BOARD MEETING MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, February 16, 2013

A.    CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

President Jim Zell called the Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Stinson Beach County Water District to order on Saturday, February 16, 2013, at 9:30 a.m., at the Stinson Beach County Water District office, located at 3785 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970.

Directors present:
Jim Zell, President
Barbara Boucke, Vice President
Lawrence Baskin, Director
Sandra Cross, Director
Morey Nelsen, Director

General Manager present:
Ed Schmidt

Staff present:
Helma Schwendig - Administrative Assistant

B.    PUBLIC EXPRESSION

At the Saturday, January 19, 2013, Board Meeting, the Board had decided that the language of the policy establishing water use charge reductions for leaks should be revisited. Today, Director Nelsen presented a proposed resolution to modify portions of the District's policy for Water Use Charge/Leak Reductions. He is proposing that the usage cost for a leak above 4,000 cubic feet (29,920 gallons) be calculated at the District's current cost for delivering a gallon of water.

It was reminded that one of the primary objectives of the District's current water use charge reduction policy was to give each individual in Stinson Beach the responsibility of managing a finite water resource. After a brief discussion, the Board decided the matter will be discussed more in depth at the next Water Operations Committee meeting in order to determine the dollar impact to the District as well as other issues. A revised resolution could then be voted upon at the April Board meeting.

C.    SETTING OF AGENDA

The agenda was unanimously adopted as set.

D.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Baskin moved to approve the Minutes of January 19, 2013. President Zell seconded the motion. Vice President Boucke stated that although she voted to require Mr. Mike Bernsohn to install a digital display meter (MDU) as part of his granted 50% water use reduction [General Business, Page 3, Item 2F.], she voted so in error. She requested, and the Board concurred, that Mr. Bernsohn not be required to install an MDU at the present time. She also suggested that the subject of requiring MDU's be placed on the agenda for the next Water Operations Committee meeting.

Director Cross clarified that on Page 4, I. Manager's Report, line 52, regarding the formulation of the wastewater inspection policies, she was also concerned that there may be policies that were subject to fines, without the public's prior knowledge. The General Manager responded that he is assembling various wastewater inspection forms for issuing standard operating procedures concerning the wastewater inspection process to be discussed at the next Wastewater Committee meeting. [The District's Rates and Charges as of 10/1/10 are posted on its website.] With these clarifications, the minutes were approved unanimously.

E.    APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS

Director Baskin moved to approve the disbursements of January 9 and January 29, 2013. Vice President Boucke seconded the motion. The Board requested the General Manager to provide details concerning the District's software provider, Harris Computer Systems, as well as keeping a running conversation with our bookkeeper, Janice Payne, regarding her contract and monthly billing. The disbursements were approved unanimously.

F.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Board reviewed the December 2012 Financial Reports which had also been discussed at the February 13, 2013 Finance Committee Meeting. Revenue is 13% above budget due to higher water sales. Operating expenses are 2% under budget. The District will begin depreciating its new Water Treatment Plant in the next fiscal year. The General Manager will contact the American Water Works Association (AWWA) for their suggested depreciation of our capital facilities. Director Baskin requested that Janice total the columns of her Revenues Comparison chart to show a grand total for the year.

G.    MANAGER'S REPORT

The General Manager began by introducing Marion Weber, an investor in Pax Technologies. Pax Technologies has developed a new, innovative type mixer for water storage tanks. For agencies with elevated levels of Trihalomethanes (disinfection by-products/cancer precursors) in their treated water storage tanks, the mixer circulates the water. Sometimes, this process is effective in reducing the level of chlorine that must be added to the water. Ms. Weber has agreed to give the District $10,000 for a trial test, possibly at the District's Steep Ravine Tank. However, the District must obtain approval from the California Department of Public Health as well as meet other criteria.

The General Manager and Wastewater Inspector Chris Kelley had another meeting with Joanne Towl and Paul Filippi from the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito Control District. On future inspections of septic systems where Chris discovers that vent screening is needed or tank covers need repairing, he will so note these items on the District's "Maintenance Order, Notification of Completed Inspection of Onsite Wastewater System" mailed to the homeowner. Included on this form will be the Mosquito Control's telephone number to enable the homeowner to contact Mosquito Control directly for more information about mosquito abatement.

The information required by Dennis Daugherty for his GASB 45 actuarial valuation report of the District's postemployment healthcare program has been provided to him. The report is due June 30, 2013.

Appendix B for a new garbage contract has been received from Steve McCaffrey of North Bay Corporation. Director Baskin expressed his concern regarding the determination of a fair rate of return versus the utilization of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for future garbage rate increases. The proposed contract and appendix will be discussed at the Legal Committee meeting on February 20.

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) has determined that the best location for their new septic system disposal field is a 1/2 acre parcel near the Stinson Beach maintenance facility.

A pre-bid meeting for five construction firms was held on January 31 at the Highlands #1 Tank Site to review the project requirements for the installation of chair anchors. Over 25 plan sets were e-mailed to companies throughout California. The bid opening is February 19, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the District Office.

The General Manager sent a letter to Kenny Stevens, Stinson Beach Fire Chief, approving a 7'x14' trailer containing emergency supplies to be stored at the Laurel Avenue Water Treatment Plant. He also sent a letter to Kenny confirming Kenny's agreement to have the Stinson Beach Fire Department perform the annual valve testing and flushing of the Stinson Beach fire hydrants. The General Manager sent a letter to Kiren Niederberger, General Manager of the Seadrift Association, that the Seadrift Water Line relocations are scheduled to be completed by July 31, 2013.

The Planned Capital Improvement Projects spreadsheet covering fiscal years 12/13 through 16/17 shows that the District has enough funds to complete its anticipated projects for the next couple of years. The Rolling Capital Improvements Cash Flow spreadsheet will be revised to show the increased costs for replacing the District's pipeline on Highway 1 and increased budget for two temporary employees for unemployment insurance.

On January 24, 2013, the District received a Claim for Damages for $15,137.44 from AT&T for repairs AT&T made to their cable as a result of the District's field crew allegedly hitting the cable with a backhoe while relocating one of the Seadrift Water Line sections. Our insurance carrier, ACWA/JPIA will pay the claim.

The General Manager is continuing to follow up on his request for credit on the District's purchase of a failed 350 gallon poly tank from Pall Technology Services. The second tank is now also leaking.

H.    COMMITTEE REPORTS

None.

I.    CORRESPONDENCE

The Board reviewed the correspondence.

J.    ADJOURNMENT

The motion to adjourn the meeting was approved by unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 10:39 a.m.