February 24, 1999

7:30 p.m.

            The Board of Directors of the San Benito County Water District convened in Regular Session. Directors Robert Swanson, Gary Gonzales, John Tobias, Kenneth Perry were present together with Manager/Engineer John Gregg, District Counsel David Pipal, Operations and Maintenance Supervisor Cliff Thatcher and Administrative Services Officer Janet Torres.

  1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

President Perry called the meeting to order and requested all to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

  1. Approval of the Agenda

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Agenda was approved as submitted.

  1. Public Input

President Perry opened the portion of the meeting to receive comments from the public on any topics not on the Agenda. Hearing no comments, he closed the public input portion of the meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA

1.         Approval of Minutes for:       January 27, 1999

2.         Allowance of Claims

3.         Consider Resolution amending District Guidelines for Implementation of the CEQA

Director Swanson asked District Counsel what was the basic difference? Counsel Pipal stated the amendment reflects legislative changes only. (Res. No. 99-5)

4.         Consider Resolution changing regular meeting date for the month of March, 1999

President Perry stated the changed meeting date would be March 24, 1999 and asked if there were any conflicts? Hearing no comment he asked for a motion. (Resolution No. 99-6)

Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried the Consent Agenda was approved and Resolution No. 99-5 and Resolution No. 99-6 were adopted.

REGULAR AGENDA

5.         Presentation regarding Hollister Area Urban Water Management Plan

Manager/Engineer John Gregg introduced representatives from Schaaf and Wheeler for a Presentation of Hollister Area Urban Water Management Plan 2000.

Katherine Ovin spoke on water supply statistics compiled using information from 1922 to 1990. Handouts were distributed for the overheads used in the presentation.

Mike Wilson introduced a Water Conservation Program.

President Perry stated in the Groundwater Report there is no more room in the basin, so where is all the water going to go? Manager/Engineer Gregg stated Schaaf and Wheeler used a model that was supplied by this district, taking historical water running it over 70 years. He stated there is a lot of uncertainty when you model. He stated the information in this report was not intended to be an absolute answer. He stated what needs to be looked at is the impact of a water treatment plant.

6.         District Investment Program

a.         Review and Consideration of District Investment Policy: Manager Gregg stated the investment policy packet handed out at beginning of meeting was a combination of investment committee proposals and presentation from Nancy Jones, PFM. He pointed out considerations recommended by the Investment Committee. After discussion of the LAIF investment, the matter was referred back to the Investment Committee for further information. Director Swanson stated he would like to see LAIF’s return for the last ten years, who guarantees LAIF and why Santa Clara County does not invest in LAIF.

 

b.         Review status and Consider Action regarding Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Government Securities Trust: Counsel Pipal stated questions regarding the Class B shares were raised by PFM. He stated he is concerned with back end charges that constitute a commission. He stated he contacted Debt Advisory Commission and they were concerned with the trust itself not being a proper investment for public agencies. Counsel Pipal recommended disposal of trust. He stated there will be some principle loss and suggests to go to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter to re-coup of losses of the principle. Director Tobias stated if the are questionable, get out now. Manager Gregg stated if the Board was in agreement, move for it to be sold and instruct manager to carry out sale. Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried the Manager was instructed to contact Morgan Stanley Dean Witter for the sales of the Government Securities Trust. Manager Gregg stated Counsel Pipal will proceed with action. President Perry referred the matter back to the committee and manager. He stated the matter doesn’t have to come back to the Board unless there is a problem.

7.         Hollister Conduit Repair

a.         Status Report: Manager Gregg used overhead transparencies to explain the differences in the contract and the actual costs. He stated the District received what they paid for. He explained that he does not have a schedule for the pipe installation. He stated the pipe will be manufactured late April or early May.

b.         Consider Categorical Exemption for Maintenance of the Hollister Conduit and Authorize Manager to file Notice of Exemption: Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried authorization was given to Manager Gregg to sign and file Notice of Exemption.

8.         Committee Reports

a.         Treatment Plant Committee: Manager Gregg spoke on the proposed site of the plant, size and funding issues. President Perry asked if it has been decided on what type of treatment plant will be built. Bryan Yamaoka from Sunnyslope County Water District stated they are looking at a membrane filtration plant. President Perry stated the Board should be revisiting the pledge of $1 million dollars to facilitate the turnout. Director Gonzales asked if the treatment plant will be built by the year 2002. Mr. Yamaoka stated as long as everything falls into place.

b.         Groundwater Committee: Director Gonzales reviewed water resources information. Manager Gregg stated that the plan was looking at other locations other than the river for Groundwater basins.

c.         Investment Committee: Director Gonzales stated information from the Investment Committee was covered earlier in the meeting and there was nothing to add.

9.         District Manager/Engineer’s Report

a.         Tres Pinos County Water District: Manager Gregg stated Tres Pinos County Water District has asked San Benito County Water District to operate or assist with their water system. He stated the Board has been asked to make a proposal. He stated the first step is representatives of this Board meet with representatives of the Tres Pinos Board. President Perry stated the Groundwater Committee should be considered being the representatives.

    1. San Juan Valley Groundwater Evaluation: Manager Gregg stated a scope of work is being prepared. He stated a meeting will be set in the next couple of weeks.
    2. Pajaro River Watershed: The District received a letter from Assemblyman Keeley, speaker pro-tem, wanting to know the status of the Pajaro River Watershed. Manager Gregg stated with direction from the board he will write a letter to him regarding the joint agency work. President Perry asked about the possibility of putting another monitor in the river and taking quality samples. Manager Gregg stated it is in order and can be a recommendation for the upcoming budget. President Perry asked if it will be part of the groundwater report from now on? Manager Gregg stated it would.
    3. 1999/2000 Water Supply: Manager Gregg stated from now until the first part of May the Bureau will remind us of what we are not getting. He stated closer to May we can see how much water we will receive.
    4. Fiscal Year 1998/99 Audit: Manager Gregg stated he has checked with the Board before proceeding and has found the service of Mr. Grace satisfactory. He stated Mr. Grace is going into his third year.

10.       Executive Session:     Conference with Labor Negotiator

Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.8

Agency Negotiator:   District Manager/Engineer

Field and Office Employee Unit:       S.E.I.U. – Local 817

Counsel Pipal closed the Public Hearing portion of the meeting to executive session

The Public Hearing portion was brought back into regular open session.

  1. Consider Authorizing District Manager to Execute Memorandum of Understanding between the San Benito County Water District and Service Employees International Union – SEIU, Local 817 (Field and Office Employees Representation Unit)

Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried the Board approved the Memorandum of Understanding and authorized the Manager to sign said MOU effective July 1, 1998 through June 30, 1999. Manager Gregg stated the MOU will not be signed as San Benito County Employees Association.

  1. Consider Resolution Indicating the Districts Intention to Pay District Field and Office Employees Member Contribution as Employer-Paid Member Contributions

Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried Resolution No. 99-7 was adopted.

            The vote of each member of the Board on the preceding matters was as follows, unless otherwise stated:

AYES:             DIRECTOR:    Swanson, Perry, Gonzales, Tobias

NOES:             DIRECTOR:    None

ABSENT:        DIRECTOR:    Rupert

            The Board adjourned to a regular meeting to be held on March 24, 1999 at 7:30 p.m., 30 Mansfield Road, Hollister, California.

 

__________________________________

Kenneth Perry

President

 

ATTEST:         _____________________________

                        Janet L. Torres

                        Administrative Services Officer