ISD March 1, 2011 Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
IRONHOUSE SANITARY DISTRICT

March 1, 2011

The Ironhouse Sanitary District (ISD) Board of Directors met in regular session on Tuesday, March 1, 2011.

The place of meeting was the Ironhouse Sanitary District Office at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley, California. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Michael Painter at 7:01 p.m.

1. Call to Order

Members present: Doug Hardcastle, David Huerta, Chris Lauritzen, Don Lew and Michael Painter

Members absent: None

Staff/Consultants present: Tom Williams, General Manager
Dave Dal Porto, Reclamation, Levee and Ranch Superintendent
Marc Haefke, Operations Superintendent
Jenny Skrel, District Engineer
David Smith, Maintenance Superintendent
Neil Sterud, Maintenance Supervisor
Susan Walde, District Secretary
Fred Etzel, District Counsel

Interested Parties: Greg Sutter & Robert Capriola, Westervelt Ecological
Randy Pope, City of Oakley,

2. Approval of Agenda
M/S Lauritzen, Lew, and the Board voted to approve the agenda with the amendment of deleting Byer from Board member advisory reports.

3. Approval of the Minutes of the February 1, 2011 Regular Meeting
M/S Hardcastle, Huerta and the Board approved the minutes of the February 1, 2011 Regular Meeting of the Board.

4. Public Comments – Communications from the public on subjects not on the agenda.
Member Lauritzen thanked Mr. Pope and the City of Oakley for displaying the notice of the ISD Board meetings on the City’s Billboard. Chairman Painter thanked staff and Roni Gehlke for the latest newsletter “The Insider” complimented it as the best newsletter yet and an outstand tribute to Lenny Byer.


5. Consent Calendar
A. Approval of Payment Order, Income/Expense Statement & Bank Balances.

M/S Lauritzen, Lew and the Board approved the consent calendar.

Staff Report – Michael Welty – Mr. Welty reported to the Board he is working one day a week with approximately 15 – 20% of his time is spent on RD 830 work. He will be invoicing RD 830 for this time. As we get closer to budget and audit time he will be ramping up and working more time at ISD. Overall everything is good.


6. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD

6A. CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT THE MITIGATION BANK FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS BY WESTERVELT ECOLOGICAL SERVICES.

Greg Sutter & Robert Capriola of Westervelt Ecological Services gave a presentation to the Board and staff on the Mitigation Bank Feasibility Analysis. They gave a review that ISD property is well situated in the Western Delta and could support a mitigation bank which could serve both vegetation and special status species. However, obstacles do exist which may be difficult to overcome and could make the project less desirable.
M/S D. Hardcastle, D. Huerta and the Board voted to accept and adopt the Mitigation Bank Feasibility Analysis Study by Westervelt Ecological Services. (B.O. 11-05)

6B. CONSIDERATION OF PARTNERING WITH RECLAMATION DISTRICT NO. 830 IN PURSUIT OF GRANT FUNDS FOR ENHANCEMENT ON ISD PROPERTY

Mr. Williams referring to his staff report gave a summary to the Board of the potential opportunity of RD 830 partnering with ISD and develop up to 100 acres of habitat enhancement on ISD property. RD 830 was recently advised by staff at DWR that the full grant amount of $5,000,000 has been tentatively awarded to RD 830 to ISD’s project. Staff is asking for the Board to authorize staff and legal council to further investigate the benefits and risks of ISD committing some of its property for habitat enhancement.
M/S D. Huerta, C. Lauritzen and the Board voted to authorize staff and legal council to move forward to further investigate the benefit and risks for habitat enhancement with staff to report back to the board in early April of 2011. (BO. 11-06)

6C. CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONAL COST CHANGE ORDER – WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT PROJECT OUTFALL CONSTRUCTION in an amount not to exceed $315,000.

Ms. Skrel updated the board on the outfall construction for the wastewater treatment plant expansion. Ms. Skrel addressed the Board with a detailed staff report updating the change order requests related to the existing levee grade elevations and modification to the outfall pipe at Jersey Island levee in the amount of $113,679 and the delivery of rock and gravel to the outfall trench in the amount of $290,067. The outfall pipe upgrade remains in negotiation with the contractor. Staff requesting the Board authorize the General Manager to finalize the outfall change order for a not to exceed price of $315,000.
M/S C. Lauritzen, M. Painter and the Board voted to authorize the General Manager to finalize the outfall change orders for a not to exceed price of $315,000. D. Huerta abstained. (B.O. 11-07)


6D. WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT EXPANSION PROJECT CONSULTANT BUDGET AMENDMENTS - Contract Amendment No. 2 – TJC and Associates - $70,000 and Vinnedge Environmental Consulting - $7,500.

Ms. Skrel reported that during construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion project several issues have arisen which required two consultants to spend amounts over their previously approved budgets. Due to the extension for the outfall permit, Vinnedge Environmental Consulting has had an additional cost of $7,500. TJC and Associates has requested a contract amendment in the amount of $70,000 for Seismic regulations and structural engineering issues.
M/S D. Lew, C. Lauritzen and the Board voted to approve the Amendment No. 2 to TJC and Associates in the amount of $70,000 and Amendment No. 2 to Vinnedge Environmental Consulting in the amount of $7,500. (B.O. 11-08)


7. Staff Reports
Dave Dal Porto –– Mr. Dal Porto reported under replacement reserve in the budget staff planned to replace an older ¾ ton pick-up in the amount of $25,000. Using the biding process through CMAST, staff was able to replace the truck for $23,309.79. They will eliminate a 93 Ford pick-up.
Mr. Dal Porto reported that Mark Maloney is preparing a preliminary study for Phase 1 of Lot 1 on Jersey Island and has interviewed staff and reviewed the island. Staff are working on equipment and getting ready for the hay season.

Marc Haefke – Mr. Haefke reported that 35 applications were received for the position of mechanic. Staff interviewed 11 applicants and offered the job to Michael Fuller who will start on the 16th of March. Mr. Haefke reported he is working with Joe Mueller for the additional position of Operations Supervisor for the new wastewater treatment plant. They will be holding interviews next week and hope to have someone on board on the 1st of April. Staff are preparing the office at the shop for their update. The new fiber optics for the new phone system has been pulled and expect to have the new phone system in 2 weeks. Staff has been working on functional testing at the new treatment plant. Mary Ellen has inventoried every piece of equipment for the new maintenance plan.

Neil Sterud – Mr. Sterud reported on the final interview of applicants for the mechanic position. He reported that the new towels and wipes are causing us to upgrade pumps to pumps with grinders. Staff has been cleaning the trunk lines down Highway 4/Main Street.

Dave Smith – Mr. Smith reported to the Board that he will have a proposal for a metal building for the shop area to present to the Board. Staff are preparing to buy another truck for use as an on-call truck to include a utility bed for more equipment for staff. Mr. Smith also reported that he completed the IIPP plan and the Lock-Out Tag Out program. He is currently reworking the policies. He met with David Patzer to continue the work on revising a Safety program each month.

Fred Etzel – Mr. Etzel reported that he is following and working on the Delta Stewardship Delta Plan with the first draft out in February and the second expected on March 17.

Jenny Skrel – Ms. Skrel reported that she is working with Contra Costa Water District and they will be amenable to water discharge on fields A, C and D which are in the area of the CCWD water canal. She reported she is working on the Water Discharge Permit to submit to the Regional Board in two weeks.

Tom Williams - Mr. Williams reported that DWR awarded RD 830 grant monies and a $35,000 advance to do a five year plan. They have a fully signed 2.3 million dollar agreement (2008-09 Agreement) for the western edge of JI. Mr. Williams reported that he and staff have been working with Radback Energy moving forward with the recycled water. Staff have been approached by a contractor for alternative energy. Incentives are for wind, a 380 feet tall 1.6 mega watt Wind Turbine. The proposal of the turbine for use on the new Wastewater Treatment Plant could off-set the cost by 25%. There are community issues and concerns to consider. Should have a presentation for next month from Foundation Windpower.

8. Board Member Advisory Reports
David Huerta – Member Huerta reported that he attended the City Council meeting in February. Mr. Pope moved forward on our request to have ISD’s meetings on the City’s board. He reported on a lease transplant of 100 year old grapevines. Also, concerns of wireless telecom and not wanting a pine tree concept. He attended a state budget update meeting of Senator DeSaulnier assisted by State Treasurer, Bill Lockyer, with a report of a very bleak budget. Member Huerta reported on the Delta Stewardship Council and the first draft is out.

Chris Lauritzen – Member Lauritzen reported he attended a Water Task Force meeting in Pleasant Hill regarding a possible flooding plan for Contra Costa County. He reported that he is not convinced that Contra Costa County is ready and prepared for a rescue in the event of a flood.

Michael Painter – Mr. Painter gave an update on the Delta Science Center and also that Big Break would be having a soft opening.


9. Adjournment
Chairman Painter adjourned the regular meeting at 9:25 p.m. until Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. for the next regular meeting in the Ironhouse Sanitary District offices at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley, California.