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Posted by: Victor_Claveau on 02/25/2009 04:03 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 02/26/2009 06:21 PM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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"Victor's Minutes".....Recap of the Calaveras County Water District Meeting for February 25, 2009~by Victor Claveau
San Andreas, CA....A lengthy, slightly contentious CCWD meeting was held in San Andreas this morning. Trinitas Public Comment started the meeting off. Check out the current reservoir capacities.....
CCWD Board of Directors
Meeting called to order at 9 am.
Board Members present”
Robert Dean, President
Phil McCartney, Vice President
Ed Rich, Director
Bertha Underhill, Director
Jeff Davidson, Director
Public Comments:
Mr. D. Rusk spoke about County Planning Commission’s meeting on the Trinitas Project. There were 39 public comments in favor of the project and they were limited to the allotted time period. There were 21 public comments opposed the project and these people were allowed an exceptionally long time to comment. He suggested that there was a commission bias towards those commenting against the project.
Mr. Lew Mayhew commended the CCWD for taking a neutral position concerning the Trinitas Project, which he considered as the appropriate public policy.
New Business:
Item: 3e. Discussion / Action regarding Board Guidance for Fiscal Year 2009/10 Budget. (Jeffrey Meyer, Finance Director).
Meyer discussed the mid-year projection of a $2 million shortfall for the 2009/10. After reviewing budget options with the finance committee, the recommendation was to achieve a balanced budget without going into the reserve. He reviewed the State budget and some of the basic economic indicators which indicate a slow economy for the remainder of this calendar year and possibly into 2010. The Federal Stimulus package is counter to the State budget package as the federal program will cut down the tax rate and will help the economy, but the State will be increasing taxes, so one will counter the other. That leaves the State with only the Stimulus package to address facilities and infrastructure. At present, there is no way of knowing if the Stimulus Package will benefit the county. Many State-wide agencies will be vying for the Stimulus funds. Meyer estimates that there will be an economic slow-down for the next year or two. The State may end up seeking CCWD property tax revenues.
A budget process is in place wherein each department was given specific targets which will reduce the overall budget by approximately 15%. These budgets are due Friday March 6th. These will be reviewed by the staff, presented to the General Manager, submitted to the financial committee for review, and finally sent to the board for action.
Motion: Recommended action to direct staff to prepare the fiscal year 2009/10 operating budget with no operating deficit and no backfill from reserves.
Vote: 5-0
Item 3b. Discussion / Action regarding current Reservoir and Water Supply Status (Ed Pattison, Water Resources Manager).
Pattison delivered an in-depth power-point presentation on the state of water resources, which included the full capacity and present capacity of each of the State Reservoirs. As of February 9, 2009, the State’s reservoirs are at approximately 40% of capacity. The next report will show an increase due to the recent rains.
Local Reservoir Storage:
Reservoir Capacity in Thousand Acre Feet Acre Feet % of Capacity
New Hogan 317.1 82.1 25.9
Pardee 197.9 171.1 86.5
Camanche 417.1 147.9 35.5
New Spicer 190.0 67.2 35.4
New Melones 2420.0 1173.7 48.5
The entire presentation can be found on the CCWD website: www.ccwd.org under the presentations heading.
Item 3c. Discussion / Action regarding Water Demand Management Programs (David Andres, General Manager / Ed Pattison).
The State has mandated a 20% reduction in water usage by the year 2020.
48% of water usage goes to the environment; 42% to agriculture; and 10% to urban usage.
A lengthy discussion on water conservation followed where-in a new “Demand Approach” was outlined by Ed Pattison.
A new approach is necessitated by:
3rd potential year of drought
Low reservoir storage levels
Bay-Delta Issues
Regulatory requirements
Water rights conditions
Climate change
Public perception
Avoided utility costs
Demand management is a system that looks at water conservation from a wider perspective; a complete system approach, not just the end user and what they can do to save water, but for the entire district to evaluate how water can be used more efficiently from the source to the consumer. Approximately 30% of the district water is unaccounted for, which may mean lost revenue. “We must promote efficient use of water system-wide.”
The entire presentation can be found on the CCWD website: www.ccwd.org under the presentations heading.
Staff Recommendations:
Conservation budget approval of $30,000. For:
Maintaining CUWCC membership
Submit annual Best management program reports
Improve public outreach / update website
Continue School Education
Developing a Water Audit Program
Developing a high efficiency appliance program
Consider end user meter replacement program
Consider Master Metering Strategic Pressure Zones to detect leaks.
Certified auditors to evaluate landscaping.
Motion: To reallocate $30,000.00 to fund these recommendations.
Vote: 5-0
Item 3a. Discussion/ Action regarding the Renewal of Contract with Carmen Group, Legislative Advocates in Washington, D.C. (David Andres, General Manager).
The Carmen Group are lobbyists for CCWD since March 2003. They are paid $6,000.00 per month to represent the interests of the CCWD in Washington, D.C.
Due to the efforts of the Carmen Group, the District’s Cosgrove Creek Flood Control Project was included as a project of interest in the final conference approved Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 and will receive funds under the Section 205 program.
Three options were proposed:
1. Continue with the present contract arrangement.
2. Possibly join with county on a 50/50 arrangement, which would cost CCWD $5,000.00 per month.
3. A reduced service contract of $7,500.00 that would service CCWD and the county.
After discussion, motion was made to continue the present arrangement.
Vote 3-2 (Ed Rich and Bob Dean dissenting).
Item 3d. Discussing / Action regarding cancellation of Special Board Meeting of March 25, 2009. (David Andres, General Manager).
Andres stated that the meeting was no longer necessary.
Vote to cancel: 5-0
Meeting adjourned 12:25 pm.
Victor Claveau, victor@thepinetree.net
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