REGULAR MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OF THE MID-PENINSULA WATER DISTRICT

August 28, 2008

Belmont, California

CALL TO ORDER:  The Board of Directors’ meeting of the Mid-Peninsula Water District was called to order by President Zucca at 6:30 p.m.

A.  ROLL CALL:
PRESENT:     Directors Altscher, Linvill and Zucca. President Zucca stated Director Vella was still out of the Country and Vice President Feldman had a last minute conflict and is unable to attend.

ALSO PRESENT:     General Manager Regan, General Counsel Cassman, Secretary Remeleh, and Engineer Boscacci

STAFF PRESENT:    Superintendent Michael Anderson and Sara Abou-Remeleh.

MEMBERS OF PUBLIC:   

None

PRESIDENT:  President Zucca presiding. 

Whereupon the following proceedings were duly had:

B.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 

General Counsel Cassman led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

C.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

The minutes of the Regular Board meeting of July 24, 2008 were unanimously approved on a motion by Director Altscher and seconded by Director Linvill.

D.  PUBLIC COMMENTS:

None

E.  WATER CONSERVATION:

Secretary Remeleh opened this discussion. She stated she had distributed the conservation plan and timeline to the Directors’ for their review. She stated since all Directors were not in attendance, this item will be discussed again at the next regular Board meeting. Director Altscher inquired about meetings with key individuals in the community. Secretary Remeleh stated this would be taking place and updated as needed. Secretary Remeleh also informed the Directors that staff was in attendance at the Belmont Movie Night in Twin Pines Park. She stated the event was very well attended by the public, a lot of conservation items were handed out and staff answered many questions. President Zucca stated the District conservation plan needed to include a rationing plan in case the winter rain and snow fall is not adequate and mandatory rationing is implemented.

F.  FOLLOW UP ON ORGANIZATION ASSESSMENT:

Manager Regan led this discussion. He stated a meeting had occurred with Susan Couden regarding next steps on the Organization Assessment. He told the Board Susan would be meeting with employees to go over the Meyers Briggs Instrument test the employees will be taking as well as doing some team building exercises. After this meeting, management will have a better idea as to what else needs to be accomplished. Director Altscher asked for an update on what is being done about the employees concerned about feeling uneasy with a few employees, the items taken away and the confusion of the role of the Board verses management. Manager Regan said each Monday there is an all staff meeting addressing these items. Items needing Board approval will be addressed to the Board. Manager Regan stated the Board would be receiving an overview of the Monday morning employee meetings in their weekly report. 

G.  BIENNIAL REVIEW OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE RESOLUTION NUMBER 2008-3:

General Counsel Cassman explained this item. She stated under the law every two years public agencies are required to review their conflict of interest code to determine if there is a need to make an update or amendment.  In reviewing the District’s Conflict of Interest Code, management, and Counsel saw a need to include the Field Superintendent’s position as a “designated employee” required to annually file a statement of economic interest due to the function of this position in the District’s organization. On motion by Director Linvill, seconded by Director Altscher, Resolution 2008-3, Adopting an Amended Conflict of Interest Code, was unanimously approved by a roll call vote.  

H.  CSDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION 2008:

Secretary Remeleh advised that in the Board packets were 2 letters from different candidates requesting the support of the Board for election to the CSDA Board of Directors.  After a brief discussion, the Board unanimously gave their support to Raymond Honan on motion by Director Altscher, seconded by Director Linvill.

I.  PRESENTATION ON DRAFT MASTER PLAN:

Engineer Boscacci gave an overview of the District Master Plan. He stated the existing Master Plan was drafted in Fiscal year 92/93. He stated in general everything is in good shape and the recommendations in that plan have been completed with the exception of a couple of items.  He explained the new Master Plan addresses these items and adds a few new items that need attention. These additional items cover pipe breaks, fire flow, SCADA upgrades and the Operations Manual. General Manager Regan stated the next step with the Master Plan will be a meeting with Treasurer Ira to discuss how to fund the projects, as well as projected rate increases by the SFPUC, and how this will affect customer rates in the future.  Engineer Boscacci answered a few questions by the Directors. 

J.  DIRECTORS’ REPORTS:

Director Linvill reported she attended the Sustainable San Mateo County Round Table Meeting. A copy of the report was given to each Director and management.  She reported about some recycling ideas that were shared with the attendees. She also shared information about conservation efforts in Southern California and irrigation conservation ideas.  Director Linvill said she also met with the General Manager. Director Altscher reported he and Vice President Feldman had attended a San Mateo County Special Districts Association meeting. He reported on special districts on the coast and the challenges they are facing. He also stated he had attended a District BBQ in celebration of the retirement of Robert McEwen who is retiring after 21 years of service to the District. Director Zucca reported on BAWSCA’s plans to commit to 10 million gallons a day of conservation as one of the alternatives to the SFPUC’s capital improvement program. How they are going to do this is being evaluated. President Zucca brought this up because he wanted to report that the consulting firm he works for has proposed on this project and he has consulted with counsel to make sure there would be no conflict of interest with his firm working for BAWSCA. He reported BAWSCA is looking at ways to save the 10 million gallons a day and to finance this conservation program as there is no funding for it at this time. 

K.  MANAGER’S REPORT:

Manger Regan reported on the Civic Lane project. He also reported on the Exbourne Tank Project. The General Manager proposed to carry the rebuild of the new tank to next fiscal year and use the budgeted dollars this year for installing the distribution main for this project.  Staff was informed by the City of San Carlos they have a moratorium on opening the streets during the winter months. He stated this years budgeted dollars for Exbourne Phase 2 will be used on planning all remaining aspects of this job and the remainder of the unused dollars will be placed in the reserves. He also reported on the transferring of services on Hillman and stated the residents have been very pleased with our work. Director Altscher had a question about costs on the leak report which the General Manager answered. On motion by Director Altscher, seconded by Director Linvill, the Manager’s Report was unanimously approved. 

L.  FINANCIAL REPORTS:

Following review of same, on motion by Director Linvill, seconded by Director Altscher the Financial Report was unanimously approved. 

M.  FUTURE NEW BUSINESS ITEMS-SUGGESTIONS BY THE BOARD MEMBERS:

None

N.  COMMUNICATIONS:

Director Altscher stated he had exchanged emails with Kristin Lamson, a former employee with Hanson Bridgett, who moved to Washington and stated she would like to say hello to all.  Director Altscher also stated he felt the weekly reports sent to the Directors by staff could be a little more streamlined. He felt the Directors know staff is doing the day to day operations and only felt the Board needed to be informed when there are items the Board may be asked about while in public. This would save a lot of staff time. The Board concurred with Director Altscher.  Manager Regan stated he would let staff know of the changes. 

O.  CLOSED SESSION:

At the direction of President Zucca, the Board recessed at 7:58 p.m. and convened to closed session with respect to the following specified items on the agenda:

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Closed session pursuant to Government Code 54957

Title: General Manager

The Board came out of closed session at 9:33 p.m. and the General Counsel reported that no action had been taken.

P.  ADJOURNMENT:

President Zucca adjourned the meeting at 9:34 p.m. The next regular meeting of the MPWD Board is scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the District’s administrative offices at 3 Dairy Lane, Belmont CA 94002.