BOARD MEETING MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, November 21, 2020

A.    CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

President Lawrence A. Baskin called to order the Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Stinson Beach County Water District on Saturday, November 21, 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

Allan Richards provided an update on the Steep Ravine Tank Project, reporting that it's all good news and confirming that work will be completed by the end of 2020. Board discussion referenced the project budget - costs will exceed the $234,000 bid by only $1,800 beyond the budgeted $20,000 contingency. Site security from graffiti was discussed and General Manager Schmidt will confer with staff regarding available security measures.

C.    SETTING OF AGENDA

There being no discussion, Director Nelsen moved and Director Boucke seconded a motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was approved unanimously.

D.    PUBLIC HEARING

1. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: an alternative wastewater system with a plastic sump pump tank and reuse of an existing septic tank with setback regulations to a building and property line for a property located at 283 Buena Vista Avenue, Stinson Beach, Account 3300.
   Rich Souza introduced the project, with Noadiah Eckman's comments. Board discussion touched on the innovative Presby wastewater treatment technology, its applicability to local conditions, and local examples of the technology. Director Zell motioned and Vice President Cross seconded the motion to approve the resolution. The resolution was approved unanimously by the Board, subject to the removal of the phrase, "with a permit" from the second bullet point of the first point.
2. Sea Level Rise Project Presentation
   Engineer Souza presented the Board with a review of the Stinson Beach Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Climatic Adaptation Study, underway in collaboration with Steve Kinsey of Civic Knit, a local consulting firm. The study focuses on the effects of rising sea levels and groundwater, and increasing storm events, due to climate change. The slides of the presentation are included in the public copy of the meeting minutes. Board discussion touched on land exchange availability, District budget investment in the study, and future community messaging.

E.    GENERAL BUSINESS

1. Oath of Office for three Full Term Vacancies on the Board of Directors, Stinson Beach County Water District: Barbara Boucke, Sandra Lee Cross and Marius E. Nelsen.
   President Baskin administered the oaths of offices to Vice President Cross and Directors Boucke and Nelsen.
2. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: a Water Use Charge Reduction Request for Joseph M. Niehaus at 136 Seadrift Road, Stinson Beach, Account 6190.
   General Manager Schmidt introduced the item, informing the Board that in a recent telephone conversation he explained to the customer that District guidelines stipulate that the Board cannot act on the request without repair receipts for the source of the referenced leak. As of the start of the meeting no receipts had been received by the District. The customer was not in attendance at the meeting. The Board reviewed the matter and continued the request to the next Board meeting, with instructions that the facts of the case be expanded to include additional background.

F.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Approval of the Minutes for October 17, 2020. There being no modifications, Director Nelsen moved and Director Boucke seconded a motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was approved unanimously.

G.    APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS

Disbursements for September 25 - October 15, 2020. There being no discussion, Director Boucke moved, Vice President Cross seconded, and the Board adopted unanimously a motion to approve the disbursements as presented.

H.    MANAGER'S REPORT

General Manager Schmidt presented the Board with the Personnel Committee's revision of the Complaint Procedures section of the District's personnel manual, and after discussion the matter was deferred to the December Board meeting. Mr. Schmidt reviewed the remainder of his report and there was no further discussion.

I.    COMMITTEE REPORTS

Director Nelsen provided an update from the ad hoc committee negotiating with Recology, the waste management company. He and President Baskin complimented the great work of the committee, comprised of Directors Boucke and Nelsen and Treasurer Stemen. The District is currently looking at an anticipated rate increase of 34.6% effective April 2021 and negotiating a new contract by February 2022. That new contract will incorporate state recycling and organics regulations and adjustments of supplemental services such as walk-in and small road fees, low- income customer discount, additional container and bulky item charges, and updating of rate increase methodology to the Refuse Rate Index (RRI) used by the company to set consumer rates. (RRI takes into account operation, disposal, labor, fuel and vehicle expenses.)

J.    CORRESPONDENCE

No correspondence was received.

K.    ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Director Nelsen moved, Director Zell seconded, and the Board unanimously approved a motion to adjourn, at 11:15 am.