BOARD MEETING MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, March 17, 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, March 17, 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 112 Seadrift Road, Hatfield Family Trust, Owner, Account No. 6070.
   This project requires variances under Section 4.15.100 Site Criteria - Setbacks to reduce a dispersal bed setback from an irrigation well from 100 to 35 feet, to reduce a septic tank setback from an irrigation well from 100 to 35 feet, and under Section 4.19.010 Use of Alternative Wastewater System Designs, to utilize a recirculating textile filter. The subject property currently consists of a 1,982 square foot single family residence on a 25,800 square foot lot. Approval of the application will allow an increase of habitable space to a maximum of 2,800 square feet. The existing dual field gravity wastewater system that was installed in 1979 will either be abandoned in place or removed.
   
   The maximum and average daily flow rate will be 450 and 300 gallons, respectively, which is a reduction from the current daily maximum and average discharge permit of 540 and 360 gallons, respectively. The new system components include a 1,500 gallon septic tank/recirculation, an 810 gallon sump tank, recirculating textile filter (Advantex AX20) pretreatment device, diversion valve, and dual raised bed dispersal fields.
   
   Groundwater was observed 72 inches below existing grade. Based on the proposed dispersal field design, there is over 36 inches of vertical separation from seasonal high groundwater to the bottom of the raised beds.
   
   The existing irrigation well is tested yearly by the District for fecal coliform. The wellhead is capped to prevent direct connectivity to the ground water supply and to help assure the groundwater supply is protected and preserved. Their backflow prevention device is also tested yearly.
   
   Neighbor notifications were sent timely and a copy of the application documents had been sent to the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The project had been discussed at the March 12, 2018 Wastewater Committee meeting.
   
   Several Board members expressed concern regarding the variances requested for the septic component setbacks to the irrigation well, since the code requires a 100 foot setback. Variances should be closely examined by the Board. Why should the irrigation well not be abandoned? A strong argument can be made that the proposed system vastly improves the existing 40 year old system in that the new system will provide pretreatment to protect the well and the groundwater.
   
   Director Baskin requested that the following changes be made to the findings in paragraph 2 of Draft Resolution No. WW 2018-02:
   
   Revise the first bullet point to state: "The variances will allow reconstruction of an existing single-family residence with up to 2,800 square feet of habitable space contingent on the issuance of a Building Permit by Marin County; and"
   
   Add two additional bullet points as follows:
   * There is no other place on the property that is suitable for placing the septic system in order to reduce the number of variances requested; and
   * To allow the continuance of the existing non-potable water well.
   
   President Zell called for a vote of the variance to Section 4.19.010 Use of Alternative Wastewater System Designs, to utilize an alternative wastewater system for the property at 112 Seadrift Road. Director Baskin made a motion to approve this variance, subject to the revisions above. Director Nelsen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by President Zell, Vice President Boucke, and Directors Baskin, Cross and Nelsen.
   
   President Zell called for a vote of the variances to Section 4.15.100 Site Criteria - Setbacks to reduce the septic tank and dispersal field setback requirement to an irrigation well from 100 to 35 feet for the property at 112 Seadrift Road. Director Baskin made a motion to approve these variances. Director Nelsen seconded the motion. Directors Baskin, Cross and Nelsen voted "AYE." Directors Boucke and Zell voted "NAY."
2. Abatement Hearing re: the septic system at The Sand Dollar Restaurant, 3452 Shoreline Highway, AGASA, Ltd., Owner, Account No. 4220.
   A Failed System Citation was issued for the property on July 15, 2017, as the septic system failed a routine inspection on June 21, 2017 due to the septic tank and diversion valve housing being flooded.
   
   The status of the failed system was most recently discussed at the February 12, 2018 and February 26, 2018 Wastewater Committee meetings, where the Committee recommended an Abatement Hearing if the owners do not submit a preliminary septic plan by February 26, 2018. A Notice to Abate a Nuisance and to Appear Before SBCWD Board of Directors was sent to the property owners on February 27, 2018. On March 14, 2018, a high water alarm was installed in the existing 1,200 gallon septic tank, which will give an alert if the current system fails to percolate into the leach field. As of March 17, 2018, the District had not received any plans to rectify the failed system.
   
   Troy Pearce, of AYS Engineering, distributed a sketch of a preliminary concrete tankage layout prepared by Bob Dawyot, of Allied Engineers, Inc., who was also present. Mr. Dawyot described the manner which will be used to first pour the concrete slab, about 38 feet by 12 feet, and then the concrete tank which will be comprised of 4 individual compartments. He explained all the different facets involved, the design layout, the geotech investigation, design the piping, pumps, electrical, and air piping. It is not practical to do the construction during the restaurant's summer season. Mr. Pearce confirmed that is no surfacing effluent at the present time. The leach field consists of only 900 square feet. The grease issue is the problem, and the new system's grease trap will be much larger.
   
   After much back and forth discussion, the Board decided to continue the abatement hearing to the next Wastewater Committee meeting and prior to the April 21, 2018 Board meeting. A timeline for starting the project and its completion date is to be submitted to the District. Nonperformance is to be taken into consideration. The County's building code requires that excavation be started by October 15.

E.    GENERAL BUSINESS

1. Discussion and possible direction to staff to place and record a lien on the property at 122, 124, and 128 Calle del Mar, owned by Christine Airey, Account Nos. 305001, 306001, 304001, and 304002.
   Ms. Airey has requested to be excused from paying her water bills until she sells the smaller parcel of her two properties. Her unpaid water bills currently total $1,726.98. Ms. Airey states she is living on $700/month Social Security, and she has been unable to find suitable tenants for her two small houses. She had been placed on a long term payment plan of $200 per month, but is unable to continue to make those payments. She has declined a lower payment plan offer of $100 per month.
   
   The Board directed the General Manager to inform Ms. Airey of the Board's decision to place a lien on all of her properties for the unpaid water bills, including the 10% late payment penalty. The lien documents will be reviewed by the Board at the April 21, 2018 Board meeting.

F.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Nelsen made a motion to approve the minutes of February 17, 2018. Vice President Boucke seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by Vice President Boucke, and Directors Baskin, Cross and Nelsen. President Zell was absent at the February 17, 2018 meeting.

G.    APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS

Director Baskin moved to approve the disbursements of February 16 and February 22, 2018. Director Nelsen 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. Staff completed the appropriate forms, resolution, and argument to establish the District's Appropriations Limit for fiscal years 2018- 2019 at $2,095,177 which will be on the June 5, 2018 ballot. He will place a reminder in the District's next two Newsletters for the Stinson Beach voters to vote "YES" on Measure H to keep the property tax revenue in Stinson Beach.

Director Boucke requested the General Manager to follow up regarding the size of a new residence proposed at 342 Seadrift Road, as the article in the Point Reyes Light edition of March 15, 2018 reported the size as 3,207 square feet. Resolution No. WW 2017-08 adopted by the Board on November 18, 2017 approved a limit of up to 2,800 square feet of habitable space.

The Board directed the General Manager to send a stern letter to Mr. and Mrs. Bauman, the nonresident owners of 249 Seadrift Road, regarding their need to have someone monitor their monthly water usage. They used 133,870 gallons of water during the month of February 2018.

I.    COMMITTEE REPORTS

Treasurer Stemen reported that the Finance Committee has commenced working on the 2018/2019 budget.

J.    CORRESPONDENCE

The Board reviewed the correspondence.

K.    ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 10:42 a.m. The next regular meeting will be on Saturday, April 21, 2018, at 9:30 a.m.