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BOARD MEETING MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, November 16, 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, November 16, 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

Treasurer present:
Judy Stemen

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 to install a new alternative wastewater system at 149 Seadrift Road, David Kremer and Marla Miller, Owners, Account No. 7655.
    The purpose of this application is to upgrade and replace the existing wastewater system to allow for construction of a new single-family residence with less than 1,900 square feet of habitable space on a 7,500 square foot lot. The existing 1,472 square foot residence will be demolished. The design incorporates raised beds to meet the 3 feet groundwater separation requirement.

    The new alternative wastewater system is designed for a maximum and average wastewater loading rate of 300 and 200 gallons per day, respectively. The design includes a new 1,500 gallon septic tank, a 1,500 gallon sump tank, recirculating sand filter, and diversion valve. The water main is 10 feet from the proposed wastewater system.

    Variances are required under Section 4.15.100 Site Criteria - Setbacks to reduce a dispersal field setback from a waterbody from 100 to 90 feet and under Section 4.19.010 Use of Alternative Wastewater Systems Designs to utilize a recirculating sand filter.

    Neighbor notifications were sent timely and a copy of the application had been sent to the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The Wastewater Committee reviewed the application and recommended reducing the number of variance requests from three to two.

    Director Nelsen made a motion to adopt draft Resolution No. WW 2019-18 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 to Reduce a Setback Requirement for Property Located at 149 Seadrift Road, Stinson Beach. Director Cross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by President Boucke, Vice President Baskin and Directors Cross, Nelsen, and Zell.
  2. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: a Variance Application for repair/replacement of a wastewater system at 2 Marine Way, Wendy Donner, Owner, Account No. 3760.
    This variance application is a voluntary repair to replace an existing single field gravity wastewater system which has a redwood septic tank. There is no proposed increase of habitable space. The maximum discharge rate will decrease slightly from 312 to 300 gallons per day and average 200 gallons per day. Because the lot is only 3,088 square feet, eight variances to Title IV are requested, as follows:

    * Section 4.15.100 Site Criteria - Setbacks to reduce a dispersal field setback from a waterbody from 100 to 90 feet
    * Section 4.15.910 Site Criteria to reduce a dispersal field setback from a property line from 5 to 1 foot; to reduce a tank setback from a property line from 5 to 1 foot; to reduce a dispersal field setback from a building from 5 to 1 foot; to reduce a tank setback from a building from 5 to 2 feet
    * Section 4.19.010 Use of Alternative Wastewater Systems Designs to utilize an Aerobic Pretreatment Unit (ATU)
    * Section 4.19.040 Site Criteria - Use of Blowers to reduce a blower setback from a property line from 10 to 1 foot
    * Section 4.19.150 Drip Irrigation/Drip Dispersal Field Design Standards to reduce the required dispersal area from 300% to 140%.

    The existing residence covers a significant portion of the property, and the variances are necessary for the upgrade/replacement of the system given the small property size, high groundwater elevations, nearby watercourse, and the existing residence.

    Neighbor notifications and Regional Water Quality Control Board notifications are not applicable as the project is a voluntary repair and does not include New Construction. The Wastewater Committee had recommended approval of the project at its recent meeting with the condition that the blower be installed with District approved sound proofing.

    Director Cross moved to adopt draft Resolution No. WW 2019-17 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 Utilize an Undersized Dispersal Field and Reduction in Setback Requirements for Property Located at 2 Marine Way, Stinson Beach. Director Nelsen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by President Boucke, Vice President Baskin, and Directors Cross, Nelsen and Zell.

E.    FINANCIAL REPORTS

The Board reviewed the District's financials for the period July through September 2019.

F.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Vice President Baskin moved to approve the minutes of October 19, 2019. Director Zell 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 October 10, 2019. Director Cross 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. He had met with Toby and Peter Asmus re: microgrids for backup power generation for the community. A presentation on the costs and benefits by the supplying companies has been requested.

A revised copy of the Rolling Capital Improvements Cash Flow was circulated to the Board. The $206,326 borrowed from the Operations Reserve will be put back into the Reserve Account upon receipt of the property tax check from the County in mid-December 2019.

The Annual Wastewater Management System Report is in the process of being completed. A follow up letter has been sent to DWR on the District's grant request for a desal study. The GGNR has been requested to give the District an update on the National Park Emergency Response Plan.

President Boucke stated that the General Manager's interview with Fire Chief Kenny Stevens in the latest District Newsletter was really excellent.

The Employee Recognition Dinner will be held on December 12, 2019 at the Breaker's Café.

I.    COMMITTEE REPORTS

None.

J.    CORRESPONDENCE

The Board reviewed the correspondence.

K.    ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m. On Tuesday, November 19, 2019, the Board will convene for a Special Board Meeting at 1:00 p.m. to review the District's Emergency Response Plan. Treasurer Stemen volunteered to be a backup as needed. The next regular meeting will be on Saturday, December 21, 2019, at 9:30 a.m.

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