Bolinas Community Public Utility District
A Regular Meeting Of The Board
Of Directors
August 18, 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.
-- Update on Terrace Avenue (at Surfer’s Overlook) Water Main Relocation
Project.
Staff reported that a special meeting of the Board of Directors was held
on August 11, 2010 at the Bolinas Fire Protection District public meeting
room for the purpose of informing the community about the planned relocation
of the water main on Terrace Avenue at Surfer’s Overlook. The meeting
was very well attended by several dozen residents. BCPUD staff and
the district’s consulting engineers began the meeting with an overall presentation
of the proposed project and then opened the meeting to questions and answers.
Director Kimball closely tracked the questions, all of which were answered
either by staff or the consulting engineers during the meeting. Staff
is very grateful for the community’s support and understanding of the need
for this project, despite the disruption it will pose for residents who access
their homes via Terrace Avenue.
Staff and the consulting engineers also met with personnel from the County’s
Department of Public Works (“DPW”) at the Civic Center on August 16, 2010
to hammer out the remaining issues concerning the encroachment permit needed
for the water main relocation project. During this meeting, the group
discussed details of the project installation and workability; in the end,
it was agreed that the project will be installed in 20-foot sections with
a maximum of two open sections at a time, and a sufficient number of steel
plates to cover open trenches must be next to the trenches on the road at
all times to ensure emergency response time is not impaired. Terrace
Avenue will not technically be “closed” but rather “subject to significant
traffic delays” on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m.
to 5:00 p.m. and pedestrian and emergency access will be available at all
times. Terrace will be open and not subject to traffic delays from
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. BCPUD staff will be on site at all times to
deal with traffic issues and the office will conduct community outreach and
education in an effort to urge residents to avoid the project site as much
as possible during working hours so that the work can be completed as quickly
as possible. Today the district submitted revised plans and specifications
for the project to DPW and expect that the encroachment permit will be issued
by the end of the week; if so, the district hopes to go out to bid
for the work the following week if approval is finalized from the California
Department of Public Health (“CDPH”).
The district also is working with the Bolinas Fire Protection
District (“BFPD”) and the County in an effort to stabilize the bluff below
Terrace Avenue at Surfer’s Overlook. To that end, the agencies issued
a Request for Proposal for geotechnical engineering services on July 30,
2010; four firms submitted timely responses. The Bolinas “working
group” of BCPUD and BFPD representatives reviewed the proposals, conducted
reference checks and requested additional information. The working
group met again to assess next steps and have requested a meeting with DPW
to jointly agree on how to move forward. Item no. 7 on the agenda for
this meeting therefore needs to be deferred as the working group is not yet
prepared to select the most highly ranked firm.
With regard to the Horseshoe Hill Road water main
extension project, staff reported that during the meeting at the County to
discuss the Terrace Avenue encroachment permit, the district received an
early holiday present: DPW told district staff that the County has
received confirmed funding to pave the entirety of Horseshoe Hill Road, probably
next spring/summer. As a result, the district can proceed with a trench
installation of this water main (the district previously had decided to install
the water main via directional boring to avoid otherwise prohibitive paving
costs), and the County will omit its standard paving restoration specifications.
The district’s engineers therefore will submit the specifications for an
encroachment permit for this project by the end of the week so that the district
can go out to bid as soon as possible.
Staff reported that consumption in the district was up
slightly in the most recent quarter from the same time last year, but this
level of consumption was still much lower than the three most recent years.
Overall, the district’s water supply is in good shape this year and both
reservoirs are completely full.
The CDPH has approved the district’s Stage 2 Disinfection Byproduct Rule
monitoring plan; the approval letter contains one modification to the
district’s plan as submitted. Specifically, the district will be monitoring
for TTHMs at the end of Wharf Road (same location as the Stage 1 sampling)
rather than the proposed site at the end of Vine Road. Vine Road had
been selected because staff felt this location experiences some of the longest
detention time (thought to be a factor in TTHM formation), but the pilot
samples taken during the preceding year showed remarkably low TTHM levels.
A meeting has been set for the end of the week between directors Bobbi Kimball
and Don Smith with Brian Crawford, director of the County’s Community Development
Agency and Rebecca Ng, director of the Environmental Health Services department,
to discuss the County’s implementation of the new statewide greywater rules.
On the wastewater side of operations, the district timely
certified completion of its Sewer System Management Plan on August 2, 2010.
Also, the district submitted annual Sanitary Sewer Overflow (“SSO”) reports
for 2008 and 2009 to the Regional Water Quality Control Board prior to the
requested deadline. Pending projects for the sewer system include the
upgrade of the spray field electrical control panels, as recommended by ACWA/JPIA.
-- Update on the Award of Prop. 84 Grant
Funds for Projects to Enhance the Duxbury Reef Area of Special Biological
Significance(“ASBS”).
-- Approve Request for Proposal for a Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis of
the Bolinas
Mesa and the Design and Engineering of Stormwater Network Improvement
Projects.
Staff requested to defer this item in light of the uncertain status of the
award of grant funds; there have been multiple meetings and communications
in recent weeks between BCPUD staff and staff at the County of Marin and
the Point Reyes National Seashore concerning the Proposition 84 grant in
light of indications from the state that although the grant funding has been
delayed nearly two years, the state does not intend to give grantees any
additional time to complete their projects – rather, the original grant deadlines
will apply. This is highly problematic for the BCPUD because the district’s
portion of the project (i.e., the hydrologic study of the Bolinas Mesa and
the installation of low impact development stormwater treatment facilities)
is a four-year project that will be very difficult to complete in two years.
The state originally indicated that it would grant extensions of time, but
then backtracked and said the original grant deadlines will govern.
Then, early today, word came in from the state via the County of Marin that
extensions are likely (no doubt as a result of the strong objections voiced
by numerous grantees to the lack of an extension of time), but not before
the grant documentation needs to be signed. As such, grantees will
need to request extensions of time after the grant agreement as been signed.
Staff expressed concern about the state’s unwillingness to put this in writing.
As noted, the lack of an extension is very significant in terms of the time
needed to do the BCPUD projects, but also because the proposed match from
the BCPUD was budgeted over 4 years, not 2 years. Staff notified the
state that if the BCPUD match cannot be reduced, then BCPUD will have to
drop out of the grant; the state subsequently approved a match reduction
for the BCPUD down to $55,000. Accordingly, the district can budget
the reduced match funds over two years from the septic/drainage budget.
Budgeting will remain challenging, however, because the state will allow
only quarterly invoicing and, since this is a reimbursement grant, the BCPUD
will be forced to “carry” 3 months of costs while awaiting reimbursement.
Discussion ensued about the staging of each phase of the planned work, the
time needed to complete the hydrologic study, the importance of that work
to the district’s overall drainage efforts, the expertise needed for bioswale
design and construction, the multiple benefits to the community to be achieved
with nearly $600,000 in grant funding, and so forth. The Board and
staff discussed running the study and the design/construction concurrently
and/or dropping the study from the effort entirely. Don Smith expressed
strong reluctance to drop the study as it will provide very valuable information
on drainage from which the district will benefit for many years. Staff
noted that the district’s partners (County of Marin and Point Reyes National
Seashore) very much want the district’s participation in this grant and have
promised their assistance to the district. Staff met early in the day
with staff from the PRNS and developed a revised scope of work and timeline
based on a March 31, 2013 deadline, which essentially means the two phases
of the BCPUD projects will run concurrently. After further discussion,
the Board expressed support for this approach, particularly in light of the
reduced match commitment.
-- Update on the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) Accessibility of
the BCPUD Building.
The district issued an addendum to its bid documents following the August
3, 2010 site visit to extend the deadline by which bids are due to September
10, 2010.
-- Drainage Project Manager’s Report.
Nothing further to report (the Drainage Project Manager
has been very involved in the Proposition 84 grant work described above).
4. Community Expression.
Director Kimball provided a data table and a graph to the Board documenting
rainfall amounts in Bolinas dating back to 1952; she has asked staff
to update the table and graph monthly as rainfall data becomes available.
All of the directors expressed their thanks for director Kimball’s meticulous
work. Director Smith said it is reassuring from a climate change perspective
that there is no observable real trend up or down over the last 50 years
in terms of the amount of rainfall received in Bolinas. Director Bender
requested that staff post the table and graph on the district’s website.
5. Petition to Vacate Public Right-of-Way – Osterweis, Pine Gulch
Creek Road .
Staff reported that John Osterweis very much would like
to address the Board and respond to questions from the public about his petition
to vacate a public right-of-way in Paradise Valley. Unfortunately,
he is out of town and also will not be available for the September meeting.
He therefore requests that the Board defer this item to the October meeting.
Mr. Osterweis meanwhile is endeavoring to meet with other residents of Paradise
Valley to better explain the petition and answer questions. His representative
confirmed that Mr. Osterweis guarantees that nothing further will happen
with regard to the petition until after the October Board meeting and until
after Mr. Osterweis meets with nearby residents. Their was no objection
to deferring this item until the October regular meeting of the Board.
6. Marin County Hazardous and Solid Waste Management Joint Powers
Authority Zero Waste Program.
Staff reported that Steve McCaffrey from Redwood Empire Disposal had called
to inquire whether the district had been contacted by the County about pending
developments in the Zero Waste Program that could impact garbage rates.
At the time, staff had heard nothing. Last week, Eric Luder with DPW
called to follow-up on a letter about the Zero Waste Program that had been
mailed on May 24, 2010; staff checked the district records and could
not locate this letter, so it seems that the district did not receive it.
Mr. Luder re-sent a copy and the letter indicates that the County is planning
to fund a consultant to develop a “zero waste tool kit” and assist local
agencies in implementing the Zero Waste program, as well as fund certain
public advertising and outreach, and a contractor to act as coordinator.
The letter indicates that these efforts will be funded by franchise and tipping
fees. Director Siedman confirmed that such costs might be passed on
to the district. Staff had agendized this item in the event County
representatives were able to attend to further explain this program;
unfortunately, it was not possible for a County representative to attend
so this item can be deferred pending further information.
Director Kimball stated that she had intended at the outset of the meeting
to ask that an urgent item be added to the agenda – namely, an action item
for the Board to approve a letter of support for the appointment of a specific
candidate as the West Marin representative to the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito &
Vector Control Board. Director Amoroso said he supports the item as
an urgent item because the district just learned of the pending appointment
and it will be too late to submit a letter of support by the September meeting.
Director Siedman said the item could be added to the agenda under the volunteer
committee reports.
V. Amoroso/D. Smith all in favor to add
an urgent item to the Board agenda to consider a letter of support for the
appointment of a specific candidate as the West Marin representative to the
Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District Board.
7. Review Responses to Request for Proposal for Geotechnical
Engineering Services re: Terrace Avenue at Surfer’s Overlook and Select Firm.
This matter was deferred for reasons discussed during the Manager’s Report.
Staff inquired whether the Board would be willing to consider increasing
the amount of the district’s contribution to the geotechnical engineering
study if necessary. After a brief discussion, the Board members indicated
a willingness to discuss an increased contribution if the County would agree
to increase its match by the same amount.
8. Resolution 592: Cites Board of Directors’ Choices for
Determining Fiscal Year 2010-11 Appropriations Limits.
K. Bender/B. Kimball all in favor
to approve Resolution 592.
9. Resolution 593: States District’s Appropriation
Limits for Fiscal Year 2010-11.
K. Bender/V. Amoroso all in favor
to approve Resolution 593, with the appropriations limit calculated in accordance
with Resolution 592.
10. Volunteer Committee Reports
-- Alternative Energy: Director Smith said he has determined that the
district may lose as much as 7.5% of the production from the solar arrays
at the water treatment plant as a result of dirt collecting on the arrays
during the non-rainy season. The BFPD has offered to wash off the panels
on the district’s behalf and director Smith recommends that the district
try this approach rather than hire an outside cleaner.
Cela O’Connor asked the Board for permission to raise a community expression
item pertaining to the Local Coastal Plan update process; she said
she intended to arrive at the meeting prior to the community expression item,
but was late. Cela said that the County does not have the correct community
map for Bolinas in the Local Coastal Plan update draft and she would like
the Board to address this issue. Director Siedman asked Cela to submit
any information she has about the item to BCPUD staff and the Board will
include an item on the September agenda to discuss the matter.
-- Bolinas Lagoon Technical Advisory Committee: Nothing to report.
-- Downtown Parking & Traffic Committee: Nothing to report.
-- Resource Recovery: County Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration:
Staff reported that Resource Recovery Committee member Jeff Creque is assessing
the County’s Initial Study and proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration for
the Resource Recovery Center and will submit a written response.
-- Terrace Avenue/Alternative Access Road Committee: Director Smith
commented that the committee’s purpose seems to have been superseded by the
Bolinas working group and suggested that the committee be disbanded.
Director Kimball noted that the BFPD has an item on its next agenda to address
emergency access during the water main relocation project and discuss alternative
access, so perhaps there may still be a purpose for the committee.
-- West Nile Virus Task Force/West Marin Mosquito Control Coordinating Council:
Director Kimball reported the West Nile Virus Task Force met on Monday, August
16th. The number of incidents of West Nile virus is very low:
85 human cases nationally at this point in the year, 12 human cases are in
California (no deaths), and no cases in Marin. The next meeting of
the task force will be in June 2011.
10a. Appointment of West Marin Representative to the Marin/Sonoma
Mosquito & Vector Control District.
Director Kimball said that West Marin representative Fred Smith’s seat on
the Board of Directors of the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control
District is up; this is a designated West Marin seat, not an at-large
seat. The applicants for the seat are Margaret Graham, Eden Clearbrook,
Stacey Henderson, and Nancy Niche. Director Kimball said she reviewed
the qualifications of all applicants and recommends that the BCPUD endorse
Margaret Graham for the position. Ms. Graham is the owner of Mostly
Natives Nursery, has served on the Tomales Village Community Services District
for eight years, and is the Tomales representative to the West Marin Mosquito
Control Coordinating Council. She has attended meetings with the Marin/Sonoma
Mosquito & Vector Control District staff for years and she is very articulate
and knowledgeable about the District. Director Amoroso agreed and said
that Bolinas needs someone on the district board who shares the viewpoints
of the community and who will be effective; he said the Margaret Graham
meets both criteria and he moved that the Board support her appointment.
Director Kimball requested that the Board direct staff to write a letter
to Supervisor Kinsey stating its support of Margaret Graham’s appointment.
V. Amoroso/K. Bender all in favor
to support the appointment of Margaret Graham as the West
Marin representative to the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control Board.
On a separate topic, director Kimball said she has prepared a schedule, task
list and items needed for the planting of the median strip between the bike
path and Olema-Bolinas Road. She said that if there is no objection
from the Board, she would like to present it to the County and initiate a
discussion on the topic. Director Amoroso inquired about on-going maintenance
of the plants once installed and director Kimball responded that most of
the plants recommended by local landscape professionals will not require
much, if any, on-going maintenance once established.
11. Other Business
a. Board Committee Reports
-- Finance: Nothing to report.
-- Legal: Nothing to report.
-- Mesa Septic, Flood Control and Roads: Director Amoroso requested
that a report be prepared summarizing the pilot program to improve neighborhood
access roads on the Bolinas Mesa. Director Smith said he is hoping
for a source of ground asphalt; staff said the district has requested
that DPW donate the grindings from the Horseshoe Hill Road repaving project.
Director Smith said he is willing to assess the roads after the winter rains
and identify potholes to be filled; he believes that one spring treatment
should be adequate and then the community response can be assessed (including
whether there is interest for continuation of the pilot program). Director
Kimball commented that the first report therefore should be forthcoming in
Fall 2011.
-- Operations: Nothing to report.
-- Park and Recreation: Director Siedman reported that the Board of
Directors of Mesa Park has approved the 2010 Toxic Away Day for October 16th,
on the condition that Mesa Park may reserve the final appointment of the
day. Director Bender suggested that the BCPUD assist with community
outreach to get the word out locally about the upcoming date. Director
Siedman further reported that an electrical service is scheduled to be installed
at the Resource Recovery Center and that Mike Aitken is hoping to locate
a water tank at the top of the hill above the site; district staff
has requested a site plan and specific information about the planned installation.
Mesa Park commissioners Charles Whitefield and Brian Lee have agreed to prepare
the requested information. In response to a question from director
Amoroso as to who will pay the monthly electrical bill, director Siedman
said it will be largely a Mesa Park expense (for operation of the irrigation
well), shared appropriately by the Resource Recovery Center. Director
Siedman further reported that three candidates filed for the three open seats
on the Mesa Park Board – Jane Mickelson, Andy Blake and Charles Whitefield
– so there will be no election necessary. Finally, director Siedman
said that Mesa Park has received a report from its consulting hydrologist
about its irrigation well and plans to share it with neighboring well owners,
along with the other information to be submitted to the state in connection
with Mesa Park’s request to amend its grant from the California Department
of Parks & Recreation.
-- Personnel: Nothing to report.
-- Sewer: Nothing to report.
b. Minutes of the July 21, 2010 Regular Meeting; Minutes of the August 11,
2010 Special Meeting
D. Smith/V. Amoroso four in favor/B. Kimball abstains
to approve the minutes of the July 21, 2010 regular meeting
of the BCPUD Board of Directors.
Approval of the minutes of the August 11, 2010 special meeting of the Board
of Directors was deferred to the September meeting.
c. Warrants
D. Smith/B. Kimball all in favor to
approve the warrant list.
d. Scheduling of Next Meeting(s)
September 15, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
12. Adjournment.
9:33 p.m.