Bolinas
Community Public Utility District
A Regular Meeting Of The Board
Of Directors
May 19, 2010 270 Elm Road, Bolinas
1. Call to Order.
7:30 p.m.
2. Roll.
Directors Amoroso, Bender, Kimball, Siedman and Smith
present; director Siedman presiding.
3. Manager’s Report.
Staff reported that water consumption continues to be at lower levels this
year than during 2009; this is quite remarkable given that the district was
under mandatory rationing at this time last year. Overall, consumption
in 2009 was 29.55% less than consumption in 2008 – a reduction of approximately
14.2 million gallons. At present, the district’s water supply looks
very good for 2010; it has continued to rain into May, which suppresses demand
for landscape irrigation, and staff does not forecast any water shortages
this year.
The operations staff is continuing to run the aeration pilot plant to reduce
chlorine disinfection byproducts in the district’s treated water and also
is monitoring for the levels of these byproducts via the mandated Stage 1
and Stage 2 federal requirements. Overall, the district generally is
just above the maximum contaminant level (“MCL”) for total trihalomethanes
and is generally under the MCL for haloacetic acids (with occasional spikes
above the MCL).
Staff is working on the district’s 2009 Annual Report and the update of the
district’s Watershed Sanitary Survey is almost complete; staff plans to present
the updated survey at the June meeting. In addition, staff is drafting
the district’s 2009 Consumer Confidence Report and Status Report for Stage
2 Chlorine Disinfection Byproduct Monitoring, which also will be presented
to the Board at the June meeting.
Staff has considered several alternative installation approaches for the
extension of the water main north up Horseshoe Hill Road and has concluded
that directional boring (rather than trenching in or next to the road) will
be the most efficient, fastest and least invasive approach; this will be
done by an outside contractor which leaves district staff available for their
regular operational responsibilities. The overall cost estimate is
$75,000, although this project will go out to bid as a public works project.
After a brief discussion, the Board concurred and directed staff to contact
the homeowner financing the project to arrange a meeting to discuss this
recommendation and next steps.
Staff is working on a fire hydrant replacement plan (prioritizing hydrants
to be replaced over a 5-year timeframe) and distribution pipeline replacement
plan per requests of the Finance Committee.
Staff attended the ACWA/JPIA annual conference on May 3 – 4 in Monterey and
participated in several training sessions offered at the conference.
On the sewer side of operations, staff held a meeting on May 11th to discuss
the minor spill the district experienced in the collection system (due to
a blockage in a manhole on Terrace Avenue) on March 25, 2010. Staff
reviewed the district’s overflow emergency response plan and discussed the
incident and lessons learned. Staff also plans to purchase certain
emergency response equipment and conduct additional training on spill response
with the Bolinas Fire Protection District volunteers. Staff also reviewed
the district’s updated Illness & Injury Prevention Plan at this meeting.
The district has received estimates from Pacific Liner
for the rehabilitation of the wetwell at the sewer lift station ($12,800);
the sliplining of the collection main under Wharf Road ($84,100) and the
rehabilitation of the overflow pipe at Woodrat #1 ($32,640). There
is a mobilization fee of an additional $5,100, as well. At this junction,
staff recommends proceeding with the wetwell rehabilitation; staff further
recommends that the district video the Wharf Road collection main and the
overflow pipe at Woodrat #1 to assess their condition and prioritize next
steps. Funding will be needed to finance the Wharf Road slipline project.
The Board reviewed correspondence sent and received since
the last regular Board meeting, including but not limited to a letter from
the State Water Resources Control Board concerning the classification of
the district’s wastewater treatment plant . The Board reviewed a draft
welcome letter to the incoming superintendent of the Point Reyes National
Seashore and directed staff to send it. Staff recommended that a letter
should be sent to the County Department of Public Works to inquire about
when the median strip between the road and the bike path will be planted
as the district has received numerous complaints about potential safety issues
and cars parking on the bike path on Gospel Flats. After a brief discussion,
the Board concurred and directed staff to send a letter of inquiry.
-- Update on the BCPUD’s Application for Proposition 84
Grant Funds (in partnership with the County of Marin and the National Park
Service) for Projects to Enhance the Duxbury Reef Area of Special Biological
Significance (“ASBS”)
The district received word last week that the State of California has released
the Proposition 84 bond money and that a meeting will soon be scheduled with
the State Water Resources Control Board’s grant manager. To prepare
for this meeting, representatives of the County, Park Service and BCPUD will
meet tomorrow to discuss the project and the upcoming meeting with the grant
manager. Given that it looks as though the district’s projects will
proceed during the next two fiscal years, staff reviewed the draft operating
budget for 2010-11 to reflect anticipated increased staff time on septic/drainage
matters.
-- Update on the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) Accessibility of
the BCPUD Building.
The district’s engineer has completed the structural drawings and staff will
prepare a request for construction proposals for the Board’s review at the
next meeting.
-- Drainage Project Manager’s Report
Drainage Project Manager Lewie Likover presented his report, including his
recommendation that the district purchase a HurcoVac to clean culverts and
exercise valves on the water distribution system. The Board expressed
support for the purpose and noted that a vote will occur on this topic later
in the agenda. Lewie noted that he is working on a 2-3 year plan for
drainage at the request of the Board’s Mesa Septic, Flood Control and Roads’
committee; director Kimball requested that he specify in that plan which
projects will be undertaken pursuant to the Proposition 84 grant funding.
4. Community Expression.
None.
5. Report on Results of Request for Financial Relief from Quarterly
Water Bill pursuant to BCPUD Resolution 553 – 140 Juniper (Stein).
Staff presented a memorandum summarizing the water loss
at 140 Juniper Road due to a hose left running; the amount of water used
totaled 900 cubic feet. A final determination as to the amount of financial
relief will be made after the end of the current quarter (which ends on May
31, 2010).
6. Proposed Increase in Fines (from $63 to $99)
by the County of Marin for Parking in No Parking Zones in Bolinas, Stinson
Beach and Muir Beach.
The Board reviewed correspondence sent by Supervisor Kinsey’s
office detailing a proposal to increase parking fines in Bolinas, Stinson
Beach and Muir Beach from $63 to $99. The fine increase was requested
by Stinson Beach Fire Chief Kenny Stevens to deter illegal parking.
Director Amoroso expressed concern about an increase in parking fines given
that the downtown parking plan has not been implemented. Director Siedman
noted that the section of Terrace Avenue at Surfer’s Overlook is not included
in the increased fine zone, but is one of the biggest parking problem areas
in town. After further discussion, the Board then reviewed the language
of the proposed County ordinance and determined that the increased fine zones
are limited to specific area of Wharf and Brighton right near the entrances
to the beach. The Board ultimately determined that it supports the
proposal to increase fines for these zones only (because it should not impact
the downtown area, which is the focus of the parking plan) and that it would
like the County to include the section of Terrace at Surfer’s Overlook into
the increased fine zones. The Board further directed staff to urge
the County to proceed with implementation of the Bolinas Downtown Parking
Plan (which will require the County to pursue a coastal permit to implement
the plan on the downtown County roads).
7. Request for BCPUD Letter to the California Public Utility
Commission In Support of a Moratorium on the Installation of PG&E “Smart
Meters” Within Bolinas and a Customer “Opt Out” Option.
Rachel Gertrude and several other local residents were present to request
that the district send a letter to the California Public Utility Commission
in opposition to the installation of Smart Meters in Bolinas due to concerns
over health implications of the wireless technology, privacy concerns and
potential meter malfunction resulting in erroneous billing. Rachel
provided copies of letters sent by other local governments around the state
and noted that PG&E plans to commence Smart Meter installation in Marin
County in July. The Board discussed the request; director Smith agreed
that wireless technology is unnecessary because the same data can be collected
via telephone lines, which do not pose the same potential health threat.
The Board expressed support for sending a letter similar to the letters sent
by Fairfax and by the County of Santa Cruz; director Kimball requested that
all of the same people receiving courtesy copies of those letters be copied
on the district’s letter, as well as the Marin County Board of Supervisors,
Senator Boxer and Congresswomen Woolsey.
V. Amoroso/D. Smith all in favor
to send a letter to the California Public Utility Commission
in support of a moratorium on PG&E’s Smart Meters within Bolinas.
8. Approve BCPUD’s Request for Proposal for Audit Services.
The Board reviewed a draft request for proposal for audit
services prepared by staff. After some discussion, the Board determined
that it would be most consistent with best practices to change auditors at
this time and that the district’s current auditors should not be solicited
to submit a proposal. Staff was requested to notify the district’s
auditors of this decision and make clear that the decision was not based
on any dissatisfaction with service, but rather because the Board feels it
is better practice to change auditors periodically. Staff was further
directed to revise the request for proposal consistent with these comments.
B. Kimball/D. Smith all in favor to approve
the district’s request for proposal for audit services, amended per the Board’s
direction.
9. Volunteer Committee Reports
-- Alternative Energy: Director Smith reported on on-going problems
with the inverters at 400 Mesa Road; for unknown reasons, the fuses continue
to blow, requiring technician replacement. The district has complained
repeatedly to SPG Solar and the inverter manufacturer; while the fuses are
promptly replaced, this is not entirely satisfactory because the district
loses rebate money while the arrays are down. The inverters at this
site were supplied by a different manufacturer than the inverters at 101
Mesa Road, which are not problematic; nor are the inverters at other installations
in town. The origin of the problem appears to be fluctuations in the
power from the grid since Bolinas is at the end of the line. After discussion,
the Board directed Director Smith and staff to pursue the matter aggressively
with the inverter manufacturer and insist upon replacement of the inverters
if the blown fuse problem cannot be definitely resolved.
-- Bolinas Lagoon Technical Advisory Committee: Nothing to report.
-- Downtown Parking & Traffic Committee: Nothing to report.
-- Resource Recovery: Nothing to report.
-- Terrace Avenue/Alternative Access Road Committee: Director Siedman
reported that a Memorandum of Understanding between the County, BCPUD and
BFPD has been signed and the funds to finance the geotechnical engineering
study therefore should be forthcoming. As for the road failure at the
top of Terrace, the County is still waiting for the rains to end to investigate
whether it can repair the road.
-- West Nile Virus Task Force/West Marin Mosquito Control Coordinating Council:
Director Kimball reported that the West Marin Mosquito Control Coordinating
Council met on May 3rd to discuss a new product the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito
& Vector Control district would like to use in West Marin. The
Council also plans to write letters to the local newspapers to remind people
of the importance of screening septic vents and rainwater catchment systems.
The Council is not scheduled to meet again until November. The West
Nile Task Force is scheduled to meet twice this year; June 21st will be the
first meeting and it will be open to the public.
10. Other Business
a. Board Committee Reports
-- Finance: Approve Purchase of Hurco-Vac (for exercising valves and cleaning
culverts)
B. Kimball/K. Bender all in favor to
purchase the Hurco-Vac.
Approve Purchase of Used Dump Truck: Staff explained that there is
a potential problem with the proposed purchase because the California Air
Resources Board has issued new emissions rules for diesel trucks over 14,000
pounds. The used dump truck under consideration is 17,500 pounds; accordingly,
staff is trying to determine the impact of the new rules and recommended
the district defer purchase of the dump truck until this is better understood.
Draft FY 2010-2011 Budget: Staff presented the draft budget and a draft
mailing to customers explaining the draft budget.
Schedule Special Meeting to Discuss Allocation of Excess Funds: After
some discussion, the Board tentatively agreed to hold a special meeting on
Friday, May 28, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m., subject to confirmation
from director Bender as to her availability.
-- Legal: The Board reviewed a communication from the Marin County
Counsel’s office notifying the district that it has raised the hourly rates
charged for its services.
-- Mesa Septic, Flood Control and Roads: Director Smith said that there
is a large pile of ground asphalt at one of the pull outs on the lagoon that
folks are hiring Don Murch to haul and spread on the unpaved roads; he said
the BCPUD should contribute financially to this effort where neighborhoods
have trouble getting people to contribute financially. Director Smith
said he believes the BCPUD should take over maintenance of the neighborhood
access roads as everyone uses them. Discussion ensued about the proper
role of the district and the Board ultimately agreed to agendize the topic
for discussion at the June meeting.
-- Operations: Staff requested that the committee hold a meeting to
discuss with Mindy Marin the status of the project to extend the water main
north up Horseshoe Hill Road.
-- Park and Recreation: Director Siedman reported that an election
will be held for the Mesa Park Board this November. Mesa Park also
is working on its CEQA update for the revised reclamation project; Mesa Park
has hired Rob Gailey to assist with that effort. As for the water meter
currently for sale by Mesa Park, only one bid was received and it was unacceptable.
The meter is now for sale for $285,000.
-- Personnel: Director Kimball reported that the district has ordered
a copy of the ACWA salary survey in order to obtain information about how
comparable districts are compensating their employees.
-- Sewer: Director Smith requested that staff provide him with the
contact information for Max Korten at Conservation Corps North Bay for possible
work on the bike path.
b. Minutes of the April 21, 2010 Regular Meeting
Director Smith offered revised language for item 6.
D. Smith/K. Bender all in favor to approve
the minutes of the April 21, 2010 regular meeting, as amended.
c. Warrants
K. Bender/B. Kimball all in favor
to approve the revised April warrant list and the May warrant list.
d. Scheduling of Next Meeting(s)
June 16, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
11. Adjournment.
9:59 p.m.