AGENDA
SPECIAL
MEETING
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
INDIAN
VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT
TUESDAY
APRIL
24, 2007
5:30
PM
CSD
OFFICE
IVCSD Board Chair, Mike Yost will be attending the meeting
by teleconference from
6:30 P.M.
CIVIC CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM
a. Walter Filtration Plant
b. Amendment of SRF application
7.
a. Announcement of closed session action.
b. Resolution to give Interim General Manager power to negotiate offer
8. Adjournment
Minutes to Follow:
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
INDIAN
VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTRICT
Held April 24,
2007 at 6:30 p.m.
At the CSD
Conference Room
Greenville, CA
a. Sale of Ann St. Office
Building
Vice-Chairperson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Clerk Lawson called the roll. Vice-Chairperson Little, and Directors Schramel and Smith answered the roll call. Chairperson Yost answered the roll call via speakerphone. Director Yocum was absent. Also present were Tonu Plakk, David Keller, Brien Walters, and Fred Fahlen.
Director Schramel moved to adopt the agenda. Director Smith seconded. David Keller commented that with a teleconference in progress, a roll call vote must be taken. Clerk Lawson called the roll. All present Board members voted Aye, and the agenda was adopted as written.
Vice-Chairperson Little noted a spelling error under Director’s Reports of the last name Sheehan, and a correction to the last name DeSpain on page 3. It was also noted that DHS stands for the Department of Health Services, not District Health Services. Director Smith motioned to accept the minutes, and Director Schramel seconded. A roll call vote was taken. All present Board members voted Aye, and the minutes of the regular meeting of April 11, 2007 were approved with correction.
Suzanne Hamar wished to discuss the lifting of the hiring freeze. Vice-Chairperson Little stated that it was not on the agenda and would not be discussed at this meeting. Ms. Hamar asked if there is a job description for the opening position. Vice-Chairperson Little stated that the Board would respond at the next meeting when the issue is on the agenda.
a.
Walter Filtration Plant
Brien Walters stated that his recommendation is to fix the old plant. Mr. Walters suggested: 1. Fix the plant.
2. Fix the leaks.
3. Get additional storage.
Mr. Walters introduced his water treatment plant engineer, Fred Fahlen. Mr. Fahlen stated that the least cost alternative is to install a roughing filter. However, the Health Department prefers a membrane plant. Mr. Fahlen pointed out that the district couldn’t afford either. He commented that to follow through with Mr. Walters’ complete suggestion would cost between $3-$5 million, which would double the water rates, and he understood that the Board would not support increasing the water rates. Mr. Fahlen suggested that the Board submit the SRF application, giving the State what they want, and point out that there is a lesser-cost alternative, the roughing filter. Mr. Fahlen stated that his experience with the State has been that processing applications can take a long time. Therefore if the Board submits the application it will buy time until a permanent decision needs to be made, and the State will take no further enforcement action against the district. In the meantime, Mr. Fahlen suggests setting a goal and fixing leaks, out of the present budget. Mr. Fahlen spent some time at the plant, and did not think it was that bad. He encouraged the operators to try using both filters at the same time during the winter months.
Jim Urchison inquired about the new regulations in 2015, and asked if both systems would meet the new requirements. Mr. Fahlen stated that a membrane certainly would, and the roughing filter probably would, but may need disinfections, costing about $100,000.
Director Schramel asked if the application is submitted if the district can continue to supply water even though they are still out of compliance with the State. Mr. Fahlen pointed out that the current plant has in-line filtration which was approved by the Health Department three or four years ago, but now is not accepted. His understanding is that the in-line filter is out of compliance with the current laws, but the water is safe except after a rain when the turbidity goes up.
Suzanne Hamar suggested finding ground water to put in wells. Mr. Fahlen stated that this could be a possibility, and Mr. Walters referred Ms. Hamar to the appendix on ground water.
Mr. Fahlen pointed out that Buckeye Spring crosses the raw water line, and that an alternative may be to use the spring water and operate the plant at a lower rate. Director Schramel commented that the turbidity occurs below the dam. Mr. Urchison agreed and stated that only fifty gallons of water a minute could be pumped.
Jerry Holcomb asked if the roughing filter is something the Health Department doesn’t like, or won’t accept. Mr. Fahlen responded that the Health Department doesn’t like the roughing filter, they would prefer the membrane plant, and therefore, by going against the Health Department’s suggestion, an obstacle is created. He also pointed out that if the Board chooses to go with the roughing filter, a pilot study needs to be done. Mr. Fahlen cautioned going against the Health Department’s request.
David Keller stated that a full year pilot study would need to be done under real conditions. Mr. Walters wanted to confirm this with Mike Macnamara before the next meeting.
Keri Stoner asked how long it would take to hear back from the State after submitting the application. Mr. Fahlen said at the very soonest, six months, but that it would probably take a lot longer. He estimated the membrane plant to be a 5 to 10 year process. Mr. Fahlen added that the Health Department would make the protocol for the pilot study so onerous and expensive, that it would be very difficult for the district to pursue.
Lanis Lebaron asked if the State looks at leaks, etc., or if they only look at the water treatment plant. Mr. Fahlen replied that the State usually does look at all aspects of the water system but that they give the money to the highest priority.
Mr. Keller commented that the State is aware that the community is at a disadvantage but that they are only willing to grant fund the membrane system. He stated that the Community Development’s goal is to find additional grant funds to make this entirely grant funded project.
Keri Stoner asked how much the pilot study would cost. Mr. Fahlen estimated it to be at least $50,000.
Pete McAtee voiced his frustration that the State allowed the district to put in the in line system two-and-a-half years ago and is now not approving it. He understood that it has only been running since November. Jim Urchison commented that the system has been online for two years and also does not know why the State allowed it. Vice-Chairperson Little shared Mr. McAtee’s frustration. Ms. Hamar asked if it’s true that the current system was never completed. Mr. Walters stated this is correct, and that the design was not completed.
Sharon Streker asked if the district pursues the membrane system, which will take years to complete, and the current system is not finished, will the community continue to get boil water notices for the next eight to ten years? Mr. Keller approximated a shorter time frame of two to three years.
Vice-Chairperson Little closed the discussion to the public. She asked General Manager Moore for her understanding of possibilities in addition to grant funding. Mrs. Moore stated that the cost of the SRF is a factor, it looks favorable to receive $1 million from grant funding, and Rural Development would provide the match. Mr. Keller pointed out that Indian Health Services might also be another source of funding.
Director Schramel asked what would happen if the district relies on a determined amount of grant money if the cost escalates as time goes by. Mr. Keller commented that cost could go down as technology becomes more prevalent. Mr. Walters did not believe that the total estimate would drop. He also estimates a higher cost, closer to $3 million.
Vice-Chairperson Little asked Mr. Walters if he would continue to support the district if the Board decides to go with the membrane system. He stated that yes, he would.
Director Schramel voiced his concern that in the future the Health Department may decide that the membrane system is no good.
Chairperson Yost commented that Mr. Walters provides a compelling argument, however the State recommends the membrane system and is willing to fund it, and the membrane has been found to be the safest in terms of water quality. He also understands that the Board has the opportunity to back off if other funding is not available.
Vice-Chairperson Little stated her primary concern is the health and safety of the water, and pointed out that if the SRF application is not completed, that the district will be out of the funding cycle for one year.
Director Smith motioned to submit the SRF application. Director Schramel seconded. A roll call vote was taken. All present Board members voted Aye, and the motion carried.
Vice-Chairperson Little gave her thanks and appreciation to everyone’s hard work.
Ms. Hamar asked if the Board is going to disregard fixing the current system. Vice-Chairperson Little replied no, not at all.
b.
Amendment of SRF application
a.
Announcement of closed session action
Vice-Chairperson Little stated that in the closed session an offer and counter offer was made, and that the sale is still in negotiations.
b. Resolution to give Interim General Manager power to negotiate offer
Vice-Chairperson Little reported that Bret Cook put in an offer for the Ann St. building. The Board negotiated the sale of the building for $95,000, and signed tentative paperwork. General Manager Moore stated that escrow is set to close May 8, 2007, and that the money will go into a general fund.
Director Schramel moved to adopt the resolution. Chairperson Yost seconded. Director Schramel read the resolution aloud. A roll call vote was taken. All present Board members voted Aye, and the motion carried.
Chairperson Yost moved to adjourn the meeting. Director Schramel seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:00p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anna Lawson
Board Clerk