COACHELLA VALLEY MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT

Board of Trustees’ Meeting

November 13, 2007

Call To Order:

President Duran called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance:

Trustee Macknicki led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call:

Those present at roll call: President Duran, Vice President Fuschetti, Secretary/Treasurer Underwood, Trustees Henderson, Howell, Laflin, Lock, Macknicki, Nigosian, and Walker. Also present were General Manager Donald Gomsi, Assistant to the General Manager Diane Glanz, Administrative Assistant Anita Jones, Scientific Operations Manager Branka Lothrop, Operations Manager James Saulnier, Finance Administrator David I’Anson, Fleet/Facilities Supervisor Schroeder, Field Supervisors Chamberlain and Boeing, and Legal Counsel Lisa Copeland. Trustee Baker arrived, following roll call, at 6:06 p.m.

1. Confirmation of Agenda:

Trustee Underwood requested that Item 11B be moved to follow Public Comments as Item 3A. Trustee Underwood made the motion to confirm the Agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Trustee Henderson and carried unanimously.

2. Minutes

A. Approval of Minutes for October 9, 2007, Board Meeting.

Trustee Laflin made the motion to approve the minutes of the October 9, 2007, Board Meeting. The motion was seconded by Trustee Henderson and carried unanimously.

3. Public Comment:

Public comment made by Laura Lord.

A. Discussion and/or approval to select a Municipal Finance Firm. – Finance Administrator I’Anson

Trustee Underwood reported on the Finance Committee’s progress towards the selection of a Municipal Finance Firm. Finance Administrator I’Anson stated that the RFQ had been posted on various sites and in the newspaper and that two quality bids had been received. Trustee Underwood reported that the Finance Committee unanimously moved to recommend the firm of Moreland & Associates as the winner. Trustee Lock made the motion to approve the committee’s recommendation. Trustee Baker questioned if there was any particular reason why this firm stood out over the other one. Trustee Underwood stated that it was their dedication to education, their educational involvement with the California Finance Officers Association, as well as their promise to help educate not only the staff but the Board on issues related to finance that made them stand out. A discussion ensued. Members from the firm of Moreland & Associates introduced themselves. The motion was seconded by Trustee Nigosian and carried unanimously. Trustee Henderson and Trustee Underwood congratulated the firm.

4. Announcements:

General Manger Gomsi announced that he attended a special MVCAC Board Meeting in Sacramento, and at the meeting, there was a recommendation to hire a new management firm at the MVCAC Fall Quarterly Meeting held in Lake Tahoe, which was attended by President Duran, General Manager Gomsi, Scientific Operations Manager Lothrop, and Field Supervisor Chamberlain. The members of MVCAC selected a new management firm with the change scheduled to take place January 1^st. He reported that this could be a little problematic since the annual conference is scheduled for January 2008 in Palm Springs. The current management firm was asked to stay on for another month to help with the conference; so, it should not have an effect on the conference. General Manager Gomsi also attended the VCJPA meeting while he was at the conference. There were no appreciable differences, but they will be offering a nuts and bolts training for Board Members, and their annual conference will be held in Aptos in February. General Manager Gomsi encouraged the Board President and Secretary/Treasurer to attend. General Manager Gomsi additionally announced that MVCAC appointed Scientific Operations Lothrop Chair to the Vector and Vector Borne Disease Committee and that he was made Chair of the Legislative Committee.

5. Correspondence:

As in board packet.

6. Approval of Expenditures for October 10-31, 2007, and November 1-13, 2007:

Trustee Lock made the motion to approve the expenditures for October 10-31, 2007, and November 1-13, 2007. The motion was seconded by Trustee Underwood and carried unanimously.

7. Committee Reports

A. Finance Committee

Trustee Underwood reported that the Finance Committee minutes from the October 9^th meeting were in the Board packet. He also reported that for the month of September the District had cash disbursements totaling $1,541,959 with receipts of $967,312. The largest receipt in September was pass-thru revenue from the City of Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency for $596,686. The Finance Committee also met this evening and reviewed maturing investments and made recommendations. Trustee Underwood also commended Finance Administrator I’Anson for taking care of items that were in the audit. President Duran thanked the Finance Committee and the Finance Committee Chair for doing a fantastic job.

B. Executive Committee

President Duran reported that the minutes were in the board packet. Trustee Lock questioned what are procedures when another committees minutes state that an item has been passed on to another committee. General Manager Gomsi responded to Trustee Lock’s question by stating that he contacts the chair of the corresponding committee. A discussion ensued.

C. Strategic Planning Committee

Trustee Lock reported that the minutes from the Strategic Planning Conference and from the committee meeting with the facilitators are included in the Board packet. Trustee Lock also commended everyone for their participation.

Trustee Baker questioned that since he was not at the meeting on Saturday when Team assignment were made, if he could be included on a team. Trustee Henderson asked Trustee Baker if he would like to volunteer for one of the teams. A discussion ensued and Trustee Baker was asked to indicate his interest to President Duran.

D. Personnel Committee

Trustee Nigosian reported that he had been unable to attend but Trustees Macknicki and Laflin were present. Trustee Macknicki reported that the Committee dealt with Closed Session items and that they had no recommendations at the moment. The Committee also discussed the PARS proposal and will make a recommendation at the appropriate time.

8. Report of District Activities:

A. General Manager

B. District Programs; progress and events since last Board meeting.

Reports by:

1. Admin/Fleet/Facilities – Anita Jones

2. Laboratory and Biocontrol – Branka Lothrop, Ph.D

3. Operations – Jim Saulnier

4. Community Outreach – Diane Glanz

Short program updates given by General Manager Gomsi, Administrative Assistant Jones, Scientific Operation Manager Lothrop, Operations Manager Saulnier, and Assistant to the General Manager Glanz.

9. Informational Items:

A. Chikungunya

Scientific Operations Manager Lothrop gave a brief overview on the Chikungunya.

B. Proposition 218 – Very Brief Questions and Answers – Lisa Copeland, Legal Counsel

Legal Counsel Copeland reported that the included report was upon request of Trustees regarding Proposition 218. Trustee Henderson reported that the Team agreed that the Board really needed to have more intensive knowledge of the accounting of funds that come with Proposition 218. The Team also recommended to the Board that the Shilts Consultants make a presentation to the Board and answer questions regarding the Proposition. Trustee Henderson also added that the Team appreciates the fact that the issue had a significant amount of discussion, and it needs to be brought to a conclusion. The Team discussed that the session itself would take an hour and, if timing and scheduling allows, the session would be at 4:00 pm the night of the December Board meeting. A discussion ensued. President Duran reported that it was the consensus of the Board to meet from 4:30pm to 5:30pm the night of the December Board meeting if permissible, if not, it will be carried over to the January 8, 2008, Board meeting.

C. Trustee 18-Months-At-A-Glance Meeting Calendar

Trustee Henderson asked if there was a section in the agenda that indicates which items were strategic planning issues. General Manager Gomsi reported that starting next month there was going to be a separate report in the agenda to provide an update of actions taken as a result of the meeting.

Trustee Baker commented that the Trustee 18-Months-At-A-Glance Meeting Calendar should offer a more detailed description of the meeting topics. President Duran responded that it was his understanding that the calendar was just so the Trustees could review it and voice their interest in attending an event. A discussion ensued.

10. Consent Calendar:

A. Approval of Cooperative Agreement with the Department of Public Health. – General Manager Gomsi

B. Approval for Secretary/Treasurer Bruce Underwood to attend the Association of California Water Agencies 2007 Fall Conference and Exhibitions November 27-30, 2007, in Indian Wells, in an amount not to exceed $900.00 from Fund #6120.01.250 – Trustee Support.

C. Approval for 48 District employees and Trustees to attend the MVCAC Annual Conference, January 13 through 16, 2008, in Palm Springs, in an amount not to exceed $4,900 from Fund #6110.01.225 – Conference Expense, $5,300 from Fund #7600.01.225 – Staff Training, and $3,100 from Fund # 6120.01.250 – Trustee Support.

D. Approval for General Manager Gomsi, Scientific Operations Manager Lothrop, Vector Ecologist, Operations Manager Saulnier, President Duran, Vice President Fuschetti, and Secretary/Treasurer Underwood to attend the AMCA Annual Meeting, March 2-6, 2008, in Sparks, Nevada. Amount not to exceed $7,500.00 from Fund #6110.01.200 – Conference Expense and $4,500.00 from Fund #6120.01.250 – Trustee Support.

E. Approval of Resolution 2007-18 to grant a gift certificate for a turkey for work to be completed in December to employees. Total amount not to exceed $1,500.00 from Fund #6120.01.250 – Trustee Expense. – General Manager Gomsi (Pg. 89)

Trustee Macknicki made the motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion was seconded by Trustee Henderson and carried unanimously. Trustee Walker stated his interest in attending the AMCA Annual Meeting, March 2-6, 2008. The Board directed that his request be added to the December Board meeting agenda.

11. Old Business:

A. Discussion addressing the three items identified in the Management Letter, Findings and Recommendation, from fiscal year 2006/2007 audit. – Finance Administrator I’Anson. (Pg. 93)

As in board packet.

C. LAFCO Change in Sphere of Influence for Vector Control Districts in Riverside County – General Manager Gomsi (Pg. 123)

General Manager Gomsi reported that the LAFCO report is in this month’s Board packet. At the recent LAFCO meeting the changes in the Sphere of Influence was a hot topic and at times contentious. Overall vote was five to two for the staff recommendation which called for the two special districts to service the entire county. The Sphere of Influence for Northwest Vector Control District goes from the western part of Riverside County up to Calimesa encompassing Temecula, Murrieta, Hemet, Idyllwild, and up to Field’s road in Cabazon. The Coachella Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District’s Sphere of Influence begins at Field’s Road and goes out to the Arizona border, and zigs up the mountain a bit. A current map will be given out by LAFCO soon. The County program is still going to be operating in the areas they currently serve until Northwest decides it wishes to annex any of those territories. As for this District, the GM recommended not to start any annexation as the Cabazon area is tribal land and east is desert land. General Manager Gomsi added that it was a great meeting and that there were a lot of positive comments made by the commissioners and thanked Trustee Henderson. A discussion ensued.

12. New Business:

A. Approval to go out to bid and purchase from the lowest responsible bidder equipment for in-house testing of chicken blood using Enzyme-linked immunoassay screening for virus detection in an amount not to exceed $18,000 from Fund #8415.01.400, Laboratory Capital Outlay. – Scientific Operations Manager Lothrop (Pg. 207)

Trustee Henderson made the motion to approve Item A. The motion was seconded by Trustee Lock and carried unanimously.

B. Approval of Resolution 2007-17 revising line item expenditures for the annual budget for fiscal year 2007/2008. – Finance Administrator I’Anson (Pg. 208)

C. Approval to purchase RIFA control products from the lowest responsible bidder in an amount not to exceed $750,000.00 from Fund #7800.01.500, Control Products. – Operations Manager Saulnier (Pg. 210)

General Manager Gomsi requested that Items B and C be considered together. Trustee Howell made the motion to approve Items B and C. The motion was seconded by Trustee Lock and carried unanimously.

D. Approval to purchase from the lowest, responsible bidder the expansion of the District’s solar array to encompass the roof of the existing fleet parking structure in an amount not to exceed $1,067,676.61.

Trustee Underwood made the motion to approve Item D. The motion was seconded by Trustee Walker and carried unanimously.

E. Discussion and/or approval to transfer funds of $1,500,000 from Desert Commercial Market Rate account to Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF). – David I’Anson, Finance Administrator

Trustee Underwood made the motion to approve Item E. The motion was seconded by Trustee Howell and carried unanimously.

F. Discussion and/or approval to purchase budgeted vehicles from the lowest responsible bidder in order to accommodate the addition of new staff in an amount not to exceed $133,000.00 from Account #8415.01.300

Trustee Lock questioned if the District was in possession of hybrid or fuel efficient vehicles. A discussion ensued. Trustee Walker made the motion to approve Item F. The motion was seconded by Trustee Henderson and carried unanimously.

13. Closed Session:

A. Closed Session Conference with Legal Counsel pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9 (b) – 1 potential case.

B. Closed Session Conference with Legal Counsel pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9 (c) – 1 potential case.

C. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code section 54957 – Public Employee Performance Evaluation – General Manager.

Returning from Closed Session, Legal Council Copeland stated that there was no reportable.

14. Trustee Comments:

Trustee Nigosian commented that he would like staff to look into getting a credit card that earns the District air miles to be used towards District travel. Trustee Walker encouraged the Trustees to take a District tour to observe the scope of the District’s activities. Trustee Walker also thanked General Manager Gomsi, Operations Manager Saulnier, and Scientific Operations Manager Lothrop for making his tour enjoyable and educational.

15. Adjournment:

Trustee Lock made the motion for President Duran to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m. Trustee Henderson seconded the motion and the motion was carried unanimously.