BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, October 17, 2015
A. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
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:
Rich Souza - District Engineer
Helma Schwendig - Office Supervisor
B. PUBLIC EXPRESSION
President Baskin noted it was time for the Board to set a date for the annual Employees
Recognition Dinner. The Board selected Wednesday, December 16.
C. SETTING OF AGENDA
The agenda was unanimously adopted as set.
D. PUBLIC HEARING
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Discussion and possible direction to staff re: a Variance Request for a new
wastewater system for property located at 253 Seadrift Road, Thomas and Linda
Coates, Owners, APN 195-340-87.
The property is a 7,500 square foot vacant parcel, with the Seadrift Lagoon located along the northerly property line. The wastewater system is designed for a single family residential home with up to 1,900 square feet of habitable space. Based on the proposed raised bed leach field, there is over 36 inches of vertical separation from seasonal high groundwater to the bottom of the leach field. The proposed alternative wastewater system will have a maximum daily discharge rate of 300 gallons and an average daily discharge rate of 200 gallons.
Variances are required to Section 4.15.100 Site Criteria - Setbacks to reduce a front/side property line setback from 5 to 3 feet and to eliminate a 5 foot driveway setback over the dispersal field. A variance is also required to Section 4.19.010 Use of Alternative Wastewater System Designs to utilize an alternative pretreatment device - Advantex AX20 filter.
Prior to issuance of a wastewater construction permit, the water main shall be relocated by the homeowners so that it meets the 10 foot minimum setback to the septic system and the District's specifications.
The matter was heard at the October 7, 2015 Wastewater Committee Meeting. No comments were provided by the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Director Boucke moved to adopt Resolution No. WW 2015-09 Granting a Variance to the Requirements of the Stinson Beach County Water District Wastewater Treatment Regulations Ordinance No. 2014-04 to Install an Alternative Wastewater System and to Reduce Site Criteria Setback Requirements. Director Zell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by President Baskin and Directors Boucke, Nelsen and Zell.
E. GENERAL BUSINESS
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Discussion and possible approval of a proposal titled "Supply and Delivery of Water
Meters and Automatic Meter Reading System" dated September 1, 2015.
Replacing water meters is a Best Management Practice for more closely monitoring water in a drought. This project has been approved by ABAG and DWR for grant funds. The General Manager described the latest proposal from Kathy Richards of National Meter and Automation of $198,610.88 for replacing 730 residential and commercial meters. The pricing reflects a 3 ½% discount from her prior proposal.
President Baskin stated that the Information Technology Committee's research did not perceive EMF emissions to be an issue in the community as a whole. The cellular modem of the Orion Cellular AMI Water Meter transmits only once each day for 30 seconds. The Board has to make decisions that are in the best interest of the community. It is anticipated that some customers may see a slight increase in their monthly water bill as a result of the new meters. Water meters slow down with age as sediment builds up so that they measure lower water usage.
The Board directed the General Manager to contact Ms. Richards, requesting her to revise her pricing downward by an additional 3 ½%.
The District has received a proposal from CORE Utilities, Inc., for software for a new Utility Billing System. The General Manager will phone other CORE users for additional references. He will also contact Springbrook Software Company, and Doreen will report her findings from her visit to the Northstar Community Services District at the October 28, 2015 Finance Committee meeting. The new billing software needs to be installed in the District's computers prior to the installation of the new water meters. -
Presentation of the District's Digital Mapping System by Rich Souza.
Rich gave an excellent presentation of the District's new digital mapping system, which was developed by his firm CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group, and is transmitted via Google's earth mapping system. The District is reaping the benefits of his firm's prior research. The water portion of the mapping system has been completed, showing each of the District's water meters, hydrants, mains, blow off valves, and pipes. A click of the mouse on a water main will pull up the plans and specifications. The data base is organized by account number and lists the property's address, name of owner, phone number, etc. The General Manager requested that pressure codes be added to the mapping program.
The septic portion of the program is now being worked on and will show a copy of the property's Discharge Permit, description of the septic system and other pertinent information. It is anticipated that the mapping system will be placed on a computer at the District Office's front counter and should prove to be a valuable tool for District staff using their smart phones in the field, as well as homeowners, realtors, and potential buyers. -
Discussion and possible concurrence on the Local Project Sponsor Agreement
between the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), the San Francisco Estuary
Partnership (SFEP) and the Stinson Beach County Water District for the Proposition 84
Integrated Regional Water Management 2014 Drought Grant and possible direction to
staff regarding the appointment of a representative to the LPS Committee.
The District's counsel, Patrick Miyaki, has reviewed the agreement and reminded the District to follow its obligations thereunder. A Grant Committee meeting will be held on October 29, 2015 to focus on reporting and invoicing requirements. The District is required to appoint a representative to the Local Project Sponsorship (LPS) Committee.
Director Boucke made a motion for the General Manage to execute the Agreement, to attend the Grant Committee meetings, and to appoint him as the District's representative to the LPS Committee. Director Nelsen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by President Baskin and Directors Boucke, Nelsen and Zell. -
Discussion and possible direction to staff regarding a letter from Liza Goldblatt,
West Marin Mosquito Abatement.
Director Zell presented to the Board an e-mail from Liza Goldblatt dated October 16, 2015 regarding the West Marin Mosquito Council's concern that the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector District proposes to use products that are toxic to aquatic life. The West Marin Mosquito Council is not a governmental agency.
Ms. Goldblatt has requested that the District write a letter to the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector District (MSMVD), requesting a one-year extension of their current agreement with West Marin and to use the least toxic approach to the control of mosquitoes.
The main cause of mosquito issues in West Marin are due to septic systems not being properly screened and sealed. A note will be placed in next month's Drought Newsletter that homeowners should contact the District if they observe mosquitoes in their septic system. The District has the authority to require homeowners to screen vents and seal septic systems. -
Discussion and possible appointment of a representative to the Stinson Beach
Village Association Ad Hoc Committee formed to review and make recommendations
to the Marin County Board of Supervisors regarding LCP amendments.
Sam Matthews, Chair of the Village Association's Ad Hoc Committee to review the Local Coastal Program Amendments, has requested that the Stinson Beach County Water District select a representative who could assist the committee by assessing any proposed water resource management policies. President Baskin stated he will represent the District; however, it will be March or April of next year before the Environmental Hazards section of the LCPA is available for the public's comment. From that report, the Community Development Agency hopes to develop standards for building or planning requirements in the hazard zone as defined. At that point, the Village Association could make comments and recommendations to the Community Development Agency.
F. FINANCIAL REPORTS
The Board reviewed the District's financial reports which were run for the first time in the
QuickBooks software format. The reports consisted of the Balance Sheet as of September
30, 2015, the Profit and Loss Schedules from July through September 2015, and the
Quarterly Schedule of Cash and Investments as of September 2015.
G. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Director Nelsen moved to approve the minutes of September 19, 2015. Director Zell
seconded the motion. The motion was approved by President Baskin and Directors Boucke,
Nelsen and Zell.
H. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS
Director Boucke moved to approve the disbursements of September 9 and September 29,
2015. Director Nelsen seconded the motion. The motion was approved by President Baskin
and Directors Boucke, Nelsen and Zell.
I. MANAGER'S REPORT
The General Manager discussed his monthly report. Advertising for construction of the
District's new test well at the Laurel Avenue Water Treatment Plant will begin on October 19.
A Water Operations Committee meeting will be held on November 9, 2015. $3,000 has been
added to the Board expense budget for extra Board and Committee meetings.
J. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Finance Committee discussed the number of individual software licenses needed for the
new billing system at its October 14, 2015 meeting and agreed to the purchase of licenses for
three separate work stations. If needed, an additional license may be purchased at a later
time.
K. CORRESPONDENCE
The Board reviewed the correspondence.
L. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Saturday,
November 21, 2015, at 9:30 a.m.