7:30 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 and Administrative Services Officer Janet L. Torres.
a. 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.
b. Public Input:
The Public Input portion of the meeting was opened and closed by President Perry, hearing no comment from the public.
1. San Juan Bautista Water Supply/Water System
District Manager Gregg introduced Robert Smith, Manager of the City of San Juan Bautista.
District Manager Gregg stated San Benito County Water District had a Memorandum of Agreement to work with San Juan Bautista to bring better drinking water to San Juan Bautista. He reported San Juan Bautista has submitted a pre-application, which was accepted and they were invited to apply for an U.S. Economic Development Administration Grant. He stated this grant would not only bring San Felipe water to San Juan Bautista but also to improve the water system. He stated it the grant is approved work would start in June.
Director Gonzales asked if a blending system and if the existing wells would be used? District Manager Gregg stated it would be a blending system and to start the existing wells would be used. Director Gonzales asked for a timeframe. District Manager Gregg stated the District and San Juan Bautista would like to have the treatment plant complete in 2000. Director Tobias asked when do the residents get involved with the project such as the cost/rate? District Manager Gregg stated looking at the preliminary design; they will have information within 90 days when grant is kicked off. He stated the system is fairly straightforward. Robert Smith stated the council has directed the city to find funds. He stated they have $910,000 so far, and they need San Benito County Water District for guidance. Director Tobias asked if there would be financial commitment from the District. District Manager Gregg stated $150,000 is what the Board has approved. President Perry asked if the District Manager had addressed the Zone 6 water issue with San Juan Bautista. District Manager Gregg stated that had not been talked about. Director Swanson asked how did the District Manager come up with $150,000 for San Benito County Water District’s portion? He asked if it was the sale of M. & I. water? District Manager Gregg stated it was. District Manager Gregg stated the U. S. Economic Department expects a certain commitment from the local agencies. He stated San Benito County Water District would be the program manager for water system improvements.
b. Consider Authorizing Manager to Execute Memorandum of Agreement with City of San Juan Bautista regarding U. S. Economic Development Administration Grant Application
Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously passed the Board authorized
the Manager to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the City of
2.
Water Quality Management Plan for the
Engineer Cattaneo reviewed the plan focusing on the watershed lands in San Benito County. He stated the purpose of the plan was to identify sources of non-point source pollution. Recommend and prioritize strategies and assist agencies planning and implementing programs/policies. He stated the District is not doing samples in San Benito County yet, but will do next set of samples after the rains. He stated the tests are fairly inexpensive at $30.00 for two tests. Director Swanson asked how the samples compare to the water coming into Delta. District Manager Gregg stated it was unusual to see over 10,000 at the end of Delta. He stated further study is warranted. He stated the District needs to take a base line measurement. Director Rupert stated he has heard Hernandez Dam is a popular fishing area. He asked if there was a Mercury chart similar to coliform chart? Engineer Cattaneo stated there is data to support the information as well as conflicting data in the report. Director Tobias asked where the report goes from here? District Manager Gregg stated the information is structure for improvements for Regional Quality Water Board, as well as county agencies like the health departments. He stated the data is an educational tool, seeking to develop a cooperative project between certain agencies. Director Tobias asked if the government is creating another permit process for people. District Manager Gregg stated it would possibly be in the grading process in the county. Director Swanson asked why this particular area? District Manager Gregg stated Regional Water Quality Board identified the Pajaro River as having impaired water quality. He stated not only was this area found to be impaired but also there are a significant number of streams found to be impaired. He stated failure to meet the standards is deemed impaired by the Regional Water Quality Board. He stated it was all part of the clean water act and regulations that follow that. He reported the State has taken leadership in water quality issues. Director Swanson stated it would be interesting to see how many rivers meet the standards from Santa Barbara up to Eureka.
3. Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) – Rezoning for Rajkovich Property
District Manager Gregg stated the District has identified two areas to comment. He stated one was Geology Hydrology, which involves water quantity and quality. He stated in the DEIR the information was misleading. He stated the other area is Public Services, which addresses Wastewater Quantity and Wastewater Quality. He stated this would have an impact on the San Juan Basin. He stated this is referenced by the addition of salt to the groundwater in the San Juan Basin. He stated if this were acceptable to the Board, the comments would be put in final form and sent to the city. Director Gonzales asked how this project differs from other projects in that area? District Manager Gregg stated the difference is that the District was not aware of the problems of the San Juan Basin when the other projects were approved. Jim Perrine stated he had not seen an EIR for that area in seven years. Director Tobias asked who distributes water to that area? District Manager Gregg stated he did not know where they get their water. He stated he was just reporting comments to the Board.
District Manager Gregg stated the Water Resource Association decided to take up with water conservation at their last meeting and was encouraging other agencies to do the same.
Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously approved Resolution No. 99-10 was adopted proclaiming May, Water Awareness Month.
5. Authorize Manager to Issue Purchase Order to Ameron International for 182.20 meters (598 feet) of 54" Concrete Pressure Pipe and Fittings in the amount of $126,600.
District Manager reported the proposed pipe was the same design of the original pipe. He stated Ameron was the original producer of the original pipe. He reported the anticipated pipe would be manufactured sometime in May. Director Tobias asked if the price included delivery to the site. District Manager Gregg stated it did. Director Rupert asked if the price was included in the original contract with Ford. District Manager Gregg stated it was another contract.
Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously approved the District Manager was authorized to issue a Purchase Order to Ameron International for the purchase of pipe and fittings in the amount of $126,600.
The vote of each member of the Board on the preceding matters was as follows, unless otherwise stated:
AYES: DIRECTORS: Swanson, Tobias, Rupert, Gonzales, Perry
NOES: DIRECTORS: None
ABSENT: DIRECTORS: None
The Board adjourned to a Regular Meeting to be held on April 28, 1999 at 7:30 p.m., 30 Mansfield Road, Hollister, California.
___________________________________________
Kenneth Perry
President
ATTEST: _____________________________________
Janet L. Torres
Administrative Services Officer