REGULAR MEETING Minutes
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MONTECITO WATER DISTRICT
583 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, MONTECITO, CALIFORNIA
TUESDAY, November 15, 2005
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, Finance and Computer Specialist
Chip Wullbrandt, District Counsel
Tom Mosby, Engineering Manager
Mike Clark, Conservation Specialist
Lois Werner, Recording Secretary
Guests Present
Richard Love, Montecito Association
Maria Herold
2. PUBLIC FORUM
There were no members of the public present who wished to speak on subjects not on the agenda.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
Following Board discussion, it was moved by Director Drewry, seconded by Director Abel, and unanimously carried to approve the consent calendar as presented, the minutes of October 18, 2005 as revised.
4. Business/Financial
A. 2005/06 First Quarter Financial Statements and Budget Report
Mr. Roebuck and Ms Bailey presented the First Quarter Financial Statements and Budget Report and answered Directors’ questions.
B. Quarterly Investment Report as of September 30, 2005
Mr. Roebuck and Ms Bailey presented the Quarterly Investment Report and answered Directors’ questions.
5. LEGAL MATTERS
A. Recent and Pending Legal Matters REview (Oral)
Mr. Wullbrandt reported that he had received a request to meet with the Santa Barbara County Civil Grand Jury as part of its “inquiry into the cost of legal services in Santa Barbara County incurred by municipalities and special districts.” Mr. Wullbrandt discussed with the Board which aspects of his work for Montecito Water District and Carpinteria Valley Water District were considered privileged information, and which are considered public information. Following discussion, it was moved by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Wilson, and unanimously carried to approve Mr. Wullbrandt’s meeting with the Grand Jury to discuss those aspects of his work for the District which are public information.
Mr. Wullbrandt noted that the Prop 218 notice had gone out for the December 14 Public Hearing and answered Directors’ questions about this process.
Mr. Wullbrandt reported on meeting with the Department of Fish and Game on the salmon recovery program. Some of the projects under this program are in Santa Barbara County.
6. Cachuma Matters
A. CACHUMA CONSERVATION RELEASE BOARD MEETING OF October 24, 2005
Director Abel reported on the subject meeting. CCRB has hired an assistant to Director Kate Rees, Tim Robinson, CCRB staff biologist. CCRB is getting a new River Ware hydraulic model for the Santa Ynez River.
B. CACHUMA OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE BOARD MEETING OF October 24, 2005
Director Abel reported on the subject meeting where it was acknowledged that the Lauro Dam restoration project will begin with no further negotiations with the Bureau of Reclamation.
C. Special CACHUMA Conservation and Release BOARD Meeting of November 7, 2005
Director Abel reported on the subject meeting on the oak tree mitigation program. The MOU with the County was not ready, so this subject will be on the CCRB agenda at the next meeting as well.
D. COMB/CCRB Managers & Attorneys Meeting of November 2, 2005
Mr. Roebuck & Mr. Wullbrandt reported on the subject meeting.
------------------------------------ Legal Counsel Departed at this point------------------------------------
7. district Operations Report
A. Ortega Reservoir Project Status Report
Mr. Roebuck reported on the current status of the Ortega Reservoir Improvement Project and answered Directors’ questions.
B. Ortega Reservoir Project Phase One Construction Completion
Mr. Roebuck reported that Phase I of the Ortega Project is complete. Following discussion, it was moved by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Drewry, and unanimously carried to approve the final payment to Cushman Contracting Corporation, approve and authorize the release of the certificate of deposit to Cushman Contracting Corporation, and approve and authorize the Notice of Completion presented in the agenda packets.
C. Cachuma Water Bank Status Report and Other Banking Opportunities (Oral)
Mr. Roebuck reported
on possible future opportunities to bank water in Lake Cachuma or other
regional water storage areas, including possible groundwater banking
with Semitropic. CVWD appears incapable of participating in a Cachuma
Water Bank program.
D. Water Supply Status REport
Mr. Roebuck presented this report and answered Directors’ questions.
E. Draft 2005 Urban Water Management Plan Update
Mr. Roebuck presented this item and answered Directors’ questions.
F. Conservation Program Progress REport
Mr. Clark presented a report on his progress since becoming the District Conservation Specialist.
G. Bella Vista Treatment Plant Network Project
Mr. Roebuck presented this item and answered Directors’ questions. Following discussion, it was moved by Director Drewry, seconded by Director Wilson, and unanimously carried to authorize the award of contract to CompuVision and K Aware LLC for the Bella Vista Network Project in a total amount of $31,468.33.
H. LAFCO Municipal Service Review
Mr. Roebuck presented this item and answered Directors’ questions.
I. Disinfection By-products Status REport – Presentation
Mr. Roebuck showed the Board a PowerPoint presentation prepared by Ken Goodenough, City of Santa Barbara Water System Manager, on disinfection by-products and the Cater Treatment Plant.
8. Closed Session Items
A. Closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) – General Manager’s Annual Performance Evaluation and Compensation REview
B. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) – Additional Compensation for Coverage of Business Manager’s Duties
The Board adjourned to closed session at 4:28 p.m. on the above items.
The Board reconvened
in open session at 4:55 p.m. President Edmonston reported that the
Board had approved a transitional pay rate increase of 5% for Toni
Bailey and Louise Chadwick while the District is without a Business
Manager.
9. GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT
A. Ongoing Projects Update
Mr. Roebuck presented his report on ongoing projects which were not covered elsewhere in the meeting and answered Directors’ questions.
B. Evalyn Kerman Retirement (Oral report by Director Abel)
The Board discussed plans to acknowledge Evalyn Kerman’s retirement for health reasons, and to recognize her contribution to the District during her more than twelve years as Business Manager.
10. DIRECTOR AND STAFF MEETING REPORTS
A. Central Coast Water Authority Meeting of October 27, 2005
Director Puddicombe reported on the subject meeting.
B. SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SPECIAL DISTRICTS ASSOCIATION MEETING OF October 24, 2005
Director Wilson reported on the subject meeting which featured a speaker from SB CAG.
11. COMMITTEE REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS
A. OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Directors Puddicombe and Edmonston reported that all activities of the Operations Committee had been covered elsewhere in the meeting.
B. FINANCE COMMITTEE
Directors Wilson and Drewry reported that all activities of the Finance Committee had been reported elsewhere in the meeting.
C. PUBLIC INFORMATION COMMITTEE
Directors Abel and Drewry reported that the Public Information Committee met on Monday, November 14 and discussed ads for the public hearing in the News Press and the Montecito Journal, the General Manager’s presentation for the public hearing, and the winter newsletter, which is planned to come out in mid to late January.
12. Board information Items
No action was taken on these informational items presented to the Board.
13. AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS
President Edmonston requested a report from the Finance Committee on any restrictions in the use of Bond money at the next regular Board meeting scheduled for December 20, 2005.
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the MWD Board of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at 5:25 pm.
Approved:
____________________________
Robert M. Edmonston, President
Attest:
__________________________________
Robert L. Roebuck, Secretary
