CALL TO ORDER: The Board of Directors’ meeting of the Mid-Peninsula Water District was called to order by President Feldman at 6:30 p.m.
A. ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Directors Altscher, Feldman, Linvill, Vella, and Zucca.
ALSO PRESENT: General Manager Regan, General Counsel Cassman, Secretary Remeleh, and Engineer O’Flaherty.
STAFF PRESENT: Rick Bisio, Mike Anderson and Brad Burwell.
MEMBERS OF PUBLIC:
None.
PRESIDENT: Present Feldman presiding.
Whereupon the following proceedings were duly had:
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Vice President Vella led the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the Regular Board meeting of February 18, 2009, were unanimously approved on a motion by Director Altscher and seconded by Director Zucca.
D. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
E. BELMONT COUNTY WATER DISTRICT EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATIONS REPORT:
Rick Bisio reported that the Employee Association is reviewing the text in the Personnel Manual and will be reporting back to the Board at the next Board meeting. He also reported that the District will be celebrating Administrative Service Manager/ District Secretary Remeleh’s 10 years of service with a BBQ at the District and the Directors are invited. The Board congratulated Secretary Remeleh on her achievement.
Director Altscher stated that it was his time to meet with the District employees again in August or September, and he is looking forward to meeting with them at that time.
Rick Bisio stated that the employees were very pleased with their last visit with Vice President Vella.
F. WATER CONSERVATION:
Secretary Remeleh reported that there was an article placed in the Daily Journal regarding the Water upon Request Program for the Belmont restaurants. 17 restaurants are now participating in this program. The article included a graph showing the progress of conservation efforts in Belmont. She also reported that a flyer was sent out to the customers talking about the current water situation of the WISP and how it may relate to future rate increases.
Secretary Remeleh also reported that two District employees, Brent Chester and Jeanette Kalabolas, have passed a 2 day water conservation certification class, and will be taking the certification exam in April.
Director Linvill reported that a city in the Monterey area is considering passing an ordinance that would make it illegal to serve water in restaurants without a specific request for it.
Director Altscher stated that restaurants have reported that for every glass of water that is served, it takes 3-4 cups of water to maintain.
He also praised the staff on the insert that went out with the bills. It was easy to read and informed the customers of the current water situation clearly. He would like to see the District continue communications with the customers.
Vice President Vella made reference to the ordinance in the Monterey area, and would like to consider proposing something less rigid on this issue.
Director Zucca stated that the Monterey area is in a far worse state when it comes to their water supply than the Belmont area, but he still encourages conservation programs in Belmont.
G. POTENTIAL DROUGHT MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVE:
Director Zucca would like to discuss some of the concepts associated with drought rate pricing compared to revenue losses, and looking into the legal aspects of allowing the District to have a Prop 218 pre-approval process that allows the District to increase rates either for drought cutbacks, for loss of revenue, as well as for quick adjustments associated with cost increases from San Francisco. He would like to keep this on the agenda to continue discussion on this issue. General Counsel Cassman would like to see the outlines of a plan in order to analyze the acceptability of a pre-approval approach under Prop 218.
Manager Regan explained that staff has had a meeting with one consultant so far concerning this issue and he has received a proposal. Staff is looking for 2 more proposals in order to have a presentation for the Board. Director Linvill asked if it would be appropriate to have the District Treasurer included in this process. Manager Regan explained that staff has already spoken with Treasurer Ira regarding this issue. Manager Regan stated that the presentation may be ready by the next Board meeting.
Vice President Vella agreed the District should have a program like this in place, and would also like to train and educate the District staff on this issue.
The Board agreed to make this a reoccurring item on the agenda.
H. EXBOURNE TANK PROJECT-RESOLUTION 2009-2 ACCEPTING AS COMPLETE AND AUTHORIZING A FILING OF NOTICE OF COMPLETION:
Manager Regan explained the New Exbourne Tank Project is complete and ready for acceptance. On motion by Vice President Vella and seconded by Director Zucca, the Board unanimously approved Resolution 2009-2 by a roll call vote.
I. CERTIFYING MPWD AS A GREEN BUSINESS:
Secretary Remeleh reported that she has been working with the County and the District is in the process of reviewing and filling out the application to be certified a green business.
Director Altscher commended the staff on their efforts regarding this issue. He would like to see the District share with staff and the community on how this affects the Mid-Peninsula Water District as well as the staff and its customers.
Vice President Vella also thanked and congratulated staff on their efforts concerning this issue.
J. REJECTION OF CLAIM FROM CHARLES HORTON:
Manager Regan explained that these claims were for alleged property damage from the water main break on Chula Vista Drive. Item J and item K were acted upon together. On a motion by Director Linvill seconded by Director Altscher, the Board unanimously approved the rejection of the claims from Charles Horton and Elvira Swanson.
K. REJECTION OF CLAIM FROM ELVIRA SWANSON:
Refer to Item J.
L. CONSIDERATION OF POLICY FOR COMPENSATION AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT FOR BOARD MEMBERS:
President Feldman stated the discussion on this item arose from a recent invitation from BAWSCA to attend the upcoming Hetch Hetchy Tour. All Directors voiced their opinions on this item. Director Zucca and Vice President Vella stated this tour was very beneficial especially due to the work being done on the system that serves our customers by the SFPUC. President Feldman, Director Altscher and Director Linvill stated due to the economic times they were not in favor of spending funds to attend this tour especially since funds were already spent for the ACWA conference in Washington DC. It was pointed out that the upcoming ACWA conference in Sacramento would be attended by 4 of the Directors. Director Zucca and Vice President Vella advised the cost of the Hetch Hetchy tour was far less than the cost of the ACWA conference and felt that maybe the Board should consider suspending all conferences and training. Director Linvill suggested that maybe there should be a limit to the number of Directors that attend the ACWA conferences in the future. President Feldman stated he felt there were many benefits for all Directors to attend the ACWA conference. Vice President Vella stated that this issue has nothing to do with funding because if the District is not willing to fund his attendance to this educational and training exercise BAWSCA will fund his attendance since he is also a Director on the BAWSCA Board of Directors. Director Vella added that he is seeking the approval of the District for him to attend this tour. After more discussion it was decided that the Board would approve the attendance but would not fund the attendance.
M. REVIEW OF BUDGET STATUS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION:
This item was removed from the agenda.
N. PREPARATION FOR LAFCo MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEW:
Staff put together a binder containing letters of praise from customers over the years. Secretary Remeleh also presented the Board with Customer Survey Cards that the District distributes when a customer has received a service from District staff.
Director Altscher believes this information will serve the District very well for the Municipal Service Review.
Vice President Vella congratulated the staff for collecting the letters and pursing the review.
O. BAWSCA REPORT:
Vice President Vella reported the negotiations with the SFPUC regarding the Water Supply Agreement are in progress. The current agreement will expire June 30, 2009. The highlight of the agreement that was discussed is that the SFPUC will agree to continue to deliver 184 million gallons of water a day to the wholesale customers who are members of BAWSCA. The District will need to ratify the agreement in May or June.
P. DIRECTORS’ REPORT:
Director Altscher reported that he met with Manager Regan to get up to date on District activities.
Vice President Vella reported on his attendance with Manager Regan at the HIA meeting.
Q. MANAGER’S REPORT:
Manager Regan reported on his attendance with Vice President Vella at the HIA meeting. It was a good meeting and Vice President Vella spoke about upcoming events concerning water. Manager Regan also spoke with the City of San Carlos about the PAMF project. Manager Regan was informed the PAMF project is on hold. He also reported on the Hillman project where the District is abandoning an old 8” main. Manager Regan reported on a claim concerning a repair to a vehicle. There was also another emergency leak repair on Alameda. He explained work will be done on that main during the summer months to lessen the impact on traffic.
On a motion by Director Altscher seconded by Vice President Vella, the Manager's Report was unanimously approved.
R. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Director Linvill commented that she was pleased with the financial report, but directed staff to make a few small changes to the report.
On a motion by Director Linvill seconded by Director Zucca, the financial report was unanimously approved.
S. FUTURE NEW BUSINESS ITEMS-SUGGESTED BY BOARD MEMBERS:
Potential Drought Management Alternatives.
T. COMMUNICATIONS:
There was discussion of an email communication concerning a suggested joint meeting between the Belmont City Council and the Water Board. The Board would like to better understand the proposed agenda for any joint meeting before any further action is taken.
U. ADJOURNMENT:
President Feldman adjourned the meeting at 8:33 p.m. The next regular meeting of the MPWD Board is scheduled for Wednesday April 23, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. in the District’s administrative offices at 3 Dairy Lane, Belmont CA 94002.
