BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, August 18, 2018
A. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Vice President Boucke called the Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Stinson
Beach County Water District to order on Saturday, August 18, 2018, at 9:33 a.m., at the Stinson
Beach County Water District office, located at 3785 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA
94970.
Directors present:
Barbara Boucke, Vice President
Lawrence Baskin, Director
Sandra Cross, Director
Directors absent:
Jim Zell, President
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
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Discussion and possible direction to staff re: a Variance Application for a new alternative
wastewater system at 9 Jose Patio, Ryan Lange and Melissa Kazelitz, Owners, Account
No. 1440.
It was noted that neither the owners nor their designer was present to support the project. On April 3, 2017, the District revoked the Discharge Permit due to the installation of a deck footing over the fiberglass septic tank. A Failed System Citation was recorded at the County of Marin, and a Notice to Abate a Nuisance letter was sent on November 6, 2017.
This proposed new wastewater system is an alternative system that requires a variance and utilizes a recirculating textile filter and drip dispersal fields. The current single field gravity system, rated at 200 gallons per day and serving an existing residence of 1,463 square feet, will be replaced with a new alternative wastewater system with a maximum and average daily flow of 450 and 300 gallons per day, respectively, and designed for an increase of habitable space to 2,800 square feet maximum. System components include a new 1,500 gallon septic tank, 1,500 gallon recirculation tank, 810 gallon sump tank, recirculating textile filter (Advantex AX20) pretreatment device, diversion valve, and dual subsurface drip dispersal fields.
Wet weather testing was done on March 26, 2018, and no groundwater was observed 62 inches from existing grade. Neighbor notifications were sent timely, and a copy of the application was sent to the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The Wastewater Committee had reviewed and discussed the application at its July 16, 2018 Committee meeting and recommended approval, but requested that three additional conditions be included in the Variance Resolution: (1) A construction completion date of November 17, 2018; (2) Installation of a traffic barrier between the drip fields and driveway; and (3) Connecting all building sewer laterals to the septic system.
Design Approval Permits for new wastewater systems are normally granted for a period of three years. However, due to the length of time that has transpired since the Revocation of the Discharge Permit on April 3, 2017, a date of November 17, 2018 was given for construction completion and submittal of the designer certification letter and as-built plans . There are 12 conditions of approval for the requested variance, including the three listed above. It will be a much improved septic system. Alternative systems clean up the effluent before it gets into the ground, but are still considered experimental, so they have to be approved by the Board.
A contingent of neighboring homeowners, led by Lance Meade, attended the meeting and voiced their opposition to approval of the project at this time. Their main concern was not to prevent the homeowners from improving their septic system, but rather to delay it until a dispute over a public easement boundary is resolved. The Board has sympathy for the homeowners' plight, but cannot deny approval of the project unless it relates to health and safety.
Director Cross made a motion to approve draft Resolution No. WW 2018-05, 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 9 Jose Patio, Stinson Beach, including the 12 conditions of approval. Director Baskin seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously by Vice President Boucke and Directors Baskin and Cross.
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Director Baskin made a motion to approve the minutes of July 21, 2018. Vice President
Boucke seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by Vice President Boucke
and Directors Baskin and Cross.
F. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS
Director Baskin moved to approve the disbursements of July 12 and July 24, 2018. Vice
President Boucke seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by Vice
President Boucke and Directors Baskin and Cross.
G. MANAGER'S REPORT
The General Manager discussed his monthly report. The District's Title IV, Wastewater Policy
Use of Chemical Toilets, provides that such devices may only be used temporarily in connection
with the construction of a building or other structure during the period of such construction or in
connection with the repair of a failed wastewater disposal system or upon application to the
District for a special event. The intention was not to allow the chemical toilets to be used for
commercial events on private residences.
Mrs. Elly Drosihn, who attended the meeting, stated that she has been utilizing her property at
3265 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, seasonally during the months of April through October
for wedding events. United Site Services pumps her two chemical toilets weekly, but the
steepness of her driveway precludes their removal after each event. She also stated that her
property has a septic system that has not been utilized since her home burned down some five
years earlier. Mrs. Drosihn wondered if she could consult an engineer and perhaps build a
permanent bathroom structure to connect to the septic system.
Neighbor Steve Rubin stated his property is also a venue for weddings, but that he has two legal
bathrooms. If more than 50 people are expected at the event, he requires the wedding party to
bring in portable chemical toilets.
In the meantime, the General Manager will inform Mrs. Drosihn that her two chemical toilets
must be removed by October 31, 2018. The District's Title IV wastewater policy and permit
applications will be reviewed for possible revision at the next Wastewater Committee meeting.
The recent resignation of Sito Krakauer has created an opening in the District for an entry level
Utility Operator. The position will be restructured to take into account the additional duties of
assisting the District's Wastewater Inspector.
Recology has inquired if they may tell District customers that customers may put food scraps in
their green waste cans. The Board opined that food waste may be placed in the green cans,
providing that Recology issues brightly colored bungee cords to secure the cans from various
animals, which include rats, raccoons, coyotes and skunks.
It has been determined that the water around the asphalt pad at the Highlands #2 Tank is
caused by the heavy fog water running down the exterior tank shell, and is not water seeping
from the asphalt pad.
Allan Richards is working with Director Nelsen regarding the possible placements of the
temporary water storage tanks for the Laurel Water Tank recoating project.
The Board reviewed the letter from Larry Sneddon, owner of The Gym at Stinson, offering a
base membership rate of $2,500 per year, one person per family. An additional family member
can participate at a discounted rate. District staff is not interested in joining at the present time.
Next Edge Networks has provided a proposal to place a sensor on one of the Highlands Water
Tanks. This will be discussed at our next Water Operations Committee meeting.
Director Baskin noted that no rate increases were requested, nor was any money borrowed by
the District for completion of the District's four projects under the Proposition 84 grant:
Supplemental Groundwater Supplies, 2014 Calles Pipelines Replacement Project, Patios
Pipelines Replacement Project, and Water Meter Replacement and In-Line Meters.
H. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
I. CORRESPONDENCE
None.
J. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m. The next regular meeting will
be on Saturday, September 15, 2018, at 9:30 a.m.