January 29, 2003
7:30 p.m.
The Board of Directors of the San Benito County Water District convened in Regular Session. Directors Ken Perry, Bob Swanson, John Tobias, James DeLaCruz and Douglas Keck were present together with District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg, District Counsel David Pipal and Accountant Natalie Sullivan.
a. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
President Perry called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
b. Approval of Agenda
Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried the Agenda was approved as submitted.
c. Public Input: Members of the Public are Invited to Speak on any Matter not on the Agenda
President Perry opened and closed the Public Input section of the Meeting hearing no comment from the Public.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of Minutes for: December 18, 2002 – Regular Meeting
January 13, 2003 – Special Meeting
January 15, 2003 – Special Meeting
Allowance of Claims
Acceptance of Quarterly Investment Report for Period Ending December 31, 2002
Consider Grant Deed to the County of San Benito for 0.144 acres along County Hospital Road and Authorize President to Sign
Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the Consent Agenda was approved as presented.
REGULAR AGENDA:
5. Consider Resolution Amending the Water Users Handbook, Rules and Regulations for Delivering and Receiving San Felipe Distribution System Water and Regulations for the Allocation of San Felipe Water Within Zone 6
District Manager/Engineer Gregg reported on the necessity to amend the Water Users Handbook to include the Small Parcel Customers and to bring matters into current practices. Upon a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried Resolution No. 2003-03 was adopted.
6. Public Hearing Regarding 2003-2004 Water Year Rates and Charges
Proof of Publication was read by Natalie Sullivan.
a. Continued Public Hearing
District Manager/Engineer Gregg the matter was carried forward to address the change to language in the proposed Ordinance to deal with Small Parcel charges.
b. Close Public Hearing
President Perry closed the Public Hearing.
7. Consider Ordinance Establishing San Felipe Distribution System Water Charges for Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Water
Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, Ordinance No. 34 was adopted.
8. Consider Resolution Establishing a Policy for Inter-Subsystem Water Transfers for the 2003-2004 Contract Water Year
District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated this Resolution places limitations on certain that experience high groundwater, which remain unchanged from prior years.
Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, Resolution No. 2003-04 was adopted.
9. Consider Resolution Continuing District Policy Regarding Central Valley Project Water Transfers and Certain Related Matters
District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated this Resolution continues policy regarding providing temporary, as available water within Zone 6 not served by subsystems and within San Benito County, subject to certain groundwater conditions. He stated each request would come under review from the Expansion Committee.
Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, Resolution No. 2003-05 was adopted.
10. Report on Status of Agricultural Runoff Waivers in the Central Coast Region
District Manager/Engineer Gregg introduced Dawn Mathison representing the Coalition of Central Coast County Farm Bureaus working with the Regional Board on the issue of waivers. Ms. Mathison reported on the Staff Report on the Ag Waiver and the water quality regulations regarding waste discharge from the Regional Board.
11. Review Status of Hollister Area Water Treatment Plants
District Manager/Engineer Gregg reported that the Water Treatment Committee met with Sunnyslope County Water District’s Committee regarding water supply and water quality issues. He stated SCWD had suspended its project of another Lessalt Treatment Plant until they obtain more information with respect to the regional plan. He stated they were open to discussion of using their wells for blending. Director DeLaCruz asked why Sunnyslope County Water District is coming up with reasons for a second water treatment plant now and they didn’t come up with the reasons before? District Manager/Engineer Gregg reported he would contact SCWD’s Manager and report back at the next meeting.
12. Report on Hollister Wastewater Treatment Plants
District Manager/Engineer Gregg reported on levee stability, hydrology study and long-term wastewater program to name a few. He stated after a geotechnical review by the Division of Dam Safety, it was felt more substantial work needs to be done. He stated the City is reviewing the circumstances. Director Tobias would like to see the District focus on the long-term management plan.
13. Committee Reports:
a) Water Treatment Committee (Tobias/Keck) – Information on last meeting was covered earlier.
14. District Manager/Engineer’s Report:
a) Water Resources Association Activities – association has interest in the planning for wastewater reclamation in this region. Tom Richardson from RMC reported on this project.
b) 2003-2004 Water Supply – The Bureau of Reclamation has announced initial water supply outlook for Water Year 2003. For San Benito County Water District the Ag water supply would be 50-55% the M&I water supply 75-80%. Based on those percentages and other water supplies available to the District, from its water exchange and water banking activities and water storage in San Justo, it appears that a 100% allocation to our water customers is likely.
c) Annual Groundwater Report – The Annual Groundwater Report includes a number of significant recommendations. District staff will develop a work plan for implementing or addressing those recommendations and after presentation to the Groundwater Committee will report to the Board of Directors.
d) District Investment Policy Review – State statutes require that Public agencies review their Investment Policies annually. Any revisions are to be approved on or before the end of March of each year. The District’s Investment Committee will be reviewing the Investment Policy as will Staff and legal counsel.
e) Harmony Hills Water System – A Public Hearing will be scheduled for February 19th, 2003 to consider rates and charges and rules and regulations.
f) EPA Safe Drinking Water Act Regulations – The Safe Drinking Water Act has been amended to address certain issues with respect to irrigation systems. Previously the Act had addressed systems transporting water by open canal, the Act has been amended to include or to use the term constructed conveyances. This in turn includes pipelines and therefore applies to this District’s water system. At the Special Meeting on February 19th, legal counsel will discuss the application of the regulations to the San Felipe distribution system.
BOARD ORGANIZATION:
15. Consideration of Board Committees
The recommended Board Committees were approved with the changes to the Investment Committee (Tobias and Keck) and the Water Resources Association of San Benito County (DeLaCruz).
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
16. Conference with Legal Counsel
Pending Litigation [Government Code Section 54956.9(a)]
Case No. CV PT 228735
San Benito County Water District vs. City of Hollister
The Board reconvened in Open Session reporting no action was taken.
The vote of the Board was as follows, unless otherwise stated:
AYES: DIRECTORS: Perry, Keck, Tobias, DeLaCruz, Swanson
NOES: DIRECTORS: None
ABSENT: DIRECTORS: None
The Board adjourned to a Regular Meeting to be held on February 26, 2003 at 7:30 p.m., 30 Mansfield Road, Hollister, California.
Minutes were approved at the February 26, 2003 Regular Board Meeting by the presiding Board Member:
____/s/John Tobias___________
John Tobias
Vice President of the Board
ATTEST: ___/s/Janet L. Miller___
Janet L. Miller
Administrative Services Officer