The following consent calendar items were considered by the MWD Board of Directors:

A. Minutes of October 17 and November 13, 2000 Board Meetings
B. Water Production Report for October 2000
C. Water Sales Reports for October 2000
D. Water Works Operation Report for October 2000
E. Investment of District Funds
F.    Payment of Bills for October 2000
G.   September 2000 Cash Flow with October Sales
H.   Report on Distribution System and Fire Flow Upgrade Program, Water      Availability Charge and Status of 1998A Bond Programs
I.     First Quarter 2000/01 Investment Report
J.    First Quarter 2000/01 Budget Report

A motion was made by Director Abel, seconded by Director Bachman and unanimously carried to approve the consent agenda.

Mr. Tom Mosby, Engineering Manager, reported that this item had been reviewed by the Operations Committee at its meeting of November 15, 2000. He stated that the District was still waiting for a signed copy of the easement document from Mrs. Fearing’s agent. Mr. Mosby also reported briefly of the progress of the new Romero Reservoir Pump Station. A motion was made by Vice President Abel, seconded by Director Bachman and unanimously carried to approve authorizing the General Manager to take appropriate action in the acceptance and recordation of a non-exclusive easement from Mrs. Constance Fearing for a relocated MWD water line and utilities above Romero Canyon Reservoir.

 

Mr. Mosby reported that this item had been reviewed and recommended for approval by the Operations Committee at its meeting of November 15,2000. The firm of Schott and Company had been requested to submit a cost proposal to perform appraisal work for pipeline easements within the Union Pacific RR right-of-way. A motion was made by Vice-President Abel, seconded by Director Wilson and unanimously carried to authorize: (a) the General Manager and Legal Counsel to enter into negotiations with UPRR for acquisition of pipeline easements for all MWD facilities within the UPRR’s right-of-way; (b) appropriate funding in an amount not-to-exceed $5,000 from the Capital Repair and Replacement Fund for preparation of an appraisal; and (c) appropriate funding in an amount not-to-exceed $3,000 from the Capital Repair and Replacement Fund for the cost of Legal Counsel to coordinate the appraisal process and initial communications with UPRR representatives.

 

Mr. Adjarian stated that a letter had been received from the Montecito Fire Protection District (MFPD) requesting that a small emergency response repeater be located at MWD’s Bella Vista Water Treatment Plant. He also stated that this item had been reviewed and recommended by the Operations Committee at its meeting of October 6, 2000. During brief Board discussion of this item, the Board requested a simple letter agreement be signed by both agencies to clarify the use of the site, including provisions for indemnification and holding harmless. A motion was made by Vice-President Abel, seconded by Director Drewry and unanimously carried to approve the request of the Montecito Fire Protection District to locate an emergency response repeater at Bella Vista Water Treatment Plant.

D. PROPOSED TORO CANYON RESERVOIR DISCHARGE PIPING MODIFICATIONS.

Manager Mosby briefly updated the Board on the status of the proposed Toro Canyon Reservoir discharge piping modifications, noting key items reviewed with the Operations Committee at its meeting of November 15, 2000. This item was for Board information, and did not require any action at this time.

Mr. Adjarian framed the discussion of this item. Mr. Mosby provided a more detailed discussion of the proposed conceptual design sketch contained in the staff report. Director Abel suggested that the draft letter and design be reviewed by Legal Counsel and MWD’s consulting biologist Jean Baldrige prior to Board consideration and possible action. Following additional discussion, the Board of Directors determined that that this item be tabled until its December 19th meeting pending completion of the requisite reviews.

 

Mr. Mosby updated the Board on the status of the Romero Reservoir Pump Station construction and recapped the main points that had been discussed at the Operations Committee meeting of November 15, 2000. This item was for Board information, and did not require any action at this time.

G. REPORT ON ORTEGA RESERVOIR WATER QUALITY BY MCGUIRE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS, INC..

Manager Adjarian summarized the recommendations of the above report on water quality issues at Ortega Reservoir completed by Dr.Michael Mc Guire of Mc Guire Environmental Consultants, Inc. Mr. Adjarian observed that the primary purpose of the report was to provide a technical assessment of MWD’s existing sampling protocol at Ortega Reservoir in light of the extraordinary water quality events that occurred earlier this summer. He also indicated that this was a 50-50% cost share item with Carpinteria VWD. This item was presented for the Board’s information, and did not require further action at this time.

Director Abel reported the Appeals Committee had met with Mr. Patrick Leader on November 13, 2000 to consider Mr. Leader’s request for a credit for water charges. The Appeals Committee recommended that the Board deny this request. A motion was made by Vice-President Abel, seconded by Director Drewry and unanimously carried by the Board of Directors to deny Mr. Leader’s request for a credit for water charges.

B.  MWD CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE/FUNDING DETERMINATION.

Mr. Adjarian noted that this was a "house-keeping" item being brought to the Board of Director’s attention. Staff had inadvertently omitted the funding source from the following previously approved projects: (a) appropriate funding for the Ortega Reservoir Cover Temporary HDPE Inlet/oOutlet Piping for an estimated cost-share of $25,000 from the 1998A Bond funds and (b) appropriate funding in the amount of $14,787 from the General Capital Repair and Replacement Fund for the remaining carryover fund balance to complete the Ownership Transfer of the former Summerland CWD Water Distribution System from the USBR to MWD. A motion was made by Vice-President Abel, seconded by Director Bachman and unanimously carried to appropriate $25,000 from the 1998A Bond funds and $14,787 from the General Capital Repair and Replacement Fund.

C. CLAIM OF MR. DAVID BARELLA FOR THE COST OF A ONE-INCH METER/APN 009-020-09.

Mr. Adjarian summarized the history of the claim of Mr. David Barella for a one-inch water meter for APN 009-020-09. The Operations Committee had previously reviewed this item at its meeting of November 15, 2000 and recommended that the Board of Directors reject on its merit the claim of Mr. Barella. There was brief Board discussion of the District’s internal procedures for processing this claim. Mr. Adjarian clarified the rationale for submitting this claim to the Board’s Operations Committee. A motion was made by Vice-President Abel, seconded by Director Bachman and unanimously carried to reject Mr. Barella’s claim, and to authorize the General Manager to issue the standard ACWA/JPIA-approved claims rejection letter to be sent to Mr. Barella.

Director Wilson reported on the November Montecito Association meeting. Director Abel briefly reported on a recent luncheon meeting, set by Mr. Adjarian, with Ms. Catherine Lee the new Executive Director for the Montecito Association. Mr. Adjarian noted that Director Wilson had originally suggested the idea for the lunch meeting. Director Drewry reported on the Montecito Association discussion regarding parking for the weekly farmer’s market.

 

President Puddicombe briefly updated the Board on CCWA issues, specifically the status and projected timeline of the Monterey Amendment litigation. He also reviewed for the Board the recent presentation by Mr. Dan Masnada of the CCWA to the SB County Board of Supervisors regarding CCWA’s annual report. He noted that there were several presentations by representatives of the CPA regarding the pending Monterey amendment litigation, and their recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for a cutback in water entitlements to development projects countywide until the resolution of the litigation.

 

OCTOBER 23, SPECIAL MEETING OF OCTOBER 30 AND MEETING OF NOVEMBER 20, 2000:

1. Ratification and Appropriation of Funds for CCRB FY 2000-01 Budget Augmentation for Legal Costs.
2. Ratification and Appropriation of Funds for CCRB/I.D. NO. 1 FY

2000-01 Budget Augmentation for Staffing Changes.

Director Abel reviewed each of the above appropriations with the Board of Directors, and responded to questions from the Board. For Item No 1, a motion was made by Director Drewry, seconded by President Puddicombe and unanimously carried to ratify the CCRB Budget augmentation for $160,000 legal costs—with MWD’s share at $18,384. For Item 2, a motion was made by Director Drewry, seconded by President Puddicombe and unanimously carried to ratify the CCRB Budget augmentation for $30,000—with MWD’s share as $3,093.

 

3. Report on the SWRCB Phase I Hearing November 6, 2000.

 

Vice-President Abel briefly updated the Board on the SWRCB Phase I Hearings held earlier this month in Sacramento.

4. Member Unit Technical and Legal Issues Updates.

Vice President Abel reported that the CCRB monthly status report on 94-5 issues was enclosed in the Board packed. She briefly reviewed the status of the Lompoc Talks and steelhead ESA issues. She noted that Counsel Wullbrandt had been appointed by the CDFG Director to a 14-member committee to review applications for funding from Proposition 13.

 

5. Completion of Cachuma Lake Capacity Survey.

Vice President Abel reported on the status of the Cachuma Lake Capacity Survey completed by COMB via MNS Consulting Engineers. The study indicated a reduction in established lake capacity of 2,374 AF—from 190,409AF to 188,035AF.

Vice President Abel reported that the two meetings were short and successful.

 

President Puddicombe noted that all items review by the Operations committee had previously been discussed. He commented that the next Operations Committee meeting was scheduled for December 4, 2000.

 

Director Wilson reported that all items reviewed by the Finance Committee had previously been discussed. Mr. Adjarian noted that the next Committee meeting is scheduled for December 5^th.

 

Vice-President Abel noted that ACWA had a new publication and a video—summarizing ACWA’s 90-year history both of which were presented at the ACWA Fall Conference. She observed that MWD had been listed as an ACWA sponsor at the Conference in Anaheim. Vice-President Abel also reported that ACWA had a new report on anadromous fish species. The Board’s attention was also directed to several handouts.

The Board of Directors requested that the following items be placed on the December agenda: the oath of office for new Directors, election of Board officers for 2001, various Board appointments, Legal Counsel’s report on the Phase 1 SWRCB Hearings in Sacramento for November 6^th, and the revised letter to USFS regarding Fox Creek.