BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2011
A. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
President Scott Tye called the Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Stinson Beach
County Water District to order on Saturday, March 19, 2011, at 9:30 a.m., at the Stinson Beach
County Water District office, located at 3785 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970.
Directors present:
Scott Tye, President
Lawrence Baskin, Director
Barbara Boucke, Director
Jim Zell, Director
Directors absent:
Elizabeth Sapanai, Vice President
General Manager present:
Ed Schmidt
Staff present:
Allan Richards - Water Engineer
Helma Schwendig - Administrative Asst.
B. PUBLIC EXPRESSION
Gerry Coles, representing Bolinas Lagoon Hwy One Pathway, made a brief presentation
regarding the concept for an off-road Multiple Use Path between the Bolinas Lagoon and
Highway One [Shoreline Highway]. This proposed four mile long off-road path would be part of
a sixteen-mile loop between the Bolinas Lagoon and Ridgecrest Boulevard along the Bolinas
Ridge. The path would make bicycling safer in West Marin and is supported by Supervisor
Steve Kinsey. Hopefully, the path would be built by the County Open Space District. While
the Board is supportive of the concept, the Board felt that, at the present time, it is premature
for the District to endorse the project.
C. SETTING OF AGENDA
The agenda was unanimously adopted as set.
D. GENERAL BUSINESS
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Discussion and possible direction to staff to authorize the use of a septic tank as a
holding tank at 85 Buena Vista Avenue, Stinson Beach, until the septic leach field
construction is completed, Ms. Barbara Fedun, owner.
The General Manager gave a synopsis of his Staff Report concerning 85 Buena Vista Avenue. Due to the property's leaking septic tank and surfacing effluent, the District had issued a Failed System Citation in August 2006, revoking its Discharge Permit. The District has been working with the property's present owner, Barbara Fedun, for the past four years to meet the requirements of Title IV, the District's Onsite Wastewater Management Code. On February 20, 2010, the Board approved Resolution No. WW-2010-02, which granted a variance to site criteria setbacks and soil depth and for utilizing an alternative wastewater system design. On February 22, 2010, Ms. Fedun was issued a Design Approval Permit for a new septic tank and an alternative drip dispersal leach field with an Advantex filter.
On February 28, 2011, the new septic tank passed its inspected by the District's Wastewater Engineer, Richard Souza. On the same day, Ms. Fedun requested permission from the District to utilize her septic tank as a holding tank until the ground was sufficiently dried out for the construction of the leach field. All of her e-mails were presented to the Board. Neither Ms. Fedun nor her septic designer, Noadiah Eckman, were able to attend the Board meeting of March 19, 2011. No one else appeared on Ms. Fedun's behalf to plead her case and present a guarantee of completion in the near future. President Tye noted that the Failed System Citation is still on file with the County. Director Zell made a motion to deny Ms. Fedun's request to authorize the use of the new septic tank as a temporary holding tank. Director Baskin seconded the motion. The motion to deny the septic tank as a temporary holding tank was approved by unanimous vote. -
Discussion and possible approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Maze &
Associates to provide Financial Audit Services for the District for Fiscal Year 2011.
Director Boucke moved to approve the Professional Services Agreement with Maze & Associates. Director Baskin seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of February 26, 2011 were approved by unanimous vote after the following
changes are made: President Tye noted that on page 1, line 34, the word "District's" should
be changed to "Redwood Empire Disposal's." On page 2, line 20, there should be a period
after the word "tide" and the word "but" should be capitalized to create two separate sentences.
He stated the word "reviewed" on line 21 should be deleted and the words "raised the question
of" substituted in its place. Director Boucke requested the words "do that" on page 4, line 4,
be changed to "allow the District to review wet weather testing protocol."
F. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS
Director Baskin moved to approve the disbursements for February 22 and March 10, 2011.
President Tye seconded the motion. The disbursements were approved by unanimous vote.
G. MANAGER'S REPORT
The General Manager called on Allan Richards, of Stetson Engineers, the District's Water
Engineer, to give his report on the status of the drilling of our new water well at the Steep
Ravine Tank site. Mr. Richards reported that the drillers have reached the target depth of 310
feet. The original well design contemplated that water would be encountered and up to 25
gallons per minute could be produced at a depth between 200 and 300 feet. Unfortunately,
only approximately one gallon per minute was encountered below 185 feet. However,
between 70 and 185 feet, approximately five to ten gallons per minute had been encountered.
At this point, three options were available: Option (1), Abandon the project, cost $95,000;
Option (2), Complete the well to 185 feet and place the slotted well casing in the upper interval
between 70 feet and 175 feet, cost $123,000; or Option (3) Complete the well to 185 feet and
continue drilling the pilot hole from 310 feet to 500 feet in search of water at a greater depth,
cost $168,000. The General Manager noted that if the new well maintains a rate of ten gallons
per minute, it would supply 150 individuals approximately 100 gallons of water per day.
Director Baskin moved to proceed with Option 2 as presented by Allan. Director Boucke
seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous consent to complete the well to 185
feet.
Another possible water source could be explored by contacting the owners of private wells
and securing their agreement to have the District either purchase a certain amount of water or
to use their wells on a standby basis in case of emergency. The current ranch well could also
be redrilled and refitted.
The General Manager will follow up with Marianne Watada, Department of Health Services,
regarding the 25 foot separation requirement between water mains and septic systems. The
Board authorized him to hire a temporary employee to assist with the Seadrift water line
relocation project. Fifty thousand dollars has been placed in the Capital Improvement Projects
budget and its status will be discussed with the Board on a monthly basis.
The Sutton drainage plan will be forwarded to the County Department of Public Works after
being reviewed by Allan Richards.
The letter mailed to residents by Redwood Empire Disposal Company concerning waste can
service at the Calles and Patios generated a good amount of interest and comments.
H. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
I. CORRESPONDENCE
The Board did not comment on the correspondence in the Board packet.
J. ADJOURNMENT
The motion to adjourn the meeting was approved by unanimous vote. The meeting was
adjourned at 10:45 a.m.