BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, November 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, November 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:
Rich Souza - District Engineer
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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Review appeal of Richard and Molley Lowry, Owners, 110 Seadrift Road, Account No.
6060 re: Failed System Citation.
On August 13, 2018, the District's Wastewater Inspector Chris Kelley performed a routine inspection and found the septic tank in a flooded condition. The Lowrys were present, and Chris explained the next necessary steps to them. A Revocation of Discharge Permit was sent to them on August 13. On August 15, City Sewer pulled a Maintenance Permit to "troubleshoot" the flooded septic tank. The following day, August 16, City Sewer returned to the District office and signed off the permit. While they had removed roots from the distribution box and the leach field, City Sewer determined that the system still "failed the hydraulic load test." Their worker believed the orifices in the leaching lines were likely completely plugged with roots. As a result, the following week, after the required 15 day period as stated in the Revocation had elapsed, a Failed System Citation was prepared and filed with the County for recordation.
On September 11, 2018, the District received the Lowrys' appeal letter dated August 30, 2018. Their appeal was agendized to be heard at the Tuesday, October 9, 2018 Wastewater Committee meeting and at the Saturday, October 20, 2018 Board meeting. The Lowrys were unable to attend the October 20 Board meeting due to a prior commitment and requested their appeal be placed on the agenda for today's Board meeting. The Lowrys' appeal letter stated in part: "We are asking to be permitted to replace the distribution box, and make further attempts to maintain and repair the existing system. We would have the work done by a licensed contractor."
On October 31, 2018, the Lowrys requested another contractor, Analy Septic, to troubleshoot the leach field again. This maintenance permit was taken out on October 31, 2018 for only a 15 day permit. On November 16, 2018, Eric West of Analy Septic telephoned the District to state he was unable to repair the system.
Engineer Souza explained that the distribution box is a component of the leach field system. The job of the distribution box is to evenly distribute the wastewater into the leach field. If the distribution box does not work the right way, leach field failure will result. The District's Onsite Wastewater Management Code (Title IV) does not allow replacement of the distribution box or any other components of the septic system.
In response to the Lowrys' inquiry, Director Baskin noted that nowadays an old system like the Lowrys would no longer be allowed to add additional leach lines. Regulations now require a pre-treatment device so that the effluent is treated before it goes into the leach field. The Lowrys must have a new, updated septic system designed and installed which meets the District's current Title IV regulations. It is possible, however, that their current undersized 1,200 gallon fiberglass septic tank may be utilized as a part of their new septic system.
Vice President Boucke made a motion to deny the Lowrys' appeal and that they must have the septic tank capped from the leach field by a licensed contractor to utilize the tank as a holding tank, which will be pumped periodically, and install a high level alarm. Director Cross seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Zell, Vice President Boucke, and Directors Baskin, Cross and Nelsen.
E. FINANCIALS
The Board reviewed the financials as of September 30, 2018. The District's net income is
$48,364 above budget.
F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Director Baskin made a motion to approve the minutes of October 20, 2018. 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
Director Baskin moved to approve the disbursements of October 18, October 25, November 1
and 5, 2018. 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. The District's newest employee, Jim
Hanretty, will start on November 26. Director Baskin confirmed that the Employee Recognition
Dinner will be held on December 18 at the Breakers Café.
The six temporary water storage tanks, needed for disinfection contact time for the Laurel Water
Tank Coating and Repair Project, have been purchased at a cost of $60,000. The manufacturer
will purchase back several of the tanks at the completion of the project. Director Nelsen, a
retired Civil Engineer, assisted in the planning for the tanks' foundation stability.
The topic of the proposed sensor for the Highlands Tank site by Next Edge Technology will be
placed on the December 15, 2018 Board agenda. It is to be determined if Next Edge needs an
easement to use the District's road easement and if Next Edge will have their own electric
meter.
The District's research of its office holding tank showed no problems of any kind with the tank.
This information is being used in a response to River Watch's accusations of pollution.
There will be a garbage rate increase of 5.7% in February 2019.
Mia Monroe of the GGNRA responded to the receipt of the District's draft Climatic Change
Adaptation Study. Larry Miranda is Steve Ortega's replacement. She will request a list of
properties that may be desirable for the benefit of the Park.
I. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
J. CORRESPONDENCE
The Board reviewed the correspondence. The Board approved a
$100 contribution to the Stinson Beach Volunteer Firefighter's Association, a $100 contribution
to the Bolinas Stinson Beach Libraries and a $200 contribution for the Butte County Camp Fire
disaster victims.
K. CLOSED DOOR SESSION
The meeting was adjourned to Closed Door Session at 10:33 a.m.
L. OPEN DOOR SESSION
Out of Closed Door Session at 11:05 a.m. The Board convened in closed session to confer with
legal counsel for anticipated litigation, significant exposure to litigation, pursuant to
California Government
Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) for one case. No action was taken.
M. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned. The next regular meeting will be on Saturday, December 15,
2018, at 9:30 a.m.