BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, April 20, 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, April 20, 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
Jim Zell, Director
General Manager present:
Ed Schmidt
Staff present:
Rich Souza - District Engineer
B. PUBLIC EXPRESSION
Lew Kious, who is from the Al Monte Sanitary District in Mill Valley and is a candidate for the
LAFCO Board Special District seat, spoke. It came to his attention that the Board had not
voted, and he emphasized how important it is to have representation on the Board, especially
considering the questions about consolidating districts on the west side of Marin. Right now,
most of the LAFCO Board Members are from Marin. He asked for support and votes. Barbara
suggested that any decisions about voting will be tabled until the end of the meeting.
C. SETTING OF AGENDA
The agenda was unanimously adopted as set, with the addition
of LAFCO at the bottom.
D. PUBLIC HEARING
-
Discussion and possible direction to staff re: a Variance Application to modify an
existing alternative wastewater system at 3265 Shoreline Drive, Shoreline Highway, Elly
Drosihn, Owner, Account No. 4100.
Sandy Cross recused herself because she has been a friend of Elly's for a long time.
Ed Schmidt spoke about a previous permit that was approved for this property years ago and that has since passed because the limit on design permits was 2 years. Rich spoke about the Change of Use, which requires a review of the wastewater system and its effect on the environment and then gave a brief history of the wastewater system for the property. A new wastewater system was installed in 2005, and the house burned down in 2009. The burning of the house didn't affect most of the wastewater system. In 2018 staff went to the site and there were portable toilets on the property, as well as a small building structure. A letter was sent to the Drosihns and they complied with the request to obtain a permit for the portable toilets, which were understood to be in conjunction with the construction of a building. The chemical toilets were to be removed by the end of October 2018. The existing wastewater system is currently designed for a maximum of 300 gallons per day. Exceeding that number of gallons per day could potentially blow out the field. The design incorporated a larger equalization tank to store and disperse the wastewater over several days to achieve the average use per day. Portable toilets would have to be tied directly to the wastewater system.
Discussion between the Drosihns and Rich about whether the proposed use of the property is compatible with the property as it is, and can the system be modified in order to permit the proposed use. Discussion about whether the existing structure can accommodate need without creating health and safety issues for the community. Barbara has a concern about how the limit of 100 people per event will be monitored, since it isn't the Water District's purview to do so.
The Drosihn's designer, Noadiah Eckman, spoke about increased use, and she felt the use would actually end up being less than 1,500 gallons per month, due to the design of the portable toilets, which are highly efficient and would use less water than the typical toilet uses. Elly Drosihn spoke about not wanting to change the zoning for her property, but she does want to meet her commitments to the people who have rented her property for this season.
General discussion about Port-a-Potty usage and whether it was going to pose health and safety concerns for the community.
Larry suggested that the Resolution be changed to grant the variance request and allow the Drosihns to use their property based on caveat of system not to exceed 500 gallons per week use though November 1, 2019 and thereafter the system shall be approved for use at no more than 300 gallons and to be used for a single family residence, not to exceed 1,900 sq. ft.
Larry also stated that he would also make as part of the resolution that we modify the verbiage in #2 of the draft resolution. So where it says, "the variances may allow a change of use of the subject property for planned party events that they may allow for use of the property on the basis of, not to exceed the 500 gallons per week through the period of November 1, 2019, and contingent on the issues of permits by Marin County and other political or regulatory agencies if necessary. And, only to honor existing contracts and that no new contracts for additional use shall be entered into by the Homeowner".
Part of the Resolution is that the Homeowner contact the County and shall provide proof of County opinion. In good faith, the Board encouraged Ms. Drosihn to go to the County to investigate getting a zoning change.
A vote was taken to approve Resolution No. WW 2019-05 with caveats. Vice President Baskin and Directors Boucke and Zell voted "AYE.." Director Nelsen voted "NO." Director Cross abstained from voting.
E. GENERAL BUSINESS
-
Discussion and Possible Direction to Staff Regarding a Draft Resolution, a Draft
Contract for Environmental Services Between Stinson Beach County Water District
and WRA Inc. Environmental Consultants for a Wastewater System Project at 21
Onda. Brian Johnson and Modestine Bagwell, Owners.
Jim Zell recused himself because he lives within 500 feet of the project. General discussion about a recommendation from Patrick Miyaki, who recommended the District get all the money for the project up front. Miyaki suggested we request $33,875 before starting the project. The District has so far received $10,000.
Vote on motion from Vice President Baskin was approved with additional language that Ed Schmidt put forth. The motion was passed unanimously by President Boucke, Vice President Baskin and Directors Cross, and Zell. Director Nelson voted no. -
Discussion and Possible Direction to staff re: a draft Resolution of the Board of
Directors Establishing a Delegation of Authority and Commitment Letter - Funding
Match Agreement for a Desalination Feasibility Study (continued from the March 2,
2019 Board meeting).
The California Department of Water Resources said that the filing cycle is full and they will be able to consider more in about 5 months. $40 million is committed from State funds, now Federal sources will be considered.
General discussion of desalination.
Vice President Baskin moved that Resolution GB 2019-01 pass. The motion passed by Vice President Baskin and Directors Cross, Nelsen and Zell. President Boucke voted no.
F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice President Baskin moved to approve the minutes of March 16, 2019. Director Nelsen
seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Boucke, Vice
President Baskin and Directors Cross, Nelsen and Zell.
G. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS
Vice President Baskin moved to approve the disbursements of March 15, 2019 to April 8, 2019.
_ seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Boucke, Vice
President Baskin and Directors Cross, Nelsen and Zell.
H. MANAGER'S REPORT
The General Manager discussed his monthly report.
The Department of Water Resources was here to do their final inspection. On Monday, March
25 the Department of Resources was taken around town to look at SmartMeters. They were
complimentary about the projects the District has undertaken and the District should receive its
retainer in approximately 90 days.
Ed, Jim and Morey completed Sexual Harassment training. Ethics training will be provided in
the office on Monday, June 17th from 3:00 - 5:00 pm. For those who did not take Sexual
Harassment training, it will be in the office on Thursday, August 8th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
General discussion about projects.
I. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
J. CORRESPONDENCE
The Board reviewed the correspondence.
K. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m. The next regular meeting will be on Saturday, May
18, 2019, at 9:30 a.m.