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, Feldman, Linvill, Vella and Zucca.
ALSO PRESENT: General Manager Regan, General Counsel Schutte, Secretary Remeleh, and Engineer O’Flaherty
STAFF PRESENT: Rick Bisio and Sara Abou-Remeleh.
MEMBERS OF PUBLIC:
Joubin Pakpour, Pakpour Consulting
PRESIDENT: President Zucca presiding.
Whereupon the following proceedings were duly had:
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
General Counsel Schutte led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the Regular Board meeting of August 28, 2008 were unanimously approved on a motion by Director Altscher and seconded by Director Linvill. Vice President Feldman and Director Vella abstained as they were not in attendance at the meeting.
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 was rolled over to this meeting. President Zucca asked if there was any new info on rationing and if any customers have been inquiring about rationing plans. Secretary Remeleh explained there have been a few phone calls from customers but at this point the SFPUC is only calling for a voluntary 10% reduction. She also explained that staff would be attending the water conservation implementation study group BAWSCA is implementing. Secretary Remeleh stated the Directors also had before them the quarterly newsletter for review and comments. Director Vella commented on plans other water purveyors had in place and asked staff to check into ways to challenge the customers on conservation. He stated the plan was very good. Director Altscher commented on the water conservation plan and timeline which he feels looks good. He also stated community involvement will be the key to a successful plan and he also inquired as to the timeline of the District’s conservation banner. General Manager Regan stated the banner should be complete mid October and staff will work with the City to have it placed on Ralston. Director Linvill stated she likes the plan but would also like a more detail and specifics on what is being done now and how often.
F. DIRECTORS’ REPORTS:
Director Altscher reported that Martha Poyatos, the Executive Director of the San Mateo LAFCo received an award for being Professional of the Year for 2008 for all the LAFCo’s in the state. The Directors asked staff draft a congratulatory letter to Martha on her accomplishment. Director Altscher also reported he had the opportunity to talk to customer on Sharon Avenue. This customer told Director Altscher he was very impressed with the District’s crew during a recent main break on his street. He told Director Altscher the crews repaired not only the main break in an efficient manner but also repaired the damage to his property. Director Linvill reported on an exit interview she conducted with a prior employee of the District. She stated this employee shared a lot of positive comments about the District and its employees and a few issues he had with the District and how it is run. She stated this employee would also like to proceed with the grievance procedure. Director Linvill explained the employee would need to follow the grievance procedure as outlined in the Districts Personal Manual. Director Vella reported that in his travels he had the opportunity to visit a few desalinization plants in the Mediterranean. Director Vella also thanked staff for providing Directors with District shirts. President Zucca reported he had the opportunity to have a conversation with Howard Jones of the Harbor Industrial Association (HIA). President Zucca stated he had offered to give a presentation to the HIA on the regional water system, the SFPUC’s CIP Program and give them an understanding on where water rates might be going. President Zucca informed the Directors he would be giving his presentation at the October HIA meeting.
G. MANAGER’S REPORT:
Manager Regan reported on the changes in the Exbourne Tank Project. He explained that
due to a cell site tower issue and the rains last November, the project to rebuild the existing tank, which was planned for fiscal year 2007/2008, had to be continued into the current fiscal year. In reviewing the process of this project, General Manager Regan felt rebuilding the
existing tank this late in the fiscal year would cause the project to be continued into the
following fiscal year. He then examined reordering other phases of this project but found that the other phases would also not be completed before the end of the fiscal year. Manager Regan proposed to the board that the District work with the District Engineer to revise plans for the next 3 phases of this project for this fiscal year and revise the Capital Budget to reflect the changes. The board asked a few questions in regards to how this plan would be implemented and how the funds would be redistributed for the remainder of the fiscal year. Manager Regan explained the engineering cost for planning the next 3 phases of the Exbourne Project would be approximately $50,000 and the remainder of the funds targeted for this project would be placed in the District LAIF account until next fiscal year when the projects would resume.
Manager Regan also reported that the emergency intertie on Lincoln had to be opened to provide water to California Water Service Company water during an emergency in their system. He also told the Directors he attended a meeting at BAWSCA on future water supplies and due to the supply issues and increasing costs of water he would like to have the District do a study on alternative water supply sources and investigate the District’s options. This will provide critical information on what can be done and at what cost so in the future the District will be prepared to implement whatever plan is necessary to supply our customers with water.Manager Regan reported on the last meeting with Susan Couden, the Human Resource Specialist. He handed out to the Directors the employees’ Code of Conduct which was developed and agreed to by all employees of the District. He also reported that the Monday meetings will be continuing between management and staff. Right now management is reformulating its plan on how to proceed with these meetings. Directors will be receiving updates on these meetings in their weekly reports and Manager’s Reports. On motion by Director Vella, seconded by Director Linvill the Manager’s Report was unanimously approved.
H. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Vice President Feldman had a few question on payroll checks written to an employee that recently retired and if there is a cap in place as to how much vacation and sick leave an employee can accrue. The District Secretary explained to the Board there are caps in place and at retirement employees are paid for their unused vacation time and 50% of their sick leave accrued not to exceed 60 days. He also was impressed the budget was falling inline with the projected figures. Vice President Feldman also asked staff to investigate setting up a separate fund for Other Post Employment Benefits. Director Linvill stated she would like to meet with Treasurer Ira on the Financial Statements and maybe make a few changes on completed projects. On motion by Vice President Feldman, seconded by Director Vella, the Financial Report was unanimously approved.
I. FUTURE NEW BUSINESS ITEMS-SUGGESTIONS BY THE BOARD MEMBERS:
Director Vella suggested that he would like to see the water study on future agendas.
Director Altscher reminded the Board it was time for the General Manager’s review.
General Counsel Schutte reminded the Board it was time for their 2 hour Ethic Training as outlined in AB 1234. After discussion, it was decided that all Directors and Staff would attend this training as it will be beneficial for all. The District Secretary will contact the Directors with possible dates.
J. COMMUNICATIONS:
Secretary Remeleh reminded the Board they received the District response to the Grand Jury Recommendations on Other Post Employment Benefits for review and acceptance. On motion by Vice President Feldman, seconded by Director Vella the Mid-Peninsula Water District Response to Grand Jury Recommendations was unanimously approved.
K. ADJOURNMENT:
President Zucca adjourned the meeting at 8:46 p.m. The next regular meeting of the MPWD Board is scheduled for Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the District’s administrative offices at 3 Dairy Lane, Belmont CA 94002.
