7:30
p.m.
The Board of Directors of the
San Benito County Water District convened in regular session at
The meeting was called to order at
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.
There being none the public input session was closed.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1.
Approval
of Minutes for
2.
Allowance
of Claims
3.
Investment
Report for period ending
Upon a motion duly made and seconded,
the Consent Agenda was unanimously approved.
REGULAR AGENDA:
2.
Public
Hearing/Meeting regarding Comstock Estates Water System (Zone 102) Water Year
Rates and Charges and Rules and Regulations
a)
Proof
of Publication submitted on Notice of Public Hearing
Administrative
Services Officer Maria Alfaro noted that the public hearing notice was
published in the Free Lance Newspaper on July 9 and July 15.
b) Presentation of Ordinance
Establishing Comstock Estates Water System Rates and Charges for Zone 102
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted to the Board that Deputy District
Engineer Jeff Cattaneo would be making the presentation regarding this item.
Jeff Cattaneo noted that the rate would be $145.41 per month for the
first year, the rate would be reviewed annually.
c) Presentation
of Resolution Establishing Rules and Regulations for Domestic (Potable) Water
Service Charges in Zone 102
Mr. Cattaneo noted that the Resolution had been reviewed by District
Counsel Pipal. President Perry asked if this system only had one well. Mr. Cattaneo responded that it was.
d)
Open
Public Hearing
President Perry opened the public hearing. Comstock Estate residents,
speaking during the public hearing were Steve Jove, Susan Bikeborn
and Dr. Mark Stephens. Mr. Steven Jobes asked if any accounting was requested. District Counsel Pipal noted that it must go
through the State of
Jose Burruel of Creekbridge
Homes noted that he was coordinating maintenance issues and that a functional
test was scheduled for
Dr. Stevens asked if the District encountered any expenses who would pay.
Vice President Tobias responded that the Zone, homeowners would. Dr. Stevens asked how this was
calculated.
Deputy District Engineer Jeff Cattaneo noted that the District has
established an account for this zone in which expenses would be tracked.
Dr. Stevens asked Mr. Cattaneo if the rate would go up or go down. Mr. Cattaneo noted that he did not at this
point. The rates will be reviewed in
January to determine how much would be for overhead, operations, chemicals,
power and for the replacement fund.
Ms. Susan Biskeborn noted that the homeowners
had voted for this transfer and asked if how much they would be paying.
Mr. Cattaneo noted that the District agreed to keep the rate at $141
would not be raised for one year and that after six months the District would
be able to tell how much it would cost to operate and maintain the system and
that it would be similar to the Harmony Hills Water System in size and number
of connections.
Ms. Biskeborn asked what would be done about
corrosion issues. Mr. Cattaneo noted
that they would be addressed.
Dr. Stephens asked if the water would be drinkable. Mr. Cattaneo noted that the Department of
Health Services would not allow for the transfer of the water system if the
water was not drinkable.
Steven Jove asked about the copper issues and about interest bearing
accounts.
Vice President Tobias noted that the funds would be handled based on
the District’s investment policy.
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that there was always a risk, however
the risk of loss of principal is low.
The District will allocate funds to longer and higher interest rates. Mr. Gregg discussed how the District has
established zones for accounting and how the restriction of funds for only
certain purposes.
e) Close Public Hearing or
continue to a later date
There being no further comments, President Perry closed the public
hearing.
Director Swanson asked if the rates would be set as with all zones and
if the $145.41 rate would be for one year.
Deputy Director Cattaneo noted that the 145.41 will be for one year and
reviewed in January and would decide if the rate would be maintained or
changed.
Vice President Tobias asked if a breakdown could be given to the
homeowners regarding costs.
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that that could be done.
1)
Ordinance
Establishing Comstock Estates Water System (Zone 102) Rates and Charges
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, Ordinance No. 38, Ordinance
Establishing Comstock Estates Water System (Zone 102) Rates and Charges was
adopted.
2) Resolution Establishing
Rules and Regulations for Domestic (Potable) Water Services Charges in Zone 102
for 2004-2005 Water Year.
Upon a motion duly made
and seconded, Resolution No. 2004-17, Resolution Establishing Rules and
Regulations for Domestic (Potable) Water Services Charges in Zone 102 for
2004-2005 Water Year was adopted.
3.
Public Hearing/Meeting Regarding the
Establishment of Zone of Benefit and the Undertaking of Project –
a) Proof of Publication
submitted on Notice of Public Hearing
Administrative Services Officer Maria Alfaro noted that the Public Hearing Notice was published in the Pinnacle Newspaper on July 8 and July 15.
b)
Status Report
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that Jeff Cattaneo would make the presentation on this item.
Deputy District Engineer Jeff Cattaneo noted that a rate had been established at $62.00. That there were only 10 service connection and less than 2000 feet of pipeline. Mr. Cattaneo noted that is was a fairly simple system and that water quality information had been received by the District.
c)
Open Public Hearing.
President Perry opened the public hearing.
d)
Close Public Hearing or continue to a
later date.
There being no public comment, the President closed the public hearing.
e)
Consideration
of Resolution Establishing Zone No. 104 and Undertaking Project Therein.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, Resolution No. 2004-18, Resolution
Establishing Zone NO. 104 and Undertaking Project Therein was adopted.
6. Water
Quality Monitoring Program (AB 303) (Todd Engineers)
Deputy Director Jeff Cattaneo
introduced Phyllis Stanin of Todd Engineers who was
there to present this item. Mr. Cattaneo
noted that this project was for the development of a basin wide water quality
monitoring program and that this report was available in hard copy at the
District.
Ms. Phyllis Stanin
presented a Power Point presentation and noted that the program was supported
by AB 303 the Local Groundwater Management Assistance Act. She noted that information was collected from
861 groundwater wells and from 39 surface monitoring locations.
Ms. Stanin
summarized the project and discussed where the data was collected from various
sources including the
Department of Health Services had 25 years of information from
100 water systems in the basin, from the Regional Water Quality Control Board,
Department of Water Resources, the Sunnyslope County Water District, City of
Hollister, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the San Benito County Water
District had been collecting information since 1998.
Ms. Stanin
noted that a database is available for the public which contains graphics
depicting the concentration of TDS, boron and nitrates, and that a confidential
version contains the exact location of the wells. Ms. Stanin noted
that after 9/11 that information is not available to the public.
Deputy District Engineer Jeff Cattaneo
noted that there was an area with high levels of nitrates in an area where a
poultry farm was located.
Ms. Stanin
noted that the goal was to monitor of water quality. Ms. Staning
provided recommendations which included the addition of wells in the
7. Groundwater Management Plan Update for the
District Manager/Engineer John S.
Gregg noted to the board that an action document is being presented, a Resolution . The San
Benito County Water District was designated as the lead agency for CEQA
compliance.
The action document has been reviewed
by District Counsel and the other member agencies. Mr. Gregg recommended that the board approve
the Resolution which certifies the environmental document and that the board make certain findings and adopt overriding
considerations.
a) Consider Resolution Certifying Final Program
Environmental Impact Report, Making Certain Findings Concerning Mitigation
Measures, Adopting a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, Making
Findings Concerning Alternatives, and Adopting A Statement of Overriding
Considerations in Accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act For
Groundwater Management Plan Update Project For Which a Program Environmental
Impact Report Has Been Prepared and Approving for the Groundwater Management
Plan Update for the San Benito County Portion of the Gilroy-Hollister
Groundwater Basin
Upon a motion duly made and seconded,
Resolution No 2004-19, Resolution Certifying Final Program Environmental Impact
Report, Making Certain Findings Concerning Mitigation Measures, Adopting a
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, Making Findings Concerning
Alternatives, and Adopting A Statement of Overriding Considerations in
Accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act For Groundwater
Management Plan Update Project For Which a Program Environmental Impact Report
Has Been Prepared and Approving for the Groundwater Management Plan Update for
the San Benito County Portion of the Gilroy-Hollister Groundwater Basin, was
adopted.
President Perry commended Mr. Gregg for
his hard work on this item.
8. Report on Negative Declaration for the
Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Irrigated Lands –
Deputy
District Engineer Jeff Cattaneo presented a Power Point presentation regarding
the ag waiver. Mr. Cattaneo discussed the regional board’s
action, the new waiver and the procedures for farming operations and who they
applied to, enrollment requirements and when the coalition would be formed.
President Perry noted that it was his
belief that the San Benito County Water District would be able to implement
this program.
Vice President Tobias noted that this
was within the District’s ability and did not know how this program would be
able to be implemented by January 2005.
Upon further discussion, Vice
President Tobias noted that more research should be done on this program.
President Perry designated Director
Bob Swanson and Vice President Tobias to this committee.
9. Report on Treated Water Systems
District
Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that he would be attending a meeting on
Monday, August 9th, to discuss this matter.
10. Report on Wastewater Treatment and Disposal
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported to the board that the Sunnyslope County Water District was working to respond quickly. Mr. Gregg noted that the Sunnyslope County Water District needed to take action quickly relating to water quality and disposal capacity. Mr. Gregg noted that he has been participating in the review of consultant proposals at the request of the Sunnyslope County Water District and board and noted that the scope of work was headed in the right direction.
Mr. Gregg noted
that the City of
11. Committee
Reports:
a. Personnel Committee (Perry/Swanson)
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that an offer had been made for Eva Schmoock’s replacement since Eva had decided not to return to work.
Mr. Gregg also noted that negotiations with Field and Office employees with SEIU are continuing.
b. Investment Committee (Tobias/Keck)
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that this item was status quo for the month, not much activity to report.
12. District Manager/Engineer’s Report:
a. Subsystem 9 Pipeline breaks
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that a couple of breaks in subsystem 9. The pipe is fiberglass and the District will be making some inquiries with other irrigation districts. The District has similar pipes in subsystem 10. Mr. Gregg noted that this type of pipe is also used in the petroleum business and chemical industry.
Mr. Gregg also discussed with the board that the District had received complaints from residents of Stonegate. The residents wanted to know why the District work around the clock to complete the repair. Mr. Gregg noted that the District will work with the County on this matter.
Director Swanson noted that the residents could contact the operator of their CSA, the County.
Mr. Gregg noted that long term issues need to be addressed like additional tanks and a primary water source.
b. San Justo Reservoir seepage and
landslides
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported that the ongoing issues were seepage and landslides. The Bureau has completed their analysis and the District will be receiving information about the possibilities for managing this matters.
c. San Luis Reservoir Low Point
District
Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that this matter exposes all the current
information available about San Luis Reservoir is bottomed out at 300,000 acre
feet which brings on water quality issues which exposes all of us to a limited
level of liability but it appears that we will get through the September-October
time frame.
d. CVP Water Supply 2004-2005
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg
reported that according to the billing calculated we will be in a better
position to asses how much we have in this contract at present we may have 1000
to 1500 acre feet of water. There are
very eager markets for that water. As a
consequence, there are
meaningful quantities of water available and would not want to
pass up the opportunity to make that water available to others.
e. FY 2003/2004 Financial Reports and Audit
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted
that work is underway at staff level.
Letters to attorneys and other financial institutions were sent out
today.
There being no further business, the meeting
adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Kenneth Perry, President
Maria E. Alfaro, Administrative Services Officer