7:30 p.m.
The Board of Directors of the San Benito County Water District convened in Special Session. Directors Ken Perry, John Tobias, James DeLaCruz and Douglas Keck were present together with District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg, District Counsel David Pipal, Deputy District Engineer Jeff Cattaneo and Administrative Services Officer Janet L. Miller.
a. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
President Keck called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
1. Proof of Publication submitted on Notice of Public Hearing
Administrative Services Officer Miller stated the Notice of Receipt of Engineering Report on Groundwater Conditions of Zone 6 and Public Hearing was published in the FreeLance on January 4, 2002.
2. Public Hearing regarding 2000-2001 Groundwater Report
a. Presentation of Report
District Manager Gregg introduced Gus Yates who then presented the Groundwater Report. He stated overdraft was not a concern in the basis. He reviewed his findings on the salt issue in the groundwater. He stated the report recommended evaporation and seepage monitoring and a salt level monitoring.
b. Questions by Directors
Director Tobias requested more background information on the Salt Table. Mr. Yates stated the information was requested by the Board last year. Director DeLaCruz asked if the Board could use the information in the Salt Table and Groundwater Report to encourage citizens to not use water softeners. District Manager Gregg stated the report identified some of the sources of salt, but this is preliminary information and more data needs to be gathered. It was recommended to add ‘Preliminary’ to the heading of the Salt Table.
c. Open Public Hearing
President Keck opened the Public Hearing portion of the meeting. District Manager Gregg stated he received two letters today, one from the City of Hollister and one from Sunnyslope County Water District. He stated he also received a telephone call from someone refusing to identify himself requesting information on the Groundwater Report.
d. Close Public Hearing or Continue to a Later Date
President Keck closed the Public Hearing hearing no further comment from the public.
3. Acceptance of 2000-2001 Groundwater Report
Upon a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried the 2000-2001 Groundwater Report was accepted with recommendations and modifications to Table 11, adding ‘Preliminary’ to the title and adding a footnote, ‘This Table represents an initial effort to inventory the major inputs and outputs of salt to and from the groundwater basis and estimate their approximate magnitudes and is an effort, which must be refined and improved to become an acceptable tool for basin management,’ and adopting the Findings in Support of Motion to Accept 2000-2001 Groundwater Report, as follows:
1. The Report contains information considered by the Board in Determining annual overdraft and accumulated overdraft as of 9/30/01.
2. The Report contains information as to the total production of water from the groundwater supplies of the District and the Zones thereof for Water Year ending 9/30/01.
3. The Report contains an estimate of the annual overdraft for the 2000-2001 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 2001-2002 Water Year.
5. The Report contains information as to the amount of water the District is obligated to purchase during the 2001-2002 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 2001-2002 Water Year.
7. The Report recommends that a groundwater charge should be levied in the Zones of the District for 2001-2002 and proposes a rate per acre foot for agricultural water and a rate per acre foot for water other than agricultural water.
The vote of the Board was as follows, unless otherwise stated:
AYES: DIRECTORS: Perry, Keck, Tobias, DeLaCruz
NOES: DIRECTORS: None
ABSENT: DIRECTORS: Swanson
The Board adjourned to a Regular Meeting to be held on January 30, 2002 at 7:30 p.m., 30 Mansfield Road, Hollister, California.
Minutes were approved at the January 30, 2002 Regular Board Meeting by the presiding Board Member:
___________________________
Douglas Keck
President of the Board
ATTEST: _______________________________
Janet L. Miller
Administrative Services Officer