Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Resources Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Water manager flags Gibraltar sediment risk, USBR staffing gaps and tentative operator agreement
Summary
City staff reported Gibraltar Reservoir close to spilling amid sediment concerns, federal Bureau of Reclamation staffing departures affecting Kachuma project contacts and a tentative agreement to raise operator pay heading to City Council on May 20; staff also discussed state water allocations and upcoming community events.
In the Water Resources Manager's report on April 17, city staff highlighted several operational issues: Gibraltar Reservoir was reported to be close to spilling amid sediment concerns, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has experienced high staff turnover affecting local coordination on the Kachuma project, and a tentative agreement to improve operator compensation is headed to City Council on May 20.
Staff reported recent inspections at Gibraltar and noted significant sediment in the spillway; the reservoir was described as approximately 1.2 feet from spilling at one point and staff said the Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) may require projects to address sediment and spillway issues. Staff said no dedicated funding has been set aside and that future project costs will need to be determined.
On the Kachuma project and relations with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), staff said the bureau has lost a substantial share of upper management through early retirements and departures, leaving the city uncertain who its contact is. Staff reported an active valve leak at Bradbury Dam that prevents full closure and requires downstream releases; they said the Kachuma contract has expired and the city is operating on extensions while attempting to reestablish working relationships with the bureau.
Staff also summarized supply and allocation matters: they reported about 1,700 acre-feet in San Luis Reservoir (staff prefaced that figure as approximate) and said the city is expected to receive 40% of its state water allocation this season; staff said they are exploring options to bank or sell available state water but had no finalized plans to report.
On workforce issues, staff announced a tentative agreement from labor negotiations to raise operator compensation and bring some positions closer to market; that tentative agreement is scheduled to go to City Council for consideration on May 20. Staff said the agreement could affect roughly 60 of the department's 144 employees and that some operator positions were previously 20% or more below market.
Other items in the report included recent job-fair outreach at Santa Barbara City College and Ventura College, and two upcoming public engagement events for the Victrace Reservoir (May 1 in person and a virtual session on May 7). Staff said there were no public speakers on these items and closed the report.
