7:30 p.m.
The Board of Directors of the San Benito County Water District convened in
Regular Session. All members of the Board were present together with
Manager/Engineer
President Robert Swanson called the meeting to order and requested all to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously passed, the Agenda was approved as submitted.
c. Public Input
Director William Rupert stated he had read an article in The Pinnacle (Thursday, October 29th),in which the Board of Supervisors stated their non support. Director stated this continues to disappoint him.
1. Approval of Minutes
for:
Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously passed, the Minutes were approved as submitted.
2. Allowance of Claims:
Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously passed, the Claims were allowed as submitted.
3. Authorization to
Purchase Utility Vehicle (approximately $21,300.00) Through State of
District Manager Gregg stated the purchase is of a new vehicle with a price of $19,000.00 before taxes. Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously passed, authorization was given to purchase the utility vehicle through the State Procurement Program.
4. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF DRAFT INVESTMENT POLICY:
Director Buzzetta reviewed the proposed changes to the Draft Investment Policy section by section. Basically Director Buzzetta stated the changes were to comply with the Government Code. President Swanson stated the matter needs to go back to the committee.
Delegation of Authority: Director Buzzetta stated the Investment Committee will receive quarterly reports from Staff, reviewed it and forward it to the Board. He stated if the District consults with an investment advisor, the investment advisor will come back to the Investment committee with recommendations. He continued stating authority will be given to the manager or investment advisor for the day to day handling within the Investment Policy’s guidelines. Director Buzzetta stated the investment advisor or manager would recommend sales or purchases to the Investment Committee for authorization. He stated if there is something where the Investment Comm cannot agree upon then it goes before the Board. President Swanson stated he would feel more comfortable if all investments would come through the Board for a year or so, for approval.
Ethics and Conflict of Interest: Counsel Pipal stated if a director has financial gain it would be a conflict of interest.
Permitted Investment Instruments: President Swanson referred this item back to the Investment Committee for review.
Maximum Maturity: Director Buzzetta stated this was restated to meet the cash flow forecasts.
Reporting Requirements: President Swanson stated this section needed further clarification.
Safekeeping and Custody: President Swanson referred this section back to the Investment Committee.
5. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Investment Committee - Director Buzzetta reported the loss of interest with the District’s Class B shares.
b. Groundwater Committee -
1. Water Resources Association: Manager Gregg stated one issue is the District’s cost and another issue is the District’s participation. He stated one of the issues will be addressed at the January’s meeting. Manager Gregg stated this association needs one Director representative and one alternate. Director Gonzales stated he would be the representative and Director Perry stated he would be the alternate. Manager Gregg stated he has accepted the job of coordinator.
2. Zone 3 boundary issues: Manager Gregg stated policy is evolving and a discussion draft will be at the December meeting.
6. DISTRICT MANAGER/ENGINEER REPORT
a. Hollister Conduit Repairs: Manager Gregg reported work has progressed satisfactorily. Completion is set for Tuesday or Wednesday. He reported no major issues have been encountered. He stated he would report back with report.
b. OES/FEMA 1995 Project:
c. OES/FEMA 1998 Project: Manager Gregg reported the 1995 OES/FEMA claims are at the point of being closed out, and we have made claims for the 1998 damages and are working with OSHA and FEMA staff on recouping the full costs and administration. He reported we are currently processing claims for final repairs to the pipeline which is federal property. He stated FEMA is reviewing the costs and the District may receive more reimbursement funds.
d. San Juan Bautista Area Water Treatment Plant: Manager Gregg reported staff and San Juan Bautista are meeting to treat both surface and groundwater.
e. 1999 Rates and Charges: Manager Gregg stated this is a reminder issue for the rate committee. The rates will be coming to the Board in January after a couple of public hearing meetings to allow input from the public.
f. 1997/98 Groundwater Report: Manager Gregg stated the groundwater report is due on Monday, December 21st. He stated a public hearing for water users to submit opinions is tentatively scheduled for January 7th.
g. USBR Contract Renewal: Manager Gregg reported the Bureau has initiated and is conducting scoping meetings for environmental document preparation. He stated Operations and Maintenance Supervisor Cliff Thatcher is in Gilroy tonight at a meeting. He stated when information is received, he will forward it to Board.
h. Urban Water Management Plan: Manager Gregg stated prior to public meetings it is critical for the Board to know what is going on.
i. 1997/98 Audit Report: Manager Gregg reported the draft is being reviewed by staff. He stated he anticipated a presentation to the Audit/Budget Committee the second week in December. President Swanson appointed Director John Tobias temporarily to the Audit/Budget and Investment Committees.
j. Meeting with the Grand Jury: Manager Gregg stated he had an informational meeting today with members of Grand Jury. He reported it was an informal fact finding meeting. He stated he took them to the portion of the PFMs report that mentioned ‘risky’ and explained it to them. He reported the Grand Jury was satisfied with the information.
Director Buzzetta stated he was not involved with the Grand Jury whatsoever.
7. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Conference with Legal Counsel
Existing Litigaation (Government Code Section 54956.9)
Sandman vs. County of San Benito
Case #22107
Counsel Pipal excused the Board for Executive Session pursuant to Government Code 54956.9.
Counsel Pipal stated no action was taken in Executive Session and the meeting was reconvened into Regular Session.
Director Rupert expressed thanks to Jerry Buzzetta for his work on the Board. Director Buzzetta stated it had been a great year, and expressed his thanks to all members.
The vote of each member of the Board on the preceding matters was as follows, unless otherwise stated:
AYES: DIRECTORS: Swanson, Perry, Rupert, Gonzales, Buzzetta
NOES: DIRECTORS: None
ABSENT: DIRECTORS: None
The Board adjourned to a regular meeting to he held on December 29, 1998 at 7:30 p.m., 30 Mansfield Road, Hollister, California.
/s/ Robert M. Swanson .
Robert M. Swanson
President
ATTEST: /s/ Janet L. Torres .
Janet L. Torres
Administrative Services Officer
Adjourned.