REGULAR MEETING Minutes

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MONTECITO WATER DISTRICT

583 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, MONTECITO, CALIFORNIA

TUESDAY, April 20, 2004

2:00 P.M.

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

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

Directors Present:

President W.W. Drewry

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

Directors Absent:

None

Staff Present:

Bob Roebuck, General Manager

Tom Mosby, Engineering Manager

Evalyn Kerman, Business Manager

Chip Wullbrandt, District Counsel, Price, Postel & Parma

Lois Werner, Recording Secretary

Guests Present:

Mr. Jim Villanueva, La Casa de Maria Retreat Center

Ms Stephanie Glatt, La Casa de Maria Retreat Center

Mr. Dave Johnson, Engineer

Mr. Charles Hamilton, Carpinteria Valley Water District

Mr. Richard Love, Montecito Association

2.  PUBLIC FORUM           

There were no members of the public present to speak on subjects not on the agenda.

3. Appeal Hearing

A.                 APPEAL BY La Casa De Maria, 800 El Bosque Road / Account No. 12-1195-0 (Time Certain, 2:00)

Mr. Roebuck reviewed the history of water use, rates and charges at La Casa de Maria’s El Bosque Road location and the District’s decision to change the rate category from agricultural to residential, and drew the Directors’ attention to the documents contained in their agenda packets.  The Appeals Committee further reviewed for the Board information from their site visit and meeting with representatives of  La Casa de Maria on March 24, 2004.  The General Manager presented the recommended findings based on the evidence in the Staff Report.

Mr. Villanueva, of La Casa de Maria, addressed the Board on the retreat center’s grounds for appealing the staff decision to change their water rate classification.  Mr. Villanueva did not question the accuracy of Staff’s analysis of water use, but felt that the District should  designate the one meter at La Casa as a “split rate” meter to reflect the agricultural portion of its service.  Discussion ensued that the District does not allow such “split rate” meters, and that Casa de Maria’s use is essentially the same as many other ornamental and personal use orchards on large estates in Montecito.  Mr. Villanueva was asked if he had any questions of the District or further evidence to present, and he did not.  The Board asked Mr. Villanueva several questions about the Casa de Maria water use, and he confirmed that the majority of water use through the subject meter was for other than agricultural use.  The Board also asked Mr. Villanueva if he had any evidence to support his statements that Casa de Maria was not allowed to file a Farm Income Statement with the Internal Revenue Service, and he confirmed that he did not.

Stephanie Glatt, La Casa de Maria, addressed the Board on the water use at the facility, noting that Casa de Maria does not know how they could have the high interior use shown by Staff’s analysis.  Mr. Villanueva concurred that it could be the result of the aged plumbing and leaks at Casa de Maria.  The General Manager offered to provide a “water audit” to Casa de Maria.

Following Board discussion, it was moved by Director Abel, seconded by Director Puddicombe, and unanimously passed to make the findings recommended by the General Manager, based on the materials and evidence presented, including at the Hearing, and take the recommended actions to deny the appeal of La Casa de Maria and authorize staff to change the water use classification for the account to domestic, effective with the next billing period.

4.  CONSENT CALENDAR

Following Board discussion, it was moved by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Abel, and unanimously carried to approve the consent calendar as presented.

5. district Operations Report

Ortega

A.                 Ortega Reservoir Cover Project – Status Report (Oral)

Mr. Roebuck updated the Board on the progress of the Ortega Reservoir Cover Project.

B.                 Ortega REservoir Roof Bid Evaluation

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

C.                Ortega REservoir Water Supply and Cost Issues Analysis

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

D.                Ortega Project Manager Professional Services Proposal From David H. Johnson

Mr. Roebuck presented this item to the Board and introduced Mr. Dave Johnson, who has submitted a proposal for professional services as Ortega Project Manager.  Mr. Roebuck and Mr. Johnson answered Directors’ questions.  Following Board discussion, it was moved by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Edmonston, and unanimously passed to approve the professional services proposal from Dave Johnson for project management and coordination services for the Ortega Reservoir project; authorize the General Manager to request Carpinteria Valley Water District (CVWD) to approve the proposed contract for project management professional services, and the estimated one-half share of costs to be paid by CVWD; and to prepare and execute a professional services contract between MWD and Mr. Johnson for project management and services in the estimated total amount of $44,000 to begin as soon as possible after CVWD approval.

E.                 Ortega Reservoir Landscaping Project Update (Oral)

Mr. Roebuck brought the Board up to date on the status of the landscaping project at the Ortega Reservoir.

Other Items

F.                 Water Shortage Contingency / Drought Plan

Mr. Roebuck introduced this item and answered Directors’ questions.  Following Board discussion, it was moved by Director Wilson, seconded by Director Puddicombe, and unanimously passed to approve MWD participation in the County Water Agency Water Shortage Contingency / Drought Plan at the discretion of the General Manager.

G.                Water Supply operational Guidelines (Oral)

Mr. Roebuck discussed with the Board the advisability of  extending the conjunctive use exploratory project recently reported on by Dr. Steven Bachman to explore all future water supply possibilities for the District and develop a set of water supply operational guidelines.

H.                 North Jameson Lane Bikeway Project

Mr. Roebuck introduced this item and answered Directors’ questions.  Following Board discussion, it was moved by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Abel, and unanimously carried to appropriate additional funding in the amount of $12,480 from the 1998A Bond (for a total appropriation of $72,480) to cover the cost of water system modifications being completed by Santa Barbara County in the widening of three bridges on North Jameson Lane for the proposed bikeway construction project and to direct the General Manager to inform Santa Barbara County that the District will provide additional funding for 50% of those costs exceeding the previously approved $60,000 MWD appropriation for this work.