Minutes
1.
Call to Order.
7:31 p.m.
2. Roll.
Directors Amoroso, Comstock, Siedman and Smith
present; director Godino absent. Director
Siedman presiding.
3. Manager’s Report.
-- Update
on the Terrace Avenue Bluff Stabilization Project: Report on May 31, 2014 Neighborhood Meeting.
Staff reported that a neighborhood meeting
was held on May 31, 2014 to discuss the future of Terrace Avenue and staff
thanked Tish and Jim Brown for generously hosting the meeting at their home. Staff also thanked Supervisor Steve Kinsey for
coming to Bolinas on a Saturday morning to be present for the meeting. Supervisor Kinsey and BCPUD Board President
Jack Siedman chaired the meeting and spoke directly with affected stakeholders
about the importance of the road and the decision facing the community about
how to stabilize it and how to pay for the work to be done. They detailed the background of the work
completed to date (i.e., geotechnical and geological investigations of the
bluff, project design, and meetings with permitting authorities) and answered
many questions from the attendees. Staff
directed the Board’s attention to a follow-up letter that was sent out to all
persons invited to the meeting, as well as a draft issue of the next Pipeline
newsletter with a featured article about the meeting. The next step will be to assemble a core
group of community members to lead the project fundraising and coordinate with the
BCPUD; in addition, a Town Meeting will be held at the end of Summer or early
Fall. Finally, staff noted that it was
not possible for a private surveyor to complete the work needed to identify the
mean high tide line at the project site before the May 31st meeting,
so the County surveyor will complete the work at a later date.
-- Update on the BCPUD Chlorine Disinfection
Byproduct Reduction Project.
Staff directed the Board’s attention to a set
of documents prepared by consultant Jonathan Van Bourg, including a plan for
re-use of the old clarifier, a proess control plan for a new chlorinator, new
raw water turbidimeter and rainfall shutoffs, and a design, plan and protocols
for a coagulant pilot at the Woodrat Water Treatment Plant. These documents were prepared as part of the
district’s chlorine disinfection byproduct reduction efforts and will be sent
to the California Department of Public Health for review and input. In addition, the district’s profiling of its
reservoirs is on-going and a site visit by the reservoir consultant is being
arranged for later this summer.
--
Update on BCPUD’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan.
Staff had a telephone conference with the
engineers working on the district’s asset valuation. The engineers recommend that the district simplify
its approach and focus on identifying and quantifying near-term capital
improvement projects first, then undertake the broader valuation of all
district assets. The engineers requested
more information from staff about certain of the assets on the list, especially
the conditions at the various distribution pipeline sites (condition of service
laterals, type of surface restoration, etc.), so staff will assemble the
requested information and provide it to the engineers in order to minimize
outside costs. Staff anticipates that
the information will be provided to the engineers in July so that valuations can
be submitted for Board review at the August meeting.
On the water side of operations, consumption
on the back of the Mesa was very low during the most recent quarter. The community’s response to conservation
continues to impress, particularly given the nice weather and recent large numbers
of visitors in town. The town’s efforts
are especially meaningful in light of the news this week that water consumption
overall in the Bay Area has declined by only 1 – 5%. Overall, the Arroyo Hondo creek is flowing
fairly well over the dam, but only because of the reduced consumption levels in
recent months; creek levels would have dropped much more by now if consumption
was not so far below average. The
district’s emergency reservoirs are full right now.
The Board reviewed several documents prepared
by staff, including a response to the California Department of Public Health’s Annual
Inspection findings and the 2013 Consumer Confidence Report. Staff noted that the district’s annual water
license reports also will be submitted this month as they are due on July 1st.
Staff reported that the project to upgrade
the steps and railings between Terrace And Brighton is going well. The community has been very cooperative,
supportive and appreciative of the project.
Staff commended the extremely hard work of BCPUD shift operator Scotty
Hanks and temporary employee Billy Cummings on this project. Staff’s goal is to have this project
completed prior to the July 4th holiday.
The district’s water meter replacement
program also is going well and staff has replaced dozens of meters on the
Mesa.
The Board reviewed correspondence sent and
received since the last meeting, including notices to customers who have not
yet paid their bills for the year, a notice from the County that the BCPUD will
receive $9,869.40 in excess ERAF funds as a result of a recent audit, and a
notice about a
County workshop on July 8th at
5:00 p.m. in San Rafael to evaluate strategies for more efficiently reviewing
development projects in the unincorporated County areas.
With
regard to the district’s claim submitted to PG&E for damaged equipment and
lost revenue as a result of a power surge at the Woodrat Water Treatment Plant,
the district’s claim for damaged equipment and lost electricity sales has been
paid, but PG&E is still working on the district’s claim for lost rebates.
On the sewer side of operations, the district
is experiencing a problem with one of the pumps at the lift station. It was pulled out of service and it being
analyzed by a local repair company. The
district will start mowing the spray fields; the spray season has been deferred
until the mowing is completed. Flows in
the collection system continue to be low and it is clear that the repair of
service laterals on Wharf has helped to reduce infiltratrion and inflow.
--
Drainage Project Manager’s Report.
The Board reviewed a report prepared by
Drainage Project Manager Lewie Likover.
4. Public
Hearing: Draft Fiscal Year 2014-15
District Budget.
President
Siedman opened the public hearing on the district’s proposed 2014-15 fiscal
year budget. Janine Aroyan commented on
the budget line item for the removal of hazardous trees and suggested that the
Board consider increasing the amount dedicated to this line item in the future
as there is a significant need for such work in town. There was no other public comment and
president Siedman closed the public hearing.
5. Community
Expression.
Jennie Pfeiffer commented that the lower
section of Laurel Road near Alder Road needs to be cleared for
pedestrians. Staff noted that the
homeowners agreed to keep this access clear when the Fire Department agreed to
close the road years ago. The Board
directed staff to send out a reminder letter to the affected homeowners.
Remick Hart told the Board that Supervisor
Kinsey will attend the July 4th parade and will help judge the
floats.
DJ O’Niell expressed concern about a rumored
effort by a neighbor to “open” up Ocean Parkway on the cliff between Laurel and
Juniper Road and the potential impact on bluff erosion. Director Siedman said that Ocean Parkway is a
County Road and director Comstock said that environmental and other laws are
highly protective of the bluff erosion zone.
Director Smith noted that there is a letter
in the Board binders from Kathi Hart stating her disappointment that none of
the Board members attended the recent meeting at the Community Center
concerning graffiti on the beach walls.
Director Smith said that he attends many community meetings and
ultimately has to pick and choose which ones to go to as he cannot go to all of
them. He said he is paying close
attention to this issue and talking with lots of people about it; at this
point, he said there appears to be as many opinions on the topic as people in
the community. He said he is not
ignoring the issue but it is unclear what the town wants to do at this
point. Director Amoroso said that at the
last BCPUD meeting he pointed out that a Sunday afternoon meeting might not get
a lot of attendance and that he has to work on Sunday afternoons; he suggested
that a petition may be a more effective means by which to gauge public opinion. Director Comstock said the Board spent a lot
of time on this topic at the last meeting, but it is not ready to take action
and the town is very divided. He said he
respects the effort that the Harts have put into this issue and he agrees that
the environmental concerns are real; but the issue is very complicated and many
in town aren’t in favor of doing very much.
Remick Hart said that Kathi feels that there
should be representatives from the BCPUD Board at all important community
meetings. He said that he very much
appreciates the time the directors put into their jobs, but he was very
surprised that none of the directors (nor any BCPUD representative) attended
the meeting. He noted that the BCPUD’s
seawalls on the boatramp are impacted and the Board represents the community. Director Siedman acknowledged this but said
that this is a divisive issue in town and there are strong feelings on both
sides; he said he agrees with director Amoroso that a petition may be a good
way to unify public opinion and the BCPUD Board may then be ready to take
action. Overall, however, the lack of
director attendance at the recent meeting at the Community Center does not mean
that there is a lack of interest in this issue.
6. Expanded Water Use Permit Application – 145
Mesa Road (A. Gamez).
Director
Siedman observed that the applicant is remodeling an existing home but not increasing
square footage or footprint of the property. Director Smith noted the historic high water
use at the property and said he was concerned about it. Alicia Gamez stated that she bought the
property in September following a foreclosure and it was in very bad shape with
leaking faucets; after she bought it, she had the water turned off until the
leaks could be fixed. After a brief
discussion, director Amoroso proposed that the Board approve an unconditional
expanded water use permit. Director
Smith said he had no objection, but urged Ms. Gamez to be aware of the ongoing
drought and make all efforts to conserve water as much as possible.
V. Amoroso/L. Comstock four in favor; director Godino absent to approve an unconditional expanded
water use permit.
7. Request for Financial Relief from Quarterly
Water Bill pursuant to BCPUD Resolution 553 – 108 Olema-Bolinas Road (C.
Swain).
Director Smith noted that the water loss in
this case was due to an unattended hose and in past similar cases the district
has granted a 50% reduction in the amount of the bill attributable to the water
loss; he recommended the same action in this case.
D. Smith/V. Amoroso four in favor; director Godino absent to reduce the bill by 50% of the amount
due to the water loss based on the average of the prior three years of water
use at this property during the same billing quarter.
8. Offer to Sell Sewer Connection to the BCPUD (L. Ferlinghetti).
Director Siedman said that Lorenzo
Ferlinghetti is not present, but he sent an e-mail to the district proposing to
sell back the sewer connection he purchased from Ed Pohlman because he doesn’t
have a water meter and therefore cannot use the sewer connection downtown. Director Siedman said he recalls the Board
discussing this very issue with him at the time and that he regrettably cannot
support purchasing the sewer connection. Director Amoroso commented that Lorenzo can
suspend the connection but will accrue back fees that will have to be paid
before the connection can be used. Director
Smith noted that the suspension policy applies to water meters and imposes a
reconnection fee, which doesn’t seem applicable here. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed
that the sewer connection may be suspended and back fees (but no reconnection
fee) will accrue.
V. Amoroso/D. Smith four in favor; director Godino absent directing staff to inform Lorenzo that he
may suspend the sewer connection, but back fees will accrue and must be paid
before the connection may be used.
9. West Marin Mosquito Control Coordinating
Council: Update on Issues Under
Discussion Concerning Renewal of Non-Toxic Protocol for West Marin (L.
Goldblatt).
Liza Goldblatt reminded the Board that West
Marin voted to annex itself into the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control
District (“M&VCD”) nearly ten years ago.
At that time, she and a colleague evaluated the products that district
proposed to use to eradicate mosquitos and became very concerned about the
potential harm to waterways. A community
meeting was held at the BCPUD and it was quite eventful. Ultimately, a committee was established to
negotiate with the M&VCD and a non-toxic protocol was signed which allows
the M&VCD to use only products approved for organic farms to eradicate
mosquitoes. Director Amoroso commented
that the BCPUD placed an advisory measure on the ballot and more than 84% of
the community approved the district’s effort to obtain a non-toxic
protocol.
Liza said that there is a new Executive
Director at the M&VCD and some new staff members and they want a new
agreement for West Marin which would allow the use of Methoprene. Liza said that the West Marin Mosquito
Control Coordinating Council (“Council”) has expressed strong concern about
this and said there are lots of studies that show Methoprene is harmful to
acquatic life (there are no studies yet about the effect on humans). The M&VCD has agreed to a nine-month
extension of the existing non-toxic agreement pending negotations and has
proposed to hire neutral outside evalutors to facilitate the process. Liza noted that Methoprene is proposed for
use in septic systems, however many people in Bolinas have their septic systems
pumped annually and the wastewater is dumped at the BCPUD’s wastewater
treatment site and ultimately discharged to land – the potential impact of
methoprene to the BCPUD’s wastewater system is unknown. She said that the new chair of the M&VCD
Board is questioning why that district has a different agreement for West Marin
than the rest of its service area. Liza
said it ultimately may be necessary for the various West Marin communities to
convey their collective concerns and support for the non-toxic protocol so that
the M&VCD understands that the communities are aligned on this and it isn’t
just a small number of people on the Council raising objections.
Director Amoroso agreed that the impact of
Methoprene for the BCPUD’s wastewater pond system needs to be fully understood
before it can be allowed. Director Comstock
commented that the non-toxic protocol is a very good agreement and he believes
that the public in Bolinas will fully support renewing it on the same terms. Director Smith noted that there is an
effective and permanent approach to mosquito reduction and control, which is
the installation of screens on household septic vents that would render the use
of methoprene in septic tanks completely unnecessary. Liza Goldblatt said that the community needs
to educate the new Executive Director, staff and Board at the M&VCD about
the broad community opposition to a toxic approach to mosquito control. Director Siedman said the BCPUD strongly
supports the non-toxic protocol and will host a community meeting (to which the
M&VCD personnel would be invited) if that would be helpful.
10. Presentation by the Bolinas Community Center
re: Relocation/Improvement of Trash and Recycle Bins on BCPUD Property near
Brighton Beach (R. Hart).
Remick Hart directed the Board’s attention to
information in the binders concerning a proposed improvement of the trash and
recycle bins located at the entrance to Brighton Beach. The purpose of the project is to increase the
amount of garbage and recycling bin space and enhance the aesthetics of the
site. Remick said he would like to
acknowledge Janine Aroyan’s efforts to improve the entrance to the beach. Remick presented a proposed design for the
project which was prepared by Roger Peacock and seeks to accommodate the owners
of 98 and 100 Brighton, who would be the most directly impacted by the
project. He noted that the Bolinas
Community Center may increase the number of garbage/recycling pick ups (the
garbage and recycling are taken by the BCC to the dumpsters at Mesa Park per an
agreement with the garbage company), as well.
After a brief discussion of the project, director Comstock suggested
that perhaps Marin County’s Zero Waste grant program may have funds available
to help finance the project; he noted that the deadline to submit an
application is only ten days away.
Remick said that he would be happy to submit a grant application if the
Board authorizes him to do so and he asked for that approval. The Board directed staff to agendize the
project itself for action at the next Board meeting and to provide notice to
nearby property owners in advance of the meeting.
V. Amoroso/D. Smith four in favor; director Godino absent authorizing Remick Hart to submit an
application to Zero Waste Marin on behalf of the BCPUD for grant funds for the
trash and recycle bin improvement project.
11. Discussion of Redwood Empire Disposal Company’s
Recycling Program.
Director Comstock said that he is concerned
about the garbage company’s mixing of the recycling and garbage waste in some
of their trucks because doing so makes it very difficult to recycle all of the
recyclable material. He has contacted
the garbage company and plans to tour the facility to witness the sorting
process. Director Smith said the he
would be willing to join the tour.
Director Comstock stated that he wanted to know if the company is
operating in violation of it’s contractual obligations to the district; he
reviwed the contract and, as far as he can tell, although the company is
required to offer curbside recycling, the contract does not expressly require
the company to actually recycle the collected material. Director Comstock said this should be
addressed when the contract is next renewed or extended. He also called the County, but the person he
spoke with was indifferent about the company’s mixing of garbage and recycling
and suggested that the district retain a consultant for advice during the
contract negotiation process; director Comstock said that this was not a very
satisfactory answer and that the County should be paying better attention to
this issue. He noted that the County of Sonoma’s
contract with Redwood Empire requires the company to use their “best efforts”
to recycle. Finally, director Comstock
called the Stinson Beach County Water District; this district just renewed its contract
with Redwood Empire and is very happy with the company’s services, although
they seem to be unaware of the mixing of garbage and recycling.
12. Appointment of Land Stewardship Committee.
Director Siedman said that the committee
first addressed the district’s lease to Gospel Flat Farms and now is taking the
next step of assessing all of the BCPUD lands (hence the change in the name of
the committee). He requested that the
Board formally appoint the following persons to the committee: Jody Angel, Janine Aroyan, Genie McNaughton,
Jack Siedman, Vic Amoroso, John Glavis, Burr Heneman. Tish Brown, Mickey Murch and
Ken Masterton. Director Siedman said the
committee members agreed that if a member misses three meetings, he or she
would then be removed from the committee as the committee work requires dedication
and longevity.
V. Amoroso/L. Comstock four in favor; director Godino absent to approve the appointment of
the Land Stewardship Committee.
13. Renewal of Limited Duration Employment
Agreement between the BCPUD and L. Likover.
Staff requested that the Board approve the
renewal of Lewie Likover’s employment agreement with the district so that he
can continue his good work on the district’s chlorine disinfection byproduct
reduction project.
L. Comstock/D. Smith four in favor; director Godino absent to approve renewal of the
limited duration employment agreement between the BCPUD and Lewie Likover.
14. Water Supply Update.
Staff directed the Board’s attention to a
report prepared by retired geologist Ralph Camiccia about the potential of a
groundwater investigation near the district’s Woodrat Water Treatment
plant. Ralph’s report recommends against
such an investigation as the likelihood of success is very low. He bases this conclusion on the geologic
makeup of the terrain (hard shale and soil rubble with no sand/gravel base),
which is not suitable for groundwater movement, and the lack of a nearby active
water supply (the reservoir is reliant on seasonal drainage only).
15. Volunteer Committee Reports
-- Bolinas Lagoon Advisory
Committee: Nothing to report.
--
Downtown Parking & Traffic Committee: Director Amoroso reported that
Michael Rafferty is not interested in leading a renewed committee effort. Remick Hart said he would be willing to step
up. After a brief discussion, director
Amoroso and Remick Hart agreed to meet and discuss possible next steps.
--
Resource Recovery: Nothing to report.
--
Water Conservation Assistance Committee: Nothing to report.
--
West Marin Mosquito Control Coordinating Council: Nothing further to report.
--
Land Stewardship Committee: Review
Mission Statement. Director Siedman referred to the mission
statement presented in the Board binders and said the committee is working on a
set of recommendations to bring to the Board.
Director Amoroso noted that the district’s operations will take priority
in the event of any conflict with the committee recommendations.
16. Other Business
a.
Board
Committee Reports
-- Finance: Engagement
Letter from Doran & Associates for FY 2013-14 Audit; Minutes of the April 15, 2014 Finance
Committee meeting; Minutes of the May 13, 2014 Finance Committee meeting.
V. Amoroso/L. Comstock four in favor; director Godino absent to approve the engagement letter from
Doran & Associates for the FY 2013-14 audit.
L. Comstock/V. Amoroso four in favor;
director Godino absent to approve
the minutes of the April 15, 2014 Finance Committee meeting.
Staff requested that approval of the the
minutes of the May 13, 2014 Finance Committee be deferred to the July meeting;
there was no objection
Director Comstock noted that staff prepared
several helpful tables for the Finance Committee’s consideration during the
budget process, including a schedule for the anticipated change in reserves for
the upcoming fiscal year, as well as a schedule for anticipated change in debt
level; in addition, staff prepared “mini-budgets” for each of the planned capital
projects. The documents are available at
the office if other Board members would like to review them.
Finally, staff presented the third quarter
financial reports.
-- Legal: Nothing to report.
-- Mesa Septic, Flood Control and Roads: Nothing
to report.
-- Operations: Nothing
to report.
-- Park and Recreation: Staff reported that the district has received
the executed amended contract for the Mesa Park Ballfield Irrigation and Public
Restroom project. The next step is to
record the requested deed restriction, but staff recommends against doing so
until it is certain the project will move forward. The state’s decision on the district’s
request to waive the match requirement is still pending. The project will go out to bid on June 23rd,
with a mandatory site walk scheduled for July 16th and bids due on
July 30th.
-- Personnel: Nothing to
report.
--
Sewer: Nothing to report.
b. Minutes of the May 14, 2014 Regular
Meeting.
Director Amoroso offered clarifying revisions to the draft minutes.
D. Smith/L. Comstock four
in favor; director Godino absent to
approve the minutes of the May 14, 2014 regular meeting, as amended.
c. Warrants
L. Comstock/D. Smith four
in favor; director Godino absent to
approve the warrant list.
d. Scheduling of Next Meeting(s)
July 16, 2014, at 7:30 p.m.
17.
Adjournment.
10:29
p.m.