The board also received reports on the recently completed 2021-22 audit and from a working group that analyzed the draft Integrated Water Master Plan, and welcomed two new hires. (See four separate stories in this issue.) Additionally, directors received staff reports and elected board officers.

Director Linda Butler, who chairs the Security Committee, reported that the district currently has only two patrol officers, although efforts are underway to hire two more. She noted that this staffing “barely covers the 24/7/365 schedule” and that Sgt. Brandon Arino fills in during vacations and unexpected absences. As a result, there will be times when patrol coverage is unavailable. Butler also reported that the gate staff includes seven full-time and four part-time officers.

Later in the meeting, Butler asked the board to consider her revision of the Community Service Officer job description. She said that the existing description was problematic because it had been copied from the Roseville Police Department without any modifications for the district. The board agreed to send the job description to the district’s HR vendor for review.

Butler also sought board input on the equipment that the district should supply to patrol officers. Arino began by recommending a return to the past practice of equipping security patrols with firearms, handcuffs, batons, pepper spray and potentially adding tasers. Arino also noted the district has four ballistic vests and has obtained quotes for body cameras.

Providing officers with multiple tools would enable them to follow a use-of-force progression, starting with verbal commands and escalating as necessary, according to Arino. He also noted that the community presents multiple targets for crime.

Although several directors disagreed with Arino’s position, they said that they appreciated his candid comments. 

The board debated at length about what equipment is appropriate, given that the patrol’s role is only to “observe and report.” Ultimately, Director Bill Gere suggested tabling the discussion for consideration at a later date.

Representing Rancho Murieta Properties, engineer Mike Robertson said the company is seeking an easement through district property to connect 39 acres to the intersection of Jackson Highway and Murieta Drive. He emphasized that Rancho Murieta Properties has no immediate plans to develop the site, although the idea of building an apartment complex and homes had been floated in the past. Board members concluded the discussion with a general sentiment that they would prefer to wait for a more definitive development plan before considering any easement request.

Director of Operations Eric Houston reported that water consumption is roughly half the annual average, likely due to cooler weather. Clementia, Chesbro and Calero reservoirs are about 90.3% full, according to Houston. As a tertiary wastewater project nears completion, the district is experiencing more wastewater than usual for this time of year. Without the tertiary plant operating, some water had to be diverted from Clementia to the country club for irrigation, and the district will also likely need to dispose of excess treated wastewater at the Van Vleck spray fields.

Houston also reported that the new fuel station is nearing completion, which will eliminate the need for district trucks to refuel at a local gas station and is expected to save about $50,000.

In a separate agenda item, Houston received board approval for the purchase of an advanced water metering infrastructure for about $165,000, as authorized in the current budget. The purchase includes software and a radio tower; some of the remaining funds will be used to add endpoints to existing water meters, allowing them to be read remotely.

Houston received board approval to add a third fountain to the Lost Lake retention basin, located off Reynosa Drive, to improve water quality and reduce stagnation. The project’s cost is $3,676.

He reported on efforts to complete a throttling valve that will equalize water levels in the district’s two storage tanks. 

The need for the valve became apparent during a heat wave last summer, when the water level in the Rio Oso tank dropped sharply. 

Houston said that he hopes the work will be finished by the time the first homes in the Residences come online, possibly as soon as December.

IT Manager Andy Lee reported that he is overseeing the rollout of new iPhones for district staff, although the process has been delayed due to issues with AT&T and Apple. 

Lee also noted that the district’s surveillance cameras are aging; he is working with vendors on pricing and hopes to complete the upgrade by the end of the year.

Lee said he is also continuing to replace all district desktops and laptops, migrating to Windows 11, and upgrading the network infrastructure. 

Additionally, Lee is seeking a new vendor to replace outdated equipment that facilitates communication between district offices and the wastewater plants.

In other business, the board unanimously elected John Merchant as president and Butler as vice president.

The board approved the purchase of a new Ford F-250 pickup, which had already been authorized in the current budget, and granted permission for out-of-state training for chief plant operator Travis Bohannon. 

The training will cover membrane systems currently used at the district’s water treatment plant.

The board approved reimbursement of a $380 plumbing bill for the repair of a water main in Murieta Village. Directors agreed with staff’s recommendation to raise the $5,000 threshold so future repairs can be approved by staff without board action.

The finance report is included in the separate story about the audits.

The community services board’s next regular meeting will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 17.