KATHLEEN HEDBERG HELIX WATER DISTRICT, DIVISION 4
  • Home
  • Biography
    • About Kathleen
    • Experience
  • Media
    • Articles
    • Photos
    • Division Map
  • Blog



​Kathleen's Blog

Stay up to date with the latest news in our community

Last Board Meeting Recap & Today's Meeting with Helix Staff regarding Proposed 2015 Policy Changes.

12/23/2014

 

December 17 Board Meeting Recap: Director Linden nominated Director Verbeke for President; Director Scalzitti nominated me for President. Verbeke got 3 votes, I got 2 votes. Followed with Director Linden then nominated Director Muse as Vice President; I nominated Director Scalzitti as Vice President. Muse got 3 votes, Scalzitti got 2 votes. Basically, the President and Vice President switched seats. Next Board Meeting the Board President Verbeke will assign Committee Seats. After 8 years of being on the Board I have never been President or Vice President...someday...

Regarding new policy manual changes, I brought up my concern at the Board Meeting that there was quite a few changes and new fees proposed and that I could not support the changes without going over them and that it would take some time. Director Scalzitti agreed with my concern, Director Muse said he went over all the changes and was fine with them, Director Linden said he leaves this stuff to the staff as they are the experts. I don't remember what Director Verbeke said. 

The compromise was to set a date for the Policy Manual Public Hearing adoption, January 7, 2015, and 
not to approve “consider” the changes, and in the meantime any board member who has a concern can meet with staff directly to discuss and go over the changes…and any changes can be made at the January 7th meeting.

Today, December 22, 2014, Director Scalzitti and I met with staff at 2pm-3:30pm (on our own time), and went over all the changes. The consultant we hired, Raftelis, after reviewing our current policies and those of other agencies, had many suggestions. Many of these suggestions were to simplify billing processes with our new computer system. Some of the fees are new, some existing went up and some went down. Also a complete rewrite on temporary meters. They were all well supported with documentation of cost and time. We were told that the staff had met with the BIA, Building Industry Association and that they are fine with the changes. I have a better understanding of the changes made and very happy that staff took the time to meet with the Board on these policy changes.

Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & I will see you next year!

Kathleen

Wednesday, December 17, Helix Water District Board  Meeting, 2pm

12/17/2014

 
AGENDA
REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wednesday, December 17, 2014 – 2pm
7811 University Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942-0427  

Helix Water District Board Package


Interesting Items:

Item 6: Administering of the oath of office for another 4 years to Director Hedberg and Director Verbeke.  

Item 7: The Board Elect Officers to Serve…President Muse is outgoing who will be the new President, Vice President? Me?  

Item 9, PDF Page 114: The Board Consider Changes to the Policies and Procedures Manual and Set the Date and Time for a Public Hearing. The changes are quite extensive, we hired a consultant Raftelis Financial Consultants to independently assess and perform a complete review of charges and fees.  Although, the District staff has worked with Raftelis on these changes, this is the first time the Board has seen the changes, I have quite a few questions (basis for charges etc.) and to go through this may take some time.  Board sets Policy. PDF Pages 172 – 185 have quite a few changes and some new fees for water district services to our customers.
 
·         Here is a news story featuring Helix Water District that aired today. Well coordinated by our new Senior Public Affairs Representative, Mike Uhrhammer, he used to work with Padre Dam MWD. I look forward to great outreach and communication to our customers!

Water usage down thanks to San Diego County rainstorms
10News
According to the Helix Water District in La Mesa, its water customers love the ... Water conservation specialist Michelle Curtis said the district saw a 28 ...  

Great Helix Water District Special Board Meetings Today!

12/8/2014

 
Bright and early at 9am - Lake Jennings Committee Presentations and also the Cost of Service Water Rate Workshop Presentation.

Lake Jennings Meeting Summary:
Trout opening was a success and every weekend continues to be great!
January 3 - Kids Fish Free day is scheduled - glad to see it back I think the last one was 2008.
We also approved the staff to do a $30K study on improvements (cost) needed for campground and also evaluation on decommission (to be done in February 2015 as requested by Board to evaluate the viability of the Lake etc).  
Campground recreation manager position has been offered...more to come this month...very exciting – more help for Ranger David Acevedo (who is doing a great job on the Lake/Campground!  

Cost of Service Water Rate Presentation:
Water rate workshop was very interesting, the consultant has made some good recommendations of changes, they will be putting the numbers in the rate structure to present to us in January – everything is still draft/conceptual. Three structures were presented. The board agreed to continue to go forward with the proposed modified uniform rate structure for residential (no water budgets takes too much time for maintenance etc. and a uniform flat rate is not water "conserving"), but they are proposing to change the width of the tiers that are substantiated with water system statistics and guidance (Tier 1 0-14; Tier 2 14-34; Tier 3 >34 units).
Include a line item for the pass through cost of San Diego County Water Authority (transparency).
Rate adjustments will occur in January, starting January 2016 (as opposed to November – I have been saying this for a long time, coincides with SDCWA, during cooler part of the season, makes sense!). Also, considering a 3 or 5 year rate adoption plan.  More information with actual numbers to come.


In the meantime - We have a new, senior public affairs manager, Mike Uhrhammer, he used to work for Padre Dam MWD…He is very experienced with Water District issues and Santee Lake Promotion, he will be a great Helix asset and help with Lake Jennings, public communication, new rate structure and all our public relation needs!

Great morning and good things happening at Helix!

Monday, December 8, Special Meetings for Helix Water District, 9am and 10am

12/7/2014

 
Two agendas for Special Board Meeting Agendas for TOMORROW:
http://www.hwd.com/board/meetings-etc.htm 
AGENDA

SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Monday, December 8, 2014 - 9 AM – Lake Jennings Committee Meeting
Monday, December 8, 2014 - 10 AM -  Water Rate Workshop
7811 University Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942-0427
 Interesting Items:
9:00am Lake Jennings Meeting update. I think we hired a new Recreation Manager, but not sure, hope to find out tomorrow.

10:00am The Board Conduct a Workshop to receive and Discuss the Presentation by Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc. Providing an Overview of the Water Rate Cost of Service Study of the Helix Water District. The District had nothing to forward to the Board on this, I asked for a copy of the presentation, but none was sent…should be interesting to see what they will be presenting, I was assured that nothing was to be voted on.

As always, I welcome your comments and feedback.

ACWA Conference - Fall 2014

12/6/2014

 
Last week was the Fall Association of California Water Agencies Conference here in San Diego. It was titled the Moment of Truth - One State - One Water Future...what that meant was that the water bond passed on November 4th and we are all part of the drought and we all need to work together. They had a great exhibit/conference session ConservaCon, whereas all agencies throughout the State who had a great Water Conservation Program, came and displayed their program. Great ideas and catchy themes.

Next Helix Water District "Board" Meeting is on Monday, December 8th, a Lake Jennings Committee Meeting at 9:00am and then a 10am Water Rate Workshop.

    Author: Kathleen Hedberg

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

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    August 2022
    March 2020
    December 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014


  • Home
  • Biography
    • About Kathleen
    • Experience
  • Media
    • Articles
    • Photos
    • Division Map
  • Blog