REGULAR MEETING Minutes

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MONTECITO WATER DISTRICT

583 San Ysidro Road, Montecito, California

TUESDAY, April 18, 2006

2:00 P.M.

1.  CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, DETERMINATION OF QUORUM       

President Edmonston called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.

Directors Present:

President Robert M. Edmonston

Directors Jan E. Abel, W.W. Drewry, Robert W. Puddicombe, and Larry Wilson

Directors Absent:

None

Staff Present:

Bob Roebuck, General Manager

Toni Bailey, Business Manager

Tom Mosby, Engineering Manager

Chip Wullbrandt, District Counsel

Lois Werner, Recording Secretary

Mike Clark, Conservation Specialist

Guests Present

Director Charles Arnold, Montecito Sanitary District

Maria Herold, Montecito Association

Bret Gray, COMB Operations Supervisor

2.  PUBLIC FORUM           

There were no members of the public present who wished to comment on items not on the agenda.

3.  CONSENT CALENDAR

Director Drewry requested that the minutes of March 21, 2006 be removed from the Consent Calendar for revision. Following Board discussion, it was moved by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Wilson, and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Calendar as presented and the minutes of March 21, 2006 as revised.

4. Appeal of District Policy

A.                 Time Certain, 2:00 p.m. — Water Meter for Montecito Sanitary District Maintenance Building

Director Abel presented this item for the Appeals Committee. Following Director Abel’s comments, Mr. Arnold presented the Sanitary District’s appeal and answered questions from the Board. Mr. Arnold requested that the Board consider modifying MWD Ordinance No. 82 to exempt special districts from the Capital Cost Recovery Fee.

Following discussion, it was moved by Director Drewry, seconded by Director Abel, and carried by the following roll call vote, that the Board deny the Montecito Sanitary District request for exemption from the Capital Cost Recovery Fee associated with their purchase of a meter for a new maintenance building at their Channel Drive location.

Ayes: Abel, Drewry, Edmonston

Noes: Puddicombe, Wilson

The Board directed Counsel and staff to investigate the justification and ramifications of modifying Ordinance No. 82 to exempt special districts and public services from the Capital Cost Recovery Fee.

5. Cachuma Matters

A.                 CACHUMA CONSERVATION RELEASE BOARD MEETING OF March 27, 2006

Director Abel reported on the subject meeting and called the Directors’ attention to the materials included in their agenda packets.

B.                 CACHUMA OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE BOARD MEETING OF March 27, 2006

Director Abel reported on the subject meeting.

C.                Time Certain, 3:00 p.m. — Second Pipeline on South coast Conduit

Mr. Gray and Mr. Dunlap made a presentation on the SCC Second Pipeline Project. 

6. LEGAL MATTERS                                                                                                                     

A.                 Recent and Pending Legal Matters REview (Oral)

Mr. Wullbrandt reported on legal matters of interest to the Board.

B.                 Expense Reimbursement Policy

Mr. Roebuck presented this item and he and Ms Bailey answered Directors’ questions.  Following Board discussion the item was referred back to the Finance Committee, since the policy as presented was not the version the Finance Committee had recommended.

---------------------------------------------- Legal Counsel Departs----------------------------------------------

7.  district Operations Report

A.                 Ortega Reservoir Project Status Report

Mr. Roebuck presented this item and answered Directors’ questions.

B.                 Water Supply Status Report

Mr. Roebuck presented this item.

C.                Juncal Auxiliary Dam Ridge Report

Mr. Roebuck presented this item and answered Directors’ questions.

8.  Business / Financial

A.                 Water Availability Charge Schedule

Mr. Roebuck presented this item and he and Ms Bailey answered Directors’ questions.

B.                 Landscape Modifications at District Office

Mr. Roebuck presented plans to modify the landscaping in front of the District office along San Ysidro Road and Mr. Clark answered Directors’ questions.  Following Board discussion, it was moved by Director Drewry, seconded by Director Wilson, and unanimously carried to approve the landscape plans as presented and appropriate an amount not to exceed $4,400 from the operating budget.

9. GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT                                                                                        

A.                 Ongoing Projects Update

Mr. Roebuck presented his ongoing projects update and answered Directors’ questions.

B.                 Consumer Price Index Components (oral)

Mr. Roebuck distributed a printout showing the various components which are used in compiling the Consumer Price Index, which the District uses in it’s budget preparations.

C.                Sixth Annual Employee Awards Luncheon (Oral)

Mr. Roebuck announced that the date of the employee awards luncheon has been set for May 3, 2006.  Directors will be receiving invitations.

10.  DIRECTOR AND STAFF MEETING REPORTS

A.                 SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SPECIAL DISTRICTS ASSOCIATION MEETING OF March 27, 2006

Director Wilson reported on the subject meeting.

B.                 March Santa Barbara LAFCO Meeting

Director Wilson reported on the subject meeting.

11.  COMMITTEE REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS                                                            

A.                 OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Director Edmonston reported that the Operations Committee has been discussing budget reserves for dry year water purchases and prospects for water banking.

B.                 FINANCE COMMITTEE

Directors Wilson and Drewry reported that the activities of the Finance Committee had been covered elsewhere in the meeting.

C.                PUBLIC INFORMATION COMMITTEE

Director Abel reported that the Public Information Committee will meet on April 19 to discuss the water quality edition of the Newsletter and public relations aspects of the budget and rates.

12.  Board information Items
 

No action was taken on these informational items presented to the Board.

13.  AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS                                                                                                

There were no requests from Directors for items other than regular agenda items for the next regular Board meeting scheduled for May 16, 2006.

14.  ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the MWD Board of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at 4:41 pm.

                                                                                             Approved:

                                                                                            ____________________________            

                                                                                             Robert M. Edmonston, President

Attest:

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