Former Valley County Water director Dolores Holguin is facing one count of miuse of public funds. She is going to appear in court Wednesday morning in West Covina. I don't know the details of the charge yet, but she was previously sued by Valley County for allegedly inappropriately billing the district for $15,000 worth of meals, health care and cell phone charges. That lawsuit was settled last month. Look for story tomorrow.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 6:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just came up with a list of public water board officials that are elected that serve all the SGV and Whittier areas - a total of 16 agencies. Out of 81 elected officials, 13 of them are women.

That's 16 percent.

That seems really low. I wonder how that number stacks up to the city council's.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 5:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

As you may have noticed, there have been more stories and blog entries about water agencies, water officials and water issues. That’s because I am now assigned to the water beat.

The stories that I would like to focus on are those of malfeasance. There are about 45 public water agencies in the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier areas, and about half of them have elected water officials. As we’ve seen from Dolores Holguin, Xavier Alvarez and Albert Robles,* elected water officials certainly have their share of legal troubles.

And these people are responsible for making decisions that affect nearly 2 million people, and are running budgets that are larger than those of many cities.

But there is more to water – just like in government — than corruption. Gasp. So, the Tribune will also be running stories covering the water crisis we are in now.

So far, it hasn't been easy learning about water. The learning curve is extremely high. Last weekend, I went on a trip to a Metropolitan Water District of Southern California trip to the Colorado River Aqueduct with a bus full of people invited by director John Morris, who represents the small and affluent community of San Marino. San Marino is one of 26 member agencies of the MWD, and was part of the original 11 when the district formed in 1926.

During the two-day trip, we stopped at several reservoirs, dams and pumping stations. What I found amazing was that the technology in the 1930s and 1940s was enough to provide water to millions of residents, even until today.

During the trip, I asked everyone dozens of questions about water, the challenges of water, how we get our water and how we should prepare for future water problems. For each answer, I felt as though I had five more questions. The complexity of the water industry is one of the reasons that no one pays attention – including the media – to water. As one director put it, “People go the faucet, water comes out, so the public doesn’t think there is a problem.”

As the water industry deals with increasing environmental pressures, that means that we will pay for it. That’s not just on our water bills. But just as it took a nearly $220 million bond measure approved by voters during the Depression, building new canals or developing new technology is going to come with a price to tax payers.

What I’m hoping is that within the next six months, my stories on water will expose corruption, tell the story on water, and make it easier to understand how water works. That way, when we’re asked to pay for new water projects, we’ll know what the issues are.

*Dolores Holguin is a former Valley County Water Director who is being investigated for misusing public funds. Valley County is out of Baldwin Park. Xavier Alvarez is a Three Valleys Municipal Water District director who is being investigated for lying about having received the Medal of Honor. There are also charges now that he lied about still being married to his wife, who has been receiving health benefits. Albert Robles, a director at the Water Replenishment District, is facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly distributing illegal mailers.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 1:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

A former four-term Assemblyman is still serving two masters even though the Attorney General said he shouldn't. Willard Murray, who represents the Water Replinishment District of Southern California and West Basin on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, has continued to sit on these boards despite a ruling that said he shouldn't.

What wasn't in the story is that Murray gets paid by West Basin for his MWD representation, at $207 a meeting. He also gets a car allowance and a phone allowance. Interesting, because he gets those same things from WRD, and also gets paid for his meeting attendance. I haven't researched it, but I am going to assume that he also gets a nice retirement package for all those years he spent on the Assembly.

Murray's son is also a representative on the MWD, and Murray's daughter works for the District Attorney's office. I'm sure the lectures Murray gave to his children went something along the lines of: "Government jobs are the way to go."

I wish I would have gotten that lecture.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 9:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I used to think that elected water boards were just the place where those on the verge of retirement go to make a few extra bucks -- well, about $35,000 a year, which is pretty damn close to my salary. Oh yeah, and a place where they can get health perks, travel budgets, car allowances and cell phones.

But it looks like it is also the place where it continues someone's political career. I just got off the phone with a water official who said that West Basin Municipal Water District Director Donald Dear has his eyes set on Assembly. When I get some more time, I'll try to come up with a list of other water officials that have used their water seats to springboard to higher office.

Here's a bit more on Dear:

Board President Donald L. Dear was elected to the West Basin Board of Directors in November 2000 to represent the cities of Gardena, Hawthorne, Lawndale and unincorporated portions of El Camino Village. He is currently serving his second term after being re-elected in November 2004. Director Dear came to the Board with a vast array of experience in public service, serving as the Gardena Mayor for nine consecutive terms before retiring in 2001. He is also a widely respected, award-winning teacher who taught at Stephen White Middle School in Carson for 37 years.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There's more Albert Robles drama, Airan Scruby reports. Robles, a Water Replinishment District director, is scheduled to appear in court today. He is being charged with committing misdeameanor campaign law violations.

He is also running for the job of District Attorney Steve Cooley.

"How Steve Cooley is manipulating our justice system ... should shock the conscience of all Americans," Robles said. "The DA's office has never prosecuted anybody for what they're accusing me of."

Here's more from Airan's story:

Robles, 39, will discuss his motions to dismiss the charges against him, including two counts of sending campaign mailers without return addresses on behalf of Pico Water District candidates.

He is also charged with one count of making a campaign expenditure of more than $100 in cash, and one count of making a campaign contribution of more than $100 in cash, two ways of prosecuting for the same act: paying for the campaign mailers he allegedly sent.

If convicted, Robles could face a $10,000 fine and six months in jail for each offense, and would lose the ability to run for public office for four years.

The charges against him come from the Political Reform Act, a set of California statutes meant to increase campaign openness. Robles said cases like his are usually handled by the California Fair Political Practices Commission, and that the charges against him were filed because District Attorney Steve Cooley has a vendetta against him.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 9:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Central Basin Municipal Water District, which manages ground water pumping from its basin, sued the giant of the Southern California's water industry, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Central Basin believes that MWD's recently approved conservation plan is just another way to stuff money into MWD's coffers, Central Basin director Art Aguilar tells reporter Mike Sprague.

"Although Metropolitan would like us to think of this as a `conservation plan,' it is actually an economic plan that virtually robs from the poor to pay for the cost of new development in more affluent areas," Aguilar said.

Central Basin is one of 26 member agencies of MWD that buy water from the district and then re-sell it to private and public water utilities

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 9:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As if the water supply outlook in So Cal wasn't bleak enough. At least one water insider told me that the writing is on the wall and that water supply to Southern California will be cut even more because of the enviornmental impacts pumping the Delta has had on salmon.

Today, the Associated Press reported that U.S. District Judge Oliver Wanger said a federal report supporting increased water exports was scientifically inadequate.

Department of Water Resources Director Lester Snow said the agency is unsure how Wanger's ruling will effect water deliveries, but said it was "further evidence that the delta is teetering on the brink of collapse."

Holy crap. Are you packing your bags yet?

Here's the whole story:

Judge: Feds failed to study how delta pumping affects salmon
By PAUL ELIAS Associated Press Writer
Article Launched: 04/16/2008 02:46:14 PM PDT

SAN FRANCISCO—A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that water regulators failed to consider the effects of global warming and other environmental issues related to the decline of California salmon populations when they approved increased pumping from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

U.S. District Judge Oliver Wanger said a 2004 study prepared by federal regulators to support the increased water exports was scientifically inadequate.

"There is no analysis of adverse effect on critical habitat," Wanger wrote about winter-run chinook salmon.

The judge also ruled that there was a "total failure to address, adequately explain, and analyze the effects of global climate change on the species."

The study had concluded that more water could be taken from California's Central Valley to quench residential and agricultural thirsts throughout the state. The new pumping plan was already on hold because of a similar ruling the judge made about the Bush administration's failure to address its effects on a threatened fish species called the Delta smelt.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the National Marine Fisheries Service, the agencies that prepared the study at issue, plan to submit a new study by the end of the year, said NMFS spokesman Jim Milbury.

"I'm sure they will look at the judge's opinion in developing it," he said.

Wanger scheduled a hearing April 25 to begin determining how the delta should be managed until the new study is published.

Department of Water Resources Director Lester Snow said the agency is unsure how Wanger's ruling will effect water deliveries, but said it was "further evidence that the delta is teetering on the brink of collapse."

A group of environmentalists, fishermen and American Indians sued the two federal agencies in 2005.

"This is a historic decision," said Mike Sherwood, an Earthjustice lawyer who represents the environmentalists. "It may well be the turning point to reverse the decline toward extinction of these fish."

Some scientists have pointed to increased water exports from the delta as one possible cause for an unprecedented decline in the number of chinook salmon returning to spawn in the Sacramento River and its tributaries last fall. Other researchers blame changing ocean conditions for the decline.

Earlier this month, federal fishery regulators voted to ban salmon fishing along the California coast and most of Oregon to protect California's shrinking salmon stocks.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 5:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The past few weeks, Tania Chatila and I have been compiling a list of all the water agencies in the San Gabriel Valley. Easier said than done.

One of the agencies that has intrigued me most is the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority, which was formed in 1999. Recently, Assemblyman Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina, authored legislation extending the life of the authority. It was scheduled to end at 2010, but that was extended to 2017.

The authority was formed by the Legislature to "address the critical need for coordinated groundwater cleanup programs in the Basin," according to its Web site. I'm not exactly sure what that means, how much money the authority receives and what the authority's track record is.

They have a board meeting tomorrow, which I plan on attending. Maybe then I will have a better understanding of why the Legislature just extended its lifespan. It employs seven people, and there is also a seven-person board, including Rosemead Councilwoman Margaret Clark:

Greg Nordbak
Chairman
Representing cities with water pumping rights
City of Whittier

Bob Kuhn
Vice-Chairman
Representing Three Valleys Municipal Water District

Jim Byerrum
Treasurer
Representing water producers

Margaret Clark
Rosemead Councilwoman
Secretary
Representing cities without water pumping rights

Carol Montano
Board Member
Representing San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District

Michael Whitehead
Board Member
Representing water producers
San Gabriel Valley Water Company

Alfonso "Al" Contreras
Board Member
Representing the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Elected official: Bob Kuhn

Title: Director of Three Valleys Municipal Water District

Previous elected positions: Glendora City Council, 1986 to 1994

Born: 1944

High School: John Muir High School in Pasadena

Favorite high school hang outs:
Bob's Big Boy in Pasadena on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena
Bahama Inn in east Pasadena
Eaton's Drive Inn in Arcadia

"The orchards were coming to a close in the 1940s and 1950s, and it started to become converted to houses and industry. By the 1970s, the orchards were all gone," Kuhn said. "Probably the major change I've noticed through the years is the traffic."

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Oh, snap. That's what I said when I read this quote by a judge who was responding to water board Xavier Alvarez who said that it is in within his constitutional right to lie about receiving the Medal of Honor.

U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner rejected Alvarez's argument, stating in his written ruling that "such lies are not protected by the Constitution."

Pomona water board member Xavier Alvarez's request to have the federal charges against him dismissed has been rejected by the judge hearing the case.

Alvarez is facing two misdemeanor counts for falsely claiming he won the Medal of Honor. He never served in the military.

In the motion to dismiss the charges, Alvarez's public defender argued that the Stolen Valor Act of 2005, which prohibits anyone from falsely claiming to have been awarded the Medal of Honor, violates the First Amendment and is unconstitutional because it criminalizes what the attorney termed "political" speech.

So, is political speech the type of speech that gives politicians the right to say whatever they want and never be held accountable for anything they say. That sounds about right.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 7:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Crazy story about water board member Albert Robles who is facing criminal charges yet he has decided to challenge District Attorney Steve Cooley for his job, Whittier Staff Writer Airan Scruby reports.

Albert Robles, director on the Water Replenishment District Board, is charged with four misdemeanor counts and appeared in Downey court Tuesday.

Robles, 39, said he is running for district attorney despite the charges because he did not believe anyone would run against Cooley, and he felt voters should have another option on June 3.

"Steve Cooley is the worst district attorney in the history of the county," Robles said. "I was just hoping to present myself as an alternative."

At least one reader so far claims that Cooley is a "bully:"

Cooley and his inner circle knew over a year ago that Albert Robles was preparing to run against Cooley, that's why they filed three misdemeanor charges against him. Why? Could it be that they are afraid of a run-off or they are just bullies?

C'mon Cooley don't be a bully, why do you abuse your power and betray the trust of all the democrats who voted for you?

Im voting for STEVE IPSEN - all should do the same.

BTW: WRD director Albert Robles should not be confused with former South Gate mayor councilman, treasurer and deputy city manager Albert T. Robles, who in 2005 was convicted of plundering more than $20 million from the city. In November 2006, he was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. 

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 4:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

We didn't do anything about outstanding women of the 57th district, but here is a list of local women who were honored by Assemblyman Ed Hernandez.

Reyna Diaz, 2008 Woman of the Year for the 57th Assembly District (Duarte)
Reyna Diaz is a member of the Duarte School Board.

Lisa Bailey, 2008 Woman of Achievement for the 57th Assembly District (Irwindale)

President and CEO of the Irwindale Chamber of Commerce since 2003.

Dr. Nancy Padilla, 2008 Woman of Achievement for the 57th Assembly District (La Puente)

Only in her second year at Nogales High School, Dr. Padilla has successfully managed to refocus the mission of the school around two goals: increasing student achievement and creating a positive school culture.

Arline Payne, 2008 Woman of Achievement for the 57th Assembly District (West Covina)

Although a resident of West Covina, she is well-known for her work with the Covina Women’s Club, the Covina Historical Society, and the Covina Police Department.

Beverly Williams, 2008 Woman of Achievement for the 57th Assembly District (Covina)

As a member of the NAACP since she was 18, Beverly Williams has committed herself to serving her community through her extensive work with the San Gabriel Valley NAACP, including her efforts to revive the organization’s once-thriving youth outreach. She is also a leader in her church, the Murph Chapel A.M.E. Church in Valinda.

Cecilia Bernal, 2008 Woman of Achievement for the 57th Assembly District (Baldwin Park)

Cecilia Bernal has dedicated her life to the young people in her community and providing services for the local residents of Baldwin Park.

Rosario Perez, 2008 Woman of Achievement for the 57th Assembly District (Azusa)

Rosario Perez has opened up her home and her life as a foster parent to 35 children over the years.

Maria Ramirez-Pico, 2008 Woman of Achievement for the 57th Assembly District (Bassett)

Maria-Ramirez Pico has been a strong source of support for education within her community for many years.

Ana Albarran, 2008 Emerging Leader Award for the 57th Assembly District

Only a sophomore in high school, she maintains a 4.5 GPA in rigorous honors courses while participating in a variety of extracurricular activities, including the Leadership in Harmony Conference, sports, and Teens for Humanity. She manages all of this while working a part-time job to help bring in extra money for her family.

 

Not to take anything away from any of the women, but this list makes me think of former Valley County Water Board member Dolores Holguin, who has since been forced to resign and is being investigated for allegedly misuing public funds. She was given an Outstanding Woman Award of the 24th district award by Sen. Gloria Romero for her service to the community, including on the Valley County Water District. Here's an article Fred Ortega wrote about Holguin in November 2007. 

BALDWIN PARK - A local water board official has been censured for alleged misappropriation of funds and her refusal to resign her post.

The Valley County Water District Board of Directors voted unanimously to censure Director Dolores Holguin at a special meeting Thursday. The move forbids Holguin from receiving any further reimbursements from the district, even if the expenses are related to district business.

Holguin was not in attendance at the meeting.

Holguin, who is the subject of a Los Angeles County District Attorney's investigation, has been accused by officials of improperly billing the district for more than $15,000 in cell phone, meal and medical expenses. The district has also filed a civil lawsuit against Holguin to recover the costs, and a trial is expected in the case sometime next year, said the water district's attorney, Keith Lemieux.

"Because of what she has done she can no longer be trusted with the public's money," Lemieux said.

Holguin strongly disputed the charges in a statement read to the board by Margarita Vargas, her running mate in Tuesday's district board elections. She argued that all of the reimbursements had been reviewed by the district's previous attorney, who found nothing illegal took place.

"There has been no misappropriation, no intentional act of fraud on my part," read the statement. "I believe all of my actions were appropriate under existing district policy and applicable state law."

 

 

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 3:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Will Bigham reports that Xavier Alvarez, who allegedly made false claims about winning the Medal of Honor, is asking his Three Valley's Municipal Water District colleagues to reconsider their decision to censure him.

"He said everything had been taken care of as far as he knows, and he doesn't understand why he's still censured," said Bob Kuhn, president of Three Valley's.

Now, here's a guy that is facing charges for lying about having won the Medal of Honor. Would you take his word for it that "everything had been taken care of."

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 9:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Three water board members -- Robert Apodaca, director of the Central Basin Municipal Water District; Donald Cear, director at the West Basin Municipal Water District, and Vincent House, director at La Puente Valley County Water District -- are looking to snag the position as special district representative of the Local Agency Formation commission. The position pays $150 a meeting, plus mileage. There are a total of 21 meetings a month. That's a mere $3,150 a year. Member water agencies have until April 25 to cast their votes.

So what, you're asking. "Get a life." "Blog about something else."

Well, at least of the candidates just can't seem to get away from government jobs, which makes me think of this quote: "When it gets to the point when it is easier and better to get a government job and have government perks than it is in the public aspect of the world, then we've got a problem," said state Sen. Bob Margett, R-Glendora."

According to his bio, Apodaca started his "40-year committment to public service" working for Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty. He also worked as a field director to Councilman Art Anyder, worked for Assembylmember Martin Gallegos, for Assemblyman Tomn Calderon, and is currently a member of State Sen. Rob Calderon's staff. He was first elected to the Central Basin board in 1998.

Donald Dear has 35 years of experience in municipal and local government, according to his bio. He has served on West Basin since 2001, spent 22 years as a trustee on the Vector Control District, 19 years on the LA County Sanitation District, and 27 years on the Gardena City Council. He is the current special district LAFCO representative.

The third candidate is Vincent House. He served on the airforce from 1954 to 1959, and then worked as an engineer in the private sector. He has served on the La Punte Valley County Water District since 2003.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I got mixed reactions about my water story that ran on Sunday. The story looked at the topic of whether consolidating water districts could make things better for rate payers and more efficient. Feedback ranged from consolidation is a bad idea to keep on putting pressure on water districts to I missed the mark. Here is one letter I got from West Basin employee Joe Walters:

Jennifer,

I read your story in Sunday's paper and I was a little disappointed.

It seems that some of the fine points are missing in the story.

West Basin Municipal Water District and Central Basin Municipal Water
District were never formally merged. They operated as two independent
districts, but had a cost sharing agreement for the facilities and to
share staff. The reasons for the split were never really explored,
leaving some inaccurate impressions. The reasons for the "split"
included the ability to better focus on the different needs of the
populations we represent.

Also, the increase in operating budget is implied to have increased
solely due to the "split" when it is attributable to a variety of
things such as some of the treatment chemicals which have tripled in
price this year. The West Basin operating expense includes items that
Central Basin doesn't purchase since they don't have plant operations.

I would be interested to hear if you get any feedback from the general
public.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 7:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Why am I posting this? Because I just had salmon for dinner:

Widespread end to salmon fishing now likely By Matt Weiser - mweiser@sacbee.com Last Updated 8:34 pm PDT Tuesday, March 11, 2008

A complete closure of salmon fishing in California and Oregon this year appeared more likely Tuesday after federal managers grappled for the first time with the hard facts.

Meeting in Sacramento, the Pacific Fishery Management Council was told by its expert staff that even with such a drastic closure, only an estimated 59,100 Chinook salmon will spawn this fall in California's Central Valley rivers, including the Sacramento, American and Feather.

That low number is well below the minimum conservation goal of 122,000 fish, leaving officials with few options. All fishing south of Point Falcon in Oregon could be affected -- including commercial and recreational, in the ocean and rivers -- which has never happened.

The closure would mean that fresh local salmon will be unavailable to consumers in stores, restaurants and farmer's markets for perhaps the first time ever.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 8:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Los Angeles Times today reported that there is a proposed rate increase by the Metropolitan Water District. Why should you care? Because if you live in one of the cities represented by the 26 districts that are part of the MWD, than that means more money out of your pocket. The increase is proposed at 14.3 percent, but Water Replinishment District of Southern California Director Willard Murray is suggesting that cost go up to 20 percent.

MWD board to vote on rate hike

By Deborah Schoch, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

March 11, 2008

Some Southern California households would pay up to 14% more per month for water in 2009 under a plan unanimously approved Monday by a key regional water panel.

The water rate increase, driven by shortages in supplies, would vary widely depending on how much water cities and local water agencies buy from the MWD, which serves 18 million consumers in six counties.

The controversial rate hike goes before the entire Metropolitan Water District board today, with some members saying an even larger increase might be needed.

Although the 14.3% increase unanimously passed the MWD's budget committee Monday, some members voiced concern that the hike does not cover the full cost of bringing water to the region and will force them to take $117 million from shrinking reserves. Rates would have to go up 20% next year to cover expenses, said Brian G. Thomas, the agency's chief financial officer.

Board member Willard H. Murray Jr. said he plans to propose a 20% increase when the full 37-member board meets at noon today at MWD headquarters in Los Angeles.

"We should collect enough to pay for the services we provide," said Murray, who represents the Carson-based West Basin Municipal Water District. He failed in a Monday motion to force a vote on a 20% increase. Read more

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

In a day that I wasn't in the mood to argue, I sent a list of questions over to Valley County Water. This was information I needed for a water story, in which 11 other districts responded to my requests for interviews and records. When I called Brian Dickinson with my list of additionaI questions, he said that he would need them in writing. No other district made such request. I obliged only because I needed the information and ASAP. I sent Valley County this list on Feb. 15. Three weeks later, I got this:

Valley County Water District
Mariana Lake, David Sano, Jonathan Contreras, Armando Macias,
Margarita Vargas
General Manager, Brian Dickinson: $112,176.
Operating Budget: $ 5,318,301 million
Average annual director travel expenses from July 2005 to July 2007:
N/A
Average annual director meeting payment from July 2005 to July 2007:
N/A
Payment per meeting: $147.74 January 1, 2008> Stipend payment/meeting: 155.13 (reflecting a 5% annual increase)

Additional questions:

When was your most recent fee hike?
2003

Do directors have district issued credit cards?
Yes

What is the district's philosophy on conferences?
Resolution 02-08-657: Section 2-1.503(a)
It is beneficial for Directors, the General Manager and/or Staff to attend conferences, meetings, seminars, workshops and other functions that strengthen their ability to understand issues facing the District and enhance the District’s ability to serve its customers.

How has the district been impacted by the departure of Dolores
Holguin? Has her actions promoted any discussion among the directors?

No comment can be made.

What benefits do the board members receive, i.e. medical, car
allowance, communications allowance?
Section 2-1.503
(c)(i)(2) “The per diem is $125.00 per day for meals and all gratuities. “
(f) “Reimbursable Rate” - The reimbursable mileage rate is equal to what is allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.

2-1.501 COMPENSATION
Each Director shall be paid $155.13 for each day’s attendance at meetings of the Board and committee thereof, and for each day’s service rendered as Director by request of the Board, not exceeding a total 10 days in any calendar month. In addition to the foregoing, commencing January 1, 2000, and on January 1st of each year thereafter, compensation to each Director shall be increased by 5%.

2-1.502 BENEFITS
While serving as current Directors of the District, such Directors are entitled to the following benefits to be paid by the District:
Group health, vision, dental plan and Employee Assistance Program coverage for active Directors and for persons who are deemed to be dependents eligible for such benefits under the terms of such plans;
Life insurance coverage at the benefit level then in effect under the then-applicable Association of California Water Agencies ("ACWA") life insurance plan for active or currently serving district Directors; and
Travel accident insurance for accidental death or disability incurred while on District business. The amount of such coverage will be determined by the Board and will not exceed the level or scope of coverage then available under the then-applicable ACWA life insurance plan for active or currently serving District Directors

What is the policy on directors picking up meal tabs at, for example,
lunch or dinner meetings?
Resolution 02-08-657: Section 2-1.503(c)(i)(2)
Directors and the General Manager are authorized to include District associates in meals that are Reasonable and Necessary. Receipts for such meals must indicate the names of the associates, the affiliation to the District, and the nature of the business conducted. Payment of Meals other than those authorized by this Article requires Board approval prior to authorized function.”

Other than the chart, these above questions are intended for a phone
interview with you, and should not be considered a formal CPRA.

**Because of the delay, this information did not make it into the water district story. What do you guys know about Valley County Water that may be worth a story?

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 2:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This flier was distributed recently to Suburban Water Systerms customers. There is a proposed 13 percent rate increase. Funny thing about the flier: Under public comments, it lists an office address and an email address. I don't know about you, but when I want to complain, I want to talk to the person over the phone. No phone number is listed on the flier.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I was driving to my softball game in Hermosa Beach on Sunday, thinking about a follow-up water story I am working on for the weekend. I happened to glance at a sign, naming the freeway I was on. It was the "Willard H. Murray, Jr." Freeway, the portion of Route 91 in the City of Compton from Alameda Road to Central Avenue. Heh. I just wrote a story about Murray.

Water Replinishment District director Murray was one of the highest spenders, along with Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District Director Leon Garcia, of 12 area water districts. Among the receipts were lavish trips and expensive dinners. Murray is a former Assemblyman who was forced out because of term-limits.

Here's a 1999 Daily Breeze article that ran about WRD and Murray:

Debate was far more cantankerous when the audit committee tackled a request to check records of the Water Replenishment District of Southern California, which manages two groundwater basins that serve 43 cities and 3.5 million residents.

Several of those cities demanded the audit, claiming the district charges outrageous fees, spends lavishly on consultants and employees and built a $70 million surplus at the expense of ratepayers.

"It is clear this is mismanagement and abuse of public dollars," said Bob Winningham, a Downey city councilman.

The district also angered member cities when it declined to solicit bids for a $22 million project to remove saltwater seeping into the groundwater basin that supplies South Bay drinking water.

"That's very troubling," said Assemblyman Scott Wildman, D-Los Angeles, chairman of the audit committee.

The contract was awarded to Montgomery Watson Americas of Pasadena. District President Robert Goldsworthy said the engineering firm was "the best to do the job."

District board member Willard Murray , a former assemblyman, told lawmakers the criticism is being leveled by cities that "do not want to pay their fair share" of the desalting project.

The burgeoning surplus, Murray said, resulted from the heavy rains of El Nin~o, which reduced the district's wholesale water purchases.

Also, $30 million of the surplus has been returned to cities, Murray said.

Previous rate increases -- from $51 per acre foot in 1991 to $151 today -- were imposed during periods in which the district was faced with higher costs for water it must purchase to replenish wells, he said. (An acre foot is 326,000 gallons, roughly enough to serve two families for a year.)

Murray's son, state Sen. Kevin Murray, D-Culver City, is a member of the audit committee. He argued vehemently against the audit, but did not vote.

Sen. Bill Morrow, R-Oceanside, said the district should welcome an independent review.

"You have a public relations problem at best," he said. "It boggles my mind why the district would resist this."

Formed by the Legislature in 1959, the district does not directly sell water to customers. It replenishes aquifers and reservoirs to curtail seawater intrusion for agencies that deliver water.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)