Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Minutes of the ISD Board Meeting October 7, 2014


MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE

IRONHOUSE SANITARY DISTRICT

 

October 7, 2014

 

The Board of Directors of the Ironhouse Sanitary District (ISD) met in regular session on Tuesday, October 7, 2014, in the Board meeting room at ISD’s offices at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley, California.

 

  1. Call to Order

President David Huerta called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

 

2.       Roll Call:

 

Directors present:                   David Contreras, David Huerta, C. Lauritzen, and Michael Painter

Director via conference call: Doug Scheer

 

            Members absent:                    None

 

            Staff/Consultants

            present:                                   Jenny Skrel, District Engineer

                                                            Joe Mueller, Environmental/Process Compliance Manager

                                                            Susan Walde, District Secretary

                                                            Fred Etzel, District Counsel

                                                            Michael Welty, Financial Officer

                                                           

            Interested Parties:                   Susan Morgan, Oakley, CA

                                                            Kevin Finta, Finta Enterprises, Inc., Byron, CA

                                                           

            Pledge of Allegiance:             Led by Director Huerta

 

3.        Approval of Agenda

M/S M. Painter, C. Lauritzen, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the Agenda. 

In favor: D. Contreras, D. Huerta, C. Lauritzen, M. Painter and D. Scheer.  Opposed: None.  Absent: None.

 

4.       Approval of the Minutes of the September 2, 2014 Regular Meeting

M/S D. Contreras, C. Lauritzen and the Board voted to approve the minutes of the September 2, 2014 Regular Meeting. 

In favor: D. Contreras, D. Huerta, C. Lauritzen, M. Painter and D. Scheer.  Opposed: None.  Absent: None.

 

5.        Public Comments – Communications from the public on subjects not on the agenda. 

There were no comments from the public at this time.

 

6         Consent Calendar

            A.        Approval of Payment Order, Report on Financial Position & Operating Performance.

 

            B.       Acceptance of Agreement for Acquisition and Construction of Improvements – The Reserves – Tract #8994, Laurel Road between E. Cypress & Delta Road, Richmond American Homes.  (BO 14-47).

 

Director Contreras asked about expenses to Jim’s Heating & Air, Stantec, Telepacific, A&A Portables and Creative Drywall.  Staff reported the heating and air was for a new unit at the collections office, A&A Portables was for a new storage unit at the WRF and Creative Drywall was for an interior wall at the WRF.  The remainder would be reported back to the Board. 

M/S M. Painter, C. Lauritzen and the Board voted to approve the Consent Calendar. 

In favor: D. Contreras, D. Huerta, C. Lauritzen, M. Painter and D. Scheer.  Opposed: None.  Absent: None.

 

7.       Business Before the Board

 

          7A.     CONSIDERATION OF “I” PARCEL SOLIDS/SLUDGE REMOVAL

Ms. Skrel reported that at the August meeting the Board approved $300,000 for solids sludge removal from the “I” Parcel.  By the end of the first week of work the contractor determined there was more solids/sludge than originally estimated. 

Mr. Kevin Finta of Finta Enterprises reported to the Board that there are 21 smaller ponds inside of the original pond with up to 3.5 to 4 feet of sludge in each of the smaller ponds.  It was not possible to determine this from the original backhoe pit testing that was completed.  He estimated that to remove and haul the sludge that is currently excavated, would be approximately $70,000 additional over the original cost of $300,000.  The cost to complete solids/sludge removal from the entire “I” parcel is difficult to estimate as all areas of the “I” Parcel have not been excavated. 

Director Scheer asked why we could not at this point cap the pond.  Ms. Skrel explained the Regional Board requires all sludge be removed before filling in with dirt.  Director Scheer stated that he is not sure we have an additional $300,000 per year for the next three years to proceed with this project as staff recommends. 

Ms. Skrel explained that the District received a refund check from PG&E this week for monies owed to the District associated with the extension of the 21KV power to the WRF.  These funds could be used to pay to remove and haul the sludge already excavated this year.

Mr. Welty explained that the PG&E refund check was applied to the expansion reserve account and the project funds would be used from the expansion reserve account.

Director Painter stated that we need a more realistic cost to budget for this project.  Director Lauritzen noted that at our current connections, the fees would have to increase $20.28 per EDU for this line item.

Director Contreras agrees with Director Scheer regarding the district not being able to expense $300,000 for three years. He recommended this item be reviewed again at the time of the budget meetings.

M/S D. Contreras, C. Lauritzen and the Board voted to authorize up to an additional $75,000 to complete the removal and hauling of the excavated solids/sludge from the “I” parcel.

In favor: D. Contreras, D. Huerta, C. Lauritzen, M. Painter and D. Scheer.  Opposed: None.  Absent: None.

 

            7B.     CONSIDERATION OF SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT IN REGARDS TO CITY OF OAKLEY V. MATOSANTOS.

Mr. Etzel stated that the settlement with City of Oakley v. Matosantos has been settled and the settlement to Ironhouse Sanitary District is $13,433.11.  Staff recommends the Board acknowledge receipt of two checks totaling $13,433.11, which represent ISD’s pro rata of the share of the $1,418,284.00 settlement.

M/S D. Scheer, C. Lauritzen and the Board voted to acknowledge receipt of the two checks totaling $13,433.11 for the settlement of the Oakley v. Matosantos and deposit the checks in the ISD general fund.

In favor: D. Contreras, D. Huerta, C. Lauritzen, M. Painter and D. Scheer.  Opposed: None.  Absent: None.

 

          7C.     CONSIDERATION OF DRAFT SALT MANAGEMENT PLAN.

Ms. Skrel reviewed with the Board that ISD’s NPDES permit requires ISD to implement the Salinity Workplan ISD developed in 2008.  The work plan required preparing a Salinity Pollution Prevention Plan.  Ms. Skrel prepared a power point presentation to review the Plan with the Board.  Discussion was held on the current salt levels at the WRF.  Ms. Skrel also reviewed with the Board the salt levels in the potable water wells on Bethel Island and the status of the upcoming Delta Coves development.  As part of the Delta Coves development a new 18-inch potable water main will be brought onto Bethel Island. This new source of potable water may be available to other residents on the island.  The cost to connect to this new potable water source will be high as new infrastructure will be required and connection fees must be paid.

Director Contreras suggested the Board table the Salt Management Plan to give the Board more time to review the document.

M/S D. Contreras, M. Painter and the Board voted to table the Salt Management Plan to a future date to allow the Board more time to review the plan.

In favor: D. Contreras, D. Huerta, C. Lauritzen, M. Painter and D. Scheer.  Opposed: None.  Absent: None.

 

          7D.     UPDATE ON USE OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MOBILE STAGE FOR ISD’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT IN AUGUST 2015.

Ms. Skrel reviewed with the Board that the Oakley Chamber of Commerce did not carry insurance for the mobile stage.  ISD’s insurance carrier can, however, provide insurance for the mobile stage while it is on ISD’s property for no additional premium cost. While the stage is being repaired on ISD property and in use during the ISD 70th anniversary event and other ISD events, the District’s insurance will cover the stage.  Director Contreras recommended the Board have the stage available to ISD for potential use over the next 2-3 years for possible future events.

M/S D. Contreras, C. Lauritzen and the Board voted to authorize staff to, 1) arrange with the Chamber of Commerce for use of the stage over the next two years for the ISD 70th Anniversary event in August 2015 and other possible events, 2) to work with ISD’s insurance carrier and Oakley Chamber of Commerce to utilize ISD’s insurance policy to cover the mobile stage while it is on ISD property. 

In favor: D. Contreras, D. Huerta, C. Lauritzen, M. Painter and D. Scheer.  Opposed: None.  Absent: None.

 

          7E.      CONSIDERATION OF ADDING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING WORKER’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR VOLUNTEERS.

Ms. Skrel stated that Resolution 14-14 would provide workers compensation coverage for volunteer workers/labor under ISD’s insurance coverage.  This would also include the volunteers that work on the Chamber of Commerce mobile stage. 

M/S C. Lauritzen, M. Painter and the Board voted to adopt Resolution 14-14 a Resolution of the Ironhouse Sanitary District authorizing Worker’s Compensation Insurance Coverage for ISD volunteers and to authorize staff to work with ISD’s insurance carrier, Alliant, to, at no additional cost, implement Resolution 14-14 into ISD’s insurance policy.

In favor: D. Contreras, D. Huerta, C. Lauritzen, M. Painter and D. Scheer.  Opposed: None.  Absent: None.

 

          7F.      CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING DIRECTOR DAVID CONTRERAS TO SERVE ON THE CASA PROGRAMS COMMITTEE FOR A ONE YEAR TERM.

Director Contreras was asked by Ms. Welch, Manager of Association Services of California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) to join the CASA Program Committee as the Director Representative for Northern California Program Committee to CASA.  Director Contreras stated the commitment would be for one year and the committee meets mostly by conference call to identify topics and speakers for the future conferences.  He asked for the Board’s support and stated he would welcome any program suggestions from fellow Directors. 

M/S M. Painter, C. Lauritzen and the Board voted to authorize and support Director Contreras to be a representative on the CASA Program Committee for a term of one year.

In favor: D. Contreras, D. Huerta, C. Lauritzen, M. Painter and D. Scheer.  Opposed: None.  Absent: None.

 

9.         Staff Reports

Jenny Skrel - Ms. Skrel reported to the Board on the RD 830 pump station emergency discharge pipe replacement.  The emergency was determined due to old leaking discharge pipes that staff had repaired numerous times and could not be welded again.  She also reported that the District was contacted by the Sherriff’s department to use the Jersey Island property on October 22, 2014 for swat team training.  The Emerson property development is moving forward.  The new connections will be in the 2015/2016 FY budget.  The Delta Coves project is also moving forward and the developer will be putting in a new pump station.  She reported that she received a request from Director Painter to include in her report any activity with developers for potential connections.  She reported she would be including any future connections on the current connections report submitted by Ms. Whyte. 

She reported that a membrane blower went out and a new core was installed.  Staff talked to the President of Neuros and they will split the cost of the blower core repair with ISD.  Staff is looking at an annual warranty for the blowers.

 

Joe Mueller – Mr. Mueller reported the possible cause of the blower failure is debris getting into the core and seizing up the air bearings.  He also reported that the coolant system is failing due to corrosion.  ISD staff has replaced the coolant lines and radiators in the coolant system.  Staff is having custom radiators made.

 

10.      Board Members Advisory Reports

Director Contreras - Director Contreras reported that he would be attending the CSDA Chapter meeting on October 20.  One item on the agenda is an increase of fees of $50 - $100 annually.  He recommends the ISD Board support. 

 

Director Painter – Director Painter and Director Scheer reported on behalf of the Maintenance and Collections Committee.  The cost of the building has gone up by $100,000 to a total estimated cost of $300,000.  Director Contreras recalls the Board was concerned that the amount originally presented for the building at the budget review was not enough.  The committee will be working with staff to review bidding.

 

Director Lauritzen – Director Lauritzen reported he attended the EC2 meeting in Antioch, the Collaborative “Powering Our Economic Future”.  He expressed his concern to the Board that we do not have a plan to market our reuse water.  He included a brochure from East Bay Biomedical Manufacturing Network working to bring jobs and industry to Contra Costa County and Alameda County in the East Bay.  He would like to see the Wastewater industry come together to bring jobs to the Oakley/Wilbur Corridor and not just discharge our reuse water to the river.  They will be having a meet-up in Concord on October 29.  We need to start getting out and finding a use for our “Designer Water”.

Director Painter asked if Mr. Williams or staff is working with Delta Diablo on recycled water.

Ms. Skrel stated that ISD is a member of the Western Regional Water Coalition and we have requested grant funding for a number of projects and will be adding the project to get recycled water to the Wilbur Corridor.  

Director Lauritzen reported that there is a 70% chance that we will be in a drought year again in 2015.  He would like to have staff check further for available grants for use of our reuse water. 

Ms. Skrel also stated ISD is participating on a regional basis through the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan process for grant funding.  ISD was unsuccessful on your recent attempt to get grant funding for the fill station.  She reported that she and Mr. Williams met with Jim Frazier, our assembly member, regarding the future of recycled water and he offered to work with us. 

 

11.     Future Agenda Items for Consideration     

Director Contreras suggested the Board hold the completion of Review for the General Manager in Closed Session.

 

12.      Adjournment

President Huerta adjourned the regular meeting at 8:55 p.m. until Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. for the next regular meeting in the Ironhouse Sanitary District offices at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley, California.

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