President Abel requested that the Minutes of the October 16, 2001 Board Meeting

be removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion and revision. A motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Drewry, and unanimously carried to approve the October 16, 2001 Minutes as amended and the Consent Calendar as presented.

Manager Adjarian presented the staff report with a time-line of the major milestones completed for the Ortega Upgrade Project. Mr. Adjarian then introduced Steve Tanner and Simon Poulter, both with Padre Associates. Mr. Tanner briefly reviewed the history of the project for the Board from the engineering perspective. Mr. Poulter reviewed the environmental aspects of the project including preparation and circulation of the proposed final MND and comments received. President Abel then called on Counsel Wullbrandt who reviewed the legal aspects of the project and why MWD is coordinating this project. Mr. Wullbrandt noted that Ortega is a federal facility under the management of COMB.

President Abel opened the meeting to public comment at 1:45 p.m.

Mr. Salud Carbajal spoke representing County Supervisor Naomi Schwartz. Mr. Carbajal informed the Board that County Counsel believes that the work proposed at Ortega Reservoir may require a Coastal Development Permit.

Donna Payne, representing the Ocean View Homeowners’ Association adjacent to the reservoir, summarized a letter to the District dated November 20, 2001, concerning the project. She requested postponement of the consideration of approval of the MND because the nearby residents felt that their concerns had not been answered. Ms. Payne expressed concerns about storm water runoff from the proposed reservoir cover flowing down the canyon and into the recently improved Greenwell Preserve Park, the landscaping plans for the Ortega site, the effect of the project on property values in the neighborhood, and adequate response to public input. She requested quantitative information on carcinogenic contaminants typically found in open potable water reservoirs.

There being no further comments from members of the public, President Abel closed the public comment period at 2:05 p.m. President Abel then requested that representatives from Padre respond to the oral comments received.

Mr. Poulter responded to Ms. Payne’s comments, referring to the comment letters and responses to the letters found in the proposed Final MND. The issues she raised were previously raised in an earlier letter from Mr. Lee Hall, and are thoroughly addressed in the MND responses to comments. Mr. Poulter noted that no evidence concerning potential impacts has been presented by the public. He also further reviewed the hydrology of the site and details of the mitigation measure included in the project to address potential flood impacts. He noted that it is being engineered in accordance with Santa Barbara County Flood Control requirements, presented further details of landscaping plans, and presented exhibits further showing the insignificant impact of the project on public and private views.

Mr. Poulter referred the matter of water quality to Mr. Kurt Souza, District Sanitary Engineer, California Dept of Health Services for additional information. Mr. Souza discussed the problems of on-going contamination at the reservoir from dust, birds, small mammals and wind-blown debris. Mr. Souza also reviewed the elevated levels of trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids within the reservoir, resulting from the reaction of the contaminants with the calcium hypochlorite used to treat the drinking water.

Mr. Emslie, of Padre, provided further engineering explanation and detail of the storm water detention/retention design.

President Abel requested additional legal response from Mr. Wullbrandt to any of the comments received. Mr. Wullbrandt commented on the assertion by the County that a Coastal Development Permit may be required.

RESOLUTION NO. 1925: APPROVING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION, notice of determination and mitigation monitoring program FOR THE ORTEGA RESERVOIR upgrade PROJECT

After discussion, a motion was made by Director Bachman, seconded by Director Puddicombe, and unanimously carried to approve the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration including the additional information, plans and exhibits produced at the hearing and to adopt Resolution 1925; to Approve the Notice of Determination for filing with appropriate local and state agencies; to adopt the proposed mitigation monitoring and reporting program; and to authorize the General Manager to take action as needed to implement these activities. The vote for the Board’s decision on Resolution No. 1925 as follows:

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



2. APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR EMERGENCY POWER BACK-UP GENERATORS

After discussion, a motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Bachman and unanimously carried to approve the appropriation of funds from the 1998A Bond funds for emergency power back-up generators. The appropriations in amounts not to exceed $48,650 for the East Valley Pump Station, not to exceed $50,500 for the Romero Reservoir Pump Station, and not to exceed $37,700 for the East Mountain Drive Pump Station.

 

3. Proposed office pump station modifications and upgrade

After discussion, a motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Bachman and unanimously carried to ratify the proposed Office Pump Station modifications, and to transfer funds of $71,600 from the amount budgeted for the San Ysidro Water Main Replacement Project for this modification.

4. PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS TO ORTEGA PUMP STATION
   

After discussion, a motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Bachman and unanimously carried to approve the proposed modification to the Ortega Pump Station. This project and funding was previously approved by the Board in the FY 2001/02 budget; no appropriation of funds was required.

5. PROPOSED AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA REGARDING MWD’S COST SHARE FOR CATER TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADE PROJECT

After discussion, a motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Bachman and unanimously carried to approve the proposed agreement with the City of Santa Barbara to participate in the application for low-interest loan funds through the California Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for MWD’s cost share of the Cater Treatment Plant Upgrade Project. The Board directed Mr. Adjarian to obtain clarification from the City regarding the term of the agreement and the timeline for future phases.

6. PROPOSED DISTRICT GROUNDWATER WELL REHABILITAtion and upgrade program

After discussion, a motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Bachman and unanimously carried to approve the proposed MWD groundwater well rehabilitation project as part of the Ortega Reservoir Cover Project and to appropriate funds in the amount of $50,400 from the existing FY 2001/02 budget of $2,229,300 for the Ortega Reservoir Project and $6,700 from the Capital Repair and Replacement Reserve.

7. Park Lane Reservoir Main Line Replacement
   

Following discussion, a motion was made by Director Puddicombe, seconded by Director Bachman and unanimously carried to postpone the installation of 1,000 feet of new pipeline at 809 Park Lane until June 1, 2002 subject to the conditions mentioned in the staff recommendation; to appropriate $215,000 from the 1998A Bond for pipeline construction; and to grant the MWD Operations Committee final approval on the authorization to proceed with the work subject to the receipt of reasonable bids and the need to complete this project to mitigate possible impacts caused by the removal of the Ortega Reservoir from service in 2002.

8. proposed agreement with cvwd to reimburse mwd for ortega cover project expenses

After discussion, a motion was made by Director Drewry, seconded by Director Puddicombe and unanimously carried to reaffirm the agreement with CVWD for CVWD’s cost share of the Ortega Cover Project expenses as presented.

9. status of FY 2001-02 mwd/mfpd joint fire hydrant replacement program

Engineering Manager Mosby updated the Board of Directors on the status of the MWD/MFPD Joint Fire Hydrant Replacement Program.

Director Wilson presented the Finance Committee’s recommendation of a 2.5% increase in water rates and his service charge increase recommendation. Director Drewry presented the alternate service charge increase recommendation. After Board discussion, a motion was made by Director Drewry, seconded by Director Puddicombe to approve a 2.5% increase in water rates, except the commercial rates, and unanimously carried. A motion that the service charge be increased by 10% was made by Director Drewry, seconded by Director Bachman and carried, with Director Wilson dissenting. A motion was made by Director Drewry, seconded by Director Bachman, to approve MWD Resolution No. 1926 as amended to reflect the 10% service charge increase. A roll call vote was taken:

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

1. CACHUMA CONSERVATION RELEASE BOARD MEETING OF october 22, 2001

President Abel called the Board’s attention to the CCRB monthly technical issues report and pending legal issues report provided in the MWD Board packet.

2. cachuma operation and maintenance board meeting of october 22, 2001

President Abel reported on the subject meeting. An ad hoc committee has been formed to explore options regarding the proposed new COMB office building. The COMB Board discussed security of COMB facilities and directed COMB Manager Robert Wignot to meet with member unit managers and prepare a joint recommendation as appropriate.

3. CENTRAL COAST WATER AUTHORITY BOARD MEETING OF october 25, 2001

Director Puddicombe reported that the CCWA has seen a substantial increase in medical insurance costs. The CCWA Board voted to absorb the increase.

4. SANTA BARBARA CHAPTER/CALIFORNIA SPECIAL DISTRICTS ASSOCIATION MEETING OF october 2001
   

Director Wilson reported on the annual meeting.

5. Santa BArbara Water Purveyors Agencies Meeting of october 2001

Director Wilson reported on the meeting, presented the SBWPA’s Auditor’s Report and Financial Statements for FY 2000/01 and briefed the Board regarding the SBWPA’s proposed name change.

6. ACWA region 5 MEETING, SEPTEMBER 30–october 1, 2001, aptos, ca
   

President Abel called the Board’s attention to the ACWA Region 5 materials presented in the Board packet. She noted that the ACWA reception for ACWA’s new president, Bette Boatman, that MWD has been invited to during the 2001 Fall Conference will give MWD Board members a chance to meet new ACWA Board members.

1. operations committee

Director Puddicombe had nothing further to report on the activities of the Operations Committee.

2. FINANCE COMMITTEE

Director Wilson had nothing further to report on the activities of the Finance Committee.

3. PUBLIC INFORMATION COMMITTEE

President Abel directed the Board’s attention to copies of the Santa Barbara Chapter of the California Special Districts’ Association newsletter, the November 5 edition of the ACWA News, and a copy of the Fall 2001 MWD Newsletter.

Director Bachman reported on the status of MWD conjunctive groundwater use activities, with regard to Goleta Water District and Carpinteria Valley Water District.

Mr. Adjarian briefly updated the Board on the status of San Ysidro Road Main Replacement project and annual maintenance activities at the Fox/Alder Creek diversions.

Mr. Adjarian reported that Padre, Inc. is approaching 75% completion on the Phase 1 Design of the Ortega Upgrade Project. Staff and District consultants will be making a presentation to the Summerland Architectural Review Board on Tuesday, November 27.

Mr. Adjarian updated the Board on continuing MWD security issues and activities.

No agenda items were requested.

There being no further business to come before the MWD Board of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.