BOARD MEETING MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, February 20, 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, February 20, 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:
Marc Matheson - Administrative Assistant

B.    PUBLIC EXPRESSION

None.

C.    SETTING OF AGENDA

There being no modifications, Director Baskin proposed a motion, which President Cross seconded, to adopt the agenda as set. The motion was approved unanimously.

D.    GENERAL BUSINESS

1. Discussion and possible direction to staff to continue with Recology contract review and public hearing on April 17, 2021 for an increase in garbage rates, using Proposition 218 notification requirements.
   General Manager Schmidt opened the discussion by reminding the Board that the ad hoc Recology committee, Board counsel at Hanson Bridgett LLP, and the Board have reviewed various public notifications incorporating Proposition 218 guidelines for the proposed rates and charges. Mr. Schmidt thanked the committee and the Board for their work on these efforts.
   
   Mr. Schmidt informed the Board that public notice will appear in both the Marin Independent Journal and Point Reyes Light newspapers in the coming week, and that a paper mailing will go out to all Stinson Beach property owners and to District ratepayers. Notice will be posted at the District office, Stinson Beach Community Center, Stinson Beach post office, and the Stinson Beach Market.
   
   Discussion touched on definition of such terms used in notification as "road charge," "carry charge," "contamination" and "overflow." It was agreed that definition of these terms be included in notification.
2. Discussion and possible direction to staff regarding possible modifications to the District personnel manual.
   General Manager Schmidt reminded the Board that he had requested permission in January to contact District counsel for guidance on procedures for contacting employees under investigation due to public complaint or other causes. Kurt Franklin of Hanson Bridgett LLP responded by email, which the Board directs be attached to the District's personnel manual.
   
   Additional discussion included use and definition of the word, "promptly".
   
   It was agreed, unanimously and without vote, that District's counsel's email be added as an appendix to Section 27, Complaint Procedures, of the manual, following Director Baskin's edits of the email into format appropriate to the manual.

E.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Approval of Minutes for January 16, 2021. Director Baskin moved and Director Zell seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the January 16, 2021 Board meeting as presented. The motion was approved unanimously.

F.    APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS

December 29, 2020 through January 14, 2021. Director Boucke moved, Director Nelsen seconded, and the Board adopted unanimously a motion to approve the disbursements as presented.

G.    MANAGER'S REPORT

General Manager Schmidt reviewed the February 3rd special Board meeting with David Alvey, CPA and Audit Partner with Maze & Associates, the District's bookkeeping service. Mr. Alvey had reviewed GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board) 68 (pension) and 75 (other post-employment benefits, or OPEB), both of which plans are part of the District's employee benefits package. A copy of Mr. Alvey's presentation is included with Board materials.

Mr. Schmidt informed the Board that Recology had declined the District's inquiry for indemnification should the District be challenged legally as a result of proposed waste management rate changes.

Discussion of the February Tiered Usage Report featured two written responses to the District's letters, sent by Certified mail, to the "top ten" high water users and whether something more can be done to curtail high usage. General Manager Schmidt was authorized to contact District counsel for guidance on possible disclosure of data for high- usage customers.

The Board approved renewal of the District's membership in the West Marin Chamber of Commerce at an annual rate of $100.

H.    COMMITTEE REPORTS

Discussion from the Wastewater Committee concerned review of 297 Seadrift Road, Stinson Beach, continued to the March Board meeting. Water Operations Committee members initiated discussion around water meter end point communication, and creek run- off measurement (discontinued due to a $4,000 monthly expense with minimal usefulness given that most of the District's water supply comes from wells).

Director Zell referred to an article on page 8 in the January 2021 issue of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) January 2021 newsletter, reporting recent federal funding for desalination projects planned by two ACWA member agencies. (The District is an ACWA member.) The Board discussed saltwater intrusion into its water supply, treatment of brackish water, and the ongoing need for water conservation in view of dry weather.

General Manager Schmidt offered to contact the District's contractor, Allan Richards of Stetson Engineering, regarding the previously initiated desalination grant application.

I.    CORRESPONDENCE

None.

J.    ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Director Baskin moved and Director Boucke seconded a motion to adjourn. The Board approved the motion unanimously at 10:45 a.m.