MINUTES - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1997

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

583 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, MONTECITO, CALIFORNIA
at 3:00 p.m. on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1997

Present:	Directors Abel, Campbell, Muller, Puddicombe and Wilson
Absent:	None
Also Present:	C. Charles Evans, General Manager/Secretary Chip Wullbrandt, District Counsel Evalyn Kerman, Assistant Secretary Cathy Muneio, Secretary

One suggested change was made to the minutes. A motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Wilson and unanimously carried to approve the amended minutes of August 19, 1997.

The General Manager reported that the water production report for August was not yet ready and that it would be faxed to the Board as soon as it was complete.

The General Manager explained that a new Investment of District Funds report had been completed because the Blitz sale of a portion of the Buell Reservoir property had been finalized and funds had been deposited into the District’s account. Director Puddicombe made a motion to ratify the August 19, 1997, August 29, 1997 and the September 3, 1997 transfers of $475,000, $200,000 and $200,000 from the District’s Montecito Bank and Trust operational account to the District’s LAIF/General Repair & Replacement/Operations Fund Account.

Director Puddicombe made a motion to approve Resolution No. 1846 to take needed action that arose subsequent to the agenda being posted. It was seconded by Director Campbell. The motion carried with a roll call vote as follows:

The District is in the process of changing banks from Montecito Bank and Trust to Santa Barbara Bank and Trust. The General Manager stated that new signature cards need to be signed. Director Campbell made a motion to approve Resolution No. 1847 authorizing the signature cards. It was seconded by Director Puddicombe. A roll call resulted as follows:

The Board reviewed the report on the Distribution System and Fire Flow Upgrade Program. Director Puddicombe made a suggestion to show any distribution system upgrades being constructed in addition to those being funded by the Water Availability Charge.

A motion was made by Director Muller, seconded by Director Puddicombe and unanimously carried to contribute $280.00 to the Sustainable Landscape Fair.

The Board discussed the request from the Wilkinson-Gill Water Company to provide a discount on the capital cost recovery fee for the parcels who have not hooked up to the Montecito Water District. The District had previously provided public notice of the Board hearing for the capital cost recovery fee increase. A motion was made by Director Campbell, seconded by Director Puddicombe and unanimously carried to advise the Wilkinson-Gill Water Company that the District will need to charge the current fees for new meters and to have the Operation Committee review the policies regarding the incorporation of private water companies. It was also noted that the Groundwater Basin Management AB 3030 Plan needs will be completed soon and that plan may create an opportunity for incorporation of private water systems.

The Board discussed the request from the Montecito Beautification Committee to place inserts in the bills to be sent in September and October. Director Campbell made a motion to approve one billing insert to encourage participation in Montecito Beautification Day to be included in the bills sent during October. It was seconded by Director Puddicombe. The motion carried 4-1 with Director Wilson abstaining. Director Abel requested that the billing insert be reviewed before being included with the bills.

The Board commented on the letter to the Board of Directors regarding the excellent pipeline replacement project on East Valley Road. Director Abel reported that there were two additional questions raised that the General Manager has indicated will be responded to - from Mr. Isaac regarding irregular pressure at his Toro Canyon residence and a letter from Mr. Ginnis, another Toro Canyon resident, concerning the small 2" mains in that area.

The General Manager reviewed the letter from CCWA regarding the request to be provided the overall State Water Project costs.

President Muller said that there was no update regarding the Cachuma seismic safety work.

President Muller said that there was nothing new to report regarding the Lompoc lawsuit against the USBR regarding the Cachuma renewal EIR/EIS.

Director Abel reviewed with the Board the status of the SWRCB Board Order 94-5 studies.

Director Abel reported there was nothing new regarding fishery matters other than the 94-5 studies.

Director Abel reported that the lawsuit between Lompoc and the USBR was proceeding and was being handled by Federal Solicitor Burke Wong. A decision will be made as to whether or not CCRB should intervene in this suit.

CCRB MEETING OF 8/20/97
BUDGET AUGMENTATION FOR CEQA COMPLIANCE CONSULTING- 94-5 STUDIES

Director Abel reported on the CCRB meeting of August 20, 1997. She asked that the Board ratify a budget augmentation for a CEQA compliance consultant for the 94-5 studies. Director Abel moved to ratify this action. It was seconded by Director Puddicombe. The motion carried unanimously. Montecito Water District’s share will be $2,500. Director Abel stated that Jean Baldrige had attended the CCRB meeting and had reported on her fish studies and on the work that was being done relative to the steelhead listing as an endangered species.

Director Campbell reported on the Special District’s Association meeting of August 25, 1997. He said that Tom Stone of the Legislative Committee had given a talk. He asked if the Board had any questions on legislative issues to bring them forward.

Director Puddicombe reported on the Central Coast Water Authority meeting of August 28. He said that he had been nominated for the NWRA which coordinates with ACWA’s Federal Affairs Committee. He said that 25,000 a/f of state project water is already flowing to a number of agencies. He reported that the Solvang ID#1 Phase II mediation is in process and that Dan Masnada and he had represented CCWA. He said that it was hoped that some issues would be resolved before going back to court. Solvang is already talking to another law firm to see if they should appeal.

Director Abel reported that the Public Information Committee had not met but she did mention the ads in various magazines for Price, Postel & Parma in which there was a photo of Director Abel, Chip Wullbrandt and the General Manager.

The Water Marketing Committee had not yet met so there was nothing new to report. A meeting will be scheduled sometime soon.

Regarding the Ad Hoc Committee, a new draft report is expected from Smith Barney in the next few weeks for the Committee’s review.

Director Campbell asked that there be a report on the LAFCO meeting on the next Board agenda.

It was the consensus of the Board to change the November 1997 Board meetings to November 5 because the Board room will be used as an elections polling place at the November 4th election and November 25 because of the ACWA fall conference the week of November 18th.