BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, March 21, 2015
A. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
President Baskin called the Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Stinson Beach
County Water District to order on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at 9:35 a.m., at the Stinson
Beach County Water District office, located at 3785 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA
94970.
Directors present:
Lawrence Baskin, President
Sandra Cross, Vice President
Barbara Boucke, Director
Jim Zell, Director
Directors absent:
Morey Nelsen, Director
Treasurer present:
Judy Stemen
General Manager present:
Ed Schmidt
Staff present:
Helma Schwendig - Office Supervisor
B. PUBLIC EXPRESSION
None.
c. SETTING OF AGENDA
The agenda was unanimously adopted as set.
D. GENERAL BUSINESS
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Discussion and possible direction to staff regarding the engagement letter with Mr.
John Cropper to perform the District's Annual Financial Audit.
The Finance Committee recently interviewed three accounting firms to select a new firm to prepare the District's financial audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015. All three candidates were well qualified. The Committee recommended John Cropper of Cropper Accountancy Corporation. The Board directed the General Manager to hire John Cropper to prepare the District's next financial audit for $12,500. -
Discussion and possible direction to staff to grant a Water Use Charge Reduction
Request for Lisa P. Lindelef, 185 Dipsea Road, Stinson Beach, Account #08105.
Ms. Lindelef, a part time resident, requested a water use charge reduction of $269.73 for the period of October 29, 2014 to December 1, 2014. The roots of a neighboring property owner's pine tree caused Ms. Lindelef's water pipe to fail. Based on the provisions of the District's leak reduction policy, Resolution No. GB-2013-04, the General Manager was unable to grant Ms. Lindelef any financial relief. Ms. Lindelef did not attend the Board hearing, and the Board was unable to determine how she discovered the leak and if she exercised reasonable control over her property to have prevented the leak.
President Baskin reminded the Board that a good amount of time and effort had gone into preparing the current policy for water use charge reductions. Whether or not the property owner took reasonable steps to avoid a water loss is a prime consideration for a water use reduction. After much back and forth discussion by the Board, Director Boucke made a motion to grant Ms. Lindelef a reduction of 50% of the $269.73 she had requested. There was no second to Director's Boucke's motion, however. The Board did grant Ms. Lindelef the option of appearing before the April 18 Board meeting, but noted that she may choose to not want any relief at this point, as no more than one loss adjustment may be granted within a five year period. -
Discussion and possible direction to staff to grant a Water Use Charge Reduction
Request for Tom Spike/Nancy Noman, 7745 Panoramic Highway, Stinson Beach,
Account #04090.
Mr. Spike and Ms. Noman, part time residents, requested a water use charge reduction of $3,972.64 for the period of October 29, 2014 to December 1, 2014 and a water use charge reduction of $77.70 for the period of December 1, 2014 to December 30, 2014. The water loss of 136,136 gallons, which was discovered when the water meter was read, was caused by the failure of a 25 year old PVC pipe. Resolution No. GB-2013-04 states that "Usage of more than 120,000 gallons will be considered as detrimental to the safety of the community and shall be referred to the Board of Directors for consideration of any reduction in the water use cost."
Mr. Spike/Ms. Noman, who attended the hearing, stated that they occupy their residence 5 or 6 days per week, do not have an irrigation system, and use about 45 gallons per day. They also stated that there was no negligence on their part and that they immediately had the water pipe repaired. They have made every effort to conserve water by installing water saving fixtures.
The Board noted that the water lines were installed by the previous owner, were beyond their useful life, and subject to another failure. A Board member recommended that the entire water line be replaced as a condition of granting a water usage charge reduction.
Director Zell moved to grant Mr. Spike/Ms. Noman a 50% water use charge reduction of $2,025.17, payable on a monthly instalment plan if they desired. Director Boucke seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Baskin, Vice President Cross and Directors Boucke and Zell.
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Director Boucke moved to approve the minutes of February 21, 2015. Director Zell seconded
the motion. The motion was approved by President Baskin and Directors Boucke and Zell.
Vice President Cross and Director Nelsen were not present at the February 21, 2015 meeting.
Director Boucke moved to approve the minutes of the Special March 11, 2015 meeting. Vice
President Cross seconded the motion. The motion was approved by President Baskin, Vice
President Cross and Directors Boucke and Zell. Director Nelsen was not present at the
March 11, 2015 meeting.
F. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS
Vice President Cross moved to approve the disbursements of February 23, 2015. Director
Zell seconded the motion. The motion was approved by President Baskin, Vice President
Cross and Directors Boucke and Zell.
G. MANAGER'S REPORT
The General Manager discussed his monthly report. The District is assembling all time and
material costs, including engineering, contractor, legal, and staff time associated with the
completed Calles Pipeline Replacement Project that ABAG will require for the Prop. 84 Grant.
A Board member expressed concern about the District's shortfall in projected water revenue.
The District is doing all it can to keep costs down. The Finance Committee will meet on
Monday, March 30, at 9:30 a.m. to review the proposed budget for fiscal year 2015 - 2016.
On March 19, 2015, the District sent out the Notice of Award and Contract Agreement to
Pacific Underground Services for the Patios Pipeline Replacement Project. Lynda Dubas of
Contractor Compliance and Monitoring, who is assisting the District with labor compliance
matters, will attend a pre-construction meeting at the District's office on March 31, 2015 with
Sara Orrick, a Partner of Pacific Underground Services.
A report will be forthcoming shortly from Weeks Drilling about the feasibility of drilling a new
well at the Water Treatment Plant site.
The Board directed that the General Manager in his monthly Drought Newsletter encourage
everyone to limit their water use and in their absence away from home, arrange for someone
to check their water meter. Creek flow is very low. Weekend water demand is a problem and
everyone is urged to water only on Sundays and Wednesdays.
The General Manager has prepared a report on the Status of Desalination Technology and
Applicability to the Stinson Beach County Water District. The cost of mobile desal units are
being explored and will be discussed at a future Water Operations Committee meeting.
A Special Board meeting will be scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2015, at the Stinson Beach
Community Center, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. regarding a Sea Level Rise Preparedness
Workshop sponsored by the County of Marin, C-SMART staff.
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 11:07 a.m.