Kathleen C. Hedberg - Helix Water District Division 4
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2PM Wednesday, July 1 -  HELIX WD REGULAR BOARD MEETING

6/26/2015

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Here is the agenda and board package link (at the time of sending this the link the package and agenda is not on our website?) for our Regular Helix Water District Board Meeting:

AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 - 2 p.m.
7811 University Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942-0427  

CONSERVATION STATUS: No new updates in packet – but they mentioned that in May we reduced our water use 29% of course it did rain a bit that month…

We are doing well – please keep conserving! Click Here for Drought Level 2 Restrictions

Items of Interest:

 June 17, 2015 Minutes (PDF Page 21): Lake Jennings Campground voted to STAY OPEN!!! Over 120 letters were received in favor (2 against), the room was full and after presentation and hearing from the public, President Director Verbeke immediately made a motion to operate the campground through fiscal year 2015-16; amend the fiscal year budget 2015-16 to include $20K for implementation of marketing plan recommendations and to eliminate the Lake Jennings Committee meetings (no more open committee meetings for the public on the issue L), and Director Scalzitti appointed as the campground liaison to report to the board. It seemed pretty planned out and there was no discussion on President Verbeke’s motion, I was very happy and relieved for her support…Director Linden and Director Muse were hesitant but went along with everyone else and supported the motion!  Thank you for all your efforts and support – now let’s go to the lake and make it great!  http://lakejennings.org/

 Side Note: This July 1st board meeting we were to go over the proposed Final Cost of Service Study Report and Draft Water Rates (date set 4 months ago). But last Wednesday night at 6pm, I got an email from the Board Secretary, that it was cancelled and put on the schedule for the August 5th meeting! Unfortunately, I am out of town at a water conference on August 5 and scheduled family vacation!

 The Board Secretary knew I was going to be out of town - perhaps they don’t want me to come to the meeting? I have asked to have the date changed. But I was told that we need to make special accommodations for our legal counsel and the rate study company, and that they are very busy people (according to GM).  Of course, the real question I had was why did they pull it from the July 1st agenda? The Board Secretary said it was because our legal counsel BBK needed more time to review the Proposition 218 notice – what?

 When I pulled out the  Budget and Water Rate Calendar (March Board Meeting), we are already behind schedule as June 17, we were supposed to have to reviewed the proposed water rates and 218 notice. Of course we are very busy with trying to save Lake Jennings and also the Drought situation, so I don’t blame them for postponing, however, let’s make sure the whole board can attend.  

 As always, I welcome your comments and feedback.

 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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 ITEM 6 - LAKE JENNINGS CAMPGROUND VOTE TO CLOSE OR KEEP OPEN - 2PM Wed. June 17 Helix Water District Board Meeting

6/15/2015

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Here is the board package link for our Regular Helix Water District Board Meeting:

AGENDA
R
EGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 - 2 p.m.
7811 University Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942-0427

CONSERVATION STATUS:

We are doing well – please keep conserving! Click Here for Drought Level 2 Restrictions
April 2013 114.3 Gallons Per Capita Per Day
April 2015 105.5 Gallons Per Capita Per Day
Goal by February 2016 - 20% Cumulative Reduction 92 Gallons Per Capita Per Day

Board Meeting Item of Interest:

Item 6 (PDF Page 50): Lake Jennings Campground – Board to Vote to Close or Keep Campground Open

 General Info:

  • Campground built as a condition of the Lake Jennings Dam Grant received in 1960’s. Grant included cost of initial campground construction. Grant requirement for operation expired in 2008 (40 years).

  • The County of San Diego operated the Campground till 2008. Helix took over operation in 2008 to reevaluate in 5 years (2013).

  • In 2013, the District Campground was losing over $200,000 and this year anticipate to be short $24,000.  

  • In 2013, the Board created a Lake Jennings Committee to explore operations and provide suggestions for improvements.

  • The Campground has been gaining momentum in attendance and public attention with new employees, ideas and outreach.

  • A recent Marketing Plan (outside contractor) was put together that showed tremendous potential for the campground and does not recommend closing with more potential through Marketing to continue increase in attendance. Most people do not know Lake Jennings Campground exists.

  • Lake Jennings Campground is a great service and benefit to the community. The benefits of parks and campgrounds are endless, helps families be healthier, fresh air, socialization, improves moods, less stress & exercise, a great staycation and appreciation for the environment and watershed.

  • Helix’s NEW senior public affairs representative, Mike Uhrhammer, former communications manager for the Padre Dam Municipal Water District at Santee Lakes said that Helix would be wise to look at new ways for the lake to draw customers to its campground. The lake is one of the area’s top fishing destinations, but Helix should push other activities, including climbing and hiking, biking, photography and trail running. Which coordinates well with the recent efforts in the County to increase trails and exercise (Lake Jennings created a new trail map: Flume Trail).

  • Lake Jennings just received approval from the state to allow kayaks in May 2015!

  • On May 20th, over 50 Employees from Keller Williams Realty from El Cajon, came out to Lake Jennings Campground and helped beautify and spread the word for RED DAY (Renew, Energize & Donate) see Facebook pictures.

  • Facebook likes have grown from 7 (2 years ago) to over 1285! The buzz is getting out there…we should not shut down something that is going in the right direction and getting better.

  • Recent Union Tribune article from last Lake Committee Meeting Future of Jennings Campsites Up in the Air

  • Visitors of all kinds come to Lake Jennings for all reasons: snowbirds, 4-H Groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Families, Reunions, Quiet Getaway, Great Location to other nearby places to visit (right off the 8 freeway).

  • Paradise in San Diego’s East County! http://lakejennings.org/

 So, if  you want to see Lake Jennings Campground stay OPEN for the future and would like to voice your opinion, please come to the Board Meeting or send an email to our Board Secretary and she will forward to Board Members. Board Secretary, Sandy Janzen, Sandy.Janzen@HELIXWATER.org

 As always, I welcome your comments and feedback.

Please feel free to forward.



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    Author: Kathleen Hedberg

    Civil Engineer in 4th Term as a Helix Water District Board Director and Past President of the Board!

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The Helix Water District covers an area of nearly 50 square miles, serving the cities of La Mesa, El Cajon, Lemon Grove, the community of Spring Valley, and various unincorporated areas near El Cajon. Helix Water District owns Lake Jennings and Lake Cuyamaca. Helix Water District customers receive water treated at a 106 MGD R. M. Levy Treatment Plant in Lakeside. Helix also has storage rights of 10,000 acre feet in El Capitan Reservoir for water from Lake Cuyamaca, San Diego River tributaries, and imported water. Treated water is stored in the 30-million-gallon Grossmont Reservoir, under the grass at Harry Griffen Park, and 21 other storage tanks located throughout the District. The District has a total storage capacity of 63 million gallons for filtered water.

Paid for by Supporters of Hedberg for Helix Water District Division 4 - 2014, ID# 1370766