January 11,1999
7:00 p.m.
The Board of Directors of the San Benito County Water District convened in Special Session. All members of the Board were present together with Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg, District Counsel David Pipal, Administrative Services Officer Janet L. Torres, and Engineer Gus Yates from Jones and Stokes.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
President Ken Perry called the meeting to order and requested all to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
1. Proof of Publication submitted on Notice of Public Hearing
The Administrative Services Officer distributed copies of the Proof of Publication.
2. Public Hearing regarding 1997-98 Groundwater Report
a. Presentation of report (Jones and Stokes)
District Manager John Gregg made a short introduction of the report and turned the presentation over to Gus Yates, Engineer from Jones and Stokes Engineering. Mr. Yates introduced himself and presented graphs and tables from the report to the Board and members of the audience. He mentioned a highlight of the year was the record rainfall in 1998. He stated he studied water patterns and trends.
Mr. Yates stated mapped out the matching parcel numbers where the water use was intense. He stated there was a question of where the water was moving. He added the average water use intensity in San Benito County was not all that high based on the state averages.
Mr. Yates stated the Groundwater budget showed the inflows, outflows and storage change. It showed the contours of net change in groundwater elevation from August 1913 to October 1997. He stated the Groundwater quality was done to make the Board and the public aware of the contamination sites. He stated Chevron service station, Ranch Milk on the corner of Santa Ana and San Felipe, the gas station in San Juan Bautista, Whittaker Ordinance site and the John Smith landfill are the locations of the five known groundwater contamination sites as summarized in the report.
Mr. Yates stated the report recommends water charges (using the present formulas), modification to San Benito River percolation, investigation of the shallow groundwater in San Juan Bautista and implementation of the actions and studies as recommended in the groundwater plan.
Director Gary Gonzales asked if the groundwater quality went back to 1913. Mr. Yates stated fortunately he was able to obtain groundwater quality figures from 1930s and 60s from last year’s report. He stated there were no groundwater quality reports prepared prior to the 1930s. Director Bob Swanson asked about the monitoring of the wells out of Zone 6; such as south of Tres Pinos and the Santa Ana valley area? Mr. Yates stated the report recommends that the district extend well monitoring to those zones. Director Rupert asked why 1,800 acres were using that much water. Mr. Yates stated the report didn’t show any particular patterns. Director Rupert stated with that amount of water, it should be investigated. Mr. Yates stated the District could do that by checking meters. Mr. Yates stated a model would be an excellent tool that would serve as a simulation tool. District Counsel Pipal stated that according to Table 10 on page 30 of the report, the water storage change last year. He asked if the historical overdraft in San Juan Bautista no longer exists. Mr. Yates stated the water levels now are 5,000 below where we had been in 1913. President Perry asked why the groundwater is springing up in the San Juan Bautista valley area and it has never done that before. Mr. Yates stated the water is coming back up. He stated most of problems are percolation. District Counsel Pipal stated you would have to go back to see where the river was at in 1913 to see where we are now in relationship to that. President Perry stated if you try to find water use patterns, you have a big job ahead. He stated the water is being moved and unless you have cooperation, district doesn’t have ability to do that. Director Rupert stated you could pick out the landowners that use the most and see what they are doing. District Manager Gregg stated staff will look at water use and how transfers are being reflected.
Max Bridges, Director of San Benito County Public Works, stated in the report, John Smith landfill is characterized where very little remedial work has been done. He stated the county and city have done extensive work to remedy that situation. He requested it be acknowledged in the report. Mr. Yates stated the order in which they were presented were random, and suggested maybe the report could indicate the degree of remediation. Mr. Bridges stated he would appreciate the consideration.
Director Swanson stated Zone 6 Groundwater report should take on bigger a scope in regards to Zone 6 if this is where the District is going in the future, whether it is monitoring or stream management. He asked Counsel Pipal what body of legislation or recommendation is this groundwater report. Counsel Pipal stated it comes from the District Act. Director Swanson asked why the report is limited to Zone 6. He suggested maybe the groundwater report should be district wide with an emphasis on Zone 6. President Perry asked how much information the Board wanted to include? Director Swanson stated the situation of dewatering in North County should be included. Mr. Yates stated there is some value in getting information from Gilroy in regards to the Pajaro River. District Manager Gregg suggested to include a list of all entities that have discharge permits. President Perry made a suggestion to have District Manager Gregg and Gus Yates come back to directors with the data. District Manager Gregg stated he could certainly do that. President Perry stated the final report should prioritize remediation of the contamination sites.
d. Close Public Hearing or continue to later date
President Perry closed the public hearing portion of the meeting.
3. Acceptance of 1997-98 Groundwater Report
District Counsel Pipal stated that according to the District Act nine elements need to be met in order to accept the groundwater report. He stated that it appears that each element is covered in the report and stated the Board can accept the report. Director Rupert asked how Max Bridges’ concern would be handled? District Manager Gregg stated the Board could accept report with the understanding that the recommendations will be done. He continued to state that a notation would be added that the board has accepted the report with revisions. Director Swanson asked District Counsel Pipal if it was his opinions that the report could be accepted before the rates are set? District Counsel Pipal stated the hearing to set the rates is in three days. He added that by accepting this report, you are not accepting the rates.
Upon motion duly made, seconded and carried the 1997-98 Groundwater Report was accepted with the recommended changes to the contamination sites listing.
The above motion includes the findings and recommendations.
5. Adjourn or Adjourn to later date
President Perry adjourned the meeting.
The vote of each member of the Board on the preceding matters was as follows, unless otherwise stated:
AYES: DIRECTOR: Swanson, Perry, Rupert, Gonzales, Tobias
NOES: DIRECTOR: None
ABSENT: DIRECTOR: None
The Board adjourned to a public hearing to be held on January 14, 1999 at 7:00 p.m., 30 Mansfield Road, Hollister, California.
_________________________________
Kenneth Perry
President
ATTEST: _____________________________
Janet L. Torres
Administrative Services Officer