MINUTES - TUESDAY, JUNE 03, 1997

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
of the
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MONTECITO WATER DISTRICT
held at the
DISTRICT BOARD ROOM

Present:	Directors Campbell, Muller, Puddicombe and Wilson
Absent:	Director Abel
Also Present:	C. Charles Evans, General Manager/Secretary Chip Wullbrandt, District Counsel Cathy Munceio, Secretary

The Board had several suggested changes to the minutes. A motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Wilson and unanimously carried to approve the amended minutes of May 20, 1997.

The Board reviewed the water production report for May. The report showed production at 605 acre feet which was 155 acre feet above the estimate.

A motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Wilson and unanimously carried to ratify the 5/23/97 transfer of $230,000 from the District's Montecito Bank and Trust Operational Account to the District's LAIF/General Capital Repair and Replacement Operations Fund account.

The Board discussed the monthly Water Distribution System and Fireflow Upgrade Program, Water Availability Charge Funds, and Hydrant Upgrade Program report. It was noted that the Hill Road project has begun, and the Chelham Way main will follow upon the completion of Hill Road.

Director Wilson said the Montecito Association had not met yet so there was nothing to report

A motion was made Director Campbell, second by Director Puddicombe and unanimously carried to approve the AWCA-USA Electric Project Service Agreement. Director Wilson said he would be attending an AWCA Electric Industry conference on June 4 and an ACWA-USA EPSA meeting on June 19, 1997.

The Board discussed the fishery studies that are proposed to be conducted above Bradbury Dam for SWRCB Order No.94-5 studies. There was concern about CCRB conducting studies above the dam since CCRB was formed to project the dam water rights, and the joint powers agreement prohibited CCRB from involving itself in water rights or projects above the dam. Counsel Wullbrandt said that the studies as currently designed do not involve upstream water rights or project matters and that these studies are necessary in order to be prepared for the 94-5 SWRCB hearings in the year 2000. A motion was made by Director Campbell, seconded by Director Puddicombe and unanimously carried to endorse the current fishery that are proposed above Bradbury Dam as long as the studies do not affect projects and water rights above the dam. Funding for these studies will come from Cachuma Trust Fund and/or the County Water Agency Cachuma contribution funds.

A motion was made by Director Puddicombe to approve Resolution 1834 regarding the Candidate's Statement for the Candidate's Statement for November 1997 Board election. The motion seconded by Director Campbell. A roll call vote resulted as follows:

The Board discussed the report to LAFCO regarding the potential studies of possible reorganizations of local agencies. Director Campbell said that this would have no impact on this District, but that LAFCO is reviewing the possibility of consolidating the Montecito and Carpinteria/Summerland Fire Protection Districts and the Summerland and Montecito Sanitary Districts.

The Board reviewed the memorandum to ACWA from Counsel Wullbrandt on pending state legislation regarding anadromous fish. He mentioned that the State and NMFS are working on an MOU for the listing of fish.

Director Campbell needed to leave early so the Board went into closed session at 4:25 p.m. When the Board returned to open session at 4:32 p.m. it was reported that the Board had approved a Legal Services Agreement with Lemieux and O'Neill against the State of California, Department of Water Resources relative to litigation regarding Safe Drinking Water Bond Loan retroactive interest.

COMB
CACHUMA SEISMIC SAFETY AND
LOMPOC LAWSUIT REGARDING CACHUMA RENEWAL EIR/EIS

Director Muller said COMB had not yet met so there was nothing new to report on the Cachuma seismic safety work. There has been no further action in the Lompoc lawsuit against the USBR and COMB regarding the Cachuma renewal EIR/EIS. The Board asked to be informed when the next trip to view the seismic work being performed at Bradbury Dam was scheduled.

Director Wilson said that CCRB would meet June 12, so there was nothing to report on the status of the Board Order 94-5 studies or fishery matters other than 94-5 studies. There has been no further action regarding the Lompoc lawsuit against the USBR regarding water quality damages.

Director Puddicombe stated that there was a written report in the Board packet on the CCWA meeting. He reported that closing arguments on the Solvang and ID #1 lawsuit would be held on June 9, 1997 and that in 90 days a ruling would be made. He also said that, in the process of DWR filling the pipes, a valve malfunctioned and water discharged into a creek and washed away the red legged frog tadpoles. This is an endangered species but since they were tadpoles instead of frogs it was unknown what would happen regarding this accident. Director Puddicombe also reported that CCWA has not heard whether Governor Wilson will be available to be the guest speaker at the State Water Project opening ceremony on July 18, 1997. The Board discussed several alternative speakers if the Governor is unable to attend.

Director Wilson reported on the County Water Agency public hearing on the Cachuma contribution on May 22, 1997. Rob Almy said that he intended to recommend that these monies by applied to the vegetation and fish studies. Cachuma funds totaling $100,000 were carried forward from the previous year. Steve Mack stated that he wasn't sure he could spend all the funds in the current year. The Board said that the Renewal funds could be carried over, so it would be better to spend County funds first.

President Muller reported that he had received a nice plaque at the Special Districts Association meeting of May 23, 1997. Special Districts Association lobbyist Ralph Heim spoke on legislative activities in Sacramento.

Director Puddicombe gave the Operations Committee meeting report. He said that the Burden development consists of nine properties north of Westmont were funding $250,000 of their own facilities and that the Burden Trust and District would like to provide adequate pressure and flow for this development. The engineering Manager said that the District budgeted $80,000 to construct a smaller pump station to provide better water pressure for this area. The Burden pump station would increase pressure by 65 psi. He said that an additional $200,000 would be needed for this project and 1/3 each would be paid by the water district, fire district and developer. Director Puddicombe said that the committee had also discussed the lot line adjustment at the Buell reservoir for which Penfield and Smith was hired to reconfigure the parcels. The committee discussed an easement request by Rick Shade on the eastern end of the Yaggy property. The District is evaluating moving access easement through the center of the Yaggy property to make the property more salable.

The Public Information Committee had not met so there was nothing new to report.

The Ad Hoc Committee reported that its first meeting is scheduled for June 6, 1997.

Note: The agenda was posted at the front counter and outside front wall at the Montecito Water District on May 30, 1997.