BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, June 21, 2014
A. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
President Boucke called the Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Stinson Beach
County Water District to order on Saturday, June 21, 2014, at 9:30 a.m., at the Stinson Beach
County Water District office, located at 3785 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970.
Directors present:
Barbara Boucke, President
Lawrence Baskin, Vice President
Sandra Cross, Director
Morey Nelsen, Director
Jim Zell, Director
Treasurer present:
Judy Stemen
General Manager present:
Ed Schmidt
Staff present:
Helma Schwendig - Administrative Asst.
Rich Souza - District Engineer
B. SETTING OF AGENDA
The agenda was unanimously adopted as set.
C. PUBLIC EXPRESSION
None.
D. PUBLIC HEARING
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Discussion and possible direction to staff re: a Waiver Request for replacing a failed
septic system at 260 Seadrift Road, Thomas and Ellen Bauch, Owners, Acct. #06740.
This project will replace a failed septic system with a National Sanitation Foundation approved alternative type system. The new alternative wastewater system will treat and disperse a maximum and average wastewater flow of 300 and 200 gallons per day, respectively. There is no increase in the discharge permit flow. The new system serves a 1,500 square foot single family residence located on a 1/2 acre lot, adjacent to the beach.
The design utilizes the existing 1,200 gallon septic tank, a new 1,500 gallon recirculation tank, 1,500 gallon sump tank, recirculating textile filter, diversion valve, and dual drip dispersal fields. The proposed drip dispersal fields exceed the 3 foot minimum vertical separation requirement from seasonal high groundwater to the bottom of the drip dispersal field. The design application had been reviewed at a Wastewater Committee meeting. Director Nelsen made a motion to approve draft Resolution No. WW-2014-02, Granting a Waiver to the Requirements of the Stinson Beach County Water District Wastewater Treatment Regulations Ordinance No. 2012-01 to Utilize an Alternative Wastewater System Design for Property Located at 260 Seadrift Road, Stinson Beach. Vice President Baskin seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by President Boucke, Vice President Baskin and Directors Cross, Nelsen and Zell. -
Discussion and possible direction to staff to schedule a Public Hearing at the
Saturday, August 16, 2014 Board meeting, Review the Amended and Restated Water
Rationing Ordinance, Authorize the written notice required by Proposition 218, Review
the draft proposition notice, the amount and basis for the charges and penalties.
The Board reviewed the latest draft of the District's Water Rationing Ordinance which has been enhanced by District legal counsel, Patrick Miyaki, to incorporate a "Tier 8 drought rate" and increased fines. As a result, the District must comply with the 45 day public notification process mandated by Proposition 218.
Implementation of the Ordinance would be effective if the District reaches a "triggering point." The triggering point is defined as "When the average refill rate of all storage tanks is less than 70% of capacity for 7 days in a row."
After much back and forth discussion by the Board, Director Nelsen made a motion to reduce the proposed $400 fine for the second month that the water usage exceeds the maximum allotment to $100 and also to reduce the proposed $800 fine for the 3rd month the water usage exceeds the maximum allotment to $500. Director Cross seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 - 1 by President Boucke and Directors Cross, Nelsen and Zell. Vice President Baskin abstained from voting.
The Board also discussed further modifications to the Ordinance as well as to the required Proposition 218 Notice presented by Director Cross. If a customer exceeds his/her allotment (e.g. 125 gallons per day), the customer must also pay the drought excess water use charge of $100 per 100 cubic feet. Tiers 2 through 7 would be disregarded during the drought period.
Vice President Baskin motioned to make the changes modifying the Ordinance and Proposition 218 Notice that were proposed by Director Cross. Director Nelsen seconded the motion. The motion was approved by all Board members (Boucke, Baskin, Cross, Nelsen and Zell).
Director Nelsen made a motion to authorize the mailing before July 2, 2014 of the written notice required by Proposition 218. Director Cross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by the Board (Boucke, Baskin, Cross, Nelsen and Zell).
The Board directed staff to schedule a Public Hearing at the Saturday, August 16, 2014 Board meeting. After the public hearing, scheduled for 9:30 a.m., the Board will consider adopting the Amended and Restated Water Rationing Ordinance. -
Review and adoption of an Operations and Maintenance Budget and Capital
Improvement Program Budget for Fiscal Year 2014/2015. This item is continued from
the last Board meeting on Saturday, May 17, 2014.
The major reduction of $50,000 in expected Water Revenue for next year's budget is due to the success of the District's water conservation efforts. Property tax revenue is up $55,000. The Finance and Personnel Committees recommended a $24,468 increase to Salaries and Wages. Health Benefits and CalPERS will increase by $35,000. Contract and outside services will increase by $15,925, including a $9,885 raise for the General Manager. The General Manager requested to drop his life insurance and instead, add the District's $3,720 yearly premium payment, less pro-rated CALPERS, workers comp. and Medicare expenses totaling $835, a net amount of $2,885, to be added to his projected raise of $7,000. His contract would thus be increased from 2013 of $152,000 plus $7,000 plus $2,885 equals $161,885, an increase of $9,885 for FY 2014-2015.
Other operating costs, including utilities, will increase approximately $23,000. The bottom line shows $277,157 in budget excess, which includes the special ERAF audit payment of $39,918 that had been withheld and was received from the County on June 20.
Vice President Baskin moved to adopt the Operations and Maintenance Budget and Capital Improvement Program Budget for Fiscal Year 2014-2015, with the modification as to the General Manager's salary and staff salary increases reflected on the spreadsheet dated June 16, 2014. Director Nelsen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by President Boucke, Vice President Baskin and Directors Cross, Nelsen and Zell. -
Review and adoption of a Resolution Establishing an Employee Benefit Program for
the Fiscal Year 2014-2015. This item is continued from the last Board meeting on
Saturday, May 17, 2014.
The Personnel Committee had recommended the following changes shown on draft Resolution No. GB-2014-00: (1) Under Sick Leave, at the end of the second sentence, the words "a maximum of 125 hours" be added for clarification; (2) Under Standby, the word "All" should be replaced with "Qualified," as not all maintenance personnel are currently qualified for standby pay; (3) Under Tuition Reimbursement," adding: "Any employee may appeal to the General Manager for reimbursement in excess of the $750 amount per fiscal year." Vice President Baskin moved to adopt Resolution No. GB-2014-00 [subsequently numbered GB- 2014-05], Establishing an Employee Benefit Program for the Fiscal Year 2014-2015, reflecting these changes. Director Cross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by President Boucke, Vice President Baskin, and Directors Cross, Nelsen and Zell. -
Review and possible adoption of the 2014 Integrated Regional Water Management
(IRWM) Drought Solicitation Agreement and Resolution GB-2014-00 to adopt the 2014
IRWM Plan.
On April 30, 2014, the District submitted its project application to its IRWM planning group. As planning projects are not eligible for the first round of funding, the District condensed 4 of its 7 projects into a larger project submittal called "Water Supply and Conservation Plan." These 4 subprojects are: Supplemental Groundwater Supplies, 2014 Calles Pipeline Replacement Project, Patios Pipelines Replacement Project, and Water Meter Replacements and In-line Meters.
The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and grant consultant Horizon Water & Environment LLC reviewed the proposals. The District's original outline of 5 pages has been rewritten several times at the direction of the IRWM Committee and IRWM Board. The District's application will be submitted to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) by the middle of July. DWR will decide by October 2014 which water agencies will receive a grant.
Vice President Baskin moved to have staff execute the 2014 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Drought Solicitation Agreement and adopt draft Resolution No. GB- 2014-00 [subsequently numbered GB-2014-06], a Resolution to Adopt the 2014 IRWM Plan. Director Zell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by President Boucke, Vice President Baskin and Directors Cross, Nelsen and Zell.
E. GENERAL BUSINESS
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Presentation by Steve Ortega of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA)
on future plans for diversion of flood water at the Park.
Steve Ortega, GGNRA, briefly described the course of events of February 9, 2014, when it rained 20" on Mt. Tam, causing Easkoot Creek to rise dramatically and threatening to flood the Parkside Restaurant. The Marin County Flood Control District gave permission to breach the berm in back of the Parkside, which caused the water to rush through the picnic area and created a huge scarp in the parking lot on the ocean side. It will cost $100,000 for repairs. The GGNRA is working with the County to create an alternate path to divert future flood water at the Park. -
Presentation by a member of the West Marin Mosquito Council (WMMC) and
possible selection of a SBCWD Board member to represent the District in negotiations
between the WMMC and the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District.
Kerry McGrath, representing Liza Goldblatt of the West Marin Mosquito Council, is seeking a volunteer to replace Director Nelsen, who has other commitments. Director Zell expressed interest in the work of the Council as it affects Stinson Beach, but it would depend upon the number of hours that would be involved. Ms. McGrath will ask Ms. Goldblatt. -
Review and possible direction to staff to submit the 2013 Water Quality/Consumer
Confidence Report to all of the District's customers.
The District has not had any water quality violations to report, thanks to its diligent field staff. Director Cross moved to approve the District's 2013 Water Quality/Consumer Confidence Report and to distribute the report to its customers by June 30, 2014. Director Nelsen seconded the motion. The 2013 Consumer Confidence Report was approved by President Boucke and Directors Cross, Nelsen and Zell. [Vice President Baskin had left the meeting at 11:30 a.m.] -
Discussion and possible direction to staff regarding (1) Approval of the District's
Calles Pipeline Replacement Project; (2) Approval to issue the Notice of Award to the
apparent low bidder, AshLin Pacific, to undertake construction work on the Calles
Pipelines Replacement Project for $195,000.
The District has prioritized the replacement of the pipelines on Calle Del Pinos, Calle Del
Pradero, Calle Del Onda and Calle Del Embarcadero. Of the 3 bids received for the Project,
AshLin Pacific submitted the lowest responsible bid of $195,000. Its bid documents were
determined to be complete and satisfactory.
Director Nelsen made a motion to accept the bid of AshLin Pacific of $195,000 and to issue the Notice of Award and subsequent Notice to Proceed. Director Cross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by President Boucke and Directors Cross, Nelsen and Zell. -
Amend the Employment Agreement with the General Manager to Extend the Term
and Increase Compensation.
President Boucke presented the General Manager with a letter containing his annual performance evaluation by the Board, which had been previously reviewed by the Personnel Committee. Director Nelsen moved to approve the draft General Manager Employment Contract for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014. Director Cross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by President Boucke and Directors Cross, Nelsen and Zell. [Note: Although Vice President Baskin was absent for this vote, he was present for the vote on item D.3, Adoption of the Operations and Maintenance Budget, in which he moved to adopt the budget with the modification as to the General Manager's salary.]
F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Director Nelsen moved to approve the minutes of May 17, 2014. Director Cross seconded the
motion. The motion was approved by President Boucke and Directors Cross, Nelsen and
Zell.
G. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS
Director Nelsen moved to approve the disbursements of May 7, June 2, and June 5, 2014.
Director Zell seconded the motion. The motion was approved by President Boucke and
Directors Cross, Nelsen and Zell.
H. MANAGER'S REPORT
The General Manager discussed his monthly report. The recent ballot measure of June 3 had
an approval vote of 90.3% for the District's Appropriations limit.
Several applicants have applied and will be interviewed for the independent contractor
bookkeeping position. Ads may be placed on Craigslist and in the two local newspapers.
I. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
J. ADJOURNMENT
The motion to adjourn the meeting was approved by unanimous vote. The meeting was
adjourned at 12:00 noon.