1 CITY OF RIALTO
REGULAR MEETING OF THE WATER SUBCOMMITTEE
September 27, 2023 - 10:00 A.M.
MINUTES
The Regular meeting of the Water Subcommittee of the City of Rialto was held in the Civic Center Council Chambers located at 150 S. Palm Avenue, Rialto, California 92376, on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
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CALL TO ORDER Call to order at 10:01 A.M.
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ROLL CALL The roll call was taken by Senior Administrative Analyst , Nicole Hemmans.
Subcommittee Members / City Staff:
Mayor Deborah Robertson
Council Member Ed Scott
Robert Messinger, Deputy City Attorney
Tom Crowley, Utilities Manager
Toyasha Sebbag, Assistant to the CM
Nicole Hemmans, Senior Administrative Analyst
Additional Attendees:
Steve Dopudja, DWC Consultant
Peter Luchetti, RWS/Table Rock
Meagan Matson, RWS/Table Rock
Rolf Ohlemutz, RWS/Veolia
Art Griffith, FG Solutions
Branden Kfoury, Urban Futures, Inc.
Dr. June Hayes, Resident
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PUBLIC COMMENTS Public comment received on September 27, 2023:
None
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Meeting of August 29, 2023
Minutes Prepared By: Nicole Hemmans, Sr. Administrative Analyst
Meeting Date: August 29, 2023 - Minutes Approved.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEMS
WS-23-865 – Update on the Extent
of Water and Wastewater Capital
Spending Over the Next 5 years.
Update on the Extent of Water and Wastewater Capital Spending Over the Next 5 Years Presented by Peter Luchetti.
Questions & Comments
Mayor Robertson asked the Utility Manager, Tom Crowley, for his recommendation on the scope of recommended improvements presented by Peter Luchetti.
o Tom Crowley recommended completing the high priority core water and wastewater projects listed on the first year of the Capital Improvement Plan.
Update was received by Water Subcommittee.
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WS-23-866 – Provide Feedback on
the Water and Wastewater Rate
Model.
Presentation on the Water and Wastewater Rate Model provided by Art Griffith.
Questions & Comments –
Art Griffith provided proposed rate increase scenarios that captured the cost of inflation.
o Council Member Ed Scott requested that Griffith’s
scenarios comprehensively account for a realistic and
forward-thinking approach to our financial planning,
capturing a true increase in costs.
Peter Luchetti requested the results of the professional consultant hired to confirm the energy savings associated with the microgrid project.
o Mayor Robertson requested the time frame for receiving the results of the energy saving?
o Tom Crowley advised that the consultants contract
expires on October 31, 2023, therefore we should have
the results by then.
3 Peter Luchetti requested an update on the City’s current position on the lending decision for the WIFIA loan, as the expiration date of the loan is approaching.
o Consultant, Branden Kfoury with Urban Futures advised that the term agreement of the WIFIA loan exceeds the
term of the Concession Agreement, presenting a
potential discrepancy that needs to be addressed.
Furthermore, Kfoury advised that his firm is actively
assessing the impact of this difference in term, as it
relates to the concession agreement.
o Mayor Robertson advised she would like to review the
results of Urban Futures’ evaluation when they become
available.
Council Member Ed Scott requested for Art Griffith to develop and provide detailed scenarios concerning the impact of a rate increase, specifically in the context of the City’s potential repayment of $30 million to the Rialto Utility Authority (RUA).
Council Member Ed Scott requested a meeting with internal staff and consultants to reach a conclusive decision regarding the proposed rate increase.
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WS-23-855 – Presentation on Lead
and Copper Rule Revisions
(LCRR).
Presentation on the New Lead and Copper Rule Revisions Mandate Provided by Rolf Ohlemutz, General Manager, RWS/Veolia.
Questions & Comments
Water Subcommittee asked for this item to return on a future agenda when the following questions can be answered:
1) Are there lead pipes within our jurisdiction, and if so, could you provide information on their locations?
2) When conducting water sampling, is there evidence of lead contamination in the samples?
3) In the event that lead is identified on the customer's side, who assumes liability for the replacement of pipes?
4) Regarding the deadline for completing the inventory by 10/16/24, does this include schools, and if so, who will be responsible for repairs if they indicate financial constraints? Will the City take on the responsibility of seeking funding for them? 5) What is the anticipated cost associated with creating the inventory due on 10/16/24?
6) The Mayor mentioned the possibility of funding. Could you please confirm the availability of funding for this initiative? 7) If an inspection on a resident's property reveals galvanized pipes, will it be assumed that lead is present in those pipes? 4 8) How was the solicitation for vendors conducted, and were local vendors specifically invited to participate?
9) Under the Concession Agreement, is the responsibility for compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule vested in the City or RWS?
10) Can you provide information on the actions taken by other agencies in response to the Lead and Copper Rule revisions?
1) . Confirm.
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WS-23-861 – Utilities Manager
Update.
Utilities Manager Updates provided by Utilities Manager, Tom Crowley
Questions & Comments
Updates provided on:
Water Fill-Stations & Drinking Fountains at City Facilities and Parks.
Long Term Use of Stormwater Detention Basins in River Ranch .
Mayor recommended staff looking into iWorks for recruitment of labor. Department of Water Resources and the Bureau of Reclamation AMI Grant.
o Mayor Robertson suggested staff look into iWorks
for labor recruitment.
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UPCOMING MEETINGS/OTHER
DISCUSSION ITEMS
None
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ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
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