President Abel requested that the Minutes of July 17, 2001 Board Meeting be removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion and revision. A motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Wilson, and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Calendar as presented and the July 17, 2001 Board Minutes as amended.

1. LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FOR KATE REES TO CENTRAL COAST REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD.

At a previous regular meeting, the Board of Directors had directed staff to prepare a recommendation for Ms. Rees of CCRB to be signed by the Board President. A copy of the signed letter was enclosed for the Board’s information.

Manager Adjarian briefly reviewed the Upper San Ysidro Road Main Replacement and East Mountain Drive Water Main Extension Projects and the bid results. President Abel noted that this project was included in the current year’s budget . No appropriation of funds would be required. This item had been recommended for Board approval by the Operations Committee at its meeting of August 14, 2001. A motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Drewry and unanimously carried to approve a bid in the amount of $392,900 which is lower than the FY 2001/02 budgeted project cost amount of $456,600.

A history of this project was quickly reviewed by Engineering Manager Mosby for the Board of Directors. A motion was made by Director Drewry, seconded by Director Puddicombe and unanimously carried to approve the acceptance of a new grant of easement from Mr. John Stegall for the well and treatment facility and a quitclaim of the original grant of easement. Legal Counsel Hvolbøll recommended that the quitclaim be filed before the grant of easement.

Mr. Adjarian reviewed with the Board of Directors the information that was discussed and recommended for Board approval by the Operations Committee at its August 14, 2001 meeting. A motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Wilson and unanimously carried to direct staff to draft a letter for the Board President’s signature. The letter would formally notify the Santa Barbara Planning and Development Department that the District was withdrawing its lot split/lot line adjustment application for the Buell property.

Mr. Mosby updated the Board of Directors as to the status of Phase One of the Riven Rock Park Water Main Extension. This item was reviewed by the Operations Committee and recommended for the Board’s approval at its meeting of August 14, 2001. A motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Wilson and unanimously carried to approve the execution and recording of the Notice of Completion for Riven Rock Park Phase One Water Main Extension Project.

Mr. Adjarian briefly discussed the proposed MWD/MFPD joint fire hydrant replacement program for the current fiscal year. This item had been reviewed by the Operations Committee at its meeting of August 14, 2001 and recommended for the Board’s approval. A motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Drewry and unanimously carried to accept the bid from Lash Construction for performance of the MFPD/MWD FY 2001/02 fire hydrant replacement program, authorize incidental site restoration work and prepare the notices of award of contract and to proceed.

Mr. Adjarian updated the Board of Directors on the current status of the Miramar Beach Water Main Extension Project. The Board’s questions were answered concerning the letter to Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) and the current status of MWD negotiations with UPRR. Mr. Adjarian discussed the current state of relations with Miramar Beach Homeowners’ Association. He noted that he and Fire Chief McClain will be attending the next Association meeting on September 2. Director Puddicombe requested that a Director attend the meeting. President Abel indicated that she or Director Bachman would try to attend.

A motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Wilson and unanimously carried to approve the posting of the CEQA NOE for the FY 2001/02 water availability charge projects.

Mr. Adjarian reviewed the State’s Notice of Acceptance (NOA) which had been received by MWD on August 6, 2001. The NOA stated that the District’s application had been selected by the State for low-interest funding (for MWD’s share) of the Ortega Reservoir Cover Project. There was considerable Board discussion. A motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Drewry and unanimously carried to authorize the General Manager to sign the NOA and forward it to the State.

The Board requested that the Public Relations Committee determine the appropriate methods to provide outreach/information to District customers regarding this matter.

Mr. Adjarian stated that, at its August 14, 2001 meeting, the Operations Committee recommended that the Board approve Resolution No. 1921 to add an additional position for the Water Treatment and Production Department. A motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Drewry and unanimously carried by the roll call vote to adopt Resolution No. 1921.

Ayes: Directors Abel, Drewry, Puddicombe, and Wilson
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Director Bachman

Director Puddicombe reported on the July 26, 2001 CCWA Board meeting. Discussion included the Monterey Agreement arbitration, pipeline relocation (Santa Ynez River), and the CCWA celebrating its 10^th anniversary. Director Bachman & Manager Adjarian would be attending the CCWA anniversary celebration.

Director Wilson reported on this meeting at which County re-districting was discussed.

4. SANTA BARBARA WATER PURVEYORS AGENCY MEETING OF JULY, 2001.

Director Wilson was not able to attend this meeting. The SBWPA minutes will be distributed to the MWD Board when available.

5. ACWA BOARD MEETING & RETREAT, JULY 26-27, 2001.

President Abel highlighted items of special interest from the July 26-27, 2001 ACWA Board meeting. She called attention to the Potential Issues, Local Government Committee Report, and the Anadromous Species Update.

6. REGION 5 FALL MEMBERSHIP MEETING & RECEPTION, SEPTEMBER 30 – OCTOBER 1, 2001, SEACLIFF INN, APTOS, CA (SANTA CRUZ COUNTY).

President Abel announced that the Region 5 ACWA meeting would be in Aptos, California and reviewed topics of interest to be covered at the meeting. She encouraged attendance of MWD Directors at this meeting.

7. REQUEST FROM MONTECITO ASSOCIATION TO USE MWD TRUCK ON NOVEMBER 3, 2001 FOR MONTECITO ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL BEAUTIFICATION DAY.

Following discussion, the consensus of the Board was agreement to provide a District truck to be driven be MWD staff, per past practice, to assist the Montecito Association during Beautification Day activities on November 3, 2001.

Mr. Adjarian was directed to inquire of the Montecito Association if, in recognition of MWD’s continued annual support of other Association events---such as the Village Fourth---whether the Association would be willing to note MWD as a sponsor for the upcoming Beautification Day event.

Director Puddicombe reported that all the items reviewed at the August Operations Committee meetings were already reported on and had nothing additional to report.

Director Wilson stated that he had nothing to add to the information supplied to the Board in the Board Packet. Mr. Adjarian noted that the next meeting of the Finance Committee was scheduled for September 11, 2001.

3. PUBLIC INFORMATION COMMITTEE.

President Abel expressed some disappointment with the accuracy of the information in a recent Montecito Journal article about the joint MWD/MFPD fire hydrant replacement program. She also briefly reviewed other recent articles on local and regional water matters of interest.

Mr. Adjarian briefly updated the Board on the two referenced issues. He requested a Special Board Meeting on Ortega Reservoir tentatively scheduled for September 11 from 9-10:30 a.m. The tentative topics for Board consideration would include a proposal for design services from Padre Associates, and the formal release of environmental documentation for the Ortega Cover Project for public review.

1. Directors REQUESTS TO ADD items other than regular agenda items TO MWD regular Board meeting OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2001.

There were no agenda requests from Directors at this time.