CAWCD Board convenes for January meeting – Welcomes one new and four returning members and approves construction contract for Water Education Center

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CAWCD Board Meeting

The Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board (CAWCD) met Thursday, Jan. 9 at CAP’s Headquarters in north Phoenix. The meeting began with the administration of oath of office by Arizona Supreme Court Vice Chief Justice John R. Lopez to new CAWCD Board Member Rudy Fischer and returning CAWCD Board Members Lisa Atkins, Terry Goddard, Heather Macre and April Pinger-Tornquist.

 The Board voted to approve a construction contract for the Water Education Center at CAP Headquarters to M.A. Mortenson Company for an amount not to exceed $45 million from CAP’s Extraordinary Cost Reserve. The Water Education Center is being designed to give the public, stakeholders and school children an opportunity to experience and learn more about

CAP. It will serve as an accessible and secure space to explore CAP’s history, operations and impact on Arizona, giving a larger audience a hands-on understanding of CAP and how it fits into the context of Arizona’s water story, complete with safe, up-close views of the canal.

CAWCD members swearing in by Arizona Supreme Court Vice Chief Justice John R. Lopez
In a moment he described as one of solemnity and joy, Arizona Supreme Court Vice Chief Justice John R. Lopez IV swore in one new and four returning CAWCD Board Members at the January CAWCD Board of Directors meeting. Pictured, left to right: Heather Macre, Terry Goddard, Chief Justice Lopez, Lisa Atkins, April Pinger-Tornquist and Rudy Fischer.

 “This is a big step – one that will truly help us bring the magic of water to life” said Terry Goddard, CAWCD Board president. “All of us – school children and learners of all ages – will profit from knowing what it takes to operate and maintain this 336-mile system that brings water to us in the desert.”

Groundbreaking will take place in May and the Water Education Center is projected to open by the end of 2026.

Additionally, the Board approved a CAP M&I water subcontract transfer from the Arizona State Land Department to the City of Phoenix, as well as two actions for Bucket 1A System Conservation Agreements and Bucket 2 Long-Term System Efficiency Project Agreements related to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021. The first extends System Conservation Implementation Agreements with ASARCO LLC, Metropolitan Domestic Water Improvement District and the cities of Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale and Tucson. The second was for System Conservation Implementation Agreements  with the City of Tucson for an advanced water purification direct potable reuse demonstration facility and with the Town of Gilbert for an advanced metering infrastructure project and water distribution infrastructure improvements at the Riparian Preserve.

On consent agenda, the Board approved a construction contract for the parking lot improvements at CAP Headquarters. And the Board heard a presentation on Colorado River conditions.

The CAWCD Board of Directors is a popularly elected, 15-member board. Ten members are from Maricopa County, four from Pima County and one from Pinal County. Members serve six-year, unpaid terms. The board typically meets publicly the first Thursday of each month to establish policy and set rates and taxes for CAP. Meetings are open to the public – in person and via livestream.

For additional details on the Jan. 9, 2025 board meeting, take a look at the agenda. Board minutes and video will be posted here, as well.

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