Regular
Meeting
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.
Allison
Rohnert addressed the board with a petition of the landowners and residents of the
Upon
direction of District Counsel Dave Pipal, he asked that the submitted to the
Secretary.
William
Cabrera,
District
Counsel Pipal asked that the remaining pages of the petition be submitted and
that the petition be introduced tonight and asked that Secretary read the
petition. Administrative Services
Officer, Maria E. Alfaro read the Petition presented by the petitioners.
District
Counsel Pipal noted that the board could not take any action on this matter
tonight due to it not being on the agenda and that it would be placed on an
agenda at a future meeting.
Vice
President asked that a contact person’s name be given to the Secretary.
Director
Swanson asked that the board hear from all the individuals that were there on
this item.
Anthony
Botelho, representing the San Benito County Farm
Bureau, Water Committee Chairman, noted to the board of directors that he was
concerned about the percolation ponds on
Charlotte
O’Bannon, property owner on
Joel
Hill, Field Representative, SEIU Local 817 addressed the board. He noted that the union had made several
concessions with your bargaining team in good faith. Mr. Hill noted that they feel the agreement
is fair and suggested the board take a look at it. He asked that the board noted that they
employ working families. The bargaining
team noted that the District employs individuals, not families. The union’s bargaining team has made two
counter offers regarding health care, one is a modest flat rate increase which
is fair and comparable to other districts.
The other offer is an introduction of a tiered system, which is not only
fair to the employees, but it would save the District money. Mr. Hill noted that the proposals are fair
and suggested the board look them over to bring closure to the negotiations.
Mike
Matulich, Electrician for the Water District.
Mr. Matulich noted that Joel noted to the board that the contract is at
a stalemate and asked the board to take a look at it and make a decision. It makes hard feelings when there is a stalement.
There
being no further public comment. The
President closed the public comment session.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Approval of Minutes:
2. Allowance
of Claims
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Consent Agenda was unanimously approved.
REGULAR AGENDA:
3. Public Hearing/Meeting regarding
a)
Proof of Publication submitted on
Notice of Public Hearing.
Administrative Services Officer Maria E. Alfaro noted to
the board that the Public Hearing notice was published in the Pinnacle
Newspaper on July 8 and
b)
Presentation of Ordinance Establishing
District
Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that Jeff Cattaneo, Deputy District
Engineer would handle this matter.
c)
Presentation of Resolution Establishing
Rules and Regulations for Domestic (Potable) Water Services Charges in Zone 104
Jeff Cattaneo noted to the board that
the items before them were an Ordinance establishing rates and charges and a
Resolution establishing rules and regulations.
That the Resolution was a standard resolutions used for all other rural
water systems. District Counsel Pipal
noted that the Ordinance noted a rate of $62.00. Jeff Cattaneo noted that that was
correct. Director Keck asked about the
two conditions noted in the memorandum.
Mr. Cattaneo noted that the transfer agreement was in the process of
being completed and that some easement issues need to be addressed.
Vice President Tobias asked how many
services there were.
Karl Skow,
property owner, noted that some of the properties have multiple units on them.
Open
Public Hearing.
President
Perry opened the public hearing.
d)
Close Public Hearing or continue to a
later date.
There being
no speakers the Public Hearing was closed.
f) Consideration of:
1)
Ordinance Establishing
Director Swanson
noted that the Rules and Regulations were identical to others.
Upon a motion
duly made and seconded, Ordinance No. 39, Ordinance of the San Benito County
Water District Establishing Water Rates and Charges for Zone 104 (Fairview Road
Water System) was unanimously approved and adopted.
2)
Resolution Establishing Rules and
Regulations for Domestic (Potable) Water Services Charges in Zone 104 for
2004-2005 Water Year
Upon a motion
duly made and seconded, Resolution No. 2004-20,. Resolution of the Board of Directors of the
San Benito County Water District Establishing Rules and Regulations For
Domestic (Potable) Water Service in Zone 104 (Fairview Road Water System) was
unanimously approved and adopted.
4.
Consideration of Resolution Authorizing
Execution of the Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Efficient Water
Management Practices By Agricultural Water Suppliers in
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted to the board that this item
had been summarized and detailed in the memorandum. Mr. Gregg recommended that the District
become a member. Director Swanson noted
that they meet four times a year in
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, Resolution No.
2004-21, Resolution of the San Benito County Water District Board of Directors
Authorizing Execution of the AB 3616 Memorandum of Understanding was
unanimously approved and adopted.
5.
Consideration
of Memorandum of Understanding among the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency,
San Benito County Water District and Santa Clara Valley Water District for
Coordination of Water Resources Planning
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted to the board that the
memorandum summarized the essential purpose of the MOU. The intent of this is to have a formal way of
looking at what are the issues of the Pajaro Water Management Agency, what are
the things that the counties of
Director
Tobias asked if this would take the place of the current
Water
and Flood Prevention Authority. Mr.
Gregg noted that it would not.
Director
De La Cruz asked if this would have any fiscal impact. Mr. Gregg noted that it would not. Mr. Gregg noted that the commitment was to
communicate and coordinate.
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that the motion before the board
tonight was to authorize District Manager to execute the MOU would be in order.
Upon
a motion duly made and seconded, the board of directors authorized District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg to
execute the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the District.
6.
Report
on Treated Water Systems
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg No report to give on treated water systems.
7. Report on Wastewater Treatment and
Disposal
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted to the board of directors that the District had been working with the Sunnyslope County Water District in the development of Waste Discharge Requirements. The District has been supporting them in developing a long-term wastewater management plan most recently they approved a contract with a consulting firm for the development of their long term wastewater management plan. Mr. Gregg noted that the District has worked with the Sunnyslope County Water District on a Scope and, going forward, will assist with issues regarding groundwater conditions and groundwater monitoring which may offer the opportunity to expand the District’s body of knowledge we have in that area, that opportunity would require to pay for some additional drilling and consultant work, will see how this unfolds as this goes forward. Mr. Gregg noted that the current discharge order will be served by the regional board at the December meeting. That order set some conditions with waste treatment and discharge and calls for a longrange plan.
With regard to the City of Hollister Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that the City has not produced a long-term wastewater management plan as required by the regional board in the waste discharge order or in the cease and desist order. They have produced a document that does not address all of the issues called for. That issue had been addressed with correspondence from the Sacramento water resources legal firm. There are a multitude of activities which do not seem to be coordinated or managed. Those issues have been raised by the District and the County Board of Supervisors have met with members of the City Council. There is an agreement to meet again and discuss issues and actions that need to be taken. There is reasonable agreement among the parties with respect to waste treatment and disposal by the City that is consistent with overall community interest which include issues in the Wright Road area.
Director Swanson asked what the percentage of that water is treated by the Sunnyslope County Water District. Mr. Gregg noted that the water is treated at two sites. In terms of houses, it is in the range of 20% that they serve water to. Director Swanson noted that 70 to 80% of it is from the City of Hollister. Director Swanson asked if they were contracting with the City of Hollister for that. Mr. Gregg noted that they provide water service only. The City provides sewer service there is no business link between those enterprises.
8. Committee Reports:
a.
Ag Waiver Committee (Swanson/Tobias)
The Committee had nothing to report at this meeting.
b.
San Benito County/District (Perry/Tobias)
Vice President Tobias noted that District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg had reported about this on a previous item.
9. District Manager/Engineer’s Report:
a.
Comstock Estates Water System Transfer
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that there were two items to report about on this item. The transfer goal will not be met. The principal reason was that the District had received a petition from the homeowners asking the District to withhold for 90 days. Mr. Gregg noted that he would report about this item at a later date.
b.
San Justo Inlet-Outlet Repair Inspection
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg provided the board members with a photograph and noted that the flap gate that was removed was placed in the hallway for the Directors to see. Mr. Gregg noted that dives had been conducted by the USBR to look at the problem with the flap gate. Mr. Gregg noted that there was a lot of equipment 100 feet under water. The screen appeared to have failed. It was covered with plastic bags and a decision to remove the flap gate was made. Mr. Gregg noted that the bureau researched to address an issue suggested by a biologist, which was not a part of the permitting or requirement. Further testing is to be done at a future date. Mr. Gregg shared with the directors the critical concern for service.
District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg discussed the fault with Bifurcation on Monday afternoon. Mr. Gregg noted that computer and/or electrical issues, which control the service of water to San Benito County are being reviewed and that steps are being taken in reviewing equipment on site. Mr. Gregg noted that these failures are odd and that the District will be reviewing if maintenance or modifications made earlier were contributors to the incident.
Mr. Gregg noted to the board that the District was able to
move quickly into a correction and recovery mode. The system was completely back on line by
Mr. Gregg noted that communication with customers was key. That not all customers provide telephone numbers for contact in situations like this.
c.
San Luis Reservoir Low Point
District
Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported that the San Luis Reservoir was
low. Currently at 350,000 to 400,000
acre-feet. Given the amount of
d. CVP Capital Rate
District
Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg reported that the Bureau of Reclamation
has an enormous challenge with setting up a rate structure with the several
hundred contractors in the Central Valley Project. One piece which serves as a guide to the rate
structure is an approach to setting the capital rate that involves considering
the amount of water which has been historically been used by a district and an
estimate of water it will use in the remaining payment period for those
facilities. They have a stable base to
determine rates. In the opinion of the
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at
Kenneth Perry
President
Maria E. Alfaro
Administrative Services Officer