**
Dear Friends,
 
Here is the board package link (packet too large to email) for our Regular Helix Water District Board Meeting:
 
AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 - 2 p.m.
7811 University Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942-0427
 
Interesting Items:
 
2:05 p.m. Time Certain Public Hearing
 
Item 6 pdf page 80) 2015 Urban Water Management Plan:

• The Board Conduct a Public Hearing Regarding the 2015 Update to Helix Water District's Urban Water Management Plan, Approve Resolution 16-18 Adopting the 2015 Update to the UWMP and Authorize the General Manager to File the UWMP with the California Department of Water Resources
• Presentation attached. In essence it is a huge plan that is Required by the State every 5 years, that addresses concerns of meeting the demands of the future. Includes meeting the 2009 imposed, 2020 plan of reduction of 20%, however, we have met that and some already…

 
Item 13 pdf page 434) East County Advanced Water Purification Program:

• In order to continue to move forward with Padre Dam’s Project, studies need to be performed, in particular of the water movement in Lake Jennings. Thus, Helix’s latest share is $291,000 at this time for our contribution to the planning study.
• This is a new water project, I do not know why this Board does not reinitiate the new water capacity fee…we are losing funds that can go directly to this project. We stopped collecting the new water capacity fee when our El Monte Project died. This was funds paid for by new development in the area as new growth/development means more water needed. We had a huge amount of development that could have paid for this fee, instead it just means that existing customers have to pay.

 
Item 14 pdf page 436) Drought Update:

• Cumulative Decrease 21% compared to 2013, meeting our 12% Reduction…which the State is now considering on May 18, 2016 self certification as another option, see Helix Letter To State Board…will let you know.
• The Districts rolling 12 month total gallons per capita per day is at 88.4 gpcd as of April 2016. The new lowest ever on record!
• In the mean time Helix Customers Can Water Three Days per Week…save the trees & time to establish new water wise plants…we can all breath a little bit easier, but remember, No Waste, Be Water Wise!

 
FYI:

• Get Helix Water News Delivered to YOUR Inbox! Hot off the press news, sometimes I find out here before my General Manager tells me! Scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up. www.hwd.com

 
As always, I welcome your comments and feedback. 
 
Kathleen Coates Hedberg, P.E., M.P.H.
Director, Helix Water District Board
www.hwd.com
www.lakejennings.org
www.socalwatersmart.com REBATES
Thomas Paine Liberty Torchbearer Award Winner
 
Per the request of the Helix Water District Board on May 16, 2012, the following language is to be added by all Board Directors in all outgoing Director correspondence. "This correspondence, and any documents attached hereto, reflects the individual opinions and positions of the above-named Director and does not represent the opinions or positions of the District's Board of Directors or the District.  Pursuant to Section 9.1-11(A) of the Helix Water District Policies and Procedures Manual, individual Directors, except as otherwise authorized by the Board, shall have no power to act for the District or the District's Board of Directors."
 
**Please note no public funds or resources were used for the distribution of this blog!
  
 
 

I was so excited last night to host at Helix Water District the San Diego Chapter - CA Special Districts Association Video Contest Award Ceremony! As the Past President of the San Diego CSDA Chapter I was designated as the Educational Outreach Program Chair. This was our first year to do a Video Contest, and Middle and High School Students were called in San Diego County to create a one-minute entertaining and creative video educating the public about "What's So Special About Special Districts?". We received EXCELLENT submittals and last night we awarded the winners. You can check out the winner videos by visiting our website: www.SanDiegoCSDA.weebly.com. 
I really enjoyed the process of developing this contest along with the help of my Contest Committee and the Executive San Diego Chapter Board. Please enjoy the videos and spread the word about Special Districts!

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Dear Friends,
 
Here is the agenda and board package link for our Special Helix Water District Board Meeting:
 
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wednesday, May 11, 2016 - 5 PM
7811 University Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942-0427
 
Item to Discuss:

• The Board Conduct a Five Year Projection Workshop, Review the Scenarios and Provide Guidance to Staff for Updating the Fiscal Year 2016-17 Water Rates.

 

• In March 2016 the Governor reduced the conservation mandate for the Helix District from 20% to 12%.
• On April 6, 2016 water use restrictions were revised by increasing watering from 2 days to 3 days per week.

• Today another proposal from the state allowing for water agencies to consider long term drought conditions and to “self certify”, with the lowest limit of water conservation mandate allowed at 10%. These regulations to be considered later this month by the State Board and would be in effect for three years.

• Water Rate increases have been adopted by Metropolitan Water District of at least 4% to SDCWA in April for 2017.
• San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) rates will be proposed soon and are expected to increase.

• On October 2015, Helix approved a 5 year water rate plan, anticipating a water rate ceiling increase of 11.6% in 2017.
• The District has exceeded/met the requirements of the Governors Drought Reduction of Helix WD at 20%. In fact we are at the lowest water use ever recorded by the District at 88.4 Gallons Per Capita Per Day, over 21% reduction compared to 2013.
• So, that is the real question regarding our water rates…how much water will our customers use in 2017? Below are the scenarios provided by Helix and the corresponding water rate impact.  Sell more, cost goes down, sell less, cost goes up...

1. 20% Reduction  - 9.9% Average Domestic Rate Increase -  $15.17 Per Billing Cycle
   
2. 19% Reduction - 9.7% Average Domestic Rate Increase   - $15.06
   
3. 17% Reduction - 8.2 % Average Domestic Rate Increase -   $12.83
   
4. 12% Reduction - 6.0% Average Domestic Rate Increase -    $9.36
   

Recommendation from Staff is to go with Scenario 2 – What do you think, 1, 2, 3 or 4? As always, I welcome your comments and feedback.
 
Better yet - come to the meeting – it is at 5pm! Please note, we have not approved the 2016-17 budget yet…
 
Some of the major dates for this year's budget and rate update process include:

• May 11 Present to Board - Five Year Projection Workshop
• May 26 Distribute to Board - Preliminary Budget Document
• May 31 Board Workshop - Preliminary Fiscal Year 2016-17 Budget for Board Approval
• August 11 Distribute to Board - Final Budget Document
• November 1 Water Rates Effective on Billings

www.VoteHedberg.org
www.hwd.com
www.lakejennings.org (go fishing & camping)
www.socalwatersmart.com  (rebate link)
Thomas Paine Liberty Torchbearer Award Winner

Per the request of the Helix Water District Board on May 16, 2012, the following language is to be added by all Board Directors in all outgoing Director correspondence. "This correspondence, and any documents attached hereto, reflects the individual opinions and positions of the above-named Director and does not represent the opinions or positions of the District's Board of Directors or the District.  Pursuant to Section 9.1-11(A) of the Helix Water District Policies and Procedures Manual, individual Directors, except as otherwise authorized by the Board, shall have no power to act for the District or the District's Board of Directors."
 
**Please note no public funds or resources were used for the distribution of this email...
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