January 21, 2003

1. Call to Order/Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 10:10 AM in the District conference room.

Committee members present: Molly Erickson

Judi Lehman

Kris Lindstrom (sitting in for Zan Henson who was unable to participate)

District staff present: Ernie Avila, General Manager

Stephanie Pintar, Water Demand Manager

Arlene Tavani, Executive Assistant

2. Adopt Committee Meeting Minutes of May 2, May 6 and May 22, 2002

This item was deferred to the next committee meeting.

3. Initial Discussion on Application for Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP) Expansion

The committee discussed the item and asked questions of representatives from CHOMP, Steven Packer, President and CEO; Bryce Graybill, Project Manager; and Ray Cole, Axiom Engineers. CHOMP proposed that a water use factor of .48 acre-feet per year, per bed (AF/YR/B), would be appropriate, instead of the District’s commercial water use factor of .0002 acre-feet per square foot, per year for medical facilities. Staff was directed to bring this item to the committee again, after the EIR on the project has been released and the committee has reviewed the water section. Director Lehman exited the meeting at 10:30 AM during discussion of this item.

Mr. Avila explained that staff would like direction on development of a water factor for the project, and what additional information would be required to formulate the water factor. The Board will need to adopt a modified water factor or make a finding of special circumstances to permit this project.

Following are facts about the project that were established by the CHOMP representatives in response to questions raised by committee members. CHOMP contracts with Mission Linen for handling of laundry. That process will continue when the new facilities are constructed. The hospital has a plan for reducing usage of linen in order to cut down on use of laundry services and conserve water. Drip irrigation is planned for watering of landscaped areas. The hospital has been replacing non-native landscaping with forest and under-story plants. A waterless x-ray system will be installed that could save 1.4 acre-feet of water per year (AF/YR).

CHOMP hired Axiom Engineers to develop water use projections for the facility. The report is on file at the District office. CHOMP has implemented extensive conservation measures that resulted in water use of approximately 81 acre-feet in 2001. That is equal to .48 AF/YR/B. (Water use at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital is .49 AF/YR/B.) The proposed number of beds after the expansion will be 227 which is equal to 108.96 AF/YR, based on the .48 AF/YR/B estimate. CHOMP estimates that the allocation available to the project is the historic average water use of 99.38 AF/YR, plus the community benefit allocation of 18.28 AF/YR, plus a water credit transfer of 1.26 AF/YR for a total of 118.92 AF/YR. After deducting conservation savings from mandatory conservation measures, that allocation could be 110.73 AF/YR. The Axiom report further states that supplemental conservation measures could reduce water use to 109.9 AF/YR or .43 AF/YR/B. CHOMP representatives noted that average.

4. Other Items

a. Update on Status of Mirabito Appeal and the Gamboa Use Permit Application to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors

Staff was directed to send a letter to the Monterey County Planning Department stating that the County’s water use projection for the site should be increased due to the on-site laundry planned for the project. It was suggested that staff investigate what the actual water use for the laundry facilities will be and factor that into the Gamboa project water use. Even if the laundry will be off-site, there will be a cumulative effect on community-wide water use that should be reflected in the projected water use for the project. Staff should also conduct research to determine if it will be practical to install ultra-low flow toilets in assisted living facilities and if the required water savings will be achieved. District staff advised the Board that a water release form from the County has not been received for the Gamboa project.

b. Discussion of Proposed Crossroads Expansion

Ms. Pintar answered questions regarding the project. There was no committee action.

c. Items to be Discussed at Future Committee Meetings

The committee requested that staff provide an update on efforts to obtain access to California-American Water Company customer water use records. In addition, staff should provide a report on the District’s ability to require that timers be installed on showerheads and faucets in commercial projects. The committee also requested that staff conduct an investigation into the IMAX special circumstances permit. A recent lawsuit has raised questions about whether the project proponents misrepresented the facts to the District. Ms. Pintar advised the committee that an application for the project has not been submitted to the District. She also stated that the special circumstances permit only applied to the theater portion of the project. If the project is to be expanded beyond that, a permit will be needed for that expanded water use. General Manager Avila recommended that the request for an investigation be brought to the full Board to determine if staff resources should be spent on that effort. Staff agreed to provide information to the committee on the special circumstances permit that was approved for the IMAX project.

5. Set Future Meeting Date

No action was taken on this item.

6. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 AM

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