MID Board Report Archive

MID Board Meeting of Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Contact: MID Public Affairs Department, Maree Hawkins, 209 526-7390
The next MID Board meetings are scheduled for March 28 and April 11.

Water report

Assistant General Manager Walt Ward said rain and snow totals are above average, except in Modesto. MID has recorded a rainfall season total of 8.36 inches (as of March 14), compared to the historical average season total to date of 9.70 inches. The snow pack water content is about 115 percent of average based on a year-to-date comparison. Don Pedro Reservoir is being maintained just about 2.5 feet below the flood control elevation of 801.9 feet. Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts are not allowed to fill the reservoir any higher than 801.9 feet until after April 27.

Factors that will determine when irrigation season begins: how much rain falls this week and how soon MID staff can get on the canal banks without eroding them to prepare the irrigation facilities to receive water. Depending on those factors, water could be in the canals as early as next Tuesday.

A member of the public asked that MID consider a policy that would provide water for frost protection. The Board directed staff to prepare a report on this matter.

2006 Irrigation Water Allocation Policy

The Board unanimously approved the Irrigation Water Allocation Policy for 2006. This includes a base allocation of 42 inches and a rate increase from the 2005 rates of $18.70 to $20.50 per acre in 2006. A supplemental tier of 30 inches will be available at $10.25 per acre-foot and pumped groundwater may be available at $20 per acre-foot.

CBS update

Customer Billing System (CBS) Project Manager Lou Hampel reported that the system is producing accurate bills now, so staff is shifting its focus to increasing operational efficiencies. He applauded staff members in Customer Services, Information Technology and the Mail Room for their diligent work to get correct bills out.

2005 budget review

The unaudited 2005 financial statements were presented to the Board. The financial statements showed solid financial performance in a year of high natural gas prices that increased power supply costs above budgeted levels. The year-end operating income was a positive $3.9 million dollars and unrestricted reserves were increased by $2.1 million. Staff was complimented for the cost cutting and postponement efforts that contributed to the positive bottom line.

In other action

The Board unanimously approved the agency shop agreement between IBEW and MID for the Utility Service and Maintenance bargaining unit. Members of that bargaining unit recently approved the move to agency shop. Under agency shop all employees in this bargaining unit will either join the union or pay an “agency fee” to be represented by IBEW. IBEW will now conduct education meetings for all employees in the Utility Service and Maintenance bargaining unit, whether or not they are a union member. The actual implementation of the mandatory agency fee for these employees is not likely to occur until June 2006.

The Board unanimously directed the sale of Mirant Corporation stock, received by MID in the Mirant bankruptcy action. MID had an outstanding contract to buy electricity from Mirant when it filed for bankruptcy in July 2003. MID expects to recoup approximately $2.7 million (estimated at $26 per share or whatever the market value is when sold, minus the sales commission). The funds will be deposited in the general fund.

By a 4-1 vote, the Board approved directions to staff regarding requests for access to information and information systems. The General Manager or his designee is authorized to respond to requests by individual directors and other members of the public for access to or provision of District information and information systems as follows: Every request must be directed to or through the General Manager or his designee and the General Manager or his designee shall evaluate the request. Except for requests to which a response is legally required, such as requests under the Public Records Act, or a subpoena, if the General Manager or his designee determines that response to the inquiry is appropriate, the General Manager or his designee shall appoint appropriate staff to provide such access and or information, that in the General Manager’s or his designee’s experience and judgment, will require a collective effort of less than one hour of staff time. All other requests shall be directed to the Board of Directors. No request shall be granted for direct access to the District’s paper or electronic mail or record systems. The General Manager or his designee shall take measures as may be necessary to ensure that District information and information systems are properly secured.

No action

The Board took no action on a memorandum of understanding between MID and Stanislaus County related to the evaluation of the drinking water supply needs of the inhabitants of the unincorporated territory of Stanislaus County within the MID’s water service boundary. MID staff will provide information to the county as it would for any governmental agency.

• The Board tabled the public hearing on the proposed 2006 State Regulatory Compliance fee.
• The Board did not discuss or act on the Resolution of Necessity for acquisition of property by eminent domain for the Westley Rosemore Transmission Line Project. That item will be rescheduled.