MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE
IRONHOUSE
SANITARY DISTRICT
May 3, 2016
The Board of Directors of the Ironhouse
Sanitary District (ISD) met in regular session on Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in the
Board meeting room at ISD’s offices at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley,
California.
Present: D. Contreras, C.
Lauritzen, S. Morgan, D. Scheer, C. Davisson.
Absent: M. Painter
1. Call to Order
The
meeting was called to order by President Doug Scheer at 6:05 p.m.
Mr.
Davisson led the pledge of allegiance.
Present
were Directors: Contreras, Lauritzen, Morgan, and Scheer. General Manager Chad Davisson was also
present. Absent: Director Painter.
At
6:08 p.m., the meeting was adjourned to closed session for Item 2A on the
agenda.
2. Closed Session
A. PUBLIC
EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE – Government Code Section 54954.5(e)
At
7:12 p.m. The Board took a short recess.
At
7:15 p.m. The Board met in open session.
3. Reports of Actions
(if any) Taken in Closed Sessions
President
Scheer reported that the Board in Closed Session took no action.
Roll
Call
Directors present: David Contreras, Chris
Lauritzen, Susan Morgan, and Doug Scheer.
Members absent: Michael Painter
Staff/Consultants Present:
Chad Davisson, General Manager
Susan
Walde, District Secretary
Michael
Welty, Financial Officer
Dave
Smith, Maintenance Superintendent
Dave
Dal Porto, Ranch, Reclamation & Levee Supervisor
Chris
Christean, Plant Manager
Interested Parties: Farrah Christean, Oakley
4. Staff Recognition
Employee
Service Award– Chris Christean- 5 years
Mr. Christean has been a supervisor and recently
manager of the Water Recycling Facility for the District for 5 years.
President Scheer on behalf of the Board presented Mr.
Christean with a five-year service award and thanked him for his service to the
District.
5. 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, and D. Scheer. Opposed: None. Absent: M. Painter.
6. APPROVAL
OF THE MINUTES of the April 5, 2016 Regular Meeting.
M/S D.
Contreras, C. Lauritzen, and the Board voted to approve the minutes of the April
5, 2016 regular meeting of the Board with amendments given to the District
Secretary.
In favor: D. Contreras,
C. Lauritzen, S. Morgan, and D. Scheer.
Opposed: None. Absent: M. Painter.
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. Approval
of Posting & Publishing of Notice of Public Hearing for Trunkline and Plant
Capacity Fee Increases. (B.O. 16-36)
8C. Appointment
of a Treasurer. (Res. 16-05)
8D. Delta
Coves – Adopt Resolution 16-06 Authorizing a Joint Community Facilities
Agreement.
M/S D.
Contreras, C. Lauritzen, and the Board voted to approve the Consent
Calendar.
In favor: D.
Contreras, C. Lauritzen, S. Morgan, and D. Scheer. Opposed: None. Absent: M. Painter.
9. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
9A. PUBLIC HEARING AND BOARD ACTION ON AN
ORDINANCE AND ORDER ADJUSTING TRUNKLINE AND PLANT CAPACITY FEES. Ordinance No. 61 and Order No. 16-37.
Mr. Davisson reported to the Board the
proposed increases to the two development fees; ISD will receive an additional
$26.68 in the Trunkline Fee and an additional $138.84 in the Plant Capacity Fee
for each EDU. Davisson reiterated to the
Board that the basis for the proposed capacity fee increases is to keep up with
associated industrywide increases in engineering and construction costs (industry
CPI). If the development related fees do
not keep up with escalating industry CPI, the District’s existing rate payers
may be faced with subsidizing the design and construction of those new sewer
facilities required to accommodate new development. Davisson communicated that this would not be
equitable. If adopted, the fees will be
effective July 5, 2016. The Finance
Committee recommends the proposed increase.
At 7:20 pm,
President Scheer opened the Public Hearing.
The Board asked
staff for total percentage of fee increases.
Staff reported the rate increase is 152 percent over 24 years. The increase were to stay current with the
cost of construction.
Hearing no
additional comments from those in attendance.
At 7:28,
President Scheer closed the public hearing.
M/S
C. Lauritzen, D Contreras and the Board voted unanimously to approve the
recommended increase to the Trunkline and Plant Capacity fees as noticed, and
adopt Ordinance No. 61 and Order No. 16-37 implementing the fee increases
effective July 5, 2016.
In favor: D.
Contreras, C. Lauritzen, S. Morgan, and D. Scheer. Opposed: None. Absent: M. Painter.
9B. APPROVE THE FALSE
RIVER SALINITY BARRIER PLANS SUBJECT TO THE SAME TERMS AND CONDITIONS CONTAINED
WITHIN THE APPROVED LEASE AGREEMENT AND ENCROACHMENT PERMIT.
Mr. Davisson reported that the Department of Water
Resources (DWR) does not intend to construct the False River Salinity Barrier
in 2016. However, DWR is preparing to
obtain the permits necessary if it is determined that the barrier project is
needed in 2017. The issue of most
concern to the District and RD830 is the potential impact of the additional
rock placed against the JI levee as compared to the 2015 installation. The primary difference with the proposed 2017
installation is that the abutment sheet piles that previously extended into the
channel have been removed and the 2017 proposed installation would only include
barrier rock, and would not include additional sheet piles. The District’s geotechnical engineer has
evaluated the proposed design change and has no issues relative to the proposed
changes.
Staff recommends the Board approve the False River
Salinity Barrier plans subject to the same terms and conditions contained
within the approved lease agreement and encroachment permit.
M/S C. Lauritzen, D. Contreras, and the Board voted
to approve the False River Salinity Barrier plans subject to the same terms and
conditions contained within the approved lease agreement and encroachment
permit.
In favor: D.
Contreras, C. Lauritzen, S. Morgan, and D. Scheer. Opposed: None. Absent: M. Painter.
9C. APPROVE JOB
DESCRIPTION AND PROPOSED SALARY RANGE FOR THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT GENERAL
MANAGER AND AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER TO INITIATE A RECRUITMENT TO FILL THE
POSITION.
Mr.
Davisson reported that it is his recommendation that the Board consider
approving the addition of an Assistant General Manager (AGM) position. Mr. Davisson stated his belief that the
addition of a well-qualified, highly skilled AGM would be exceptionally helpful
in assisting the General Manager with implementing the policies and program
initiatives of the Board, assisting with the oversight of the day-to-day
operation of the District and management assignment of specific projects and
programs. Mr. Davisson stated in the
event we need to use outside recruitment, he would like the Board to consider
authorizing up to an amount of $10,000 for a recruitment fee. Overall, the impact on the budget will be
offset by other personnel changes, retirements and staffing changes.
M/S
C. Lauritzen, D. Contreras and the Board voted to approve the job description
and proposed salary range for the position of Assistant General Manager and
authorize the General Manager to initiate a recruitment to fill the position.
In favor: D.
Contreras, C. Lauritzen, S. Morgan, and D. Scheer. Opposed: None. Absent: M. Painter.
9D. AUTHORIZE STAFF TO
UTILIZE THE LEGAL SERVICES OF MEYERS NAVE AS NEEDED ON AN INTERIM BASIS WHILE
THE DISTRICT COMPLETES A SOLICITATION PROCESS FOR FIRMS TO PROVIDE DISTRICT
LEGAL COUNSEL.
Mr. Davisson reported that at the February 16, 2016
meeting, the Board directed staff to initiate a Request for Proposal (RFP) process
for qualified firms to provide legal counsel services. The District has not had a competitive
solicitation for over 25 years, as well as significant staffing changes at both
Henn, Etzel and Moore (HEM) and the District.
Staff has initiated this process
and plan to select a firm by July 2016.
The District is interested in utilizing the services of Meyers Nave to
assist the District with legal counsel on an as needed basis during the RFP
process or until the Board selects a firm on a longer-term basis.
Director Contreras stated he is very familiar with
this firm and highly recommends them. He
highly recommends Mr. Kenton Alm and stated the firm has represented Central Contra
Costa Sanitary District for 25 years.
Staff recommends the Board authorize staff to
utilize the legal services of Meyers Nave as needed on an interim basis until
the District completes a solicitation process, and the Board selects a firm to
provide District legal counsel.
M/S S. Morgan, D. Contreras, and the Board voted to authorize
staff to utilize the legal services of Meyers Nave as needed on an interim
basis until such time as the District completes a solicitation process, and the
Board selects a firm(s) to provide District legal counsel.
In favor: D.
Contreras, C. Lauritzen, S. Morgan, and D. Scheer. Opposed: None. Absent: M. Painter.
9E. CONSIDER ESTABLISHING
A MONTHLY PLANNING/PROGRAM MEETING IN LIEU OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD.
Mr.
Davisson reported to the Board that Article 6 of the District’s Bylaws
establishes a number of advisory committees.
The committees consist of two Board members appointed by the Board
President. The advisory committees meet
either quarterly or as needed, with the exception of the Public Outreach
committee, which meets monthly. There is
a significant amount of information exchanged during these committee meetings
which must be communicated back to the Board as a whole. Mr. Davisson recommended the Board consider
holding a second regularly scheduled meeting each month to keep the entire Board
informed of planning and programmatic issues that do not require Board
action. This proposed meeting is
intended replace the various committee meetings, with the exception of the
Public Outreach Committee. Staff
proposed that the subjects of the second meeting rotate to include the topics
presently discussed in the various committee meetings. Discussion was held on date and time to hold
second meeting. Director Contreras
pointed out that the additional Planning/Program meeting could provide an
opportunity for action items if needed due to the fact that there will be a
quorum present. Directors Scheer and
Morgan stated they like the concept and feel it will be more efficient. Director Lauritzen stated that he feels the
current system is starting to work. Presently,
the committees meet and get a two-hour report from staff, Director’s write a
report for the Board, a possible workshop is held and business is brought back
to the full Board for action. Discussion
was held on ways to make this an opportunity to more effectively engage the
whole Board.
M/S
S. Morgan, C. Lauritzen and the Board voted to establish a monthly
planning/program meeting of the entire Board in lieu of Board advisory
committee. Keeping the Outreach
Committee as scheduled the first Thursday of each month. These meetings will fall on the third Tuesday
of each month at 6:00 p.m.
In favor: D.
Contreras, C. Lauritzen, S. Morgan, and D. Scheer. Opposed: None. Absent: M. Painter.
10. GENERAL MANAGER AND
STAFF REPORT
Staff reports were provided in the Board packet.
Mr. Davisson reported that he has obtained the
services of Regional Government Services (RGS) to provide day-to-day HR related
support. They will be working to update
the HR policies and staff have given them HR related assessment items developed
by Phil Batchelor. They will be
providing updated status reports. Mr.
Davisson reported on the Jersey Island Phase II at Jersey Island. One additional concept to increase revenue is
the option of liquidating the cattle operation and leasing out the operation to
an outside cattle operation. It was
pointed out by the Jersey Island Committee that staff had not included this
option in the initial Phase II portion of the study. Staff are evaluating a new technology,
Lystek, which converts biosolids into an unrestricted soil amendment
product. Lystek has partnered with Fairfield
Suisun Sewer District to utilize this technology. Staff are evaluating the regulatory
requirements associated with our land use permit. Mr. Davisson thanked Mr. Dal Porto for the
discontinued process of small hay bales.
Mr. Dal Porto proposed selling the equipment to process the small
bales. Mr. Davisson reported this
process is a result of the analysis of JI Phase I. He reported he would be attending a meeting,
Thursday with the City of Oakley regarding bringing recycled water to the
Cypress Corridor.
Director Contreras reported that the Mayor stated
Oakley is the only City that does not manage its own WRF. He reported there are many special district’s
that manage sanitary and recycled water throughout the State. He asked the GM to provide a report to the
City.
Mr. Davisson reported on the CSDA General Manager
leadership conference being held in June and asked for the Board’s support to
attend. The Board gave full support for
attendance.
11. BOARD
MEMBER ADVISORY REPORTS
Written reports submitted.
Director Contreras – Director Contreras reported the quarterly CCSDA meeting on April 18,
2016. The main theme was voting for a
delegate to fill the LAFCO representative seat.
A quorum was not present and a vote was not taken. There will be a ballot sent out to each
District and the vote will be taken by mail.
Director Contreras reported on the scholarship and
grant Program update was to fund a $1,000 scholarship program. Dane Walde presented the “Districts Make the
Difference Campaign” presentation. He
also spoke about Bill SB885 which would prevent local governments from writing
indemnification clauses into contracts; would only be able to put in
reimbursements but that would take time and could possibly encourage
litigation. Sherry Sterrett of the
Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park Districts reported that General Manager Bob
Berggren is retiring. Towards the end of the meeting, Berggren was provided a
plaque from Stan Caldwell on behalf of the Chapter in memorization of his more
than 25 years of service.
12. Future Agenda Items for Consideration
There
were no future agenda items discussed.
13. ADJOURNMENT
President Scheer adjourned
the regular meeting at 8:27 p.m. until Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. for
the Visioning Retreat special meeting being held at the Best Western Plus Delta
Hotel, 5549 Bridgehead Road, Oakley, California.
No comments:
Post a Comment