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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-07-29; Municipal Water District; MinutesMINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED BOARD MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF COSTA REAL MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT, HELD ON JULY 29, 1987, AT 2:OO 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, Legal Counsel Moser, Administrative Analyst Poole and Executive Secretary Woodward. Lola Sherman, Terry Rodgers, Pat Laurence, John Thorndyke, Harold Engelmann, Ken Parratt, John Mosele, Martin Hagerty, Norma Clark, Barbara Hallman and Allan 0. Kelly also attended. I Pledge of Allegiance The pledge of allegiance to the flag was given. Approval of Minutes Director Maerkle made a motion approving the minutes of the Board meeting of July 15, 1987, seconded by Director Woodward and unanimously carried. I Oral Communications from the Audience Consent Calendar None (this section reopened later in these minutes to ac- commodate a late arrival). Ratification of Checks Director Henley asked that the Purchase Orders purchase order item be held 1, Consideration of Engi- for discussion and made a mo- neering Hardware and tion to approve the first and Software third items, including Reso- Changing Time of Water lution No. 551 entitled: "A Rate Increase RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DI- RECTORS OF COSTA REAL MUNI- RESOLUTION NO, 551 CIPAL WATER DISTRICT CHANGING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF A WATER RATE INCREASE FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1987 TO SEPTEMBER 15, 1987," seconded by Director Woodward and unanimously carried. After discussion, Director Henley made a motion approving the. purchase order item, seconded by Director Bonas and unanimously carried. Unfinished Business Facilities Utilization President Haasl referred to Study Review Board action taken at the Spe- cia1 Board Meeting held at 9 a.m. this morning approving the original Facilities Utilization Study and giving authorization to acquire architectural services that would prepare modification of a schematic design. She added that an ad hoc Design Committee (Directors Woodward and Henley) 1% I was appointed to review the existing original Facility Utiliza- tion Study and incorporate modifications to develop a site plan that can be implemented into construction plans for obtaining cost figures. Discussion followed. Director Maerkle then made a motion that "as of 2:lO p.m,today that we pay no more consultants (on this project) from here on in only by Board approval in advance," seconded by Director Bonas. Discussion followed to the effect that this is already current District policy. Director Maerkle then requested a list of all checks made payable to the people who have been working on this project, in time for the next meeting with copies to all Directors and the press. Director Maerkle said the Board had approved $29,000 for the study and the District spent $37,000. Mr. Brammell explained that the latter figure came from a newspaper article and included not only the consultant fees but necessary soils work, aerial survey work and the $3,000 or so paid to the previous architect on this project. President Haasl asked Mr. Moser how the motion on the floor would affect the motion made and carried at the Special meeting this morning. Mr. Moser said the motion this morning was for the Design Committee to work with the same architectural team to make some modifications to the building design and to bring that to the next stage of schematic drawings. It might be included in the original contract if that is not-exhausted. Mr. Brammell advised that the original contract was completed and subsequent to that the Board took an action to have them do more work. It was his understanding that this morning's action was included in that 'more work,' After further discussion Mr. Moser said the motion on the floor, if approved, wou1.d leave this morning's action in place insofar as it allows the Design Committee to do some work but, unless the consultants would work free, the Com- mittee wouldn't be able to talk with the consultants and work with them on the schematic drawings. A vote was called and the motion passed with Directors Woodward and Haasl voting no. I I Director Henley then made a motion that the Design Committee proceed with their review as planned and bring their recommendations to the Board, seconded by Director Bonas and carried, with President Haasl voting no, New Business Quarterly Water Mr. Brammell s.uggested that Association Meeting the Board might want to con- sider having the October din- ner meeting of this group (to be hosted by Costa Real) on the site at Capri so we can promote our drought tolerant garden. (See memorandum.in agenda packet.) After discussion about the weather at that time of year, Director Maerkle made a motion that the meeting be held at either the La Costa Hotel or Olympic Resort Hotel, with bus service to be arranged for those who indicate on -2- July 29, 1987 I their reservation an interest in viewing the garden, seconded by Director Henley and carried, with President Haasl voting no. Consideration of Water Mr. Brammell reviewed the pro- Education Specialist cedure required now that this position has been budgeted for so that he can fill the position (see memorandum in agenda packet). After discussion, and a motion by President Haasl died for lack of a second, this item was referred to the Personnel Committee and tabled to the Board meeting on August 19, 1987. Presentation of Service Award President Haasl presented Mr. Henry Sanchez with a brass and wood plaque in recognition of twenty years of combined service with the District and the City of Carlsbad. Committee Reports Engineering and Operations I Consideration of Interim Mr. Brammell reviewed the need Solution to Space Needs for a temporary solution to the space shortage of our Engineering Department (see memorandum in agenda packet) and asked for Board authorization to bring in modular offices at a price not to exceed $15,000 for installation and first year's lease. After discussion Director Henley made a motion approving the Manager's recommendation, seconded by Director Woodward and unanimously carried. 1 Consideration of Policy on. Mr. Brammell reviewed the con- Water Conservation cerns of the County Water Authority regarding an allo- ORDINANCE NO- 28 cation program (see memorandum with attachments in agenda packet) and recommended, along with the Engineering Committee, approval of the ordinance developed and prepared by staff . After some discussion, President Haasl then said, "We11 this item is of great concern to me because before us today we have a recommendation which would restrict water use in the District due to inadequacies in the County Water Authority delivery system. I would say that we should be in Stage 2 right now. This morning we went on a tour of neighboring water districts who have constructed new headquarters, and what I saw was approximately the same cost per square foot like I said for any new construction, and to me that tour was a waste of time in that our own staff and a group of experts advised us on the exact same things we heard this morning. And it seems that for the last two months Fred and Margaret have called our staff liars: have alleged that they have not been honest in giving us information regarding our new building; and implied that the staff is operating according to some kind of hidden agenda on important issues like this one. That lack of confidence extends not only to our staff but to the two Board members that worked in that I -3- July 29, 1987 Engineering Committee for the headquarters and brought back all the detailed information to the Board. Now we find ourselves confronted with a truly important issue, that of whether or not we can even serve water. And, instead of coming from either of our Water Authority directors, it has come to us from staff. Now I'm wondering if it could be that you've attempted to divert our interest from an important water issue to the unimportant issue of the building in order to cover up for the inadequacies of the District's representation at the Water Authority. Because now we find that the Water Authority cannot serve our needs. So I would very much like to know how it is that we're in a position of not being able to serve water. And I'd like to have our long term director, Fred Maerkle, have a report at the next Boardmeetingwhichdetailswhatwentwrongon the planning process at the Water Authority while he was there, that got us into this fix.'' Director Maerkle: "Very simple. Mr. Burzell was the man responsible." President Haasl: "Well, I'd like a report. I have the floor right now. And I'd also like a report from our current director, Margaret Bonas, as to the-extent of the current problem. How long before the Water Authority comes up with a solution. What we're supposed to do in the meantime. And how much it's going to cost to fix it and where the Water Authority proposes to get the money to fix this problem. Another issue that concerns me about these'problems from the Authority directors and staff, while our own Directors report on water levels or what committee they serve on, instead of bringing us back this information that obviously was going around. So my opinion, as an elected official by the voters to assure them of reliable source of acceptable quality water, I feel that we have let our voters down by not doing the responsible thing in dealing with these problems. And then that's compounded with this issue of the water or public information officer. You're going to table that. We're in a crisis right now. So, in fact, I would certainly support a motion at our next meeting, by Directors Bonas or Maerkle, to put into effect a moratorium on the issuance of building permits, if that's what it's going to take to get us through this crisis. I So, would you please see to it that those reports are available for the inclusion in the next agenda packet. Again, the document and recommendation before us for a policy on water conservation is the item on the agenda. So is there a motion adopt it?" After further discussion Director Woodward made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 28 entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF DIREC- TORS OF THE COSTA REAL MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT RELATING TO WATER I -4- July 29, 1987 I CONSERVATION,” with the provision that staff prepare a summary sheet of the seven-page document, for Board review before being distributed to the public, seconded by Director Bonas, Director Henley asked that the City of Carlsbad be notified of the District action by letter. Mr. Brammell advised that a joint committee meeting with the City will be called if this ordinance is approved today. This committee includes the Mayor, City Man- ager, our Board President and General Manager. Director Woodward asked that his motion include these additions, seconded by Di- rector Bonas and unanimously carried, Recess President Haasl called for a recess at 3:15 p.m. The meet- ing resumed at 3:30 p.m. Legal and Legislative Consideration of Legal Counsel Director Bonas reported that Regarding Santa Fe I1 Eminent this Committee, after review- Domain Proceedings ing the status of these pro- ceedings (see memorandum in agenda packet), has asked the General Manager to write a letter to Mr. Endeman and to Jennings, Engsgrand and Henrikson to obtain opinions on this matter. Mr. Brammell advised that a letter has been drafted asking how many hours it is expected to take to complete the project and the costs associated with completing it. When the responses are received a Legal Committee meeting will be called , Staff Reports 1 Engineer Mr. Greaney reported that the final walk-through on the Santa Fe I1 Transmission Line was held yesterday. The two items remaining should be handled within the week with final acceptance anticipated at the next Board meeting. Painting and fencing have been started around the reservoir. It is hoped that final accep- tance on this will also be ready for the next Board meeting. I Superintendent In Mr. Musser’s absence, Mr. Poole gave the lake level as 498.2; we are taking 27 c.f.s, Attorney Mr. Moser reported on the status of the Major Facilities Charge litigation pending against Community Resources Corpor- ation. We filed a motion for Summary Judgment to try to eliminate most of the issues in the case. This is to be heard at the end of the month. He hopes to have a report by early September. I -5- July 29, 1987 Manager I Certificate of Participation Mr. Brammell recommended ap- Disbursements: Approval of proval of Certificate No. 38 Requisition of Project Costs (see agenda packet) in the sum of $3,917.16. Director Bonas made the motion, seconded by Director Maerkle and unanimously carried . Organizational Reports San Diego County Water Authority Director Bonas made the vol- lowing verbatim report: "Well I rushed off this morning to visit my husband at the hospital and I grabbed everything but the County Water Authority packet and I do have a lot of information-here, though, on water conservation and water supply. I have a news release here and I'm sure that Mr. Brammell received one, or at least I think he did. Did you get this news report from Pete Rios? Almost everything I get fromtheWater Authorityonwater recentlyalso comes toTom ,and he is the person that reporters look to for information. However, Iwouldbehappyto sharethis news release with any one of our reporters that are in the audience. It's from the County Water Authority on water conservation and what has been issued to the media, They're putting out television commercials throughout Southern California and the County Water Authority will be involved in that. They'll be bus posters, a school program, it's going to be a concerted effort; they're going to try and involve a lot of prominent citizens in a water conservation committee and I'd like to correct some impressions that I may be responsible for not getting the word out that we're in a crash and burn crisis on water supply, I don't know that yet. I'm not an engineer. I've only been on the Water Authority three months, but I have been a Water Board member going on 9 years now and I've learned ever since 'I was on this District Board that the State of California was going to be in a serious water situation by the year 2000-2010 simply because there isn't enough water that can be delivered in the systems we now have from the northern part of the state all the way down to southern California. The lines that have been put in place by the Water Authority to supply the member agencies, which there 24, were adequate when built. No one had a crystal ball and knew that we were going to have the growth that we have, and I have asked some of the engineers on the Water Authority to kind of come up and see if they could come upwith some evaluation of howmuchwater, how may people can we serve with the pipes we have in place now, how many more can we serve? I I The City of San Diego has come up with the 8,000 a year growth figure limitation within the last two months. And I don't think Costa Real can put a building halt on because we don't control land use, We can't declare a water moratorium and halt building, We don't have the authority. And I will try and find out the answer to your question, if I may have a copy of your letter, Susan. The water information that I have brought back about -6- July 29, 1987 I water conservation I have shared with the District and if it hasn't been acted upon, I can't force the issue, but you can, And, like they want to know who's going to do the job, I have a packet here for Water Awareness Week, which I mentioned is going to be in October, the 19th through the 24th. I mentioned it several months ago and it went over like a lead balloon, And now suddenly everybody's getting really excited, This is still with information to be put out to the press. I don't know what you want of me, unless you want me to apply for a public information officer's job. I will try and itemize each program that comes up at the Water Authority and bring it back to the Board for a vote, I'll put it in the order of a motion. I was not able to attend the Water Reclamation ad hoc committee meeting yesterday at the County Water Authority because of an emergency situation at home. And so I don't know what happened there, but they were going to decide on a budget, perhaps Tom knows about that, That would be for the person who would become the director of the Water Reclamation Agency for the County Water Authority, San Diego Region Water President Haasl reported on Reclamation Agency the last meeting at which they voted on the joint powers agreement to create the San Diego Region Reclamation Agency under the San Diego County Water Authority. The new board will consist of five members from the CWA board and the County will appoint two members who can, but don't have to, be members of the Board 1 of Supervisors. Directors' Reports None Oral Communications President Haasl reopened this from the Audience (reopened) section of the agenda to ac- commodate John Thorndyke who arrived late for the meeting. Mr. Thorndyke spoke briefly on the Fifth Amendment as it relates to zoning laws, Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 3:SO. Respectfully submitted, I -7- July 29, 1987