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BOARD MEETING MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING
SATURDAY, MAY 21, 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, May 21, 2011, at 9:33 a.m., at the Stinson Beach County Water District office, located at 3785 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970.

Directors present:
Scott Tye, President
Elizabeth Sapanai, Vice President
Barbara Boucke, Director
Jim Zell, Director

Directors absent:
Lawrence Baskin, Director

General Manager present:
Ed Schmidt

Staff present:
Helma Schwendig - Administrative Assistant

B.    PUBLIC EXPRESSION

Will Scott, a local farmer residing in Stinson Beach, gave a brief presentation regarding a business he would like to set up at 215 Calle del Mar, next to the post office complex. His proposed "Edible Garden Center" would be comprised of two greenhouses, a tipi, a canvas yurt on pier blocks, shade houses, garden beds and a farm stand. All of the structures would be non-permanent and no one would live on the premises. Mr. Scott envisions holding plant sales, renting garden beds to individuals for growing crops, conducting classes covering planting, harvesting and weeding, as well as operating a farm stand selling fresh organic produce. He came to the Board meeting to get the Board's suggestions and support. President Tye suggested that Mr. Scott present his proposal at the June 4 meeting of the Stinson Beach Village Association. The Village Association is the community's forum for proposals and has a Local Coastal Plan. After he has received feedback from the Village Association, his next step would be to request his project be placed on the agenda of the District's Wastewater Committee for discussion, including set-back criteria to Easkoot Creek and the utilization of chemical toilets.

C.    SETTING OF AGENDA

The agenda was unanimously adopted as set.

D.    GENERAL BUSINESS

  1. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: the 2010 Water Quality/Consumer Confidence Report.
    The Board noted the report was a job well done. Several minor grammatical changes were suggested. Vice President Sapanai suggested moving the information on the last page titled "IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR DISTRICT WATER CUSTOMERS" to the beginning of the report as a separate page for our consumers to retain for future reference. She inquired if Brita Water Filters for the home would be able to remove arsenic from the tap water. The General Manager will research and reply to her query.
  2. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: SBCWD Operations and Maintenance Budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012.
    The draft Operations and Maintenance Budget was previously reviewed and revised by the Finance Committee on May 11 and April 6. The Water Operations Committee has also reviewed and discussed the maintenance budget as well as the Planned Capital Improvement Projects. Water revenues are lower and miscellaneous revenue will increase due to a $15,000 refund from JPIA. President Tye noted there will be another opportunity to discuss the budget at the next Finance Committee Meeting which will be held before the next Board of Directors Meeting on June 18. The Board will continue this item to the June 18, 2011 Board meeting for adoption.
  3. Discussion and possible direction to staff to continue with the Bidding and Construction Process to complete construction of the new office and lab for the new water treatment plant.
    At the April 19, 2008 Board of Directors Meeting, the Board approved the Water Treatment Plant Replacement Project, authorizing solicitation of bids from contractors to undertake Phase 1 and 2 projects. Phase 1 has been completed and the Phase 2 work, including a low concrete wall, perimeter foundation, floor drains and concrete floor slab to be done by the contractor, will start shortly. The pilings will go to a depth of 12 to 15 feet. The estimated cost of Phase 2 is $110,000. The Board directed staff to continue with the bidding and construction process as reflected on the schedule prepared by Stetson Engineers dated April 28, 2011.

E.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of April 16, 2011 were approved by unanimous vote with a few minor corrections. Vice President Sapanai requested deletion of the sentence on line 16, page 3, "Vice President Sapanai noted that Kaiser will pay for chiropractic care."

F.    APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS

The Board noted the purchase of a picnic table for the District office employees, giving them a place to eat lunch. The idea of the table was part of the original plan when the building was built. Director Boucke moved to approve the disbursements for April 20 and May 4, 2011. Vice President Sapanai seconded the motion. The disbursements were approved by unanimous vote.

G.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Board reviewed the reports of the District's financial activity through March 2011, the end of the fiscal year third quarter, consisting of the Operating Report, the Investment Report and the Cashflow Report. The reports had previously been reviewed by the District's Finance Committee.

H.    MANAGER'S REPORT

The General Manager discussed his monthly report. Bruce Helmberger notified him that Mr. Helmberger's concern has been satisfied regarding the alleged release of his check information to the public by an unknown individual. The Robinsons are very satisfied with the relocation of the District's water meter outside of their fence. Wayne Lazarus, the property owner of 20 Arenal Avenue, has been reminded to remove construction debris which is impacting Easkoot Creek. The District's Vehicle Replacement Schedule has been added to the District's Planned Capital Improvement Projects schedule. The District needs to retain its dump truck, but perhaps may decide to lease a future replacement. The General Manager has notified Terry Krieg that the District has changed its financial auditor. Due to a recent rash of stolen brass fire hydrant caps, the District will remove the remaining brass caps and replace them with plastic caps.

The General Manager has received an estimate from Darsie Evans to assist us with the Seadrift Pipeline Replacement Project scheduled for September. It is essential for the District to have an experienced person on board. The new water treatment plant is working well, and the District will get the 24/7 Technical Phone Support from the Pall Corporation.

The General Manager and President Tye attended a public meeting on May 19, 2011 of the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Flood Control Zone 5. A Request for Proposals for Easkoot Creek Flood Protection and Habitat Restoration Assessment has been advertised and mailed by Chris Choo, Marin County Department of Public Works. Mr. Peter Sandman will meet with the General Manager on May 23, 2011 to discuss the Seadrift Water Line Project. On May 17, 2011, the Board and the General Manager toured the Ft. Baker cellular antenna site. Mr. Kenneth Fox requested an invoice for the cost of the District's water main repair clamp.

The District has received a proposal from Darren Malvin, American Solar, for solar panels costing $33,616, and the entire roof replacement for the District Office at a cost of $5,900 or replacing 1/2 of the roof and ridge cap at a cost of $3,400. The Board directed the General Manager to prepare a request for proposals for 1/2 of the office roof repair/replacement, as well as the solar panels.

Vice President Sapanai suggested that District personnel implement a phone log for proof of calling customers re: nonpayment of water bills. The General Manager received Meeting Summary Notes of the March 23, 2011 meeting with the GGNRA regarding the new septic system for the Park.

The District has entered into a new lease agreement with Digital Office Solutions for an updated copier. The District will save in yearly toner costs, as the toner is provided free of charge. The General Manager answered a concern by Barbara Fedun that the District was required to provide a minimum amount of water to her property on Buena Vista Avenue. The California Department of Health Services confirmed there is no such requirement.

Vice President Sapanai will furnish graphics for utilizing ACWA's template titled "California Tap Water: The Best Deal Around" for District specifics.

The General Manager will e-mail to the entire Board the list of typical septic systems prepared by Chris Kelley.

I.    COMMITTEE REPORTS

None.

J.    CORRESPONDENCE

The Board reviewed the correspondence.

K.    ADJOURNMENT

The motion to adjourn the meeting was approved by unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 10:52 a.m. to Closed Door Session. The Board reconvened at 10:57 a.m. and reported on the General Manager's evaluation. The Board voted to extend the General Manager's Contract for another year. The meeting was adjourned at 11:02 a.m.

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