EXHIBIT 18-A

MINUTES

Team Safety Meeting

March 23, 2004

- The meeting was called to order at 3:00 pm in the district Conference Room -

MEMBERS PRESENT: Thomas Christensen, Rick Dickhaut, Darby Fuerst, Cynthia Schmidlin

MEMBERS ABSENT: Debbie Martin

I. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION

A. OLD BUSINESS

1. Final drafts of the updated IIPP - will be reviewed by Team Safety at the next meeting. Relevant portions of the recently received Special Districts Risk Management Authority (SDRMA) Occupational Health and Safety Program Review will be incorporated into the update, as well as elements of the February Safety and Security Training.

2. Safety and Security Training - On the morning of February 24, 2003, District staff attended a 3-hour training session on “Front Desk and Office Security”. Employees who deal directly with the public also attended the follow-up afternoon session on “Safety and Security with Difficult Customers”. The response from staff was very positive. Discussions allowed staff to examine current practices and methods to improve them. The trainer was able to provide new ideas on security at the District. Some ideas discussed during the training and reviewed by Team Safety were:

a. Defusing Contentious Situations: Various personality types and different methods to deal with them were reviewed in terms of preventing problems and calming individuals who become upset.

b. Signage: Most members of the public will be deterred from entering areas that are restricted by the simple use of signs indicating “Employees Only.” Such signs should be placed in the hallway beyond the first floor restrooms at 5 Harris Court, as well as near front stairway to the second floor. Also, during evening meetings open to the public, the use of a chain over the front stairwell could effectively limit access to those District offices.

c. Panic Buttons: In the event of an emergency situation, there are stationary panic buttons located in both the Support Services and Water Demand Areas off the front lobby at 5 Harris Court. However, most staff members have not been aware of these buttons and could not easily access them in case of an emergency. Use of the buttons should be part of emergency training. The idea of additional buttons located in Water Demand Division back offices was also discussed.

d. Safe Rooms. In case of a hostage situation, there is a lockable file room on the first floor with a phone that could be accessed.

e. Emergency Exit Drills: Team Safety’s concept of an emergency exit location outside of the Conference Room was supplemented by an additional location outside of the rear entrance, behind the garage. These locations, and coordination between them to account for staff, will be tested in forthcoming emergency drills.

Team Safety will follow up on the use of panic buttons by the County Planning and Building Inspection office. The team also discussed the front door at 5 Harris Court, which is locked after business hours for security reasons, but should also be available as an emergency exit when public meetings are being held in the evening. Cynthia will contact the Monterey Fire Department regarding fire exit requirements. She will also and determine if they have any information on the installation of both a push bar and a simple mechanism which allows locking the door at night but unlocking it during regular business hours.

3. Loss Reports for FY 2003-2004 and Workers’ Compensation Costs – Team Safety reviewed

Loss Reports for this fiscal year. There were two accidental injury claims. One required pay for lost time, and both involved physical therapy. The cost of these claims was higher than average costs incurred over the past few year, but still relatively small in comparison to our payroll. The District’s contract with SDRMA has a 3-year commitment, and experience ratings will be not reevaluated until the end of that period. 2 more years of typically low activity will reduce any impact this year’s claims may have on our rates. The District will continue its commitment to hazard abatement and employee safety awareness.

B. NEW BUSINESS

1. Monthly Safety Training: One of the issues pointed out by SDRMA Safety Consultant Jim Emerson during his Safety Audit was the CAL OSHA requirement for monthly “tail-gate” safety training meetings. Mr. Emerson has contracted with SDRMA to provide training materials on a wide variety of subjects. These training packets have begun arriving on a monthly basis and are covered by our monthly insurance premiums. They include booklets for all employees with a brief test on the materials presented. The training can be conducted in 15-20 minutes. Cynthia Schmidlin will begin conducting these training sessions at the end of each monthly staff meeting.

II. NEXT TEAM SAFETY MEETING