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Palmdale City, Water District Settle and Create New Water Partnership


admin September 6, 2012

PALMDALE – City of Palmdale and the Palmdale Water District officials have announced a global settlement of multiple claims and lawsuits and the beginning of a new, innovative partnership on recycled water.

District Board President Gordon Dexter and Vice President Gloria Dizmang, along with Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford and Councilmember Mike Dispenza announced the settlement and the proposed formation of a new joint powers authority tentatively called the “Palmdale Recycled Water Authority.”

“This is the beginning of what promises to be a very beneficial relationship, not just for the City and the Water District, but more importantly, for our residents,” said Ledford. “It may have taken a while to get to where we are, but now that we’re here, we’re going to do some great things in Palmdale.” Dexter added that, “After years of trying to negotiate our differences we finally recognized our common goal. It has been a long road to reach this settlement, but the resulting partnership begins a new era of mutual respect and trust in meeting the current and future water needs of our community.”

“I think both sides are thrilled to, if I may paraphrase, ‘beat their litigation swords into plowshares in the form of purple recycled water pipes,’” said Dispenza. Board Vice President Dizmang stated, “I am extremely pleased that we have ended the lawsuits and am looking forward to good working relations with the City of Palmdale. This is what the new board promised the people and we have delivered.”

The new agreement comes after a three-year span in which the City and the District have been involved in multiple lawsuits and various cross claims over right-of- way permits, potable water rates and control of recycled water. “In 2011, the parties settled the right-of-way case and I think that broke the ice a little,” said Palmdale City Attorney Matt Ditzhazy. “The attorneys on both sides established a good working relationship on that case and through the Groundwater Adjudication, which also upped the trust level as both our clients saw we could work together for some common goals.”

Late last year, the District approached the City regarding possible mediation. The two parties agreed to have subcommittees of their respective boards engage in settlement talks along with the attorneys. The District appointed President Gordon Dexter and Vice President Gloria Dizmang. The City appointed Mayor Jim Ledford, and Councilmember Mike Dispenza. The parties sat down with a retired judge acting as a go-between for the mediation, but soon realized that face-to-face negotiations worked much better.

The settlement negotiation committee members from Palmdale City staff included Director of Public Works Mike Mischel and City Attorney Ditzhazy and for the District, General Manager Dennis LaMoreaux and Matt Knudson, Engineering Manager.

Together, the parties reached a settlement agreement that has the following points:

  • Settles two lawsuits entitled City of Palmdale v. Palmdale Water District (the invalidation action and the water rate case).
  • Settles the lawsuit entitled Palmdale Water District v. City of Palmdale (the recycled water case).
  • Agreement to continue working together cooperatively in the Antelope Valley Groundwater Adjudication litigation.
  • The parties are to consider the formation of a joint powers authority (“JPA”) to be known as the Palmdale Recycled Water Authority (“Authority”). Both agencies must hold public hearings on the formation. The basics of the Authority are encompassed in the draft joint powers authority attached as Exhibit A to the Settlement Agreement. Under the JPA the District and the City become the joint purveyors of recycled water within the boundaries of the District. First customer of the Authority will be the City to provide irrigation to McAdam Park on 30th Street East.
  • The District will revise its rate structure to accommodate a 10% larger base water allowance.
  • The District will provide a larger allowance for its turf buy-back program and establish other changes to the program.
  • The City will reallocate its allotments of recycled water to the JPA.
  • The Parties will obtain as much recycled water as possible on behalf of
  • the Authority.
  • The Parties will commit themselves to support all uses of recycled
  • water (direct use, recharge & exchange) and agree that all available recycled water should be put to beneficial use as soon as practicable.

                   
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The overall objective of the District is to make available the highest quality water at the lowest price.

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PWD Electrician Anthony Mejia joined PWD in January after several years at IBEW Local 11. He brings valuable experience to our District. Welcome to Team PWD, Anthony!
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PWD electricista Anthony Mejía se unió a PWD en enero después de varios años en IBEW Local 11. Él trae una valiosa experiencia a nuestro Distrito. Aporta una valiosa experiencia a nuestro Distrito. ¡Bienvenido al equipo PWD, Anthony!
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PWD Electrician Anthony Mejia joined PWD in January after several years at IBEW Local 11. He brings valuable experience to our District. Welcome to Team PWD, Anthony! 
---------------------------
PWD electricista Anthony Mejía se unió a PWD en enero después de varios años en IBEW Local 11. Él trae una valiosa experiencia a nuestro Distrito. Aporta una valiosa experiencia a nuestro Distrito. ¡Bienvenido al equipo PWD, Anthony!

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Congratulations

Welcome to PWD Anthony‼️

💧 Need help with your water account?
Our Customer Care staff is available Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., to assist you over the phone at 661-947-4111 or in person at 2029 East Ave. Q, Palmdale. Our team is happy to help you in English or Spanish!
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💧 ¿Necesita ayuda con su cuenta de agua?
Nuestro personal de Atención al Cliente está disponible de lunes a jueves, de 8 a.m. a 6 p.m., para ayudarle por teléfono al 661-947-4111 o en persona en 2029 East Ave. Q, Palmdale. Nuestro equipo estará encantado de ayudarle en inglés o en español.
... See MoreSee Less

💧 Need help with your water account?
Our Customer Care staff is available Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., to assist you over the phone at 661-947-4111 or in person at 2029 East Ave. Q, Palmdale. Our team is happy to help you in English or Spanish!
-----------------------
💧 ¿Necesita ayuda con su cuenta de agua?
Nuestro personal de Atención al Cliente está disponible de lunes a jueves, de 8 a.m. a 6 p.m., para ayudarle por teléfono al 661-947-4111 o en persona en 2029 East Ave. Q, Palmdale. Nuestro equipo estará encantado de ayudarle en inglés o en español.

Today is Imagine a Day Without Water! 💦 We asked the children of PWD staff what life would be like without water and their answers couldn’t be more honest and adorable. 💙 Let’s remember to cherish every drop, today and every day. #imagineadaywithoutwater ... See MoreSee Less

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The kids are so right, every drop counts and we should all do our part to conserve water, it's our responsibility

Love it!! Great job PWD kids.

I love this 😂😂😂

💦 Absolutely right on target 🎯

Meet GIS Coordinator Emily Cline, who joined earlier this year and immediately jumped in to meet the District’s growing GIS needs. Her love and passion for technology are helping our organization every day. Welcome to Team PWD, Emily! 💦💙
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Conozca a Emily Cline, Coordinadora del SIG, que se incorporó a principios de este año e inmediatamente se puso manos a la obra para satisfacer las crecientes necesidades del SIG del Distrito. Su amor y pasión por la tecnología están ayudando a nuestra organización todos los días. ¡Bienvenida al equipo de PWD, Emily!
... See MoreSee Less

Meet GIS Coordinator Emily Cline, who joined earlier this year and immediately jumped in to meet the District’s growing GIS needs. Her love and passion for technology are helping our organization every day. Welcome to Team PWD, Emily! 💦💙
--------------------------
Conozca a Emily Cline, Coordinadora del SIG, que se incorporó a principios de este año e inmediatamente se puso manos a la obra para satisfacer las crecientes necesidades del SIG del Distrito. Su amor y pasión por la tecnología están ayudando a nuestra organización todos los días. ¡Bienvenida al equipo de PWD, Emily!

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Welcome Emily!!

Emily is amazing!! 💜

Rainy days are nature’s way of helping us conserve water. 💧Remember to turn your sprinklers off for at least 48 hours after rainfall to prevent water waste! 😊
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Los días de lluvia son la forma que tiene la naturaleza de ayudarnos a conservar el agua. 💧¡Recuerda apagar los aspersores al menos 48 horas después de que llueva para evitar el derroche de agua!
... See MoreSee Less

Rainy days are nature’s way of helping us conserve water. 💧Remember to turn your sprinklers off for at least 48 hours after rainfall to prevent water waste! 😊
---------------------
Los días de lluvia son la forma que tiene la naturaleza de ayudarnos a conservar el agua. 💧¡Recuerda apagar los aspersores al menos 48 horas después de que llueva para evitar el derroche de agua!

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🌧️ We love rainy days ☔️

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