6PM Wednesday, November 1 - Helix WD Board Meeting

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Dear Friends: 
Here is the link for our Regular Helix Water District Board Meeting: 
AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wednesday, November 1, 2017, 6pm
7811 University Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942-0427
 
Personal Note: On October 4, 2017, my father, Bob Coates passed away. He was a Civil Engineer in the water industry. A few of his career highlights included being a General Manager of Rainbow Water District, on the San Diego County Water Authority Board and also a businessman who opened an engineering firm and worked on many San Diego County water systems. We had probably our most personal connections these past 10 years when I got on the Helix board, as there were always a few things I would consult or discuss with him - and he always gave his opinion to me straight up! I am going to miss those conversations…he taught me that you can never go wrong if you are honest, did your homework and you are doing it for the right reason. He would tell me, say what you think, discuss it, and then vote and move on.  A very smart, logical and wise man. RIP
 
Interesting Agenda Items:
Item 7. (pdf Page 37) T-Mobile USA Lease Agreement
 
The board authorize the General Manager to execute an amendment to the lease agreement with T-Mobile USA, Inc. over portions of Calavo Tank site.

• Currently the T-Mobile has cellular antennas at our tank site and would like to add 3 more.
• Presently lease is at $1,730.19 per month new lease would increase to $4000 per month ($48,000/year).

 
I know many water agencies have wireless communication leases on the reservoirs (some receive a total of nearly a million dollars in leases annually). Helix currently only has a few sites, I have consistently expressed to consider all offers.
 
Item 9. (pdf Page 59) Amended and Restated Water Conservation Garden Operation
Agreement
The board review the amended and restated Water Conservation Garden Operation Agreement and authorize the district's representative to vote in support of the agreement (5 years through 2022/23).
 
In 1992, a joint powers agreement was entered into by Helix Water District, Otay Water District and Cuyamaca Community College to further the purposes of water conservation. Sweetwater Authority and the San Diego County Water Authority and City of San Diego joined later on.
 
The Garden has evolved and changed since then and a new Operation Agreement is being proposed. Some of the changes include expectations of each water agency and also future financing is reduced. Currently Helix Water District contributes $96,450 or 20 percent of the agency contributions and each year a reduction in contributions will occur, 5% in FY 19/20, 10% in 20/21, 10% in 21/22 and 14% in 22/23. These funds will cover the Operations and Maintenance costs at the Garden and will be augmented by foundation fundraising (grants) for education.
 
Item 10. (pdf Page 106) Water Loss Audit
 
On October 9, 2015 Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 555 requiring water systems to conduct annual water loss audits annually effective October 1, 2017. The purpose is to evaluate your water system to see how much water you are potentially losing with leaks, based on various factors of pipe types, system pressure, and factors entered into a Free Water Audit Software.
 
Based on the submitted Board Report, I have many questions, as we state that we have a validity score of 79 of 100 and an Real Loss of 23.34 gallons per connection per day, with an apparent loss of 2.08 gallons per connection per day.
The calculations of these losses are not clear to me. I contacted our General Manager and he said that at the Board Meeting on Wednesday they will explain the process and he would provide me a spread sheet that explains the calculations.
 
As always, I welcome your comments and feedback.
 
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