1.
Call to Order.
7:31 p.m.
2.
Roll.
Directors
Amoroso, Comstock, Godino, Siedman and Smith present; director Siedman presiding.
3. Manager’s Report.
-- Update
on the Terrace Avenue Bluff Stabilization Project.
Staff referred the Board to a draft form of letter
agreement between the County of Marin and the Bolinas Community Center, fiscal
sponsor for the Terrace Avenue Bluff Stabilization Project. The
fundraising committee reviewed the letter and prepared comments to clarify that
the maximum amount of funds to be contributed from the Bolinas community is
$450,000. The committee also has asked
for clarification by the County as to whether Supervisor Kinsey has committed
an additional $50,000 in County funds to the project construction, or whether
the in-kind work being done by the County represents $50,000 in value and no
additional funds will be contributed. At
this point in time, the County engineers plan to present the project for Board
of Supervisor approval on September 22, 2015, with construction anticipated to
begin in mid-October.
--
Update on the Wharf Road Lift Station Pump Replacement Project.
Staff reported that the district’s order
for the replacement pumps is in progress.
Per director Smith’s recommendation at the last meeting, staff confirmed
the dimensions of the pump room. Staff
also had a conference call with Vogelsang engineers to confirm that the
engineer’s installation drawings are correct and would work with the Vogelsang
pumps. Staff requested specific
specifications from Vogelsang for the pumps and forwarded them to West Yost for
evaluation. West Yost recommended
certain epoxy specifications, as well as stainless steel bases and anchor
bolts; after conferring with Vogelsang, however, staff recommends against the
stainless steel as too expensive and unnecessary for the application. As for the epoxy specifications, West Yost is
satisfied, but recommends that after installation of the new pumps is complete,
“all new pipe, fittings, valves
etc. be coated with an epoxy coating system once installation is complete. “ Either BCPUD staff will do this, or an
industrial painting company will be hired to do the work; as well, BCPUD staff
should be able to do most of the work to install the new pumps, with outside
assistance by a contractor with specialized equipment.
-- Update on the BCPUD Chlorine Disinfection
Byproduct Reduction Project.
Staff reported that the district is waiting
for lab results for certain tests performed on reservoir water run through the
coagulation pilot plant; if results are promising, tests will be run during the
rainy season on Arroyo Hondo water.
Staff reported that water consumption declined
in the Back Mesa as compared to same time last year (June/July/August). However, consumption was as high over the Labor
Day weekend as it was on the July 4th holiday. This is unusual, but likely due to the very
hot weather conditions rather than due to the amount of visitors in town. Creek levels dropped during the recent heat wave,
so the district ran one of the filters on reservoir water for several days, but
is back operating exclusively on water from the Arroyo Hondo Creek. Staff noted that Inverness PUD presently is
in a water emergency due to the drop in surface flows there.
The district experienced a few small leaks on
system recently. This morning the
staff implemented a repair on Dogwood
between Alder and Poplar where an improperly installed fitting connecting a service
line to the water main caused a small leak.
(Many thanks to resident Julie McClure for reporting this leak!) Staff also repaired leaks on Birch and Fern
in recent weeks.
Last month, staff traveled to the Bodega Bay
Public Utility District (“BBPUD”) to tour water and sewer facilities and meet
with the general manager and chief operator about issues of common
concern. The visit was very interesting
and informative. The BBPUD is similarly
situated to the BCPUD in that it is a coastal district, with a seasonal
population and many coastal visitors; however, the two districts are quite
different operationally. The BBPUD is supplied
by water wells, so the district does not have a treatment plant. Also, the BBPUD sewer system serves over
1,000 connections and requires a large treatment facility which produces
recycled water to irrigate the nearby golf course. The BBPUD general manager highly recommends
that the BCPUD join the California Special Districts Assocation; it serves
small districts and is a tremendous source of information, so staff intends to
investigate possible membership for the BCPUD.
The Board reviewed correspondence sent and
received since the last regular Board meeting, including a notification from
the State Water Resources Control Board (“SWRCB”) about a bill recently passed
by the state Senate authorizing the SWRCB to order the mandatory consolidation of
water systems (or extensions of service authority) in cases where water systems
consistently fail to provide safe drinking water. The Board also reviewed a request from the
San Rafael Fire Department to hold “Toxic Away Day” at the Mesa Park parking
lot on October 31, 2015; the request has
been conveyed to Mesa Park for approval.
Finally, Coastal Clean-Up day is this Saturday, September 19th and activities will be held at three
locations in Bolinas: Agate Beach, Kent Island, and Duxbury Reef below RCA.
Staff directed the Board’s attention to a
letter recently delivered to Steve Hodge concerning encroachments in the Alder
and Cedar rights-of-way. Staff requested
Board guidance on implementation of the policy the Board established back in
2007 directing staff to send out specific forms of letters to residents
concerning encroachments in the public rights-of-way. Staff said this is always a very difficult
process to execute and requested that the Board reconsider the existing policy
and whether it needs to be revised or updated in any way. Staff noted that the Board policy established at
the August 15, 2007 regular Board meeting directed staff to send out certain
forms of letters to residents encroaching into or obstructing the public
rights-of-way on the Mesa after consultation with the Bolinas Fire Protection
District, depending on the type and extent of encroachment/obstruction. Staff suggested that an education and
outreach campaign may be necessary as many residents do not seem to be aware of
the public health and safety threats posed by significant encroachments
into/obstructions of the public rights-of-way.
Director Smith said that such a campaign
makes sense to him and he supports the current Board policy. He noted that the public rights-of-way are
either 40 or 60-feet wide and were established this way per the subdivision map
for the Mesa to provide adequate room for two-way traffic, parked vehicles,
utility infrastructure, and the like. He
said while the entirety of the public right-of-way may not need to be
unobstructed and/or without encroachments,
it is important for the BCPUD and the BFPD to have sufficient space to
operate and that the current fire season demonstrates how important ingress and
egress is to the safety of the community.
Discussion ensued with Board members agreeing that a policy with regard
to enforcement of Ordiance 30 such as the Board established in 2007 is
reasonable and necessary to preserve the use of the public rights-of-way for
their intended purposes. Director
Comstock said the BCPUD is not trying to be overly bureaucratic, but it is necessary
from time to time for the district to make difficult enforcement decisions.
Steve Hodge read a statement to the Board in
which he took issue with staff enforcement of Ordiance 30 with regard to trees
and shrubs that he planted in the Alder and Cedar rights-of-way adjacent to his
property at 305 Cedar Road, as well as a fence currently existing approximately
10-15 feet into the Alder right-of-way.
Steve said he feels he was singled out and that the BCPUD does not
consistently apply Ordinance 30. He
requested reimbursement of his cost to remove two tree trunks left in the
right-of-way after BCPUD had them trimmed (BCPUD staff supported the request as
the BCPUD should have completed this tree job) as well as reimbursement of his
cost to relocate the trees and shrubs from the Alder and Cedar
rights-of-way. Director Siedman asked
Steve to provide a copy of his statement to the BCPUD staff and, after a brief
discussion, the matter was referred to the Mesa Septic, Flood Control and Roads
committee for review and recommended action.
Staff was directed to include an item on the October 21, 2015 meeting to
discuss Ordinance 30 and the BCPUD’s response to Steve Hodge’s statement.
On the wastewater side of operations, staff
reported that flows continue to be low and spray season is effectively
concluded. Staff has performed some mowing
and other vegetation management is taking place now to prepare for the rainy
season. Staff noted that later on the
agenda is an item for the Board to consider an engineering proposal for a “master plan” of possible improvements to the wastewater
treatment process.
--
Drainage Project Manager’s Report.
The Board received a drainage report from
Lewie Likover.
4.
Community Expression.
Bill Lyons asked why the
BCPUD doesn’t adopt a uniform fire road standard for safe roads and put that
standard in place for the Mesa. He said
the “whole Mesa is a mess and grossly substandard” and he challenged the BCPUD
to form a roads assessment district and go out and improve the roads. Director Amoroso said a proposed new district
would have to be approved by two-thirds voters and he questioned whether voters
would do so. Director Siedman suggested
that perhaps the BCPUD should put an advisory measure on the ballot and see how
the town responds.
5.
Request to Remove Hazardous Trees and Overhanging
Limbs from Within and Above the 500 Block of the Dogwood Right-of-Way near Mesa
Road (P. Buchanan).
Phil
Buchanan thanked the Board for including this item on the agenda. He referred to photos and other information
provided to the Board depicting the swath of trees in Dogwood right-of-way near
Mesa Road. These trees completely
overhang the road and extend over to private property on the opposite side of
the right-of-way. At his request, BCPUD
staff met with the nearby neighbors to discuss a scope of work and held a site
meeting for interested contractors to submit bids for the work. Phil said that the proposed scope of work
will go a tremendous way toward making road travel safe for vehicles and
pedestrians on Dogwood. Phil noted that
numerous limb failures have occurred already and he contracted for work to remove
part of one tree that he felt most threatened his property. He said that the BCPUD staff put together a clear
scope of work for the project and received bids for a reasonable price which he
hopes is within reach of the BCPUD to do, with contributions from
neighbors. Phil said he is in contact
with the neighbors to try and determine what a reasonable neighborhood
contribution would be. The low bid for
the work is $13,900. Thus far, Phil has $2,300
firmly committed from the neighbors and is hoping to raise $3000. One of the nearby residents who is a
biologist has written a letter pro bono to confirm that there will be no effect
on special species plants or wildlife as a result of this project, which
represents additional neighborhood contribution to the work. He inquired whether the Board would be
willing to approve proceeding with the hazardous tree removal, contingent on a
neighborhood contribution of $3,000.
Discussion
ensued among the Board members about the scope of the project. Phil said he neglected to mention that he
submitted an arborist report, for which he paid $600, which establishes that
the trees to be removed are in very bad shape and should be removed, and others
should be trimmed significantly to eliminate hazards to people and property. Director Amoroso inquired whether any of the
largest trees would be removed and Phil clarified that only the overhanging
limbs of those trees are slated for trimming.
Director Amoroso then asked whether hazards would still remain even if
the BCPUD does this project; Phil said
that there are trees on private property that should be addressed, as well, but
that is the responsibility of the private property owners. Director Comstock said that where
neighborhoods proceed as Phil’s neighborhood has done, by identifying hazards, obtaining
an arborist report, performing an environmental analysis, and contributing
private funds toward a project to mitigate the hazards, it is reasonable and
consistent with BCPUD policy about encroachments in the public right-of-way to
help. Director Amoroso concurred and
noted that this project demonstrates the perils of failing to act when trees
first are planted in the rights-of-way and he moved that the district approve
the project. Director Smith seconded the
motion and said that he thinks a minimum 25% contribution from a neighborhood
toward project implementation is appropriate.
Director Amoroso noted that the neighborhood will contribute $3000, plus
the cost of the arborist report ($600) plus the biologist report
(in-kind); Phil Buchanan added that he’s
also previously spent $1,200 to remove overhanging limbs from the Dogwood
right-of-way.
V. Amoroso/D. Smith all in favor to approve a project to remove certain
hazardous trees and overhanging limbs from the 500 block of the Dogwood
right-of-way at a cost of $13,900, subject to the neighborhood contributing
$3000 of that cost.
6.
Second Request to Remove Dead Pine Tree in 400 Block
of Hawthorne Right-of-Way, between Larch and Poplar Roads. (C. Duchamp)
Carol
DuChamp requested that the BCPUD remove a dead pine tree in the 400 block of
the Hawthorne right-of-way per a submitted bid of $1200 for the work. Director Siedman noted that this section of
the Hawthorne right-of-way is a “paper” road only and not open to vehicle
traffic. Carol agreed but said the tree
could fall and damage her fence and/or her studio; she also said the neighbors
use the right-of-way as a walking path.
Carol said that she will contribute $200 toward the work and a neighbor
will contribute $100 for a total of $300 contributed by neighbors; as such, she
requested the BCPUD contribute $900.
Discussion ensued among the Board members. Director Comstock agreed the
tree is dead, but noted that the right-of-way is not open to traffic and poses
little safety hazard to the public; however, since the cost is modest and the
neighbors will contribute 25% of the cost, he does not object to BCPUD
participating in the project. The Board
asked staff to inquire with the company submitting the low bid on the Dogwood
project whether it can do the work for less than $1200. Director Comstock suggested the Board approve
the tree removal at a maximum cost of $1200, with neighbors contributing
$300. Director Smith agreed but said he
did so mainly because of the relatively minimal cost; he noted that the project
otherwise is a very low priority (given paper road and no BCPUD water lines in
the right-of-way) and should not be construed as setting precedent.
D. Smith/L. Comstock all in favor to approve the removal of a dead Pine
Tree in the 400 block of the Hawthorne right-of-way subject to a maximum
contribution from the BCPUD of $900.
7.
Request for Letter of Support from the BCPUD
for a Proposal to Install a Childrens’ Play Structure in the County of Marin’s
Park near the Tennis Courts on Brighton Avenue.
(C. Gussis).
Chrysanthe Gussis appeared on behalf of a
group of downtown families who are in discussions with the County about installing
a park structure on County land near the tennis courts on Brighton Avenue. Chrysanthe said the County is supportive of
the idea, but would like to receive a letter of support from the community
before taking the next step of engaging with the local group about a structure design,
etc. The County is willing to contribute
funds and maintain the structure once installed; local families will seek foundation
support as well as private donations to pay for the structure. Chrysanthe said the group has spoken with Mesa
Park representatives who support the concept as Mesa Park has received “flack”
for not including a play structure in the downtown park on Wharf Road. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed to
send in a letter of support for the concept.
G. Godino/L. Comstock all in favor to
send a letter of support from the BCPUD to Supervisor Kinsey for a proposal to
install a play structure in the County of Marin park near the tennis courts and
stating that the BCPUD looks forward to reviewing a design and to soliciting
public input.
8.
Marin Local Agency Formation Commission: Countywide
Water Service Study (Municipal Service Review – Draft Report, August 2015).
Staff and directors Godino and Smith attended
the September 10, 2015 meeting of the Marin LAFCO, where commissioners formally
authorized the beginning of a 60-day public review period for the draft Countywide Water Service Study. The Marin LAFCO report is very comprehensive
and much of it is accurate and not objectionable. However, BCPUD staff continues to take issue
with certain key points specific to Bolinas, including an alleged
“intensification of water use”, which is not supported by the facts. The study also recommends that BCPUD expand
its water treatment plant to meet alleged current and future “peak day demand”,
but that recommendation is based on a misunderstanding of peak day demand and
BCPUD’s treated water storage capacity. Staff
explained the BCPUD’s concerns to the Marin LAFCO commissioners during the
Septmber 10th meeting and will prepare comprehensive written
comments for Board approval at the October 21st regular Board
meeting; the BCPUD’s comments are due by
November 14, 2015.
9.
Amendment to Franchise Agreement for Solid
Waste, Recycling and Green Waste Services (BCPUD and Redwood Empire Disposal,
Inc.); Proposition 218 Notice re: Public
Hearing on Rate Increase Proposal.
L. Comstock/D. Smith all in favor to
proceed with a Proposition 218 notification to customers regarding a public
hearing to be held on November 18, 2015 about a proposed rate increase within
the BCPUD jurisdiction for solid waste disposal services.
10. Association
of California Water Agencies (“ACWA”) Region 1 Board Election for the 2016-2017
Term.
No action taken.
11. Water
Supply Update.
Director Smith said that, as expected, the downslope
on the graphs presented in red in the Board materials correlates with the pump
draw on the well and he noted that the draws have declined now that the
ballfields at Mesa Park have been established.
Director Smith observed that during the latter part of 2014 the well was
pumped hard to supply water to germinate the grass seed and establish the
fields when they were first planted/rehabilitated. However, the water level in the well “popped
right back up” afterward, leading to concern that this replenishment may have
come from groundwater under Wharf Road, potentially with accompanying movement
of a seawater plume towards the well, since it is too early in rainy season for
the aquifer to have been recharged by rainfall.
12. Volunteer
Committee Reports.
--
Bolinas Lagoon Advisory Committee: Nothing to report.
--
Downtown Parking & Traffic Committee: Director Siedman said he
appeared on KWMR recently to discuss the downtown parking and traffic issues in
Bolinas.
--
Resource Recovery: Staff reported that she has been in
discussions recently with various County representatives about site management
issues at the RRP site and will have a more complete report for the Board at
the October meeting.
--
West Marin Mosquito Control Coordinating Council: Director
Godino reported that the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District
recently issued a new legal opinion about the legality of its non-toxic
agreement with West Marin which concludes the agreement constitutes an illegal
delegation of police power. The opinion
states that it may be possible to restructure the agreement to cure this
illegal delegation and that District will need to evaluate assessments within
its boundaries to ensure a proportionate benefit of services. Alternatively, it seems the District could
adopt district-wide regulations or split the jurisdiction into zones. Liza Goldblatt is planning to request that BCPUD
formally request how income/services are allocated by the District within West
Marin and resume a leadership role in negotiations with the District to extend
the non-toxic protocol agreement.
Overall, director Godino reported that there has been very little direct
communication between the Council and the District since the meeting in Bolinas
last January; she speculated that there may be a communication/personality
problem. After a brief discussion, the
Board concurred that director Godino should attend the upcoming Council meeting
and convey that the BCPUD is willing to resume a leadership role to ensure that
only products approved for use near organic farms (i.e., non-toxic products)
are used for mosquito and vector control in West Marin.
--
Land Stewardship Committee: Appointment
of Meg Simonds. Director Siedman
reported that the committee continues to work on its report to the Board.
V. Amoroso/G. Godino all in favor to
appoint Meg Simonds to the Land Stewardship Committee.
13. Other
Business.
a. Board Committee Reports.
-- Finance:
The Finance Committee will schedule a
meeting in late October or early November to start work on preparations for the
next fiscal year budget.
-- Legal: Nothing to report.
-- Mesa Septic, Flood Control and Roads: Nothing
to report.
-- Operations: Nothing
to report.
-- Park and Recreation: Director Amoroso reported that he attended the
most recent Mesa Park board meeting.
-- Personnel: --
Personnel: Employment of Full-Time Shift Operator.
Director Siedman reported
that the Personnel Committee and staff conducted interviews of the top five
candidates (out of 32 applications submitted) and, based on qualifications and
field experience, a job offer was extended to Cody Repnak, subject to Board
approval.
D.
Smith/L. Comstock all in favor to approve a job offer to Cody Repnak
for a shift operator position with the district.
Director Siedman reported that the Committee and staff
also will recommend approval by the Board of a full-time utility worker
position for the district. In past few
months, with a part-time temporary laborer on staff, the district has accomplished
a considerable amount of work and such a position would enable staff installation
of some of the pipeline distribution projects identified in the capital
improvement plan. Staff will present a formal
proposal with a job description and budgetary impact for Board consideration at
an upcoming meeting.
-- Sewer:
Proposal for Engineering Services
from Allied Engineers, Inc. and Oswald Green Technologies, Inc. After a brief review of the proposal for
improvements to the district’s wastewater treatment and disposal system, the
Board asked staff to obtain more information about Allied Engineers and its
qualifications. Director Smith noted
that the proposal includes a considerable amount of work for $9,000 and Bailey
Green of Oswald Green Technologies is one of the original designers of the
sewer ponds; Director Smith said he has
complete confidence in Bailey Green’s expertise, so he is inclined to move
forward as soon as qualifications for Allied Engineers can be confirmed. Director Comstock concurred and said he is
very glad the district will be moving forward with this project. Directors Godino and Siedman suggested that
the Board approve accepting the proposal, conditioned upon the receipt of
satisfactory qualifications from Allied Engineers.
G. Godino/D. Smith all in favor to approve the proposal for engineering services from Allied
Engineers, Inc and Oswald Green Technologies, Inc. conditioned upon the receipt
of satisfactory qualifications from Allied Engineers.
b. Minutes
of the August 19, 2015 regular meeting; Minutes of the July 22, 2015 special
meeting.
Directors Amoroso and Smith offered
corrections to the mintues of the August 19, 2015 regular Board meeting.
L. Comstock/D. Smith all in favor to
approve the minutes of the August 19, 2015 regular Board meeting, as corrected.
D. Smith/L. Comstock all in favor to
approve the minutes of the July 22, 2015 special Board meeting.
c. Warrants.
L. Comstock/D. Smith all
in favor to approve the warrant
list.
d. Scheduling of Next Meeting(s):
October 21, 2015 at 7:30
p.m.
15. Adjournment.
10:17
p.m.