Gary Erb resigns from FVWD

By David Jerome
Correspondent

Fern Valley Water District (FVWD) President Gary Erb presented his letter of resignation at the board meeting last Thursday. With escrow near complete on his home and business, the Fern Valley Inn, he is no longer eligible. “We are looking forward to retirement and have found suitable residence in Palm Desert. We have enjoyed our last eight years up here and expect to be visiting Idyllwild quite often. I have enjoyed working with all the directors, Victor, Jessica and the team. I certainly will miss the mountain lifestyle.” His resignation was expected, only the date is uncertain.

The budget includes $500 for election expenses, but General Manager Victor Jimenez explained to the Crier that the board will probably appoint a new member; the vacancy will be posted as a public notice and he and Assistant General Manager Jessica Priefer are reviewing the language of past notices. The board will consider applications and vote. “We’ve been very successful doing that in the past,” he said.

As expenses were considered, new President Jon Brown said with surface water being used more this year, he had expected the electric bill to be lower than it was. Jimenez explained that a period occurred last month when wells were used during a carbon changeout. Then the storm at the end of September made surface water turbid, and “something got through into the GAC [granular activated carbon] vessels and we had a positive coliform” test, meaning the water treatment plant had to be shut down and disinfected. This process has been completed and the tests are clear.

2023-24 operating and capital budgets were considered and accepted. The latest pipeline project, on Cougar, Howland and Silver Tip, is near completion. According to Jimenez the project has “gone very well.” The contractor, El-Co, had two crews on the Hill, working for both FVWD and Idyllwild Water District (IWD), and the second crew was able to assist the first when IWD’s project was finished.

Jimenez’s report stated, “All pipe, hydrants valves and services have been completed and old mains have been cut and capped … the project should be completed by the end of the month.” He told the board that El-Co began to haul its equipment off the Hill this week. El-Co uses an asphalt subcontractor to do a “grind and overlay” after it patches, and the work is expected to be high quality. Although “overages” from estimates occurred as the work proceeded, FVWD was able to assist with other parts of the work, and it is expected to come in “very close” to budget.

The operations report also mentioned replacing meters. Jimenez said these are electronic meters whose batteries have begun to fail. The manufacturer, Metron Farnier, provides new meters at no cost during the first 10 years, and pro-rated replacements, starting at 50%, for the next 10. Unfortunately, some of the replacement meters are already failing. Jimenez said, “The whole electronic meter thing is relatively new,” and described the technology as “constantly evolving.” FVWD has gotten its attorney involved; it has not been hearing back from the company that was to provide cellular service for the meters.

All three local water districts use electronic meters now, but different technologies. “We were the first to put them in; we have the oldest electronic valves in the ground,” said Jimenez. IWD has an older system with mechanical meters and electronic reading by touching a reader to a “touch pad” above ground. FVWD’s meters are read from a laptop as the employee drives past and are “constantly broadcasting.”

Pine Cove Water District (PCWD) is just starting to bring a system online that allows reading and operating valves from the office. One feature the PCWD meters have is the ability to reduce transmission periods so batteries are conserved.

The new budget includes a $30,000 line item for office expansion. Jimenez requested a committee to meet and discuss the various possibilities as well as temporary arrangements while the work is being done. The budgeted money, Jimenez explained, is for planning and permits only, and this should not approach $30,000.

He also reported an incident with one of FVWD’s Chevy Tahoes. It was damaged by a “hit and run” driver while parked in front of the post office. A witness provided contact information and California Highway Patrol contacted the driver. FVWD will now file a claim with the driver’s insurance company. The damage is “not extensive or structural” but may require a new bumper.

The board meets next at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16.