December 15, 2004

Regular Meeting

7:30 p.m.

 

          The Board of Directors of the San Benito County Water District convened in regular session on Wednesday, December 15, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. at the San Benito County Water District offices, 30 Mansfield Road, Hollister, CA.  Members present were President Ken Perry, Vice President John Tobias and Directors Swanson, Flores and Bettencourt.  Also present were District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg, Deputy District Engineer Jeff Cattaneo, District Counsel David E. Pipal and Administrative Services Officer, Maria E. Alfaro.

 

Call to Order

 

a.       Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 

 

President Perry lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

b.       Approval of the Agenda.

 

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

 

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

 

          Robbie Scattini welcomed the new board members.  Mr. Scattini noted that the Memorandum of Understanding had been approved by the City Monday night and hopes we can work together and is pleased to see this in writing.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

1.       Approval of Minutes of November 22, 2004, Special Meeting and November 23, 2004, Regular Meeting.

 

2.       Allowance of Claims.

 

3.       Consider Resolution Setting Public Hearing on San Felipe Distribution System Standby and Availability Charges for the 2005-2006 Water Year.

 

Directors questioned the a couple of the claims that were being paid.  District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg answered questions regarding the claims.  Upon a motion duly made and seconded the Consent Agenda was approved.  Resolution No. 2004-25 was adopted, Resolution Setting Public Hearing on San Felipe Distribution System Standby and Availability Charges for the 2005-2006 Water Year.

 

REGULAR AGENDA

 

4.      Consider Resolution Recognizing Michael A. Matulich for 13 Years of Service.

 

          District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg  noted that Mike Matulich was retiring after over thirteen years of service to the District. Mr. Gregg noted that Mike has set a standard for customer service and his sense of duty and responsibility will be missed.  Mr. Matulich thanked everyone.

 

          Upon a motion duly made and seconded Resolution No. 2004-26, Resolution Recognizing Michael A. Matulich for 13 Years of Services was unanimously approved.

 

5.      Consider Resolution Authorizing Preparation, Execution and Filing an Application for A Safe Drinking Water/State Revolving Fund Loan From the California Department of Health Services and Authorization To Enter Into Agreement To Receive That Loan.

 

          District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted to the board that the actions were set out in the board memorandum.  Mr. Gregg noted that when the District become involved in the Harmony Hills Water System one outcome element was to rebuild the water system, the possibility of getting a loan to provide safe drinking water was the first step to bring the water system to that area.  Discussion was had regarding the number of connections and the amount of funding available.

 

          Upon a motion duly made and seconded, Resolution No. 2004-27, Resolution Authorizing Preparation, Execution and Filing an Application for A Safe Drinking Water/State Revolving Fund Loan From the California Department of Health Services and Authorization To Enter Into Agreement To Receive That Loan, was unanimously approved.

 

6.      Consider Letter of Support to the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board Regarding the City of Hollister’s Use of Holding Tanks as An Interim Solution For Commercial and Industrial Development.

 

          District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that the City of Hollister was proposing to use the holding tanks as an interim solution for commercial and industrial development.

 

          Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Board Authorized the President to sign the letter of support to the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.

 

          President Perry noted that the Memorandum of Understanding between the City, County and District was a great step forward and a real achievement by all agencies.

 

7.      Consider Resolution Authorizing District Manager to Prepare, Execute and File An Application For the Water Softener Rebate Program from the 2004 Water Use Efficiency Grant From the California Department of Water Resources And To Enter Into An Agreement To Receive That Grant.

 

          District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that reducing the number of water softeners in the City of Hollister, Sunnyslope County Water District and City of San Juan Bautista was needed.  Mr. Gregg noted that if approved, the District would be working with the Santa Clara Valley Water District.  Mr. Gregg noted that the Resolution was necessary for the application process.  Discussion was had regarding the position of the other agencies, Mr. Gregg noted that the other agencies were supportive.

 

          Upon a motion duly made and seconded, Resolution No.2004-28, Resolution Authorizing District Manager to Prepare, Execute and File An Application For the Water Softener Rebate Program from the 2004 Water Use Efficiency Grant From the California Department of Water Resources And To Enter Into An Agreement To Receive That Grant, was unanimously approved.

 

8.      Review of Water Supply and Consider Authorizing Manager to Execute An Agreement(s) for the Transfer of CVP Irrigation and /or M&I Water.

 

          District Manager John S. Gregg provided a hand out to the board, which demonstrated the water supply available to our area.  Discussion was had regarding the amount needed to refill San Justo, how much water was already committed, the obligation of the amount of water to purchase and noted that there are markets for surplus water.  Discussion by the Directors followed.

 

Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the board of directors authorized the Manager to execute an agreement(s) for the Transfer of CVP Irrigation and/or M&I Water, was unanimously approved.

 

9.      Report on Treat Water Systems.

 

          District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that beyond the approval of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) approved by the City of Hollister, County of San Benito and San Benito County Water District, the MOU will set a background for water and planning activities with the intent to move that into the work plan in the Master Plan.  Mr. Gregg noted that the board would designate members to the committee.

 

 

 

10.    Report on Wastewater Treatment and Disposal.

 

          District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that this matter had been discussed previously. 

 

11.     Report on County Groundwater and Aquifer Protection and Well Standards Ordinance and Request That Board President Appoint and Ad Hoc Committee.

 

          President Perry noted that the District had taken over the Ordinances.  Mr. Perry noted that he wanted to be clear about what had been delegated to the District.  The issues are strictly the permitting of wells and extraction of groundwater. President Perry appointed Director Bob Swanson and himself to the Ad Hoc Committee.

 

12. Consider Authorizing Director Attendances at the 38th Annual Mid Pacific Region Water Users Conference, January 19, 2005, Rohnert Park, California.

 

          President Perry asked the board members if they were interested in attending.  Director Swanson and Director Flores noted that they would like to go.

 

13.    Committee Reports.

 

          There were no committee reports.

 

14.    District Manager/Engineer’s Report:

 

          a.       North County Area Hydrogeological Study

 

          Deputy District Engineer Jeff Cattaneo provided an update of the project noting that 19 sites had been completed and additional dates have been set for January.

 

          b.       Agency Shop Petition and Election

 

          District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg  noted that State law were changed a few years ago regarding Agency Shop.  SEIU raised the issue.  It was the position of the District that this was a decision of the employees. Following the completion of negotiations a petition was filed, an election was held.  The outcome of the election is that this will not be an agency shop.

 

          c.       Water Rates and Charges

 

          District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that the Water Rates and Charges Committee would be meeting soon, calendars will be checked for availability.

 

          d.       USBR Contract Renewal Negotiations

 

          District Manager/Engineer John S. Gregg noted that there had been a negotiation session yesterday. The Bureau will include contract repayment.  Mr. Gregg noted that major steps in providing resolution to long outstanding issues.

 

BOARD ORGANIZATION

 

          a.       Election of Officers.

 

          President Perry opened the election of officers.  President Perry nominated Vice President John Tobias for President and Director Bob Swanson for Vice-President.  Upon a motion duly made and seconded, Vice President John Tobias was elected President and Director Bob Swanson was elected Vice-President unanimously.

 

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

 

 

                                                         

Kenneth A. Perry, President

 

 

                                                         

Maria E. Alfaro

Administrative Services Officer