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BOARD MEETING MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING
Saturday, May 21, 2022

A.    CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

President Morey Nelsen called to order the Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Stinson Beach County Water District on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., held via Zoom teleconferencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with Assembly Bill 361, which modifies government code 54953.

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

Treasurer absent:
Judy Stemen

Acting General Manager present:
Ed Schmidt

Staff present:
Rich Souza - District Engineer
Marc Matheson - Administrative Assistant

B.    PUBLIC EXPRESSION

Director Zell requested a report on the Board-granted wastewater variances for the year so far. Director Baskin recommended that such report include the types of variances granted.

Director Zell requested clearer site plans for future variance requests, and discussion centered on how best to achieve this objective.

C.    SETTING OF AGENDA

The agenda as presented was approved unanimously by the board.

D.    GENERAL BUSINESS

  1. Consider and reaffirm Resolution GB-2021-07 making findings pursuant to Assembly Bill 361 that the proclaimed state of emergency continues to impact the ability to meet safely in person.
    Director Baskin moved to reaffirm the resolution. The motion was seconded by Director Cross and unanimously approved by the board.

E.    PUBLIC HEARING

  1. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: variance request for a property at 3 Walla Vista. Ronald and Deborah Murov, owners. Account 1630.
    Wastewater Engineer Souza initiated the discussion, highlighting the features of the request. Director Cross, on behalf of the Wastewater committee composed of herself and Director Boucke, affirmed committee approval and motioned for Board approval. Director Boucke seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously for approval.
  2. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: variance request for a property at 15 Marine Way. Boone Family Trust, owner. Account 3860.
    Engineer Souza reviewed the features of the request. Director Cross, on behalf of the Wastewater committee, affirmed committee approval and motioned for Board approval. Director Boucke seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously for approval.
  3. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: variance request for a property at 340 Seadrift Road. Martha Conte, owner. Account 7070.
    Engineer Souza introduced the item, outlining the request. Director Cross affirmed committee approval and Director Baskin motioned for approval, seconded by Director Cross. The Board voted unanimously for approval.
  4. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: variance request for a property at 161 Seadrift Road. Julie Munro, owner. Account 7625.
    Engineer Souza initiated the discussion, and Director Boucke affirmed approval by the Wastewater committee, noting that the related Board resolution needed an edit regarding permitted maximum and average wastewater flows. Director Boucke also noted that the project requires a water main move at the customer's expense.

    Director Baskin motioned for approval, incorporating the wastewater flow edit, which motion was seconded by Director Boucke. The Board voted unanimously for approval.

D.    GENERAL BUSINESS (cont.)

  1. Update on the Ranch Well replacement and new well research by Allan Richards.
    Noting that attendance this month by Mr. Richards was not necessary, Acting General Manager Schmidt provided an update on Ranch well replacement. He referred to project costs distributed to the Board prior to the meeting; reviewed progress on plumbing, electrical wiring, and water samples submitted; and reminded the Board that the existing operating permit will require an update to include the new well and approval by the regional Water Quality Control Board.
  2. Review and possible direction to staff to submit the 2022 Water Quality/Consumer Confidence Report to all District customers if requested.
    Acting General Manager Schmidt reviewed the required notification, including insertion with the May water bill to be mailed in June, of availability of the Consumer Confidence Report. The report will be posted on the District website as well. Director Boucke requested bold clarification on the accompanying notice of a water monitoring violation citation that water quality remained safe.

    The Board authorized submission for approval by the regional Water Quality Control Board. and subsequent distribution of the 2022 Water Quality/Consumer Confidence Report.
  3. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: draft franchise agreement with Recology as required by Senate Bill 1383.
    Acting General Manager Schmidt led the discussion, introducing Ms. Nikki Burke of Recology, and informing the Board of his efforts to secure a vendor to handle the District's Senate Bill 1383 (landfill waste diversion) responsibilities. Four of the five businesses contacted did not respond to his efforts. A response was received from R3 Consulting Group, Inc., providing an estimate of $7,5000 for annual SB 1383 reporting services. The company had been suggested by Sonoma Recycling.

    Ms. Burke noted that Recology has worked with R3 and recommends them for these responsibilities. She also reviewed the negotiations that Recology has had with the District over the last two years, noting that the SB 1383 services outlined in the draft franchise agreement before the board are not free. It is Recology's current intention to put an agreement into place and then to incorporate the charges for these services into the contract revision which will be the next focus of negotiations.

    Following further review and discussion, Director Baskin moved for approval of the draft agreement, seconded by Director Boucke. The Board voted unanimously for approval.
  4. Review of the draft Operations and Maintenance Budget and Capital Improvement Program Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 and continue the Public Hearing until the next Board meeting on Saturday, June 18, 2022.
    Acting General Manager Schmidt reviewed the draft budget, noting the decline in water sales due to ongoing customer water conservation efforts and to improvements in District ability to respond proactively to customer water leaks. Overall, revenue is projected to increase by $24,000 and expenses to decline by $98,000.

    The capital improvements cash flow continues to show sufficient resources to cover current projects.
  5. Discussion and possible direction to staff re: a draft Resolution establishing an Employee Benefit Program for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 and continue the Public Hearing until the next Board meeting on Saturday, June 18, 2022.
    Speaking for the Personnel committee, composed of himself and Vice President Zell, Director Baskin proposed an 8.6% salary increase for all employees, noting the need for salary hierarchy. The board agreed unanimously.

    Director Baskin presented the request of an employee for a change in employee medical benefits dependents coverage, eliminating the current need of certain employees to pay 20% of dependent(s) costs. He recommend that a waiver be granted to the requesting employee, authorizing the inclusion of $3,300 in the proposed 2022-2023 operating budget for this purpose; the board agreed unanimously.

F.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Approval of the minutes for the meeting of April 16, 2022. Director Cross requested an edit of a section of the minutes, and moved for approval of the minutes incorporating that edit. Vice President Zell seconded the motion and the board voted unanimously in favor of approval.

G.    APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS

March 11 through April 20, 2022. Director Boucke inquired about a customer refund of $792.94 and moved for approval of the disbursements. Director Zell seconded the motion and the board voted unanimously to approve the disbursements of March 11 through April 20, 2022.

H.    MANAGER'S REPORT

Acting General Manager Schmidt's review of his May report included the following items:
* On May 24th Mr. Schmidt will attend a webinar on new software created for Senate Bill 1383 reporting;
* Initial candidate interviews have begun in the recruitment of the District's next general manager;
* The receipt of a payment on the past due customer account of Karen Pandolfi (account 3560) and the expected customer report to the Board at the June meeting of plans for a new septic system;
* The May 3rd letter from CalRecycle acknowledging receipt of the District's SB 1383 Notice of Intent to Comply with those regulations;
* AT&T's request for a telecommunications tower at the District office; and
* The vacant lot located north of the District office.

Elaborating on some of these items, Mr. Schmidt informed the Board that the vacant lot can be developed but is not eligible for a septic system due to proximity of Bolinas Lagoon. He will contact the owner regarding current asking price, should the District be interested in the site for future storage or other usage.

In response to a question regarding the general manager recruitment, Director Baskin stated that no mechanism exists for staff involvement in candidate selection.

In discussion of the AT&T tower request, the Board voted to deny the request.

I.    COMMITTEE REPORTS

Representing the Wastewater committee, Director Cross informed the Board that the committee is in the process of review Title IV, Wastewater Regulations. Director Zell inquired whether those reviews are open to all Board members and Director Cross affirmed that any Board member may participate.

J.    CORRESPONDENCE

None.

K.    ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Director Cross moved to adjourn, which motion the Board unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m. The next regular meeting will take place on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 9:30 a.m.

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