April 24, 2002

7:30 p.m.

 

          The Board of Directors of the San Benito County Water District convened in Regular Session.  Directors Bob Swanson, Doug Keck, Ken Perry, John Tobias and James DeLaCruz were present together with District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg, District Counsel John O’Brien, Deputy District Engineer Jeff Cattaneo, Operations & Maintenance Supervisor Clifford Thatcher 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.

 

b.       Approval of Agenda

          Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried the Agenda was approved with the removal of Item #10 and Item #4 being moved to the end of the meeting.

 

c.       Public Input:  Members of the Public are Invited to Speak on any Matter not on the Agenda

          President Keck opened and closed the Public Input section of the Meeting hearing no comment from the Public.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

1.       Approval of Minutes for:          March 27, 2002 – Regular Meeting

2.                 Allowance of Claims

3.       Resolution Proclaiming the Month of May, Water Awareness Month

4.       Acceptance of Third Quarter Investment Report

 

          Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously passed the Consent Agenda was approved adopting Resolution No. 2002-10, Resolution Proclaiming the Month of May, Water Awareness Month.

 

REGULAR AGENDA:

 

5.       Consider Resolution Authorizing Execution of Contract for Temporary Water Service Between the United States and San Benito County Water District

 

          District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated this contract is for temporary or surplus water in the system and the price is slightly less than our contract price.  He stated this water does not count against our contract amount.  Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, Resolution No. 2002-09 was adopted authorizing execution of contract for temporary water service between the United States and San Benito County Water District.

 

6.       Report on Hollister Area Water Treatment Plants

 

District Manager/Engineer Gregg gave a brief status report on the Lessalt Plant.  He stated the District is refurbishing the pumps to serve the Lessalt Plant.  He stated the Lessalt Plant is not set up for taste and odor problems, but could address that problem at a later date.  District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated Sunnyslope County Water District’s proposed sites are being studied for additional plants.  He stated the Master Plan scope of work is in draft form and will be back in circulation next week.

 

7.       Report on Pajaro River Watershed Flood Prevention Authority – Phase I Hydrologic Study

 

          Deputy District Engineer Cattaneo reported that the study to evaluate the entire watershed is complete, but has not been accepted by all parties.  He stated Phase II, the scope of work for the alternative and design for flood protection portion, has been accepted by the staff working group and will be presented to the Authority Board.

 

8.       Authorization to File a Categorical Exemption for the Rehabilitation of San Juan Bautista Well No. 1

 

          Deputy District Engineer Cattaneo stated under an Agreement, this District has agreed to rehabilitate Well #1.  He stated the rehabilitation will not increase the capacity of the well, it will only bring the well up to DHS standards for drinking water.

          Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried authorization was given Staff to file a Categorical Exemption for the rehabilitation of San Juan Bautista Well No. 1.

 

9.       Review of District Comments on Draft EIR, Second Amendment to the Hollister Community Development Plan

 

          District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated San Benito County and San Benito County Water District, together with legal counsel have developed comments on the Draft EIR.  He stated the author of the Draft EIR used old invalid documents to support their findings and the EIR was inconsistent with the City of Hollister’s General Plan.  He stated there will be a Public Hearing to hear Public Comments on the Draft EIR on May 20.  District Manager/Engineer Gregg requested a Special Meeting of the Board to discuss the comments.  May 14th was chosen for the Special Meeting.

 

10.     Review of District Comments on Draft EIR, Lavagnino General Plan Amendment/Zone Change

 

          District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated the EIR did not address the handling of flood water during the flood season or the handling of wash water disposal.

 

11.     Committee Reports:

a)       Personnel Committee (DeLaCruz/Perry) – the District is preparing to meet and confer with SEIU, Local 817.

b)       Investment Committee (Tobias/Keck) – the fluctuation of the market make the investments in LAIF still the best choice.

 

12.     District Manager/Engineer’s Report:         

a)       2002 Earth Day Stream Clean-up – in cooperation with the City of Hollister, San Benito County and this District Earth Day was held on April 20th.  There were 12 – 18 volunteers and they removed old appliances from San Benito River and Santa Ana Creek.

b)       Water Resources Association Matters

1)       Water Conservation Program – moving along with summertime focus on customer surveys and a toilet replacement program.

2)       Groundwater Management Plan – there was a breakdown between the consultant and the WRA.  A new consultant has been contracted and work was restarted on April 11th.

c)       San Juan Infrastructure Program – City Council approved a Mitigation Monitoring Plan and the preferred site may not be available.

d)       Harmony Hills Water System – a petition was developed and delivered to homeowners.

e)       Hernandez Reservoir – the level of Hernandez is dropping.  The outlet structure needs repair, which will mean draining the reservoir, which brings up a frog habitat issue.

 

President Keck called for a status report on the situation at the corner of McCloskey and Fairview Roads.  District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated Staff reviewed the equipment and facility at that location.  He stated two new pressure relief valves were installed near Santa Ana Creek and the current pressure relief valve will be used only in emergency situations.  Director Swanson requested a draft scope of work be mailed to the homeowner.

 

The vote of the Board was as follows, unless otherwise stated:

 

AYES:                                                   DIRECTORS:                                                                         Perry, Tobias, DeLaCruz, Keck, Swanson

NOES:                   DIRECTORS:                   None

ABSENT:      DIRECTORS:                   None

 

          The Board adjourned to a Regular Meeting to be held on May 29, 2002 at 7:30 p.m., 30 Mansfield Road, Hollister, California.

 

 

Minutes were approved at the May 29, 2002 Regular Board Meeting by the presiding Board Member:

 

 

___________________________

Douglas Keck

President of the Board

ATTEST:       _______________________________

                   Janet L. Miller

                                                 Administrative Services Officer