By TR Robertson
The April meeting of the Vista Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee heard presentations from Vista Irrigation District 3 Director Peter Kuchinsky and Greg Wade from the Clean Energy Alliance. Peter Kuchinsky, District 3 VID Director began his power point presentation by going over a a short look at the history of VID. VID was created in 1923 and by 1926 Vista began to receive water from Lake Henshaw. In 1946, VID purchased the Warner Ranch, consisting of 43,000 acres and including Lake Henshaw. VID currently has 29,000 customer accounts and serves a population of 133,000. 71% or the customers are residential and 10% commercial and industrial. 30% of the water comes from Lake Henshaw and the rest comes from the San Diego County Water Authority. The SDCWA gets its water from the Colorado River – 66%, local source – 14%, desalinization – 10% and Northern California – 10%. Some of the VID future projects include 1) Edgehill Reservoir Replacement & Pump Station Project; 2) Tank Seismic and Structural Upgrades of VID’s Reservoir; 3) District Mainline Replacement Program; 4) Vista Flume Replacement of the 100-year-old, 11 mile long flume; and 5) Lake Henshaw Algai Blooms Management & Mitigation. The average water bill for Vista residents is $120.00 a month. Continuing Impacts that can affect water availability and rates include Climate/Drought, Growth/Development, Treatment/Testing, Water Rights/Regulations and Aging of the Infrastructure. Possible solutions for these impacts include Improved conservation, Agricultural irrigation technology, Groundwater management, Direct water reuse, Stormwater run-off capture, Increased storage and Local/Regional/State resolutions. VID offers a number of rebates and Homeowner Landscape Workshops. Go to www.vidwater.org/rebates for more information.
Greg Wade from the Clean Energy Alliance gave a presentation about what the CEA is and how the program works. CEA provides a choice where customers can choose between remaining with SDG&E or choosing receiving their energy from CEA. CEA would procure electricity for their residents, businesses and municipal facilities. The program was created in 2002 with AB 117. CEA’s power supply will come from a minimum 50% renewable sources, increasing to 100% renewable sources by 2035. CCE is operational in 25 locations in California including Carlsbad, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Escondido, San Marcos, Oceanside and now Vista. Customers choosing to go with CEA will be placed in the Clean Impact Plus when they enroll which is 75% Carbon-free, or they can opt down to Clean Empact which is 50% Renewable & Carbon-free or opt up to Green Impact which is 100% Renewable & Carbon-free. SDG& e will remain as the energy provider. CEA is a locally managed not-for-profit entity and any excess revenue generated by CEA will be reinvested in the community. CEA is getting the word out about their program through community outreach programs and events and will have a booth at the Alta Vista Gardens Earth Day on April 20th. Go to www.thecleanenergyalliance.org for more information.
Governmental Updates:
Josh Sino Cruz from the City of Vista – No Trespassing Forms are available through the Sheriff’s Department. The City Council is dealing with continued discussions about homelessness, housing, economic development, transportation, and street closures downtown. And the Avo Theatre. Next week City Council will hear a CEA presentation, discuss single family residential zones and parking and graffiti issues. Also to be discussed is AB 1033 dealing with the sale of ADU’s on personal property. Coming up is Alta Vista Garden’s Earth Day on April 20th, the Moonlight Gale and in May Moonlight’s production of “Into the Woods”.
Kristal Jabara from County of San Diego Supervisor Jim Desmond’s Office – Desmond with present the State of the County at Moonlight Amphitheatre on July 11. Desmond presented a letter to the board dealing with increasing the number of people able to assist severely mentally challenged people in dealing with a variety of issues.
Fernando Hernandez from Senator Catherine Blakespear’s Office – Some deadlines are coming up for submitting and passing bills – April 26 and May 3rd. The Senator has helped author SB 1401 dealing with military childcare and SB 1011 dealing with homeless unsafe camping near public schools, on sidewalks and other issues.
From Assembly Member Laurie Davies Office – A variety of bills the Assembly Member has authored or co-authored was discussed – AB 375 dealing with availability of information and photos for food delivery workers; AB 1966 requiring notices to be posted in transportation centers dealing with human trafficking; AB 2307 dealing with self-defense courses being available for victims of crimes; AB 1881 dealing with coastal erosion; AB 1922 dealing with the Green Collar program; and AB 2184 dealing with Cal Grants.
From Congressman Mike Levin’s Office – The Government shut-down was avoided again. Appropriations were awarded for Emerald Dr. improvements. The Congressman supports the Deceptive campaign funding bill that would stop deceptive campaigning. A high school art contest will soon be on display in Oceanside.
The next Government Affairs meeting will be on Thursday, May 2nd.
