Minutes of the ISD Special Meeting March 26, 2012

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE

IRONHOUSE SANITARY DISTRICT

March 26, 2012

The Ironhouse Sanitary District (ISD) Board of Directors met in special session for a Workshop on Monday, March 26, 2012.

The place of meeting was the Bethel Island Municipal Improvement District Office at 3085 Stone Road, Bethel Island, California.  The meeting was called to order by President Doug Hardcastle at 7:00 p.m.

1.      Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Director Painter

            Roll Call was taken:

Members present:                    David Contreras, Doug Hardcastle, David Huerta,

Chris Lauritzen, and Michael Painter

Members absent:                     None 

Staff/Consultants present:      Tom Williams, General Manager

                                                            Susan Walde, District Secretary

                                                            Jenny Skrel, District Engineer

                                               

Interested Parties:                   Jamie Duran, Solar Harmonics

                                                            Adrian Preciado, Brentwood, CA

                                                            Rich O’Connell, Rohnert Park, CA

                                                            Tom Raniere, Brentwood, CA

                                                            Tori Quinn, Bethel Island

2.      Public Comments –There were no public comments on items not on the agenda. 

3.      SOLAR POWER WORKSHOP

Mr. Williams thanked everyone for coming to Bethel Island for the workshop on Solar Power.  He stated that the District is considering opportunities to reduce Ironhouse Sanitary District (ISD) energy costs and ISD’s desire to open discussion and show opportunities in the form of a workshop.  Mr. Williams stated that the District was able to improve energy efficiencies for the new Water Recycling Facility and have received over $280,000 in a PG&E rebate.  He presented a power point presentation exploring solar energy as an alternative energy source for the District.  The project being considered is a 1-mega watt project of solar panels.  The presentation showed the advantages and disadvantages of a solar energy project at ISD.  Included in the presentation was a chart outlining the staff estimated timeline of cost and savings of a solar project impact to the District. 

Mr. Williams gave an overview of the current PG&E rates at ISD and the projected rates that could occur over the next 30 years.  Discussion with those in attendance was held regarding the presentation, and alternative energy opportunities.  Board President Hardcastle asked about the concerns of security and vandalism.  Discussion was held on theft at other sites and current security set-up at Ironhouse.  Director Painter asked about the timeline of solar savings and if there is a guarantee of realizing a rebate from PG&E?  Ms. Skrel stated we are still researching the guarantee of a rebate at this time. 

Several Solar experts were present to discuss solar opportunities and benefits to the District.  Comments were made from a rate payer that it would definitely benefit the ISD rate payers in the future and ISD should move forward with a solar project.     

Mr. Williams thanked the participants from the solar industry and the local residents for attending the workshop.

4.     Adjournment

President Hardcastle adjourned the special workshop meeting of the Board at 8:30 p.m. to the Regular Meeting on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Ironhouse Sanitary District offices at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley, California.