Category: News
November 17, 2021- BIG NEWS! Board Meeting-Rebates to all customers
At the November meeting of the OMWD Board of Directors, I voted with the entire Board to refund $1.62 million to our ratepayers. The money came from lawsuits filed by the San Diego County Water Authority against Los Angeles water wholesaler Metropolitan Water District for charging excessive rates and charges to us.
At the same meeting, among other items, the Board considered whether to obtain quotes from all available insurers and insurance pools for OMWD’s general liability property, automobile, and related coverages. I argued in favor of expanding the number of quote requests to include insurance pools in order to obtain all competitive rates in the insurance market, no different from when we look for our own car or home insurance. Other Board members opposed opening up the competition, satisfied with obtaining quotes from the same insurers who have quoted OMWD for years. I thank Board President Larry Watt for supporting my position to open the competition, but a vote for limited quotes prevailed. OMWD staff will receive the limited quotes in Spring 2022. Let’s hope that they are competitive.
You can review past and present Board and committee meeting agendas and background materials online at https://www.olivenhain.com/about-us/governing-board/board-meetings/.
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Posted on 17 Nov 2021, 17:27 - Category: News
October 15, 2021- YouTube Native Plants Workshop
As a member of OMWD’s Conservation Committee, it was my privilege to introduce OMWD”s Native Plants workshop conducted by Greg Rubin, one of the preeminent experts in the field. Topics of discussion included native soil ecology, design concepts and styles, plant selection, irrigation design, watering schedules, maintenance, mulches, and pest and weed control. I encourage you to take the time and watch the video.
Read More...Posted on 15 Oct 2021, 06:23 - Category: News
October 13, 2021-Board Meeting
At the October meeting of the OMWD Board of Directors, I supported the purchase of revenue bonds to help maintain OMWD’s water infrastructure and to refinance earlier debt at lower rates. Remarkably, because of its excellent AAA bond rating, OMWD’s interest rate to finance the bonds will be 2.14% for new bonds and only 1.14% for the refinanced bonds, saving the ratepayers $243,000.00! On other items, the Board authorized staff to hire a structural engineering firm to conduct a structural and seismic inspection of OMWD water tanks. These occasional professional inspections are essential to public safety and to ensure the integrity of OMWD’s water storage systems. We also received a report on California water supplies, among other agenda items.
You can review past and present Board and committee meeting agendas and background materials online at https://www.olivenhain.com/about-us/governing-board/board-meetings/.
Read More...Posted on 13 Oct 2021, 09:16 - Category: News
September 18, 2021-Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Volunteer Clean Up
On September 18, 2021, volunteers, including myself, OMWD Director Bruce-Lane (pictured above), OMWD staff, and friends volunteered their time for an occasional deep clean of the OMWD’s Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve trails. If you don’t know about the Reserve, you must go for a great hike and education at its Interpretative Center. The Reserve offers approximately 11 miles of hiking, mountain biking, equestrian trails, picnic areas, and scenic mountain viewing points. Its use is free (although donations are welcomed) and opens to the public every day. It is used by thousands of people every year, and although most users are conscientious about disposing of their trash, an occasional clean-up day is needed.
Here is its website: https://elfinforest.olivenhain.com
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Posted on 18 Sep 2021, 11:16 - Category: News
July 17, 2021- Via Ferrata and The Waterfall- River-Runner Website
You may have used some of the water from Bridal Veil Falls in the background.
One of the coolest websites I have come across (and I give credit to Director Topolovac for the tip) is River-Runner from the USGS, found at https://river-runner.samlearner.com. You can choose any spot in the United States, and it will show you how a drop of water travels through rivers to its final destination. Here is a screenshot of how water from Bridal Veil Falls ends up in the Colorado River. Some of that river water enters aqueducts that supply water to OMWD and many other water agencies.
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Posted on 17 Jul 2021, 10:03 - Category: News
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