CALL TO ORDER: The Board of Directors’ meeting of the Mid-Peninsula Water District was called to order by Vice President Feldman at 6:30 p.m.
A. ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Directors Altscher, Feldman, Linvill, and Vella.
ALSO PRESENT: General Manager Regan, General Counsel Cassman, Secretary Remeleh, and Engineer O’Flaherty.
STAFF PRESENT: Superintendent Michael Anderson, Rick Bisio, Sara Abou-Remeleh, and Jon Tscharner.
MEMBERS OF PUBLIC:
Mayor of the City of Belmont David Braunstein, students who participated in the 2009 Poster Contest and a Teacher of one of the participating classes.
PRESIDENT: Vice Present Feldman presiding.
Whereupon the following proceedings were duly had:
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Director Altscher led the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. REORGANIZATION OF BOARD
Vice President Feldman opened the nominations for the office of President.
On a motion by Director Altscher and seconded by Director Linvill, the Board unanimously elected Mark Feldman as the President of the Board.
President Feldman was very honored to be elected President of the Board.
President Feldman opened nominations for the office of Vice President of the Board.
On a motion by Director Linvill seconded by Director Altscher, the Board unanimously elected Louis J. Vella as Vice President of the Board.
Vice President Vella humbly accepted.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the Regular Board meeting of November 19, 2008 were unanimously approved as corrected on a motion by Director Vella and seconded by Director Linvill.
E. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mayor David Braunstein congratulated the Board on their new positions. He wanted to take this opportunity to introduce himself as the New Mayor of Belmont. He was elected three weeks prior. He wanted to ask the Board if they were interested in joint meetings with the City of Belmont as they had done in the past. He also offered his services to assist with the efforts to educate students on water awareness.
Vice President Vella welcomed the Mayor. He also stated that he would like to build a closer relationship with the City and hopefully with the joint meetings that will be accomplished.
Director Feldman directed staff to contact the City Manager and put together a meeting with the City.
Director Altscher wished the Mayor a happy, healthy holiday.
F. MPWD POSTER CONTEST:
Secretary Remeleh reported that the District was very pleased with the participation in the poster contest. 135 students participated in the 2009 poster contest a significant increase from the 2008 contest which only had 47 participants. A calendar was made out of the students’ art work. Winners were presented gift certificates which were distributed by President Feldman. Certificates were also given to all participants in the contest. Secretary Remeleh thanked all of the participants in the 2009 Poster Contest and encouraged them to continue to participate in the years to come.
Director Linvill also thanked the participants and reminded them to continue to conserve water.
Director Altscher thanked staff for all of the great work put into the contest.
G. WATER CONSERVATION:
Director Linvill reported on a water brochure and a newsletter that another water agency has put out and would like to see the Mid-Peninsula Water put out something similar to these handouts. These handouts included updates on the drought, conservation information, and the accomplishments of the agency.
H. AUDITORS REPORT ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007-2008
Director Linvill requested in the future the auditor attend the meeting to present the report to the Board on this item.
President Feldman agreed.
On a motion by Director Linvill seconded by Director Altscher, the Auditors report was unanimously accepted.
I. ACWA CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON DC:
Director Altscher explained that each year we pay dues for ACWA and the Board members and staff are encouraged to attend the conferences which can be very valuable. Board members and staff regularly attend the California conferences, but have never attended the Washington D.C. conference. Director Altscher stated that this conference may be valuable to the District. He was in favor of having a representative of the District attend. Director Altscher was supportive of Vice President Vella attending the ACWA Conference in Washington D.C.
Director Linvill explained that this is an important opportunity for the District to be recognized, to learn, and to bring back valuable information that may help the District. Director Linvill was also supportive of Vice President Vella attending the conference and believes that he would be an appropriate representative of the District. She also suggested that each Board member have an opportunity to attend this conference in future years. She believes it would strengthen the Board and the Boards’ ability to serve the District.
Vice President Vella explained he was very interested in going because of the new administration. He believes that it will be beneficial to observe the federal government at work and get information about federal legislation and programs to add to information the District regularly receives about the State. He thanked the Board for their support and he will be sure to bring information back with him.
President Feldman also stated that Vice President Vella’s attendance would be beneficial for the District and very appropriate.
On a motion by Director Linvill seconded by Director Altscher, the Board unanimously approved Vice President Vella’s attendance at the ACWA Conference in Washington D.C.
J. MPWD SAFETY PROGRAM:
Manager Regan asked for the Board’s approval for the Mid-Peninsula Water District’s safety incentive program. He explained that this program rewards the District employees for working safely. Each employee will receive a check for $200.00 at the end of every year unless there are safety incidents. Should a safety incident occur that could be avoided, the employee or employees will lose $50.00 per incident.
President Feldman believed that this program has been and will be a value to the employees and the District as a whole.
On a motion by Director Linvill seconded by Vice President Vella, the Board unanimously approved the MPWD Safety Incentive Program.
K. BAWSCA REPORT:
Vice President Vella reported that the BAWSCA meeting focused on water conservation and the drought. Rain levels are still not high enough, but the snow cap is building up. Water rationing is still a possibility.
They also discussed the timeline for the Water System Improvement Project (WSIP) that the San Francisco Water Department is pursuing on the Hetch Hetchy System.
L. DIRECTORS’ REPORTS:
Director Linvill reported on her attendance at the Belmont Chamber of Commerce Annual Holiday Fundraiser and Gala. She had spoken with the Plant Manager of Kelly Moore Paint and he was proud to report that Kelly Moore had received the Green Certification by San Mateo County and others. The Mayor also spoke at the fundraiser.
Vice President Vella reported on the reorganization of the Belmont City Council. The transition was smooth and over all everything went well. The Mayor gave a review of the City’s accomplishments and progress. Director Vella is very interested in reconnecting with the City and working together. He also spoke with Sergeant Halleran who is in charge of the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) to be sure that the Mid-Peninsula Water District was recognized as a chief member of the EOC.
He also thanked staff for putting up the holiday sign again this year.
M. MANAGER’S REPORT:
Manager Regan reported the Maywood Mainline project has been completed. The District distributed customer survey cards and all but two responses reflected complete satisfaction with this project. Staff has tested the generators and they are prepared for the winter season. He also reported on a mainline project on Ralston. Staff is working to abandon a section of pipe that has had several leaks and will be transferring services to a new pipe. Manager Regan reported on the ACWA Conference where he heard a lot of information on green certification. He also attended the BAWSCA meeting. He spoke with General Manager Art Jensen who would like to set up a date with the board to discuss the contract negotiations with San Francisco.
General Manager Regan announced to the Board that District employee, Brent Chester, has attended a Back Flow Prevention seminar and has been certified in Back Flow prevention and District employee Rick Bisio has attended a defensive driving class and has been certified to test employees on defensive driving.
Director Vella congratulated the employees on their certifications. He also congratulated employee Jon Tscharner on getting his class B license.
On a motion by Vice President Vella and seconded by Director Altscher, the Board unanimously approved the Manager’s Report.
N. FINANCIAL REPORT:
On a motion by Director Linvill and seconded by Director Altscher, the Board unanimously approved the Financial Report.
O. FUTURE NEW BUSINESS ITEMS-SUGGESTIONS BY BOARD MEMBERS:
On January’s agenda there will be discussion on green business certification, Art Jensen will be addressing the Board, there will be an item to authorize opening a CD, and an item to schedule the 2009 Goals Meeting.
P: COMMUNICATIONS:
None.
Q. CLOSED SESSION:
At the direction of President Feldman, the Board and General Counsel recessed at 7:53 to convene in a closed session with respect to the specified item on the agenda:
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Closed session pursuant to Government Code 54957
Title: General Manager
The Board reconvened in open session at 10:33. On motion by Director Linvill, seconded by Vice President Vella, the Board unanimously approved a merit increase for the General Manager of 3.25%.
R. ADJOURNMENT:
Vice President Feldman adjourned the meeting at 10:34 p.m. The next regular meeting of the MPWD Board is scheduled for Thursday January 22, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the District’s administrative offices at 3 Dairy Lane, Belmont CA 94002.
