VIRGIN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT SPECIAL JOINT MEETING WITH
MESQUITE CITY COUNCIL AND
SECONDARY WATER STAKEHOLDERS
VIRGIN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT OFFICE
FEBRUARY 9, 2011

Minutes of a Special Joint Meeting of the Virgin Valley Water District Board along with Mesquite City Council and Secondary Water Stakeholders held on February 9, 2011, at the Virgin Valley Water District Office at 3:00 p.m. Attending were Virgin Valley Water District President Karl Gustaveson (and City Council Member), Secretary Treasurer Kenyon Leavitt, and Board Members Ted Miller and Sandra Ramaker. Vice-President Mark McEwen was not present. Also present were Virgin Valley Water District’s General Manager Kenneth Rock, District Hydrologist Aaron Bunker, Administrative Assistant Mary Johnson taking minutes and other interested parties of agenda items.

The City of Mesquite representatives present were Mayor Susan Holecheck, City Manager Tim Hacker and Council Members David Bennett, Robert “Bubba” Smith, Geno Withhelder and Randy Ence; along with City Clerk Cherry Lawson and City Attorney Cheryl Hunt.

President Karl Gustaveson called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Kenyon Leavitt offered a prayer and Sandra Ramaker led the pledge.

Mayor Holecheck stated that the Mesquite City Council was attending this Joint Work Session and that a quorum was present. Mayor Holecheck also stated that the Mesquite City Council would not deliberate or take action on any matter under the jurisdiction and control as the City Council was invited to attend this joint session here and receive updates on joint water resources.

Mayor Holecheck opened up the City’s portion of the meeting and asked for any public comment. Seeing no one, Mayor Holecheck closed public comment.

VVWD Public Comment – There was no public comment at this time.

(NOTE): The minutes of this meeting have been recorded and will remain on file in the District office for a one-year period for public examination.

AGENDA:

1. Discussion & Action - Approve Agenda

Ted Miller made a motion to approve the agenda as posted. Kenyon Leavitt seconded this motion and it was unanimously carried. 4-0

2. VVWD – Discussion: If the Board’s selection has been made, reveal the name of the consulting team that will be hired for the secondary system study.

The public was informed that a firm had not been selected as of this time and that it would be put on the District’s agenda for action on February 15, 2011.

3. Golf Courses – Discussion: Hear opinions and possible proposals on addressing various short and long term non-potable water supply concerns

Robert Fuller with Wolf Creek Golf Club thanked the entities for their cooperation and consideration. Rob reiterated the golf courses’ needs for long term leasing; a more affordable and guaranteed solution for water resources for lending and financing purposes. Rob further stated that Wolf Creek’s goal was to use City re-use water and not river water in the future.

Tim Colbert with Pulte stated that they had been invited to attend the meeting between the golf courses and agreed with the sentiments expressed by Rob.
Corey Clemetson, co-owner of Wolf Creek Golf Club, stated that golf course reps had a meeting yesterday afternoon talking about items that Ken had brought up at previous meetings and that the golf courses in general echo what Rob had said. Corey also stated that as an owner, they have invested a lot of money and time with the golf industry in Mesquite; and feels the Mesquite golf community is the finest in the State and one of the finest in the southwest United States.

Karl opened this item to the VVWD board, with no comments.

Karl opened this item for comments from the City of Mesquite. Geno asked about the Palms and Casa Blanca’s involvement and was informed that they had their own water sources.

David Bennett commented on Ken’s handout and felt that it was very creative and also wanted to note that he would have to leave at 4:45. Bubba stated that he also agreed with David regarding Ken’s handout.

Karl opened this item to the public and Kraig Hafen stated that he was the owner of the land that Casa’s golf course sits on and that it is watered by Mesquite Irrigation Shares and that they have a 99 year lease.

4. Developers – Discussion: Hear opinions and possible proposals related to non-potable water, if desired.

There were no representatives of the building trade present.

5. City of Mesquite – Discussion: Hear any updates or announcements the City may wish to present regarding non-potable water.

Tim Hacker stated that he would just like to reiterate what the Mayor had stated at the last meeting and that they were over committed for the re-use water, but that they were here to help and facilitate the best they can.

6. VVWD – Discussion and Possible Action: Propose the metering of some non-potable water users such as golf courses, establishing them as regular VVWD customers, with service limitations related to MIC operations.

7. VVWD – Discussion and Possible Action: Suggest river water rates at the MIC canal in terms of $/1000 gallons, including a comparison to current leased river and potable water costs.

Ken referenced his handouts and began by stating that there is no agreement on what a share actually consists of. Ken stated that a Mesquite Irrigation Company (MIC) share was somewhere between 7.18 and 10.5 afy and a Bunkerville Irrigation Company (BIC) share was somewhere between 9.26 and 11.89 afy. Ken stated that irrigation shares are currently leasing from $300/year to $1600/year.

Kraig Hafen is on the board of MIC, and stated that he needed to get this out, but the people that own the irrigation shares, own the system and that there would be nothing done until approved through the board and the shareholders. Kraig further stated that they were willing to work with people, but if they wanted the cooperation of the MIC, they needed a seat at the table, and that included BIC.

Ken stated that the MIC has required that the golf courses have magnetic flow meters installed so that their withdrawals can be measured. Ken also informed the Board that the MIC manager, Kraig Hafen, would allow VVWD access to the meter readings. Ken reviewed the handout and his explanations for connection fees; monthly meter fees; water rates; recycled water concerns and the system reliability. Ken answered questions on how it would work regarding $/1000 gallons vs. $/per share.

There was discussion regarding shares vs. per/1000; a ‘regular customer’; and what if the river was dry. Kraig Hafen stated that since SNWA became involved with leasing MIC/BIC shares, that there was plenty of capacity in the ditch and that no one could suck the ditch dry.

8. All Stake Holders – Discussion & Possible Direction – Establish commitments or action items as appropriate.

Bob Bunker of BIC stated that as an observation, the SNWA had come up, met with the irrigation companies and established an operating agreement. Bob further stated that maybe this could be the case and have Ken meet with the irrigation companies and work out an operating agreement.

9. Discussion and Possible Action – Establish the next meeting date. A suggestion is Wednesday, June 8, 2011 – after the secondary system study is completed by VVWD’s consultant.

Karl suggested hearing from the Board and Council and thought maybe another meeting should be scheduled.

Mayor Holecheck thought that another meeting would be in order, but that Bill Tanner, Public Works Director, should be present since you are talking about using the City’s system.

Geno Withhelder stated that another meeting was in order and should be expedited with mandatory attendance by representatives of the major players.
David Bennett echoed Geno’s suggestion and also stated that it is critical that the
irrigations companies have a seat at the table.

Kelby Hughes stated that he was elected as President of the MIC to take care of all the shareholders and they have a vested interest in this. Kelby further stated that they are water purveyors and it was their job to make sure there was water running in the canals. Kelby further stated that it was a percentage cut per share time-wise. Kelby also stated that they were in a position to offer a lot of information that could help us, but that they haven’t been invited to the table.

Karl stated that it was probably the time to set a date for another meeting for the entities to get together.

Kenyon Leavitt suggested direction be given to Ken to contact the entities involved and schedule a meeting.

It was suggested that representatives of the VVWD, City of Mesquite, stakeholders, golf courses and the BIC and MIC meet at the VVWD District offices next Wednesday.

10. Adjournment

President Karl Gustaveson adjourned the meeting at 4:37 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.

•  Special PM Board Meeting Minutes: 2011-02-09 (.pdf 25.K)