BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, February 18, 2017
A. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
President Nelsen called the Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Stinson Beach
County Water District to order on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at 9:34 a.m., at the Stinson
Beach County Water District office, located at 3785 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA
94970.
Directors present:
Morey Nelsen, President
Jim Zell, Vice President
Lawrence Baskin, Director
Barbara Boucke, Director
Sandra Cross, 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. PUBLIC HEARING
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Discussion and possible direction to staff re: a Variance Application for replacement
of a wastewater system at 63 Dipsea Road, Krishna Tyner, Owner, Account No. 7865.
The design and variance applications are for a new alternative wastewater system with a maximum and average daily flow rate of 450 gallons and 300 gallons, respectively. Proposed new construction consists of the addition of habitable space (converting the square footage of the garage into habitable space) to the existing single family residence which will not exceed 2,800 square feet. The subject property is a 60' x 125' parcel located between Dipsea Road and Seadrift Lagoon.
Variances under the District's Title IV are requested under Section 4.15.100 Site Criteria - Setbacks to reduce the leach field setback to Seadrift Lagoon from 100 to 95 feet, to reduce the leach field setback to the northerly property line from 5 feet to 1 foot, to eliminate the 5 foot dispersal field setback to allow for a pervious driveway on top and under Section 4.19.010 Use of Alternative Wastewater Systems Designs to utilize a recirculating textile filter.
The water main meets a 10 foot minimum setback to the proposed wastewater system. Based on the use of the proposed raised bed dispersal field, there is over 36 inches of vertical separation from seasonal high groundwater to the bottom of the raised bed dispersal field. The wastewater design consists of a new 1,500 gallon septic tank, 810 gallon sump tank, Advantex AX20, and diversion valve.
A copy of the application documents was forwarded to the Regional Water Quality Control Board for their 30 day review period. Neighbor notifications were sent timely, and the Wastewater Committee reviewed and discussed the application on February 13, 2017.
Director Cross moved to approve draft Resolution No. WW 2017-02 Granting a Variance to the Requirements of the Stinson Beach County Water District Wastewater Treatment Regulations Ordinance No. 2014-04 to Reduce Setback Requirements to a Driveway, Waterbody, and Property Line and to Utilize an Alternative Wastewater System for Property Located at 63 Dipsea Road. Director Baskin seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Nelsen, Vice President Zell, and Directors Baskin, Boucke and Cross.
E. GENERAL BUSINESS
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Laurel WTP Test Well - Determination of No Development Constraints on
Neighboring Properties.
Now that the District's test well at the Laurel Avenue Water Treatment Plant has proven to be productive, the District will move forward to obtain a Coastal Development Permit to use the well as a supplemental water supply for the town's residents. The project had been submitted to the State Clearinghouse and Marin County Clerk, determining the project had no significant effect on the environment. The State Clearinghouse has closed the review period, confirmed that no state agencies submitted comments, and acknowledged that the District complied with State Clearinghouse review requirements pursuant to CEQA.
The County of Marin, Community Development Agency - Planning Division in their Notice of Project Status dated January 14, 2016 under Planning Merits Comments stated that "...wells or water sources shall be located at least 100 feet from all property lines, or a finding shall be made that no development constraints are placed on neighboring properties." The difference between the 100 foot setback from the neighboring property lines and the actual location of the well from the neighboring property line (34 feet) is 66 feet.
The slope of the hill on the neighboring property (APN 195-260-38) east of the Laurel Water Treatment Plant Test Well is approximately 55%. Based on the District's Title IV Onsite Wastewater Management Code, construction of a septic tank or dispersal field would not be allowed on this part of the neighboring property (APN 195-260-38) due to the existing small drainage and the steeply sloping hillside.
Therefore, a Determination is made that construction of the District's Laurel Water Treatment Plant Test Well has placed no development constraints on the neighboring property (APN 195-260-38). Additionally, any development constraints that may exist within 100 feet of the well on the neighboring property were pre-existing when the District constructed its well.
Director Boucke requested that a finding be placed on the well permit application that the building of the retaining wall, which is needed to protect the District's new well from the steep slope of the hillside, will not cause erosion to the hillside.
The neighboring property owner has been kept informed throughout the various phases of the well construction.
Director Baskin made a motion to approve the District's determination that construction of the Laurel Water Treatment Plant Well has placed no development constraints on neighboring properties and to approve the General Manager to include the Determination as an attachment to the District's Coastal Development Permit Application, including the stability of the proposed retaining wall. Director Cross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by President Nelsen, Vice President Zell and Directors Baskin, Boucke and Cross. President Nelsen complimented the General Manager on the successful well drilling operation.
F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Director Boucke moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of January 21, 2017. Director
Baskin seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Nelsen, Vice
President Zell and Directors Baskin and Boucke. Director Cross had been absent at the
January 21, 2017 meeting.
G. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS
Director Baskin moved to approve the disbursements of January 10, January 26 and January
27, 2017. Director Boucke seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by
President Nelsen, Vice President Zell, and Directors Baskin, Boucke and Cross.
H. MANAGER'S REPORT
The General Manager discussed his monthly report. Toby will be attending a three day water
system workshop in Sacramento titled "Effective Utility Management Module 1." Donny and
Sito will be attending water systems training workshops in South Lake Tahoe organized by the
California Rural Water Association.
The General Manager has conferred with District counsel regarding the Petition for Writ of
Administrative Mandamus, the Amended Petition for Writ of Administrative Mandamus, and
Summons of Brian Johnson, one of the owners of the real property at 21 Calle del Onda. In
the Petition, Mr. Johnson seeks to compel the Stinson Beach County Water District Board of
Directors to set aside its decision to deny an application to install an onsite wastewater
system at its hearing at the September 17, 2016 Board meeting.
The motion to approve the applicant's request for variance at the September 17, 2016 Board
hearing failed to pass, as two Board members voted "yes" and two Board members voted
"no." The fifth Board member was not able to vote as he resides within 500 feet of 21 Calle
del Onda. The motion required three "yes" votes in order to pass.
Director Baskin suggested that the tape of the first Board hearing on the initial variance
hearing held on August 20, 2016 be transcribed and made part of the administrative record.
A Legal Committee meeting will be held after the administrative record is reviewed by the
District's counsel.
The District has submitted its fifth invoice to the California Department of Water Resources for
Proposition 84 Grant Reimbursement. Approximately $59,000 remains for future grant
submittals. Allan Richards of Stetson Engineers is updating the District's "Water Supply and
Demand Management Options Report" before the District requests a Feasibility Study for
Desalination.
Redwood Empire Disposal (North Bay Corporation) is being sold to Recology of San
Francisco. Operations Manager Jim Salyers will stay on and there should be no impact to
customers. Their employees and routes will remain the same.
I. COMMITTEE REPORTS
President Nelsen reported the discussion at the February 13, 2017 Wastewater Committee
meeting regarding audio septic alarms that go off when the septic system is flooded by high
water and the homeowner is not present to turn off the alarm. Chris has created a log book to
note the location, time, date of the alarm, and action taken. The owner will be contacted and
required to complete a Maintenance Order to address the problem.
The Committee also discussed measuring the dimensions of homes that are getting a septic
system repaired. The consensus of the Committee was to rely on the County assessor's
records or the architect. The District does not measure houses.
J. CORRESPONDENCE
None.
K. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:47 a.m. The next regular meeting will be on Saturday,
March 18, 2017, at 9:30 a.m.