Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Minutes of the ISD January 5, 2016 Board Meeting


MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE

IRONHOUSE SANITARY DISTRICT

 

January 5, 2016

 

The Board of Directors of the Ironhouse Sanitary District (ISD) met in regular session on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, in the Board meeting room at ISD’s offices at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley, California.

 

1.       Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by President Doug Scheer at 6:30 p.m.

Chad Davisson led the pledge of allegiance.

Present were Directors: Contreras, Lauritzen, Morgan, Painter and Scheer.  General Manager Chad Davisson and General Counsel John Moore. Absent: Painter.

At 6:32 p.m., the meeting was adjourned to closed session for Item 2A on the agenda.

At 6:40 p.m., Director Painter arrived.

2.       Closed Session

          A.       Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation

Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of

Section 54956.9: (1 case)

 

B.       Report of Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release (Government code Sections 54954.5(e, 54957)

 

At 7:30 p.m. The Board took a short recess.

 

At 7:35 p.m. The Board met in open session.

 

3.       Report of Actions (if any) Taken in Closed Sessions

President Scheer reported that no action was taken by the Board in Closed Session.

 

          Roll Call

            Directors present:                    David Contreras, Chris Lauritzen, Susan Morgan, Michael Painter and Doug Scheer

            Members absent:                     None

            Staff/Consultants Present:

                                                            Chad Davisson, General Manager

                                                            Susan Walde, District Secretary

                                                            John Moore, District Counsel

                                                            Michael Welty, Financial Officer

                                                            Jenny Skrel, District Engineer

                                                            Dave Smith, Maintenance Supervisor

                                                            Dave Dal Porto, Ranch, Reclamation & Levee Supervisor

                                                           

                                                            Roni Gehlke, Delta Science Center

                                                                                                                                   

            Interested Parties:                   Vanessa Perry, City Council Member

                                            

4.       APPROVAL OF AGENDA                                                      

M/S D. Contreras, C. Lauritzen and the Board voted to approve the agenda. 

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

 

5.         Employee Recognition – Jenny Skrel, District Engineer

Mr. Davisson recognized Ms. Skrel for her outstanding accomplishments during her employment at Ironhouse.  On behalf of the Board and Staff Ms. Skrel was presented with a proclamation and congratulated for her retirement.  The Board took a short recess to have cake and recognize Ms. Skrel.

 

6.         APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of the December 1, 2015 Regular Meeting and the November 17, 2015 Special workshop Meeting of the Board.                           

M/S S. Morgan, D. Contreras and the Board voted to approve the minutes of the December 1, 2015 regular meeting and the November 17, 2015 Special workshop meeting of the Board. 

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

 

7.       PUBLIC COMMENTS.  Communications from the public on subjects not on the agenda. 

There were no comments from the public in attendance.

 

8.       CONSENT CALENDAR -

          8A.    Approval of Payment Order, Report on Financial Position & Operating Performance.

 

          8B.     Approve the purchase of a Bendpac HDs 27 four-post vehicle lift from O’Reilly Auto Parts for $21,124.95 including installation.

 

          8C.     Approve a contract with V.W. Housen & Associates, in an amount not to exceed $20,000 to provide on-call engineering services.

 

          8D.     Acceptance of Offer of Dedication from Kiper Development, Tract Number 9104 Cedar Glenn on Cedar Glenn Drive (Res. 16-01)

M/S S. Morgan, D Contreras 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.

 

9.       BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD                                              

 

          9A.     RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM WELLS FARGO BANK REGARDING THE DISTRICT’S POTENTIAL PARTICIPATION IN CALTRUST, INVESTMENT IN FIXED INCOME SECURITIES AND REVIEW A DRAFT INVESTMENT POLICY.

Mr. Welty introduced Dennis Loo, Wells Fargo Government Banking, Lyle Defenbaugh, Wells Fargo Asset Management and John Williams, Wells Fargo Securities.  The Board was given a presentation on the benefits of enhancing and diversifying the District’s investment strategy while still maintain a high level of cash liquidity and maximization of safe annual investment returns.  Mr. Welty presented the Board with an investment policy and the recommendation the Board consider the presentation by Wells Fargo Bank and draft investment policy for future adoption by the Board.  The Board asked the timing staff want going forward. 

The Board recommended staff meet with the Finance committee to review the policy and bring back to the Board at the February meeting for approval.

 

          9B.     SELECT A PREFERRED OPTION FOR ISD BOARD INTERACTION WITH RD 830.

Mr. John Moore gave an overview of recommendations made by District Counsel for the ISD Board to interact with RD 830.  The options presented were; 1. Do nothing; 2. Adopt the JPA; 3. Provide landowner input to President; 4. ISD advisory committee; or 5. Status quo.

Discussion was held by the Board on the options the Board would consider.  Director. Morgan and Director Lauritzen stated they were in favor of option five, status quo.  Mr. Davisson stated that as General Manager he will keep the Board in full review of the RD 830 activity.

M/S C. Lauritzen, D. Contreras and the Board voted unanimously on option 5. Continue the present practice, primarily relying on ISD Board appointment of Ironhouse employees to RD 830’s legislative body, its Board of Trustees, with the General Manager providing through reports to the Board on Reclamation District.

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

 

9C.     DISCUSS THE DISTRICT’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DELTA SCIENCE CENTER, CONSIDER COUNSEL’S REPORT ON POTENTIAL FOR CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND CONSIDER APPROVING A $5,000 DONATION.

Mr. Moore stated that District asked General Council to research to see if there is a conflict of interest in supporting Delta Science Center.  Director Painter voiced his concerns as to why the Board is now questioning his involvement in the Delta Science Center.  He included a letter to the Board explaining DSC as a non-profit.  Ms. Gehlke, executive director for Delta Science Center gave a presentation on the activities and projects for the upcoming year.  She gave a review of the calendar project, trout in the classroom, Oakley Science Week ad partnership with ISD on the bird program.  They are planning to continue the AFRI rice culture mitigation grant project on Jersey Island, Science Club, AFRI video project and the Freedom High School Science Fair.   

She stated that 21 years ago, Lenny Byer and Dwight Meadows founding fathers of ISD, promoted the development of the Delta Science Center.  In 2010 Ms. Gehlke was asked to come on board to be the executive director.  DSC has an MOU with East Bay Regional Parks to have full use of the park and building at Big Break Regional Park. Ms. Gehlke asked the ISD Board to continue their support of $5,000.  Ms. Gehlke and Director Painter recused themselves from the Board room and any decisions regarding DSC.  The Board held discussion on the support of the program.

M/S C. Lauritzen, S. Morgan and the Board voted to fund $5,000 this year to the Delta Science Center.  Support one more year of office space at Ironhouse Sanitary District and ask DSC to change the physical address to another location for all state filings with the Secretary of State. 

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

Director Painter rejoined the Board.

 

At 10:28 p.m. the Board took a short recess.

At 10:35 p.m. the Board resumed business.

 

9D.     BOARD PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT AND BOARD COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS FOR 2016.

The board received a written report from President Scheer with his selection of committee assignment for 2016.

 

9E.     RECEIVE COMMENTS FROM DIRECTOR MICHAEL PAINTER CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A ROTATION AND PROCEDURES FOR DETERMINING THE NOMINATIONS FOR BOARD VICE PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT.

The Board received a written report from Director Painter.  He stated that he felt there is no clear procedure and transparency in the Board decision of the succession plan and election of officers.  The Board chose to pass over him in consideration of Vice President.  He would like the Board to go back to the procedure that was discussed in 2011 to mirror the City of Oakley.  He is requesting the Board develop an adhoc committee to review the process and develop a policy for future succession and election of officers. 

Director Lauritzen stated that the process that was followed at the December meeting allowed for each of the Board members to become President. Director Lauritzen suggested we set a committee to develop policy.

President Scheer appointed an adhoc committee of Directors Lauritzen and Morgan to set the establishment of a rotation and set a procedure for determining the nominations for Board Vice President and President.

 

          9F.     DELEGATE THE AUTHORITY OF THE GENERAL MANAGER TO MICHAEL WELTY FROM JANUARY 7, 2016 THROUGH JANUARY 27, 2016 WHILE THE CURRENT GENERAL MANAGER IS OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

Mr. Davisson stated that he will be out of the country from January 7, through January 27th, 2016.  This international travel was committed to prior to commencing employment with the District and was approved by the Board in the hiring process.  Staff recommends the Board delegate the authority of the General Manager to Mr. Michael Welty from January 7th through January 27th, 2016 while the current General Manager is out of the country.  Upon approval of the recommended action, Mr. Welty agrees to increase the hours he is physically at the District.

M/S D. Contreras, D. Lauritzen and the Board voted to Delegate the Authority of the General Manager to Mr. Michael Welty from January 7th through January 27th, 2016 while the current General Manager is out of the country.

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

 

9G.    CONSIDER MOVING THE FEBRUARY 2, 2016 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO FEBRUARY 16, 2016.

Mr. Davisson stated that with him being out of the country from January 7, through January 27, 2016 it will be difficult for staff to compile a Board agenda, complete the associated staff report documents and comply with the Brown Act public meeting noticing requirements unless the meeting date is changed.  Staff recommends moving the regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors from February 2, to February 16, 2016.

M/S M. Painter, C. Lauritzen and the Board voted to move the February 2, 2016 Board meeting of the Board of Directors to February 16, 2016.

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

 

          9H.    ASSESSMENT STATUS REPORT

Mr. Davisson stated that when the assessment items were accepted by the Board, the list includes assignments and due dates for each individual assessment which many items are similar and/or interrelated.  The GM provides monthly updates on the status of the completions of assessment items.  There are throughout the list of assessment items several related items with vastly differing “due dates” that could be addressed in a single consolidated effort.  Therefore, staff has re-categorized the items into “buckets” of related items.  Staff is in the process of prioritizing the items within each “bucket” and developing a strategy to address the items with the entire “bucket” in order to make a measurable improvement to the District’s operations as they relate to those assessment items.  Staff’s recommendation is for the Board to direct staff to re-categorize and prioritize the list of 202 assessment items and develop implementation strategies to complete related assessment items in a more coordinated effort.

 

 M/S M. Painter, C. Lauritzen and the Board voted to direct staff to re-categorize and prioritize the list of 202 assessment items and develop implementation strategies to complete related assessment items in a more coordinated effort.

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

 

10.     GENERAL MANAGER AND STAFF REPORT                                                 

Staff reports were provided in the Board packet.

 

11.     BOARD MEMBER ADVISORY REPORTS

Written reports submitted.

 

Director Morgan – reported that CSDA is offering Board training at Central San on February 18, 2016.  It is all day training and she encouraged all Board members to attend. 

She reported on the City Council - Kevin Romick was selected as Mayor and Sue Higgins was selected as Vice Mayor for 2016.  The Council will be addressing the Ordinance that would regulate marijuana cultivation.

 

Director Lauritzen – reported he attended the BIMAC meeting with General Manager Chad Davisson.  He is concerned that in case of an emergency BIMID is not prepared for El Nino.  Mr. Davisson reported that he has met with and will be working with the new manager of BIMID regarding working together regarding Dutch Slough and areas around Sand Mound Slough.  Staff may be bringing forward a Resolution for help to RD799 and BIMID.

12.     Future Agenda Items for Consideration

No future agenda items were discussed. 

 

13.     ADJOURNMENT

President Scheer adjourned the regular meeting at 11:15 p.m. until Tuesday, February 16, 2016 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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