CONTRA COSTA WATER DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

REGULAR MEETING

October 17, 2007

 

MINUTES

 

 

CALL TO ORDER 

 

President Campbell called to order a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa Water District at 6:30 p.m., at 1331 Concord Avenue, Concord, the regular meeting place of the Board.

 

ROLL CALL

 

            Directors Present:                      Joseph L. Campbell, President

                                                            Elizabeth R. Anello, Vice President

                                                            John A. Burgh

                                                            Karl L. Wandry

            Directors Absent:                       Bette Boatmun

            Acting General Manager:            Thomas J. Linville

            Legal Counsel:                           Robert B. Maddow

            District Secretary:                      Sharon L. Burris

 

President Campbell noted that Director Boatmun was absent.  He also advised that Mr. Bishop was out of town on District business and the Assistant General Manager of Engineering Tom Linville was Acting General Manager. 

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Water Conservation Supervisor Chris Dundon led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

 

Mr. Linville advised that there were no changes to the agenda. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

President Campbell asked for public comments.  There were no public comments.

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

1.         Approve Directors’ Services/Business and Travel Expenses

            a.   Expenses – September/October

 

2.         Approve the minutes of September 19, 2007.

 

3.         Approve the warrant register dated October 18, 2007.

 

4.         Adopt Resolution No. 07-29 accepting Proposition 50 grant funding from and authorizing the execution of an agreement with the California Department of Water Resources for the Water Smart Controller Rebate Program.

 

5.         Approve the substitution of a subcontractor, to be approved by the General Manager or his designee, in place of the listed subcontractor, Central Fence Co. for the fencing work on the Canal Replacement Project – Canal Isolation and Site Clearing. 

 

6.         Grant Agreement with the State Department of Water Resources for Advanced Treatment Research

            a.   Adopt Resolution No. 07-30 authorizing execution of an agreement to accept funding under the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002 (Proposition 50);

            b.   Authorize a grant agreement with the State Department of Water Resources to conduct the Advanced Treatment Research Project in an amount not to exceed $633,000;

            c.   Authorize an increase of $113,000 to the Planning Department’s FY08 operating services budget, to be funded by the grant; and

            d.   Authorize a contract with Carollo Engineers to provide consultant services related to the Advanced Treatment Research Project, Phase 2, for a total amount not to exceed $526,000.

 

MOTION:  Wandry/Anello to approve the consent calendar.  The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. 

 

INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION

 

7.         Review update and comment on legislative issues. 

 

Mr. Linville noted that Director of Public Affairs Patty Friesen would be giving a presentation and updating the Board on legislative issues.

 

Ms. Friesen reported on the following key state legislation supported by the District and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger.

 

AB 1260 (Caballero) – Local Government Taxes, Fees Assessments – This bill clarified rate hear notification to customers and authorized water agencies to include notices in regular billing statements. 

 

SB 1029 (Ducheny) – Drinking Water Standards – This legislation allowed the State Department of Public Health to specify federal rules and regulations for drinking water standards by reference.

 

AB 1420 – (Laird) – Water Demand Management:  Grants – The bill linked eligibility to receive grant funding for implementation of locally cost-effective water conservation measures. 

 

AB 946 – (Krekorian) – Electricity:  Renewable Energy Resources – Allowed a water utility to produce renewable electricity and receive incentives to construct solar facilities and for hydro-electric projects.

 

AB 1470 (Huffman) – Solar Energy:  Solar Hot Water and Efficiency Act – This legislation provided incentives for the installation of solar hot water systems in businesses. 

 

Ms. Friesen also reported on the following bills, which the District supported, but were vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger:    

 

SB 1002 (Perata) – Water Quality, Flood Control, Water Storage – Ms. Friesen reported that there was the potential for $50 million in this bill for the District’s Alternative Intake Project (AIP). 

 

SB 34 (Torlakson) – Sacramento San-Joaquin Delta: Strategic Planning – Ms. Friesen reported that this bill would have implemented the beneficiary pay for financing for Delta levee maintenance.

 

SB 660 (Perata) – Clean Technology and Climate Change Research – This legislation would have coordinated climate change reporting requirements by state agencies. 

 

Ms. Friesen advised that prior to the adjournment of the regular session, the Governor called two special sessions:  one session was on healthcare and the other session was on water. 

 

Ms. Friesen reported on the following bills, of interest to the District, that were introduced in the special legislation session: 

 

SB X2 3 (Cogdill) – Water Supply Reliability Bond Act of 2008 – This $9 billion bond measure  cited Sites Reservoir, Temperance Flats, and expansion of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir.  The measure failed in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee.

 

SB X2 4 (Cogdill) – Water Resources:  Bond Funds – The legislation would have allocated funding from voter-approved Propositions 50, 1E, and 84.  Ms. Friesen reported that this legislation also failed in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. 

 

SB X2 2 (Perata) – Water Supply Committee – This $5.8 billion bond measure linked water storage to regional grants.  Ms. Friesen reported that the bill was still in Committee. 

 

SB X2 1 (Perata) – Water Quality, Flood Control and Water Storage – This legislation was still active.  She advised that the bill was a repeat of the SB 1002 (Perata).  The bill includes $50 million for the District’s AIP.  She advised that the special session had not been adjourned, and that it could continue through the next legislative session. 

 

President Campbell expressed disappointment with the legislative session. 

 

Director Burgh also expressed disappointment with the recent activity that had taken place in Sacramento. 

 

Director Wandry noted his frustration concerning the legislation.   

 

REPORTS FOR DISCUSSION

 

8.         Committee Report(s)

            a.   Association of California Water Agencies Communications Committee Post-Meeting Report (9/26/07)

            b.   Finance Committee Post-Meeting Report (9/27/07)

 

President Campbell asked for comments on the committee reports.  There were no comments.

 

9.         Schedule Future Meeting Dates and Times

 

Mr. Linville reminded the Board that there would be Board meetings on November 7 and November 14.  He also noted that the Employee Holiday Luncheon would be on December 12. 

 

President Campbell advised that he would be meeting with the Diablo Water District Board President on October 18. 

 

REPORTS

 

10.        General Manager

 

Mr. Linville did not have a report. 

 

11.        Legal Counsel

 

Mr. Maddow commented briefly on the statute of limitations for AB 1260 dealing with Proposition 218.  He also commented on litigation of two cases concerning the Endangered Species Act. 

 

12.        Board Members

 

Director Wandry reported that he attended the Annual California Special Districts Association Conference in Monterey.  He commented positively on a tour he had taken of Moss Landing and on the training he received at the Conference on Sexual Harassment Prevention.  He also reported that due to another commitment he would not be attending the Board Study Session on November 2. 

 

Director Burgh commented on the Public Information Committee meeting on October 16.  He expressed his appreciation for the District obtaining a substantial amount of grant funding in FY07.

 

Vice President Anello reported that she would be attending the Board Study Session on November 2.

 

President Campbell commented on the many positive comments that he has received concerning the District’s Water Conservation Department and Water Conservation Supervisor Chris Dundon. 

 

CLOSED SESSION

 

13.        Real Property Transaction as allowed under Government Code Section 54956.8 – Property:  Victoria Island Farms – APN 129-190-030; Negotiating Party:  Graydon Nichols; District Negotiator: Walter J. Bishop; Issue:  Instruct Negotiator on Terms and Price.

 

At 6:51 p.m., President Campbell announced that the Board would move into closed session.  There was one matter before the Board concerning real property negotiations.  The additional attendees would include Assistant Manager of Administration Kurt Ladensack and Watershed and Lands Manager Bill Chilson. 

 

RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION

 

14.        Report on closed session.

 

At 7:05 p.m., President Campbell reconvened the meeting and announced that the Board did not take any action on the matter before it. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

At 7:06 p.m., President Campbell adjourned the meeting to an adjourned regular meeting (Board Study Session) at 8:15 a.m.,  on November 2, 2007, in the Delta Conference Room, 2411 Bisso Lane, Concord. 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                Joseph L. Campbell, President

 

ATTEST:

 

 

                                               

Sharon L. Burris

District Secretary