BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, March 2, 2019
A. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
President Boucke called the Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Stinson Beach
County Water District to order on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at 9:30 a.m., at the Stinson Beach
County Water District office, located at 3785 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970.
Directors present:
Barbara Boucke, President
Lawrence Baskin, Vice President
Sandra Cross, Director
Morey Nelsen, Director
Directors absent:
Jim Zell, Director
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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Discussion and possible direction to staff re: a Variance Application for a new
alternative wastewater system at 161 Dipsea Road, Robert and Mary Anne Cook, Owners,
Account No. 8055.
The variance application is to replace the existing dual field gravity system with a new alternative wastewater system rated at 600 gallons per day maximum and 400 gallons per day average. The purpose is to ultimately renovate and increase the habitable space of the existing single family residence from 2,880 square feet to 3,295 square feet. The new alternative wastewater system will include a 2,000 gallon septic/recirculation tank, a 1,500 gallon sump tank, recirculating textile filter (Advantex AX20) pretreatment device, diversion valve, and dual pressure distribution leach fields.
Variances are required to the District's Title IV Onsite Wastewater Management Code under Section 4.15.100 Site Criteria Setbacks to reduce a front-line property setback to a leach field from 5 to 2.9 feet and under Section 4.19.010 Use of Alternative Wastewater System Designs to utilize a recirculating textile filter.
The property consists of approximately 22,500 square feet. There is no proposed increase in the current flow rate of 600 gallons per day maximum and 400 gallons per day average. Groundwater monitoring by District staff revealed seasonal high groundwater elevations at 83 and 87 inches.
A copy of the application was sent to the Regional Water Control Board on December 28, 2018. Neighbor notifications were sent two weeks prior to the Board hearing. The project was reviewed by the Wastewater Committee on January 14, 2019.
Director Cross was concerned regarding the use of a proposed alternative system when a standard system would be feasible. Norman Hantzsche, of Questa Engineering Corp., who attended the meeting for Paul Pospisil, referred to Mr. Pospisil's letter dated February 21, 2019, which highlighted the findings of facts and special circumstances: An AX20 textile filter can provide a greater setback to the Lagoon than the sand filter; an AX20 textile filter is more adaptive to future sea level rise, and the CO2 emissions associated with construction of a sand filter are 145 times greater than those for an AX20 textile filter. The approval to use the AX20 filter affords the owner the opportunity to build in the most environmentally responsible manner, similar to other neighboring properties.
District Engineer Souza noted that this proposed system was designed to take advantage of newer technology and that there are now 40 systems using Advantex filters.
After taking all of this into account, Director Cross made a motion to approve draft Resolution No. WW 2019-02 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 reduce a Site Criteria Setback Requirement to a Leach Field with the following addition to paragraph 1., Page 1 of the findings:
* The alternative pretreatment device is a prepackaged unit that may be adjusted to address the potential increase of high groundwater conditions due to future sea level rise; and
* The alternative pretreatment device provides an equivalent or better wastewater treatment of septic tank effluent when compared to a standard intermittent sand filter pretreatment device.
Also, condition "g", Page 2, be revised to insert the word "biennially" so condition "g" states: "The property owner shall submit biennially to the District the name, address, e- mail, license number or certification of a service provider who will receive and respond to telemetry alerts."
Vice President Baskin seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Boucke, Vice President Baskin, and Directors Cross and Nelsen.
The current Title IV Section 4.19.010 which states that alternative wastewater systems designs may not be used, unless approved through Variance by the Board of Directors of the Stinson Beach County Water District and the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board, will be revised.
Robert Cook stated he appreciates the smart water meter technology which notified him when he had a small leak. -
Discussion and possible direction to staff regarding a definition of new construction
for 20 Calle del Sierra, Jennifer and Ken Marsden, Owners, Account No. 0250.
Section 4.01.410 of the District's Title IV states that a wastewater system shall be repaired and/or replaced to meet current code if alterations and additions amount to new construction. District staff had reviewed the building improvement plans at Marin County and had determined that the improvements did not result in an increase of habitable space. The matter had been discussed by the Wastewater Committee on January 14, 2019. The Committee's opinion was that the application appeared to be for a new building.
The existing wastewater system is a standard dual gravity, leach field system. The average and maximum daily wastewater flow rates are 100 and 150 gallons, respectively. The system is functioning adequately.
Marin County staff indicated in a note on the plans that the proposed improvements, which included a new foundation, roof, insulation and siding, are for a new building. The house, which is located on a 2,400 square foot lot, consists of 801 square feet.
Stacey Ford, the Marsdens' Architect, enumerated the County's requirements, raising the roof, the need for a Coastal Permit, FEMA guidelines.
Director Cross stated that the definition of alterations in Section 4.01.410 needs revision. The Marsdens' improvements are not new construction and meet an exemption to Section 4.01.410. The improvements did not result in an increase of habitable space.
Director Baskin made a motion for District Engineer Souza to go the County and approve the Marsdens' request that their building improvement plans do not require replacement of their septic system. Director Cross seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Boucke, Vice President Baskin and Directors Cross and Nelsen.
Ms. Ford complimented the Board on its attentive to accuracy and detail.
E. GENERAL BUSINESS
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Review and possible adoption of a draft Resolution of the Board of Directors
Establishing a Delegation of Authority and Commitment Letter - Funding Match
Agreement for a Desalination Feasibility Study.
The Emergency Water Supply (Desalination) Committee had met in January 2019 and recommended that the Board go forward in applying for the California Department of Water Resources' Water Desalination Grant Program. Stinson Beach has been identified by the Marin County Community Development Agency as being highly vulnerable to impacts associated with long term climate change and sea level rise.
The District's Water Engineer, Allan Richards, of Stetson Engineers, who was present at the Board meeting, would assist the District in preparing and filing the grant application. The grant application for a Desalination Feasibility Study would cost an estimated $150,000. The District would provide $75,000 for the required cost-share portion of the total project cost.
After much discussion, the Board felt the study should be temporarily placed on hold and continue the matter to the April 20, 2019 Board meeting. The current Laurel Well Water Tank Coating and Repair Project, estimated at $420,000, requires an additional $64,400 for Euro Style Management to install and weld seven metal sheets to the tank floor. After the tank's floor was blasted to remove the rust, the floor was discovered to be in very poor condition, with holes throughout the floor. Mr. Richards distributed to the Board photos showing the tank's floor and sides. By April 20, the total cost of the Laurel Tank Coating and Repair Project will be more definitive. President Boucke stated that, as the District's Alder Grove Well is subject to future salt water intrusion as a result of global warming, the study for desalination should not be abandoned.
F. FINANCIALS
The Board reviewed the financials as of December 31, 2018, which had previously been
reviewed by the Finance Committee. The District's net revenue of $184,984 has been invested
in capital projects.
G. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice President Baskin moved to approve the minutes of January 19, 2019. Director Cross
seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Boucke, Vice
President Baskin and Directors Cross and Nelsen.
H. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS
Vice President Baskin moved to approve the disbursements of January 19, January 25, January
28, and February 13, 2019. Director Cross seconded the motion. The motion was passed
unanimously by President Boucke, Vice President Baskin, and Directors Cross and Nelsen.
I. MANAGER'S REPORT
The General Manager discussed his monthly report. The District's financial auditor, Cropper
Accountancy Corporation, has completed its 6-30-18 draft audit report. The terminology of
several items was discussed with John Cropper on January 23, 2019. The draft report will be
reviewed by the Finance Committee at its March 13, 2018 meeting and go to the Board at its
March 16, 2019 meeting. A draft budget for fiscal year 2019-2020 will also be discussed at the
March 13 Finance Committee meeting.
The General Manager attended a meeting with Director Nelsen and Toby in front of the
Hancock's Barrel House concerning a drainage plan for the community driveway that will be
financed by Ms. Hancock. The District also uses the driveway to access its Black Rock Tanks.
However, neighbors Robert and Sandra Guidi do not agree with the plan, and have
communicated their concerns to the Marin Community Development Agency. The Guidis
stated they are open to consideration of an alternate drainage plan.
The owners of 49 Lincoln Avenue have been informed that the District can discontinue water
service if it is determined that their septic system becomes a health hazard. Paul Pospisil is
working on a solution and has given the District an update of the work to be performed as soon
as the rains subside. In the meantime, the wastewater has been routed to the one working
leach field and does not pose a health hazard.
The General Manager has not received any new information from Next Edge Networks.
J. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
K. CORRESPONDENCE
The Board reviewed the correspondence.
L. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:27 a.m. The next regular meeting will be on Saturday, March
16, 2019, at 9:30 a.m.