BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, May 16, 2015
A. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
In the absence of President Baskin, Vice President Cross called the Regular meeting of the
Board of Directors of the Stinson Beach County Water District to order on Saturday, May 16,
2015, at 9:30 a.m., at the Stinson Beach County Water District office, located at 3785
Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970.
Directors present:
Sandra Cross, Vice President
Barbara Boucke, Director
Morey Nelsen, Director
Jim Zell, Director
Directors absent:
Lawrence Baskin, President
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.
Before beginning with the agenda items, the General Manager briefly described the award
recently received by the District's Water Supervisor, Toby Bisson. Toby was awarded the
"Frank Wells Award" by the Briones Lions Club, which was created to honor individuals whose
voluntary actions make positive differences in Stinson Beach and Bolinas. The Bolinas
Hearsay News featured a photo of Toby receiving his well-earned award. The Board
applauded and spoke highly of Toby's work for the District.
The General Manager also acknowledged that Utility Operator Tomas (Sito) Krakauer
received his Grade II Water Distribution Operator Certificate with a grade of 94%. The Board
congratulated Sito, who was unable to be present.
D. PUBLIC HEARING
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Review of the Draft Operations and Maintenance Budget and Capital Improvement
Program Budget for Fiscal Year 2015/2016 and continue the Public Hearing until the
next Board meeting on Saturday, June 20, 2015.
Next year's budget has been previously reviewed by the Finance and Personnel Committees. A potential drop of $30,000 (12%) in water revenue is anticipated due to the success of the District customers' water conservation efforts. However, wastewater revenue is expected to increase by approximately $15,000 due to an increased amount of site review applications. The employees' salaries are expected to increase by $20,966. The increase of $4,000 for tech support may be reimbursed by grant funds. Costs for miscellaneous outside services, which included temporary agency employment, are expected to decrease by $8,000.
The Board requested the General Manager to determine if District personnel would be able to perform the creek monitoring services currently being done by the District's contract engineer. Also, what is the basis for the county's calculation of the $12,000 property tax collection fee?
The Board discussed the Capital Improvement Program Budget covering the next 36 months, including the upcoming fire proofing of the Alder Grove Well house and pump station, the future Laurel Tank and Highlands Tank recoating, and the Ranch Tank replacement. The Board recommended that District staff be utilized, if practical, to install the fire proofing at Alder Grove. The General Manager will prepare a work plan for the field staff to determine their current and future workload.
The budget hearing will be continued to the June 20, 2015 Board meeting for further discussion and approval. -
Discussion and possible direction to staff re: a Draft Resolution Establishing an
Employee Benefit Program for the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 and continue the Public
Hearing until the next Board meeting on Saturday, June 20, 2015.
There are no changes being recommended by the Personnel and Finance Committees, other than changing the dates. The resolution will be reviewed again for final approval at the June 20, 2015 Board meeting.
E. GENERAL BUSINESS
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Review and possible direction to staff to submit the 2014 Water Quality/Consumer
Confidence Report to all of the District's customers.
The Board directed staff to submit the 2014 Water Quality/Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, for their review and to distribute the report to all District customers by the end of the fiscal year.
Since February 21, 2013, the California Department of Public Health has allowed electronic delivery of the CCR. The electronic delivery method will allow the Stinson Beach County Water District to reduce the consumption of paper and minimize printing and mailing costs. Customers will be advised by an insert in their May water bills, describing the internet link and option for delivery of a mailed paper copy of the CCR. The Board requested that the insert also state that there have been no water quality violations. -
Presentation by Sam Farag of Ampac USA re: his company's Portable Emergency
Seawater Desalination Watermaker units.
Sam Farag, President of Ampac USA, gave an interesting and excellent presentation to the Board. He has been in the business of supplying small to large desalination units all over the world for the past 20 years. His factory is located in southern California. He stated that a unit that produces 1,500 gallons of drinking water per day costs between $19,000 and $22,000. Mr. Farag will send a price list for various sized units. He explained that brackish water works more efficiently than salt water through the reverse osmosis system, requiring much less energy in the production of good water and also producing less waste. The disposal of the waste product is a major concern. The District will test the salinity level of its numerous monitoring wells.
The Board recently wrote a comprehensive letter to the Board of Supervisors and the California Coastal Commission, asking them to amend and refine their current policy which prohibits development of ocean water desalination facilities and to permit the use of non- industrial small sized desalination facilities having minimal environmental impact. The water produced may be necessary to meet the needs of the residents of Stinson Beach if the current drought continues.
F. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Board reviewed the March 31, 2015 financial reports, which included the investment
report. It is stated for the record that the reason the investment report was not available for
review at the April Board meeting was because the bookkeeper was ill.
G. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Director Boucke moved to approve the minutes of April18, 2015. Director Nelsen seconded
the motion. The motion was approved by Vice President Cross and Directors Boucke, Nelsen
and Zell.
H. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS
Director Nelsen moved to approve the disbursements of March 26, March 31, April 13, and
May 1, 2015. Director Zell seconded the motion. The motion was approved by Vice
President Cross and Directors Boucke, Nelsen and Zell.
I. MANAGER'S REPORT
The General Manager discussed his monthly report. The District will sell its two 2003 surplus
Ford pickup trucks to the highest bidder. Bidding information will be posted around town and
in the local newspaper.
The District will conduct an Abatement Hearing at the June 20, 2015 Board meeting because
of a failed septic system that cannot be fixed by maintenance or minor repair. The system is
being severely overloaded by large rental groups. It has a discharge permit of 150 gallons
maximum per day. Currently, the septic tank can only be used as a holding tank and is being
pumped several times each week.
J. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
K. CORRESPONDENCE
The Board reviewed the correspondence.
L. CLOSED DOOR SESSION
The meeting was adjourned to closed session at 11:50 a.m.
M. ADJOURNMENT
Out of closed session at 12:05 p.m. and the meeting was adjourned. The next regular
meeting will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2015, at 9:30 a.m.