Water Subcommittee Meeting Minutes
May 25, 2022
Via Zoom
Mayor Robertson called meeting to order: 10:04 am
Subcommittee Members / City Staff:
Mayor Deborah Robertson
Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott
Marcus Fuller, City Manager
Robert Messinger, Assistant City Attorney
Nicole Hemmans, Senior Administrative Analyst
Angela Perry, Council & City Manager’s Executive Assistant Other Attendees
Steve Dopudja, Consultant
June Hayes, Commissioner
Peter Lucetti, Table Rock
Megan Matson, Table Rock
Evan Kominsky, Ullico
Robert Lee, Rialto Water Services
Absent
Tom Crowley, Utilities Manager
Public Comments: None
Minutes: April 27, 2022– Accepted for the Record
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. WS-22-498 WIFIA and SRF Process Update.
Peter gave presentation
Committee Comments/Recommendations
They will apply a State Revolving Fund Loan (SRFL) based on Marcus’ recommendation.
Peter said, they are preparing applications with WIFIA and SRF. j WIFIA will take care 49% of the cost for a 30-year loan with low interest. The first payment can be deferred up to 5-10 years, after substantial completion of the project. SRFL loan will cover the balance with 31% cost and remaining 20% cost will be funded with City funds. The deadline to submit both applications, WIFIA and SRFL, is by November of this year. NEPA and CEQA are also involved in the process.
Marcus asked Nicole to check on contract. Steve said he knows that they are under contract.
Mayor Pro Tem said to meet with them and see if it’s written in the contract.
Steve said they are meeting this afternoon with Veolia and cover some of those items. They will bring it back to the Committee.
Mayor Robertson asked Peter about any other pathways we need to look at in terms of financial capability with WIFIA; what are our other options.
Peter said they are processing applications for WIFIA and SRFL; these are the most common programs for this type of project. Additionally, these programs have lower rates and some advantages regarding payment schedules. Peter said we might qualify for loan forgiveness from SRFL; however, that will be pockets to the City. Marcus agreed.
Mayor Robertson talked about the forgiveness loans and what qualifies. She said we still have to make a relationship to the services we are providing to the Spanish portion of the community. The Census tract tells us that we are within our water service territory, West Valley. Peter said they are aware of the issue. Mayor Robertson said we need to have a plan. She said this is an opportunity to align technology with the new construction in the north end of West Valley Water District.
Megan talked about the Microgrid funding. Peter talked about bringing back the bid information on the microgrid.
Mayor Robertson asked about project cost for the microgrid. The State is looking at an existing infrastructure and putting solar panels over as part of the aqueduct. She said that will be a pilot for things we are looking at doing. Moreover, she wants to go down to the sewer plant building to look at its infrastructure for solar panels.
Peter said there is a section of the SRF application for public outreach. Megan thought a workshop on several projects would be beneficial to the community. Mayor Robertson said the public outreach should cover all aspects.
June stated, “what is a wastewater treatment plant,” should be included in the public outreach.
Mayor Robertson suggested different ways to deal with public outreach, such as creating a video or power point and run it through the TV station.
Committee wants on record that they will move this item to full council. Authorization submittal of the loan applications will return to Council for final action.
2. WS-22-499 Placement of Sewer Service Charges on the County Property Tax Roll for Delinquent Accounts.
Robert Lee gave the presentation.
Committee Comments/Recommendations
Mayor Pro Tem said that it seems that they prefer to pay their sewer on their Tax Roll vs paying the bill every month. Robert said yes. Mayor Pro Tem asked why we haven’t offered the option of either be on Tax Roll or not. He asked if we could charge a fee for doing that. June said no.
Mayor Robertson said once you get a lean, it goes to the Tax Roll. She said that we had money to help, but it has not been used correctly.
Steve talked about what some of the other agencies are doing.
Mayor Pro Tem asked if there is more money coming this year. Steve said yes, from the Wastewater side. Mayo Pro Tem asked where is that money credit to. Robert said it’s going to be allocated on delinquency accounts.
Robert talked about comparing accounts before COVID and after COVID.
Mayor Robertson talked about the lack of information to inform the residents there are resources. June talked about explaining resources by using the Progress Magazine.
Marcus asked Nicole to mail out the information; she said they are working on it.
Mayor Pro Tem asked if the money will be used against leans. Marcus said yes.
Mayor Pro Tem had concerns regarding existing habitual folks, do they deserve assistance. Peter said they can pull out that information from their data.
Robert requested for Tax Roll process to be continued because there is a deadline they have to meet. Mayor Robertson asked Robert if he can overlay the residence with the Census tract for those that may qualify. Peter said we should follow what Robert said, they bring back information in July. Additionally, Tax Roll and public outreach to focus on delinquent customers who have not previously been on Tax Roll.
Robert said there were some outreaches that happened while COVID was going on and another one is coming up from the County.
Mayor Robertson said how will that outreach come about; she said the company will do it on its own – Robert will make sure that his team members are aware of the programs.
Moreover, regarding Tax Roll, they are working on a program – arrears and one year in advance.
Nicole asked if there was a fee for doing the Tax Roll, which he said there is no fee to the customer, but there is a cost.
Mayor Robertson was concerned about how we can provide the resources available to help the community to use them. She said this program doesn’t seem that it will work for the residents. Robert explained if Council decides to implement the Tax Roll at customers’ option, customers will do Tax Roll ahead of time.
Mayor Pro Tem asked if a person does not pay the property tax bill, the City does not get the money until that bill is paid. Steve said yes. Mayor Pro Tem said the people who are not paying the water bill they are probably not paying their tax bill. Mayor Pro Tem disagreed with the Tax Roll program.
Peter talked about the water turn off moratorium.
3. WS-22-494 Final Payout for the Completed Fiscal Year 2020/21 Water and Wastewater Operating Repair and Replacement (OR & R) Projects Using Available Rialto Utility Authority Funds and Approve the Anticipated Fiscal Year 2021/22 Water and Wastewater Operating Repair and Replacement Projects and Expenditures.
Peter gave this presentation.
Committee Comments/Recommendations
Mayor Robertson asked about the recommendations for full Council. Peter said they are ready to approve permits for water and wastewater for next year. In water, there is no increasing monthly contribution required. In Wastewater, no additional contribution requires cumulative over year, which is $175,055; the following year it drops to $74,137. Marcus asked if this follows up to Council. Peter said yes; they recommended this goes to proceed with this plan.
Mayor Robertson asked if this was an estimate – Peter said yes.
Mayor Robertson asked for clarifications regarding the amount of $75,000 for 2021 and 2021-2022. Peter said, $175,055 is the additional contribution required over a year.
Mayor Robertson asked if the work was going to bid out, and Peter said yes.
Projects are estimated to cost from $10,000 to $125,000. For the FY 20/21 they had 16 OR & R wastewater projects with a total cost of $713,500 and 8 OR & R water projects with a cost of $256,600. For F/Y 21/22 they have 10 OR & R wastewater projects with a total cost of $569,500 and 10 OR & R water projects with a total cost of $300,000.
4. WS-22-493 Final Construction Work Authorization to Rialto Water Services in the amount of $157,850 for the Construction of a new Sewer Manhole in Riverside Ave.
Marcus gave the presentation.
S. Riverside Ave. sewer line will be modified to accommodate the shopping center development south of the Walmart shopping center. Flows can be rerouted in the main sewer line in S. Riverside Ave.
Committee Comments/Recommendations
Mayor Pro Tem said start working on the project. Marcus said it will come to Council on June 14th. Council approves to move forward.
5. WS-22-472 Request for Public Hearing in regard to 2022 Public Health Goals (PHG) Report and 2021 Consumer Confidence Report on Drinking Water.
Committee Comments/Recommendations
Mayor Pro Tem said during Council meetings, provide the information to residents in a way the community can understand. Mayor Pro Tem suggested to use graphs.
This will come on the June 14th to set hearing. Marcus said the Public Health goal is 0.004 parts per billion (ppb); we are at 3.1. The max contaminant level identified by the State is 10 ppb; an agency cannot exceed those numbers. Marcus said the issue is when you turn it to the public. He is worry about pesticides.
Mayor Pro Tem asked if we are using the water from that well. Marcus said yes. Mayor Pro Tem wants to know how we are reducing the levels. Steve said, we are diluting, blending them. Mayor Pro Tem asked if there is something we can use to clean up that well, and what will be the cost. Marcus said, it’s estimated for $1,000,000. Mayor Pro Tem asked if we are looking for grants. Mayor Pro Tem said, we need to let the community know what we are doing to eliminate the contaminates.
Mayor Robertson asked if they are setting a Public Hearing on the first meeting, and if they are planning to have a presentation on June 28th. Nicole said yes. Mayor Robertson wants to know who will be giving the explanation. Marcus will do the presentation.
Mayor Pro Tem said people understand graphs better than words, so he wants to make sure that it’s clear to the residents.
6. WS-22-505 Possible Sewer Service to Orangewood Mobile Home Park in the City of Fontana, CA.
Marcus gave presentation.
Committee Comments/Recommendations
The Park wants to move from septic system to sewer system. The estimated wastewater connection fee to be generated is $524,000. This is in IEUA’s territory. Just outside of the city’s limit.
Mayor Robertson wants a map that overlays our incorporated area for water and sewer including the different companies that touch Rialto. Nicole will provide the information. This item is approved by Water Subcommittee; it will be presented to Council for final approval.
7. WS-22-500 Extraterritorial Wastewater Service Agreement with Hilario and Juana Lopez, for the property located at 18926 Valley Blvd, Bloomington, CA, Assessor’s Parcel Number 0253-121-17-0000.
Marcus gave presentation.
Committee Comments/Recommendations
Property owners have approached the City for wastewater services from existing sewer line.
Mayor Robertson wants to make sure we don’t charge the community for standby charges to connect to the sewer line. They are OK.
This item is approved by Water Subcommittee; it will be presented to Council for final approval.
Side Note: June asked, shouldn’t us be on Level 2 conservation. June said, we don’t need to be there for water reasons, but we might need to be there to meet the government’s demand.
UPDATES
1. WS-22-492 United State Bureau of Reclamation Award of $2,000,000 for AMI Project.
The project would upgrade/replace 12,058 existing meters. The total cost for the project is $6.6 million; the balance $4.6 million will be financed through WIFIA and/or SRFL.
Committee Comments/Recommendations
Mayor Robertson wanted to know where we are on meter updates. She asked how many we need to change. June said 800 meter for 5 years; they have completed the 5 years. Mayor Robertson asked if we have only done 4,000 meters. Peter said no, that was the recurring and it’s intended to be continued. Mayor Robertson asked how many more do we still have to change and how quick will it be for us to put the extra piece. June said 13,000 to 14,000 connections. Steve said there is still a cost.
Mayor Robertson asked how far we can go with $2,000,000. Steve said we might be able to convert all the 4,000 meters. Marcus suggested to use WIFIA or SRF.
Mayor Robertson said the Census tract keeps changing, and she doesn’t want to be looking at what can be forgivable.
2. WS-22-501 Submitting a Grant Application to United State Bureau of Reclamation’s Drought Resilience Program for Well 3A Arsenic Treatment Facilities.
Committee Comments/Recommendations
Committee wanted to know where is well 2. It is in the West Valley area. Mayor Robertson said a Map of the well would be helpful during presentation.
Updates
Mayor Robertson talked about Congressman Aguilar putting Lake Rialto in his appropriation request, as well as Senator Padilla.
Mayor Robertson mentioned she went to the US Conference of Mayors; she got a confirmation from region 9 administrator; he will be at the Water Council.
Moreover, she’s trying to get an emergency resolution. She said the money the MPO/SCAG received to help communities are planning dollars that come through the Department of Transportation. They can help the communities to design some of the infrastructure for water/wastewater system. It needs to be a nexus between transportation dollars and infrastructure, which happens to run under the roadway. She will introduce the draft for the Emergency Resolution to the Transportation Committee.
Next Water Subcommittee Meetings
June 29, 2022
Adjournment: 11:53 pm.