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.
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.
