April 28, 2004

Regular Meeting

7:30 p.m.

 

          The Board of Directors of the San Benito County Water District convened in regular session at 7:30 p.m. at 30 Mansfield Road, Hollister, CA.  All members of the Board of Directors were present with District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg, District Counsel David Pipal and Administrative Services Officer Maria Alfaro.  President Perry presided.

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

he meeting was called to order at 7: 30 p.m.

 

a.       Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

President Perry lead the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

b.     Approval of Agenda.

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Agenda for the meeting was unanimously approved.

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

President Perry asked the public if there was anyone who wished to speak on any matter not on the Agenda. 

Ed Lantz of 200 Tierra del Sol, addressed the Board.  Mr. Lantz noted that he had submitted letters to the City of Hollister regarding a membrane plant similar to the one on the American River. Mr. Lantz also noted that he had contacted the Legislative Director in Sacramento.  The Legislative Director noted to Mr. Lantz that he was not able to place the matter on the for this session.  Mr. Lantz also noted to the Board that he had received a response from the Governor’s office.  The Governor had selected a committee to review the design.  Mr. Lantz noted that the major employee unions were opposing the design. Mr. Lantz noted that he had provided numerous amounts of documentation regarding this matter.  Mr. Lantz noted that perhaps the newly appointed Interim City Manager may perhaps be interested in saving some money regarding this matter.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:    

 

1.       Approval of Minutes for: March 18, 2004- Special Meeting and March 31, 2004 -Regular Meeting

2.       Allowance of Claims

3.     Quarterly Investment Report

 

Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Consent Agenda was unanimously approved.

 

REGULAR AGENDA:

4.      San Felipe Distribution System Fire Service

a.                 Current Fire Service Policy, Procedures and Potential Changes

District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted to the Board that it was the District’s practice to reserve the decision to provide fire service from the San Felipe Distribution System to the full board after review by the Expansion Committee.  Mr. Gregg noted that the Insurance Services Organization (ISO) was the San Felipe Distribution System.  Mr. Gregg also noted that the District should formalize.  It was noted that District Counsel Pipal recommend is practices.

b.                 Consider Agreement with Joseph and Irene Corral, APN 017-09-0-004 and authorize District Manager to execute Agreement for Supplemental Fire Protection

District Manager/Engineer Gregg noted that the District used the procedures used for a similar request by the Abundant Life Church. This matter has been reviewed by the Expansion Committee.

After discussion by the Board the President asked the members for a motion.  Upon a motion duly made and seconded District Manager John S. Gregg was authorized to sign the agreement with Joseph and Irene Corral for supplemental fire protection.

5.      Status of USBR Water Service Contract Negotiations

District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported to the Board of Directors that the USBR Water Service Contract Negotiations were ongoing.  Mr. Gregg introduced Special Counsel, Jan Goldsmith.

Ms. Goldsmith noted to the Board that the negotiations were nearly completed before Bush become president.  Ms. Goldsmith provided the board a Comparison of Existing and Proposed CVP Water Service Contract Provisions.  Ms. Goldsmith noted that the M & I rate is subject to further negotiation. Ms. Goldsmith noted to the Board that the District was in a favorable position due to the term of the agreement.  The Bureau has been allocating water and giving preference to M&I in the past few year.  If the District did not enter into a new contract it was likely that they would continue to apply the M&I shortage policy as it is currently written.  Ms. Goldsmith also discussed water rates, tiered rates and other matter of concern, especially the cost of facilities is not in the contract.  Ms. Goldsmith noted that a main point was to have San Benito County and Santa Clara County cross designate each others service areas for CVP delivery of water.  This would allow to more effectively and more flexibly manage water between the two districts, this would alleviate some problems with Low point which continues to be an issue.  The current contract has no guarantee of Water Quality and the proposed contact also has no guarantee provisions.  Ms. Goldsmith noted that the District has already implemented Water Conservation program which the Bureau has asked for water conservation for the past decade.

Upon further discussion by the Board it was noted by Ms. Goldsmith the Bureau is on a very tight schedule.  Ms. Goldsmith also noted that there would be negotiations on the term of the repayment contract, she noted that the District and Santa Clara had to be arm in arm in order for this to work.  Both Districts are eager to get the lower cost.

Mr. Gregg noted that the next session of negotiations was being held here in Hollister at the Veterans Memorial Building on Friday, May 7th at 10:00 a.m. 

6.      Status Report of North Area Management Plan and Acceptance of Letter to Landowners

Deputy District Engineer Jeff Cattaneo noted to the Board that at a previous meeting the board had requested that staff develop an access agreement with the landowners for the North Area Management study.  The materials had been previously distributed.  District staff has determined it would be beneficial to include a letter to the landowner what the project is and with project goals.  The project is just beginning, a kick off meeting was held on April 19th and the consultant is collecting data.  Further discussion was had.  Upon a motion duly made and seconded the board unanimously approved the letter and access agreement.

7.                            Report on Hollister Area Water Treatment Plants

District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported that the focus on his report was on the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which deals with a two phase effort, the first is a Planning and Conceptual effort which look at the facilities which addresses the pipelines, access to wells to provide reliable and high quality water.  The second phase would be the  preliminary site specific engineering.  Mr. Gregg noted that the MOU had been developed by the City of Hollister and the District. 

8.                            Report on Hollister Wastewater Treatment Plants

District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported that the City is working on tight timelines to achieve their objective.  Mr. Gregg noted that certain factors had been revealed, of concern is the completeness of background information with some alternative treated waste disposal sites.

District Manager/Engineer Gregg noted that the area identified in draft documents that District staff has reviewed is the area between Buena Vista and Wright Road.  The City is moving forward with the release of the Notice of Preparation.  The District is working with Jan Goldsmith and Dave Pipal to ensure that the District’s comments on those documents with respect to a thorough and complete analysis and compliance with CEQA.

9.                            Report on San Juan Water System/San Juan Infrastructure Grant

District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported that no change since the last report.  There is a plan to meet with the Board committee.  Certain staff and legal work is being done.

10.    Report on Notice of Preparation of Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) and Notice of Scoping Meeting – City of Hollister General Plan Update – Plan Horizon 2020

District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported that the staff memorandum describes the matter in general terms and includes a copy of the Notice of Preparation.  The District is currently preparing comments with Jan Goldsmith and Dave Pipal to ensure that the District’s interests are represented.

11.     Consider Management Compensation Plan for 2004

District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported that this matter is detailed in the board memorandum.  The Personnel Committee has reviewed the proposed plan and has approved.   Upon a motion duly made and seconded the Management Compensation Plan for 2004 was unanimously approved.

12.    Committee Reports:

 

a.       Expansion Committee (Swanson/Tobias)

 

District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported

 

b.       Groundwater Committee (Perry/DeLaCruz)

 

District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported that the Expansion Committee is currently reviewing Municipal and Industrial water entitlements under the Bureau contract.  Mr. Gregg noted that a special meeting will be scheduled for review of the Groundwater Management Plan to assist in understanding the details and to come to an independent conclusion regarding the adequacy of that report.

 

c.       Investment Committee (Tobias/Keck)

 

District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported that the Investment Committee reviewed the status of the District’s current investments.  The Committee has began to review urban and agriculture to support greater water efficiency.    The Committee is also monitoring deficit payments. 

 

d.       Personnel Committee (Perry/Swanson)

 

          District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported regarding the Management Compensation Plan which had been approved earlier this evening.  The Committee is also discussing organization and work plan with respect to negotiations with the field and office employees represented by SEIU. 

 

Director Swanson asked Mr. Gregg to report on the new hires.  Mr. Gregg reported that the front office has been filled by an individual, Donna Greenhut, came to us from the City Manager’s office from the City of Gilroy, Mr. Gregg noted that we are very pleased with that hire.  In the back office, we hired an employee from the County, Kathy Hill.  Mr. Gregg noted that he was very pleased with the quality of applicants that the District attracted with this recruitment.

 

13.    District Manager/Engineer’s Report:      

 

a.       2004-2005 Water Supply

 

District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported that due to the high temperatures this April, the snow has been rapidly disappearing, although that the reservoirs are reasonably full we are missing the snow pack to meet demands.  Mr. Gregg noted that last month there was discussion that the Bureau would lower the District’s allocation.  Mr. Gregg noted that he had no information of that happening and will continue to monitor.  Mr. Gregg noted that San Justo reservoir is full and the District can absorb a cutback of 5%.

 

b.       Final Environmental Impact Report, Groundwater Management Plan Update for the San Benito County of the Gilroy-Hollister Groundwater Basin

 

District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported was expected to be delivered on Thursday or Friday.  Copies will be immediately made available and a special meeting will be scheduled on or around the 19th of May. 

 

c.       District Budget

 

District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported that that work is moving forward and a series of meetings of the Audit and Budget Committee will be scheduled.

 

There being no further business the President adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.

 

 

                                               

Ken Perry, President

 

                                               

Maria E. Alfaro

Administrative Services Officer