Zone 7 Meeting - November 19, 2025

Director Palmer moved to approve the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on October 15, 2025. The motion was seconded by Director Benson and approved unanimously by a voice vote of 7-0.

Item 8 -

8. Consent Calendar

Kelly Abreu gave public comment.

President Narum pulled Item 8d, Adopt Revised Legislative Framework and Platform, to allow Carol Mahoney, Government Relations Manager, to strengthen the preamble. President Narum stated that while the proposed revisions were good, the preamble was somewhat weak and should more clearly state that the Agency supports or opposes legislation based on alignment with its mission, values, and most importantly, its strategic plan.

Ms. Mahoney stated that she recommends adding language that further clarifies the basis for support or opposition. She proposed the following sentence: "Positions will be evaluated for support or opposition based on alignment with the agency's mission, vision, values, and priorities of the strategic plan." She noted that this would provide clarity regarding how positions on potential legislation are determined.

President Narum directed that this item be continued to the December Board meeting.

Director Palmer moved to approve Consent Calendar Items 8a through 8c and 8e. The motion was seconded by Director Benson and approved by a roll-call vote of 7-0.

Item 9 -

9. Commendation for Mr. Paul Banke >

Valerie Pryor, General Manager, introduced the item and stated that the District wished to honor and commend Mr. Paul Banke for his service and dedication in managing the District-owned 5,000-acre property adjacent to Lake Del Valle. She noted that Mr. Banke recently passed away and had been an exceptional steward of the land and watershed.

Director Palmer read the full Resolution recognizing Mr. Banke's decades of service, his contributions to watershed and water quality protection, and his innovative land and ranch management practices. She also shared her personal admiration for Mr. Banke as an educator and community resource.

Several Board members offered comments reflecting their experiences with Mr. Banke, noting his knowledge, integrity, community involvement, and long-standing stewardship of the property.

Former Director and long-time community member John Greci spoke about Mr. Banke's significant role in managing the ranch, his deep agricultural expertise, and the value he brought to Zone 7 and the broader ranching community.

Ms. Kathleen Banke thanked the Board for the recognition and spoke about her husband's lifelong dedication to ranching, land stewardship, and teaching. She expressed appreciation for the relationship between the family and Agency staff and affirmed that the family would continue his work.

Director Palmer moved to approve the Resolution. Director Benson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Item 10 -

10. Annual Report on Human Resources Activities >

Shelisa Jackson, Human Resources Manager, presented the Annual Report on Human Resources Activities for the past 12 months (last report: November 2024). She noted HR's role in supporting the Board-adopted five-year Strategic Plan (Goal A, Initiative 1 - be a preferred employer and maintain a high-quality workforce) and described HR's goal to partner with the Agency by providing quality services and supporting programs and processes that add value to Zone 7 and its employees.

Ms. Jackson highlighted HR communications and engagement efforts, including the HR email inbox, surveys, new-employee check-ins, one-on-one meetings on request, the HR suggestion box, and office hours at the Del Valle Water Treatment Plant. She said the goal is to develop and maintain a healthy and open exchange of information and ideas between HR and employees and reported that those efforts are going well.

Key data for the year included:

. 11 position/classification actions (9 new positions and 2 new classifications).

. 19 completed full-cycle recruitments; 6 recruitments in progress; 8 recruitments in the queue (anticipated in Q1-Q2 2026).

. 20 hires (15 external hires and 5 internal promotions).

. Over 2,200 employee training hours and approximately $12,000 paid through the tuition reimbursement program.

. Training breakdown: 62% HR & Safety, 16% conferences, 14% job-specific trainings, and 8% higher education/tuition reimbursement.

Ms. Jackson reviewed employee engagement events hosted during the year (Halloween workspace contest and winners' pizza party, two potluck/grill events, end-of-year celebration, Take Your Child to Work Day, Public Service Recognition Day, and Summer Intern Breakfast). She noted that in February 2024 the Board adopted a Resolution supporting employee-led events and activities, and introduced JaVia Green, chair of the Employee-Led Initiatives (ELI) Committee, to provide an update.

JaVia Green, ELI Committee Chair, summarized the program. The Board authorized the ELI program in February 2024 to foster employee-led events that build pride, ownership, and camaraderie; the Board approved an annual budget of $12,000 for the program. The committee is now in its second year and has been successful. In FY 2024-25 the committee developed the program mission and framework; once established, it implemented numerous events and purchases, including a bocce event in Livermore, an escape room activity, a basketball area near the North Canyons carport, volunteer activities in Livermore, bowling, and ping-pong tables at the treatment facilities.

In the current fiscal year the committee has already hosted additional events (another bocce event and a fall festival with a ping-pong tournament at Patterson Pass Water Treatment Plant). The fall festival and tournament promoted interfacility networking by enabling staff from North Canyons to meet operators and maintenance staff at Patterson Pass. The committee has also purchased new coffee makers/Keurig machines. Committee surveys reflected positive feedback: one employee said the events were a great opportunity to meet staff from other departments, and another noted the ping-pong tables provided strong team-building benefits. Ms. Green thanked HR and the Board for supporting the program.

Ms. Jackson echoed those thanks and shared a brief anecdote about staff engagement (including a cornhole team). She noted the ELI program is spending its full $12,000 annual allocation and that the committee is preparing a grand opening for an employee gym at North Canyons (grand opening scheduled for December 11), with light refreshments planned.

Ms. Jackson then reviewed recruitment and retention highlights. The agency filled 20 positions since last year, aided by a competitive benefits package, approved contract adjustments to keep wages competitive, longevity pay, tuition reimbursement, and alternate work schedules. She noted ongoing recruiting needs.

She reported on the summer internship program: four interns were hosted this year (flood engineering, groundwater, integrated planning, and water supply engineering). Interns included students from UC Merced (Alex Mendoza), Cal State East Bay (Annabelle Stein), Cal Poly (Luis Huerta), and UC Berkeley (Titus Zhong). HR will announce the 2026 intern recruitment in early March.

Director Green asked whether program activities can be tied to retention or recruitment outcomes. Ms. Jackson responded that it is early to show long-term trends but noted that recruiting 20 people in a year is a positive indicator.

Director Benson asked about recruitment challenges; Ms. Jackson identified procurement and mid-level engineering roles as difficult to fill due to niche skills and market competition and noted that operator recruitment is ongoing as some operators retire.

Director Gambs asked about participation; Ms. Jackson confirmed broad cross-agency participation with committee representation from North Canyons and the treatment plants.

Director Palmer asked whether team-building activities increased productivity; Ms. Jackson said she had not observed productivity metrics directly but noted an absence of disciplinary actions as a positive sign.

President Narum asked whether the $12,000 annual allocation is sufficient. Ms. Jackson confirmed the committee has spent the full $12,000 in the past year. Osborn Solitei, Treasurer/Assistant General Manager - Finance, said the program is only in its second year so longitudinal data are limited but that the Board may consider the amount during next year's budget process. Ms. Pryor suggested the ELI Committee prepare a proposal summarizing outcomes, data, and any request for an increased allocation.

No action was taken. The Board thanked staff for the report.

Item 11 -

11. Proposed Municipal and Industrial Water Connection Fees for Calendar Year 2026 >

JaVia Green, Financial Analyst, provided a verbal report on the Municipal and Industrial (M&I) Water Connection Fee Program. The program was established in 1972 to ensure that new development pays its own way. Per Board policy, the fee is updated annually to keep pace with inflation. Based on the change in the Engineering News-Record Construction Cost Index (ENR-CCI), staff recommends updating the fee for calendar year 2026. The ENR-CCI increased by 2.2% from September 2024 to September 2025.

Ms. Green reported that the last comprehensive fee study was completed in 2016-17 and that an update is underway, planned for completion by spring 2026. Because 60 days must pass between adoption and implementation, the new fees, if approved, would take effect February 1, 2026. The proposed fees would increase from $34,910 to $35,670 in the Alameda County Service Area and from $33,490 to $34,220 in the Dougherty Valley. The item was presented to the Finance Committee on November 12, and the committee unanimously recommended forwarding the item for adoption.

Director Gambs asked how long the District had been using inflation adjustments in lieu of conducting a new study. Ms. Green responded that the practice has been in place for at least the past 20 years. Director Gambs asked whether the new study would reevaluate project costs and allocations. Ms. Green confirmed that it would. Director Gambs then asked when the consultant's study would be available for use in calculating future fees. Ms. Green stated that staff is still developing the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and the fee study requires updated CIP costs. Staff anticipates completing this work by spring 2026. She noted that the Board formally resolved in 2002 to keep the fee updated annually based on inflation, although the practice pre-dated that Resolution. Director Gambs asked whether there was a policy on how often the fee study should be updated. Ms. Green stated that the Board policy requires an update every five years, and the recently updated Mitigation Fee Act now requires studies to be updated at least every eight years.

Director Palmer moved to approve the Resolution. Director Benson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Item 12 -

12. Recommend Approval of a Candidate Statement Funding Policy >

Valerie Pryor, General Manager, presented the item. She explained that the Board's longstanding practice has been to not fund candidate statements. Prior to the last election, the Board directed the Administrative Committee to review whether a Candidate Statement Funding Policy should be developed. The Committee reviewed the matter, acknowledged the increased costs for candidate statements, and recommended maintaining the practice of not funding statements.

The proposed policy reflects this direction and adds an optional provision allowing indigent candidates to request financial assistance. Such candidates would submit a certified statement of financial worth and supporting information for Board consideration.

The Committee also asked whether Zone 7 could host candidate statements on its own website to avoid Registrar of Voters costs. Rebecca Smith, General Counsel, advised that this would not be practical or cost-effective, as translation, preparation, and many other costs would still be incurred.

Director Palmer asked how indigency would be defined. Ms. Pryor responded that the proposed policy leaves the determination to the Board. Ms. Smith noted that the Elections Code already allows agencies to waive costs for indigent candidates. The Board may choose to define eligibility more precisely, such as using income thresholds or participation in programs like PG&E CARE.

Director Palmer expressed discomfort with leaving the definition too open-ended and preferred objective criteria. Ms. Smith confirmed that the Board may refine the criteria.

Director Green suggested the item be returned to the Administrative Committee to explore options and provide clearer definitions. She also raised concerns about the disproportionate cost burden for candidates running for a two-year seat versus a four-year seat and asked whether costs could be combined.

Ms. Smith explained that the County controls cost allocation and such changes cannot be made by Zone 7.

Director Gambs asked whether staff had an estimate for future candidate costs. Ms. Pryor stated costs are determined by the Registrar of Voters, but the trend is upward.

Directors discussed how Zone 7's election costs compare to local agencies. Ms. Pryor explained that comparisons are not straightforward because Zone 7 elections are at-large and involve far more registered voters, resulting in significantly higher printing and translation costs.

Director Benson asked whether candidates who do not submit statements are charged. Ms. Smith confirmed they are not.

Directors discussed candidate strategy and public expectations. Some emphasized that voters rely heavily on candidate statements; others noted that viable campaigns can still succeed without them through letters to the editor, League of Women Voters resources, and social media.

Directors Green and Gambs expressed interest in partly subsidizing candidate statements (e.g., 50/50 cost-sharing). Directors Palmer, Figuers, and Narum expressed concerns about ratepayer responsibility, fairness, and fiscal impact. Director Palmer suggested that if indigent support remains, it should include a cap and not automatically cover 100%. Board members agreed that additional policy options and clearer definitions should be developed.

Director Green moved to send the item back to the Administrative Committee to provide clearer definitions of "indigent," or consider removing the provision; develop a range of policy options (e.g., no subsidy, partial subsidy with percentages or caps, and other feasible approaches); clarify alternatives and considerations for both candidate and agency costs. Director Palmer seconded the motion, recommending the number of options be limited to a manageable set. The motion passed 6-1, with Director Figuers opposed.

Staff will return the item to the Administrative Committee. Due to holiday scheduling constraints, the revised policy is expected to come to the Board in January 2026, prior to the February election call.

Item 13 -

13. Committees

There were no Board comments on the Administrative or the Legislative Committee meeting notes.

Item 14 -

14. Reports - Directors

Director Palmer reported on several meetings and activities, including the Delta Conveyance Project, noting that the Certification of Consistency has been filed and the CEQA documentation is complete. She provided an update on PFAS notification levels and reported on ACWA's ongoing Executive Director search. She attended the Alameda County Special Districts Association membership meeting hosted by Hayward Area Recreation and Park District and highlighted the district's extensive community services. She also reported on recent legislative updates, including SB 827, and noted that elected officials will now be required to complete a new two-hour financial literacy training module in addition to existing mandated trainings.

Director Green shared a personal Veterans Day tribute honoring her two brothers, Adam Green and Marvin Green III, both of whom recently passed away. She spoke about their military service and lifelong commitment to public service and expressed gratitude to all who have served in the armed forces.

Item 15 -

15. Items for Future Agenda

No items were requested for consideration at a future Board meeting.

Item 16 -

16. Staff Reports

Valerie Pryor reported that the usual staff reports were included in the packet. Regarding Item 16a, she noted that the State has established new notification and response levels for several PFOS compounds. She confirmed that Zone 7 has consistently met these standards and that the District's water continues to be PFOS-clean and safe to drink.

Ms. Pryor also reported that the October 18 Open House was a great success. She thanked all Zone 7 staff who helped organize the event, as well as the partner agencies that participated.

Item 17 -

17. Adjournment

President Narum adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. in memory of Paul Banke.

You are here

Zone 7 Meeting - November 19, 2025

Site Search