SIDE.

SO, UH, HE, UH, HIM LEADING THAT TEAM HAS, HAS BEEN VERY BENEFICIAL.

SO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, BRANDON.

UH, DO I HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? ANY COMMISSIONER COMMENT? MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE.

SECOND.

SECOND.

THANK YOU.

ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES.

CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU.

[4. 24-53618 Recommendation to approve the Water Supply Assessment prepared for Sea Ranch Business Park Project pursuant to California Water Code Sections 10910 through 10914.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

UH, ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS, UH, APPROVAL OF THE WATER SUPPLY ASSESSMENT PREPARED FOR C RANCH BUSINESS PARK PROJECT, CALLING ON DEAN WANG.

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

UM, SO THIS IS ANOTHER ITEM I'LL TRY TO KEEP REALLY QUICK.

UH, THIS ALSO COMES WITH A 50 PAGE PLUS REPORT, WHICH I THINK IS RIVETING READING.

SO I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND, UH, BUT IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, I WILL, UH, KEEP THIS BRIEF.

ESSENTIALLY, UH, THE STATE REQUIRES, UH, A VERIFICATION THAT WE HAVE WATER SUPPLIES AVAILABLE TO SERVE NEW DEVELOPMENTS WHEN THOSE COME UP TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE NOT, UH, OVERDEVELOPING OUR WATER SUPPLY.

UH, AND SO STAFF DID A ASSESSMENT FOR A SEA RANCH BUSINESS PARK, WHICH IS A PROJECT LOCATED AT SECOND AND SUDE BAKER.

IT'S GOING TO BE APPROXIMATELY 1 MILLION, UH, SQUARE FEET OF, UH, OFFICE SPACE, STORAGE SPACE AND MANUFACTURING SPACE.

UH, CURRENTLY THAT PROPERTY HAS, UH, LARGE STORAGE TANKS ON IT.

AND SO IT IS ALREADY A DEVELOPED URBAN USE, WHICH EXEMPTS IT FROM, UH, ONE OF THE TWO STATE SENATE BILL ASSESSMENTS.

UH, HOWEVER, FOR THE SENATE BILL, UM, SIX 10 REQUIREMENT, UH, ESSENTIALLY IF THAT PROPERTY IS GONNA USE MORE THAN THE EQUIVALENT OF 500 DWELLING UNITS OF WATER, WE ARE REQUIRED TO ASSESS, UH, WHETHER OR NOT WE HAVE ADEQUATE SUPPLY FOR THAT.

UM, AND SO LONG STORY SHORT, UH, DUE TO OUR IMPORTED WATER SUPPLIES, OUR GROUNDWATER SUPPLIES, THE WAY THEY'RE MANAGED, THE WAY THAT WE HAVE ALLOCATIONS TO IMPORTED WATER SUPPLY DURING SHORTAGE, UM, AND THE FACT THAT WE'VE ACHIEVED QUITE SIGNIFICANT WATER CONSERVATION OVER THE YEARS,

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UM, AND SO, UH, THE RECOMMENDATION IS FOR THE BOARD TO APPROVE THE WATER SUPPLY ASSESSMENT PREPARED FOR SEA BUSINESS RANCH PARK PROJECT PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA WATER CODE SECTIONS 1910 THROUGH 10, UH, TEN NINE TEN NINE TEN THROUGH 10, 9 14.

UH, WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND GIVE YOU THE 50 PAGE VERSION IF YOU PREFER.

THANK YOU.

WOW, THIS IS GREAT FROM THE CITY STANDPOINT.

'CAUSE THIS IS THE PROPERTY.

IF YOU GO DOWN STUDE BAKER, YOU SEE THE EYESORE OF THE OLD, UH, OIL TANKS THAT WERE PUT THERE BACK IN THE, UH, UH, LATE FIFTIES, UH, WITH THE POWER PLANT DOWN THERE.

AND SO, UH, THEY'VE BEEN ABANDONED FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

AND SO IT'S BEEN GREAT TO HEAR THAT.

UH, THERE'S GONNA BE SOME CHANGE DOWN THERE.

JUST MY COMMENTARY.

IT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT PROJECT.

DO I HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT, COMMISSIONER, COMMENT? I, I JUST WANNA THANK YOU FOR THIS.

UM, I ALWAYS THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, MAYBE BECAUSE OF MY NOW INVOLVEMENT WITH THE COLORADO RIVER, UM, LOOKING AT ALLOCATIONS AND SEEING, BECAUSE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT A LONG, LONG TIME AGO WE, WHEN THEY WERE LOOKING AT THE COLORADO RIVER, THEY DIDN'T THINK ABOUT PHOENIX AND LAS VEGAS AND LA AND ALL THOSE THINGS.

THEY, THEY KNEW IT WAS HAPPENING, BUT NOT TO THAT EXTENT.

SO I APPRECIATE THE GOOD WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING, AND I THINK IT'S INTERESTING.

IF YOU LOOK AT LIKE, THE ATTACHMENTS HERE, UM, IT, IT BREAKS IT DOWN BETWEEN THE CALIFORNIA AQUEDUCT AND COLORADO RIVER, WHICH IS REALLY INTERESTING.

AND THEY, THEY GO OUT TO LIKE 2035.

UM, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

I APPRECIATE THAT INFORMATION.

AND WITH THAT I'LL MOTION TO APPROVE.

THANK YOU.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU, DEAN.

VERY, VERY NICE.

ITEMS FIVE,

[5. 24-53619 Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute three separate contracts for on-call geotechnical engineering support services with 1) Twining, Inc., 2) Kleinfelder, and 3) Ninyo & Moore Geotechnical, for an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,800,000 for a period of two years with the option to extend each agreement for an additional period of one year, subject to Board approval.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

AND I'M CALLING ON FERNANDO GELSON TO PRESENT.

I I THINK THIS A, IS THIS YOUR FIRST TIME PRESENTING TO THE BOARD? I HOPE SO.

, JUST TALKING ABOUT THIS WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND I, I REALLY CAN'T REMEMBER.

I'VE BEEN HERE TOO LONG.

YOU ARE? WELL, NO, I DON'T, I DON'T REMEMBER.

TELL A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

I AM FERNANDO EGGLESTON.

I'M A CAPITAL PROJECT COORDINATOR WITH, UH, ENGINEERING.

I'VE BEEN HERE FOR GOING ON 24 YEARS NOW.

AND, UM, WITH THAT I'M JUST GONNA PRESENT THE, UH, THE NICE LITTLE CONTRACTS OVER THERE.

THAT'S A, THAT'S ENOUGH IN MY BACKGROUND.

OKAY.

, I WILL BE.

WHERE'S YOUR ITEMS? 5 67.

NOW ALL THREE OF THESE CONTRACTS ARE FOR, TO SUPPORT AND SUPPLEMENT, UH, UH, L-B-W-L-B-U-D, ENGINEERING AND, UH, OPERATIONS.

NOW FOR AT THE MOMENT WE HAVE, UH, FIVE EXISTING CONTRACTS WITH GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING, FIVE SEPARATE ONES.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE FIVE SEPARATE CONTRACTS FOR SURVEY ENGINEERING.

LIKEWISE, WE HAVE FIVE SEC SEPARATE EXISTING CONTRACTS AND CONSULTANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION.

ALL THREE OF THESE CONTRACTS EXPIRE JULY 14TH OF THIS YEAR.

NOW, FOR GEOTECHNICAL, WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS, UH, SUBSURFACE EXPLORATIONS, LABORATORY TESTING OF THOSE SOILS.

UH, CONSTRUCTION QUALITY ASSURANCE FOR PIPELINE TRENCH COMPACTION AND SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS.

NOW, WHEN WE LOOK AT THOSE PICTURES, WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR ON EACH ONE OF THESE JOBS, WHETHER THEY'RE CAPITAL PROJECTS, UM, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, OR EMERGENCY JOBS, ONCE WE OPEN UP THE STREET, WE'LL GO BACK AND BACKFILL IT.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE BA BEST BACKFILL POSSIBLE, SO THEY WILL TEST THE SOIL AND THEY WILL ALSO TEST THAT, UH, THAT TRENCH BEFORE WE PAVE IT SO IT'S SAFE FOR THE CUSTOMERS TO DRIVE ON.

AGAIN, WE'RE SAVORY SURVEY ENGINEERING.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEYS, CONSTRUCTION, AND AS-BUILT SURVEYS, ROUTE SURVEYS, PREPARATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS AND, UH, EASEMENT DOCUMENTS.

BUT FOR THE MOST USE, UH, WE HAVE THEM GO OUT AND THEY'LL LAY OUT, YOU SEE THAT, UH, NICE STATION MARK ON THE CONCRETE OR ON THE ASPHALT THERE.

THEY'LL LAY OUT THE ENTIRE JOB PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION AND WE'LL KNOW WHERE THE PIPE AND THE FITTINGS GO.

AND THEY'LL ALSO ANSWER QUESTIONS DURING CONSTRUCTION AND CLARIFY THOSE MARKS.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION.

UM, THESE ARE FOR SPECIALIZED INSPECTIONS AND TESTING SERVICES,

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THE SPECIALIZED JOBS WILL INCLUDE WELDING, CONCRETE, ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL.

THEY'LL SEND OUT A CONSTRUCTION MANAGER THAT IS FAMILIAR WITH THESE FIELDS AS WELL AS AN INSPECTOR WHO IS, UH, SPECIALIZED IN THOSE FIELDS AS WELL.

AND WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IN THE RECOMMENDATION, UM, AFTER PLANTING WITH OUR WATER, GAS, AND, UH, SEWER ENGINEERS AS WELL AS OPERATIONS, WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE, TO AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER TO EXECUTE THESE THREE SEPARATE CONTACTS FOR GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING AT TWINING, KLEIN, FELDER AND NINO AND MOORE, AS WELL AS EXECUTE THREE SEPARATE CONTRACTS FOR ON-CALL SURVEY ENGINEERING WITH, UH, COAST SURVEYING INC.

UH, SOMAS JOHNSON AND FRANK AND ASSOCIATES.

THE FIRST ONE WAS FOR AN AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF 1.8 MILLION WITH OUR GEOTECHNICAL.

FOR THE SECOND ONE.

FOR, UM, FOR THE SURVEY, WE'RE LOOKING FOR A 750,000, BUT FOR THE THIRD ONE WE WERE LOOKING FOR EXECUTE FIVE SEPARATE CONTRACTS FOR THE ON-CALL CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT.

AND, UM, FOR THAT ONE IT WOULD BE WITH, UH, DRPJ CONSULTANTS ANSWER ADVISORY LEAN ROW AND WELDING ENGINEERING FOR AN AGGREGATE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF 3 MILLION.

NOW, EACH OF THESE AUTHORIZATIONS, UH, WILL BE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS WITH AN OPTION FOR TO EXTEND THAT CONTRACT FOR AN ADDITIONAL PERIOD OF ONE YEAR SUBJECT TO BROAD APPROVAL.

AND, AND THAT'S THE END OF MY PRESENTATION UNLESS THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

YOU DID A GREAT JOB.

YOU SHOULD COME BACK AND DO IT MORE OFTEN.

THANK YOU, .

GREAT.

THANKS FERNANDO.

IT WAS WONDERFUL.

OKAY.

UH, ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THAT? AND TO CLARIFY, THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT FOR FIVE, SIX, AND SEVEN FOR ALL YOU PUBLIC COMMENTERS.

MM-HMM, , ALL THREE ITEMS. I DIDN'T READ.

ITEM SIX AND SEVEN, SHOULD I? IT'S OKAY.

I THINK WE HAVE A CLEAR RECORD THAT THAT'S WHAT'S BEFORE THE COMMISSION.

OKAY, GREAT.

ANY COMMISSIONER COMMENT? DO I HAVE A MOTION TO, IF THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS FROM THE BOARD, WE'LL TAKE A VOTE ON ITEM FIVE, SIX AND SEVEN.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION? AND SECOND, AND I MISSED IT.

UH, MOTION.

MOTION TO APPROVE.

UM, ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? NO.

MOTION CARRIES.

ALL THREE MO CARRY.

THANK YOU.

[8. 24-53622 Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute all necessary documents to enter into a contract with Clean Energy Fuels, Inc., of Newport Beach, CA, for the purchase of renewable compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas fuel, for use in vehicles and equipment, in an annual amount not to exceed $200,000 for a period of ten years.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

UH, ITEM NUMBER EIGHT IS TO AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH CLEAN ENERGY FUELS.

TY, GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.

I WILL ALSO TRY TO KEEP THIS BRIEF.

UM, OF COURSE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT THE END, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO TO ASK.

SO A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON THIS PARTICULAR REQUEST.

BACK IN 2019, THE CITY WENT OUT TO BID FOR A CONTRACTOR TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN, UM, CNG AND LNG, UM, FOR THE CITY.

UM, SO CLEAN ENERGY INC.

WAS THE SELECTIVE VENDOR TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE CNG FACILITY, WHICH IS ACTUALLY LOCATED AT THE GAS CAMPUS.

UM, SO THAT PARTICULAR CAMPUS ALLOWS BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC AGENCIES, OR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC PARTIES TO GO FEEL FOR CNG.

UM, AND SO WE WILL ACTUALLY GO TO THAT PARTICULAR FUELING SITE TO FILL OUR CNG VEHICLES.

NOW, FOR LNG, THE LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS, WE'LL HAVE TO GO TO A DIFFERENT SITE.

IT'S LOCATED IN THE PORT.

AND SO WITH THAT, UM, STAFF REQUEST THE BOARD TO AUTHORIZE US TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH CLEAN ENERGY INC.

TO PURCHASE CNG AND LNG FOR A AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $200,000 FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS, $200,000 ANNUALLY FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS.

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

OKAY, THANK YOU.

ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? ANY COMMISSIONER COMMENT? OKAY.

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? MOTION TO APPROVE.

SECOND MOTION.

AND SECONDED.

ALL IN FAVOR? A AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? THANK YOU.

THE MOTION CARRIES.

OKAY.

STAY UP THERE.

[9. 24-53623 Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute an agreement with J&S Property Management and Maintenance, Inc., to provide landscape services in an annual amount not to exceed $355,000 for a period of three years, and to exercise the option to renew for two additional one-year periods in an increased amount not to exceed 5% for each annual renewal period.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

THANK YOU.

AND, UM, BACK IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR, UM, UTILITIES DEPARTMENT ISSUED AN RFP FOR LANDSCAPING SERVICES.

UM, IT WAS ADVERTISED IN LBB AND WE HAD ONE BIDDER.

UM, IT WAS JS JNS, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.

UM, WE REVIEWED THE BIDS AND THEY

[01:15:01]

UM, SO THIS IS TO PROVIDE LANDSCAPING SERVICES FOR OUR THREE MAIN CAMPUSES AS WELL AS AMI RESERVOIR AND JOHNSON RESERVOIR, WHICH ACTUALLY IS THE BULK OF THE COST.

'CAUSE THE RESERVOIR SITES ITSELF IS RATHER LARGE AND WITH THE SLOPES, UM, IT CREATES VERY TECHNICAL LANDSCAPING SERVICES, UM, THAT THE INHOUSE CREWS CANNOT DO.

UM, SO WHAT THAT STAFF REQUEST THE BOARD TO AUTHORIZE, UM, THE LANDSCAPING SERVICES CONTRACT IN AN ANNUAL AMOUNT, NOT TO EXCEED $355,000 FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS AND EXERCISED THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR TWO ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR PERIODS, UM, IN AN INCREASED ANNUAL AMOUNT, NOT TO EXCEED 5% FOR EACH RENEWAL PERIOD.

SO WITH THAT, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY UH, TY, WHY, WHY DO YOU SUSPECT THERE WAS ONLY ONE, UH, VENDOR THAT BID? WE ACTUALLY DON'T KNOW.

WE ACTUALLY REACHED OUT, WE HAD A MAN, WE HAD A PRE-BID JOB WALK, AND WE INVITED A BUNCH OF VENDORS TO, TO SHOW UP ON SITE.

UM, AND THEN WE ACTUALLY EXPECTED AZTECA, UM, WHICH IS ACTUALLY THE CITY VENDOR TO BID, BUT THEY HAD DECLINED TO BID.

UM, AND WE, WE, WE COULDN'T GET, I THINK THEY WERE JUST VERY BUSY RIGHT NOW AS WELL.

UM, AND SO THEY DID NOT, AND J AND S IS THE CURRENT, UM, LANDSCAPING CONTRACTOR FOR US.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN DOING, UM, EVERYTHING FOR US, UM, AS REQUESTED.

OKAY, THANKS.

THANK YOU.

IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? ANY COMMISSIONER COMMENT? HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE MOTION AND A SECOND, UH, SECOND.

HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

A MOTION FROM SCOTT AND A SECOND FROM CORDERO, RIGHT? OH, I'M SUPPOSED TO SAY THEIR NAMES.

NO, I JUST, THEY DIDN'T HAVE THEIR MICS ON, SO I JUST WANTED TO BE SURE WE ALL KNEW.

OH, OKAY.

PERFECT.

GREAT.

THANK YOU.

I NEED HELP , UM, WITH MOTION A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES.

I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION.

HI, I'M SORRY.

I MAY HAVE MISSED THIS.

ARE THEY LONG BEACH LOCAL BASED? I DON'T SEE THAT.

THAT INFORMATION'S NOT THERE.

I HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU.

OKAY.

UM, ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

ITEM

[10. 24-53624 Recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute an amendment to Agreement WD-3557 with CCS Facility Services to provide custodial services in an amount not to exceed $250,000.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

TWO MORE.

OKAY.

SO, UM, AT THE LAST BOARD MEETING, STAFF REQUESTED THE BOARDS AUTHORIZE THE CONTRACT WITH, UM, UM, HILL BROTHERS, UM, FOR CUSTODIAL SERVICES.

UM, AS WE TRANSITION TO THE NEW CUSTODIAL SERVICES CONTRACT, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE NEW VENDOR MOVING FORWARD, CCS WAS THE OLD VENDOR.

WE NEED A CONTRACT AMENDMENT, UM, FOR THE EXISTING CONTRACT TO ALLOW FOR US TO TRANSITION, UM, OVER TO THE NEW VENDOR.

SO THIS IS, THIS REQUEST IS TO EXTEND THE OLD CONTRACT TO ALLOW US TO TRANSITION, UM, INTO THE NEW CONTRACT.

UM, AND SO WE ARE REQUESTING THE BOARD TO EXECUTE, AUTHORIZE GENERAL MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT, UM, WITH CCS FACILITIES, PROVIDE COSO SERVICES NOT TO EXCEED $250,000.

SO THIS IS JUST TO, UM, COVER US, UM, FOR THE TRANSITION.

AND AFTER THAT WE WILL BE GOING WITH, UM, HILL BROTHERS.

GREAT.

ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? ANY COMMISSIONER COMMENT? DO I HAVE A MOTION? MOTION TO APPROVE? AND A SECOND.

SECOND.

THANK YOU BOTH.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? NO, THE MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU.

THANKS, TY.

AND YOU'RE

[11. 24-53625 Recommendation to adopt Resolution UT-1515 authorizing the General Manager to execute a contract, and any necessary documents and subsequent amendments, with West Coast Sand & Gravel, Inc., for as-needed sand, gravel, and related materials, on the same terms and conditions afforded to the County of Orange, CA, in a total annual amount not to exceed $300,000, until the County of Orange, CA, contract expires on November 9, 2026.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

NUMBER 11.

A LOT OF CONTENT KNOWLEDGE HERE, .

OKAY.

UH, ITEM NUMBER 11 IS TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION UT 1515 AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH WEST COAST SAND AND GRAVEL.

I'M BACK.

UM, SO, UM, LITTLE BACKGROUND ON, ON THE NEED.

SO AS PART OF OUR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, WE, WE NEED RAW MATERIALS LIKE SAND AND GRAVEL FOR OUR BACKFILLING PROJECTS.

UM, AND SO WE NEED IT, AND THE, THE CITY ALSO NEEDS IT FOR THEIR PROJECTS.

AND THE CITY, INSTEAD OF GOING OUT TO BID, THE CITY ACTUALLY, UM, INVESTIGATED.

UM, IF THERE WERE EXISTING CONTRACTS THAT WAS RECENTLY BIDDED THAT THEY CAN PIGGYBACK OFF OF.

AND WHAT THEY FOUND WAS THE COUNTY OF ORANGE HAD EXECUTED A CONTRACT WITH WEST COAST SAND GRAVEL THROUGH A COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS AND AWARDED THAT CONTRACT TO WEST COAST SAND GRAVEL.

SO THE CITY EVALUATED THAT PROCESS AND THOUGHT THAT WAS A GOOD CONTRACT, GOOD VALUE, AND THE CITY PIGGYBACKED OFF OF THAT.

AND SO WHAT WE ARE DOING IS WE'RE REQUESTING TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF THE CITY'S EFFORT LOOKING AT, UM, OUTSIDE CONTRACTING.

UM, AND SO WE ARE USING

[01:20:01]

UM, SO THAT'S WHY ALSO THIS IS A RESOLUTION BECAUSE, UM, WE DIDN'T GO A TRADITIONAL BIDDING PROCESS.

WE WERE PIGGYBACKING OFF OF SOMEBODY ELSE'S EFFORT.

AND SO THAT'S WHY IT'S A RESOLUTION.

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

THANKS FOR THE EXPLANATION.

ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER, COMMENT? SEEING NONE.

UM, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? SECOND AND A SECOND.

THANK YOU.

UH, LISA, WE'LL HAVE A ROLL CALL.

VOTE SECRETARY SCOTT.

AYE.

COMMISSIONER SHANNON.

COMMISSIONER CORDERO? YES.

VICE PRESIDENT MAGUIRE? YES.

YOU KNOW, TIME, YOU'RE STILL A DOUBLE SPEAKER.

PROBATION AND YOU HAVEN'T BEEN OFF YET.

.

THAT'S WHY I'M UP HERE.

THANK YOU.

OKAY.

THE VOTE.

THE VOTE CARRIES.

THANK YOU.

ITEM NUMBER 12

[12. 24-53626 Recommendation to adopt Resolution UT-1517 authorizing the General Manager to enter into a Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with AT&T, under the purchase conditions specified in the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) Value Point cooperative purchasing program (Contract MA149) for wireless voice and data services in an annual amount not to exceed $325,000.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

AND WE HAVE ABRAHAM ORTIZ PRESENTING.

THANK YOU.

THIS IS ALSO ABE'S FIRST TIME, SO DON'T YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND, UH, TELL A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

OKAY.

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

UH, MY NAME'S A ORTIZ.

I AM WITH THE INFORMATION SERVICES DIVISION, AND I'VE BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR A LITTLE OVER FIVE YEARS NOW.

UM, AND TODAY, UH, WE'RE GONNA TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT CELLULAR AND, UH, DATA SERVICES.

UM, AND I'M GONNA TALK TO YOU ON HOW HIGH SPEED AND RELIABLE CONNECTIVITY IS CRITICAL TO THE DEPARTMENT'S OPERATIONS.

UM, AFTER WHICH I'LL HAND THE PRESENTATION OVER TO NEMESIS AND KEVIN NIDA, WHO ARE HERE FROM FIRSTNET, AND THEY'RE GONNA TALK TO YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT, UM, THE SERVICES AND SUPPORT THAT WE HOPE TO SECURE WITH THE BOARD'S AUTHORIZATION.

ALRIGHT, SO LET'S GET STARTED.

UH, LONG BEACH UTILITIES.

WE ARE A TECHNOLOGICALLY DRIVEN DEPARTMENT.

UH, WE RELY ON TECHNOLOGY FOR OUR WORK ORDERS AND OUR WORK ORDER INFORMATION.

UM, WE RECORD, UH, THE DATA ACROSS, UM, MULTIPLE PLATFORMS. AND SO HERE ARE THE FOUR MAJOR ONES THAT WE'RE GONNA DISCUSS TODAY.

ALRIGHT, SO THE FIRST SYSTEM WE'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT IS THE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM, WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS GIS.

OUR FIELD STAFF, UH, RELY ON GIS IN ORDER TO LOCATE ASSETS OUT IN THE FIELD.

AND SO IN THE IMAGE HERE, YOU'RE LOOKING AT, UH, AN INSPECTOR WHO'S LOCATED AN ASSET AND IS NOW COMMUNICATING THAT TO THE CONSTRUCTION CREW WHO THEN SAFELY DIG AND REPAIR OR REPLACE AN UNDERGROUND UTILITY, UM, MOBILE WORKFORCE SYSTEMS. IN THE IMAGES BEFORE YOU, YOU SEE, UH, FIELD STAFF OPERATING ON TOUGHBOOKS, WHICH ARE ALSO KNOWN AS RUGGED LAPTOPS.

UM, THESE LAPTOPS WORK ON THE FIELD FOR VARIOUS UH, ITEMS. IMAGES ONE AND TWO SHOW YOU, UH, FIELD REPS OPERATING VALVE MACHINES, BUT THEY'RE USING THEIR TOUGHBOOKS IN ORDER TO RECORD, UM, THE DATA FROM THE VALVE MACHINES INTO A A VALVE WALK SYSTEM.

THE LAST IMAGE HERE SHOWS, UH, ANOTHER FIELD REP OPERATING A TOUGH BOOK, AND HE'S ACCESSING THE MWM SYSTEM IN ORDER TO COMPLETE A SERVICE ORDER FOR A CUSTOMER.

THE OTHER FORM OF TECHNOLOGY THAT WE USE HERE IS IPADS.

UM, IPADS SERVE THEIR PURPOSE OUT IN THE FIELD FOR WATER QUALITY TESTING.

UH, THE IMAGE HERE THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT SHOWS, UM, A WATER QUALITY STAFF MEMBER COLLECTING A WATER SAMPLE.

THEY THEN TAKE THE RESULTS OF THAT SAMPLE AND INPUT IT INTO THEIR IPAD, UH, WHICH THEN RELAYS BACK INTO A TITAN SYSTEM.

UH, THE IMPORTANT THING TO NOTE HERE IS THAT, YOU KNOW, WITHOUT HIGH SPEED AND RELIABLE CONNECTION, THAT INFORMATION'S NOT AVAILABLE TO OUR STAFF.

AND THEN LASTLY, UH, CCTV SEWER, UH, TRUCKS.

THESE TRUCKS OPERATE AS MOBILE OFFICES OUT IN THE FIELD.

EACH TRUCK HAS A MONITOR PRINTER COMPUTER, UM, ALL EQUIPPED INSIDE THE, UH, THE TRUCK.

AND SO WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT HERE IS, UH, A FIELD REP INSIDE THE TRUCK VIA A COMPUTER ACCESSING A SEWER LINE THAT'S SCHEDULED TO BE CLEANED.

UM, THE REASON THAT HE'S ABLE TO DO THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE, THE CONNECTION INSIDE THE TRUCK.

WITHOUT A HIGH SPEED AND RELIABLE CONNECTION, HE'S NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE THIS TASK.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I BROUGHT UP TWO KEY POINTS THE ENTIRE TIME, UH, TALKING ABOUT THESE SLIDES, WHICH IS A HIGH SPEED CONNECTION AND A RELIABLE CONNECTION.

AND SO,

[01:25:01]

THANK YOU.

UH, GOOD MORNING.

UH, MY NAME'S KEVIN KNIGHT.

I'M A SENIOR PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISOR WITH THE US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE UNDER THE FIRSTNET AUTHORITY.

UH, I'VE BEEN WITH THE, THE AUTHORITY ABOUT SEVEN YEARS PRIOR TO THAT.

SERVED OVER 35 YEARS WITH THE LA CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT OF RETIRING AS A BATTALION CHIEF AND, AND A TECHNOLOGY SECTION CHIEF.

AND SO I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THIS, UH, PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS, UH, AT AND T OUR PARTNER.

SO THIS SLIDE, AND I UNDERSTAND YOU GOT A COPY OF THIS AHEAD OF TIME, SO I WON'T GO THROUGH EVERY LINE IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, BUT THIS SLIDE REPRESENTS OUR RELATIONSHIP, THIS INNOVATIVE, UH, PARTNERSHIP WITH, UH, AT AND T AND THE FIRST RESPONDER NETWORK AUTHORITY.

UH, WE HAVE THIS PARTNER OVERSIGHT, PUBLIC SAFETY ADVOCACY, TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, INNOVATION STRATEGY.

AND WHEN WE SELECTED AT AND T AS THE CONTRACTOR, WE KNEW THAT THEY HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF BUILDING OUT A NATIONWIDE NETWORK.

WE WANTED TO UPGRADE THAT TO A NATIONWIDE PUBLIC SAFETY BROADBAND NETWORK.

AND WITHIN THAT, WITHIN THAT, WE HAVE, UH, EXTENDED PRIMARY, WHICH INCLUDES UTILITIES.

PRIOR TO MARCH 31ST, UH, 31ST 2017, WHEN THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED, ALL THESE NUMBERS WERE ZERO.

THIS IS THE, THE, UM, MOMENTUM THAT WE'VE MADE OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.

UH, 5.9 MILLION DEVICES ON THE NETWORK.

UH, 28,000 AGENCIES.

UM, WE OPERATE ON A SPECIFIC BAND, BAND 14.

WE ALSO LEVERAGE THE REGULAR AT T BANDS AS WELL.

BUT PRIOR TO THE CONTRACT, THERE WERE NO BAND, 14 OR 700 MEGAHERTZ EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE.

UH, NOW WE HAVE OVER 755, UH, DEVICES WORKING WITH AT AND T AND THEIR VENDORS.

THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE UNIQUE FIRSTNET, UH, BE BENEFITS WHEN PEOPLE ASK, WELL, WHAT IS DIFFERENT BETWEEN FIRSTNET AND A COMMERCIAL CARRIER? OUR, OUR, UH, NETWORK IS BUILT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES IS A EXTREMELY HIGH LEVEL OF RELIABILITY.

UH, OUR CONTRACT OVERSIGHT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS I THINK A LOT OF AGENCIES LIKE TO SEE, THOUGH, IS THAT WE'RE OVERLOOKING THAT CONTRACTOR TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE PERFORMING ALSO THE PRIORITY PREEMPTION THROUGH PRIORITY AND PREEMPTION.

WE HAVE OUR OWN CORE.

SO THE FCC LICENSES US AS A SEPARATE, UH, UH, UH, BROADBAND CARRIER.

SO WE HAVE OUR OWN FCC CALL SIGN.

WE HAD TO GO THROUGH OUR OWN, UH, ACCEPTANCE PROCESS THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE MEETING ALL THOSE REQUIREMENTS.

THESE ARE THE OTHER THINGS THOUGH THAT, THAT WE HAVE, UH, HIGH LEVEL OF ENCRYPTION, PRIORITY, PREEMPTION, UPLIFT TOOL, AND, UM, OTHER, UH, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, UH, CAPABILITIES.

I'LL PASS IT OVER TO NEMESIS AND SHE'LL TALK ABOUT THE ADDITIONAL THINGS THAT, UH, AT T HAS TO OFFER WITH FIRSTNET.

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

MY NAME IS NEMESIS WYNN.

I'M THE SENIOR CLIENT SOLUTION EXECUTIVE FOR AT AND T.

BEEN WITH THE COMPANY FOR 14 YEARS.

UM, TODAY I'M GONNA TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT, UM, THE EXTENDED PRIMARY USE FOR FIRSTNET.

OUR PRIMARY USERS ARE, ARE YOUR TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY, PT, FIRE, EMS. AND AS A UTILITY COMPANY, YOU QUALIFY TO BE ON FIRSTNET AS AN EXTENDED PRIMARY USER.

SO A USER WHO ALWAYS HAS PRIORITY ON THE NETWORK VERSUS COMMERCIAL USERS, UM, AND THE ABILITY TO BE UPLIFTED DURING ANY PLANNED OR UNPLANNED EVENTS LIKE MANMADE UH, DISASTERS OR NATURAL DISASTERS.

UM, AND THE BENEFIT OF BEING ON FIRSTNET IS BEING ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO DEPLOYABLE ASSETS TO BRING UP A NETWORK, UM, WHEN A NETWORK IS DOWN BECAUSE OF CONGESTION, OR IF THERE'S POWER OR FIBER CUT, UM, OR MANMADE OR NATURAL DISASTERS.

AND HOW WE BRING UP A NETWORK IS BEING ABLE TO BRING OUT DEPLOYABLE ASSETS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND STRATEGICALLY PLACED THROUGHOUT THE NATION.

WE HAVE OVER 180 DEPLOYABLE ASSETS STRATEGICALLY STAGED WITH CALIFORNIA HOUSING THE MOST ASSETS.

AND WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE, UM, CALIFORNIA HAS AN SLA TIME OF SEVEN HOURS FOR US TO BRING UP A NETWORK.

AND IN ORDER FOR US TO BRING, BRING IT OUT, WE BRING OUT THESE DEPLOYABLE ASSETS LIKE A SATELLITE CELL TOWER ON WHEELS, FLYING DRONES, UM, COMPACT, RAPID DEPLOYABLES, MINI COMPACT RAPID DEPLOYABLES.

OUR NETWORK IS MONITORED 24 7 365 DAYS A YEAR.

AND WHEN THERE'S AN OUTAGE, WE'RE MADE AWARE OF IT.

BUT ALSO OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE COMPLETE OVERSIGHT OF WHEN NETWORK IS, UH, WHEN A CELL TOWER IS HAVING A PLANNED MAINTENANCE OR IF THERE'S AN OUTAGE.

UM, AND THEY'RE ABLE TO REQUEST THAT THESE ASSETS COME OUT AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.

UM, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS IS THAT THESE SOLUTIONS PROVIDE VOICE TEXTS AND DATA COMMUNICATIONS TO FIRSTNET USERS WHO ARE UTILIZING, UM, THE FIRSTNET NETWORK.

AND, UM, THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU, KEVIN AND NEMESIS.

AND SO COMMISSIONERS, WITH THAT, I'M ASKING THE BOARD TO ADOPT RESOLUTION UT 1 15 1 7 AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL MANAGER

[01:30:01]

THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION, AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

YEAH, GOODNESS.

IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND INTELLIGENCE WENT INTO THIS.

THANK YOU, UH, FOR SNAT AT T THANK YOU.

AND FERNANDO, THANK YOU.

UH, ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? ANY COMMISSIONER COMMENT? CHRIS, IF I CAN JUMP IN REAL QUICK.

I, I WANNA THANK ABE FOR THE WORK HE'S DONE ON THIS, AND WE ALSO HAVE HIS SPECIAL GUEST, PAULA HAS COME BACK TO, UH OH.

PAULA, SIT HERE AND LISTEN TO THIS.

UM, THIS WAS A BIG DEAL.

SO, UH, HISTORICALLY WE'VE HAD ANOTHER CARRIER, UH, VERIZON FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

IT, IT WAS 10 YEARS SINCE WE DID THE, THE CONTRACT WITH THEM, UM, WITH THE EXPIRATION OF THAT CONTRACT.

UM, THE EASY THING TO DO WAS JUST TO RENEW THAT.

UM, BUT I GIVE CREDIT TO THE STAFF.

THEY, THEY REALLY WENT OUT, DID A LOT OF TESTING OF THE THREE DIFFERENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO US AND CAME UP WITH A SOLUTION.

I THINK IT'S GONNA REALLY BENEFIT, UH, THE UTILITY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

SO APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK YOU GUYS PUT INTO THIS.

THAT'S GREAT.

HEARING ANY MORE COMMISSIONER COMMENT? OKAY.

UH, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? MOVE SECOND.

HAVING A FIRST AND SECOND.

UM, ALL IN FAVOR? OH, PARDON ME.

THIS IS A ROLL CALL.

VOTE.

OH, I DIDN'T NOTICE MY NOTES HERE.

I, GOOD THING I LOOKED, LISA WOULD STOP ME ANYWAY.

UH, LISA, SECRETARY SCOTT.

AYE.

COMMISSIONER SHANNON.

COMMISSIONER CORDERO.

AYE.

VICE PRESIDENT MCGUIRE.

AYE, THE VOTE CARRIES.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

FERNANDO.

PAULA, THANK YOU.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU .

I BET.

MONTHS AND MONTHS.

.

WOW.

, YOU CAN STAY, PAUL.

IT'S AMAZING HOW IT'S, IT'S AMAZING HOW QUICKLY SO MUCH WORK CAN GET ROLLED INTO FIVE MINUTES.

, YOU REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THAT.

ITEM NUMBER 13 IS

[13. 24-53627 Recommendation to adopt Resolution UT-1514 amending Resolution UT-1483 for Fiscal Year (FY) 24 to add and adjust offices and positions and corresponding salary ranges in the permanent service of the Long Beach Utilities Department for compatibility with unclassified management position descriptions; authorize the General Manager to retroactively establish updated unclassified positions and salary range as described to align utility-specific management roles; retroactively affirm the Board’s FY 24 authority over General Manager salary; and adopt FY 25 Resolution UT-1516 amending Resolution UT-1514, inclusive of the FY 24 updates.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

UT 1514 AMENDING RESOLUTION U UT 1483 FOR FISCAL YEAR 24, AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL MANAGER TO RETROACTIVELY ESTABLISH UPDATED UNCLASSIFIED POSITIONS IN SALARY RANGE, RETROACTIVELY AFFIRM THE BOARD'S FISCAL YEAR 24 AUTHORITY OVER THE GENERAL MANAGER SALARY AND ADOPT FISCAL YEAR 25 RESOLUTION UT 1516 AMENDING RESOLUTION UT 1514 OH BOY.

UM, WE'LL CALL ON DIANA CHANG TO HELP WITH THIS ONE.

GOOD MORNING.

I THINK IT'S STILL MORNING COMMISSIONERS.

THIS, UM, ITEM I WILL KEEP BRIEF.

IT IS THE HUMAN CAPITAL COMPLIMENT TO THE BUDGET ITEMS THAT YOU'LL HEAR LATER TODAY.

UM, SO IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, UH, I CAN ANSWER THEM AFTER OR, UM, WE CAN TAKE A, A QUICK BRIEF LOOK AT IT.

NOW, THE DOCUMENT IS QUITE LENGTHY AS IT INCLUDES, UM, SALARY, I'M SORRY, NOT SALARY.

IT INCLUDES TITLE CHANGES ACROSS THE UTILITIES TO REC RECOGNIZE, UM, THE INDUSTRY STANDARDS FOR THE TITLES.

WHEN WE FIRST MERGED, GAS TITLES WERE VERY SIMILAR TO CITYWIDE TITLES AND WATER HAD DONE A RECENT UPDATE TO OUR TITLES, UM, TO REFLECT THE UTILITY.

AND SO THE SALARY RESOLUTION UPDATES, TITLES CONSISTENT WITH, UM, ONE ANOTHER SO THAT WE HAVE THAT EQUITY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.

SO A LOT OF WORK WAS PUT INTO THIS.

UH, UH, UH, SO I WANNA THANK DIANE AND HER TEAM A LOT.

I MEAN, HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS WORK AND WORKING WITH DOWNTOWN HR.

SO I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK YOU PUT INTO THIS.

SO, UH, THE IMPORTANT POINT IS THIS IS IN SUPPORT OF THE BUDGET WE'RE ABOUT TO LOOK AT.

SO THANK YOU.

THIS IS THE, THE RESOLUTION THAT AUTHORIZES US TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENTS.

OKAY.

DO I HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? ANY COMMISSIONER COMMENT? GLORIA, WHEN YOU CALLED IT HUMAN CAPITAL COMPLIMENT TO THE BUDGET, IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE WE SHOULD BE DISCUSSING THIS FOR A LONG, LONG TIME BECAUSE THIS IS SO IMPORTANT.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

I KNOW IT'S QUITE A BIT OF INFORMATION HERE, BUT IT REALLY IS THE, THE, IF YOU WANNA SAY MEAT AND POTATOES OF WHAT WE DO HERE.

SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE AND THE, AND YOUR, YOUR TEAM HAS DONE TO, TO GIVE THIS AND IT'S REFLECTED IN THIS REPORT.

SO THANK YOU.

AND WITH THAT, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

SECOND, WE HAVE A, A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? WE NEED A CALL.

VOTE.

OH, PARDON ME.

IT'S A ROLL CALL.

I DID IT AGAIN.

SECRETARY SCOTT.

[01:35:01]

COMMISSIONER SHANNON.

COMMISSIONER CORDERO.

YES.

VICE PRESIDENT MCGUIRE.

AYE, THE VOTE CARRIES.

THANK YOU.

[14. 24-53628 Receive and file Overview of the Utilities Department Proposed Budget and Rates for FY 25.       Suggested Action: Receive and file. ]

ITEM NUMBER 14 A OKAY, IS TO RECEIVE AND FILE AN OVERVIEW OF THE UTILITIES DEPARTMENT PROPOSED BUDGET AND RATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 25.

CALL ON BRANDON WALKER TO PRESENT.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONER MCGUIRE.

UH, GOOD MORNING AGAIN.

UM, JUST TO ECHO A COMMENT THAT WAS MADE ABOUT HUMAN CAPITAL FROM, UH, THE COMMISSIONER CORDERO'S, UM, COMMENTS BEFORE THIS BUDGET IN FRONT OF YOU REALLY ADDRESSES THAT.

I THINK THERE'S TWO MAJOR THEMES WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS, WHICH IS OUR THIRD AND FINAL BUDGET WORKSHOP IS THE TWO COMPONENTS THAT MAKE UP OUR, OUR TEAM AND THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO THE COMMUNITY.

ONE IS THE HUMAN CAPITAL COMPONENT, GRANTED ONLY MAKES UP A LESS THAN A QUARTER OF OUR, UH, DEPARTMENT EXPENSES.

IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

SO I THINK WHAT'S REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET YOU'VE SEEN HERE TODAY, THERE ARE THE SALARY EQUITY INCREASES AND ADJUSTMENTS TO MAKE US COMPETITIVE WITH OUTSIDE AGENCIES.

I THINK A, A CORE PART OF US DELIVERING SERVICES IS HAVING A TRAINED, SKILLED WORKFORCE THAT IS ABLE TO PROVIDE SAFE, RELIABLE, AND AFFORDABLE SERVICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS.

SO I WANT TO CALL THAT OUT BEFORE WE GET INTO THE SLIDES.

BUT SECOND IS A THEME THAT WE'VE SEEN ACROSS ALL THREE BUDGET WORKSHOPS.

IT'S THE NATURE OF UTILITIES IN GENERAL, WHICH WE UNFORTUNATELY, AGAIN, ARE NOT, ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM, UH, PROVIDING GAS, WATER, AND SEWER SERVICES IS VERY, VERY CAPITAL INTENSIVE.

AS I MENTIONED, A LITTLE ABOUT 80% OF OUR BUDGET GOES TOWARDS PROVIDING SERVICES, NOT JUST LABOR, EXTRACTING, TREATING, DELIVERING, STORING, SUPPLYING A COMMODITY IS A VERY, VERY CAPITAL INTENSIVE AND A VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE BUSINESS.

AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, ALL OUR PARTNER AGENCIES, SO CALGAS METROPOLITAN, ANY LOCAL AGENCIES EXPERIENCING THESE SAME COST PRESSURES WE HAVE.

SO BEFORE WE GET INTO THAT, I JUST WANT TO, UM, I OUT AND APPRECIATE STAFF THAT'S PUT THIS TOGETHER.

THERE'S A COMMENT BEFORE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF WORK JAM INTO A FIVE MINUTE PRESENTATION.

I HOPE TO KEEP IT AROUND 10 MINUTES, BUT I THINK IT'S A LOT OF EFFORT AT THE EXECUTIVE TEAM ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION TO REALLY FOCUS ON WHERE ARE WE SPENDING OUR DOLLARS.

UH, THERE WAS A, THIS IS A, ESSENTIALLY THE BUDGET IS A YEAR LONG PROCESS.

AS SOON AS WE ADOPT TODAY, WE'RE LOOKING FOR TO, FOR THE FUTURE.

WHAT THAT IS, IS LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY, LISTENING TO YOUR FEEDBACK, WORKING WITH OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM, HEARING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES.

WHERE DO WE DIVERT OUR RESOURCES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PRODUCING SAFE, RELIABLE SERVICES TO OUR CUSTOMERS? SO FROM THE FINANCE TEAM AND THE EXECUTIVE TEAM AS A REPRESENTATIVE, WE'RE VERY CONFIDENT AND, AND HAPPY THAT WE'RE ABLE TO PRESENT, UH, THIS BUDGET TO YOU TODAY.

SO AGAIN, JUST TO RECAP, THIS IS THE THIRD AND FINAL, UM, NOT GONNA WOOD.

THIRD AND FINAL BUDGET WORKSHOP FOR OUR FY 25 BUDGET AND RATES, WHICH WILL OFFICIALLY START ON OCTOBER ONE.

SO WE'RE GONNA GO FUND BY FUND AGAIN AND AGAIN, IF, IF ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS COME UP, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN.

THIS IS, UH, MEANT TO BE AN ITERATIVE DISCUSSION.

SO AGAIN, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, THE COST PRESSURES.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE ON, ON THE GAS FUND IS WE'RE PROJECTED TO RUN A STRUCTURAL DEFICIT IN FY 25, MEANING THAT OUR EXPENSES ARE GROWING AND ARE OUTPACING OUR, OUR REVENUE.

AND WHAT THAT MEANS, UNFORTUNATELY, IS WE'RE ALL LOOKING TO, YOU KNOW, COST CUT, CUT COSTS WHERE POSSIBLE, BUT ESPECIALLY WITH GAS AS A VERY VOLATILE COMMODITY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR PIPELINE INFRASTRUCTURE IS SAFE UP TO DATE.

WE'RE DOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE TO AVOID ANY KIND OF ISSUES.

SO A A BIG PORTION OF THIS IS INVESTING INTO OUR CIP, OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, WHICH YOU'LL SEE IN A FEW SLIDES.

BUT ALL THAT BEING SAID, COSTS AGAIN, ARE RISING HIGHER THAN EXPENSES.

THEREFORE, AGAIN, WE ARE RECOMMENDING A RATE INCREASE ON THE GAS FUND SIDE, WHICH WE'LL GET INTO, UM, IN A LITTLE BIT.

SO THE, THE MAJOR BENEFIT, AT LEAST PERSONALLY I SEE FROM THIS MERGER HAS BEEN THE ABILITY OF HAVING A DEDICATED BOARD UTILITY COMMISSIONED BOARD LOOKING AT OUR FUND IN A LONG-TERM PROCESS.

I THINK IN THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE CITYWIDE BUDGET, A LOT OF TIMES THE GAS FUND HAS BEEN NOT AN AFTERTHOUGHT PER SE, BUT THERE'S SO MUCH OPERATIONS THAT GO INTO PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.

HAVING A DEDICATED BOARD REALLY TAKE AN OUTWARD FOCUS OF LOOKING AT THE NEXT FOUR TO FIVE YEARS IS VERY, VERY CRITICAL.

MEANING THAT WE WANT TO PUT OURSELVES IN A FINANCIAL SITUATION TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE RELIABLE, AGAIN, SAFE SERVICES FOR OUR CUSTOMERS.

AND PART OF DOING THAT IS HAVING THE MONEY NECESSARY TO INVEST IN OUR PIPELINES, TO BE ABLE TO PAY OUR PEOPLE AND TO, UH, PROCURE GAS IN A VERY, VERY AFFORDABLE MANNER.

SO UNFORTUNATELY WHAT WE'RE PROJECTING NOW IS A, IS A, A QUITE LOW FUND BALANCE GOING OUT TO THE FUTURE.

AND THERE'S, THERE'S, YOU KNOW, THREE MAJOR COMPONENTS REALLY, REALLY BRINGING THIS UP.

PENSION HEALTHCARE COST IS, IS A, A, A SMALL COMPONENT.

THE MAJOR DRIVER IS JUST THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS.

AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, THE LOCAL, UH, CONSTRUCTION INDEX HAS RISEN 25% OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, AS I MENTIONED.

I KEEP SAYING IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN THESE MEETINGS.

INFLATION IS BEING VERY, VERY STICKY.

WE'RE SEEING IT ACROSS THE BOARD.

UM, I, IF YOU WOULD'VE TOLD ME A YEAR FROM NOW, UH, WHAT I HAVE THOUGHT PRICES ARE THIS HIGH, I WOULD'VE SAID NO.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD'VE COME DOWN.

UM, THAT, YOU KNOW, AND ALSO REGIONAL COMPETITION.

I THINK THE ISSUE IS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN WHAT, FOUR YEARS AWAY FROM THE OLYMPICS, THERE'S GONNA BE A LOT OF HEAVY CONSTRUCTION IN THIS GENERAL REGION, WHICH IS GREAT FOR A LOCAL ECONOMY, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO PRICING POWER, OUR

[01:40:01]

SO A LOT OF INFLATIONARY COSTS IS WHAT YOU'RE SEEING AND REFLECTED IN THE OUT YEARS.

SO, UM, WE ARE PROJECT, UH, PROPOSING A, A MODEST INCREASE ON THE GAS FUND SIDE TO BE ABLE TO RIGHTSIZE OUR FUND BALANCE MOVING FORWARD.

AGAIN, I MENTIONED OUR CAPITAL PROGRAM.

SO THIS IS THE OTHER THAN PROVIDING SERVICES AND MAKING SURE WE'RE PAYING OUR STAFF TO HAVE THE EXPERTISE DELIVER THESE SERVICES, INVESTMENT INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT, IS JUST AS IMPORTANT, IF NOT MORE.

SO, WE ARE PROPOSING ABOUT A $16 MILLION INVESTMENT INTO OUR, INTO OUR PIPELINE INFRASTRUCTURE THIS YEAR.

UH, MAJORITY OF YOU SEE, UH, GOING TOWARDS OUR PIPELINE REPLACEMENT.

I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO TONY FOSTER TO GET, UH, MORE IN DEPTH ON THE GAS RATES.