January 10, 2000

7:30 p.m.

          The Board of Directors of the San Benito County Water District convened in Special Session. Directors Wm. Rupert, Bob Swanson, Ken Perry, Gary Gonzales and John Tobias were present together with District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg, District Counsel David Pipal and Administrative Services Officer Janet L. Torres.

  1. Proof of Publication submitted on Notice of Public Hearing

Administrative Services Officer Janet L. Torres reported that the Notice of Public Hearing was published on December 23, 1999 in the FreeLance Newspaper.

  1. Public Hearing regarding 1998-99 Groundwater Report

a.       Presentation of Report (Jones and Stokes)

District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg introduced Gus Yates and Harlan Glines from Jones and Stokes. Gus Yates presented the 1998-99 Groundwater Report and briefly described the contents of the report. He reviewed the annual water use, which was decreased in 1998 due to the amount of rainfall; and the suggested recommendations.

    1. Questions by Directors

President Tobias asked if the Directors had any questions. Wm. Rupert stated he would like clarification of the mentioned 1,800 acre feet of unaccounted water. He stated this figure would be unfavorable when the Bureau determines the District’s allocation.

Bob Swanson stated the evaporation and seepage portion of the report should be broken down to show a more accurate picture.

Ken Perry stated San Juan Valley is paying for Zone 3 water and is not getting the quality water. He stated it was a better benefit to San Juan Valley to percolate a higher quality water and not the water from the treatment plants.

Gary Gonzales stated the solution to all the problems with the groundwater is a Water Treatment Plant.

John Tobias stated the recommendations in the Groundwater Report was a bandaid approach to the problems.

    1. Open Public Hearing

President Tobias opened the Public Hearing. District Manager/Engineer John Gregg stated he had received a letter from the City of Hollister regarding their comments on the 1998-99 Groundwater Report.

Ken Henneman stated Orange County had a successful water treatment plant and briefly explained its operation.

    1. Closed Public Hearing or continue to a later date

President Tobias closed the Public Hearing.

  1. Acceptance of 1998-99 Groundwater Report
  2. Consider Adoption of Statement of Findings and Recommendations

Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the 1998-99 Groundwater Report was adopted, including the discussion of the Directors and including Findings as follows:

          The Motion accepts the Annual Groundwater Report for the 1998-1999 Water Year prepared by Jones & Stokes for the San Benito County Water District shall include findings made by the Board in support of such acceptance as set forth in Water Code Appendix §70-7.6. The findings are as follows:

    1. The report contains information considered by the Board in determining annual overdraft and accumulated overdraft as of September 30, 1999.
    2. The report contains information as to the total production of water from the groundwater supplies of the District and the zones thereof for the Water Year ending September 30, 1999.
    3. The report contains an estimate of the annual overdraft for the 1998-1999 Water Year and for the ensuing water year.
    4. The report contains information to determine the estimated amount of agricultural water and water other than agricultural water to be withdrawn from the groundwater supplies of the District and the zones thereof for the 1999-2000 Water Year.
    5. The report contains information as to the amount of water the District is obligated to purchase during the 1999-2000 Water Year.
    6. The report recommends the quantity of water needed for surface delivery and for replenishment of groundwater supplies of the District and the zones thereof for the 1999-2000 Water Year.

The report recommends that a groundwater charge should be levied in the zones of the District for 2000-2001 and proposes a rate per acre foot for agricultural water and a rate per acre foot for water other than agricultural water.

5.      Adjourn or Adjourn to later date

President Tobias adjourned the meeting.

The vote of the Board was as follows, unless otherwise stated:

AYES:          DIRECTORS:        Tobias, Gonzales, Perry, Swanson, Rupert

NOES:         DIRECTORS:        None

ABSENT:     DIRECTORS:        None

The Board adjourned to a Regular Meeting to be held on January 26, 2000 at 7:30 p.m., 30 Mansfield Road, Hollister, California.

 

 

______/s/John Tobias_____

John Tobias

President of the Board

ATTEST:      __/s/Janet L. Torres___________

                   Janet L. Torres

                   Administrative Services Officer