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BOARD MEETING MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, April 21, 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, April 21, 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

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 7560 Panoramic Highway, Angela Barale and Yarrow Schley, Owners, Account No. 4065.
    This project requires a variance under Section 4.19.010 Use of Alternative Wastewater Systems Designs to utilize a recirculating textile filter and subsurface drip dispersal system. The subject property is approximately 1.9 acres and is zoned Agriculture, Residential Planned Coastal Zone. There is an existing 2,855 single family residence served by a standard dual gravity system which was installed in 1988 and which will either be abandoned in place or removed.

    The addition of habitable space to the existing home requires a code compliant wastewater system. The proposed alternative system is designed for a maximum and average daily flow rate of 600 and 450 gallons per day, respectively, for a residence with up to 3,300 square feet of habitable space. The system components include a new 2,000 gallon septic tank/recirculation, 810 gallon sump tank, recirculating textile filter (Advantex AX20) pretreatment device, diversion valve, and dual subsurface drip dispersal fields. Groundwater was observed by staff during the site review at 68 inches. Based on use of the proposed drip dispersal field (bottom of dip lines at 12 inches), there is over 3 feet of separation from seasonal high groundwater.

    Neighbor notifications were sent timely and a copy of the application documents had been sent to the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The Wastewater Committee had reviewed the application on March 12, 2018.

    Angela Barale, one of the property owners who was present at the Board meeting, was reminded that drip systems have more than the usual maintenance issues, such as gophers puncturing the drip lines.

    Director Cross noted that the proposed new alternative system allows more square footage of the property to remain in its natural state as compared to a standard system, and requested that a third bullet point reflecting this finding should be added to the findings in paragraph 2 of Draft Resolution No. WW 2018-03. With this addition, Director Cross made a motion to approve Draft Resolution No. WW 2018-03 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 for Property Located at 7560 Panoramic Highway, Stinson Beach. Director Nelsen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by President Zell, Vice President Boucke, and Directors Baskin, Cross, and Nelsen.
  2. Continued discussion on the update of a new septic system and Abatement Hearing for The Sand Dollar Restaurant, 3452 Shoreline Highway, AGASA, Ltd., Owner, Account No. 4220.
    The existing wastewater system had failed a routine annual inspection on June 21, 2017 due to a flooded septic tank and diversion valve housing. Troy Pearce of AYS Engineering was retained by one of the property owners (Sam Temer) to perform the soils investigation and prepare construction documents. The soils investigation was conducted with staff review. A topographic field survey and preliminary plan were also developed. Mr. Pearce, who was present at the Board meeting, distributed an updated schedule as of April 19, 2018 as well as a new proposed site plan, utilizing fiberglass and polyethylene tanks instead of the concrete cast- in-place tank.

    After much back and forth discussion, the Board determined that construction must begin by Monday, September 17, 2018, to avoid doing excavation in the rainy season. If construction does not begin by September 17, 2018, water service may be terminated to prevent further discharge of wastewater from the restaurant.

    The Board directed the General Manager to inform the Temers in writing of the following:
    * The District's Wastewater Committee will meet on May 14, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. to review and discuss the project schedule to replace the Sand Dollar Restaurant's failed wastewater system.
    * The purpose of this Committee meeting is to develop recommendations for the May 19, 2018 Board hearing on the design and construction schedule.
    * Additionally, the Committee will provide enforcement recommendations for the abatement of a nuisance pursuant to Chapter 4.05 of Title IV regulations.

E.    GENERAL BUSINESS

  1. Discussion and possible recommendation to the Board of Supervisors re: Final LCP Action (non-Environmental Hazards).
    On Tuesday, April 24, 2018, the Marin County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing to consider several Local Coastal Program Amendments (LCPAs) that were approved with modifications by the California Coastal Commission. The General Manager prepared a draft response letter addressed to the Supervisors, urging them to vote "NO" on Amendments 3 and 7 of the LCPAs. Amendment 3 relates to Agriculture IPA provisions, specifically, A. "Legally Established" and B. "Conversion of Grazing Areas to Row Crops." Amendment 7-3 relates to Implementing Program Amendment (IPA) Section 22.130 "Shoreline Protective Device." Amendment 7-4: IPA Section 22.64.140 relates to "Public Facilities and Services."

    Director Baskin stated that since the District is particularly concerned with Amendments 7-3 and 7-4 as they relate to the town of Stinson Beach, the District's opposition comments to these two amendments should be positioned as the first items requesting a "NO" vote from the Supervisors.
  2. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: second appeal of a Water Use Charge Reduction Request for Matthew and Shanette Westphal, 26 Calle del Sierra, Account No. 27001.
    The Westphals had previously requested a $544.56 reduction for their November 2017 bill. Their request was heard at the February 17, 2018 Board hearing. Based on the Board's policy for water use charge reductions and their findings, the Board felt that the water loss was within the Westphals' reasonable control. The Board granted the Westphals a $23.23 reduction and a 6 month payment plan without interest. The Westphals have not made a payment since December 4, 2017. Their current unpaid bill, including late charges, now totals $1,148.75.

    The Board reviewed the General Manager's letter of February 21, 2018 to the Westphals and found the calculations therein to be correct. Director Baskin made a motion to deny Mr. Westphal's second appeal for an additional water use charge reduction and late charges based on inadequate grounds. Director Nelsen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by President Zell, Vice President Boucke, and Directors Baskin, Cross and Nelsen. The Board authorized the General Manager to set up a 6 month payment schedule, free of interest, for the $1,148.75 currently due, at $191.46 per month.
  3. 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.
    At the March 17, 2018 Board of Directors meeting, the Board voted unanimously to place a lien of $1,726.98 plus the monthly ongoing charges, including late payment penalties, for unpaid water bills against Ms. Airey's properties at 122, 124, and 128 Calle del Mar, Stinson Beach, to be recorded at the County.

    Director Baskin moved to approve the draft Notice of Lien and draft Ordinance No. 2018-01. Vice President Boucke seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by President Zell, Vice President Boucke, and Directors Baskin, Cross and Nelsen.
  4. Stinson Beach County Water District Resolution No. GB-2018-03, Proposing an Election be held in its jurisdiction and requesting the Board of Supervisors to consolidate with any other election conducted on said date, and requesting election services by the Marin County Elections Department.
    During election years, the District requests that the County of Marin Board of Supervisors consolidate the District's election on the same date as the County election. This consolidation reduces the actual election cost to the District by a substantial amount.

    The Resolution for consolidation also stipulates the number of term positions (the two are President Zell and Director Baskin), and authorizes the Marin County Elections Department to provide the necessary election services and canvass the results of the election.

    Director Baskin moved to approve draft Resolution No. GB-2018-03. Vice President Boucke seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously by President Zell, Vice President Boucke, and Directors Baskin, Cross and Nelsen.

F.    FINANCIALS

The Board reviewed the financials as of March 31, 2018 and determined the District is doing a good job in controlling expense items.

G.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

H.    APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS

Director Baskin moved to approve the disbursements of March 9, March 12, and March 29, 2018. Vice President Boucke seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Zell, Vice President Boucke, and Directors Baskin, Cross and Nelsen.

I.    MANAGER'S REPORT

The General Manager discussed his monthly report. The Point Reyes Light acknowledged the General Manager's letter providing clarification on the square footage of a new home to be constructed at 342 Seadrift Road. The Recology Resource newsletter was mailed by Recology to all Stinson Beach garbage customers. Euro Style Management will begin the repair and painting of the Highlands Water Tank #2 on Monday, April 23, 2018.

A check of $327,000 was received from the County for a portion of the District's share of property taxes, but this does not include the ERAF payment expected at the end of April for approximately $80,000. The District also received a check for $11,956.12, a fund refund from ACWA/JPIA.

The Board complimented the General Manager's March Madness (District Style) Newsletter of April 3, 2018.

J.    COMMITTEE REPORTS

None.

K.    CORRESPONDENCE

None.

L.    CLOSED DOOR SESSION

The meeting was adjourned to Closed Door Session at 10:30 a.m. At 11:00 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.

M.    ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned. The next regular meeting will be on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at 9:30 a.m.

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