17 (01)
DIRECTORS
DENIS R. BILODEAU, P.E.
CATHY GREEN
NELIDA MENDOZA
DINA L. NGUYEN, ESQ.
KELLY E. ROWE, C.E.G., C.H.
STEPHEN R. SHELDON
TRI TA
BRUCE WHITAKER
ROGER C. YOH, P.E.
OFFICERS
President
STEPHEN R. SHELDON
First Vice President
CATHY GREEN
Second Vice President
TRI TA
General Manager
MICHAEL R. MARKUS, P.E., D.WRE
June 16, 2022
Mr. James Vanderpool
City Manager
City of Anaheim
200 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite 733
Anaheim CA, 92805
Letter transmitted via email to jvanderpool@anaheim.net
SUBJECT: City of Anaheim Appointment to the Orange County Water District
Board of Directors
Dear Mr. Vanderpool:
We understand the city has started a process to appoint a new individual to the Orange
County Water District (OCWD) Board of Directors and that you are accepting applications
from city of Anaheim residents. OCWD appreciates how quickly the city is moving to
appoint a new board member.
OCWD requests the city consider appointing a city council member to our Board versus
selecting a resident for the following reasons:
As you are aware it is becoming more difficult to provide adequate water supplies to
our constituents due to the continuing drought conditions California is experiencing.
As we navigate this drought it’s important that we have experienced and seasoned
representatives who are accountable to the voters as they will be tasked with making
critical policy decisions on our local water supply.
OCWD recommends that a policy-oriented individual be appointed to the Board. The
OCWD staff as well as the city of Anaheim Utilities Department staff have strong
technical individuals with many years of experience in various water industry
disciplines. These individuals analyze and provide the necessary information to the
OCWD Board to allow the directors to make policy decisions. The city has a history
of appointing current or past city council members to our Board and we believe this
approach has been successful.
Mr. James Vanderpool
June 16, 2022
Page 2 of 2
Due to the numerous facilities OCWD owns and operates in the city, our agencies
have a high level of interaction. Having a council member who has a fundamental
understanding of the city’s operations and programs, and who can develop effective
working relationships with our Board members as peers, would be beneficial.
The city and OCWD are exploring opportunities to develop recreational facilities on
OCWD property and could be negotiating the details of the Anaheim River Park
project and how it impacts OCWD’s operations in the Santa Ana River.
OCWD leases portions of its land in the city to various entities. Additionally, OCWD
can periodically have development ideas for land that may be in excess to what is
needed to perform core operations. Having a city council member available who has
a basic understanding in land use issues and city council priorities to discuss and
review such topics would be beneficial to both organizations.
Thank you for considering our comments. OCWD is appreciative of the good relationship
we have with the city and looks forward to working with a new Anaheim director.
Sincerely,
Michael R. Markus, P.E., D.WRE, BCEE, F.ASCE
General Manager
cc: OCWD Board of Directors
Greg Garcia - Assistant City Manager