Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District

Report of District Activities

Manager’s Report

Board of Trustees Meeting

January 8, 2008

1. The solar panels for the new solar array are being installed and should be complete in the next few weeks. An article in the Press Enterprise showed a photo of our new panels and the accompanying article detailed our cost savings over the next years.

2. The staff thoroughly enjoyed the President’s Luncheon. They said this was the best event by far. The award winners were very appreciative and everyone enjoyed the good food and music. A second staff event was held the Friday prior to Christmas. Staff got together for a potluck and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

3. The MVCAC conference starts this Sunday at the Wyndham Hotel in Palm Springs. Our District will be hosting the attendees for a Fiesta on Monday starting at 5:00 PM.

4. Prior to publication of the recent article in The Desert Sun, President Duran, Secretary/Treasurer Underwood, Trustee Laflin, General Manager Gomsi and Finance Administrator I’Anson met with the reporter. The meeting was an attempt to provide correct information for the article before its publication. This meeting did not seem to help. Many misstatements and mischaracterizations were made in spite of our efforts. As one example, the article stated “The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District had more money saved in reserves at the start of the fiscal year -$14.1 million – than the city of Palm Springs’ projected cash balance at the end of this fiscal year, $11.13 million.” In fact, Palm Springs had $86 million in cash and reserves as of September 30, 2007 according to their own published figures. Despite the article, revenues and budgeted expenses for the District continue to be reported accurately each month on our website, and the new budget preparation has already begun. Staff will work with the Finance Committee to prepare the District’s 2007-08 Budget for Board approval.

5. Moreland and Associates, the company hired by the District to give assistance with financial procedures, will have started working with the District staff by the time of the Board meeting. We look forward to revising and updating our financial programs to meet the needs of the District’s increased functions.

6. It is with sadness that I inform you of the death of Blaine Ginn on December 12 at the age of 19. Geneva Ginn, a long-time member of our staff became Blaine’s guardian following the death of his mother early in his short life. Blaine was born with severe spinal bifida, and Geneva devoted her life to making Blaine’s life as rich and as joyful as that of other children. She succeeded. Geneva takes comfort knowing that he is now with his mother and grandmother. I know you all join me in extending our expressions of sympathy at her loss.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL DEPARTMENT

During the month of December 2007, the Biological Control Program focused on the following:

Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)

• The mosquitofish production system has produced 23,679 fish for the month of December. The fry have been collected and transferred to grow-out tanks.

Mosquitofish
Production	2006	2007
January	N/A	5,250
February	N/A	13,655
March	N/A	5,419
April	N/A	10,637
May	N/A	13,250
June	1,197	26,997
July	3,512	45,332
August	12,758	54,525
September	19,844	37,773
October	11,751	23,554
November	18,319	18,314
December	10,557	23,679
TOTAL	77,938	278,385

• Assessment of fish effectiveness for larval control at various Duck Club ponds continues to be monitored on a weekly basis. Evaluation of stomach contents of a standard, small, random sample of fish will also be determined on a weekly basis.

Arroyo chub (Gila orcutti)

• Continued observations of about 80 Arroyo chubs (native Southern California species) reveals small steady numbers of naturally occurring fry, which are collected and placed in a grow-out aquarium.

Tadpole shrimp (Triops newberryi)

• Tadpole Shrimp production in the outside pond will not be flooded again until the spring of 2008. Tadpole Shrimp egg densities are being counted and processed for our established egg bank.

Nematodes (Romanomermis iyengari)

· An established mosquito colony of Cx. quinquefasciatus is maintained in the laboratory rearing room of the Biocontrol laboratory. The colony is currently used as a host for rearing Romanomermis iyengari. A seventh series of mosquito larvae infection with the parasitic round worms is planned for early January.

Environmental and Best Management

• Letters were sent in response to Drafts of Environmental Impact Reports from the City Planners of La Quinta and Indio explaining how important it is to include our District in the design of storm water structures of potential new developments during the planning stages, thereby becoming proactive in the elimination of poor design which leads to breeding areas of low standing water.

Community Outreach Program

Two news releases were distributed that announced the installation of the District’s new solar panel array. Printed articles appeared in The Desert Sun and the American Mosquito Control Association’s web site. Additionally, The Press Enterprise expanded the news release into a feature article about the increased use of solar panels in businesses and their effectiveness. They visited our District and took a number of photos of the football field length solar array as they were installed. The articles are displayed in the Multi-Purpose Room.

In addition to our school room presentations, we have contacted the local Boards of Realtors requesting time at their monthly, general membership meetings to talk about “green” pool. We have asked for the opportunity to discuss with agents the manner in which green pools can affect the marketing of their listed properties and ways in which we can help them see that the problems are corrected.

Efforts are bearing fruit as staff works to complete arrangements for the District’s Fiesta and to fulfill its duties as co-host of the MVCAC Annual Conference in January. The work is a team effort that has involved staff members from every department…Fleet and Facilities is constructing a “cactus” for the cactus ring toss game and preparing the facility and grounds for company; IT has been instrumental in helping with special equipment for photo printing and A/V needs; Operations Department is building a “duck pond” for one of the games and working out the logistics for “dipper” (the ones we use for mosquito larvae surveys) golf; the Community Educator worked with all department and programs heads to design posters that showcase the District’s programs; each department has tour guides to show visitors our facilities and to answer questions about our programs and the many exhibits that will be available. We have planned an evening with games, food, and entertainment that should be fun as well as educational.

The following represents the activities of the Community Educator since the December Board Report.

Community Outreach for December 20 - January 20, 2007
Group Presentations	Est. Audience
Civic and Community Groups
Portola Country Club HOA Meeting	45
Vista Santa Rosa Community Council Meeting	25
Palm Springs HOA President's Association	82
Schools
Amelia Earhart Elementary School	178
Indio Middle School	125
Events
	0
Total Individuals Reached	455

2007 -2008 Totals

FINANCE

The financial reports included in this packet show the balance sheet, receipts, and the revenue and expenditures report for the month ending November 30, 2007. The revenue and expenditure report shows that total expenditure for July 1 to November 30, 2007, is $3,968,636; total revenue is $1,627,154, resulting in a deficit for the period of $2,341,482. This item is reported on the balance sheet as Excess Revenue over (under) Expenditures.

In October 2007, a number of golf courses were billed for the use of pesticides for controlling Red Imported Fire Ants. This resulted in a debit to accounts receivable and a credit to the revenue account titled reimbursement services. In November 2007, the District received checks from five golf courses which resulted in a credit to accounts receivable and a debit to cash. However, this is not revenue; so, a journal entry that debited revenue $9,241, the amount of cash received, and a credit to the budget line account 7800.01.500 Control Products was made. This ensures that the money received for the pesticide usage is credited to the correct budget account. The Financial Statement of Revenues and Expenses reflects this as minus $9,241 for Reimbursement Services on the revenue side. The bar chart below shows the amount of receipts for pesticide reimbursement in November 2007.

The draft Finance Committee minutes of the Tuesday, December 11, 2007, meeting are included in this month’s Board packet. The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet at 10:00 a.m. on January 4, 2008.

Fleet and Facilities

Routine Service	Total	Major Repairs	Total	Other Equipment Total	Total
Vehicle Service	2	Air Conditioning	0	Application	5
Field Repair	3	Brake Work	0	Non-Application	2
Tire Repair	4	Electrical	2	Welding Fabrication	3
Tires Replaced	1	Fuel System	1	Miscellaneous	5
Tire Rotation	2
Batteries Replaced	5			Total Vehicle Repair	19

Fleet:

• Vehicle annual inspections account for the majority of work done by the mechanics this month.

Facilities:

· Cool weather gave the landscaping project on the north side of the Administration Building build a large boost.  Much needed manpower from RIFA and Operations crews has helped with grading, irrigation, and the planting of shrubs and trees.  Operations are working on a number of winter projects to improve the condition of the District landscape.  The added manpower will also allow an early spring clean-up to prepare for the MVCAC open house January 14^th.

· Southwest Pump repaired a cracked PVC fitting at the well the District uses to provide non-potable water to the Bio-Control facility.  A phase protector was also installed to prevent motor damage in case a phase dropped out.

· Winter projects including the exclusion of birds and rabbits are proceeding with the help of technicians from Operations.  Spikes to repel birds from structures are being installed on perlins and beams.  Concrete will be poured along the base of the perimeter fence to exclude the rabbits and dogs.

HUMAN RESOURCES

As a result of the resignation of the newly hired Office Assistant due to personal problems, recruitment has started again for the position of Office Assistant. Recruitment continues for the positions of Field Supervisor and Senior Biologist.

Ailene De La Garza has been hired as a temporary employee to assist with administrative projects.

William Wolfs began work in the position of RIFA Field Supervisor on December 4^th. Mr. Wolfs received a Bachelor’s degree in Ornamental Horticulture from California Polytechnic University in Pomona.

Congratulations to the recipients of the District’s Employees of the Year awards presented at the President’s Luncheon on December 13^th. They are:

• Administrative Support Employee of the Year: Edward Prendez, Information Systems Analyst

• Field Support Employee of the Year: Gabriela Harvey, Assistant Biologist

• Management Employee of the Year: Rodney Chamberlain, Field Supervisor

• Field Operations Employee of the Year: Gregorio Alvarado, Certified Premises Inspector

DISTRICT FIELD OPERATIONS

Mosquito abundance and breeding decreased in all habitats during the month as a result of the prevailing winter cold weather conditions. As has been the case for the previous several months, duck club mosquito breeding habitats remained the largest area in need of control. Pond flooding of fresh water provided habitats allowed for the Western Encephalitis Mosquito (Culex tarsalis) to continue breeding during the first two weeks of the period. As presented in the tables below, urban breeding surveillance and related treatments continue as a high priority to assure public protection against any threat of infection from West Nile virus. With the reduced need to address vector problems, the Operation Department is now focusing on winter projects and addressing the need to organize and prepare for the next season’s control activities. Other winter projects, such as equipment maintenance and calibration, staff training, vertebrate pest proofing of the District, landscaping, improvements, and maintenance of the District facility are currently underway.

MOSQUITO CONTROL ACTIVITIES:

11	FIELD EVALUATIONS BY SUPERVISORS
4	SERVICE REQUEST EVALUATIONS
4	OPERATIONAL MEETINGS
4	FIELD SAFETY CHECKS
3	MEETINGS WITH OWNERS/REPRESENTATIVES
7	NEW MOSQUITO BREEDING SOURCES
24	SERVICE REQUESTS
2,406	FIELD INSPECTIONS BY TECHNICIANS
713	MOSQUITO TREATMENTS (Larval)
0	URBAN/SUBURBAN ACREAGE ADULTICIDED
0	RURAL ACREAGE FOGGED
0	ADULTICIDE NIGHTS 0 Ground 6 Aerial
0	AERIAL TREATMENTS 0 Larvicide 6 Adulticide
1	MAJOR MOSQUITO SOURCE REDUCTION ACTIONS

COMPARATIVE MOSQUITO HABITAT ACREAGE TREATED

TREATED THIS MONTH	ACREAGE TREATED December 2007	ACREAGE TREATED December 2006
LARVACIDING ADULTICIDING	347 Acres 8,212 Acres	152 Acres 0 Acres
FISCAL YEAR TOTALS	LARVACIDING	ADULTICIDING
2007/2008 YTD	2,749 Acres	8,522 Acres
2006/2007	2,294 Acres	5,075 Acres
2005/2006	2,207 Acres	20,172 Acres

PERCENTAGES OF MOSQUITO HABITAT ACREAGE TREATED

HABITAT	October 2007		November 2007		December 2007
	Acres	%	Acres	%	Acres	%