BOARD MEETING MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, April 18, 2020

A.    CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

President Lawrence A. Baskin called the Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Stinson Beach County Water District to order on Saturday, April 18, 2020, at 9:30 a.m., held via Zoom teleconferencing due to COVID-19 in accordance with the Governor's Executive Orders.

Directors present:
Lawrence Baskin, President
Sandra Cross, Vice President
Barbara Boucke, Director
Morey Nelsen, Director
Jim Zell, Director

Treasurer present:
Judy Stemen

General Manager present:
Ed Schmidt

Staff present:
Rich Souza - District Engineer
Marc Matheson - Temp Worker

Attorneys present:
Patrick Miyaki
Nathan Metcalf

Civil Engineer present:
Troy Pearce

B.    PUBLIC EXPRESSION

Patrick Brown of Stinson Beach Community Center presented a proposal to lease to the District a two-acre lot at 10 Willow, owned by the Community Center, for the purpose of drilling a well to supplement the District's water supply. President Baskin asked Mr. Brown for a report on what is planned for the property. Following discussion the matter was referred to the Water Operations Committee.

C.    SETTING OF AGENDA

The agenda was adopted as set, with the addition of a fourth Public Hearing item proposed by Vice President Cross to discuss possible extension of current construction permits due to the Governor's Executive Orders.

D.    PUBLIC HEARING

1. Consideration of Resolution Granting a Variance to a Site Criteria Setback and for a New Alternative Wastewater System at 288 Seadrift Road, Robbins Trust, Owner, Account No. 6830.
   Director Boucke recused herself as she lives within 500 feet of the property in question.
   
   This matter, regarding a new single-family dwelling under 2800 square feet, was heard at the February 2020 Wastewater Committee meeting. Following discussion, Engineer Souza was instructed to update his conclusions, incorporating the five points contained in AYS Engineering Group's letter of January 13, 2020. Construction will not commence until the current shelter order is lifted.
   
   Director Nelsen made a motion to adopt the Resolution Granting a Variance to a Site Criteria Setback and for a New Alternative Wastewater System at 288 Seadrift Road, Robbins Trust, Owner, Account No. 6830, based on incorporation of the required updates mentioned above. Vice President Cross seconded the motion and the motion was passed unanimously by President Baskin and Director Zell. Director Boucke then rejoined the meeting.
2. Discussion and possible approval of a Billing Rate Increase for Hanson Bridgett LLP, the District's Legal Counsel
   General Manager Schmidt pointed that the billing increase referenced in the Memo of March 17, 2020, is 5%, not 12.85%. He noted that this three-year process is similar to what occurred in 2017.
   
   Mr. Miyaki stated that in light of the current COVID-19 situation, Hanson Bridgett LLP is amenable to postponing the billing rate increase. In response to questions, he stated that the District is not charged for more than one attorney at a time when two or more Hanson Bridgett representatives discuss District business. Mr. Miyaki also stated that the District is not charged when Hanson Bridgett representatives attend District board meetings or discuss billing rates.
   
   Director Boucke moved to approve a Billing Rate Increase for Hanson Bridgett LLP, the District's Legal Counsel, effective January 1, 2021, with annual renewals to take place on subsequent January firsts. Director Nelsen seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by President Baskin and Director Zell.
3. Authorization of Solicitation of Bids for Work on the Steep Ravine Water Tank Project
   General Manager Schmidt noted that this project has been on the District's cash flow projections for two years, budgeted at $200,000. The project was discussed at the Water Operations Committee meeting two months ago. Current construction restrictions do not affect this project. Work would begin August 31, 2020 and conclude by December 31, 2020. One paint supplier recently stated that there may be an additional $60,000 expense due to additional work. Following discussion it was noted that as with previous tank repairs additional work may be identified once the project gets underway.
   
   President Baskin moved to approve Authorization of Solicitation of Bids for Work on the Steep Ravine Water Tank Project and the motion was passed unanimously by Vice President Cross and Directors Boucke, Nelsen and Zell.
4. Addition to Agenda: Extension of Construction Permits Due to Governor's Executive Orders
   Director Nelsen moved to add this item to the agenda, Director Zell seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously by President Baskin, Vice President Cross, and Director Boucke.
   
   Discussion raised the question of what is and isn't essential construction. Vice President Cross identified two categories, new construction, proposing a three-year extension, and repairs, essential to providing adequate sanitation. This matter was deferred to the May Board meeting, around points such as construction protocols related to the coronavirus pandemic, whether blanket extensions are appropriate, and whether to limit extensions to requests from property owners.

E.    GENERAL BUSINESS

None.

F.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Nelsen moved to approve the minutes of February 15, 2020, Director Boucke seconded the motion, and the motion was passed unanimously by President Baskin, Vice President Cross, and Director Zell.

G.    APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS

Director Nelsen moved to approve the disbursements, Director Boucke seconded the motion, and the motion was passed unanimously by President Baskin, Vice President Cross, and Director Zell.

H.    MANAGER'S REPORT

General Manager Schmidt referenced his recent conversation with Peter Asmuth and Gridscape regarding a pending and long-awaited cost proposal for a battery back-up estimates for the District office's solar array. He also complimented the performance of District employees and the support of the Board during the current Sheltering in Place conditions. With regard to the ongoing 21 Onda project, work ceased a month ago and the District has not yet received the revised Nobel Engineers report.

General Manager Schmidt also referenced the recent retirement of Blair Allen of the Regional Water Quality Control Board; the State Labor Commission's investigation of Eurostyle Management in regards to the District's Laurel water tank; and his updated salary comparison which includes a broader range of water agencies and departments from Los Angeles north to Humboldt, and the Sierra Nevada mountains.

There was discussion around the Tiered Usage Report, and General Manager Schmidt confirmed that the District would be sending letters to the rate payers listed, per usual procedure.

I.    COMMITTEE REPORTS

None.

J.    CORRESPONDENCE

The Board reviewed the correspondence.

K.    ADJOURNMENT

A motion to adjourn in honor of the late Helma Schwendig was made by President Baskin, seconded by Director Nelsen, and approved unanimously by Vice President Cross and Directors Boucke and Zell.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 a.m. The next regular meeting will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2020, at 9:30 a.m.