BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2016
A. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
President Cross called the Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Stinson Beach
County Water District to order on Saturday, January 16, 2016, 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
Sandra Cross, Vice President
Barbara Boucke, Director
Morey Nelsen, Director
Jim Zell, Director
General Manager present:
Ed Schmidt
Staff present:
Helma Schwendig - Office Supervisor
B. PUBLIC EXPRESSION
Director Boucke expressed her concern that a small number of individuals have the ability to
effectively hold up construction by initiating a lawsuit. After back and forth discussion, the
Board decided that they would deal on a case-by-case basis with any situation where a septic
construction permit had been issued by the District, but subsequently had expired due to
pending litigation.
C. SETTING OF AGENDA
The agenda was unanimously adopted as set.
D. GENERAL BUSINESS
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Discussion and possible direction to staff to grant a Water Use Charge Reduction
Request for Darlene Christesen, 112 Calle del Arroyo, Account #01160.
The Board reviewed the Water Use Charge Reduction Request and letter received on December 11, 2015 from Ms. Christesen as well as her letter dated December 28, 2015 addressed to the Board. The water use portion of her bill from October 29, 2015 to December 1, 2015 for 21,600 cubic feet (161,568 gallons) was $5,346.10. Ms. Christesen has qualified for the District's lifeline rate since July 2013. Her normal water usage has consistently been around 100 cubic feet per month (748 gallons) or 25 gallons per day.
Ms. Christesen stated in her letter that the leak, which was discovered by District staff on December 2, was the result of a broken galvanized union joint, underground about a foot from the meter and was thus undetectable by Ms. Christesen. As Ms. Christesen is disabled, she was unable to attend the January 16, 2016 Board meeting. The leak did not impact the District's water supply and storage capacity and it was fixed promptly.
The Board was sympathetic to Ms. Christesen's predicament; however, the Board does not have discretion to waive the District's cost for delivering her water. Director Baskin moved to grant Ms. Christesen a water use reduction of $1,154.72, based on the calculation of the District's cost of 2.4 cents per gallon. The balance of $4,191.38 is to be paid at $10.00 per month over a 20 year period, ending with a balloon payment. A Deed of Trust and Promissory Note will be prepared. Director Zell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by President Cross, Vice President Nelsen and Directors Baskin, Boucke and Zell.
E. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Board reviewed the financial statements as of December 31, 2015, consisting of the
Balance Sheet, Profit & Loss - All Funds, Profit & Loss by Class, Profit & Loss Budget vs.
Actual - All Funds, Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual - Water Fund, Profit & Loss Budget vs.
Actual - Wastewater Fund, Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual - Loans, Bonds, Debts, F/A,
Schedule of Cash and Investments, including LAIF (Local Agency Investment Fund).
F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Director Baskin moved to approve the minutes of December 19, 2015. Director Boucke
seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Cross, Vice
President Nelsen and Directors Baskin, Boucke and Zell.
G. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS
Director Baskin moved to approve the disbursements of December 9 and December 22, 2015.
Director Boucke seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President
Cross, Vice President Nelsen and Directors Baskin, Boucke and Zell.
H. MANAGER'S REPORT
The General Manager discussed his monthly report. He has completed a draft of the District's
response to the Grand Jury regarding public agency websites. Each Board member will
prepare a brief biography for inclusion on the District's website.
The General Manager is continuing to work with David McMullen of Marin County
Environmental Health Services regarding the placement of the District's proposed new well
site.
The General Manager has ordered 250 new water meters for $54,000. Installation by District
staff will begin in several months, starting in Seadrift, after the new CORE Utility Billing
System data transfer has been completed. Extensive notice will be provided to the District's
customers. The Department of Water Resources has requested the District to have a large,
portable construction sign made, similar to signs on the highways, giving the grant title of the
project and where the dollars are coming from. The District expects to receive a portion of
grant reimbursement at the end of May 2016.
The District's financial auditor, John Cropper, will review his audit findings as of the District's
fiscal year ending June 30, 2015 and will explain the District's increased pension liability at the
next Board meeting on February 20, 2016.
Due to the District's emergency generator, the District was able to be open and functional
during the area power outage on December 30.
Director Baskin stated that he found the General Manager's January 5, 2016 Drought
Newsletter to be very interesting and entertaining. The General Manager values the staff's
commitment and loyalty to the District.
I. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
J. CORRESPONDENCE
None.
K. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m. A Special Board Meeting will be held on
Wednesday, February 3, 2016, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Community Center, to discuss
design guidelines for existing Stinson Beach homes vulnerable to sea level rise and storm
surges. The next regular meeting will be held at the District office on Saturday, February 20,
2016, at 9:30 a.m.