Bolinas Community Public Utility District
A Regular Meeting Of The Board
Of Directors
March 16, 2011 270 Elm Road, Bolinas
1. Call to Order.
7:31 p.m.
2. Roll.
Directors Amoroso, Bender, Kimball, Siedman and Smith
present; director Siedman presiding.
3. Manager’s Report.
-- Update on the Terrace Avenue Bluff Stabilization Project
Staff reported that
a meeting was held on March 8, 2011 at the Coastal Commission office to discuss
the potential project to stabilize the bluff at Surfer’s Overlook.
In attendance were Tom Lai, Director of Planning for the County of Marin;
Drew Kennedy from SAGE; Jennifer Blackman and David Kimball from the Bolinas
Working Group, Ruby Pap, District Supervisor from the Coastal Commission
staff, and Leslie Ewing, Coastal Commission staff engineer. The attendees
discussed the site conditions and project concept of a two phase stabilization
approach (whereby the top of the road would be stabilized first with the
permit issued by the County of Marin, followed by a full-height bluff stabilization
to be tied into the top and permitted by the Coastal Commission); the discussion
was very engaged and constructive. There was no dispute that a bluff
stabilization project is permissible under the Coastal Act given the need
to protect existing development. However, the Coastal Commission staff
indicated that under the Coastal Act and implementing regulations, the upper
bluff stabilization would be “new development” and therefore scrutinized
for a 75-100 year lifespan – as such, it won’t be possible to permit that
work independent of the full-height bluff stabilization since both are needed
to ensure the requisite long-term lifespan of the structure. Director
Smith suggested that it might be possible, if necessary, to conduct repair
work at the top of the bluff to protect the road and that such work may not
require any special permitting.
-- Update on Terrace Avenue Water Main Relocation Project
Staff reported that
the California Department of Public Health will require the district to enact
a resolution committing specific resources and staff to the water main relocation
project as a condition of loan funding. The Board reviewed a copy of
the draft resolution.
-- Update on Horseshoe Hill Road Water Main Extension Project
This project is
nearly ready to start. The contractor is submitting the last of its
shop drawings, all affected customers have installed their new water lines
and district staff have installed pressure reducing valves at the homes along
Gospel Flats. Final details concerning the traffic plan for the encroachment
permit are under review by the County’s Department of Public Works.
Staff anticipates that the project will commence within the next month.
-- Update on the Project to Improve the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”)
Accessibility of the BCPUD Building.
Staff reported that
a mandatory pre-bid site visit was held on March 9, 2011 and six contractors
attended. Lots of questions were asked about project details which
the district will answer via an addendum to the Contract Documents.
Although there is no engineer’s estimate for the project, the district informed
the contractors that its current budget for the work is $100,000. Bids
are due on April 10th.
On the water side of operations, staff reported that consumption
for the most recent quarter was up slightly over the same time last year,
but remains at historically low levels. At the Woodrat Water Treatment
Plant, the operations staff participated in a technician site visit on March
2-3, 2011; the Board reviewed a trip report from the technician, which included
significant training of district staff on filter operation and maintenance.
Staff noted that this sort of training is very efficient and cost-effective
for the district as it enables operations staff to troubleshoot and fix problems
that otherwise would require the regular attention of outside technicians.
District staff and the technician also were able to resolve the problems
that the plant was experiencing with the Cla-Valve and the raw water feed
from the Arroyo-Hondo.
Staff reported that the district experienced a big water leak the prior week
on Wharf Road when the service to the Coast Café blew apart; water
almost immediately began surfacing from under the road, prompting calls to
the district and the Bolinas Fire Protection District. Fortunately,
the water loss was not huge, but the impact to downtown was significant because
the main was shut down while the repair was conducted; three of the district’s
operators worked past midnight to perform the repair, with work continuing
the next morning to install a new service to the Coast Café.
District staff suspects that many of the services under Wharf Road are highly
corroded and in need of replacement and is developing a plan to replace all
of the services under Wharf Road on a rolling basis over the next 2-3 years.
Staff spoke yesterday at a meeting of the Tomales Bay Watershed Council on
the district water supply and challenges for the future. The General
Managers of the Marin Municipal District, the North Marin Water District
and the Inverness Public Utility District also gave presentations about their
respective districts.
The Board reviewed correspondence sent and received since the last regular
Board meeting, including: a letter from CalEMA closing out the district’s
disaster funding application from the 2005-06 winter storms; a report from
ACWA/JPIA granting members refunds from prior policy years – the district
received a refund of $11,716.86; and a letter from the County Department
of Public Works (“DPW”) to the Bolinas Road & Boat Club about the condition
of the seawall under Wharf Road. Discussion ensued about the letter
and DPW’s contention that the seawall has not moved, which the Board members
strongly disputed based on decades of collective observation of site conditions
and discussion turned to the inadequacy of the DPW’s monitoring efforts.
The Board discussed possible responses and ultimately concluded that any
response should come from the Bolinas Rod & Boat Club, not the district.
On the wastewater side of operations, the Board reviewed a letter from the
County’s Environmental Health Services Department dated February 15th that
was sent to all sewer agencies in Marin County in light of the large sewer
spills in Richardson Bay during the December 2010 storms. Staff reported
that the district’s outside electrical engineer has submitted drawings for
the new control panels at the sewer ponds, which are under review by staff.
Finally, staff reported that the district’s new reporting forms for its monthly
reports to the Regional Water Quality Control Board are now in use; staff
expects that the final report from West Yost concerning the operations of
the district’s sewer pond facility will be submitted within the next 30-60
days.
-- Drainage Project Manager’s Report.
The Board reviewed a written report prepared by Drainage Project Manager
Lewie Likover.
4. Community Expression.
Director Amoroso noted that he had requested staff to obtain legal opinion
as to whether there were any legal issues posed by director Bender’s decision
to spend weekdays in San Francisco while maintaining her residence in Bolinas.
He made this request after several people in town questioned him about the
matter. Staff obtained the requested legal opinion, but the cost was
greater than anticipated and director Amoroso now acknowledges that the decision
to seek a legal opinion should have been a full Board decision. Director
Siedman suggested that the Board discuss the matter during the Board’s Legal
Committee report.
5. Request for Financial Relief from Quarterly Water Bill
pursuant to BCPUD Resolution 553 – 250 Iris (Hillyard).
Staff noted that the Board previously approved a reduction in the bill for
this customer equal to 25% of the amount attributable to the leak.
The customer at the time said he was concerned that the leak had also impacted
the bill for the following quarter, which the current bill suggests is correct:
this customer’s usage for the quarter ending in January 2011 was 5400 cubic
feet whereas the typical usage of this quarter has been 400 cubic feet.
The customer therefore requests the same relief for this quarter’s bill.
B. Kimball/K. Bender all in favor to
reduce the water bill by 25% of the amount attributable to the leak, based
on the customer’s average usage over the prior three years during the same
quarter.
6. Request for Financial Relief from Quarterly Water Bill
pursuant to BCPUD Resolution 553 – 200 Ocean Parkway (Harris)
Marita Steffe, a tenant residing at 200 Ocean Parkway, was present to answer
questions from the Board about the water loss. Director Kimball said
the water loss appeared to have been caused by a blind leak underground in
the customer’s yard. Marita Steffe confirmed this was correct and that
the broken pipe has been fixed. Director Kimball inquired whether the
pipe was for an automatic irrigation system and Marita Steffe said that it
was not. Director Smith said that the pipe was underground to a hose
bib and that root systems of the trees in the yard seem to have moved during
the winter storms and caused a break in the pipe. He noted that the
Board has granted full financial relief in circumstances such as this.
Staff noted that water use at the property from February 1 through February
22 was 22,835 cubic feet whereas it typically is 700 cubic feet; staff noted
that the billing quarter is not yet complete. The Board discussed possibly
deferring a decision to the next meeting in light of the fact that the quarterly
billing has not yet been done, but then resolved to proceed with a decision
to be applied when the bills are issued.
D. Smith/K. Bender all in favor
to grant full financial relief from the quarter water bill for the amount
of water attributable to the leak, based on the customer’s average usage
over the prior three years during the same quarter.
7. Request for Financial Relief from Quarterly Water Bill
pursuant to BCPUD Resolution 553 – 15 Maple Road (Nassrah)
Brendan Higgs explained that he was hired by John Nassrah to determine whether
there was a leak at the property after he received a high water bill.
Brendan confirmed that the meter at the property was moving and ultimately
determined that there was a leak on one of the toilets. Director Smith
noted that the leak appears to have impacted two quarterly billing statements.
Director Kimball said that the district typically grants 25% relief for water
losses caused by toilet leaks.
D. Smith/B. Kimball all in favor
to reduce the bills for the quarters ending August 2010 and November 2010
by 25% of the amount of water loss attributable to the leak, based on the
customer’s average usage over the prior three years during the same quarters.
8. Request for Removal of Eucalyptus Trees in the Evergreen
Road Right-of-Way between Alder and Larch Roads (R. Johnson).
Rachel Johnson explained that she hired Ray Moritz, a certified arborist,
to assess the condition of five eucalyptus trees that appear to be in the
Evergreen right-of-way near the intersection with Larch Road. Mr. Moritz
prepared a written report of his assessment, a copy of which was provided
to the district, in which he states that all of the trees pose serious hazards
to nearby structures/property such that two of the five trees should be removed
immediately and the remaining trees should be seriously trimmed down.
Rachel said that the neighbors have been discussing the matter for some time
and would like the district to take action.
Al Hettich asked whether a survey has been done to confirm that the trees
in question are in the public right-of-way. Director Smith said that
the PG&E poles, which are located in the public right-of-way are a reliable
indicator and the trees are all close together; he offered to go to the site
and assess the tree location with Mr. Hettich. Al suggested that a
better use of money would be to place gravel in the Evergreen Road where
it meets Larch rather than cutting down trees. Director Smith noted
that the arborist report states that the trees pose a significant danger.
Mr. Hettich asked if a second opinion could be obtained; director Kimball
stated that he is welcome to commission another report, but that the hazardous
condition of the trees seems to be quite serious. Director Amoroso
noted that there is precedent for a project like this in that several years
ago the district financially assisted with a neighborhood effort on Poplar
Road to remove a number of hazardous trees; specifically, the district paid
half of the cost and the neighbors paid the other half. Director Smith
noted that the district’s roads ordinance (Ordinance 30) states that neighborhood
financial participation is a factor for the Board to consider to prioritize
the work; in addition, PG&E may get involved because the electrical lines
are threatened.
After additional discussion, director Siedman suggested
that the matter be referred to the Board’s Mesa Septic, Flood Control and
Roads committee to conduct a site inspection and report back with a recommendation.
Staff noted that there is a water main in this location that also is threatened
by the trees at issue.
9. Update on Bolinas Fire Fuel Reduction Project (BCPUD
Sewer Pond Property) – Max Korten, Conservation Corps North Bay
Max Korten was present on behalf of the Conservation Corps North Bay (“CCNB”)
and he explained that he recently met with staff from the BCPUD and the Bolinas
Fire Protection District (“BFPD”) concerning priorities for the fire fuel
reduction project to be conducted on the BCPUD’s sewer pond property with
grant funds later this year. In brief, the project will be to remove
“pencil” (i.e. sapling) eucalyptus trees of 6 – 8 inches and less in diameter
and other non-native brush from the understory of the eucalyptus grove to
reduce fire risk. Director Amoroso asked where the tree diameter will
be measured and Max explained that the diameter will be measured at chest
level.
Max further explained that the California Fire Safe Council has granted $75,000
toward the project, an additional $50,000 has been granted under Proposition
84 and the BCPUD has committed $26,000 in in-kind contribution. The
BCPUD and CCNB are partners in this effort; the CCNB is a non-profit job
training organization that has existed in Marin for about 30 years.
The CCNB focuses on job training, conservation work, habitat protection and
environmental restoration projects. He described several of the CCNB’s
recent projects, including fence construction to protect habitat in Marin
Headlands, creek maintenance, restoration work at the Giacomini wetlands,
etc.
Judy Molyneux said she would prefer that the project be limited to the removal
of eucalyptus no larger than 6 inches in diameter, measured at the base of
the tree, not at chest height. Dale Polisar agreed; he said he understands
the need for the project, but said that a tree that is 6 inches in diameter
at chest height may be 10 inches in diameter at the base. Discussion
ensued about the irregular base of the trees and the accepted standard of
measuring trees at chest height to determine diameter. Others in the
audience expressed support of the project as described and some expressed
the desire to see as few trees as possible removed from the land. Ilka
Hartman suggested that a group of residents be on site during the project
to ensure that larger trees are not removed; Max Korten said that would not
be possible from a safety standpoint. After further discussion, it
was agreed that BCPUD, CCNB and BFPD representatives will meet in the near
future to assess the project scope and determine the size of tree/measurement
location for removal; in addition, staff will notify those persons who wish
to be on a list of interested parties as to when such a meeting will be conducted.
10. Accrued Debt Owed to BCPUD by Mesa Park for Funds Advanced
Between 1991 – 2006.
Director Siedman said that he is recusing himself from participation in this
agenda item because he was a member of the Mesa Park Board of Directors during
some of the time period in question. Director Amoroso, Vice President
of the Board, requested not to preside over the agenda item as he requested
it on the agenda and will be speaking to the issues at hand. Accordingly,
director Smith assumed the gavel for this agenda item.
Director Amoroso said that during the February meeting of the BCPUD Board,
questions were raised about the financial history between the BCPUD and Mesa
Park and he agreed to review that history. He subsequently reviewed
approximately 20 years of minutes of BCPUD meetings and the results of his
review detailing amounts owed by Mesa Park to the BCPUD are summarized in
a packet of information in the Board books. He noted that none of the
current members of the Mesa Park Board were on the board during the time
in question. He said that while it may appear that he is pointing a
sharp finger at Mesa Park, the BCPUD also shares some of the responsibility
for the situation.
Director Amoroso summarized the history of funds advanced
to Mesa Park by the BCPUD in the form of loans (which Mesa Park committed
to repay), which consist primarily of liability insurance premium payments
totaling $7,918.00. In addition, the BCPUD loaned Mesa Park $8,000
in 2003 for the Oswald planning study concerning the irrigation project.
As such, Mesa Park has accrued $15, 918 in outstanding debt to the BCPUD
over this timeframe. Director Amoroso said this history shows a consistent
pattern of loans being made by the BCPUD, promises of repayment made by Mesa
Park, but no repayment has been forthcoming. He pointed out that whether
intentional or not, this had the effect of burying Mesa Park expenses in
BCPUD rates, thus circumventing taxpayer approval.
Director Siedman said that in the early 1980’s or perhaps late1970’s, a block
grant was available to buy land for recreational purposes. At the time,
the “Lydia Smith property” was available; however, the only entity that could
take title was the BCPUD. BCPUD did so, but never developed the land.
Mesa Park was created in 1985 to serve as the community’s parks and recreation
agency – the school population was booming and there was a shortage of fields
for athletic activities. Paul Kayfetz was the president of BCPUD Board
of Directors and director Siedman was then president of the Bolinas-Stinson
Union School District Board of Trustees. Messrs Kayfetz and Siedman
met with Tom Hendericks, County Counsel, and they developed the terms of
a Joint Powers Agreement between the BCPUD and the school district to create
Mesa Park. The consideration for the agreement was as follows:
the BCPUD will contribute 12 acres of land (i.e., the former Lydia Smith
property) and the school will contribute a water meter. Subsequently,
it was determined that the school did not, in fact, have a water meter to
contribute. Mesa Park hoped to develop the property contributed by
the BCPUD to recreational facilities using grant funds and then pay for on-going
maintenance from rental fees to be charged for use of the fields. Unfortunately,
the lack of a reliable water source was a consistent impediment to development
of the property; Mesa Park seemingly had acquired all of the burdens of property
ownership (although title remained with the BCPUD, notwithstanding Mesa Park’s
willingness to accept title), but none of the benefits. He noted that
the BCPUD benefited from Mesa Park’s acquisition of liability insurance as
it reduced risks of claims under BCPUD’s insurance policy. Mesa Park
eventually passed a parcel tax measure and has paid its insurance premiums
with the Special District Risk Management Authority, with both the BCPUD
and the school district named as additional insureds.
Director Siedman urged people not to view the history
between the BCPUD and Mesa Park as “us vs. them” -- it is all “us”.
He noted that the BCPUD has a history of spending money on things that affect
its land and benefit the community at large, such as the groin and the Resource
Recovery Project. Although some things did not work out as planned
with regard to Mesa Park, the BCPUD did not necessarily live up to its end
of the bargain in that its decision that the school did not have a water
meter to contribute to the park had a profound impact on its inability to
develop the property. Director Amoroso contended that it was known
from the outset that using the school meter probably would not be possible.
Discussion then ensued about the history of that decision and other decisions
by the BCPUD concerning properties historically served by two water meters
for a single property use. Director Amoroso also said that the groin
and Resource Recovery were projects approved by a vote of the community and
he suggested that perhaps the issue of debt forgiveness for Mesa Park should
be put to a vote of the community. Further discussion ensued about
historical decisions made by Mesa Park concerning the park property and funds
expended by Mesa Park and/or loans from the BCPUD.
Director Bender said that she would like the BCPUD and
Mesa Park to agree upon a way to move forward productively and resolve this
past debt. Under the next agenda item, there will be discussion about
funds recently advanced to Mesa Park by the BCPUD for the ballfield irrigation
project and she believes that resolution will be reached there. She
noted that the current Mesa Park Board is much more financially responsible
than in the past and is comprised of a small group of people trying to do
something beneficial for the community. Jennie Pfeiffer noted that
there has been historical rancor between Mesa Park and the BCPUD, which reflected
the opposing views in the community between those who did not want any development
vs. those who wanted playfields for the community’s children. She said
the property needed to be insured, but the Mesa Park treasurer’s unfortunately
were not always able to maintain good records. After further discussion,
director Amoroso said the main reason he wanted this item on the agenda was
to have everyone mindful of the past history as Mesa Park gets closer to
starting the ballfield irrigation project, which will be funded by a grant
on a reimbursement basis, so BCPUD may be asked to provide construction loans.
Director Bender suggested that at this juncture, the BCPUD should forgive
the prior debt for insurance premium payments but require Mesa Park to repay
the $8,000 owed for the Oswald planning study.
K. Bender/B. Kimball four in favor,
Siedman abstaining authorizing the BCPUD
to forgive $7,918.00 in past due amounts owed by Mesa Park for historical
insurance premium payments and further authorizing the BCPUD to bill Mesa
Park for the $8,000.00 owed for the Oswald planning study.
11. Mesa Park Ballfield Irrigation Project – Accounting of Project
Costs To-Date and Plan for Repayment of Funds Advanced by BCPUD
Bryan Lee reported that of eleven categories of funds advanced by the BCPUD
for Mesa Park in connection with the ballfield irrigation project, Mesa Park
has repaid five of them to date. The remaining items include $3,600
owed to the BCPUD for payment to Rob Gailey for the well opinion, $5,427
in legal fees for the CEQA work, and $2,231 for the PG&E power hook up
for the well. Mesa Park will take up repayment of the PG&E bill
at its upcoming meeting, so for now, Bryan reported that Mesa Park will repay
the BCPUD the $9,027 owed for the well opinion and legal fees. As for
the more recent bill for approximately $11,000 in legal fees, that bill remains
unpaid and a reduction in this bill will be negotiated between the law firm
and Mesa Park. Finally, there are the remaining bills for the water
and sewer annual service charges for the downtown park (unrelated to the
ballfield irrigation project) and Mesa Park’s understanding is that this
bills will be reduced by 50% for the older service charges and Mesa Park
will be allowed three years to repay them. In conclusion, Bryan stated
he hopes these current efforts demonstrate that Mesa Park is committed to
repaying its debt.
12. BCPUD Resolution 595 : Establishing Procedure for Discretionary
Relief from Payment of Annual Service Charges for Tax-Exempt Organizations.
B. Kimball/K. Bender four in favor,
Amoroso opposed to approve Resolution 595.
13. Proposal for Multiple Use Path along Bolinas Lagoon
at Highway 1. (G. Coles)
Gerry Coles said the he sees great work going on next to the bike path on
Olema-Bolinas Road. He said that he and Roger Kovach discussed the
possibility of making a proposal to install a bike lane around the Bolinas
Lagoon to enhance the safety for cyclists; he noted that $20 million dollars
has been spent on bike lanes on the other side of the hill in Marin County.
The proposal needs to be submitted to the County’s Open Space District and
he requested support from the BCPUD in the form of a letter requesting that
the Open Space District consider the proposal. Mr. Coles said he also
plans to ask the Stinson Beach County Water District for a letter of support,
as well. Discussion ensued, with Board members expressing support for
the concept, but skepticism about the feasibility of the proposal in light
of the number of regulatory agencies that likely would become involved, particularly
if any part of the lagoon would be filled in to enable construction of a
bike path. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Board instructed Mr.
Coles to prepare a letter for the Board to review and determine whether it
is willing to submit such a letter to the Open Space District.
14. CalTrans Proposal to Reduce Speed Limits on Highway 1 Near
Stinson Beach.
Staff reported that CalTrans is proposing to reduce the speed limit on Highway
1 to 35 miles per hour in specific locations in Stinson Beach. Director
Smith said he would defer to the Stinson Beach community’s response to the
proposal. Director Kimball agreed, but said it was valuable to include
an item on the BCPUD Board agenda so that folks in the community who drive
through Stinson Beach are aware of the pending speed limit change.
Ilka Hartman, Jennie Pfeiffer and Don Guravich all expressed support for
the reduced speed limit; staff was directed to convey the support expressed
by the public to CalTrans.
15. Approve Revisions to BCPUD Resolution 553 re: the Criteria
for Financial Relief from Quarterly Water Bills.
Director Kimball offered language to add to the last sentence
in Section 3(h) of Resolution 553 to read as follows (after the words “any
landscaping irrigation system”): “or device that automatically turns on or
off the flow of water, with the exception of household appliances”.
K. Bender/D. Smith all in favor
to approve Director Kimball’s proposed revision to Resolution 553.
16. Discuss Potential Revisions to Resolutions 248, 258, 439
and 440 re: Water Meter Suspension.
Director Smith said that he had requested this agenda item in light of the
recent situation with the bills to Mesa Park for meters not currently in
use. He said he will craft language for the Board’s consideration at
a future meeting.
17. Approve BCPUD Investment Policy.
Staff requested a deferral of this agenda item pending the completion of
further revisions to simplify the draft investment policy. There was
no objection.
18. Approve Prepayment by the BCPUD of Existing BCPUD Debt.
Director Siedman stated that director Smith has suggested that prepaying
some portion of the district’s outstanding debt may make sense in that the
interest charged in this debt is higher than the district currently is able
to earn on its reserves. Director Kimball said the Finance Committee
recently met to consider this suggestion and recommends that the district
liquidate one of its certificates of deposit and prepay three outstanding
loans totaling $210,602.15. The reduction of this level of debt (and
resulting savings in interest payments) will enable the district to reduce
the amount by which annual water service charges will need to be increased
in the upcoming fiscal year.
K. Bender/B. Kimball all in favor
approving the prepaying of $210,602.15 in existing debt by the BCPUD.
19. Request to Add Bolinas Community Path Report as an Insert
in BCPUD Quarterly Metered Water Bills.
Director Kimball presented a draft report on the Bolinas Community Path Project
for the Board’s consideration as an insert into the district’s quarterly
metered water bills. While the project is going very well, additional
cash donations are needed to fund on-going maintenance costs for the planted
median. Director Kimball requested permission to insert the report
into customer bills as a cost-effective means by which to make the community
aware of the need for cash donations.
K. Bender/D. Smith all in favor
to approve the Bolinas Community Path Report as an insert into the district’s
customers’ quarterly metered water bills.
20. Volunteer Committee Reports
-- Alternative Energy: Director Smith reported that SPG Solar believes
it has solved the problem of failing fuses at the Woodrat Water Treatment
Plant site by installing larger fuses.
-- Bolinas Lagoon Technical Advisory Committee: Director Amoroso said
that he missed the most recent committee meeting, but called Ralph Camiccia
for an update. Ralph reported that there will be a meeting at the Bolinas
School campus on May 10, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. regarding the current plans for
the lagoon restoration work.
-- Downtown Parking & Traffic Committee: Director Amoroso requested
staff to arrange for a meeting with the County to discuss implementation
of the Downtown Parking Plan.
-- Resource Recovery: Nothing to report.
-- Terrace Avenue/Alternative Access Road Committee: Nothing further
to report.
-- West Nile Virus Task Force/West Marin Mosquito Control Coordinating Council:
Nothing to report.
21. Other Business
a. Board Committee Reports
-- Finance: Report on Draft Fiscal Year 2011-12 Budget; Second Quarter
Financial Report: Staff reported that the Finance Committee met on
March 8, 2011 and March 22, 2011 to work on the fiscal year 2011-12 budget.
Now that the Board has approved the prepayment of some outstanding district
debt, that will be factored into budget preparation. The district also
is close to finalizing the Memorandum of Understanding with staff concerning
compensation and benefits. The Finance Committee will consider a revised
budget at its next meeting and a proposed Proposition 218 notice to apprise
customers of the planned annual service charge increases.
.
-- Legal: Director Siedman commented that director Amoroso had raised
a procedural question regarding the approval of legal expenses; director
Amoroso concurred and noted that it was a mistake to have accrued $2900 in
legal fees without prior Board approval. Director Amoroso suggested
that the Board formulate a policy for prior approval of potential expenses
in addition to legal expenses. After a brief discussion, director Siedman
directed staff to include an item on the April meeting agenda to discuss
a policy for preapproval of legal expenses.
-- Mesa Septic, Flood Control and Roads: Nothing further to report.
-- Operations: Nothing to report.
-- Park and Recreation: Nothing further to report.
-- Personnel: Director Siedman reported that the Personnel Committee
met with staff and made a proposal for wage increases in the next fiscal
year; the staff made a counterproposal and the committee countered that.
In addition, the staff requested a salary comparison of the district’s wages
with those of comparable districts; the General Manager prepared such a survey
and provided it to staff. The Committee and staff agree that the salary
comparison is useful and asked the General Manager to expand upon it with
information from additional districts.
-- Sewer: Nothing to report.
b. Minutes of the February 16, 2011 Regular Meeting
Directors Smith and Amoroso offered clarifying corrections to the draft minutes.
B. Kimball/D. Smith all in favor to approve
the minutes of the February 16, 2011 meeting, as amended.
c. Warrants
D. Smith/K. Bender all in favor
to approve the warrant list.
d. Scheduling of Next Meeting(s)
April 20, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.
22. Adjournment.
11:45 p.m.