July/August 2016

TRWA Expands Awards Program, Indludes System-wide Award for Community Outreach

Also Inside:

Cultivating Tomorrow's Leaders: TRWA to Launch Leadership Development Program A Look Back: TRWF's Partnership with AmeriCorps VISTA Comes to an End July / August 2016 www.trwa.org

TRWA Today

TRWA Board of Directors

Officers

Pat Allen President

Guadalupe (Dist. 9) Brian Macmanus Vice President

Cameron (Dist. 6)

Leadership Team

Lara Zent Executive Director and General Counsel

Larry Bell Technical Assistance Director

Celia Eaves Environmental Services Director

Janice Gibbs, CPA Finance Director Allison Kaminsky Communications Director

Angela Russell, CMP Member Services Director

Chris Boyd Secretary Erin Selvera Legal and Legislative Services

Denton (Dist. 3) Director

Barry Miller Treasurer

Gonzales (Dist. 5)

Michael Vollmar Professional Development and Training Director

Clay Hodges Immediate Past President Hunt (Dist. 7)

Office Staff

Melody Bennett Project Support Specialist

District Directors

Patti Flunker Executive/Legal Assistant

Angela Harris Project Support Specialist

Finley Barnett Taylor (Dist. 1)

Bruce Alexander Medina (Dist. 2)

Delores Goode Lampasas (Dist. 4) Charles Beseda Hill (Dist. 8)

Pam Cantrell Accounting Support Specialist Adrienne Emmerich Course Development Specialist

Deborah McMullan Assistant Projects Manager, Environmental Services

Ariane Walker Training Support Specialist Amanda Wilson Administrative Assistant

Kent Watson Brazos (Dist. 10)

Kevin Spence Franklin (Dist. 11)

Thomas Acker, Jr. Instructor

Vickie Armstrong Kaufman (Dist. 12)

Michael Beadnell Instructor

Ross Brookbank FMT Specialist

Robert Nettles Walker (Dist. 13)

Rhonda Shaw Rusk (Dist. 14)

Field Staff

Established in 1969, the Texas Rural Water Association (TRWA) is a statewide nonprofit trade association with an active membership consisting of approximately 750 nonprofit water supply corporations, water districts, small-town water departments and investor-owned utilities.

In addition, more than 200 water industry suppliers participate in TRWA activities as associate members. TRWA members provide water and wastewater service to 2.5 million customers throughout Texas.

TRWA is dedicated to helping directors, managers, operators and office professionals provide efficient service and clean, safe drinking water to their customers. Through onsite technical assistance, education and information exchange, TRWA helps its members better meet their needs as well as the needs of their customers.

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Nathan Cantrell Wastewater Technician Alex Eaves Wastewater Technician Paul King Circuit Rider Steven Mindt FMT Specialist

Charles Perkins Circuit Rider

Refugio Rodriguez FMT Specialist

Anne Ruthstrom Source Water Protection Specialist James Smith Circuit Rider

William White Assistant Technical Assistance Director

Contact the Editor

Editorial and advertising inquiries may be directed to the Editor, Allison Kaminsky, at (512) 472-8591 or editor@trwa.org.

Find TRWA on Facebook “Like” our Page and join the conversation at: www.facebook.com/TexasRuralWaterAssn

Follow TRWA on Twitter!

Find us at @TexasRuralWater for all water industry news and @TRWALegislative for legislative updates relevant to you!

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In Every Issue: Letter from the President

4

Letter from the Executive Director

5

Keep it Legal

12

Ask Larry

20

Advertiser Index

31

Plan Ahead

31

Answers to your legal questions Answers to your technical questions

TRWA’s Calendar of Events

Features:

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Cultivating Tomorrow's Leaders: TRWA to Launch Leadership Development Program

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Pattison WSC Celebrates Anniversary of Long-time Board President

By Deborah McMullan, Texas Rural Water Association Read about Norman Kitzman, who has served on Pattison WSC's board for 31 years.

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TRWA Expands Awards Program, Includes Systemwide Award for Community Outreach

By Allison Kaminsky, Texas Rural Water Association We have made some exciting new changes to our Awards of Excellence program.

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From the Hole

TRWA Welcomes New Employees

TRWA Briefs

Classified Ads

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On the Cover: Pony's View of the Brazos Photo Credit: Marcia Michael, category finalist in PH 2OSTREAM 2016

By Lara Zent, Texas Rural Water Association Recognizing a need to cultivate the future leaders of our industry, TRWA's new program seeks to identify and train young leaders in our systems and communities.

A Look Back: TRWF's Partnership with AmeriCorps VISTA Comes to an End

By Adrienne Emmerich, Texas Rural Water Association; and Wendy Wilson and Colleen Zarek, Texas Rural Water Foundation TRWA's three-year grant with AmeriCorps comes to an end in August. Read about our volunteers who have helped us establish and grow our TRWF programs.

By Michael Beadnell, Texas Rural Water Association TRWA Instructor Michael Beadnell visits San Saba to conduct a Wastewater Collections class.

Meet the newest members of the TRWA team!

TRWA Board Adopts New Strategic Plan; Family Fun Fish Fry Benefits the Texas Rural Water PAC; Save the Date for Our Fall Conferences Read about career opportunities in your area!

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President’s Message

Greeting Friends and Neighbors, Is it hot yet?!!?

It is where I am and probably the same for most of you. As you know, with the heat you can expect heavier consumption, which leads to a heavier load on water and wastewater infrastructure and treatment systems. Operators are busy with increases in leak repairs, maintaining residual levels and final discharge treatment levels. Let’s not forget the office is busy with customers questioning their usage. It’s busy times for all who are privileged to be involved with the water and wastewater industry. Hey, water sales are up!

It’s also busy for our vendors. Yes, the guys and gals that we rely on to deliver what we need, where we need it, when we need it and giving us the biggest bang for our buck. We expect them to respond to our calls and messages right away, if not sooner, and then expect them to perform miracles when we hear "it could take weeks to get”.

“Let's all remember the importance of the many relationships that are established and allow the doors to be opened to new ones.”

Relationships between entities and vendors create a bond that includes trust, reliability and, in many cases, lasting friends. This was obvious to me as I walked through the crowds at the Technical Conference in Galveston a few weeks ago. A variety of conversations, laughter, handshaking and many “pats” on the back could be seen in the vendor’s showcase room and in the foyer area of the conference center.

Yes, everyone is busy and all of us are applying our best efforts. And at the end of the day, when the orders are filled and delivered, our vendors are still our friends and partners. We all work together to manage the tasks that we all share, providing safe drinking water and properly treated wastewater. The end result is quality service to our customers and rural communities.

Let’s all remember the importance of the many relationships that are established and allow the doors to be opened to new ones. It’s good to know we have someone to rely on to help us perform the work we are faced with and to provide the services that is expected. The next time you see or call your vendor, let them know you appreciate their help and service to our industry.

It was good to see all of you at the Training and Technical Conference in Galveston. I want to thank all of you for attending the conference, and I also want to thank all of the many vendors that help us provide our customers and rural communities with quality service.

See you soon, It’s Great to be a Texan!

Pat Allen President Texas Rural Water Association

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Letter from the Executive Director Many of you participated in our recent member survey, which helped us identify what you find most valuable about your membership with the Association, what we can do better and the biggest challenges that our members face today. At the July board meeting, our board adopted a new Strategic Plan establishing goals through the year 2020. They also streamlined our mission statement, which is “To serve, represent and support member water and wastewater utilities.” Below is an outline of the ways in which we are currently striving to meet this mission. Please continue to provide us with feedback about what we can do better!

Financial, Managerial and Technical Onsite Assistance: Our professional field staff are available year-round to provide financial, managerial and technical assistance on-site at your water or wastewater system. They also provide phone consultations and reply to questions received by email. Common issues we provide assistance with are: water and wastewater system operations, regulatory guidance, compliance issues, treatment optimization, water loss, rate calculations & analysis, budget management, personnel policies, utility mergers & acquisitions, energy efficiency and source water protection.

Legal Services: Our Legal & Legislative Services Director, Erin Selvera, is available to respond to member legal questions and provide consultation to attorneys representing our members in legal cases. We regularly publish articles in Quench on legal issues, including the popular “Keep It Legal” column. We also provide a number of legal resources to our members, including legal handbooks, service policies, board policies, personnel policies and information about all the legal filing requirements for water systems.

Training: We provide six conferences each year; and every other year, we jointly host a legal conference. We employ three full-time instructors who conduct classroom courses approved for operator certification training by TCEQ. We also provide several online training courses approved by TCEQ and are working hard to get new courses approved, so we can increase our online offerings.

Advocacy: Our lobby team consists of myself, Erin Selvera and two contract lobbyists.

We are actively engaged throughout the year representing our members’ interests at the Capitol and at the regulatory agencies. We work with legislators to sponsor bills, testify at hearings, promote favorable legislation and defend against unfavorable legislation. At the regulatory agencies, our staff files responses to draft rules, meets regularly with agency representatives and is actively engaged in stakeholder meetings.

“Please invite your neighboring utilities to join TRWA if they are not already members, because, as our motto states, 'Progress through Unity.'”

Communication: Members enjoy a bi-monthly subscription to this magazine, as well as full access to our website where you may access many valuable resources. In addition, we keep you abreast of important issues and share industry information through our Facebook and Twitter pages, which we encourage you to follow.

Thank you for your continued membership and support! Please invite your neighboring utilities to join TRWA if they are not already members, because, as our motto states, “Progress through Unity.”

To end, I want to say I really enjoy writing these letters each issue, and I hope you enjoy reading them! If you made it this far in my letter, I want to invite you to play a little game.

Submit your answers to the following questions via e-mail to editor@trwa.org with the subject line "Quench Scavenger Hunt" for your chance to win a prize!

1. How many of our districts currently have an alternate director (answer on page 6)?

2. Who is sponsoring our new community outreach award (answer on page 8)?

3. What is one of the areas our Strategic Plan's goals address (answer on page 27)?

Best regards,

Lara Zent Executive Director and General Counsel Texas Rural Water Association Quench — July/August 2016 5

Cultivating Tomorrow's Leaders: TRWA to Launch Leadership Development Program

By Lara Zent, Executive Director and General Counsel, Texas Rural Water Association

A

t the July Texas Rural Water Association Board of Directors meeting, the Board adopted a new Strategic Plan, setting forth goals for the Association to implement between now and 2020. One of the goals is to launch a Leadership Development Program for the Association. The Board saw identifying and engaging new leaders within the rural water community as key to the future success of the Association and our industry.

“In the next 10–12 years, many of our current industry leaders will be retiring, so it is important to train and cultivate our future leaders,” said Chris Boyd, TRWA’s Board Secretary and Chair of the new Leadership Development Committee.

Please help us to identify young leaders within your utility or community who would be interested in leading efforts such as: organizing meet and greet events with local state leaders and attending local high school and college career events to promote careers in our industry. These local leaders would receive leadership and advocacy training by TRWA;

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and if interested, would also have the opportunity to serve on TRWA committees, make presentations at conferences and write articles for Quench.

In addition, TRWA is recruiting individuals who are employed by or serve on the Board of TRWA regular members to run for alternate director positions on the TRWA Board next March. Of the 14 TRWA districts, only three currently have alternate directors. We are discussing ways to make these positions more meaningful and engaging, besides serving as backup for the directors. Filling these positions is vital to the continuity of knowledge during Board member transitions and, historically, has often resulted in future board members of our Association.

If you are interested in the Leadership Program and/or serving as an Alternate Director on TRWA’s Board, please contact TRWA’s Executive Director, Lara Zent, at lara.zent@trwa.org or at 512-4728591.

Pattison WSC Celebrates Anniversary of Longtime Board President

By Deborah McMullan, Assistant Projects Manager, Texas Rural Water Association

T

he Pattison Water Supply Corporation recently celebrated the dedication and service of their Board President, Mr. Norman Kitzman, with a reception and dinner. Attendees included past and present board members and employees.

Mr. Kitzman grew up in Pattison, TX and when he and his wife were ready to build their home, there was not an existing water system in the city. Options for water were limited to drilling your own water well or sharing one with a neighbor. In the early 1980s, with the help of local volunteers, the water system was formed.

After retiring as a plumber, Mr. Kitzman soon discovered that his name had been suggested as an excellent choice for the Board of Directors of Pattison Water Supply. Soon after joining the board, he was elected as the President.

Thirty-one years later, when asked what made him stay on the board for so long, his reply was,“Because the water system was such a needed part of our small community. The willingness of all the volunteers, both past and present. The wonderful help and dedication of our managers and

Norman Kitzman poses with Pattison WSC's former General Manager Deborah McMullan (left), and Pattison's current General Managerr Connie Turner (right) and Administrative Assistant Debbie Garrett (far right).

employees. It has been a privilege to serve in this position.”

"This gentleman was my boss for 10 years at Pattison WSC and was one that was instrumental in keeping me there after unexpectedly being promoted to General Manager after only a month on the job," said Deborah McMullan, now the Assistant Projects Manager for Texas Rural Water Association. "I didn’t know a thing about water and he taught me pretty much everything I needed to know."

During Mr. Kitzman’s years of service, he has seen the system grow from approximately 100 meters to well over 500. The business has since been computerized, they have drilled two additional wells and erased all debt. Mr. Kitzman would like to say “Thank You” to all the excellent employees and board members that have served over the years.

Does your system do something that stands out? E-mail editor@trwa.org or call 512-472-8591 and tell us your story! You could see your system highlighted in the next issue of our magazine!

Norman Kitzman celebrates 30 years as Board President with past and present board members and employees.

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TRWA Expands Awards Program, Includes System-wide Award for Community Outreach

By Allison Kaminsky, Communications Director, Texas Rural Water Foundation

W

e are making big changes to our Awards of Excellence program, expanding our current individual awards to include a larger group of water and wastewater industry professionals, increasing prize amounts and adding new systemwide awards to the program.

Individual Awards Our individual awards were created to recognize the shining stars of our member utilities, seeking to honor their dedication and achievements in support of their system and the larger community.

Historically, we gave these awards out in three categories—Manager of the Year, Operator of the Year and Office Manager/Secretary of the Year.

The TRWA Awards and Scholarships Committee recently convened and discussed that, though these categories have done much to recognize some outstanding individuals, it was time to revisit who is eligible to nominate and win these awards.

As a result, the committee decided to expand the eligibility of each category to include more system personnel.

Beginning in 2017, the individual awards will be given in three categories: Excellence in System Management, Excellence in Administration and Excellence in Operations.

Formerly the Manager of the Year award, the Excellence in System Management award allows for the recognition of any manager of a member utility who exemplifies exceptional leadership and oversight skills. This includes general managers, superintendents, assistant general managers, system managers, plant managers, etc. Whether they have made great strides to grow the system, implement new technologies, secure funding for projects, inspire their employees or engage their communities, we want to hear about what makes these leaders so important to you.

The Office Manager/Secretary of the Year award has expanded to the new Excellence in Administration award, and is meant for any and all supporting personnel whose hard work and dedication keep their utility’s office administration running smoothly on a day-to-day basis. This 8

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includes office managers, administrative assistants, bookkeepers, accounting clerks, customer service representatives, secretaries, receptionists, etc.

Take this opportunity to appreciate someone who makes your life easier and tell us about how your supervisor set up a new records management system and protocols, or how your coworker pulls double duty and goes into the field to fix leaks when they’re not balancing the books, or how, when no one at your utility wanted to, your employee embraced social media and single-handedly established your system’s online presence.

The new Excellence in Operations award is designed to recognize any personnel who are instrumental in the technical operations of your utility, and go above and beyond the call of duty in their work. This could include any operator, instrument or maintenance technician, field manager, utility service worker, etc., whose expertise and hard work are an invaluable asset to your system. Don’t miss your chance to recognize your employee for working tirelessly with management to affordably replace several miles of water line, or show your admiration for a supervisor for their ideas on how to better manage water loss and control inventory waste, or champion a peer for their emergency response and resolution skills.

Excellence in Community Outreach We are also excited to announce the addition of system-wide awards to our annual program.

In 2017, this award will be for Excellence in Community Outreach. We will give this award out in two categories: one for systems serving 1,500 or fewer connections and another for those serving more than 1,500 connections.

This award is designed to applaud utilities that have made significant efforts to engage their communities. No initiative is too big or small, as long as it gets you results! Perhaps your system developed a consumer newsletter that has effectively promoted awareness about your utility and the industry, or maybe you implemented a new education program that puts your experts in direct contact with local schools, or possibly you launched

a campaign that turned negative public perception around and earned you the trust of your community.

Use this opportunity to showcase your hard work and share your ideas with your industry peers who can learn from your successes.

The Prizes All award winners will be honored during the Awards and Scholarships Ceremony at RuralWaterCon in March and will be featured in the spring issue of this magazine. Individual winners will each receive a $500 prize and a commemorative plaque, and their nominating system will receive a free registration for any employee to attend a 2017 TRWA conference of their choice. The systemwide winners will each receive a $1,000 prize and commemorative plaques. A special thank you to Master Meter for sponsoring the small system Excellence in Community Outreach prize.

Nomination forms have been mailed to all TRWA member utilities, and you can also submit your nomination online at www.trwa.org. All entries must be postmarked or delivered by December 15, 2016 to be considered.

If you have any questions about the nomination form or the awards process, please contact TRWA Communications Director Allison Kaminsky at (512) 472-8591 or Allison.Kaminsky@trwa.org.

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It is now easier than ever to nominate yourself, a peer, employee or supervisor for one of our coveted individual awards. We have simplified the nomination form and essay, and also created a way that you can easily re-nominate someone who did not win in a previous year. So start thinking of a way to tell us in 750 words or less what makes this person stand out in the selected category! Please remember that eligibility is limited to employees of TRWA member utilities and that former award winners are not eligible.

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Keep It Legal

Q:

Answers to Members’ Questions by Erin Selvera, TRWA Legal and Legislative Services Director

What are the Debt Obligation Reporting Requirements?

A. The 84th Legislature passed House Bill 1378 in 2015 to increase the transparency of local government debt. Under Texas Local Government Code § 140.008, political subdivisions, including counties, cities, school districts, junior college districts, special purpose districts and other subdivisions of state government must annually compile their debt obligation data from the preceding fiscal year and either: • •

report it to the Comptroller of Public Accounts for posting or, alternatively, post the information on their own websites.

The law took effect January 1, 2016, and the requirement to report only applies to a fiscal year ending on or after that date. Political Subdivisions (including water districts) shall begin reporting within 210 days of the end of the political subdivision's fiscal year in 2016. For example, if the district’s fiscal year ended on January 31, 2016, then the first report is due before August 28, 2016. For year 2017 and thereafter, reports are due within 180 days of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year.

The Comptroller has developed forms and an online portal for submitting this information at www. texastransparency.org/Local_Government/HB1378/.

The law includes an exception allowing water districts to comply by filing the same financial report they already file with TCEQ under Subchapter G, Chapter 49 Water Code which could be their audit report, annual financial report or financial dormancy report. Small cities and counties may either post the information on their website or send it to the Comptroller and post a link on their website if they have one. Water supply corporations are not subject to the Comptroller’s debt obligation reporting requirements.

Q: What are the new overtime rules passed in May? A: On May 23, 2016, the Department of Labor issued a final rule, making three significant changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulations regarding overtime pay.

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1. It raises the minimum salary threshold for a person to be considered an exempt employee and thus not entitled to overtime pay from $455/week to $913/week ($47,476 per year).

2. It raises the salary level cap for highly compensated employees from $100,000 to $134,004 per year. Most full time, salaried, exempt employees paid more than this level will no longer be eligible for overtime.

3. It allows for automatic updates to the salary threshold every three years, beginning January 1, 2020, based on wage growth over time.

What should you do right now? The final rule will become effective on December 1, 2016, so now is the time to identify the positions and employees you classify as exempt. The key factors to focus on are whether the employee: •

• • •

is paid on a salary basis, meaning they are paid a predetermined and fixed salary that is not subject to reduction because of variations in the quality or quantity of work performed; is paid at least $913 per week ($47,476 per year); has central duties that primarily involve executive, administrative or professional duties as defined in the regulation; and works more than 40 hours per week.

The first three factors determine whether the employee is subject to the white collar exemptions to the overtime pay requirements. The third factor listed above, also known as the “duties test,” can be critical to establishing that white collar workers are not entitled to overtime pay and, thus, it is advisable to review with your attorney the specific definitions for executive, administrative and professional duties when conducting your analysis. The final rule does not make any changes to the existing “duties test.”

What options do you have? Employers have a range of options for responding to the updated standard salary level. The most common options for water and wastewater utilities are: •

increase the salary of an employee who meets the duties test to at least the new salary level to retain his or her exempt status;

• • • •

pay an overtime premium of one and a half times the employee's regular rate of pay for any overtime hours worked; reduce or eliminate overtime hours; utilize compensatory (comp) time (applies to cities and districts) use some combination of these options.

The circumstances of each affected employee will likely impact which option you choose.

The Department of Labor has created a website explaining the requirements in more detail, which includes some examples, and provides contact information for additional questions: https://www.dol. gov/featured/overtime.

Q: An employee of a neighboring special utility district lives in our district and was elected to our Board of Directors. We are currently negotiating with the other district to purchase water from them as they are a neighboring facility. Would it be proper for us to ask for his resignation from our board since we are trying to do business with them?

What would be the right thing to do?

were an employee of a water supply corporation, there would be a conflict of interest because the WSC is considered a business entity under Government Code Chapter 171.

Even if this director has a conflict, he is not disqualified from serving on the board. The rest of the board may still decide to enter into the water supply contract if they believe it is in the district’s best interest to do so. The interested director may still be present at the meeting and participate in the discussion and voting on topics for which he does not have a conflict of interest.

For directors of water supply corporations, Texas Business Organization Code Section 22.230 addresses contracts or transactions involving interested directors, officers and members. It provides that a conflict of interest exists for a director if there is a contract or transaction between the corporation and the director or between the corporation and an entity or organization in which the director is a managerial official, a member or has a financial interest. The Texas Business Organization Code does not define what constitutes a financial interest. Texas Attorney General Opinions reveal that under the strict common-law rule, even a very small pecuniary interest or mere employment may constitute a financial interest.

See Tex. Att'y Gen. Op. No. JM817 (1987) at 2; JM-671 (1987) at 3; JM-424 (1986) at 4; Tex. Att'y Gen. LO-97-052, at 2. Tex. Att'y Gen. Op. No. DM-18 (1991). Therefore, if the WSC board member was also of an employee of either a district or another WSC, he would likely have a conflict of interest due to the pay he receives through his employment.

“The final [FLSA] rule will become effective on December 1, 2016, so now is the time to identify the positions and employees you classify as exempt.”

A: Based on the situation you described, your board member would not be disqualified from serving on the board under Texas Water Code (TWC) Section 49.052 since he is not providing professional services (as an individual) to your district and he would not be a party to the contract between the two districts.

Section 49.052 also includes disqualification for directors who are developers of property within the district or who are related within the third degree of affinity or consanguinity to a developer of property in the district, any other member of the board, or the manager, engineer, attorney, or other person providing professional services to the district. The district director also would not have a conflict of interest under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 171. This section states a person has a conflict if they receive funds from a “business entity” that exceed 10 percent of their gross income for the previous year. The Attorney General in Tex. Att’y Gen. Op. Nos. JM-852 (1988), DM-267 (1993) found a public university and a city were not a “business entity” for purposes of Chapter 171 because “…(it) is publicly funded and its use of its funding is strictly controlled by statute.” If the director of the district

However, in accordance with the provisions of Section 22.230(b) as long as the material facts surrounding the relationship or interest are known by the corporation’s board or the contract or transaction is fair to the WSC when authorized by the board, then the contraction or transaction is valid and enforceable despite any conflict of interest of the individual board member. The WSC law also provides that an “interested” director may be included in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting, and may be present and participate in and vote at the meeting of the board where the contract or transaction is authorized. TRWA has always recommended that the Continued on page 14 Quench — July/August 2016 13

Continued from page 13

WSC board adopt a policy that the interested director refrain from discussion and voting on the issue where they have a conflict, but this is not required by law.

Q. Does the board have to take written minutes of our board meetings?

A: There are two options for documenting the business occurring at a board meeting. Under the Texas Open Meetings Act Section 551.021, a governmental body shall prepare and keep minutes or make a recording of each open meeting of the body. The minutes must state the subject of each deliberation and indicate each vote, order, decision or other action taken. To appropriately document the actions through an audio recording, it must include announcements by the presiding officer at the beginning and the end of the meeting indicating the date and time.

In accordance with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission records retention schedule, open meeting agendas and minutes of board meetings must be kept permanently, meaning they should not be destroyed or discarded. If the minutes are initially recorded by audio or audiovisual means and then transcribed, the recording can be discarded 90 days after the written minutes are approved by the governing body. The minutes and recordings of an open meeting are also public records and shall be available for public inspection and copying on request to the governmental body’s chief administrative officer or the officer’s designee. For WSCs and districts, this can be a board member, typically the secretary or designated office personnel.

Code. Certified agendas of closed meetings must be kept two years in accordance with Government Code, Section 551.104(a).When a certified agenda is created, the presiding officer, typically the board president, must certify that the agenda is a true and correct record of the executive session. The certified agenda must include “(1) a statement of the subject matter of each deliberation, (2) a record of any further action taken, and (3) an announcement by the presiding officer at the beginning and the end of the closed meeting indicating the date and time.” While the agenda does not have to be a verbatim transcript of the meeting, it must at least provide a brief summary of each deliberation. The certified agenda or recording of an executive session must be kept a minimum of two years after the date of the session and is confidential. Other board members have a right to inspect the certified agenda or recording of a closed meeting, even if he or she did not participate in the meeting. This is not a release to the public in violation of the confidentiality provisions of the Act, because a board member is not a member of the public within that prohibition.

If you have a legal question you would like answered, please email legal@trwa.org.

C ROM T ANK S QUALITY IN EVERY CAPACITY, AT EVERY CAPACITY.

For executive sessions, the board must make and keep either a certified agenda or a recording of each executive session, except for an executive session held by the board to consult with its attorney in accordance with section 551.071 of the Government

Water | Wastewater | Solid Waste | Electric Asset Appraisals

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www.newgenstrategies.net David S. Yanke | (512) 649-1254 | dyanke@newgenstrategies.net Chris Ekrut | (972) 232-2234 | cekrut@newgenstrategies.net

14

Quench — July/August 2016

OVER 4100 WATER AND WASTEWATER TANKS BUILT SINCE 1953 Robert G. Oyenarte, PE (O) 512-900-0471 | (C) 352-262-7020 rgo@cromcorp.com | www.cromcorp.com

Quench — July/August 2016 15

A Look Back: TRWF's Partnership with AmeriCorps VISTA Comes to an End

By Adrienne Emmerich, Wendy Wilson and Colleen Zarek, Texas Rural Water Foundation

T

he Texas Rural Water Foundation (TRWF) was established in 2010 in order to expand upon the work of the Association and to support and empower rural water and wastewater utilities and the communities they serve. To grow the Foundation into an independent, self-sustaining organization with dynamic programs, the Foundation partnered with AmeriCorps VISTA in 2012 under a three-year grant.

AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program that was founded in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson to fight the “War on Poverty” by addressing the root causes for poverty and providing creative solutions. Since 2012, the TRWF has worked with twenty VISTAs to develop and make the Foundation the success it is today. These volunteers helped build the initial capacity of the Foundation, develop new programs, raise funds, and develop training manuals and online courses, to lay the groundwork for sustainable future programming.

As our three-year AmeriCorps VISTA grant comes to an end, we would like to thank the staff at TRWA and all of the VISTAs for their hard work by recognizing some of their accomplishments.

Foundation Development When the initial VISTA team began, the Foundation lacked the branding it needed as an independent, self-sustaining organization. VISTA members Brandee Cooklin, Kendall Penndorf and Jay Colingham began their service in February 2013. They immediately began work to create a recognizable brand in order to establish a presence in the water and wastewater utility industry, and to approach potential donors and project partners.

The team researched best methods for creating a brand to support the Foundation’s multifaceted goals—assist rural water and wastewater utilities serving disadvantaged communities in Texas, improve utility operator education, attract and employ veterans to work in the industry and increase conservation initiatives. Over a period of several months, the VISTA team, working in cooperation with the Foundation’s Communications Director Allison Kaminsky, created the official logo, as well as brochures, banners, and other materials to promote awareness of the Foundation and its goals.

16

Quench — July/August 2016

Daniel Sparkman joined the Foundation in November 2013 and continued building the capacity of the Foundation.

Daniel and Allison worked to develop and launch the From left: Former AmeriCorps VISTAs TRWF digital Suzanne Gorey, Daniel Sparkman, Marushka presence, Grogan, Brandee Cooklin, Hannah Holzwarth including and Rashedah Mohammed. a website and four social media pages: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Google+. These platforms provide the Foundation with marketing tools to generate interest and participation in TRWF’s programs; provide educational information and links; recognize partners and donors; and promote the Foundation’s fundraising efforts. Daniel and Allison also developed a communications plan and social media usage guide that is still utilized today.

Marushka Grogan started her VISTA term in November 2013, and she and Brandee looked for ways to generate funds to support TRWF goals. They established the Salvage Your Scrap fundraising campaign, which invites participating water/wastewater utilities to recycle their scrap metal and donate the proceeds in support of Foundation programs. The VISTAs created a great resource guide for scrap metal recycling, which is still available on the Foundation’s website for utilities to use.

In her second year as a VISTA leader, Marushka identified that the Foundation needed high-quality images to represent the Foundation’s mission and programs and to update its communications and educational materials. In collaboration with other VISTAs, Caroline Hackett and Glenn Gomez,

Marushka created the Foundation’s PhotoStream photography contest as a Texas-specific, statewide initiative. These images “for Texas, by Texas” continue to be used to update current and future educational and marketing materials produced by both Texas Rural Water Foundation and Texas Rural Water Association.

One of the Foundation’s earliest goals was to create a water conservation program for utilities. In 2014, the Foundation engaged Texas utilities in a water conservation survey to provide insight into the challenges facing rural water utilities. As a result of that survey, VISTAs Caroline and Marushka were able to develop water conservation resources and training for rural water utility personnel throughout Texas for a program that would become the “Don’t Leave Texas High & Dry” outreach initiative.

The Veteran Employment Program The Veteran Employment Program (VEP) has been an immensely successful component of TRWF. The VEP matches hiring utilities with qualified veterans to fill open positions. Utilities are reimbursed for certain class, exam and travel fees for their veteran employees. Former VISTAs Jessica Noelke and Rashedah Mohammed started with TRWF in February 2013, and their dedication and commitment formed the basic framework and strong foundation for the VEP. They accepted their first veteran, Trevor Allen, into the VEP in July 2013. By the end of their terms in December and February, Jessica and Rashedah had successfully established the VEP and admitted three veterans into the program. In addition, Jessica, in cooperation with TRWA staff, led the effort on a grant proposal to receive funds from the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Fund for Veteran Assistance. Rashedah and Marushka edited and completed the final product. Former VISTA Leader Daniel Sparkman presented the information to the

TRWA staff and former VISTAs tour a water and wastewater treatment plant in Dripping Springs, TX, hosted by TRWA member Professional General Management Services, Inc.

TVC’s Advisory Committee, and the culmination of these efforts resulted in the VEP being awarded $5,000 to pay for costs of operator training, From left: Former AmeriCorps VISTAs license Marushka Grogan, Cathleen MacKinnon, Lily exams and Roblin, Caroline Hackett, Anjelica Sepulveda, program Daniel Sparkman and Taylor Sutherland. expansion.

Since receiving this first grant in July 2014, the VEP has received two subsequent grants from the TVC’s Fund for Veterans Assistance.

Lily Roblin and Anjelica Sepulveda joined TRWF as Veteran Employment Specialists in February 2014 to continue Jessica and Rashedah’s work with a focus on program sustainability. They researched and created materials to help utilities apply to be OnThe-Job Training providers, which allows veterans to supplement their income by using their GI Bill during their first year of employment with an approved system. They also worked to expand the VEP into the Rural Water Workforce Initiative (RWWI), an initiative created to address several different issues in the rural water and wastewater utility industry in Texas.

The RWWI aims to promote careers in the water and wastewater industry and attract capable new applicants for industry jobs, as well as serve as a resource and facilitator for anyone interested in such a career.

Khristian Kesterson joined the TRWF team in February 2015 and enthusiastically jumped into the VEP from day one, presenting to the TVC in his first week of service to secure a grant of $50,000 from the TVC’s Fund for Veterans Assistance. During his tenure with the Foundation, Khristian worked to expand community outreach. He represented TRWF at TRWA’s Office Professionals Conference where he increased awareness of the VEP to utility professionals who run and manage the office side of small and rural communities’ water utilities. He Continued on page 18 Quench — July/August 2016 17

Continued from page 17

also wrote articles for Quench on a regular basis and created a PowerPoint presentation for utilities to use for groups touring in their facility. Khristian consistently exceeded performance benchmarks during the 2015 year-long grant awarded by the TVC’s Fund for Veterans Assistance. When Khristian concluded his VISTA term in February of this year, he had served five veterans during the 2015 grant cycle, which at that time exceeded the performance benchmark for the second quarter by 10 percent.

Colleen Zarek started with the Foundation in August 2015 as a Foundation Development Specialist. As Khristian’s service was ending, Colleen began cross-training and eventually took over Khristian’s role with the VEP in his absence.

Colleen and Khristian’s combined efforts were crucial in accomplishing the TVC 2015 grant performance benchmarks. Most recently, Colleen spread awareness of the RWWI and the VEP at the TRWA 2016 Technical Conference as a presenter.

In August, TRWA plans on hiring a full-time Foundation employee thanks in large part to the new 2016 TVC grant. This person will continue the work done in the last three years by expanding on existing projects and taking on new tasks. Colleen will finish her year of service in August 2016 and is excited to see everyone’s hard work continue to grow and benefit veterans and rural water utilities.

Course Development Another major facet of TRWF’s efforts has been to support TRWA’s Professional Development and Training Department through course development.

Since 2013, VISTAs have provided necessary assistance to help produce materials for both classroom and online courses.

Hannah Holzwarth and Suzanne Gorey began in 2013 as part of the initial VISTA team. Hannah submitted the first new online course in 10 years, Injury Prevention for Water Operators. Her work and the feedback from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) were set the precedent for future successful online coursework.

With the help of TRWA Instructors, Suzanne created TRWA’s first Water and Wastewater Utility Management manual. The manual will be used in the Water Utility Management course to instruct students about management functions, human resources, personnel policy, public policy and relations, customer service, laws and regulations, financial management, operations management, safety, 18

Quench — July/August 2016

From left: Former AmeriCorps VISTAs Wendy Wilson, Marushka Grogan, Colleen Zarek, Khristian Kesterson and Adrienne Emmerich.

records retention, and other crucial aspects of utility management.

In 2014, Cathleen MacKinnon and Taylor Sutherland took over course development for the Foundation. Cathleen created TRWA’s first Water Distribution manual, which is currently being reviewed by TCEQ. She also contributed to portions of the Groundwater Productions Manual and designed the cover artwork for new and future manuals. Taylor completely revised and updated the online Basic Water Works Operations course which is also in the review process at TCEQ. Adrienne Emmerich and Wendy Wilson started in 2015 to build on the work of the previous VISTAs. Adrienne helped update and reformat several manuals, including Water Distribution, Basic Wastewater, Chlorinator Systems and Chemical Handling, Surface Water Production I, Surface Water Production II, Wastewater Collections, Water Sampling and Field Analysis, Waste and Wastewater Utility Management and Water Utility Safety. The updates ensure that the material in the manuals is accurate and reflects changing regulations, and the reformatting will make it easier for future updates to occur. In addition, she created an online Introduction to Water Sources course based on material from the Basic Water Works Operations course. At the end of Adrienne’s VISTA term in February 2016 she was offered a full-time position with TRWA as a Course Development Specialist and continues to be a valuable resource for both the Foundation and the Association. Wendy will complete her year of service in August 2016. During her time at TRWF, she completed the final round of edits for the Basic Water Works Operations course and created an updated version of the online Water Utility Safety course.

The updated courses are more interactive than the

previous versions, containing games, quizzes and videos. They are intended to provide the student with more opportunities to apply and reinforce their knowledge.

“Texas is a huge state with a wide range of water needs in the communities spread across it. As an AmeriCorps VISTA, one of the greatest challenges was figuring out effective ways to address these needs with only a one year term to accomplish it in. I am proud of the achievements of each of the Foundation’s VISTAs, and look forward to seeing how the Foundation continues to grow and serve Texas communities’ water needs in years to come,” said Marushka Grogan, the only VISTA to commit two years to support the Foundation.

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Ask Larry

Q:

A Q&A column with TRWA Technical Assistance Director Larry Bell

After receiving a call for no water one evening, our operator arrived at the residence that, from the road/ front of the building, looks like a single dwelling.

However, when making his way through the overgrown brush to the back of the building, our operator found that the building is actually apartments of maybe six or more units. The meter that services these units is 5\8 x 3/4, and the owner pays the bill on a monthly basis. Now that the office is aware of the issue, how should we handle it?

Another issue that might be happening is the same line the owner has servicing the building may also be servicing a trailer that is also rented.

The area in question is heavily overgrown and it is unknown where the owner ran the water lines that service the buildings in question. Our operator also questioned the WSC's rights to go on the property to check for a well and any additional dwellings. Is the operator allowed by law to investigate these issues concerning the service of water provided to multiple dwellings?

A: You will want to begin by looking at your system’s approved tariff to determine if there are any statements which prohibit the use of a single meter to service more than one dwelling, apartment, trailer or other similar type connections. TRWA’s model tariff prohibits multiple connections to a single tap, stating: “No more than one (1) residential, commercial, or industrial service connection is allowed per meter or sewer tap.” However, TRWA’s sample tariff states that an apartment building, condominium, manufactured housing (modular, mobile or RV) community, business center or other similar type enterprise may be considered by the WSC to be a single commercial facility if the owner applies for a meter as a “master metered account” and complies with the requirements set forth in PUC rules, the tariff and applicable law. TRWA’s sample tariff provides that the WSC may allow master metering and/or non-standard sewer service to these facilities at an applicant’s request.

Keep in mind that the tariff directs the WSC to discontinue service under the Disconnection with 20

Quench — July/August 2016

Notice provisions for a first violation, and without notice for subsequent violations, if the WSC has sufficient reason to believe a multiple connection exists.

The TRWA sample tariff defines multiple connection to be: "The connection to any portion of a member’s water or sewer system that is connected to a primary delivery point already servicing one residence, one commercial or industrial facility of a water or sewer line serving another residence or commercial or industrial facility. Water or sewer lines to outbuildings, barns or other accessory structures shall not be consider a multiple connection if: (i) those structures are located on the same tract as the primary delivery point and (ii) such structures are not used as a residence or as a commercial or industrial facility."

The USDA Sample Service Agreement is also consistent with the one meter per connection requirement. It states that a meter is to be used to provide service to one dwelling and can’t be used to provide service to different properties or apartments unless the customer has a non-standard master meter that was properly sized to provide service to these many “different” dwellings. USDA’s Sample Service Agreement also directs the system to require the member to re-apply for service under the terms and conditions of the tariff if the system determines that the customer service needs have changed.

Also consistent with TRWA’s tariff, USDA’s Service Agreement allows for disconnection with notice if the member fails to comply.

The Public Utility Commission (PUC) also has rules regarding one meter per connection.

Specifically, 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) § 24.89(4) requires one meter for each residential, commercial or industrial service connection. The rule allows an apartment building, condominium, manufactured housing community or mobile home park to be considered by the utility to be a single commercial facility. The rule also allows the commission to grant an exception to the individual meter requirement if the plumbing of an existing multiple use or multiple occupant building would prohibit the installation of individual meters at a

reasonable cost or would result in unreasonable disruption of the customary use of the property.

Regarding the trailer on the property, TRWA’s sample tariff Subsection 26(c) allows members in good standing to “share water usage with a visitor” on their property with a recreation vehicle (RV) or travel trailer for a period of no longer than three months, but requires an additional meter installation and membership be purchased if the recreation vehicle/ travel trailer is being used for a permanent residence.

The tariff prohibits commercial usage and states that if a member is found to violate these conditions, the member will be sent a letter of notice stating that water service will be cut off in 10 days if the situation is not corrected. Again, you will need to check your tariff to verify it has the same or similar language. If your tariff has this language, you’ll want to determine how long the trailer has been in use and if it is being used as a permanent residence.

Regarding your operator’s concerns about inspecting the property, TRWA’s sample tariff Section 26(c) states the system has the right to inspect the premises for any potential cross-contamination issues as outlined in the Customer Service Inspection Requirements and to ensure that the meter is properly sized for the additional usage at the time of total peak water demand. This is supported by TCEQ rule Section 290.46(j) which allows a system to conduct a customer service inspection anytime there is a potential cross-connection or improper plumbing that can create or cause a health hazard.

Q: A member has several meters and has transferred most of her real property to her son.

We are transferring her memberships to him according to our tariff. It appears that she has kept a small piece of property upon which her house sits. The meter that services that house is on the property she gave to her son. It seems easy enough to treat this like a "rental" property, but maybe this is kicking the can down the road when the properties sell in the future. Should we move the meter? If so, who bears the expense— the WSC or the property owners?

Also, we have a member who owns a large piece of property with a house on top of a hill.

The meter is located 5 feet off the main line, and the member maintains the line to the house and a booster pump. He wants to sell the property with the exception of 20 acres located in the corner of the property where the current meter sits and build a smaller home in that location.

We have initiated a hydraulic study to determine

feasibility of adding a meter at this location. It is not actually within our CCN. Would we move the existing meter outside the 20 acres on the remaining parcel and place a new meter for the 20 acres? Is the WSC responsible for any of the cost for these moves?

A: First, you’ll need to review your tariff to determine what policies the board has adopted in the past. The TRWA sample tariff requires the meter to be installed on the property designated to receive water service. In this situation, the water meter serving the existing customer should have been “relocated” before the property deed was changed.

However, moving meters from one place to another has and can cause major pressure service issues to the other existing customers along that line if the new property to be served by this relocated meter happens to be at a higher elevation than before, or the water main changes to a smaller line size or other conditions which affect the hydraulics of the system. Therefore, the WSC should exercise caution in relocating the meter and consider whether any engineering or hydraulic study would be needed to ensure that existing customers are not negatively impacted by the relocation.

As for who should pay, the customer/member should pay for the required costs, including relocation and Customer Service Inspections. If the water main has to be upgraded to provide service to this other tract of land, then that cost should be paid for by the customer/member requesting the meter be relocated.

To address your second situation, it is great that the applicant/customer has been required to pay for the hydraulic engineering study to determine whether the WSC can provide proper service capacities to this property which is outside the current CCN. If they proceed to request this service once the study is completed, then any costs to extend service to that property in question must be paid for by that applicant/customer and not the WSC. Again, if your tariff requires the meter to be installed on the property designated to receive water service, the water meter serving the existing customer should be moved, if feasible. This is also dependent on whether the WSC's board agrees to let the distribution system line be extended to this outside property. If the board decides to do so, then, in addition to the cost of the hydraulic study, the applicant/customer should pay the cost to amend the WSC's CCN at the PUC and TCEQ. If you have a technical question you would like answered, please email Larry.Bell@trwa.org.

Quench — July/August 2016 21

From the Hole Tales from the road by Michael Beadnell, Instructor for Texas Rural Water Association

I

pointed TRWA’s Expedition west with our safety trailer in tow toward San Saba. Wastewater Collections is not typically a trailer course, but since no one was using the safety trailer, I couldn’t resist giving it a good spring cleaning and a little exercise. If you were to put a finger in the middle of a map of Texas, San Saba would be right at the door steps. San Saba is the top of the Texas Hill Country, and I was looking forward to those beautiful Hill Country views, from the low line pecan-filled bottoms to towering lime stone bluffs. San Saba claims the title “Pecan Capital of the World” mainly because of an English cabinet maker and amateur horticulturist named E.E. Risien. Risien was making his way to California, but fell for the lure of the mighty Colorado, the San Saba River and the many natural springs cascading out of the San Saba area.

A large portion of water flowing from San Saba Springs is believed to be from the Ellenburger–San Saba and Marble Falls Aquifer. E.E. Risien started the first water works for the residents of San Saba County there, and that was also the sight for his first pecan show. After the judging, he asked the winning exhibitor to show him the tree where the delicious specimens came from. Risien was horrified when he saw all the limbs but one sawed off.

“I needed that one to stand on to get the pecans for the show,” he said.

Risien bought the land and tree. The tree named “the mother tree” still stands and is the source of more varieties than any other pecan tree in the world. The Liberty Bond, Jersey #60, San Saba Improved, Texas Prolific and the internationally famous Western Schey, pronounced “sh-ly” just to name a few.

I turned down Thomas Sinclair Road off of Highway 190 to Mill Pond Park. Rocky bottom rapids and several falls flowed into the inviting clear water pools providing the ideal atmosphere for a TRWA class. The road wound around to the civic center where I got out and walked to the door.

“My name is Tony Guidroz,” an all too familiar voice announced, I’m the Economic Development Tourism/Marketing Director.

22

Quench — July/August 2016

Brittany Smadley from TCEQ's Laredo Office, Vernon Canter from City of Brady, and Jesse Hunt of San Saba take turns in permit confined space training.

“Wow that’s some title,” I said. “Bet you don’t do windows, huh?”

“Don’t I know you,” he asked.

I was kind of thinking the same thing. After I told Tony where I was from, I found out he was from Waco. Tony used to play with the band Stepin' Stone. Then I remembered how I knew him—his band would play music for Brotherhood motorcycle rallies on occasion in Axtel behind Jim’s Cycle.

Wow, small world.

I set up my tables and chairs, put out the Wastewater Collection manuals and registration forms, filled the baskets with the usual pens, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, highlighters and calculators. Getting to a host system location a day early is a good time to go over last minutes details and make sure all the equipment is working.

San Saba is a new client and I want to be on my “A” game in hopes of them wanting to invite us back someday. There is a huge dry erase board for the good deal of math in this course, along with a projection screen above that for the Wastewater Collection films. I located all the essentials and was about to call Tony to lock the door when Scott Glaze and Eric Morgan drove up. Scott is the public works director for San Saba and he and Eric attended the Distribution class we held in Brownwood a few

months back. The subject quickly tuned to pecans, and the fellas shared that the city netted $20,000 from the crop at the golf course. We bid farewell for the evening with both planning to be in class the next morning.

are always changing. Attendants placed forced air into the confined space and lowered entrants into the manhole. Then entrants simulated freeing up the jet hose. Once completed, attendants brought the entrants up.

Class started in the usual way—paperwork, introductions and goals—then into lecture, book work and demonstrations. There was one recent hire of two weeks, but the rest of the class were at least two years into the industry. The recent hire was informed that, upon completion of this course, providing that he had a high school diploma or an equivalent, he would be eligible to take a state exam for his Collection 1 License, and then we went over the pounds formula.

We spent a good portion of the afternoon trailer training, the teams also simulating unstopping wastewater main stoppages, and then went back to the classroom and watched a film on lift stations.

I presented a PowerPoint before it was time to let class out.

On day two after lunch, with Scott’s permission, I backed the safety trailer into the gymnasium. I broke the class into teams and handed out blank confined space permit forms and we began Wastewater Collection trailer training.

“Scenario: Jet hose gets stuck in a j-drop manhole. You are going to be breaking the plane and entering to free up the jet hose,” I said.

Day three is a short day, and we finished up the last two chapters and did our final exam. San Saba has a wonderful civic center nestled in one of the most fascinating spots I’ve ever trained; I hope to be called back again.

If you are interested in hosting a TRWA training class, you can fill out a Course Request Form.

There is one printed on the subsequent page of this magazine, or you can submit one online at: www.trwa.org/?CourseRequestForm. You may also contact our training department by calling 512-4728591 or emailing training@trwa.org.

Teams decide who is going to be the entrant, who is going to be the attendant and who will be supervisor. Each team’s attendant helped the entrant don a body harness, and supervisors began filling out the permit names, location, and PPE. I have set up the tripod and wench. Prior to lifting the manhole lid all the way off, teams simulated testing the atmosphere with it open just enough to get the air analyzer in. They determined that the atmosphere was good, with oxygen at 21 percent and no toxins or flammable gas present. Attendants lifted the lid all the way off and hooked up the entrant to the wench while the supervisor notated atmosphere. Entrants hooked up an air analyzer to the harness so they could continuously monitor the atmosphere, as the atmosphere in the manholes

Quench — July/August 2016 23

TRWA Operator Training - Course Request Form Any utility may request a course to be taught in their area of Texas. TRWA Membership is not required!

The host must provide: 1. A facility with AC/heating, comfortable seating for extended hours with tables & chairs that will comfortably accommodate 15-25 people.

2. A large writing surface (white-board) & light-colored wall or screen for LCD projection 3. The training room must have internet access for the Instructors computer.

4. A local coordinator responsible for registering your employees, securing the facility, and promoting the class in your area 5. The host system should proactively look outside their system for more registrants as a minimum number of students are required for a class to proceed.

Courses Offered:

Hours:

Fee:

Water Credit Courses Basic Water Works Operations......................................... 20................ $240 Groundwater Production................................................... 20................ $240 Surface Water Production 1&2.....................................24 & 20 ........... $265 Water Distribution ............................................................ 20................ $240 Water Laboratory.............................................................. 20................ $240 Water Sampling and Field Analysis .................................. 8 ................ $215 Water Technology ............................................................ 40................ $390 Water And Wastewater Credit Courses Advanced Math................................................................. 10................ $215 Applied Confined Space Safety ......................................... 8 ................ $215 Chlorinator Systems & Chemical Handling...................... 20................ $265 Customer Service Inspections …………………………...16.…………$265 Math Basics ..................................................................... . 8................ $265 Pump and Motor Maintenance.......................................... 20................ $265 Valve and Hydrant Maintenance ...................................... 20................ $265 Water Utility Calculations ................................................ 20................ $265 Water Utility Management ............................................... 20................ $265 Water Utility Safety .......................................................... 20................ $265 Wastewater Credit Courses Basic Wastewater Operations ........................................... 20................ $240 Operation Of Activated Sludge Plants .............................. 20................ $240 Wastewater Collection...................................................... 20................ $240 Wastewater Laboratory..................................................... 20................ $240 Wastewater Sampling and Field Analysis ......................... 8 ................ $215 Wastewater Technology ................................................... 40................ $390 Wastewater Treatment ...................................................... 20................ $240

** Please request courses four to six months in advance.

Mail or Fax this Training Request Form to TRWA Training Department: Michael Vollmar • 1616 Rio Grande • Austin, TX 78701 Phone: 512-472-8591 • Fax: 512-472-5186 • training @trwa.com Contact Name________________________________________________ Email __________________________________ Organization Name______________________________________________ Phone (______)__________________________ Address_______________________________________City_________________________________State______ZIP_______ 1. Course Name ______________________________________ Preferred Month for Class ______________________ 2. Course Name ______________________________________ Preferred Month for Class ______________________ 3. Course Name ______________________________________ Preferred Month for Class ______________________ 24

Quench — July/August 2016

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TRWA Welcomes New Employees

S

ince the last issue of Quench, we have had a few new additions to the TRWA team, a few positions have changed and one of our staff has left us to go work for a member system. Read on to learn more about recent staffing changes at TRWA. You might notice a new voice on the other end of the line when calling in to TRWA. A third-generation Texan, Amanda Wilson is the new face at the front desk as our new Receptionist/Administratve Assistant. In addition to managing the front desk, she supports the Member Services and Finance Departments with their projects throughout the year.

Amanda is particularly passionate about rural water and Texas natural resources and looks forward to providing exceptional assistance to all of our members and visitors.

Amanda brings a diverse skill set to the TRWA team, including horse farm management and equestrian event production, grape harvest logistics and corporate event planning for the California wine industry, and most recently, customer service in health care. One of her favorite aspects of her new position with TRWA is the varied nature of the calls and emails she handles throughout the day. She enjoys assisting our members in finding the best possible solutions to the challenges they face.

She currently resides on a small farm just south of Smithville, where she is finishing construction on her tiny house. Amanda has a growing herd of LaMancha dairy goats, and enjoys making cheese and goat-milk soap. She spends the rest of her time riding her horses and pursuing other outdoor adventures across the state.

Meet the newest additions to the TRWA team (from left): Patti Flunker, Ariane Walker and Amanda Wilson.

Don't fret if you've enjoyed talking to Angela Harris over the years when you've called in to our office—she is still part of the TRWA team, serving now as a Project Support Specialist for our Environmental Services Department.

New to our Legal and Legislative Services Department, Patti Flunker is our new Executive/ Legal Assistant. Patti is a certified paralegal who brings to TRWA several years of executive and legal experience. She is very passionate about all the issues facing our water systems in Texas, as she has been a long-time member of her community WSC and understands firsthand how important it is to stay well informed of all the changes that effect water systems.

Patti is dedicated and eager to help all the members of TRWA in any way she can and to provide them with the superior service they expect, which will make their job a bit easier. She has a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University and an advanced paralegal degree from Austin Community College.

Patti is very active in her community, she has served as the POA President and as a chairman of various committees. When she’s not working or volunteering, Patti enjoys playing golf and boating on Lake Travis with her husband, Danny, and their two dogs Lenny and Lulu.

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Our former Legal Assistant, Pauline Word, has relocated to Oregon and we wish her the best in her new position as a Paralegal for Deschutes County.

During her free time, Ariane enjoys a good movie, trying new things and dancing (a hobby that she has had for 20 years).

Ariane Walker joined our Training Department earlier this summer as a temporary employee, and we were so impressed with her, we asked her to continue on with us as our full-time Training Support Specialist at the beginning of July. Some of her duties include scheduling classes and other events, answering member questions about training and reporting hours to TCEQ. Ariane is enjoying learning about the water and wastewater industry and she looks forward to what’s to come. She comes to us with six years of experience as an administrative assistant and is currently working on her bachelor's degree in Psychology.

Another staffing change for our Training Department includes the recent resignation of our long-time instructor, George Patterson, who has accepted a position with TRWA member Crystal Clear SUD as their new Assistant General Manager.

George will truly be missed, and we wish him all the best in his new position.

Join us in welcoming our new team members!

In 2015, Ariane moved to Texas from Florida where she worked with children with special needs just two days after getting married. She has a passion for working with women, and in 2015, she became one of the founding members and the Vice President of the nonprofit organization You Are More, Inc., which is dedicated to helping young girls and women of all ages.

find it. service it. document it. boost productivity.

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TRWA Board Adopts New Strategic Plan

The full 2016-2020 Strategic Plan is now available for all members to view on our website at www.trwa.org under the "Governance" tab. We consider this a living document that the Board will revisit on an annual basis to assess our successes and make adjustments as needed.

arlier this year, the TRWA Board of Directors convened for a board retreat to discuss the goals of the Association for the next three years in order to update TRWA's Strategic Plan.

We are very excited about the revised plan, and are already putting the wheels in motion to achieve these goals. If you have any questions, please contact us at 512-472-8591.

In preparation for this meeting, TRWA staff, led

by Executive Director and General Counsel Lara Zent, prepared white papers to inform the Board's discussion, identifying perceived priority areas and the current trends that influence them.

Family Fun Fish Fry Benefits the Texas Rural Water PAC

TRWA Briefs

E

After two half-days of moderated discussion, the Board identified six goals and their underlying strategies to guide the Association over the next four years. They also revised the TRWA Mission Statement and Vision Statement to align with these goals.

TRWA staff took the notes from this meeting and drafted the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan, which was brought to the July meeting of the Board of Directors for formal review and approval. The Board unanimously approved the new Strategic Plan for immediate adoption at this meeting.

The identified six goals that will serve as the Association's road map for the next four years are in the areas of: •

Membership/Member Services

•

Leadership Development

•

Advocacy

•

Public Relations/Communications

•

Organizational Resources

•

Training

I

n July, approximately 130 TRWA members and their families participated in our Family Fun Fish Fry dinner as part of the Training and Technical Conference in Galveston. This dinner and networking event was designed to benefit the Texas Rural Water Political Action Committee (PAC).

The Fish Fry offered a dinner catered by local favorite Shrimp & Stuff, and also featured games for the kids and a trivia challenge. We also had a surprise birthday celebration for TRWA Board Director Vickie Armstrong from District 12!

For our trivia challenge, eight teams signed up to test their wits against some tough questions on various subjects, including pop culture, nature and science, all things Texas, and TRWA history. Each round had a winner, and total points were tallied in the end to determine the grand prize winners!

Members of the winning team, Team Awesomeness (pictured below), got to choose from a selection of

Meet the grand prize winners of the Family Fun Fish Fry Trivia Challenge—Team Awesomeness!

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Texas Rural Water PAC premium gifts!

Registrations paid with a personal form of payment were eligible to be contributed to the PAC. We're happy to announce that we raised $1845 for the PAC, making it a very successful event! Learn more about the PAC and its importance to rural water utilities at www.trwa.org.

Thank you to all who came out and joined us to support the PAC! A special thanks goes out to our event sponsors who helped cover operational costs so registrations could benefit the PAC. Our event sponsors were AIA Insurance, Texas Land Professionals and Winn Professional Engineers.

Save the Date for Our Fall Conferences

register for one of these two events have the added benefit of choosing from classes from either one of the conference educational programs. Confirmed speakers include State Rep. Tracy King, Public Utility Commssion (PUC) Legal Services Division Director Margaret Pemberton and Texas Water Development Board Director (TWDB) Peter Lake, just to name a few.

Then, on November 2-3, we will be hosting our Dallas Fall Management Conference at the Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront. Among this conference's confirmed speakers are State Rep. Kyle Kacal, PUC Commissioner Kenneth Anderson and TWDB Director Kathleen Jackson.

egistration is now open for our Fall Management Conferences and our Water Districts Conference, to take place in San Antonio and Dallas this fall.

We are applying for operator certification credit for courses at all three conferences, and, new this year, we are also applying for continuing legal education credit for the Fall Management Conferences. For full agendas, visit our website at www.trwa.org and check under the "Conferences" tab, and keep an eye out in the mail for the print brochures.

On October 5-6, join us at the Hilton Palacio Del Rio in San Antonio for the Fall Management and Water Districts Conferences. Attendees who

If you have questions about these conferences, please don't hesitate to call us at 512-472-8591 or email meetings@trwa.org.

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Classified Ads Bethany Special Utility District Field Manager Bethany SUD is looking for candidates to fill a field manager vacancy in Alvarado, Texas.

Requirements are as follows: 1. Minimum 5 years field experience in water 2. Minimum "C" license 3. Be familiar with and able to manage a rural system with 1400 connections. Be able to back up manager and some office help.

4. Public relations skills are a must Bethany SUD offers the following: 1. Pay depends on experience 2. Paid Holidays 3. Vacation Time 4. Sick Time 5. Retirement 6. Health Benefits Interested applicants please send resume to: bethanysud@gmail.com or fax to 817-790-2525

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Quench — July/August 2016

Plan Ahead CONFERENCES: October 5-6, 2016

Fall Management Conference; Water Districts Conference, San Antonio, Hilton Palacio Del Rio

November 2-3, 2016

Fall Management Conference, Dallas, Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront

OPERATOR TRAINING COURSES: Water Credit Courses

Groundwater Production: San Antonio, Sept. 13-15 Surface Water Production 1: Harlingen, Oct. 11-13 Water Distribution: Harlingen, Aug. 23-25  San Antonio, Aug. 30-Sept.1  Kennedy, Sept. 13-15

Water and Wastewater Credit Courses

Chlorinator Maintenance: Kennedy, Aug.30-Sept. 1  Harlingen, Nov.15-17 Customer Service Inspections: Mabank, Sept. 7-8  Terrell, Sept.20-21  San Antonio, Oct. 4-5  Denton, Oct. 18-19 Pump and Motor Maintenance: Bartlett, Nov. 1-3  San Antonio, Nov. 15-17 Valve and Hydrant Maintenance:Terrell, Aug.23-25  Brownwood, Sept.7-9  Harlingen, Sept. 27-29  San Antonio, Nov. 1-3 Utility Calculations: San Antonio, Oct. 25-27 Utility Management: Denton, Sept. 20-22  Texarkana, Oct.25-27  San Antonio, Nov. 8-10 Utility Safety: Mesquite, Oct. 4-6  San Antonio, Oct. 18-20

Wastewater Credit Courses

Basic Wastewater: San Antonio, Oct. 11-13 Wastewater Collections: San Antonio, Sept. 27-29

Public Funds Investment Act Training

PFIA Initial: San Antonio, Oct.5  Rockwall, Nov. 2 PFIA Renewal: San Antonio, Oct.5  Rockwall, Nov. 2

Advertiser Index

AIA Insurance Agency......................................... Page 15 American Flow Control.................................................27 Childress Engineers......................................................30 Chlorinators Incorporated............................................27 CROM..............................................................................14 Daniel & Brown, Inc.......................................................26 DN Tanks........................................................................23 Global Treat....................................................................25 Hayes Engineering........................................................28 HD Supply...................................................................... 11 KSA Engineers.................................................................9 Maguire Iron...................................................................29 NewGen Solutions.........................................................14 Pittsburg Tank & Tower Maintenance Co., Inc............30 RG3 Meters................................................................6, 10 Russell Drilling Co., Inc................................................30 Schaumburg and Polk...................................................19 Smith Pump Co., Inc......................................................29 Tabor & Associates, Inc................................................23 Tank Connection..............................................................9 Texas Aquastore............................................................19 TraC-N-Trol, Inc..............................................................29 Quench — July/August 2016 31

1616 Rio Grande| Austin, TX 78701-1122 Telephone: (512) 472-8591 | Fax: (512) 472-5186 www.trwa.org

Resourceful

Be ! n a r e t e V a e r Hi

Many veterans already have the skills needed to work in the water industry.

Help them continue to serve.

Contact the Texas Rural Water Foundation Veteran Employment Program: 1616 Rio Grande Austin, TX 78701 www.texasrwf.org • foundation@texasrwf.org • 512-472-8591