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BOARD MEETING MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, January 20, 2018

A.    CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

President Zell called the Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Stinson Beach County Water District to order on Saturday, January 20, 2018, at 9:30 a.m., at the Stinson Beach County Water District office, located at 3785 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970.

Directors present:
Jim Zell, President
Barbara Boucke, Vice President
Lawrence Baskin, Director
Sandra Cross, Director
Morey Nelsen, 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

  1. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: a Variance Application for a new alternative wastewater system at 73 Dipsea Road, Sheila and Angus McCarthy, Owners, APN 195-080-15.
    This variance application is for a new alternative wastewater system on a 7,500 square foot lot located on the Lagoon side of Dipsea Road. Variances have been requested under Section 4.15.100 Site Criteria - Setbacks to reduce a dispersal bed setback from a front property line from 5 feet to 4 feet, to eliminate a 5 foot driveway/parking setback to the dispersal field, and under Section 4.19.010 Use of Alternative Wastewater System Designs to utilize a recirculating textile filter.

    The County of Marin will be the lead agency for design review of the building and environmental clearance documents. Based on the design, there is over 36 inches of vertical separation from seasonal high groundwater to the bottom of the proposed raised beds. The proposed alternative system is designed for a maximum and average daily flow rate of 300 and 200 gallons, respectively. The proposed septic system components include a new 1,500 gallon septic tank/recirculation, 810 gallon sump tank, recirculating textile filter (Advantex AX20) pretreatment device, diversion valve, and dual raised bed dispersal fields.

    The Regional Water Quality Control Board was sent a copy of the application documents, and neighbor notifications were sent timely. The Wastewater Committee had reviewed and discussed the application at its January 16, 2018 meeting.

    Director Cross made a motion to adopt draft Resolution No. WW 2018-01 Granting a Variance to the Requirements of the Stinson Beach County Water District Wastewater Treatment Regulations Ordinance No. 2014-04 to Utilize an Alternative Wastewater System and to reduce Site Criteria Setback Requirements for property located at 73 Dipsea Road, subject to modifying the resolution to correct several misprints. The word "existing" should be substituted for "the variances will allow construction of a new single family residence with up to 1,900 square feet of habitable space." Director Nelsen seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Zell, Vice President Boucke, and Directors Baskin, Cross and Nelsen.

E.    GENERAL BUSINESS

  1. Discussion and possible direction to staff to grant a Water Use Charge Reduction Request for Carey Crosby, 41 Lincoln Avenue, Stinson Beach, Account #481001.
    Ms. Crosby's water use portion of her bill from October 28, 2017 to November 30, 2017 for 69,236 gallons was $1,949.95. Ms. Crosby stated in her letter of December 21, 2017 that the leak was caused by leaking valves in her watering system.

    The District's current Resolution establishing policy for water use charge reductions states in part that "Usage cost above 29,920 gallons but less than 120,000 gallons may be calculated at the District's current cost for delivering a gallon of water." Under this computation, Ms. Crosby's water usage charge would be reduced by $464.58.

    Director Baskin made a motion to grant Ms. Crosby a reduction of $464.58. Vice President Boucke seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Zell, Vice President Boucke, and Directors Baskin, Cross and Nelsen.
  2. Review of the District's Draft Basic Financial Statements as at June 30, 2017.
    This annual report consists of three parts - Management's Discussion and Analysis, the Basic Financial Statements, and Required Supplementary Information. From their report, Cropper Accountancy Corporation stated, "In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the business-type activities of each major fund of Stinson Beach County Water District, as of June 30, 2017, and the respective changes in financial position and, where applicable, cash flows thereof for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America."

    John Cropper, of Cropper Accountancy Corporation, attended the meeting and distributed an overview of the District's ending net position and pension (GASB 68) liability. He noted that 6-30-17 was a good financial year for the District and that the District is very well run by its General Manager, Ed Schmidt.

    Vice President Boucke made a motion to adopt the District's draft Basic Financial Statements and Memorandum on Internal Control and Required Communications for the Year Ended June 30, 2017. Director Cross seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Zell, Vice President Boucke, and Directors Baskin, Cross and Nelsen.
  3. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: removal of nine large pine trees and two very small pine trees located inside the fenced area of the Highlands Water Tanks.
    The October 2017 North Bay wildfires was a reminder of the need to create a fire defense system around the District's water tanks. Nine large pine trees around the two Highlands Tanks pose a hazard and should be removed as soon as possible. Now is the proper time to schedule the removal of the trees, since the Highlands #2 Tank is slated for repairs in the near future.

    By consensus, the Board approved the Clements Tree Service Contract to remove the trees for $32,000.
  4. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: Standby Emergency Water Purchase Agreement.
    Part of the District's Proposition 84, Drought Grant Application Supplemental Groundwater Supplies component, Water Supply & Drought Preparedness Plan, included contacting the owners of several privately owned water wells in Stinson Beach in order to purchase their well water in times of extreme drought or water emergencies. One of the owners has agreed to sell her untreated well water to the District in times of severe drought.

    Director Boucke made a motion to approve the draft Standby Emergency Water Purchase Agreement and Resolution No. GB-2018-01subject to further review by the District's Legal Committee, comprised of Directors Cross and Baskin. Director Cross seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Zell, Vice President Boucke, and Directors Baskin, Cross and Nelsen. The Legal Committee subsequently revised the Agreement and Resolution No. GB-2018-01 as a Memorandum of Understanding.

F.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Baskin made a motion to approve the minutes of December 16, 2017. Director Nelsen seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Zell, Vice President Boucke, and Directors Baskin, Cross and Nelsen.

G.    APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS

Vice President Boucke moved to approve the disbursements of December 5, December 7, December 12, December 13 and December 20, 2017. Director Cross seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Zell, Vice President Boucke, and Directors Baskin, Cross and Nelsen.

H.    MANAGER'S REPORT

The General Manager discussed his monthly report. He has submitted a signed Waiver of the 49 Day Rule for an Appeal of a Local Government's Final Action on a Coastal Development Permit for the Laurel Avenue Well Project.

Euro Style Management has given a cost estimate of $157,000 for making the repairs to the Highlands Tank #2, which is $57,000 more than Allan Richards' estimate of $100,000.

The District's grant reimbursements are coming to an end. Remaining are $12,000 for Invoice No. 8 and the 5% retention payment of $46,000.

Sam Farag, of Ampac USA, sent the General Manager a proposal for a portable 2,000 gallon per day Desalination System costing $22,000. However, its final cost may be considerably more. References are still needed as well as a feasibility study. Toby is to explore the mechanics involved.

I.    COMMITTEE REPORTS

None.

J.    CORRESPONDENCE

The Board reviewed the correspondence.

K.    CLOSED DOOR SESSION

The meeting was adjourned to Closed Door Session at 11:08 a.m. At 11:48 a.m., the Board returned to Open Session. Nathan Metcalf participated by telephone. The Board conferred with legal counsel in a Closed Door Session. No action was taken.

L.    ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned. The next regular meeting will be on Saturday, February 17, 2018, at 9:30 a.m.

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