BOARD MEETING MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, November 17, 2012

A.    CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

President Elizabeth Sapanai called the Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Stinson Beach County Water District to order on Saturday, November 17, 2012, at 9:30 a.m., at the Stinson Beach County Water District office, located at 3785 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970.

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

Directors absent:
Jim Zell, Vice President
Lawrence Baskin, Director

Treasurer present:
Judy Stemen

General Manager present:
Ed Schmidt

Staff present:
Helma Schwendig - Administrative Assistant

Newly elected Board members Morey Nelsen and Sandra Cross were also present.

B.    PUBLIC EXPRESSION

Director Tye noted that this meeting is his last Board meeting. He stated that the last 10 years of fellowship with the Board and staff have been incredible and it has been an honor and privilege for him to serve on the Board.

C.    SETTING OF AGENDA

The agenda was unanimously adopted as set.

D.    PUBLIC HEARING

1. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: a Waiver request for replacing an existing malfunctioning system with an alternative septic system, 335 Seadrift Road, Acct. #7180, Heloise B. Power Trust, owner.
   The General Manager briefly described the waiver request. The District's Wastewater Inspector, Chris Kelley, had found the leach field slow to accept hydraulic loading during his routine inspection. The existing leach trenches malfunctioned due to root intrusion from the large cypress trees on either side of the parcel. As a result, the homeowners decided to install a new septic system. The design and waiver application were previously discussed at the November 13, 2012 Wastewater Committee Meeting. There is no proposed increase in habitable space or maximum 200 gallon per day wastewater loading rate. The alternative design includes a 1500 gallon septic tank, Advantex filter, 500 gallon sump tank, and dual pressure distribution leach fields. Waivers are required to Section 4.15.100 Site Criteria - Setbacks for installation of a leach field under a gravel driveway and Section 4.19.010 Use of Alternative System Designs for use of an Advantex filter. The proposed septic system design exceeds the three foot minimum vertical separation required from the bottom of the leach field to perched seasonal high groundwater.
   
   Director Tye made a motion to approve the waiver request as presented. Director Boucke seconded the motion. The three directors present passed the motion unanimously.
   
   President Sapanai stated it is appropriate for the General Manager to notify the homeowners of 335 Seadrift Road that in the future their cypress tree roots may also impact the condition of the District's water main line.
   
   Ms. Sapanai noted that Chris Kelley is a valuable member of the District staff and that he closely follows and carries out the regulations of the District's Title IV Wastewater Management Code

E.    GENERAL BUSINESS

1. Discussion and possible direction to staff to grant a Water Use Charge Reduction Request for Mr. Peter Barry, 171 Seadrift Road, Stinson Beach, Account #7600.
   The General Manager explained that in accordance with Resolution No. GB-2012-01, he was not authorized to grant Mr. Barry any water use charge reduction since the loss of the water was caused by an appliance inside the home within Mr. Barry's reasonable control. Mr. Barry's water use charge reduction application stated that the water loss was due to the failure of his washing machine pressure valve. He requested a 50% reduction of $208.90. Mr. Barry was not present for today's appeal hearing.
   
   After discussion, all three directors concluded that homeowners must take responsibility to provide for regular observation of their water system in the event of absence.
   
   Director Tye made a motion to deny Mr. Barry's appeal for a water use reduction. Director Boucke seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Discussion and possible direction to staff to grant a Water Use Charge Reduction Request for Mr. Norman McVea, 235 Seadrift Road, Stinson Beach, Account #7450.
   The General Manager explained Mr. McVea's request for a 100% reduction of the $1,714.36 water use portion of his bill. Since the loss of the water was from the failure of Mr. McVea's irrigation system, the General Manager is not authorized to grant him any water use reduction. Mr. McVea appeared at this hearing and acknowledged that his house was vacant, pending its being painted and repaired prior to being put up for sale. He stated that for some unknown reason, his drip irrigation system valve had gotten stuck in the open position. He is very sorry about the loss of the water and took steps to prevent the manual valve from being turned on in the future. He stated he was short on funds and would not be able to make monthly payments.
   
   The Directors were sympathetic to Mr. McVea's plight, but noted that since irrigation system failures account for the majority of requests for water use charge reductions, Resolution No. GB-2012-01 was established to expressly address circumstances within the customer's reasonable control.
   
   President Sapanai suggested placing a non-interest lien of $1,714.36 on Mr. McVea's house at 235 Seadrift Road to be recorded at the County. Mr. McVea will pay the cost of filing the lien, but not to exceed $100.
   
   Director Tye made the motion to place and record a lien on Mr. McVea's property at 235 Seadrift Road for $1,714.36, with payment (interest free) due at time of change of ownership. The cost of the lien will be added to Mr. McVea's monthly water bill. Director Boucke seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: review of memorandum concerning District's draft comments of Marin County Local Coastal Program Amendments relating to Biological Resources, Mariculture, Water Resources and Public Facilities and Services.
   The directors reviewed the memorandum from the District regarding its draft comments of portions of the Marin County Planning Commission's update to the Local Coastal Program. At the request of the Stinson Beach Village Association, the District had reviewed four topics re: Biological Resources, Mariculture, Water Resources and Public Facilities and Services. The Board suggested a few revisions to the memorandum and gave their approval to forward it (together with the attachments "Stinson Beach County Water District Seadrift Water Main Relocation Plan" and "Water Supply Accomplishments and Challenges") to Sam Matthews, the Ad Hoc Committee Chair.
4. Discussion and possible action re: SBCWD, Onsite Wastewater Management Program Annual Report, to the Regional Water Quality Control Board, July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.
   The Board reviewed the Annual Report, suggesting several minor changes, and directed staff to submit the report to the California Regional Water Quality Control Board.
5. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: Government Accounting Standards (GASB) Statement 45.
   The District needs to have a new valuation of its postemployment healthcare program completed every third year. The Board approved notifying Dennis Daugherty of the Nicolay Consulting Group to proceed with a July 1, 2012 actuarial valuation.

F.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Boucke moved to approve the Minutes of October 27, 2012. President Sapanai seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.

G.    APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS

Director Boucke moved to approve the disbursements of October 31, 2012. Director Tye seconded the motion. The disbursements were approved unanimously.

H.    APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL REPORTS THROUGH OCTOBER 2012

The Board approved the financial reports through October 2012. The reports had previously been reviewed by the Finance Committee. The General Manager noted that the District is 2% under budget on expenses and 14% over budget on revenue.

I.    MANAGER'S REPORT

The General Manager discussed his monthly report. He notified Ms. Heintzelman that her claim of $140 against the District for damage to her washing machine was denied. AT&T refused her claim also.

On Thursday, November 29, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., he will be watching a webinar hosted by FEMA called "Outreach for Coastal Community Officials." Board members can either watch at home or join the General Manager at the District Office, if they wish to do so.

The bid package for upgrading the Highlands and Laurel Tanks to seismic standards is being worked on and will be discussed at the December Water Operations Committee meeting.

The District will replace current pipelines with ductile iron pipes which are designed for earthquake resistance.

Marin County Principal Park Planner Stephen Petterle has been notified that the Village Green Parks #1 and #2 have exceeded their water use allotment and asked what is their plan to bring the water usage back to their allotted amounts.

On November 19, 2012, the General Manager is meeting with Liza Goldblatt of the West Marin Mosquito Control and Bobbi Kimball, Director of the Bolinas Community Public Utility District regarding regional approaches to better mosquito control. The concern is that some septic riser seals are not properly sealed and may cause an increase in the mosquito population.

J.    COMMITTEE REPORTS

Preparations for the Employee Recognition Dinner are progressing.

K.    CORRESPONDENCE

None.

L.    ADJOURNMENT

The motion to adjourn the meeting was approved by unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.