Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District

Report of District Activities

MANAGER’S REPORT

 

 

Board of Trustees Meeting

November 13, 2007

 

 

1.                  To gain a better understanding of the District’s procedures, Trustee Doug Walker recently accepted the District sponsored tour.  He spent a full day in the field and in the lab observing and learning about the daily activities of District employees and the variety of conditions they meet as they work throughout the Valley.  Again, I would like to extend an invitation to all Trustees to take this opportunity to learn more about our daily operations.  Just contact me to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

 

2.                  The District is prepared to proceed with the solar panel construction for the fleet parking lot, subject to confirmation by the Board at this meeting.  More information has been requested on the pond and facility change bids to assist in their evaluation.      

 

3.                  Board Secretary/Treasure Dr. Underwood, GM Gomsi, and Scientific Operations Manager Dr. Lothrop attended the LAFCO hearing in Riverside on October 25.  After two hours of heated discussion, which in most part did not involve our District, the outcome was the same as the LAFCO staff recommendation.  That recommendation increases our sphere of influence from Fields Road in Cabazon to the Arizona border.  The remainder of the County sphere of influence will go to Northwest MVCD.  The County Department of Environmental Health and the two County Supervisors that sit on LAFCO were not pleased with this decision.  However, at this time, the County still has all the contract cities and county areas that they had before the meeting.  Our District will not pursue annexation of any of the land added to our sphere; so, there is no threat to the county’s program from us.  The sphere of influence change is a procedural change that allows a district to grow, but does not automatically change the boundaries.  Cities and residents must vote to make any boundary changes. 

 

4.                  Board President Duran, Scientific Operations Manager Lothrop, Supervisor Rod Chamberlain, and the General Manager attended the quarterly meeting of MVCAC that was held in Lake Tahoe.  Several committee meetings were held.  At the Trustee Advisory Committee, a critical topic discussed was the Annual Conference that will be held in Palm Springs.  We added some information about the conference, and the Chair described the quality line-up of speakers that they have for the Trustee meetings at the conference.  Branka and Rod attended the Public Relations, Information Technology, Vector Control Research, Integrated Pest Management, and Vector & Vector-borne Disease Committees.  Don attended the Finance, Trustee Advisory Council, Training and Certification, and Legislative Committees.  I will be assuming the chair of the Legislative Committee in 2008. 

 

FLEET AND FACILITIES REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2007

Facilities:

·        After last winter’s freeze, the rabbits and the squirrels in the spring, and the heat of the summer, our shrubs and ground cover are showing the stress.  The baskets used to keep the rabbits from the shrubs last year will be used to protect the new stock now being planted.  Other shrubs will need to be changed to different varieties because the increased shade from the maturing trees decreased the former sunny, growing areas.

·        Ten, furniture grade, book shelves and storage units were removed from the Operations Building to make room for office furniture.  These units were relocated to the Bio-Control Library to upgrade their shelves.  Finally, the metal storage shelves removed from Bio-Control were then installed in the Workshop and Tool Room of the Shop building.

·        Air conditioners were serviced and filters changed.  A low oil monitor was replaced on the condenser connected to Cold Storage.  The condenser fan motor was replaced on the ice machine in Operations.

·        The front pond pump motor was replaced and the impeller adjusted.

 

Routine Service

Total

Major Repairs

Total

Other Equipment Total

Total

Vehicle Service

6

Air Conditioning

2

Application

2

Field Repair

4

Brake Work

1

Non-Application

3

Tire Repair

8

Electrical

7

Welding Fabrication

2

Tires Replaced

4

Fuel System

1

Miscellaneous

4

Tire Rotation

6

 

 

 

 

Batteries Replaced

2

 

 

Total Vehicle Repair

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fleet:

  • Acquiring parts to work on application equipment has been difficult with most repair items coming straight from the factory.  With the lack of local, industrial supply houses, we have acquired a new vendor, PARTS ASSOCIATES INC.  This new vendor allows us to order online, drop ship directly to our facility, and order as little as one item at a time.
  • Large amounts of vegetation in the duck club ponds have damaged the seals in the final drives of our Argos. Rick Ortiz, our mechanic and fabricator, developed an approach to protect the seals by installing a sleeve that attaches to the wheel spacer.  The idea has worked well into the third season and may be a permanent solution for the problem.  He recently installed the system on a second machine and will begin on the third very soon.

 

 

SURPLUS VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT SALE RESULTS

 

October 1, 2007, the District issued an invitation to bid on surplus vehicles and equipment.  Vehicles were reviewed from October 1st through the 11th, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m., to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday October 6th from 8:00 a.m., until 12:00 noon.  Sealed bids were received at the District office until Friday, Oct. 12th at 3:00 p.m., at which time they were opened and evaluated for action. 

 

Vehicle # 8                                                                   Vehicle #57A

1997 Ford Crown Victoria                                           SPCN

4.6 liter V8 OHC EFI                                                   Dual axle trailer w/beaver tail

Electronic Transmission w/OD                                      Spare tire

VIN # 2FALP73W4VX19768                                    VIN # DMVPS25377NV       

License # 377975                                                         License # 951689

Problems: Engine will not start.                                      Problems: Rust, lights inop

                                                                                    Highest Bid  $305.00

 

Vehicle # 11                                                                 Unit # 58

1995 Chevrolet Sport Van                                            1999 Argo 8x8 Conquest

5.7 liter EFI V8                                                            FD620 Kawasaki

4 SPD Automatic                                                         Amphibious ATV

Transmission W/OD                                                     Tracks

VIN # 1GAFG335K8SF207164                                 Model 16300

License # 029187                                                         Problems: chains, exhaust, brakes,

29,555 Miles                                                                seals, electrical, body seal

Problems:  Hole in fuel tank                                           Highest Bid  $550.00

Highest Bid  $2,250

 

Vehicle # 12                                                                 Vehicle # 82

1996 Ford F150 XL 4x4                                              1992 Ford F150 4x4

5.0 liter EFI V8                                                            4.9 liter EFI I6

4 SPD Electronic Automatic                                         4 SPD Electronic Automatic

Transmission W/OD                                                     Transmission W/OD

VIN # 1FTEF14N3TLB59789                                    VIN # 2FTET14Y5NCA68174

License # 877773                                                         License # 335060

60,301 Miles                                                                62,575 Miles

Problems: A/C evap. Plugged                                       Problems: Starter sol. and switch

Highest Bid  $2,850.00                                                 Highest Bid:  $1,651.00                 

 

Vehicle # 27                                                                 Vehicle # 59

1997 Ford Regular Club Wagon                                   1988 Starl Manufacturing

5.4 liter EFI V8                                                            Dual axle trailer

4 SPD Electronic Automatic                                         Expanded metal deck w/ramp

Transmission W/OD                                                     VIN # 13YFS1427JC022730

VIN # 1FMEE11L5VHB06213                                   License # 325296

License # 993926                                                         Problems: lights, rust

33,707 Miles                                                                Highest Bid  $505.00

Problems: A/C leak

Highest Bid  $2,505.00

 

Vehicle # 3                                                                   Vehicle # 91

2003 Crown Victoria                                                    2000 Windstar

4.6 liter EFI V8                                                            3.8 liter EFI V6

3 SPD Electronic Automatic                                         3 SPD Electronic Automatic

Transmission W/OD                                                    Transmission W/OD

VIN # 2FAFP74W23X137370                                  VIN # 2FMZA50411BB14864

License # 1147969                                                      License # 1029201

63,000 Miles                                                               30,281 miles    

No Problems                                                               No Problems

Highest Bid  $5,800.00                                                 Highest Bid  $3.500.00

 

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL DEPARTMENT

 

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

Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)

  • The mosquitofish production system has produced 23,554 fish for the month of October.  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

 

December

10,557

 

TOTAL

77,938

236,392

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Over 73,000 fish have been stocked in 25 acres at various duck club ponds.  Assessment of their effectiveness at larval control is currently being conducted weekly by dip sampling methods and fish population trapping for average densities and survivorship. Determination of stomach contents of a small, random sample of fish is performed on a weekly basis.

 

Arroyo chub (Gila orcutti)

  • The population of Arroyo chubs (native Southern California species) in an aquarium setting at the Biocontrol laboratory has shown reproductive maturity, and for that reason, the fish  have been moved to a 500 gallon breeding system in the tank-room.  After a week of acclimation, natural spawning occurred and several eggs hatched yielding 35 newborn fry.  These fry have been moved to a 10 gallon aquarium in the laboratory for grow-out and to be observed. In the future, the chub production will be continued by using an egg laying tank/jar system.

 

Tadpole shrimp (Triops newberryi)

  • Upon completion of the fifth and final flooding for 2007 of the District’s outdoor production pond, soil samples were harvested for egg density. The current egg density is at the range of 3-23 eggs/100gr of soil.  The soil from the production pond which contains TPS eggs will be collected and distributed during November to date gardens. Observation, surveillance and repeat treatments at date gardens will continue throughout the year.

.       

Nematodes (Romanomermis  iyengari)

·        An established mosquito colony of Cx. quinquefasciatus is maintained in the laboratory rearing room at the Biocontrol laboratory. The colony is currently used as a host for rearing Romanomermis iyengari.  A small fifth series of mosquito larvae infection with the parasitic round worms was completed on October 23rd. The infection focused on increasing our egg bank.

 

 

 

 

DISTRICT FIELD OPERATIONS

 

Urban mosquito control activities continue to be a high priority, accounting for 68 % of the surveys and treatments conducted during the period.  Monitoring and spot treatments of mosquito breeding from nuisance irrigation water collecting in storm water control structures continues to be of major concern in the urban areas.

 

Duck clubs are now fully flooded and mosquito breeding is intense.  Surveillance and control activities are intense, accounting for 468 acres treated (75% of all acreage treated for the month).  At this time, the entire technician staff is involved two to three days a week in controlling breeding in the clubs.

 

Psorophora (Floodwater mosquitoes) abundance has been reducing as cooler, fall weather continues.  We continue our efforts to work more closely with Thermal area farmers to obtain more effective water management methods and to reduce abundance during the hot weather period of next year.

 

Mosquito breeding source reduction and larval control continue to be Operations primary mechanism to reduce and eliminate the potential threat of West Nile virus in the Valley.  Whenever virus is detected, an immediate and intensive surveillance and treatment campaign is initiated in and around the detected source to reduce mosquito populations which disrupt magnification and transmission of disease to other mosquitoes and residents.

 

Service request volume reduced during the period compared to the previous month.  All requests were addressed and responsive action was taken within twenty-four hours.

 

MOSQUITO CONTROL ACTIVITIES:

 

8

FIELD EVALUATIONS BY SUPERVISORS

3

FIELD SERVICE REQUEST EVALUATIONS

4

OPERATIONAL CREW MEETINGS

4

FIELD SAFETY CHECKS

6

MEETINGS WITH OWNERS/REPRESENTATIVES

29

NEW MOSQUITO BREEDING SOURCES

69

SERVICE REQUESTS FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL

24

STANDING WATER REQUESTS

39

GREEN POOL ADVISORIES/INSPECTIONS

2,111

FIELD INSPECTIONS BY TECHNICIANS

715

MOSQUITO TREATMENTS (Larval)

0

URBAN/SUBURBAN ACREAGE ADULTICIDED

0

RURAL ACREAGE FOGGED 0 Ground 0 Aerial.

0

ADULTICIDE NIGHTS            0 Ground   0 Aerial

9

AERIAL TREATMENTS   0 Larvicide 0 Adulticide

4

MAJOR MOSQUITO SOURCE REDUCTION ACTIONS

 

COMPARATIVE MOSQUITO HABITAT ACREAGE TREATED

 

TREATED THIS MONTH

 ACREAGE TREATED OCTOBER 2007

ACREAGE TREATED OCTOBER, 2006

 

 

 

LARVACIDING      

ADULTICIDING     

        628 Acres

    0 Acres   

607 Acres             

0 Acres