BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, May 16, 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, May 16, 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
B. PUBLIC EXPRESSION
None.
C. SETTING OF AGENDA
Director Nelsen moved, and Director Cross seconded, a motion
to adopt the agenda as set, with the amendment of moving item number 4 to first place. The
amended agenda was adopted unanimously.
D. PUBLIC HEARING
-
Review of the Draft Operations and Maintenance Budget and Capital Improvement
Program Budget for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 and continue the Public Hearing until
the next Board meeting on Saturday, June 20, 2020.
General Manager Schmidt introduced the budget, pointing out that revenues are up and expenses are down. The District is currently $215,000 in budget excess.
Director Boucke raised the issue of water accounts receivable, listed as $100,000 as of April 30. She cautioned that, due to COVID-19, property tax apportionment revenue may not continue at recent rates; she referred to several past occasions in which the state or county had recalled from the District such revenue apportionment.
Director Boucke also shared that a lien currently allocated as a current receivable might be better allocated as a pending lien. The lien will be paid off when and if title on the property changes hands.
The Finance Committee has initiated a review of these receivables, with Treasurer Stemen's participation, a report of which will be ready for the June board meeting.
This agenda item was continued to the next board meeting. -
Discussion and possible direction to staff re: a Draft Resolution Establishing an
Employee Benefit Program for the Fiscal Year 2020/2021 and continue the Public
Hearing until the next Board meeting on Saturday, June 20, 2020.
Following General Manager Schmidt's introduction, there was no additional comment from the Personnel Committee. President Baskin summarized that this matter has the support of the board, and the item was continued to the next board meeting. -
Discussion and possible direction to staff re: a Draft Resolution Proposing an
Election be held in its jurisdiction and requesting the Board of Supervisors to
consolidate with any other election conducted on said date, and requesting
election services by the Marin County Elections Department.
Following General Manager Schmidt's introduction and an ensuing discussion, Vice President Cross moved, and Director Nelsen seconded, a motion to approve the resolution, which passed unanimously. -
Discussion and possible direction to staff re: a Draft Resolution 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, for a Property Located at 1 Joaquin Patio, Stinson Beach
Having moved this item to first on the amended agenda, the board discussion included notation that this variance request is a septic system update and does not involve a home remodel. Aspects and effects of flooding, storm surge and rising sea levels were reviewed. President Baskin complimented and encouraged the further use of expanded findings in future board resolutions. Nick Johnson has been selected by the customer to perform the installation.
Vice President Cross moved, and Director Nelsen seconded, a motion to approve the resolution, which passed unanimously. -
2019-2020 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report: Follow-Up Report on Web
Transparency of Agency Compensation Practices
General Manager Schmidt introduced the item and following discussion no further action by the board was determined. -
Powerwall Battery Back Up Proposal
Neil Wenderoth, Regional Sales Director of Nexus Energy, introduced the item, outlining that a single Powerwall could provide between 2 and 3 days of power stored from the District's solar panels, and that two Powerwalls could provide between 3 and 5 days of power. He referenced power outages, including public utility blackouts, as well as peak period pricing as examples of how Powerwalls would prove effective resources.
Tax credits and rebates were discussed, with the recognition that without Federal tax filings a tax credit is unlikely, although Mr. Wenderoth will explore any available California state public utility commission Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) rebates, which are available by lottery after purchase. (Such lottery-based rebates are not guaranteed and even then come in stages and not as lump sums.)
It being determined that no motion was needed, President Baskin polled the board for approval to proceed. The board agreed unanimously that the District may proceed. -
Construction and Design Permit Extensions
Following introduction and discussion, Vice President Cross summarized that one-month construction permit extensions are available on request. No further board action was deemed necessary.
E. GENERAL BUSINESS
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Review and possible direction to staff to submit the 2020
Water Quality/Consumer Confidence Report to all of the
District's customers if requested.
General Manager Schmidt outlined the Water Quality/Consumer Confidence Report process, including distribution to customers of a notice of availability of the full report. General Manager Schmidt stated that the District usually receives only a few such requests. President Baskin summarized that the District is authorized to proceed as proposed in the General Manager's memo of May 16, 2020.
F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of the Minutes for April 18, 2020.
Vice President Cross requested clarification to repairs defined on line 48, and the insertion of
the word, "if" preceding "essential to providing adequate sanitation." With this clarification, a
motion to approve the minutes was made by Director Boucke, seconded by Director Nelsen,
and passed unanimously by the board.
G. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS
Approval of Disbursements for March and April 2020.
Director Boucke initiated a brief discussion of legal fees, following which Director Zell moved
and Director Boucke seconded a motion to approve the disbursements. The motion was
passed unanimously.
H. MANAGER'S REPORT
General Manager Schmidt's summary of his report included mention of condolences received by
the District for the family of our late Helma Schwendig, which are being referred to her nephew,
and the attention being paid to the Tiered Usage, or High Users, report. The District was
instructed to renew its Chamber of Commerce membership.
I. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
J. CORRESPONDENCE
None.
K. CLOSED DOOR SESSION
The meeting was adjourned to Closed Door Session at 10:54 a.m., pursuant to
California
Government Code section 54957, Public Employee Performance Evaluation, Title: General Manager to review his performance and 2019/2020 salary.
L. OPEN DOOR SESSION
Out of Closed-Door Session at 11:00 a.m. Reviewed General Manager's performance and
agreed on proposed raise.
M. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m. The next regular meeting will take place on Saturday,
June 20, 2020, at 9:30 a.m.