BOARD MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, January 16, 2021
A. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
President Sandra Cross called to order the Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Stinson Beach County Water District on Saturday, January 16, 2021, at 9:30 a.m., held via
Zoom teleconferencing due to COVID-19 in accordance with the Governor's Executive Orders.
Directors present:
Sandra Cross, President
Morey Nelsen, Vice President
Lawrence Baskin, Director
Barbara Boucke, Director
Jim Zell, Director
Treasurer present:
Judy Stemen
General Manager present:
Ed Schmidt
Staff present:
Rich Souza - District Engineer
Marc Matheson - Administrative Assistant
B. PUBLIC EXPRESSION
None.
C. SETTING OF AGENDA
The agenda was adopted as set.
D. PUBLIC HEARING
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Granting a Variance to the Requirements of the Stinson Beach County Water District
Wastewater Treatment Regulations Ordinance No. 2014-04 to install an alternative
wastewater system serving a new single-family residence with 3,600 square feet of
habitable space, for a property located at 238 Seadrift Road, Stinson Beach. Ken Hao,
Owner. Account #6640.
Engineer Souza introduced the variance request. Noting the merger of two lots for a new residence whose plans have been approved by the County and the Seadrift Homeowners Association, he stated he has no engineering objections to the proposed wastewater system.
The Board discussed the variance request extensively, touching on the applicability of overall floorspace in determining wastewater system size; historic District guidelines and precedence; flexibility in possible increase of system size; and water conservation.
Architect Davies and owner Hao presented the case for approval based on a net reduction in potential density and environmental impact.
Subject to modification of the proposed Board resolution and merger of lots, Vice President Nelsen made a motion, which Director Baskin seconded, to approve the request. Following further discussion, a vote was called. The Board, with the exception of Director Boucke, approved the motion. -
Discussion and possible direction to staff re: Annual Wastewater Management Report
to the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
General Manager Schmidt complimented the work of the Wastewater Committee, whose comments are incorporated into pages 5 ("Surface and Groundwater Monitoring Program Summary") and 7 ("Groundwater Quality") of the submitted report.
Engineer Souza noted overall improving trends in District statistics and environmental impact, as follows. With 720 wastewater systems, 90 are online, evidence of an increasing number of alternative systems installed over the last ten years. Of 469 inspections made in the last fiscal year, 95% passed; the number of failed inspections is falling. Mr. Souza complimented the work of District staff, particularly Wastewater Inspector Chris Kelley.
President Cross thanked Engineer Souza for an excellent report.
Referring to Appendix B, "Variance Resolutions," Director Baskin suggested that in future the report include, and the District begin recording, categories of Board Wastewater resolutions, both approved and not approved. Such categories might include wastewater system sizes, alternative systems, instances of site setbacks, and others. Engineer Souza affirmed that doing so can be easily accomplished.
Director Baskin put forward a motion to approve the 2020 Annual Report, which Vice President Nelsen seconded. The board approved the motion unanimously. -
Discussion and possible direction to staff to continue with Recology contract review
and hearing for an increase in garbage rates, using Proposition 218 notification
requirements.
General Manager Schmidt introduced the item, complimenting the extensive work of the ad hoc committee tasked with contract review and negotiation. He shared with the Board that Peter Medina of Maze and Associates, the District's bookkeeping vendor, had provided a two-page summary of the Montara Water and Sanitary District's Recology contract review. Mr. Schmidt noted that the Montara summary is a review of financial figures, not an audit.
Mr. Schmidt informed the Board that Patrick Miyaki of Hanson Bridgett, the District's counsel, has recommended a legal resource who could draft a public notice incorporating Proposition 218 notification requirements.
It was agreed, following input from Treasurer Stemen, that the discussion be continued in the closed door session scheduled to follow the public portion of this meeting. -
Review of the District's Draft Basic Financial Statements as at June 30, 2020.
General Manager Schmidt informed the Board that the Finance Committee had complimented the 2020 audit as one of the best and smoothest in recent history. Ms. Perry, representing the auditing firm Cropper Accountancy Corporation, confirmed that the audit went very well. She credited the use of Suralink online document storage as an effective resource. She noted that Cropper had no audit findings or other issues with this year's audit.
E. GENERAL BUSINESS
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Discussion and possible direction to staff regarding an appeal from Ashley Goldsmith,
103 Dipsea Road, Stinson Beach, Account #7940, of a $200 fee for failure to obtain a
chemical toilet permit.
General Manager Schmidt introduced the matter, and following discussion of District policy and antecedence, Director Baskin moved that the appeal be denied. Director Baskin seconded the motion, and the Board agreed unanimously. -
Discussion of changes to the District's Personnel Manual
Mr. Schmidt shared that he had received comments from Kurt Franklin of Hanson Bridgett regarding changes to the personnel manual, and that a Personnel Committee meeting had been called to discuss, on January 19th. However, it was agreed to postpone the scheduled meeting. Mr. Schmidt will circulate to the committee a list of potential dates for consideration.
F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes for December 19, 2020 and January 5, 2021.
Director Baskin moved and President Cross seconded a motion to approve the minutes of
December 19, 2020 Board meeting as presented. The motion was approved unanimously.
Director Baskin moved and Directors Boucke and Zell seconded a motion to approve the
minutes of January 5, 2021 special Board meeting as presented. The motion was approved
unanimously.
G. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS
Disbursements for October 15 - November 19, 2020.
Director Baskin moved, Vice President Nelsen seconded, and the Board adopted unanimously a
motion to approve the disbursements as presented.
H. MANAGER'S REPORT
General Manager Schmidt remarked that a number of committee meetings had been
successfully held in the first weeks of the new year.
He reviewed each item listed in the cash flow, noting that the District currently projects
concluding 2021 with a cash flow balance of $1.1 million. In response to a question, the hydrant
upgrade project will be reviewed at the upcoming Water Operations Committee meeting on
January 28th.
I. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
J. CORRESPONDENCE
The District received a thank you letter from Stinson Beach Community Center for its $250.00
year-end donation.
K. CLOSED DOOR SESSION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2),
Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation,
Significant Exposure to Litigation;
One Potential Case.
The meeting was adjourned to Closed Door Session at 11:30 a.m., pursuant to California
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated
Litigation.
The meeting emerged from Closed Door Session at 12:10 p.m. No action was taken.
L. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Vice President Nelsen moved, and Director Boucke seconded
the motion to adjourn, in honor of the late Helma Schwendig. The Board approved the motion
unanimously at 12:11 p.m.