Seismic Upgrades Planned for HQ Building
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Last week, Metropolitan’s Board heard a staff
presentation
on the Headquarters Building Improvement Project. In November, the board will consider awarding the construction contracts and, if approved, the work will begin in early 2019.
The project includes upgrades to improve the building’s level of seismic performance and reduce the risk of significant damage in the event of a major earthquake. Other activities in Phase One of the project include:
- Building security enhancements
- Upgraded cafeteria equipment
- IT network systems improvements
- More handicapped/ unisex restrooms
Information about the proposed project and FAQs are available on the
IntraMet
.
Speaking of being prepared, Metropolitan and many other public agencies will participate in an earthquake drill during the Great California
ShakeOut
this Thursday, October 18.
Many employees can also attend an earthquake-focused Brown Bag presentation - either on Tuesday, Oct. 16 in HQ room 2-145 from 12:30-1:15 p.m. or on Monday, Oct. 22 at Weymouth LV4-129 from 11:30 a.m.- noon. Topics will include earthquake threats, what to do during an earthquake and how to prepare a disaster survival kit for your home.
More program details
here.
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Director Gray To Chair MWD's Board of Directors
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Director Gloria Gray, who represents the West Basin Municipal Water District on Metropolitan’s board, was elected chairwoman of the board of directors at last week’s meeting. She will succeed outgoing Chairman Record, who has led the board since May 2014. Her two-year term will begin on January 1, 2019.
Gray is the first African American to lead the board and only the second woman to do so in the district’s 90-year history.
In addressing the board before the vote, Director Gray talked about her leadership and experience working on local, regional and statewide water issues, and her strong commitment to continue an open and transparent decision-making process. She also has extensive experience working on recycled water projects at West Basin which will serve her well as Met explores investing in the largest recycled water project in the nation.
Director Gray was first elected to the West Basin board in 2006 to represent Inglewood and areas of unincorporated Los Angeles County including Athens, Ladera Heights, Lennox and Westmont, and has served as a West Basin representative on Met's Board of Directors since 2009.
Among her other leadership roles, Gray previously served on an Los Angeles County water quality task force and on the state's Delta Stewardship Council.
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He is a Force for Preparedness
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The next time a major fire or earthquake threatens Metropolitan’s service area, rest assured that
Ian Whyte
, Emergency Management Program Manager, has helped prepare our agency to respond. Ian brings more than 20 years of emergency management experience to his job. Throughout his career,
Ian
has responded to more than 30 national disasters and directed five countywide emergency exercises.
About 25 years ago,
Ian
learned firsthand about the importance of emergency management when he had to evacuate his home in Pasadena as a brush fire surged through the San Gabriel Mountains.
Ian
saw how Red Cross responders supported the community and from that, he found his calling.
He began volunteering and eventually working with the Red Cross, the LA County Office of Emergency Management and as a member of the California Emergency Services Association.
Ian’s
experience helped expand the resources of Metropolitan’s Emergency Operations Center.
So how does
Ian
unwind from all this disaster planning? He loves spending time with his wife, daughter and three dogs in Orange County. He is also a member of the 501
st
Legion, an international group that builds screen-accurate costumes from the Star Wars movies, and gives back to the community.
Ian
, and the other members of the 501
st
Legion, also known as Vader’s Fist, frequently visit children’s hospitals and help at charitable fundraising events.
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