July 28, 1999

7:30 p.m.

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

  1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

President Perry called the meeting to order and led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

b.       Approval of the Agenda

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

  1. Public Input

President Perry opened and closed the public input portion of the meeting hearing no comment from the public.

CONSENT AGENDA:

1.       Approval of the Minutes for: June 17, 1999 – Special Meeting

                                                          June 23, 1999 – Regular Meeting

2.      Allowance of Claims

3.      Acceptance of Quarterly Investment Report

The Consent Agenda was approved after a brief discussion of the Claims Report, upon a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried.

REGULAR AGENDA:

4.      Review/Discussion of AB807 Pajaro River Watershed Flood Prevention Amended and Direction to Staff

District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg stated the Directors received a packet that included background information on AB807. He turned the subject over to District Counsel David Pipal who was prepared to discuss the Bill as amended and the legislative process. District Counsel Pipal stated the Bill started in the Assembly, was amended and sent to the Senate. He stated the Senate passed the amended Bill and referred it back to the Assembly who will refer it to the Agricultural Water Resources Committee. District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated the Bill references Proposition 218, which is not carefully worked. He stated Staff is seeking direction from the Board on whether to continue to communicate with legislative agencies. Director Rupert asked if ACWA had taken a position on the Bill? District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated they had not, and if it was the direction of Board he could put pressure on them. Director Rupert stated it may be worth a letter. President Perry asked if Assemblyman Frusetta could help? District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated he voted ‘No’ in the Assembly. Director Gonzales stated it seemed to him that the Cities of Hollister and Gilroy should be represented. He also stated the Bill did not define certain projects. Director Gonzales asked if Watsonville was going to be represented why not Hollister and Gilroy? Director Tobias agreed with Director Gonzales and stated it wouldn’t hurt to bring it up in open session and let them answer it. President Perry stated the County of San Benito has called a meeting for August 4 at 10:00 a.m. He suggested that Directors Gonzales and Tobias get together and one of them attend the meeting. Supervisor Richard Place stated he wanted to have any comments the Board may have. He stated he felt the ‘one man one vote rule’ was in violation. He stated he felt the only way to fight this Bill is through the newspapers. He stated a representative from FEMA would be at the meeting. President Perry asked if District Counsel Pipal would keep the Board updated on this Bill.

  1. Award of Bid(s) – District’s Surplus Vehicles

District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated the Board received a Memo stating that no bids were received. He stated Staff made a good faith effort on the minimum bids. He stated the next step is to send the surplus items to a professional auctioneer for disposal. President Perry stated that at least the District offered the public a chance to bid on the surplus vehicles.

6.      Report on Central Valley Project Water Supply and Cost

District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated Senator Feinstein and others are beginning to see the seriousness of this issue. He stated economic issues were serious and real.

 

7.      Report on Water Law Conference held in San Francisco

District Counsel Pipal stated one of the speakers was interested in storage of water underground. He stated he didn’t know what effect a lot of issues that were dealt with at this conference will have on our district.

8.      Committee Report:

    1. Expansion Committee – The Committee is currently working on three requests. 1) Casa de Fruta is requesting for access to our valve for fire protection. This matter will be discussed with Bureau in the interest of the public. 2) Residents of Heatherwood Estates and Foxhill Estates are requesting service. These subdivisions, located South of John Smith Road, have some the lots outside or partially within Zone 6. Basically, the current water system meets the conditions of quantity. Some issues may involve health issues. The basic issue is if they have enough water. Findings show they have enough if they put the second well on line. The Committee’s opinion is that we have needs inside Zone 6, and if there were quality issues it would be a different issue. Water quality and monitoring was not in compliance. 3) Michael Enz is in the process of purchasing property within the subsystems. When subsystems were originally planned, service was offered to the landowners. Some requested a blue valve for use in the near future or now, some requested a blind flange for future hook-up. Staff’s research has found that certain properties that have a blind flange have been paying the standby and availability charges. President Perry asked if the District will get a right of way easement. District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated the cost for any deviation of the District’s plan would be bore by the landowner.
    2. Investment Committee – Director Gonzales stated the District still has most of their investments in LAIF. He reported the District is out of Gilford totally. He stated the District has approximately $15 million invested with $11 million invested in LAIF. Director Rupert stated it seemed that for long term investments LAIF has been the best. Director Gonzales stated he felt there was no comparison to LAIF’s interest rate.

9.      District Manager/Engineer’s Report:

    1. San Luis Reservoir Low Point – This reservoir has been reduced for repairs that need to be done to the slats. Information on the condition of San Luis Reservoir has been sent out to customers. An update will be sent as soon as more information is received. This item will also appear on the Agenda for the Water Resources Association.
    2. Hollister Area Water Conservation Program – This is a progress report of the Hollister Area Urban Water Management Plan. Implementation plans are being discussed through the Water Resources Association.
    3. City of Hollister Wastewater Disposal- A special meeting of the City Council was held and a 90 day suspension of building permits was approved. After the 90 days, the City staff will issue a report on the situation and solutions. President Perry requested a copy of the Minutes of that meeting. District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated City staff has discussed the term of three or five years for a long term solution of wastewater treatment in regards to groundwater issues. Director Swanson asked if the Hollister Wastewater Treatment Plant only accepted water within the boundaries of the City of Hollister or if other areas contribute to it? Jim Perrine stated there are older subdivisions that are surrounded by the city, not within the city that contribute. But that was less than 2%? District Counsel Pipal asked if there will be a hearing in August on the final mitigated negative declaration? Jim Perrine stated that a hearing date has not been set and there is no requirement to do so.
    4. Groundwater Management Plan Implementation – The Management Plan must be in compliance with CEQA. The City has responded to the problem by adopting an Ordinance for an interim building permit suspension.
    5. San Benito River System Operations – Staff is making limited releases of Hernandez, have operated percolation in Tres Pinos Creek, which is now down to minimum pools and plan to transfer 1,000 to 1,500 ac ft of water from Hernandez to Paicines and use that water for percolation. Hernandez is at approximately 13,400 ac ft and by the end of October should be down to 8,000 or 9,000 ac ft. The District goal has been to limit storage in that reservoir. Director Swanson asked if the repairs will be started on Hernandez in October when it is empty? District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated it will be part of the budget material report. Repairs will be done with the availability of funding. He stated a design will be done this year. Director Swanson asked if the design included the outlet works? District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated it would. He added there was moderate to serious corrosion to every joint.
    6. San Felipe System Operations – Currently the operations deliver water between 170 and 180 ac ft per day. We had experienced a power outage last week which resulted in withdrawing more water from San Justo than we had liked to. We had difficulty getting back on line due to inability of PG&E responding to the remote area. We also had difficulty getting the water demands low enough to get back on line. That raises an issue on whether to install ball valves just past Pacheco or redesign a by-pass at bifurcation.
    7. Comstock Estates Water System – This is a 41 five acre parcel subdivision on Comstock Road that use to be Hawkins property. Phase 1 includes 33 lots, dual water system, domestic pipeline system and San Felipe water system. The possibility of using San Felipe water has been discussed and the District has received a request that SBCWD operate and maintain the water system. Domestic water may be a good direction for the District to move. President Perry and Director Swanson have been working on this issue and will bring subsequent reports back to the Board. The groundwater is of excellent quality. The District will need to respond in the very near future.
    8. Tres Pinos County Water District Water System – A committee was appointed to address issues. A report from Walter’s Engineering was completed. Under the direction of the Board we are attempting to solve broader water quality issues.
    9. Hollister Conduit Repair – The pipe is in various stages of manufacturing in Tracy. There should be no problems in meeting the September deadline. Directors can go up to Tracy to see how the pipe is made. In regards to the construction portion of this, we have been in conversation with District Counsel Pipal to assure we have proper contractors on this project. Expect to have pre-specifications, bring award to board in early September. Biggest challenges will be de-watering. The job should be done and cleaned up in November. President Perry asked if pre-qualification would have to be brought back to the board? District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated it was within his realm. Director Rupert asked if the District would have a real handle on the length of outage? District Manager/Engineer Gregg stated the repairs were to 500 feet of pipe and the contractor should be able to lay 100 feet per day.

 

10.    Consider Amendment to Manager’s Contract

Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried the Amendment to the Manager’s Contract was approved.

11.     Executive Session:       CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL

                                                ANTICIPATED LITIGATION

          Initiation of Litigation or deciding whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Subdivision [C] of Section 54956.9 of the Government Code.

          District Counsel Pipal reported there was no basis for this item.

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

AYES:          DIRECTORS:        Swanson, Perry, Tobias, Rupert, Gonzales

NOES:         DIRECTORS:        None

ABSENT:     DIRECTORS:        None

The Board adjourned to a Regular Meeting to be held on August 25, 1999 at 7:30 p.m., 30 Mansfield Road, Hollister, California.

 

 

 

 

______________________________________

Kenneth Perry

President of the Board

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________________

Janet L. Torres

Administrative Services Officer