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It’s that time of the year again – LFMWC Elections! Nominations are now open for the election to be held July 9, 2022.

The current Board is ready and eager to serve you for another term, and we are reaching out to you once more for your support!

Anna Romano
for President

Ethel Winchell
for VP/Treasurer

Lisa Thompson
for Secretary

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The Board has a track record of accomplishments and continues to strive for the betterment of the community and the water company. Below is the list of what we have accomplished on your behalf thus far. Thank you for trusting us with your vote!

A List of Accomplishments:

1. Conversion to Not-for-Profit Corporation
2. Restatement of Articles of Incorporations and Bylaws
3. Firewise Project – LFE is the first Firewise Designated Community in Yuba County!
4. Submission of CalFire Grant Application w/ DOHFPD – 150 ft.  fuel break around LFE from Lucero’s Winery and Ingersoll Development
5. Partnership with Dobbins Oregon House Fire Protection District
6. Implementation of Robocalling – for reminders and announcements
7. Regular mailers/ website updates / Newsletter
8. Website Development – Compliant
9. Electronic Voting
10. New! Ticketing System – water issues, billing, etc. 
11. Electronic Payments
12. Annual Invoicing and live invoices
13. State Arrearages Grant Relief 
14. Leak Detection Survey (via Grant)
15. Water Capacity Plan (via Grant) – LFMWC has the capacity to supply water for full buildout.
16. Engineering Plan, Design and Permits – Scope of Work Development and Selection of Engineering Firm (via State Waterboard Grant)
17. Policies and Policy Development – Late Fees, Irresponsible Use of Water, Communication for Board Meetings, etc.
18. On-going Grant Development and Applications – County, State, and Federal
19. SAM and DUNs Account
20. Corporate Books and Member Shares – Research, Compilation, Verification, Issuance
21. CalWarn Membership
22. Capital Improvement Plan
23. Emergency Response Plan
24. Having a representative at the California Waterboard SAFER Advisory Board (Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience Drinking Water program) – our VP has been appointed for a 2-year term. (This is an unpaid position). Relevant to LFMWC’s understanding of State legislations, regulations, and access to state grants. Small and rural water companies will be represented and heard.

There are several projects that are in progress that the Board would like to drive to completion. The goal of the LFMWC board is to be a sustainable Pilot community in Northern California.

Work-In-Progress:

• Phase 1 Engineering Plan/Design and Permits – Grant management and reporting. See attachment for example of State Requirements for Audit/Report

• Phase 2 Construction Grant Development and Application for water system upgrade (New tanks, pipes, pumps, generator, fire hydrants, fire suppression water storage/capacity/structure, road paving, culverts, etc.

• Fire Substation – LFE is in a High Fire Hazard Zone. Our system is at high risk of damage from wildfires. Residents on Kenneth ave. and the end of Shirley ave. and Ingersoll are at higher risk of loss of property and life endangerment. Some homes are being dropped by their fire insurance companies and/or are insured at exorbitant fees.  The Board has a vision of being a ‘Shelter in Place’ Community. Very important to note, according to Calfire, if the entrance of the subdivision is on fire, their engines and crews will NOT enter.

• Acquisition of the 85-acre property for wildlife habitat/preservation, fire hazard mitigation, water utilities, wells, solar, waste water, rain storm collection. 

• Computerization and Electronic Documentation of Water Data and Reports for recording and analysis in preparation for the SCADA Computer System entry.

All the Grant Development work the board is pursuing is 100% funded. LFMWC has no financial capacity to enter into loan or matching grant programs. Requirements for grants are strict regular reporting, auditing, management, record keeping, and implementation. Grant applications require Board Members CVs in order to demonstrate that the officers have the knowledge, experience, and education to qualify and be awarded the funding. Failure to submit timely and correct reports may cause loss/withdrawal of funding and return of monies received. 

Good news! We have learned that the wells providing water to Lake Francis Estates are able to support a full buildout of our community’s 58 lots!

The details:  The LFMWC Board, in cooperation with California Rural Water Association, applied and received a Technical Assistance Grant from the State of California to fund a ‘Water Capacity Survey’ for Lake Francis Estates.  This Grant includes a well sounding test conducted in March and another one which will be scheduled in summer to measure our wells on both peak and low seasons.  The first well sounding test was formally reported to us on March 16, 2022, with the following conclusion reported:

“Based on the results of this analysis and the field data collected on March 2nd, 2022, Well 4 and Well 5 are able to produce the volume of water needed to sustain a full buildout of 58 lots. However, additional field investigations taken during the summer months may be necessary to further substantiate these findings. The additional storage required for a full buildout is 12,000 gallons with the 10% increase in storage or 14,200 gallons without the 10% increase in storage. This is the minimum additional volume needed to meet the estimated maximum day demand at full buildout. This value does not include the additional volume needed for fire protection.”