Score: 0 (2/2/2)

Orange County Grand Jury • 2023-2024 • Agency Response

Response to: Emerging Opportunities in South County Water/Wastewater Systems

Received Sep 17 2024*

Published: June 21, 2024 4 pages

View Original PDF

⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings 2 findings

F3 Page 1

revenues. This has led to conflicts over governance, facility operation, and control, affecting the evolving potential for wastewater reuse. MNWD Response: MNWD agrees with this finding The Report accurately relates some of SOCWA's history. However, as stated previously, SOCWA member agencies are currently finalizing agreements that will resolve many of P.O. Box 30203 | Laguna Niguel, CA 92607 | 949. 831. 2500 | mnwd.com those past conflicts. These agreements address critical issues, such as the fact that all of the wastewater sent to the Regional Treatment Plant solely originates with the customers of MNWD - ownership and operation of this plant ensures that the purified water is returned to the water supply of the customers contributing to it. Further, upon completion of the reorganization agreements within SOCWA, the governance of the other treatment facilities will better align with the agencies most reliant on those other treatment facilities. Based on recent discussions, MNWD is optimistic that these agreements and the revised governance structure will be completed in Fall 2024.

F4 Page 1

There is currently no unified strategy for the future of water/wastewater provision in South Orange County. MNWD Response: MNWD agrees with this finding. While we agree with this finding, we note that the SOCWA member agencies have frequently collaborated, and continue to do so, on projects and programs where there are shared visions or goals. Several collaborative projects have been constructed over the years to enhance local water reliability, such as the 3A Treatment Plant. As MNWD is developing its OASIS program, there will be opportunities to collaborate with other local agencies to expand the program. Through those partnerships, additional wastewater may be reused, enhancing the environmental benefits of OASIS by further reducing ocean discharges and increasing local water reliability for the region.

Recommendations 1

R2
Page 1

The OCGJ recommends that by January 1, 2025, LAFCO form a task force comprising representatives of affected water agencies to study the transformation of SOCWA and prepare a report on the future of water/wastewater in South Orange County. MNWD Response: This recommendation will not be implemented by MNWD because it is not warranted. While we understand the objective of the recommendation, MNWD will not implement this recommendation. The current negotiations and amended SOCWA agreements seek to accomplish similar objectives. Additionally, this recommendation calls for another entity, LAFCO, to exercise powers that may exceed its authority. P.O. Box 30203 | Laguna Niguel, CA 92607 | 949. 831. 2500 | mnwd.com The current negotiations and amended agreements are the culmination of years of discussions and will effectively transform SOCWA and settle several long-standing disputes. Through these amendments, which are expected to be finalized soon, the implementation of the OASIS program can go forward and will allow for enhanced water reliability though wastewater reuse. Post-transfer, MNWD remains committed to participating at some level in the discussion of future regional water and wastewater treatment issues in the region. The Moulton Niguel Water District Board of Directors and staff appreciate the opportunity to respond to the Report. Should you require any additional information on this topic, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, from K Say Joone Kim-Lopez General Manager 2023-2024 Orange County Grand Jury cc: 700 Civic Center Drive Santa Ana, CA 92701 Board of Supervisors c/o Robin Stieler Clerk of the Board 400 W. Civic Center Drive, Sixth Floor Santa Ana, CA 92701 MNWD Board of Directors P.O. Box 30203 | Laguna Niguel, CA 92607 | 949. 831. 2500 | mnwd.com

Agency Responses 6

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

As a water district that relies primarily on imported water supplies, Moulton Niguel

July 11, 2008 • 3 pages View Details ▾

PDF

Moulton Niguel Water

July 24, 2012 • 7 pages View Details ▾

PDF

Moulton Niguel Water District

October 09, 2012 • 5 pages • 2 responses • Score: -1 (+0, 1, -1) View Details ▾

PDF

2 responses to findings and recommendations

The OCGJ recommends that by January 1, 2025, LAFCO form a task force comprising representatives of affected water agencies to study the transformation of SOCWA and prepare a report on the future of water/wastewater in South Orange County. MNWD Response: This recommendation will not be implemented by MNWD because it is not warranted. While we understand the objective of the recommendation, MNWD will not implement this recommendation. The current negotiations and amended SOCWA agreements seek to a...

Response: Will Not Implement

Score: -1

The recommendation will not be implemented. MNWD complies with the State Controller's requirements for reporting salaries and benefits. The information that is listed on Appendix D is included in the report to the State Controller's Office, which is available through a link on MNWD's website, in a clear table-format. October 9, 2012 Page 4

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

MNWD disagrees partially with this finding. MNWD has not researched other special districts websites to verify if this information is accurate. MNWD's website, incorporated in the "Accountability and Transparency" page, includes the Memoranda of Understanding with the Employees Association, Job Classification Salary Schedule, and a direct link to the California State Controllers website, which takes the user to salary and compensation data for all MNWD employee classifications. The District has utilized this method of identifying employee compensation.

Moulton Niguel Water District

September 04, 2009 • 6 pages • 2 responses • Score: +1 (+1, 1, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

2 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

MNWD Agrees With This Finding. Finding F.3(a): There are a number of points of governance disagreement between MWDOC and several of its member agencies. This is creating an impediment to the on-going effectiveness of these agencies in critical areas of Orange County's water supply management. Response: MNWD Wholly Disagrees With This Finding. While there are points of disagreement on Governance, this is not considered by MNWD to be an impediment to Water Supply Management. September 4,2009 Page Three Finding F.3@): The current disagreement is a distraction from the greater good of the agencie...

Response: Agree Score: +1

(a). Recommendation R. 1: Each Orange County municipal planning agency, in cooperation with its respective water supply agency, shouldprepare for adoption by its city council, a dedicated Water Element to its General Plan in conjunction with a future update, not to exceed June 30, 2010. This document should include detailed implementation measures based on objectivebased policies that match realistic projections of the County's future water supplies. These objectives, policies and implementation measures should address imported supply constraints, including catastrophic outages and incorporate...

Moulton Niguel Water District

December 22, 2008 • 3 pages View Details ▾

PDF

Regarding: Response To May 18,2009, Grand Jury Report: Water Districts: A New Era In

September 04, 2009 • 5 pages • 2 responses • Score: 0 (+1, 0, -1) View Details ▾

PDF

2 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Agree Score: +1

MNWD Agrees With This Finding. MNWD can only comment on its own Code of Ethics, which is felt to be extremely comprehensive. The District Board has an adopted Ethics Policy that covers the Board of Directors and all District employees. The purpose of this Policy is to assure that both the Board and the employees exhibit the highest standard of personal honesty, fairness, and integrity in carrying out their duties. The Policy includes: Core Values and Beliefs Proper Use and Safeguarding of District Property and Resources Post Employment Relationships Gifts Contracts with the District Protection...

Response: Disagree Score: -1

MNWD Disacrees With This Finding. MNWD's regular monthly Board Meetings are conducted at 1: 30 in the afternoon on the third Thursday of each month. Regularly scheduled Board Committee Meetings are held at 9 AM, as are most Special Meetings that are conducted. The regular monthly Board Meeting time has been unchanged for well over 20 years. The District has not received comment from the Public that our meetings are held at inconvenient times, or times that have been selected to discourage public attendance. Nor have we been requested to change meeting times to encourage greater September 4,20...

* This report's PDF did not contain easily extractable text and required Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for analysis. There may be minor errors in the extracted findings and recommendations due to OCR limitations with scanned documents.