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BOARD MEETING MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, September 19, 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, September 19, 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:
Lawrence Baskin, President
Barbara Boucke, Director
Morey Nelsen, Director
Jim Zell, Director

Directors absent:
Sandra Cross, Vice President

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

  1. Discussion and possible direction to staff regarding Bid Solicitation for Laurel Water Treatment Plant Test Well Project.
    The Integrated Regional Water Management Plan, Proposition 84 Grant approval from the Department of Water Resources, involves construction related activities associated with obtaining a new potable water well. Bids will be solicited to drill a test well approximately 260 feet deep with a 6-inch PVC casing using the mud-rotary method, to be located on the northeast side of the existing water tank at the end of Laurel Avenue. The potential production capacity of the test well will be evaluated to determine if it can be converted to a production well.

    The Board reviewed the Rolling Capital Improvements Cash Flow for the next 12 Months and the following 13 - 24 Months. Based on projected expenses, including the $156,945 bond payment to be made next week, and in anticipation of the receipt of property tax revenue in mid-December, it was the consensus of the Board members present that the bidding process be postponed until the week of October 19, 2015 and to adjust the bid solicitation schedule in the General Manager's Staff Report accordingly.

E.    FINANCIAL REPORTS

The Board reviewed the financial reports as of June 30, 2015, consisting of the Operating Report, the Balance Sheet Summary, Quarterly Schedule of Cash and Investments, Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF), Revenues Comparison, Apportionment/Property Tax Revenue, Consolidated Fund Balance Sheet, Consolidated Fund Income Statement, and Comparative Single Fund Income Statement. Due to water conservation efforts, water usage charges have decreased by $27,000 (11%). Wastewater fees have increased by $34,000 (8%), due to an increase in the number of building permits. Property tax revenue has increased by $82,000 (13%). After depreciation, the net result is a gain of $53,000, but the District does not anticipate having to raise water rates in the near future.

F.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Nelsen moved to approve the minutes of August 22, 2015. Director Zell seconded the motion. The motion was approved by President Baskin and Directors Nelsen and Zell. Director Boucke was not present at the August 22, 2015 Board meeting.

G.    APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS

Director Nelsen moved to approve the disbursements of August 14, 2015. Director Boucke seconded the motion. The motion was approved by President Baskin and Directors Boucke, Nelsen and Zell.

H.    MANAGER'S REPORT

The General Manager discussed his monthly report. The Proposition 84 agreement with the California Department of Water Resources for the District's grant reimbursement has been reviewed by the District's legal counsel, Patrick Miyaki. Provisions in the agreement must be reviewed carefully to ensure that the District complies with these provisions. The District will submit invoices in November, and is expecting its first reimbursement by April 2016.

The only proposal for new water meters was received on September 1, 2015 from Kathy Richards, National Meter and Automation, Inc., for Badger Meters. Ms. Richards' proposal will be placed on the Saturday, October 17, 2015, Board meeting agenda.

The Board discussed the chart comparing the power exposure from the proposed Orion Cellular/Badger Water Meters to the PG&E meters. President Baskin suggested that the General Manager summarize his research in next month's Drought Newsletter, which includes a comparison of the energy transmittal of various household items such as microwave ovens to the District's proposed cellular water meters.

The Board gave their approval for Doreen to visit the water district at Northstar in Truckee to interview the employees who operate the Springbrook Utility Billing system that uses the Orion Cellular/Badger configuration. It should be a productive visit, as the Northstar Community Services District is similar in size to the Stinson Beach County Water District.

In reference to the September 2, 2015 Drought Newsletter's reminder to customers to have their backflow devices tested annually, President Baskin inquired as to the criteria for having a backflow. The California Code of Regulations states that a water supplier [such as the District] shall protect the public water supply from contamination by the implementation of a cross connection control program. The District's Title III Water System Regulations, Chapter 3.09, spell out the requirements for backflow devices.

Director Boucke distributed a memorandum from the Seadrift Association Board of Directors dated September 15, 2015 which urges property owners to attend the Saturday, November 14, 2015, 10:00 a.m. workshop at the Community Center hosted by Marin County's C-SMART (Collaboration: Sea-level Marin Adaptation Response Team). The workshop will focus on adaptation to sea level rise, property development, seawalls, and crucial infrastructure such as Shoreline Highway and Calle del Arroyo.

The Wastewater Committee and the General Manager are planning to meet with Tom Lai, Assistant Director, County of Marin Community Development Agency, as a follow up to the September 5, 2015 meeting at the Community Center regarding the county's updated policy for new structures or improvements within the floodplain of Easkoot Creek. Although the County has stated that the building restriction will apply mainly to new development and that repair/maintenance and work necessary for health and safety would be allowable, clarification is needed regarding the County's role and the District's role when homeowners come to the District to seek permission to repair their septic system or perhaps replace a failed septic system.

The Finance Committee recommended that the General Manager executes the draft "Agreement for Professional Bookkeeping Services" with Maze & Associates. President Baskin and Directors Boucke, Nelsen and Zell approved the Agreement and annual compensation to Maze & Associates of $50,400 ($4,200 monthly).

I.    COMMITTEE REPORTS

None.

J.    CORRESPONDENCE

None.

K.    ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2015, at 9:30 a.m.

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