Marina Coast Water District

Marina Coast Water District

District Offices	Regular Meeting
11 Reservation Road	February 23, 2000
Marina, California	7:00 p.m.

Draft Minutes

1.	Call to Order:
	President Moore called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on February 23, 2000.
2.	Roll Call:
	Board Members Present:
	Gilbert Bibber
	Marion Bryson
	Emmette Randle, Jr.
	Tom Moore - arrived at 7:04 p.m.
	Board Members Absent:
	David Brown
	Staff Members Present:
	Mike Armstrong, General Manager
	Connie Chavoya, Administrative Officer
	Dave Meza, District Engineer
	Suresh Prasad, Accounting Supervisor
	Jim Dowless, O & M Superintendent
	Lloyd Lowrey, Legal Counsel
	Paula Carina, Board Clerk
	Audience:
	Dan Bellem
	Amelia Dow
3.	Questions from the Public on any item not on the Agenda:
	President Bryson requested to move Agenda Item 4 (Adopt Resolution No. 2000-04/Present Plaque of Appreciation to Director Thomas Moore) to later in the meeting.
5.	Consent Agenda:
	On motion by Director Randle, seconded by Director Bibber; the Board approved the Consent Agenda, consisting of items 5A (approve minutes of January 26, 1999), and 5B (approve January 2000 expenditures). The motion was passed.
	Director Brown - Absent			President Bryson - Yes
	Director Randle - Yes			Vice-President Bibber - Yes
	Director Moore - Absent
	Director Tom Moore - arrived at 7:04 p.m.
6.	Provide Staff Direction for Development of District Policy for Processing Customer Appeals for High Water Bills:
	Mr. Armstrong outlined a proposed policy that will encourage staff to handle customer appeals of high water bills before they are brought to the Board. President Bryson requested that the policy development be brought to the March 7, 2000 Budget and Personnel Committee, before being brought back to the March 22, 2000 Board Meeting. On motion by Vice-President Bibber, seconded by Director Moore; the Board requested that the Policy be referred to the Budget and Personnel Committee before being brought back to the March 22, 2000 Board Meeting. Motion was passed (4 Ayes – 0 Noes – 0 Abstained - 1 Absent). President Bryson requested to return to Agenda Item 4.
4.	Approve Resolution No. 2000-04/Present Plaque of Appreciation to Director Thomas Moore:
	President Bryson read the Resolution aloud and commended Director Moore for his dedication and leadership as the President of the Board for his service during 1999. On motion by President Bryson, seconded by Director Randle; the Board approved Resolution No. 2000-04/Appreciation to Director Thomas Moore. The motion was passed (3 Ayes-0 Noes-1 Absent - 1 Abstained).
7.	Appeal of High Water Bill for 291 Park Circle:
	Ms. Dow explained to the Board that the water pipe under her garage floor had busted, and as soon as she was aware of the problem repairs were made. She requested leniency with her bill. After discussion, it was decided that Ms. Dow would be credited for $67.74 toward her water bill. Director Randle asked if it would be feasible to send out a notice, informing owners of older homes with galvanized pipes, to have their pipes checked for leakage. President Bryson directed the issue to be discussed at the Budget and Personnel meeting. On motion by Director Randle, seconded by Director Moore; the Board approved adjusting Ms. Dow’s water bill by $67.74. The motion was passed.
	Director Brown - Absent			President Bryson - Yes
	Director Randle - Yes			Vice-President Bibber - Yes
	Director Moore - Yes
8.	Appeal of High Water Bill for 187 Starfish Court:
	The residents of 187 Starfish Court dropped the appeal.
9.	Adopt Resolution No. 2000-05 to Amend Resolution No. 98-1 to Include New Projects and Planning Committee
	Mr. Armstrong presented a recommendation to the Board to create a new Projects & Planning Committee. This Committee would review existing projects, as well as review staff reports on proposed projects, and make recommendations to the Board, as appropriate. As this Committee would encompass the entirety of the operation of the District, the need to retain a separate Fort Ord Committee would be negated. Mr. Armstrong stated that the District Engineer, Mr. Dave Meza, would act as the staff liaison to the Committee. On motion by Director Moore, seconded by Vice-President Bibber; the Board approved Resolution No. 2000-05 to include new Projects and Planning Committee as a committee of the Board, and to dissolve the Fort Ord Committee. The motion was passed.
	Director Brown - Absent			President Bryson - Yes
	Director Randle - Yes			Vice-President Bibber - Yes
	Director Moore - Yes
10.	Board of Directors Committee Appointments for Calendar Year 2000:
	President Bryson asked Mr. Lowrey to clarify the procedure by which Board Committees are appointed. Mr. Lowrey stated that although not committees of the Board, LAFCO, MRWPCA, and JPIA have Board members appointed as representatives to these agencies. President Bryson made the following committee nominations and appointments:
	Public Relations Committee			Director Randle and Director Brown
	MRWPCA			President Bryson with Director Moore as Alternate
	JPIA			Director Randle
	Budget and Personnel Committee			President Bryson and Director Moore
	Projects and Planning Committee			Director Moore and Vice-President Bibber
	Operations and Maintenance Committee			Director Brown and Vice-President Bibber
	Water Conservation Commission			President Bryson with Vice-President Bibber as Alternate
	Joint City/District Committee			Director Randle and President Bryson
	LAFCO			Director Brown
	On motion by Director Moore, seconded by Director Randle; the Board approves the appointments and nominations as presented. With a vote of 4 Ayes – 0 Noes – 1 Absent, the motion was passed.
11.	Approve Resolution No. 2000-02/ Pavia Construction & Transfer of Infrastructure Agreement:
	Resolution No. 2000-02 was carried forward from the January 26, 2000 Board Meeting, after changes were proposed to the contract and said changes were reviewed at the Budget and Personnel Committee on February 10, 2000. Discussion regarding plumbing for recycled water followed with Mr. Lowrey stating that the District’s Ordinance 29 already provides that new developments shall be required to plumb for non-potable water uses. He also stated that Ordinance 29, section 4, applies only to commercial, industrial, and business properties. On motion by Director Moore, seconded by Director Randle; the Board approves Resolution No. 2000-02/ Pavia Construction & Transfer of Infrastructure Agreement. The motion was passed.
	Director Brown - Absent			President Bryson - Yes
	Director Randle - Yes			Vice-President Bibber - Yes
	Director Moore - Yes
12.	Receive Status Report on 18" UC MBEST Center & City of Marina Pipeline Service Project:
	Mr. Meza briefly updated the Board on the status of the 18" UC MBEST project. He showed the Board members the new pipeline alignment as a result of environmental issues. While the original project was to coincide with a FORA road-widening project, the road-widening project will not begin for several months, which means that if the District is to proceed independent of the road-widening project, the project cost will be greater. The City of Marina and FORA have allocated $150,000.00 toward the project, which will help with the increased cost. Director Moore expressed concern that the pipeline will run under a high-speed lane of traffic. He questioned if there was a greater risk of liability, and if we could in some way keep the pipeline under the shoulder instead of the roadway. Mr. Meza stated that it would be under the shoulder until the road-widening project takes place. At this time, there are too many uncertainties in the road-widening project, and changes can still take place. President Bryson requested that staff research the chances of a catastrophe occurring under a major roadway.
13.	Receive Information and Staff Corrective Action Plan for Voltage Fluctuation Problems at Wells 10 and 11:
	Mr. Dowless informed the Board that the District had received a letter from PG & E, regarding voltage fluctuation problems with Wells 10 and 11. P G & E states that they have received complaints from customers in the vicinity of those wells. P G & E requests that the District use less amperage on the wells during start-up. Mr. Dowless explained how soft start technology might be a solution. He also explained the benefits of soft start technology, and how it would be gentler on the motor during start-up. The cost of the modifications could run in the range of $26,000.00. Director Moore questioned if the District has approached P G & E to help fund the modifications. He also stated that P G & E had approved the amperage when the wells were first put on line in 1983 and 1985. President Bryson directed staff to take action on Director Moore’s proposals; 1) staff to get a second bid on well modifications, 2) staff approach P G & E to share in 50% of the modification cost, and 3) check with the Public Utilities Commission Consumer Affairs Division. Follow-up to these actions are to be brought to the O & M Committee for review.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting at 8:45 p.m. and entered into Closed Session.

14.	Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
	"Conference with Legal Counsel-Existing Litigation" Orradre litigation

The Board reconvened in regular session at 9:10 p.m. reporting that no action had been taken in Closed Session.

15.	Approve Expenditure of $7,500.00 in Support of Urban Interests in Court-Supervised Settlement Discussions, Zones 2/2A
	On motion by Director Randle, seconded by Director Moore; the Board approves the expenditure of $7,500.00 in support of Urban Interests in court-supervised settlements for zones 2/2A provided all parties adopt the proposed MOU. The motion was passed.
	Director Brown - Absent			President Bryson - Yes
	Director Randle - Yes			Vice-President Bibber - Yes
	Director Moore - Yes
16.	Manager’s Report:
	A.	Strategic Plan Update:
		The Strategic Plan changes were handed out to all Board members. President Bryson stated that the Strategic Plan would be discussed at the Strategic Plan Workshop on Thursday, February 25, 2000.
17.	Staff Comments:
	None.
18.	Committee Reports:
	A.	Water Conservation Commission:
		Minutes of the January 13, 2000 meeting were included in the Board packet. No further discussion followed.
	B	Operations & Maintenance Committee:
		Minutes of the January 12, 2000 meeting were included in the Board packet. No further discussion followed.
	C.	Budget & Personnel Committee:
		Minutes of the January 13, 2000 meeting were included in the Board packet. No further discussion followed.
	D.	Joint City/District Committee:
		Minutes of the January 5, 2000 meeting were included in the Board packet. No further discussion followed.
	E.	Community Relations Committee:
		No meeting was held.
	F.	Fort Ord Committee:
		Minutes of the January 12, 2000 meeting were included in the Board packet. No further discussion followed.
	G.	MRWPCA:
		Mr. Armstrong asked President Bryson if he had received the agenda for the Recycled Water meeting to be held on February 28, 2000. Director Moore and Mr. Lowrey were the only ones to receive the agenda. Mr. Lowrey had called MRWPCA and requested to be added to their mailing list.
	H.	LAFCO:
		No meeting was held.
	I.	JPIA:
		No meeting was held.
19.	BOARD COMMENTS:
	Director Brown: Absent. Director Moore: Director Moore questioned if staff is researching how to charge or put a condition on charging for recycled water. Mr. Lowrey advises caution in trying to charge more for recycled water without first going through the State Board and getting their approval. Mr. Armstrong stated that he would contact the State Board. Director Randle: Director Randle suggested putting a sign at the front gate entrance of the Beach, on evenings that Board Meetings are held, to let the public know that there is a Board Meeting being held at the Main Office. Vice President Bibber: No comment. President Bryson: President Bryson stated that, as president, he would be autocratic and adhere to business in order to adjourn at a reasonable time. He also stated that any Board member requesting information on a Committee action is to approach the Committee Liaison for that information. President Bryson will use his prerogative as chair to refer issues back to Committees to be brought back to subsequent Board meeting if it appears questions remain and if an item can be delayed.
20.	District Correspondence:
	Mr. Armstrong explained that key pieces of correspondence would be included in the Board packet if the Board desires. President Bryson concurred.
21.	Adjournment:
	Meeting was adjourned at 9:26 p.m.

			APPROVED: ______________________________ Marion R. Bryson, President ATTEST: __________________________________ Michael D. Armstrong, General Manager