Thursday, July 27, 1999 Minutes

MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
of the
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MONTECITO WATER DISTRICT
held at the
MONTECITO FIRE PROTECTION BOARD ROOM

595 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, MONTECITO, CALIFORNIA
at 2:00 p.m. on TUESDAY, JULY 27, 1999

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

The meeting was called to order by President Puddicombe at 2:00 p.m.
Those in attendance were:

Present:	Directors Abel, Campbell, Jones, Puddicombe, Wilson
Absent:	None
Also Present:	C. Charles Evans, General Manager/Secretary Tom Mosby, Engineering Manager Evalyn Kerman, Business Manager Chip Wullbrandt, District Counsel Cathy Muneio, Secretary George Davidson

PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND FIRE FLOW UPGRADE PROGRAM, PROPOSED FINANCING, AND ANY OBJECTIONS
OR PROTESTS TO THE PROPOSED CHARGE AND REPORT

The General Manager said that this was the fourth year of the Water Availability Charge (WAC) program, which was established under Section 32032.1 of the California Water Code, and that this needs to be reestablished each year to be implemented. He said that this charge was originally for 39 water main and distribution facilities projects expected to cost approximately 5.1 million dollars, and was funded from a loan from Santa Barbara Bank & Trust. The amount of the Water Availability Charge is approximately $300,000 annually. In 1998, a bond program was also implemented, and the SBBT loan was paid off. The larger bond program will replace approximately 20 miles of pipes over the length of the program, and totaled $13.5 million dollars. The General Manager also explained that the Water Availability Charge is based on a $30 per acre charge, and that it is modified for larger parcels. Modifications of the charge are also made for agricultural and recreational parcels. The General Manager recommended that this be approved again this year. The General Manager also pointed out that this program not only takes into consideration the replacement of old pipelines but also improves fire flow. President Puddicombe asked how many hydrants were being replaced. It was stated that 42 hydrants to date have been replaced. The General Manager also pointed out that the Board had requested that the WAC funds be reported on and kept separate from other funds for specific projects; a monthly detailed report is presented to the Board.

The public hearing was opened at 3:10 p.m. to hear written and verbal protests. There was only one written protest by Mr. & Mrs. Davidson. Mr. Davidson was also present. He said that he had two parcels, one with a house and one very small parcel used as a driveway. He didn’t feel he should have to pay the $30 charge for the second piece of property, which he said is unbuildable. He stated he also had provided a sewer easement on the property to Westmont College, which also makes this parcel unbuildable. The General Manager reviewed with the Board the policy on charges based on parcel size. President Puddicombe suggested that the parcels could be combined, and then there would be only one charge. A motion was made by Director Campbell, seconded by Director Puddicombe and unanimously carried to authorize writing a letter to the County explaining this charge. The General Manager suggested that it would be appropriate to deny the request of Mr. Davidson. A motion was made by Director Campbell, seconded by Director Wilson and unanimously carried to deny the request of Mr. Davidson for an exception of a charge on his parcel #13-111-15. There being no other protests, the protest hearing and the public hearing were closed at 3:30 p.m.

CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 1881 ESTABLISHING WATER AVAILABILITY CHARGE FOR 1999-00 TO FINANCE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND FIRE FLOW UPGRADE PROGRAM AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORT ESTABLISHING
WATER AVAILABILITY CHARGE FOR 1999-00.

The General Manager stated that Counsel had reviewed the Resolution and found it to be satisfactory. Counsel stated that the only change was a provision relative to County Flood Control parcels. A motion was made by Director Abel to approve Resolution No. 1881 establishing a Water Availability Charge for 1999-00 to finance the water distribution system and fire flow upgrade program, and ordering the filing of a report with the County Auditor establishing the water availability charge for 1999-00. The motion was seconded by Director Puddicombe. The motion carried with the following roll call vote :

AYES: Directors Abel, Campbell, Jones, Puddicombe, Wilson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None

PUBLIC FORUM

No comments were made by the public during public forum.

.ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 3:33 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

________________________________
C. Charles Evans, Secretary

Approved:

______________________________
J. Timothy Campbell, Vice-President

Note: The agenda for this meeting was posted at the front counter and on the front wall at the Montecito Water District and on the front door of the Montecito Fire Protection District office on July 16, 1999.