Bolinas Community Public Utility District
A Regular Meeting Of The Board
Of Directors
November 16, 2011 270 Elm Road, Bolinas
MINUTES
1. Call to Order.
7:32 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 – SAGE Proposal
for Additional Geotechnical Engineering Consulting Services
At staff’s request, SAGE has submitted a proposal for the next set of tasks
necessary in the geotechnical evaluation process to design both the in-kind
repair of the road-level retaining walls and the full-height bluff stabilization
project. The total cost is estimated to be $46,950 and consists of
three subsurface test borings – one at road level and two at beach level
– followed by lab testing and evaluation of the resulting materials and preparation
of a geotechnical report. After a brief discussion the Board received
the proposal but declined to take any action until the current scope of work
with SAGE is complete and until the County indicates what level of participation
it will have in this effort going forward.
-- Update on Terrace Avenue Water Main Relocation Project
Staff reported that the project loan documents have been formally amended
to extend the deadline for completion of the project to December 31, 2012.
Staff plans to put the project out to bid early next year for installation
following the rainy season.
-- Update on the Wharf Road Service Saddle Replacement
Project
Staff presented a proposal from the district’s outside consulting engineers,
Brelje & Race, to prepare plans and technical specifications for this
project at a not to exceed cost of $7,000. Staff reminded the Board
that this project is necessitated at this time by the County’s plans to pave
Wharf Road during the summer of 2012 after which time there will be a five-year
moratorium on non-emergency work in this right-of-way. Staff recommended
that the district authorize Brelje & Race to proceed with the plans and
technical specifications and there was no objection from the Board.
-- Approve Legal Review of Water Meter Suspension Resolution
Staff stated that directors Amoroso and Smith plan to meet to discuss director
Smith’s proposed water meter suspension resolution prior to the December
meeting and inquired whether it made sense for the Board to authorize legal
review of the resolution prior to the next meeting so that the Board would
be prepared to take action. After a brief discussion, the Board directed
staff to defer any legal review until after the Board reviews the resolution
as revised by directors Amoroso and Smith.
-- Update on the Bolinas Fire Fuel Reduction Project (BCPUD Sewer Pond Property)
Staff reported that the fire fuel reduction project continues to go well
and is nearing completion within the next few weeks. The Board reviewed
a letter of thanks from the BCPUD to the Bolinas Fire Protection District
(“BFPD”) for its contribution of $5,000 toward the project. Finally,
staff reported that the hoped-for work by PG&E to reduce the tree canopy
over Mesa Road has been deferred until specific details can be worked out
relating to the length of time needed to do the work (which per PG&E’s
contractor is 10-12 days and not 5 as PG&E originally estimated) and
the need for the power to be shut off during portions of the project.
-- Update on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Pump Station and Electrical Upgrade
Project
Nothing new to report.
On the water side of operations, staff reported that consumption is at historically
low levels for the mid-Mesa, with levels lower even than those experienced
during the mandatory rationing in 2009. Staff also reported that all
customers who received a termination of service of notice last month for
failure to pay their water bills have now submitted payment and are current
on their accounts.
As for operations, staff noted that a very impressive amount of work has
been accomplished in the field during the past month as a result of the district’s
temporary hire of an equipment operator. Specifically, the district
has: (1) installed a new culvert under Rosewood at Elm; (2) repaired
the concrete spillway at seepage pond #2; (3) ground stumps along the bike
path, improved the bike path near the sewer lab building and improved the
drainage along Mesa Road; (4) finished work to abandon an old water line
on Ocean Parkway across from Agate Beach; (5) graded the district’s property
around its water storage tanks on Mesa Road and installed drainage improvements;
(6) repaired the Arroyo Hondo access road; (7) graded the parking lot in
front of the district’s office building; and (8) completed the disconnection
of the district’s former storage tank site from the main under Mesa Road.
Staff reported that spray season in the district’s disposal fields closed
as of November 15, 2011 and noted that later on the agenda staff will request
Board approval of a proposed letter to the Regional Water Quality Control
Board (“RWQCB”) in response to the RWQCB’s recent sewer collection system
inspection.
Staff noted that the district’s outside auditors submitted a draft set of
financial statements to the district two weeks ago. Staff has prepared
a Management & Discussion Analysis to accompany the financial statements
and a conference call has been scheduled for this upcoming Friday with the
district’s bookkeeper and auditor to review the draft financial statements.
The district’s audited financial statements should be finalized for acceptance
by the Board at the December regular meeting.
The Board reviewed correspondence sent and received since the last regular
meeting of the Board, including a letter from the BFPD regarding repair work
needed to the fuel tank shared by the district, the BFPD, the Bolinas-Stinson
Union School District and the Stinson Beach County Water District – all four
agencies will share equally in the cost of the repair, which is estimated
to be $18,565; and a letter from ACWA/JPIA regarding the district’s recent
traffic control and flagger safety training.
-- Drainage Project Manager’s Report.
The Board received a written report from Drainage Project
Manager Lewie Likover.
Director Siedman reported that he received a request from part-time Bolinas
resident Joan Finnegan for the BCPUD to pass a resolution concurring in her
nomination to the Association of California Water Agencies’ (“ACWA”) Health
Benefits Authority Board of Directors; he proposed to add this request
as an urgent item to the agenda (item 13b) as it was not submitted in time
to be included on the regular agenda.
B. Kimball/V. Amoroso all in favor
to add item 13b to the agenda to consider a request from
Joan Finnegan for the district to pass a resolution concurring in her nomination
to the ACWA Health Benefits Authority Board of Directors.
4. Community Expression.
Matt Lewis said that at the September Lion’s Club meeting the club approved
an award to Bobbi and David Kimball for their wonderful volunteer effort
to install and maintain the planted median strip along the Olema-Bolinas
Road bike path. Director Kimball thanked Matt and noted that over 200
community volunteers and donors have contributed to the project.
5. Request for Financial Relief from Quarterly Water Bill
pursuant to BCPUD Resolution 553 – 1 Brighton Avenue (Calvary Presbyterian
Church of Bolinas).
Director Siedman said that the Board has received a letter dated November
8, 2011 from the treasurer of the Calvary Presbyterian church, Sharon Glasson,
requesting financial relief from a large water bill. Sharon Glasson
was present and explained that the church discovered a leak at the property
in May which was promptly repaired, but noted that usage surged in the July
– September quarter to 4,900 cubic feet for unknown reasons and the resulting
bill is $207.00. The water usage at the property since September 30th
has returned back to normal levels of 373 cubic feet. Discussion ensued
about what could have caused this water loss; director Kimball opined
that the district’s staff should investigate before the Board takes any action.
Staff was directed to periodically read the meter and attempt to isolate
the cause of the water loss; the item was deferred to the December agenda.
6. Expanded Water Use Permit Application, 415 Yucca Road,
Bolinas (unconditioned addition to existing dwelling) (Magid).
Noting that no one was present to speak on behalf of the applicant, director
Siedman deferred consideration of this item.
7. Coastal Permit and Development Plan Amendment, 330 Horseshoe
Hill Road, Bolinas, APN# 188-140-69 (Parcel A) and 188-140-70 (Parcel B)
and 188-140-21 (change in project): to legalize portions of an underground
utility line trench excavation and conduit installation completed without
a permit, new trenching and underground conduit installation, and installation
of a new utility pole within the Horseshoe Hill Road right-of-way (Rappaport
and Rosenman)
No public comment was submitted on this item and staff was directed to advise
the County as such.
8. Request to Plant Oak Seedlings at the BCPUD Sewer Pond
Property adjacent to Mesa Road (J. Foreman, Quality of Life Foundation)
Jedda Foreman from the Quality of Life Foundation was present to speak on
behalf of this request. She explained that acorns from coastal live
oak trees were collected last year from a state park and she has coordinated
with middle school teacher Don Jolley and his seventh grade class to plant
the seedlings. She requested permission to plant them on the BCPUD
sewer pond property adjacent to Mesa Road, where the row of pine trees was
removed several years ago. Director Kimball recommended that Ms. Foreman
walk the property with district staff to identify the best location and ensure
no implications for the facility operations. Matt Lewis cautioned that
maintenance of the perimeter ditch should be ensured and director Smith said
that the eventual horse path parallel to the ditch also needs to be considered
(i.e., the path onto which horses will be diverted to reduce further damage
to the existing bike and pedestrian pathway). Director Amoroso said
that approval of the request should be contingent upon review and approval
of the specific location by district staff and director Smith.
V. Amoroso/B. Kimball all in favor
to approve the request to plant coastal live oak seedlings on BCPUD property,
subject to review and approval of the specific location by district staff
and director Smith.
9. Request to Sell and Transfer Sewer Service Connection
(E. Pohlman).
Ed Pohlman explained that he purchased a water service and a sewer service
from Mesa Park and subsequently transferred the water service to his property
on the Big Mesa. He knows he cannot transfer the sewer service to this
property as the property is not within the sewer district – however, he has
been paying the annual sewer service charge and wants to know whether he
can sell the sewer service to someone within the sewer district. If
not, he likely will abandon the service.
Director Amoroso said that he does not recall this specific question ever
arising before and director Siedman commented that Ed correctly has noted
that a sewer service cannot be transferred outside of the sewer district.
Discussion ensued among the Board members concerning whether the sewer service
can be sold and transferred, as a water service can be sold and transferred,
with the Board members expressing support for the proposition. At the
conclusion of the discussion, Director Siedman noted that it is the consensus
of the Board that this sewer service can be sold and transferred as long
as the property to which it will be transferred is located within the sewer
district and has water service.
10. Request to Discuss Recent Poplar Drainage Improvement
Project (M. Lewis).
Matt Lewis said that a few months ago he noted that culverts were going to
be installed on Poplar Road and was advised by BCPUD staff that a drainage
improvement project for the area was approved by the Board at the June 2009
meeting. Matt said that the project was more extensive than approved
by the Board (in particular, he said that the Board did not approve ditching
between the culverts) and he said that the culverts are not in conformity
with the Todd Plan; he asked why the project was done. Matt said that
he also asked for a copy of the application and permit for the work but has
not received a response. Matt acknowledged that Lewie Likover explained
to him that the project was done in connection with private projects implemented
at the same time by adjacent property owners.
Lewie Likover responded that the project was approved by the Board at the
June 2009 regular Board meeting at which Matt was present. He said
the district installed culverts as approved by the Board and reestablished
ditches between them – he said he never envisioned installing culverts without
connecting them via ditches. He affirmed that several property owners
also did ditching and/or culvert work adjacent to their own properties at
the same time. In response to questions from the Board members, Lewie
stated that all of the work was generally in conformity with the Todd Plan,
except as specifically discussed and approved during the June 2009 meeting.
Lewie said that the Todd Plan is out-of-date in several respects now (it
is more than 25 years old) and the elevations are no longer accurate in many
locations, so exceptions need to be made in the field. All of the neighbors
were consulted; the project was delayed in implementation while the district
worked through the Prop. 84 process and staff revived the project after the
district pulled out of the Prop. 84 process.
Matt said that the Todd Plan is the master drainage plan for the Mesa and
it is an engineered plan that should be followed. He said that if exceptions
are allowed, the plan won’t work. Matt noted that when the district
does water or sewer projects, it hires consultants and engineers to do those
projects. He argued that if the district is going to approve a project
that is not in conformity with the Todd Plan, the project should be reviewed
by a civil engineer. Director Siedman said that drainage projects on
the Mesa generally do comply with the Todd Plan and the district is doing
the best it can with very limited resources to assist the community in improving
drainage. Director Kimball noted that the district had hoped to receive
significant grant funding to improve drainage on the Mesa via Prop. 84, but
unfortunately the conditions imposed as a condition of receipt of the grant
funds were so onerous that the district could not accept them. She
said that the Board’s Mesa, Septic, Flood Control and Roads Committee is
available to review drainage projects to ensure they are working.
Director Smith said that there are two relevant items of policy in place:
(1) the Todd Plan, which he said is not “sacred” but rather a starting point
-- when field measurements differ from the Plan, field measurements take
precedence; and (2) BCPUD does not issue itself permits for projects that
it undertakes after notice, discussion and approval at public Board meetings.
Permits are issued to private parties to ensure they are aware of certain
conditions of working in the public rights-of-way, such as notifying the
Underground Service Alert, and to ensure they are using proper materials,
etc., but the Board previously decided that the district need not issue itself
a permit as district staff have been instructed as a general matter to comply
with all permit conditions applicable to private parties and follow the scope
of work approved by the Board at the public meeting in any event. Director
Smith also said that if Matt is aware of any particular drainage project
that is not properly designed, he (director Smith) would like to evaluate
it.
Matt asked why this particular project was done when there are other areas
on the Mesa that need attention more than this area. Director Siedman
said the purpose of the project was to help drain the Mesa, which is an underlying
principle of the Todd Plan. Lewie Likover said that this particular
neighborhood is one of the flattest areas of the Mesa and very difficult
to drain. Matt said that he does not think this drainage project was
necessary.
11. Request from North Bay Corporation for Annual
Rate Adjustment of 3.7% Effective January 1, 2012.
Staff reported that the North Bay Corporation is requesting
an annual rate increase of 3.7%, broken down as follows: 2.48% based
on the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) (i.e., 85% of the actual annual CPI increase
of 2.92% as per the franchise agreement) plus 1.22%, which is the Bolinas
share of the JPA Zero-Waste fee. Director Amoroso inquired how the
company determined the Bolinas share of the JPA fee. Director Smith
said the requested increase seemed reasonable, as long as the company can
satisfactorily answer director Amoroso’s inquiry concerning the JPA fee.
D. Smith/K. Bender all in favor
to approve the requested annual rate increase, subject
to a satisfactory explanation from North Bay Corporation concerning the Bolinas
share of the JPA fee.
12. Authorize General Manager to Execute New Grant Contract with the
State of California’s Department of Parks and Recreation for the Mesa Park
Ballfield Irrigation and Public Restroom Project.
Staff reported that the district must execute a new contract with the state
Department of Parks and Recreation for the Mesa Park Ballfield Irrigation
and Public Restroom project in light of the state legislature’s decision
to extend the time for grantees to complete their projects from 2012 to 2015.
The deadline to submit the executed contract is December 1, 2011 and is a
condition of encumbering the grant funds – in other words, if the district
does not execute the new contract, it will not receive any grant funds.
K. Bender/D. Smith all in favor
to authorize the General Manager to execute the new grant contract with the
State of California’s Department of Parks and Recreation for the Mesa Park
Ballfield Irrigation Project.
13. Approve BCPUD Response to the Regional Water Quality Control Board’s
Collection System Inspection Report.
Staff presented the BCPUD’s response to the Regional Water Quality Control
Board (“RWQCB”)’s collection system inspection report; the response essentially
commits that the district will implement all of the RWQCB’s recommendations
on or before December 31, 2011. Staff noted that the Board will need
to approve a requirement for staff to acquire CWEA certification in collection
system maintenance and amend the district’s Sewer System Management Plan
at the December meeting in order to fully implement all of the RWQCB’s recommendations.
K. Bender/B. Kimball all in favor to
approve the BCPUD’s response to the RWQCB’s collection system inspection
report.
13a. Approving a Resolution to Concur in the Nomination of Joan Finnegan
to the Board of Directors of the Association of California Water Agencies’
Health Benefits Authority.
V. Amoroso/K. Bender all in favor
to pass a resolution in the form provided by the Association of California
Water Agencies’ Health Benefits Authority to concur in the nomination of
Joan Finnegan to the Board of Directors of the Association of California
Water Agencies’ Health Benefits Authority.
14. Volunteer Committee Reports
-- Alternative Energy: Nothing to report.
-- Bolinas Lagoon Technical Advisory Committee: Nothing to report.
-- Community Path Update: Director Kimball reported that approximately
100 additional plants have been purchased to further enhance the median strip
between the community path and Olema-Bolinas Road; she noted that Mostly
Natives Nursery has given the project significant discounts and donations.
Director Kimball also reported that Anny Owen has organized a “critical mass”
bike ride on Saturday to encourage kids and parents to ride their bikes and
use the path. Supervisor Steve Kinsey is planning to participate in
the event.
-- Downtown Parking & Traffic Committee: Nothing to report.
-- Resource Recovery: Nothing to report.
-- West Nile Virus Task Force/West Marin Mosquito Control Coordinating Council:
Director Kimball reported that the Council met on November 7, 2011 and there
is no West Nile Virus activity in Marin. The Task Force is no longer
formally meeting due to the lack of activity in Marin, but rather is “on
call” in the event it becomes necessary to meet in the future. The
Council is working with the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District
(“M&VCD”) to evaluate treatments performed in West Marin. Director
Kimball reported that the M&VCD has selected a new General Manager:
Phil Smith, the former Directors of the Environmental Health Services department
at the County of Marin.
15. Other Business
a. Board Committee Reports
-- Finance: FY 2011-2012 First Quarter Financial Report. The
Board received a balance sheet and profit and loss statement depicting the
current financial status of the district.
-- Legal: Nothing to report.
-- Mesa Septic, Flood Control and Roads: Nothing to report.
-- Operations: Nothing to report.
-- Park and Recreation: Matt Lewis said he recently was reading the
BCPUD minutes and asked if Mesa Park installed a well at the Resource Recovery
Center for its ballfield irrigation project. Director Siedman said
that Mesa Park did so in 2009 and, as has been discussed extensively since
then, is planning to use this groundwater for the irrigation project.
Director Siedman also reported that the bathrooms for the Downtown Park project
may be installed as soon as next month and that he has spoken with Supervisor
Kinsey about potentially cost-sharing on the cleaning of these bathrooms
and the County’s bathrooms at the tennis courts.
-- Personnel: Nothing to report.
-- Sewer: Nothing to report.
b. Minutes of the October 19, 2011 Regular Meeting
Directors Kimball and Amoroso offered corrections to the
draft minutes of the October 19, 2011 regular meeting.
B. Kimball/D. Smith all in favor
to approve the minutes of the October 19, 2011 regular meeting.
c. Warrants
D. Smith/B. Kimball all in favor to approve
the warrant list.
d. Scheduling of Next Meeting(s)
December 21, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.
16. Adjournment.
9:40 p.m.