VIRGIN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WORK SESSION
VIRGIN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT OFFICE
OCTOBER 19, 2010

Minutes of a Work Session of the Virgin Valley Water District Board held on October 19, 2010, at the Virgin Valley Water District Office at 3:00 p.m. Attending were President John Paul, Vice-President Karl Gustaveson and Board Members Ted Miller and Mark McEwen. Secretary-Treasurer Kenyon Leavitt was not present. Also present were Kenneth Rock General Manager, Mike Chandler with Bowen, Collins and Associates and Mary Johnson taking minutes and other interested parties of agenda items.

Discussion – Issues and information regarding the water resources of the VVWD

John Paul opened the meeting at 3:01 p.m.

Ken stated that he and Aaron had attended a water right’s class in Henderson the last two days and they found it very helpful and informative.

Ken further stated that the District had consultants and lobbyists on retainers and ready for direction. Ken has re-worked the handout from the workshop held three weeks ago and believes this will make it easier for the Board to take action, after being posted on a later agenda.

#1. The Muddy Creek Formation or other non-Virgin River- influenced ground waters are the best quality potable water sources, requiring the least expensive treatment.

Ken stated that item “D” under this reads “The Muddy River/Beaver Dam area” and it should just state “The Beaver Dam Wash’ has good shallow groundwater quality”.
Decisions made at the last workshop were that the horizontal collection well project is cancelled and that because of costs and distance for a large reservoir above Arizona in Lincoln County appears impractical; we will only continue to keep the water applications active in this area at this time.

There was discussion regarding SNWA and cooperative agreements perhaps in the future.

#2. There is likely enough accessible groundwater for the build-out of the Virgin Valley.

Ken stated that after reading a few reports on the lower Virgin River, he feels that the groundwater in Basin 222 is adequate for the VVWD.

Findings are that accessing springs in the Virgin Mountains or drilling high on the bajada below these mountains may not be productive, would be expensive and has unnecessary environmental consequences. Ken believes that the District should optimize the current well and treatment capacities and focus drilling for wells on the known productive area lower on the bajada, south of the river between wells 31 and 29. Ken further believes that it may also prove valuable for servicing other Basin 222 residents; so the District should be open to service agreements, water rights, or water purchase arrangements from the Muddy Creek-influenced shallow groundwater.

#3. The claims for groundwater in this area are greatly inflated and competitive rather than cooperative.

Ken believes that the District should work with Randy Robison to see if the VVWD service area expands automatically with land annexed by Mesquite.

There was discussion on Basins 221 and 222 regarding different counties, different States, the District’s service area and the future with respects to these basins. It was determined that if others want service by the VVWD it will be up to them to come to the District for service, but that the District may expand the area where this is possible.

#4. Uses of recycled and non-potable water should be optimized to best ensure that there will be adequate groundwater for potable uses, at the least cost for development and treatment.

There was discussion of secondary water and best uses for the District and its customers; and future developments should include provisions for a secondary water system and look at system deficiencies within the secondary system in Bunkerville.

#5. Above and below-ground storage of water has challenges.

There was discussion regarding the shallow aquifer and what options should be considered and which would be economically viable and how to incorporate them into future or possibly current developments.

#6. The golf courses and sports facilities in Mesquite and the rest of the Virgin Valley are essential economic resources that should be reasonably supported for the good of the community.

Discussion on the shallow aquifer, recharging with recycled water and the Secondary system, appropriate uses and the value of this meriting further exploration.

#7. Combined with recycled water, there is probably enough surface water to support the ultimate build-out of the Virgin Valley, but there is not good coordination and cooperation in the use of these water rights.

Suggestions were made into looking at trading VVWD’s pre-1929 with SNWA post-1929 water shares that benefits SNWA and allows for increasing VVWD’s surface water shares. There was discussion on the uses of Ordinance II and Impact fees and where the money should be spent now and in the future and also what the costs are now and what they could be.

#8. It appears that previously assumed environmental impacts and costs associated with development might be re-assessed.

Ken stated that we will re-assess the Virgin River Habitat Conservation Recovery Plan (VRHCRP) with U.S. Fish & Game and the City of Mesquite to make sure that the funding level and activities planned are consistent with what we now believe the area’s build-out and impact will be on the Virgin River and that this would allow us to retain an appropriate Ordinance IV fee for the Board to approve and adopt. Ken also would like Bowen, Collins & Associates to incorporate the findings from this work session into their rate study, and determine if some adjustments to the Ordinance II and Impact fees would be appropriate.

#9. Integration in the forms of further buy-in, modification, coordination and adoption would be appropriate before many of these actions are begun or completed.

The actions in italics in the back-up for this workshop are intended as guidelines by the General Manager and the Board’s agreement is implied unless changes are requested.

Ken further stated that there would be more meetings with City of Mesquite representatives, golf course managers, various consultants, lobbyists and government agencies and opinions or findings from this work session could be discussed; and business interests would be altered by many of the suggestions in this work session.

Other suggestions discussed were water conservation and education; looking at the rate tiered structure; and to work with the City in setting standards for xeriscape and lawns for new developments.

Ken stated that he believes we may not have enough staff on hand to accomplish these meaningful improvements in terms of the secondary system, conservation measures, reassessing the standards, dealing with Ordinance IV fees, coordinating Ordinance II fees, working with the State Engineer and also annexing area onto our service area. Ken may need to hire more help or we would be paying more for consultants.

John Paul asked if there was any direction to give to the General Manager. Karl stated that he believed that Ken had a handle on the issues and concerns, but that he would like Ken to follow up and bring back to the Board the specifics on what his plan is; what his needs will be; and what the proposed costs will be so the Board may review on a budgetary standpoint. Mark agreed that Ken should come back with a prioritized plan and present it to the Board before any further direction or action could be implemented.

Karl also stated that Ken could always call a special meeting if something critical came up as long as it met posting requirements per Open Meeting Laws.

President John Paul adjourned the meeting at 4:55 p.m.
NOTE): The minutes of this meeting have been tape-recorded and will remain on file in the District office for a one-year period for public examination.

•  Work Session Minutes: 2010-10-19 (.pdf 23.K)