The board approved a $129,670 HydroScience amendment for Copper Cove tertiary treatment design work. Staff said a dam raise may not be the most effective approach and is evaluating alternatives pending a water-balance study. In discussion, the GM said staff are preparing for a potentially wet El Niño winter, including drawing down wastewater ponds.
The board approved a $5,499,199 construction contract to Ford Construction for the Lake Tulloch Intertie Project, installing 12,700 feet of new pipe to eliminate reliance on an aging underwater crossing. A water transfer agreement with East Bay MUD was approved, allowing East Bay MUD to receive up to 150 acre-feet annually of CCWD pre-1914 water for about $30,000/year in revenue to CCWD.
The Board approved placing 606 delinquent utility accounts totaling ~$966,080 on the County tax rolls (+22% in dollars vs. last year), with the vote carrying 4-0-1. Directors discussed possible future tools (including water shutoffs), but no policy change was adopted. The GM said the six-month FERC relicensing filing window opens Aug. 1, 2026, and a PG&E/WAPA settlement with 3% annual increases has been submitted and is expected to be approved.
Board directed staff (5-0) to pursue Option 2: monthly billing for water base and sewer charges; water usage remains bi-monthly until a future rate study. A motion to move sewer charges to the property tax roll (effective 7/1/2027) tied 2-2-1 and did not pass. A five-year MOU with the Management & Confidential Unit passed 5-0.
The board unanimously adopted the FY 2026-27 budget using conservative grant assumptions, removing unsecured state grants and reducing federal grant projections. An updated ADU ordinance was approved, tiering capacity fees by unit size. Under AB 2561, vacancy/turnover data was reviewed, while employees and SEIU cited compensation and workplace culture concerns, including being about 16% behind comparable agencies.
