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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-09-02; Municipal Water District; Minutes- I MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF COSTA REAL MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT, HELD ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1987, AT 2:00 P.M. AT 5950 EL CAMINO REAL, CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA. The meeting was called to order at 2:OO p.m. by President Haasl, with Directors Bonas, Henley, Maerkle and Woodward present. Also in attendance were General Manager Brammell, District Engineer Greaney, Superintendent Musser, Legal Counsel Moser, Administrative Analyst Poole and Executive Secretary Woodward. Lola Sherman, Katheryn Horton, J. Bonasia, Pat Guevara, Ralph Anderson, Pat Laurence, Steve Deering, Don Kramer, Bill Hollingsworth, Ralph Grahl, Robert Melbourne, Jack Kubota, Tom Belcher and Tony Acone also attended. Pledge of Allegiance The pledge of allegiance to the flag was given. Approval of Minutes Director Maerkle made a motion to approve the minutes of the Board meeting of August 19, 1987, as amended, seconded by Director Henley and unanimously carried. Oral Communications from the Audience See page 6 of these minutes. Consent Calendar Ratification of Checks Director Maerkle made a motion Grant of Easement, CT 81-10A, seconded by Director Woodward, Carlsbad Research Center, and unanimously carried, to Unit 1, Lot 8, CRMWD 84-208 approve the Consent Calendar which includes Resolution No, RESOLUTION NO. 556 556, entitled: "RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF COSTA REAL MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT, ACCEPTANCE OF EASEMENT, CARLSBAD RESEARCH CENTER UNIT NO, 1, LOT 8, KOLL MULTIS." Unfinished Business Presentation on Mount Israel Mr. Hollingsworth, General Manager of Olivenhain Water District, spoke on their proposed storage and treatment facil- ities. Most of the water agencies in North County are interested in possible participation in this project, The original proposal was for a plant to provide 50 million gallons a day (for their district only). Now being considered is a plant that will ultimately provide over 300 million gallons a day, The size of the proposed reservoir on Mount Israel is also being reconsidered to contain about 22,000 acre feet or more. The estimated cost is $240 million in today's money for the ultimate project. There is a study currently being done by a consultant on this proposed project. Firmer figures will be available when that is com- pleted. Discussion followed. I - I I Presentation by San Diego Mr. Grahl, Acting General Man- County Water Authority ager, and Mr. Melbourne, Act- ing Chief Engineer, are here at the invitation of Director Bonas. Mr. Grahl gave some sta- tistics on water supply and source along with some of their problems, CWA delivery capability and some of the programs to improve that, and their conservation program. Approximately 90% (700,000 acre feet per year) of the water used in San Diego County is imported via Metropolitan Water District. Due to low precipitation in 1987, State reservoirs are only at about 80% of capacity. Situation is still not critical but could develop into that should we have another year or two of very dry weather. This is the main reason for their hard push for a heavy conservation program. MWD is developing a drought contingency plan (a three year program) which is being circulated among the member agencies for comments. If implemented this would result in some severe cutbacks. The bright spot is that the Colorado River has been running at 110% of normal for the last few years and this is projected to continue for the next few years. However, the Central Arizona Project will have a serious impact on MWD's allocation. An expansion plan being studied by CWA is estimated at $400 million. A report is about ready for their board consideration. Mr. Grahl commended the member agencies of CWA, including Costa Real, for their conservation ordinances. Mr. Melbourne spoke primarily on the problems that affect Costa Real directly. Since two-thirds of the water coming into the County from MWD is raw water and must be treated, CWA is very interested in the type of expansion d'escribed by Bill Hollingsworth because there's a limit to what MWD can do for us. The problems we have had this summer are distribution due to several bottleneck areas in our system. These are highest priority for capital improvements. He reviewed the three proposed items of construction which could cost 'over $200 million. Ideally completion should be by 1992. Discussion followed. A question on CWA's stand on water reclamation elicited a response from Mr. Grahl that they are taking a very strong stand and are presently advertising for a Water Reclamation Director. Water storage was also discussed and Mr. Melbourne said that he is currently preparing a recommendation for their next board meeting that member agencies work to be capable of independence of the aqueduct for a period of ten days. Recess President Haasl called for a recess at 3:OO p.m. The meet- ing resumed'at 3:20 p.m. I Committee Reports Finance and Administration -2- September 2, 198; - I I Consideration of Request for Mr. Brammell reviewed this re- Refund of Major Facility Charge, quest and Committee recommen- Project CT 82-83, Eastbluff, dation to approve the request Westwood Savings 6 Loan Assoc. (see memorandum and letter in agenda packet). After dis- cussion Director Maerkle made a motion to authorize refunding the sum of $52,800 to Westwood Savings and Loan Association, to be accompanied by a transmittal letter to be drafted by Legal Counsel and requiring a release from the developer acknowledging that they don't have any further rights to any water capacity as a condition of getting the refund, The motion carried unani- mously. Upon Director Bonas's suggestion for a policy regarding re- funding of fees and/or an increase in the fees, Mr. Brammell said the issue of fees is addressed at the time of budget adoption, and based on the current plan we would be good until 1992 at the existing rate. This is reviewed each year and new factors could change that date when it is reviewed next year. Mr. Moser re- sponded to her question about a no refund policy by some of the City departments, that it depends on the type of fee. Where the work has already been done, i.e. plan checking, preparing maps, etc., those fees are nonrefundable. The District's operational fees are charged separately from the MFC fees and are also nonrefundable, He said that if the Board wanted to consider a policy on refunds that would be appropriate, To date it has been done on an ad hoc basis. The concern on refunds is that, if you are in a situation where there is a limited, amount of capacity and people are waiting in line for it, someone holding on to capacity they are not going to use is preventing others from getting it. The other concern is that you are going to end up with people owning pieces of pr0pert.y which they can't develop because there is no water capacity. There is a lawsuit risk .and there are pros and cons to refunding and not refunding. Legal and Legislative Consideration of Request Director Bonas said that the to Change Legal Rates Committee met and is recom- mending that the Jennings, Engstrand and Henrikson request for modification of billing rates be approved (see memorandum with attachment in agenda packet) and made a motion to that effect, seconded by Director Maerkle and unanimously carried. Personnel I Consideration of Change to Director Henley, after speak- Standby Policy ing briefly on the merits of this change in policy, made e RESOLUTION NO. 557 motion to adopt Resolution No. 557 entitled: "RESOLUTION OE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF COSTA REAL MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICq AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE CODE SECTION 5.3 REGARDING STANDBY TC PROVIDE FOR TWO PERSON STANDBY AT A RATE OF $100 PER WEEK FOE; -3- September 2, 1987 - I EACH EMPLOYEE," seconded by Director Bonas, After discussion roll was called and the motion was approved unanimously, Staff Reports Engineer No report . Superintendent Mr. Musser advised that the lake level is at 500.1 and we are taking 29 c.f.s. In response to an inquiry on the status of vandalism at the new tanks, he responded that the fences have been installed and there is no new visible vandalism this past week. Discussion followed. Attorney 1 Consideration of Mr. Moser referred to the Cablevision Lease draft lease he has prepared in accordance with Board di- rection (see agenda packet). He briefly reviewed the five leases on District property as to expiration and income, In preparing the Cablevision draft he reviewed the preliminary report from Luke-Dudek about the various options that they considered for the Squires area, and particularly this site, Mr. Moser feels that Cablevision will not interfere with the District's use of the site, but if it does, the termination clause will give the Dis- trict the option of terminating the agreement. Directors Bonas and Maerkle expressed concerns over the fencing as discussed in an earlier Legal Committee meeting. Mr. Brammell responded that this version of the lease eliminates the problem that we had before. Director Bonas made a motion to refer the Agreement to the Legal and Legislative Committee for review, to be brought back to the Board meeting on September 16, 1987, seconded by Director Maerkle. Discussion followed on suggestions for items to be reviewed at the committee meeting. The motion carried unanimously. Manager Approval of Progress Payments Mr. Brammell recommended ap- proval (see memorandum with attachments in agenda packet) of Progress Payment No. 9 to Chilcote Inc. in the sum of $52,625.60 for work on the Santa Fe I1 Transmission Main, and Progress Payment No. 26 to Weardco Construction Corp. in the sum of $76,438.80 for work at the Santa Fe I1 Reservoir. Director Woodward made the motion to approve, seconded by Director Maerkle and unanimously carried. I Certificate of Participation Mr. Brammell recommended ap- Disbursements: Approval of proval of Certificate No. 39 Requisition of Project Costs (see agenda packet) in the sum of $138,494.70. Director Henley made the motion, seconded by Director Maerkle and unani- mously carried. -4- September 2, 1987 - I Manager's Report Mr. Brammell referred to his memorandum in the agenda packet listing his activities since the last meeting that aren't reflected in the agenda. Presentation by General Manager Mr. Brammell, in response to a request from Director Bonas at the last Board meeting, gave a presentation on System Capacities, District Planning and the Availability Letter, The legal aspects of a water availability letter are covered by a memorandum from Mr. Moser entitled Limitations on Water Services, (See agenda packet for outline and attachments.) Discussion followed, Organizational Reports San Diego County Water Authority Director Bonas referred to a letter on Water Awareness Week from the California Water Awareness Committee in Sacramento and includes a surveyto be completedbyeachagency. She addedthat Mr. Eggert has asked why Costa Real did not join the Water Education Foundation this year. She asked that this be placed on the agenda for Board consideration at the next meeting. Mr. Brammell said he thought this was an oversight and he will take care of it, I Director Bonas reported on their adjourned meeting held on August 20, 1987 due to the Bay Delta Hearings. Wally Peck reported on those hearings at their board meeting. Director Bonas also attended the Engineering and Operations Committee meeting. Director Bonas reported on a letter from SDCWA setting the 1987- 88 secured tax rate at -004% of full property value, the lowest in 41 years. The unsecured rate is .00485%. The Water Reclamation Ad Hoc Committee had a special meeting on August 28, 1987, and decided to hold over any decisions on the joint powers agreement because it was opposed by some of the ME? representatives. A new committee meeting will be held to try for abetter solutiontobringbacktotheboard. Members of various environmental groups have been invited to attend the next meeting. The CWA has approved the Public Information Committee participating in a video presentation on 1andscape.management. They had a presentation by Dennis Underwood, Manager of the Colorado River Board. I San Diego Region Water President Haasl reported or Reclamation Agency the meeting held on August 21. There is concern because of the CWA's attitude to the proposed joint agencies agreement. The original subcommittee will meet with the CWA's ad hoc committec to try to work out a solution. Mr. Brammell added that the CWZ would consider input fromother sources butdidnotwantittobc a voting input, but rather in an advisory role. Director Bonas -5- September 2, 198; - I said she feels that CWA will be responsive and cooperative. CWA is, committed and has budgeted $500,000 for a water reclamation program. They are looking for a director for that program. Discussion followed. President Haasl said their next meeting will be held on September 18, 8 a.m. at the County offices. Directors' Reports Director Maerkle asked about the Luke-Dudek report and referred to a letter from the Department of Health Services dated March 9, 1987, which gave us six months to let them know what we were going to do. Mr. Brammell advised that we have already responded and that our action was to contract with Luke-Dudek. Director Maerkle then displayed a water conservation ad from the Riverside paper and suggested our local papers do the same. Some of our local papers have used the same ad. Discussion followed on the proposed cost-share program by the CWA which we will take advantage of when we get our Water Education Specialist position filled . Director Maerkle then reported on his attendance af the State Water Resources Control Board public hearing in Los Angeles on August 31. About 40 attended. Among other things he learned that a serious problem for ground water is caused by the brine from homeowners' water softeners. 1 Director Henley said Knox Williams is doing his part for water conservation on his advertising sign on Vista Way. Director BonasaskedthatweinviteRickGraf ofthe Encina Water Pollution Control Facility to speak at our next meeting. Mr. Brammell said he will take care of it. Oral Communications from Mr. Don Kramer of Garrett De- the Audience (reopened) velopment-Sea Vista said he wanted to make the Board aware of a dust problem at their development caused by the use of the District's easement road as a construction road by Leisure Village. He suggested this could cause potential liability to the District. He offered to construct, at their cost, a gated fence. Mr. Greaney has written to Leisure Village and is waiting for a response. This will be on the agenda for the next Board meeting . Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:55. I Respectfully submitted, #I&& P e ident, Board of Directors -6- September 2, 1987