FINAL MINUTES
Regular
Meeting
Board of
Directors
Monterey
Peninsula Water Management District
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM in the Seaside City Council Chambers. Directors present: Kris
Lindstrom, Chair – Division 4 Alexander
“Zan” Henson, Vice Chair – Division 5 Alvin
Edwards – Division 1 Judi
Lehman – Division 2 Molly
Erickson – Division 3 David
Pendergrass – Mayoral Representative Directors absent: David Potter – Monterey
County Board of Supervisors District staff present: Ernesto
A. Avila – General Manager Rick
Dickhaut – Chief Financial Officer Stephanie
Pintar – Water Demand Manager Joseph
Oliver – Water Resources Manager Andy
Bell – Planning and Engineering Manager Henrietta
Stern – Project Manager Larry
Hampson – District Engineer Cynthia
Schmidlin – Human Resources Specialist Mark
Bekker – River Maintenance Specialist Thomas
Christensen – Riparian Projects Coordinator Jessica
Wheeler – Field Biology Assistant Arlene
Tavani – Executive Assistant District Counsel present: David C. Laredo The
assembly recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The
following comments were directed to the Board during the Oral Communications
period. (1) Edwin Lee, representing Water for
Us, urged the Board to include a full project-level study of the dam proposal
in the Water Supply Project EIR so that an “apples to apples” comparison is
available for public review. (2) David Dilworth, representing
Helping Our Peninsula’s Environment (HOPE), requested that the District: (A)
revisit the Water Allocation Plan; (B)
develop and provide to the public a list of the 100 or 200 water users in the
District that have the highest recorded water consumption; and (C) make Board
packet staff notes available on the District’s web site as HTML files. (3)
John Fischer, resident of Pacific Grove, asked if the Water Supply
Project EIR will include an analysis of the Plan B recommended project, or
will another EIR need to be prepared for that project. (4)
Fran Farina requested that agenda items entitled Monthly Water Supply
Status Report and Monthly Cal-Am Production Report be updated by segregating
information into two categories, Carmel Valley and Seaside, to clarify how
water production levels comply with State Water Resources Control Board Order
95-10. (5) Roy Thomas, Carmel River Steelhead Association (CRSA),
expressed concern over the health of rescued steelhead, considering that the
Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility was not yet operational. He proposed that the District purchase
off-peak water from the State Water Project.
That water could then be stored on Fort Ord and distributed to local
water users when necessary. (6) Lou Haddad, resident of Monterey,
observed that the American Flag was incorrectly displayed at the dais. He advised that it be moved to the extreme
right of the podium. Director Pendergrass offered a motion that was seconded
by Director Edwards to adopt the Consent Calendar, except for item No. 1 and
item No. 3 that were pulled for separate consideration. The motion was approved on a vote of 5 –
1. Directors Edwards, Erickson,
Henson, Lehman and Pendergrass voted in favor of the motion. Director Lindstrom voted in opposition to
the motion. Director Potter was
absent. Director Lindstrom offered a motion that was seconded by Director Henson to approve the minutes of the June 17, 2002 Board meeting. The motion was approved on a vote of 6 – 0. Director Potter was absent. Approved. On
a motion by Director Erickson and second by Director Edwards, the resolution
was approved with the following change:
in paragraph 2 of the resolution, after the words “no charge” add the
words “until June 2002.” In addition,
in paragraph 4 of the resolution, delete the words “the development of local
water policy and the establishment of a secure water supply” and add the
words “assisting the District’s public meeting goals.” The motion was approved on a vote of 6 –
0. Director Potter was absent. The Chair directed that the signed
resolution should be presented to the City of Monterey at a future City
Council meeting. Approved. Approved. Approved. Approved. Approved. Approved. Approved. Approved. Approved. Approved. Approved. Approved. General Manager Avila gave a brief presentation. He estimated that preparation of an exhibit should cost about $250, and approximately 32 hours of staff time will be spent on participation in the event. The Directors agreed that the District should participate in the Oceans Fair. Notice of the Oceans Fair will be posted on the District’s web site. General Manager Avila referred to a letter from the California-American Water Company (Cal-Am) dated July 3, 2002 that reported a discrepancy between SCADA data from the Paralta and Ord Grove Wells and the actual production from those wells. He reported that District staff is working with the California-American Water Company on ways to rectify the situation. Mr. Charles Kemp, Operations Manager for Cal-Am, stated that the company hired a new SCADA Manager and is installing a new SCADA system that should ensure better accuracy of future data. More information will be presented at the August Board meeting. Other matters discussed during the General Manager’s Report are summarized under item No. 18, Comments and Referrals. District
Counsel Laredo reported that all items listed on the Closed Session agenda
for June 17, 2002 were discussed at the meeting. A status report was given, and a general
discussion ensued with the General Manager and District Counsel. No specific action was taken. Director
Erickson asked if District staff had determined why the District and the City
of Monterey have developed different estimates of the MPWMDs cumulative
expenditures. General Manager Avila
explained that there could be a discrepancy in how revenues or Certificates
of Participation for the CAWD/PBCSD Wastewater Reclamation Project were
accounted for. He promised to report
back to the Board within a week on that issue. Director Lindstrom requested that item No.
37 – Production Report – CAWD/PBCSD Wastewater Reclamation Project be updated
to reflect production that occurred after January 2002. Director Henson proposed that the MPWMD
Water Supply Project EIR be modified to emphasize, as a project, the
construction of a local desalination plant that meets the needs of and can be
controlled by residents on the Monterey Peninsula. He did not support construction of a
regional desalination plant. Instead,
he proposed construction of a desalination plant that will meet the
requirements of Order 95-10 and could be expanded incrementally upon the vote
of local rate payers. In response to a
suggestion by Director Erickson, Chair Lindstrom agreed to refer the issue of
completion of an Allocation Program EIR update to either the Water Demand or
Environmental Review committee.
Director Lindstrom explained that he voted in opposition to adoption
of the Consent Calendar for the reasons expressed by Roy Thomas during Oral
Communications. He stated that the
District should take a more pro-active approach in working with the Sleepy
Hollow Fish Rearing Facility, or transfer the responsibility for fishery
programs to another entity. Director
Edwards offered a motion to continue the item to the August 19, 2002 Board
meeting. In addition, that staff
conduct another inspection of the site and bring back to the Board on August
19, 2002 additional evidence of the existence or non-existence of a laundry
sink or tray. There was no second to
the motion. Director Henson offered a motion that was seconded by Director Lehman to deny the appeal. The motion was adopted on a vote of 5 – 1. Directors Erickson, Henson, Lindstrom, Lehman and Pendergrass voted in favor of the motion. Director Edwards voted in opposition to the motion. During
the public hearing on this item, the following comments were directed to the
Board. (1) John Schink, the applicant/appellant, recounted the events
that led to his filing an application for appeal. Following the District’s inspection of his
property, a laundry sink was discovered in the structure. Mr. Schink contacted the District to
schedule another inspection, and was advised by staff to document the fixture
with photographs. He offered to hire a
professional photographer to document the existence of a sink, but staff
assured him that was not necessary.
Mr. Schink submitted the photographs to the District and within a few
weeks was informed that his request to receive water credits for the laundry
sink was denied. He asserted that
although he complied with District staff’s requests for documentation, he was
treated unfairly. According to
District rules, staff must determine the existence of water fixtures. Mr. Schink stated that staff never
conducted an inspection to determine the existence of the laundry sink, but
relied on photographs. According to Mr. Schink, his contractor removed the
laundry sink but the photographs clearly showed where the drain went through
the floor. Mr. Schink requested that
District staff inspect the property again, or acknowledge that he deserves
the water credit. He presented
additional photographs of the area where he contends the laundry sink was
located. Director Henson offered a motion that was seconded by Director Lehman to approve Ordinance No. 104 with the addition of the following language, “Appeal fees should be waived when the issues raised in said appeal concern issues of public interest or environmental protection.” In addition, the ordinance would specify “This ordinance will sunset in six months.” Director Henson offered an amendment to the motion that was seconded by Director Lehman to include language in Rule 70, line 4 stating that the General Manager has discretion to determine whether or not the fee should be waived based on the criteria established in the original motion. In addition, Section 7.B shall state, "This ordinance shall not have a sunset date but shall be brought back to the Board of Directors for review in February 2003 and August 2003." The motion was approved on a vote of 4 – 2. Directors Erickson, Henson, Lehman and Lindstrom voted in favor of the motion. Directors Pendergrass and Edwards voted against the motion. Director Potter was absent. The
Board discussed how to define “public interest.” There was general consensus that an applicant
with no financial interest in the appeal could be considered as representing
the pubic interest. During
the public hearing on this item David Dilworth, representing HOPE, addressed
the Board. He submitted a letter dated
May 20, 2002 regarding the issue that is on file at the District office. He disagreed with the proposal that would
grant a waiver of appeal fees only after the appeal was heard, if there is a
significant benefit and only if the appeal were granted. He expressed concern that Directors would
be pressured by potential applicants to bring forth appeals on their
behalf. Mr. Dilworth proposed that for
a test period of six months, an appeal fee waiver be established for groups
that represent the public interest. He
proposed specific language, “Appeal fees should be waived when the appeal
raises a public interest or an environmental issue.” Director Erickson offered a motion that was seconded by
Director Edwards to continue the Carmel River Advisory Committee, and that
the committee would meet as needed only by:
(1) direct referral of the Board or Administrative Committee; or (2)
to address important issues identified by staff. Direct dialogue between Carmel River
Advisory Committee representatives and the Board or relevant Board Committees
will be encouraged. When the Carmel
River Advisory Committee meets, District staff will provide updates on Carmel
River issues. The motion was
unanimously approved on a vote of 6 – 0.
Director Potter was absent. On a motion by Director Henson and second by Director Erickson, the Board approved appointments to the Carmel River Advisory Committee listed here: Director Pendergrass – Thomas House; Director Erickson – Richard Rosenthal; Director Henson – Rod Mills; Director Lehman – John Delassio; Kris Lindstrom – David Dilworth. The motion was approved on a vote of 6 – 0. Director Potter was absent. During
the public hearing on this item the following comments were directed to the
Board. (1) John Fischer, resident of Pacific Grove, asked if the
District’s interest in protecting riparian habitat included a concern for
water quality when it reached the Monterey Bay Sanctuary. (2)
Robert Greenwood, representing the Carmel Valley Association, read a
letter dated July 15, 2002 that is on file at the District office. He
expressed support for continuance of the Carmel River Advisory Committee and
implementation of the Committee’s recommendation shown on page 114 of the
Board packet. (3) Fran Farina proposed that the Carmel River Advisory Committee
continue to function in its present form and that it be utilized more
effectively by the Board of Directors.
She stated that membership on the committee should be open to anyone
in the District with an interest in the Carmel River. (4)
Michael Waxer, resident of Carmel Valley and Chair of the Carmel River
Advisory Committee, explained that one of the main functions of the committee
is community education and outreach.
Committee members describe the District’s functions and riverbank
enhancement projects to their neighbors.
The committee has sponsored public forums on the Endangered Species
Act and other topics. In addition, the
committee has worked with riverfront property owners to resolve violations of
riverbank protection regulations. (5) David Dilworth spoke in support
of the Carmel River Advisory Committee.
He agreed with a suggestion by Director Erickson that the Committee’s
activities be limited to the review of items brought to it by the Board of
Directors or a committee of the Board.
(6) Roy Thomas,
representing the CRSA, and a former member of the Carmel River Advisory
Committee stated that the Committee could be eliminated. According to Mr. Thomas, the Carmel River
Watershed Council might be able to provide valuable input to the Board of Directors
once it becomes a fully functioning entity. On a motion by Director Edwards and second by Director
Erickson, the Board authorized District staff to contract with the Watershed
Institute of California State University at Monterey Bay to study large wood
in the main stem of the Carmel River for a cost not-to-exceed $10,000. The motion was approved on a vote of 6 –
0. Director Potter was absent. During
the public comment period on this item, the following comments were directed
to the Board. (1) David Dilworth expressed
appreciation for the presentation made by District staff on the issue. He proposed that District staff make a
presentation at each Board meeting on a different facet of the Carmel River
watershed. (2) Roy Thomas, representing the CRSA, urged the Board to proceed
carefully with this project. He
expressed concern that the intent of the study could be to inventory debris
for eventual removal from the river.
He cautioned that the District’s function is to preserve the
environment, not to stabilize the riverbank. Director Erickson proposed a motion that was seconded
by Director Henson to: (1) approve
preparation of a conceptual ordinance that would incorporate the changes
outlined in the staff report; (2) move ahead with the goal of presenting the
ordinance for first reading on August 19, 2002; (3) make an effort to
circulate the Negative Declaration prior to the August 19, 2002 meeting; and
(4) Seaside Basin issues would be incorporated into a subsequent ordinance. The motion was approved on a vote of 6 –
0. Director Potter was absent. The
following comments were directed to the Board during the public comment
period on this item. (1) David Dilworth representing HOPE, suggested that: (A) the portion of
the Carmel River Watershed that lies within the District boundaries be
included in this ordinance; (B) that the Laguna Seca area be included in the
ordinance; and (C) increase the scope of the ordinance beyond the proposed
requirement of the riparian area plus 1,000 feet. (2) Robert Greenwood,
representing the Carmel Valley Association, expressed support for the
ordinance. He suggested that the list
of amendments to the ordinance shown on page 133 of the staff report should
be incorporated into Ordinance No. 96.
However, those items on the list related to the Seaside Basin should
be omitted. (3) Roy Thomas,
representing the CRSA, stated that the scope of the ordinance is too narrowly
defined. He asked why the ordinance
did not apply to the entire District.
Mr. Thomas stated that property owners should be allowed to drill
wells on non-buildable lots in order to irrigate fruit trees. He noted that people should have full use
of their land, but that the District should ensure the wise use of water
resources. (4) John Fischer, a resident of Pacific Grove, congratulated
District staff for acknowledging that there are weaknesses in the ordinance
and proposing improvements. (5) Fran Farina, representing Save
Our Carmel Valley, expressed support for the ordinance. She proposed the following changes to the
ordinance: (A) page 135 of the staff
note, definition of single-parcel connection system, line four, the phrase
“multiple-connection system” should be changed to “multiple-parcel connection
system;” (B) page 137, Section C, last line of the first paragraph, delete
the reference to Seaside Coastal Subareas of the Seaside Groundwater Basin;
and (C) page 141, section C, sentence two is misleading and should be
clarified. Ms. Farina expressed other
concerns related to Exhibit 23.B of the staff report. Director Lindstrom offered a motion that was seconded by Director Erickson to execute an agreement with the Rural Special District’s Insurance Fund for worker’s compensation insurance coverage, effective July 1, 2002. The motion was approved on a vote of 6 – 0. Director Potter was absent. During
the public comment period on this item, Charles
Kemp of Cal-Am addressed the Board.
He recommended the services of the Joint Powers Insurance Agency for
workers compensation insurance coverage. There
was no discussion of these items. The
meeting was adjourned to Closed Session at approximately 10:35 PM. ADJOURNMENT U:\Arlene\word\2002\boardmeetings\minutes\minutes\FINAL0715.DOC |
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CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALLPLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCEORAL COMMUNICATIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.
Consider
Approval of Minutes from the Regular Board Meeting of June 17, 2002 2. Receive Water Supply Forecast for Period
of May 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003 3. Consider Adoption of Resolution
Expressing Appreciation to the City of Monterey 4. Authorize Exercise of Option to Extend
Use Agreement with Mission Memorial Park for Pilot Injection Well 5. Consider Authorization of Funds for
Replacement Fish Transport Truck for Fish Rescues CONSENT CALENDAR 6. Consider Authorization of Mitigation
Funds to Purchase Bird Netting for the Rearing Channel at the Sleepy Hollow
Steelhead Rearing Facility 7. Consider Authorization of Mitigation
Funds to Contract for Two Seasonal Fish Rescue Workers 8. Consider Authorization of Mitigation
Funds to Contract for One Water Resources Field Assistant Position 9. Consider Authorization of Mitigation
Funds to Contract for Two Field Biology Assistant Positions 10. Consider Authorization of Funds for
Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility Stand-by Generator Maintenance
Agreement with Quinn Engine Systems for Fiscal Year 2002-2003 11. Consider Authorization of Mitigation
Funds to Purchase a New Back Pack Electrofisher 12. Consider Authorization of Funds to Rent
Irrigation Equipment for San Carlos Irrigation System 13. Consider Authorization of Repairs to the
Schulte Irrigation Well 14. Consider Authorization of Contract
Amendment with RAMLIT Associates for Computer Services in Fiscal Year
2002-2003 15. Consider Adoption of Treasurer’s Report
for June 2002 GENERAL MANAGER’S
REPORT 16. A. Concur
with Participation on Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary’s 10th
Anniversary Oceans Fair, September 21, 2002 B. California-American
Water Company Water Production Data Discrepancy ATTORNEY’S REPORT 17. Report on Action Taken at June 17, 2002
Closed Session of the Board DIRECTORS’
REPORTS 18. Board Comments and Referrals PUBLIC
HEARINGS 19.
Consider Appeal of
Decision of the General Manager of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management
District Regarding Denial of Water Use Credits for the South West Corner of
12th and Carmelo, Carmel – Applicant/Appellant Jon Schink 20.
Consider Second Reading
and Adoption of Ordinance No. 104 – An Ordinance of the Monterey Peninsula
Water Management District Modifying Administrative Appeal Processes ACTION ITEMS21. Consider Current and Future Role of the
Carmel River Advisory Committee 22. Consider Authorization of
Contract with California State University Monterey Bay for Carmel River Large
Woody Debris Assessment ACTION ITEMS 23. Concur with Approach
Regarding Proposed Changes to Monterey Peninsula Water Management District
Rules and Regulations Associated with Ordinance No. 96 24. Consider Authorization to Change Worker’s Compensation Carrier INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS 24. Letters Received 25. Committee Reports 26. Strategic Planning
Initiatives Progress Report 27. Quarterly Report on Water
Supply Projects 28. Carmel River Fishery
Report 29. Quarterly Irrigation
Program and Riparian Projects Report 30. Quarterly Carmel River
Erosion Protection and Restoration Program Report 31. Water Conservation Program
Report 32. Water Use Credit Transfer
Status Report 33. Monthly Allocation Report 34. Monthly Cal-Am Sales
Report 35. Monthly Cal-Am Production
Report 36. Production Report –
CAWD/PBCSD Wastewater Reclamation Project 37. Semi-Annual Financial
Report – CAWD/PBCSD Wastewater Reclamation Project 38. Quarterly Public
Information Program Report 39. Monthly Water Supply
Status Report ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION 40. Conference with Labor
Negotiators (Gov. Code Section 54957) A. Agency Designated Representatives:
Ernesto A. Avila, Rick Dickhaut, Cynthia Schmidlin Employee
Organization: Laborers’ International
Union of North America, AFL-CIO, (LIUNA/UPEC) Local 270 B. Agency Designated
Representative: Ernesto A. Avila Unrepresented
Employees: Confidential Staff Unit 41.
Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Gov. Code
Section 54957) A. General Manager 42.
Conference with Legal Counsel (Gov. Code Section
54956.9) A. California-American Water Company
Application No. 02-04-022 to the Public Utilities Commission for Authority to
Increase Rates for Service for 2003, 2004 and 2005 43.
Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing
Litigation (Gov. Code Section 54956.9) A. Cities of Seaside, Carmel,
Del Rey Oaks, Monterey, Pacific Grove and Sand City v. MPWMD Case No. M59441 B. Mary Currier, Chris
Currier and Roy and Jeanelle Kaminske v MPWMD, Case No. M59299, Monterey
County Superior Court The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:30
PM. Ernesto A. Avila, Secretary to the Board |