MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE
IRONHOUSE
SANITARY DISTRICT
February 3, 2015
The Board of Directors of the Ironhouse
Sanitary District (ISD) met in regular session on Tuesday, February 3, 2015, in
the Board meeting room at ISD’s offices at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley,
California.
1. Call to Order
President David Contreras called the
meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Roll Call
Directors present: David
Contreras, C. Lauritzen, S. Morgan, Michael Painter and Doug Scheer
Members absent: None
Staff/Consultants
Present: Tom Williams, General Manager
Jenny
Skrel, District Engineer
Susan
Walde, District Secretary
Fred
Etzel, District Counsel
Michael
Welty, Financial Officer
Davie
Dal Porto, Ranch, Levee, Reclamation Superintendent
Louie
Solana, Maintenance Supervisor
Roni
Gehlke, Outreach Consultant
Interested Parties: Chris Cir, Manteca, CA
Chris
Hayek, Delta Pure Water, Etc., Brentwood,
CA
Joe
Trebino, Delta Pure Water, Etc.,
Brentwood, CA
Jimmy
and Brenda D’Amico, Black Bear Diner, Oakley, CA
Vanessa
Perry, City of Oakley
Pledge of Allegiance Led by Fred Etzel
2. Staff Acknowledgements
Employee Service Awards –
Tom Williams - Fifteen Year Service Award – President
Contreras acknowledged Mr. Williams for his 15 years with the District
recognizing his hard work to benefit ISD.
Some of his accomplishments were to obtain the permit in 2008 for the
WRF, obtaining a zero percent interest rate for a fifty-five million dollar
loan with SWRCB. He has been active in
the development of the outreach program, technological achievement award,
safety award, completion of the Strategic Plan and many more achievements. On behalf of the Board he presented Mr.
Williams with a plaque and congratulated him.
3. Approval
of Agenda
M/S M. Painter, C.
Lauritzen and the Board voted unanimously to approve the agenda.
In favor: D.
Contreras, C. Lauritzen, S. Morgan, M. Painter and D. Scheer. Opposed: None. Absent none.
4. Approval of the Minutes of the January
6, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Board.
M/S D. Scheer, C.
Lauritzen and the Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 6, 2015
Regular Meeting of the Board.
In favor: D.
Contreras, C. Lauritzen, S. Morgan, 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
public comments.
6. Consent Calendar
A. Approval of Payment Order,
Report on Financial Position & Operating Performance.
B. Approval
of Posting & Publishing of Hearing of Ordinance No. 57/Order No. 15-05
Water Softener Regulations Ordinance (B.O. 15-06).
M/S D. Scheer, S.
Morgan and the Board voted to approve the Consent Calendar.
In favor: D.
Contreras, C. Lauritzen, S. Morgan, M. Painter and D. Scheer. Opposed: None. Absent: None.
7. Business
Before the Board
7A. ISD CLEAN BUSINESS
AWARD 2014 – BLACK BEAR DINER, OAKLEY, CALIFORNIA.
Mr. Williams introduced Louis Solana, Maintenance
Supervisor for ISD. Mr. Solana stated that
Black Bear diner has been a pioneer in the Fats Oils and Grease (FOG)
program. The diner had issues with
interceptors and Mr. D’Amico stepped up, addressed the problems, and resolved
the issues for the diner and for the District.
Mr. Solana and President Contreras presented Jimmy
and Brenda D’Amico with the Ironhouse Sanitary District Clean Business Award
for 2014. They were presented with an
award and a sticker to place on the door of the Black Bear Diner.
Mr. and Mrs. D’Amico thanked the District for the
award and greatly appreciate it.
7B. PUBLIC WORKSHOP TO FOCUS ON A DISTRICT WIDE
PENDING WATER SOFTENER ORDINANCE.
Mr. Williams turned the workshop over to Ms. Skrel to
present a power point presentation to the Board and the public. ISD’s NPDES permit issued by the Central
Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board in January 2013 required ISD to
implement the Salinity Workplan developed by ISD in 2008. Requiring the preparation of a Salinity
Pollution Prevention Plan (Salinity PPP).
The Salinity PPP was adopted by the Board on November 4, 2014. It determined the magnitude of salinity
sources and provided ISD the ability to adopt the proposed water softener
Ordinance. She identified the Sources of
Salinity as Water supply, Water softeners, food, human waste, and cleaning
products, commercial, and Bethel Island ground water infiltration/inflow.
Determination of Salinity Concentration are Annual
potable water quality reports, ISD collections crew sampled manholes in various
locations throughout the ISD system from 2006 to current date and studies done
from other wastewater agencies. She
reported the following as the breakdown of Salinity Contributions: Water Supply
– 42%, Water Softeners 14%, Food, Human Waste and Cleaning Products 13%,
Commercial 11 %, Bethel Island groundwater infiltration/inflow 7% and unknown
13%.
She reviewed the reasons to reduce salinity as; ISD’s
current NPDES permit has interim salinity limits, effluent Electrical
Conductivity shall not exceed 1505 uhoms/cm
Current Basin Plan requires a limit as low as 440 uhoms/com, which ISD cannot
meet, (water supply currently is 562 uhoms/cm or higher) and reducing salinity
is good for our freshwater environment.
The immediate goals are to develop an Ordinance that
bans installation of new brine discharging self-regenerating water softeners
(SRWS). Continue to inform ISD customers/rate payers on salinity issues through
our newsletter and participation in local events and the ISD website. Work with Diablo Water District to address
salinity issues through their outreach programs.
The future goals are to consider developing a
voluntary rebate program to encourage the replacement or removal of brine
discharging SRWS’s. Work with Diablo Water
District and water purveyors on Bethel Island to develop a better potable water
supply. Conduct additional collection
system monitoring, as needed, to help identify other sources of EC.
She reviewed the outreach efforts by staff for the
Ordinance; Letters with draft ordinance attached were mailed to the City and
County as well as 95 developers, interested parties, water softener companies
and local plumbers. Emails or calls were
made to the City, County and local developers. Articles have been published in
the Insider newsletter with no comments received to date.
Highlights of the Proposed Water Softener Regulation
Ordinance are: No new residential or non-residential brine discharging
self-regenerating water softening appliances that discharge into the District’s
sewer system shall be installed. Failure
to comply will result in issuance of a Notice of Violation with 30 days given
to correct the violation. If not
corrected a fine of $250 per month will be imposed. Ordinance will go into effect 30 days from
adoption.
Mr. Chris Hayek and Joe Trebino of Delta Pure Water of
Brentwood spoke to the Board. They
expressed that they were concerned with the staff considerations of alternate
sources for brine softeners. They have had
32 years experience in the field and would like to have an opportunity to work
with staff to make suggestions on entities and processes that work.
Mr. Chris Cir, spoke to the Board and stated that he
felt under-sink reverse osmosis systems are also a contributor and needs an alternative
as well.
President Contreras stated we are confined by the
limits in our permit and are regulated by the State. We belong to organizations that are active in
getting restrictive limits rewritten. He
stated the district would like to work with water purveyors like Delta Pure
Water to improve our program.
Vanessa Perry of the City Council, City of Oakley,
spoke to the Board that she was not aware of this Ordinance, she does not have
a water softener and salinity is becoming an issue at her home. Staff stated there are other water softener options
available for her to use at her home.
She asked when the Ordinance would be in effect and staff responded 30
days from approval.
Mr. Williams stated that ISD is mandated to irrigate
fields before we send the water to the river and salinity is a concern for the
live of ISD’s agricultural fields.
It was recommended by staff to move forward to Item 7C
on the agenda.
7C. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF
ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 57 AND ORDER NO. 15-05 WATER SOFTENER REGULATIONS
ORDINANCE.
At 8:00 p.m. President Contreras opened the public
hearing.
Hearing no additional comments from those in attendance;
At 8:01 p.m. President Contreras closed the public
hearing.
Director Lauritzen asked about the wording of the
Ordinance and General Council Mr. Etzel responded that the wording is written
to follow Code.
M/S S.
Morgan, C. Lauritzen Painter and the Board voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance
No. 57 and Order No. 15-05 adopting water Softener Regulation Ordinance for
Ironhouse Sanitary District.
In favor: D. Contreras, C. Lauritzen, M. S. Morgan, M.
Painter and D. Scheer. Opposed:
None. Absent: None.
7D. HAY SALES POLICY
DEVELOPMENT UPDATE.
Mr.
Williams stated to the Board that as a recommendation of the auditors,
management committed to developing a formal written policy for hay production
and sales. Staff is in the process of
developing the policy and will discuss the progress to date. Mr. Dave Dal Porto stated that the District
harvests crops on fields on Jersey Island and ISD mainland. The farming practice grows hay for the cattle
operation and then the District sells the excess hay to local farmers and
ranchers.
Shana
Whitford keeps a list of names and contacts and they contact her with interest
to buy hay. Mr. Dal Porto sets the price
of hay by contacting others in the industry to determine the going rate. He keeps a detailed listing of how many bales
of hay, and the type of hay harvested.
Monies are collected and turned into Ms. Whitford for recording and
deposit.
Mr.
Dal Porto reported that approximately 2,000 tons of hay are produced in a year
and 700 tons are sold to outside parties.
Discussion was held on developing a process of recording each commodity
of hay harvested and recording hay used for feeding. Starting on April 1st, prior to the
first harvest, staff will start an accurate inventory of hay. Staff is going forward with developing a
formal written process for hay production and sales as recommended by the audit
management letter.
7E. CONSIDERATION
OF NOMINEES TO SERVE AS CASA DIRECTORS FOR A TERM OF THREE YEARS.
Mr. Williams stated that it was
presented at CASA the upcoming election of three CASA Directors to serve a
three- year term beginning in August 2015.
This is an updated process due to changes in the CASA by-laws. The Board was asked if there was any interest
in this position. Due to no interest,
the agenda item was dropped.
8. Staff
Reports
President
Contreras thanked all the Board for their reports commenting on attendance at
CASA conference, CSDA meetings and webinars, the reports were all very
informative
Jenny
Skrel
-
Ms. Skrel reported on the
recent rains and effect it had on flow to WRF and UV transmittance. Flows
increased and UV transmittance dropped below the level acceptable for discharge
to the San Joaquin River. Until UV transmittance increased flow was
routed to the north and south storage ponds as appropriate. Alum was
added downstream of the drum screens to increase UV transmittance.
Due to increased flows from Bethel Island flow was routed to the
Bethel Island Storage Pond.
Director Lauritzen asked
about changes in the sewage coming from Bethel Island. Ms. Skrel stated there was a visible change in
color, likely coming from the leaves, and was noticeable at the manholes. When another rain event occurs ISD staff will
do more inspections to look for illegal discharges and take samples within the
collection system to locate the areas causing the drop in UV
transmittance. The target areas are
Taylor Road and upstream of the G-1 pump station.
She reported she is working
on the Draft Recycled Water Feasibility Study and once all comments from the
funding agencies are incorporated into the report, the report will be brought
back to the Board for adoption.
Ms.
Skrel reported on the solar panel system billing issue with the third party
provider, and will be meeting with PG&E to help clarify the issue of proper
billing. Staff received a notice from
our attorney used for developing the agreement for the solar project that she
will no longer be working on our account.
Mr. Williams reported that the issue of billing should be a onetime
issue and, once staff works through it, the billing process should go smoothly
from then forward.
Dave
Dal Porto - Mr. Dal Porto reported that staff shipped 80
bred heifers that were sold at the Red Bluff sale for approximately $3,200 each,
totaling $250,000.
Tom
Williams
– Mr. Williams reported that Chris Christean could not be here tonight. The District received 160 applications for
two positions at WRF. There were 24
applications for the Grade III operator position. Staff will interview the top 10 candidates
and will then call in the top 4-5 candidates with for a second interview. It is expected the new Operators will start
on March 1 or March 16. Staff is
currently in the process of preparing for the interviews.
Fred
Etzel
– Mr. Etzel reported that the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is
circulating the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for public review
and comments. He encouraged the review
and if they want copies to notify the District Secretary.
Tom
Williams –
Mr.
Williams reported on the Lease agreement with DWR. They are in the second round for approval and
should have the agreement to the Board for approval at the March meeting. Mr. Williams reported on the CASA conference
he attended with three Board members, stating it was a very good
conference. He reported that Biosolids
in Canada are used to reduce carbon emissions at landfills. Good information for our possible biosolids programs
going forward. He attended the CCSDA
meeting in Martinez on Monday January 26th. The speaker spoke on broadband growth in
Contra Costa County and programs to help families utilize the broadband
services. He is working with staff on
the budget update for FY 15/16 and will be completing the first draft in the
next several weeks, and will meet with the finance committee in March. He will be meeting with the policy committee
and the Personnel/HR committee next Tuesday.
RD830
will be meeting on February 11 at 9:00 a.m. on Jersey Island to adopt the audit
report, appoint Dave Dal Porto as a trustee and adopting the subventions
program for FY 2014/15. He will be
meeting with DWR on the Marsh Creek enhancement project on Monday, working on
the conservation easement. He reported
that in review of the 1981 EPA grant for the construction of the old wastewater
treatment plant, and the purchase of the land for the application of treated
water, ISD will need to receive approval to use the property for habitat
enhancement, and to place an easement over the habitat enhancement area. Mr. Williams stated the holders of the mineral
rights in the area of the enhancement area are also a consideration in
implementing the project, but believed the project would be designed to not adversely
affect access for mineral rights holders.
.
9. Board Members Advisory Reports
Susan Morgan – No additional report.
Michael
Painter - Director Painter reported that Mr. Williams will
speak at the B.I.M.I.D. meeting on February 19 to talk about the issues on
Bethel Island. Staff are working to
correct the infiltration issues.
David Contreras – President
Contreras presented staff and the Board with a presentation given at the CASA
Conference by Dublin San Ramon Services District “We Did It U Can 2” Discussion
was held on the District involvement in the East County Water Management
Committee. The Outreach Committee will
be working on promoting the program.
President
Contreras read a letter received from CCWD regarding their Speaker Bureau, with
an offer to have a representative speak at one our meetings on one of their
water programs. The Board advised staff
to contact CCWD to schedule a speaker at our March meeting.
Chris
Lauritzen – Director Lauritzen stated that KCBS, the local AM
news station, had an on air item stating the State won’t be sending water from
the state’s vast reservoir system to local agencies beginning this spring; and
with the 20% reduction of water the governor mandated he stressed the need for
use of recycle water. He asked staff for
the status of the feasibility study, and if more grant monies are available for
year 15/16.
10. Future Agenda Items for Consideration
Committee appointment for Board Advisory and Ad hoc
Committees
Update on Recycle Water
11. Adjournment
President Contreras
adjourned the regular meeting at 10:12 p.m. until Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at
7:00 p.m. for the next regular meeting in the Ironhouse Sanitary District
offices at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley, California.
APPROVED
____________________________
President District
Secretary
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