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 Feldman, Linvill, Vella, and Zucca.
Secretary Remeleh stated Director Altscher was not in attendance do to a long standing travel commitment he had informed the Board about well in advance.
ALSO PRESENT: General Manager Regan, General Counsel Cassman, Secretary Remeleh, and Engineer Boscacci.
STAFF PRESENT: Jon Tscharner, Rick Bisio and Sara Abou-Remeleh.
MEMBERS OF PUBLIC:
Joubin Pakpour, Pakpour Consulting.
PRESIDENT: Present Feldman presiding.
Whereupon the following proceedings were duly had:
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
District employee Sara Abou-Remeleh led the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the Special Board Meeting of February 12, 2009, and March 18, 2009 were unanimously approved on a motion by Vice President Vella and seconded by Director Zucca. Vice President Vella requested the approval of the Regular Board meeting minutes on March 26, 2009 be postponed until next Regular Board Meeting after further revisions.
D. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
E. APPOINT BAWSCA REPRESENTATIVE TO A 4 YEAR TERM AND ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE:
President Feldman put out a nomination for Louis Vella to continue representing the District at BAWSCA for the next 4 years.
Vice President Vella accepted the nomination.
On a motion by Director Zucca seconded by Director Linvill, Vice President Vella was unanimously appointed to serve as the District’s BAWSCA representative for another 4 year term.
Secretary Remeleh administered the Oath of Office.
F. BELMONT COUNTY WATER DISTRICT EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATIONS REPORT:
Employee Association President Rick Bisio had nothing to report.
G. WATER CONSERVATION:
Secretary Remeleh reported on the ACWA state wide education program called Save Our Water. This program was modeled after the Flex Your Power Program. Staff is looking for information that can be distributed to the District’s customers.
She also reported District employee Jeanette Kalabolas attended a seminar in Burlingame on Managing the Water Crisis, hosted by the Water Education Foundation. Secretary Remeleh will have more information on that at the next Board Meeting.
Secretary Remeleh also reported that staff is in the process of creating a water conservation landscaping flyer. It will include a proposed schedule for landscape watering. The purpose is to educate customers on conserving water outdoors.
Secretary Remeleh presented the Board members with the press release from SFPUC explaining the 10% voluntary rationing. She stated there will not be mandatory rationing this year.
Director Zucca commented that federal economic stimulus program (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) is offering grants to assist with energy and water conservation for businesses. He believes that there are a few opportunities worth going after. He will be supplying staff with more information.
H. POTENTIAL DROUGHT MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES:
Secretary Remeleh explained that staff has sent out a request for proposals for firms to do a water rate evaluation and study. Three proposals have been received, one from HF&H Consultants, another from PMC, and the last from Bartles and Wells. They all came in at about the same price and there was enough budgeted to cover any of the proposals received.
Director Zucca advised staff to evaluate the proposals not according to price, but according to the most qualified consultant. This item will be placed on the agenda as needed.
I. 2009 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
General Manager opened the discussion on this item. He stated there were 3 steps in this process. First, the 3 District goals with objectives; he asked the Board for their comments. The Board agreed with the goals and objectives. Second and third are the Board/Management Communication Guidelines and the process for establishing objectives. The Board members discussed the verbiage used in the Guidelines. Comments will be sent to Susan Couden to get her input on the suggestions made by the Board on the Guidelines. On motion by Director Linvill and seconded by Director Zucca the Board unanimously approved the 2009 Goals and Objectives.
J. CERTIFYING MPWD AS A GREEN BUSINESS:
Secretary Remeleh reported that the application has been completed and has been sent off to the County. She is awaiting a response from the County for next steps. The District has already taken several steps to meet the requirements of becoming a green business.
K. 2009-2010 PRELIMINARY BUDGET:
The General Manager opened the discussion explaining a little about the rate increase by the SFPUC that will take effect in July 2009 and the recommendation by the District Treasurer, Jeff Ira. It is the Treasurer’s and staff’s recommendation that the District send out a 218 notice proposing a rate increase of 7.5%. The General Manager asked the Board for their input. Discussion ensued about the amount that should be placed as the proposed rate increase. The General Manager stated the SFPUC is raising rates by 15.7%, the District will be doing all that they can to absorb as much of this increase as possible. Discussion continued on the proposed rate increase percentage and how to continue to cut costs to keep the rate increase to a minimum. The Board discussed the lowest increase that would still allow the District to continue to function in the most efficient way possible due to the uncertain economic times. Director Zucca would like to see a Prop 218 process started as soon as possible. Discussion ensued about the wording for the 218 notice. General Counsel Cassman stated that even if the notice stated a proposed 7.5% increase the Board may settle on an amount less than 7.5% after the public hearing. On a motion by Director Linvill seconded by Vice President Vella the Board directed staff to issue a Prop. 218 Notice for a proposed 7.5% rate increase by a vote of 3 to 1. President Feldman voted no.
L. DIRECTORS’ REPORT:
Director Linvill reported that she attended the HIA meeting with Secretary Remeleh where there was a presentation on solar panel use in residential and small commercial areas.
Vice President Vella reported on the ACWA conference in Washington DC. He commented that is was a very interesting conference. There was a lot of discussion concerning the current water conditions. He handed out a report and binder he received at the conference. He stated he was able to meet with U. S Representatives to discuss issues that arise in a smaller water district. Discussions covered security and solar issues. He also suggested giving out questionnaires to employees for the meetings that the Board members have with them. This will give Board members an opportunity to see how they did and if there are issues the employees would like to discuss.
Director Zucca reported that he will be giving a presentation to a church group in San Mateo on the San Francisco Capital Improvement Program.
M. MANAGER’S REPORT:
Manager Regan reported that the District’s water conservation banner is currently hanging over Ralston Avenue. The District staff is currently doing a lot of general maintenance to the District.
He also reported on the employee performance according to the Performance Matrix. The employees are doing very well.
On a motion by Vice President Vella seconded by Director Linvill, the Manager’s Report was unanimously approved.
N. FINANCIAL REPORT:
On a motion by Vice President Vella seconded by Director Zucca, the Financial Report was unanimously approved.
O. FUTURE NEW BUSINESS ITEMS-SUGGESTED BY BOARD MEMBERS:
Vice President Vella would like to have a workshop on communication between Directors at the next Board Meeting. He would also like to see the BAWSCA report on the next agenda.
P. COMMUNICATIONS:
None.
Q. CLOSED SESSION:
At the direction of President Feldman, the Board and General Counsel recessed at 8:34 to convene in a closed session with respect to the specified item on the agenda:
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND ASSOCIATION NEGOTIATIONS:
Closed session pursuant to Government Code 54957 AND 54957.6
Title: General Manager
The Board reconvened in open session at 9:54. The General Counsel reported that no formal action was taken in closed session.
R. ADJOURNMENT:
President Feldman adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m. The next regular meeting of the MPWD Board is scheduled for Thursday May 28, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. in the District’s administrative offices at 3 Dairy Lane, Belmont CA 94002
