CONTRA COSTA WATER DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

REGULAR MEETING

March 19, 2008

 

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

                                                            Bette Boatmun

            Directors Absent:                       Karl L. Wandry

            General Manager:                       Walter J. Bishop

            Legal Counsel:                           Robert B. Maddow

            District Secretary:                      Sharon L. Burris

 

President Campbell noted that Director Wandry was absent and that he had previously notified the Board. 

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Accounting Manager Rick Graziano led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

 

Mr. Bishop reported that there were no changes to the agenda.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

President Campbell asked if there were any public comments.  There were no public comments.

 

CONSENT       

 

1.         Approve Directors’ Services/Business and Travel Expenses

            a.   Future Services – May

            b.   Expenses – January/February

2.         Approve the following minutes:

            a.   February 6, 2008

            b.   February 20, 2008 

                                         

3.         Approve the warrant register dated March 20, 2008.

 

4.         Grant Agreement with the California Department of Public Health for the Storm Water Drainage Management and Demonstration Project

            a.   Adopt Resolution No. 08-08 accepting grant funds, designating matching funds, and authorizing execution of a Funding Agreement under the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002 (Proposition 50); and

            b.   Authorize a grant agreement with the California Department of Public Health for the Storm Water Drainage Management and Demonstration Project. 

 

5.         Award of Contract – Stormwater Remediation at Hillcrest and Buchanan Sites

            a.   Reject the bid from Bay Cities Paving & Grading for the Stormwater Remediation at Hillcrest and Buchanan Sites Project due to non-responsiveness; and

            b.   Authorize execution of a contract with Granite Construction for the construction of the Stormwater Remediation at Hillcrest and Buchanan Sites Project in the amount of $136,925 with a 10% change order authority of $13,693, for a total amount not to exceed $150,618. 

 

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

 

ACTION

 

6.         Legislative Affairs Report – March 2008

            a.   Review update on legislative issues and adopt District positions for the following:  State Legislation AB 2065 (Hancock) – Invasive Aquatic Species – Support if Amended; AB 2175 (Laird) – Water Conservation – Support if Amended; and AB 2501 (Wolk) – Water: Planning – Support if Amended.

 

Mr. Bishop noted that the Public Affairs Director Patty Friesen would be giving a presentation.

 

Ms. Friesen reported on the following bills:

 

AB 2065 (Hancock) – Invasive Aquatic Species – This bill would require water districts to develop and implement a monitoring and control program to prevent the introduction of non-native mussel species, specifically the quagga and zebra mussels.  Quagga mussels have spread to numerous lakes, aqueducts and reservoirs throughout California.  The zebra mussel was also recently identified in the state.  Ms. Friesen reported that mussel colonies established at water intakes and other water conveyance equipment could reduce water flow and clog equipment resulting in long-term maintenance and control costs.  Amendments to the bill should ensure that prevention plans were cost-effective and that implementation of a plan provided an exemption from regulatory enforcement.  A Support if Amended position was recommended for the bill. 

 

AB 2175 (Laird) – Water Conservation – The bill would require Department of Water Resources (DWR) to establish a numeric water conservation goal for the state, to be achieved by the year 2030.  The bill referenced DWR’s California Water Plan projects, which projected that expanded water conservation could yield two to three million acre feet of water savings.  Agriculture water conservation could yield one million acre feet of water savings.  Ms. Friesen advised that amendment language was needed to ensure that hardening of demand for existing programs such as the District’s Water Conservation Program was taken into consideration.  Language should also be added to take into consideration changes in demographics of any given region.  She advised that Governor’s Schwarzenegger’s plan called for a 20% reduction in per capita water use by 2020.  A Support if Amended position was recommended for this bill.

 

Responding to a question from Director Boatmun concerning the 20% reduction in per capita water use, Ms. Friesen replied that the Governor’s plan includes a statewide per capita reduction. 

 

AB 2501 (Wolk) – Water:  Planning – Ms. Friesen reported that this bill was very similar to SB 1002 (Perata) – Water Quality, Flood Control, Water Storage and Wildlife Preservation.  The bill included $50 million for projects that improve the quality of Delta drinking water supply.  Amendment language was needed to include specific criteria for the three drinking water intake relocation projects eligible for voter-approved bond funds in Proposition 84.  The District had provided leadership with the City of Stockton and Solano County Water Agency to send a coalition letter seeking amendment language and funding in the State FY2009 budget.  The District’s recommendation was to Support if Amended. 

 

President Campbell asked if there were any public comments.  There were no comments. 

 

MOTION:  Boatmun/Anello to adopt District positions for the following:  State Legislation AB 2065 (Hancock) – Invasive Aquatic Species – Support if Amended; AB 2175 (Laird) – Water Conservation – Support if Amended; and AB 2501 (Wolk) – Water: Planning – Support if Amended.  The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. 

 

President Campbell referenced information that he had received from Contra Costa Council comparing Proposition 98 and Proposition 99, two statewide measures regarding eminent domain.  He advised that the Council would be asking him to take a position on the propositions at their Board of Directors meeting on March 21 and asked for discussion concerning the two competing propositions.

 

Director Boatmun requested a copy of the information that President Campbell was referencing.  President Campbell clarified that the document was not prepared by the District, but that it was prepared by Contra Costa Council.  A copy of the information was provided to the Board. 

 

Discussion took place on the propositions.  President Campbell advised that it has been his policy to not cast a vote on issues that the Board had not discussed.  He asked the Board if they objected to him voting against Proposition 98 and in favor of Proposition 99 at the Contra Costa Council Board of Directors meeting.   There were no objections. 

DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION

 

7.         Receive report and comment on the District’s action plan to address invasive species.  

 

Mr. Bishop advised that Water Operations Manager Dave Huey would be making a presentation on the District’s invasive species action plan.   

 

Mr. Huey reported that he would be targeting the quagga and zebra mussels that currently pose a threat to the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta.  There were currently no detections of either mussels in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.  Quagga mussels had been discovered in Southern California and zebra mussels were recently found in a Bay Area reservoir.  The mussels were most likely introduced to the waters by recreational boating. 

 

Mr. Huey provided background information on the mussels and noted that they were small, were not light dependent, lived in fresh water, and could live out of water for up to five days.  He advised that these species grow on hard and soft surfaces and poised more of a threat than the salt water species. Using a slide, he showed how the mussels could grow in a very tight cluster and once established in the Delta, they could significantly impact operation at the District’s untreated water facilities by creating blockages. He advised that agencies in Northern California were beginning to increase their monitoring programs.  The District had developed a Quagga/Zebra Mussel Action Plan, which was based on avoidance and early detection. 

 

Mr. Huey reviewed a nationwide map and noted areas where there were high concentrations of mussels. 

 

Mr. Huey reported that the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta was the District’s area of highest vulnerability.  The District does not allow personal boats at Los Vaqueros Reservoir and this lowered the District’s risk profile.  He advised that other agencies were also considering implementing similar rules to prevent the spread of the species.  Monitoring stations were in place at all District untreated water intakes, reservoirs, and in the Contra Costa Canal.  The District was coordinating with the East Bay Regional Park District and the Department of Fish and Game to protect District facilities from infestation caused by personal watercraft and fish plants.  He advised that the District was also participating in a Bay Area Quagga Mussel Task Force.  The task force would share monitoring information and mitigation techniques.  Research plans were being developed to identify techniques for eradicating the species. 

 

President Campbell asked for an example of mitigation.  Mr. Huey responded that an example would be chlorinating untreated water at the intakes.  He advised that the mussels do not survive in chlorine, but this could lead to the possibility of forming disinfection byproducts. 

 

Responding to a question from Director Boatmun concerning whether the mussels had any redeeming qualities, Mr. Huey advised that they were very small and there was no substance to them.  Director Boatmun questioned whether there would be a need to introduce a new species to eradicate them.  Mr. Huey responded that the mussels have no natural predators. 

 

President Campbell thanked Mr. Huey for an interesting presentation. 
REPORTS FOR DISCUSSION

           

8.         Schedule Future Meeting Dates and Times

 

Mr. Bishop reported that all Boardmembers had concurred to move the Board meeting scheduled for May 21 to May 14.  He advised that this would allow staff additional time to address Boardmember comments on the budget before it was presented for consideration of adoption on June 4.   

 

Mr. Bishop commented on the upcoming State Legislative visits scheduled for March 25.  He advised that President Campbell, Vice President Anello, Ms. Friesen and he would be attending with the District’s State Lobbyist Julee Malinowski-Ball. 

 

Director Boatmun advised that she would be attending the Contra Costa Council Luncheon for Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher on March 25.  She also reported that she would be attending the Association of California Water Agencies Region 5 meeting in San Francisco on April 6 and 7.  

 

Director Burgh advised that he would be attending the Association of Bay Area Government Executive Board meeting in Oakland on March 20.  The District would be honored for achieving a Bay Area Green Business certification.  He acknowledged staff for their participation in receiving this award.  

 

REPORTS

 

9.         General Manager

 

Mr. Bishop did not have a report.

 

10.        Legal Counsel

 

Mr. Maddow reported briefly on an appellate court decision concerning a case involving land use planning and water supply planning. 

 

11.        Board Members

 

Director Boatmun commented on a column in the Contra Costa Times concerning Contra Costa County salaries vs. benefits for employees.  She also reported on a California Special Districts Association (CSDA) Education Committee meeting that she attended on March 13.  She advised that the Annual CSDA Conference would be held September 21-25 in Irvine and encouraged Boardmembers interested in attending to make reservations. 

 

Director Boatmun requested that school districts and community colleges be included on the list of agencies receiving the District’s Annual Reports.  President Campbell supported her request.

 

Vice President Anello reported that she would be participating in the State Legislative visits on March 25 in Sacramento. 

 

Director Burgh commented on a new agency and acronym for the Bay Area Flood Protection Agencies Association (BAFPAA). 

 

Director Burgh also reported on the Bay Area Water Forum (BAWF) meeting held on February 25, and advised that Mary Selkirk would be transitioning in as the new facilitator replacing Greg Bourne.  He noted that David Nesmith, Environmental Water Caucus, had commended the District for the quality of stewardship related to the environment at Los Vaqueros Reservoir.  He commented that the BAWF meeting on April 28 would include a field trip to observe the state pumps and the fish screens at Old River. 

 

President Campbell reported neither he nor Director Boatmun would be able to attend the Iron Horse Trail tour scheduled after the Operations and Engineering Committee on March 20. 

 

President Campbell also reported that he had received a last minute invitation from the Contra Costa Council to meet with Governor Schwarzenegger earlier that day in Pleasant Hill.  The purpose of the meeting was to promote expenditure reductions in California.  After the presentation, Governor Schwarzenegger took questions and concerns from the audience.  President Campbell spoke with the Governor and asked him to reconsider SB 1002.  He also addressed the District’s Emergency/Immediate Response actions for the Delta. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

At 7:27 p.m., President Campbell adjourned the meeting to the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors scheduled for April 2, 2008, commencing at 6:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                Joseph L. Campbell, President

 

ATTEST:

 

                                               

Sharon L. Burris

District Secretary