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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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💦We continue celebrating Water Professionals Week by showcasing the skill of our dedicated PWD staff at the Leslie O. Carter Water Treatment Plant. Their teamwork, precision, expertise, and commitment ensure that every drop reflects the highest standard of service to our community. 💙
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💦 Seguimos celebrando la Semana de los Profesionales del Agua destacando el arte de nuestro dedicado personal de PWD en la Planta de Tratamiento de Agua Leslie O. Carter. Su precisión, experiencia y compromiso garantizan que cada gota refleje el más alto estándar de servicio a nuestra comunidad. 💙
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💻 Detrás de cada gota hay datos 💧Desde la ciberseguridad hasta la fiabilidad del sistema, el Departamento de TI de PWD mantiene nuestra red fluyendo para que nuestros equipos de campo y oficina puedan centrarse en suministrar agua limpia y segura a la comunidad. Celebramos a las mentes tecnológicas detrás de escena que siempre están conectando, protegiendo y alimentando al Distrito todos los días. 💙
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Angel is the man. 👍🏻👍🏻

🍂💧PWD Fall Watering Recommendations💧🍂
With cooler weather, landscapes need less water to stay healthy. Adjusting your schedule saves water, protects our supply, and keeps your yard thriving.

✅ Fall Guidelines (Oct–Dec):
Water 2 days a week
Run each sprinkler zone for 5 minutes
Total per day: about 15 minutes per watering day
Total per week: 30 minutes per week

🌱 Pro Tips:
Water early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
Aim water at the outer edge of your plant’s canopy, not just the base.
Check sprinklers often, misdirected sprays waste water on sidewalks & driveways.

Every drop makes a difference. Let’s use water wisely together. 💙
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🍂💧Programa de riego de otoño sugerido por el Departamento de Obras Públicas💧🍂
Con el clima más fresco, los jardines necesitan menos agua para mantenerse saludables. Ajustar su horario ahorra agua, protege nuestro suministro y mantiene su jardín próspero.

Pautas para el otoño (octubre-diciembre):
Riegue 2 días a la semana
Haga funcionar cada zona de riego durante 5 minutos
Total por día: unos 15 minutos por día de riego
Total por semana: 30 minutos por semana

🌱 Consejos profesionales:
Riega a primera hora de la mañana o al atardecer para reducir la evaporación.
Dirija el agua al borde exterior de la copa de su planta, no sólo a la base.
Revise los aspersores a menudo, los chorros mal dirigidos desperdician agua en aceras y calzadas.

Cada gota marca la diferencia. Utilicemos juntos el agua con prudencia. 💙
... See MoreSee Less

🍂💧PWD Fall Watering Recommendations💧🍂
With cooler weather, landscapes need less water to stay healthy. Adjusting your schedule saves water, protects our supply, and keeps your yard thriving.

✅ Fall Guidelines (Oct–Dec):
Water 2 days a week
Run each sprinkler zone for 5 minutes
Total per day: about 15 minutes per watering day
Total per week: 30 minutes per week

🌱 Pro Tips:
Water early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
Aim water at the outer edge of your plant’s canopy, not just the base.
Check sprinklers often, misdirected sprays waste water on sidewalks & driveways.

Every drop makes a difference. Let’s use water wisely together. 💙
------------------------
🍂💧Programa de riego de otoño sugerido por el Departamento de Obras Públicas💧🍂
Con el clima más fresco, los jardines necesitan menos agua para mantenerse saludables. Ajustar su horario ahorra agua, protege nuestro suministro y mantiene su jardín próspero.

Pautas para el otoño (octubre-diciembre):
Riegue 2 días a la semana
Haga funcionar cada zona de riego durante 5 minutos
Total por día: unos 15 minutos por día de riego
Total por semana: 30 minutos por semana

🌱 Consejos profesionales:
Riega a primera hora de la mañana o al atardecer para reducir la evaporación.
Dirija el agua al borde exterior de la copa de su planta, no sólo a la base.
Revise los aspersores a menudo, los chorros mal dirigidos desperdician agua en aceras y calzadas.

Cada gota marca la diferencia. Utilicemos juntos el agua con prudencia. 💙

Upkeep at Well 15 in action. 🔧PWD Maintenance Worker Lance Brough keeping the site in top shape with a smile! ☺️
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Mantenimiento del Pozo 15 en acción. Lance Brough, trabajador de mantenimiento, mantiene el lugar en perfecto estado con una sonrisa.😊
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Upkeep at Well 15 in action. 🔧PWD Maintenance Worker Lance Brough keeping the site in top shape with a smile! ☺️
-------------------
Mantenimiento del Pozo 15 en acción. Lance Brough, trabajador de mantenimiento, mantiene el lugar en perfecto estado con una sonrisa.😊Image attachment

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PWD has wells in Acton?

Give me break.

💧 Did you know that the Leslie O. Carter Water Treatment Plant treats 13–14 million gallons of water daily? Shoutout to the dedicated PWD staff who make it happen every single day, they're our true water heroes! 🌊👷‍♀️👷‍♂️
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¿Sabías que la Planta de Tratamiento de Agua Leslie O. Carter trata de 13 a 14 millones de galones de agua al día? Un saludo al dedicado personal de PWD que lo hace posible cada día, ¡son nuestros verdaderos héroes del agua! 🌊👷‍♀️👷‍♂️
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