MINUTES OF THE MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE

LOS TRANCOS COUNTY WATER DISTRICT

 

July 20, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 7:30PM, at the home of Perry Blackmon 25 Joaquin Road, Portola Valley, California.

ROLL CALL:

President Smernoff, Directors Krenz, Miller, Gage and Blackmon. Also present was Toni Markley, Former District Secretary-Auditor.

MINUTES:

The June 1 Minutes were reviewed and approved unanimously following a motion by Director Gage.

AUDITOR’S REPORTS:

The Auditor’s Report for June was reviewed. Director Gage indicated that he would be attempting a reconciliation of funds the County says it has sent to the District’s account at Union Bank vs What Union Bank says it received.

Director Smernoff indicated that he would attempt to find a higher interest rate for the $86,000 CD currently on deposit with Union Bank. The CD is about to come due.

The auditors report was approved following a motion by Director Gage.

LAFCO SPHERE OF INFLUENCE REVIEW:

Board President Smernoff indicated that he had not as yet received from the county a draft copy the Sphere of Influence Review findings. Given that we are not scheduled to have a meeting prior to LAFCo’s still scheduled Aug 16 review of this draft, it was decided that we should request a continuation of the matter to the next regularly scheduled LAFCo meeting. Director Smernoff indicated he would contact Martha Poyatos to make the request.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:

Directors Blackmon and Miller indicated that they had taken several preliminary steps to define the mission and structure to this committee in formation:

1. They’d contacted Los Trancos Woods Emergency preparedness coordinator Arthur Nielsen and his Vista Verde colleague, Bill Tag. Both indicated that they’d like to work with the board to improve the community’s efforts in this area.
2. Spoken with Denise Enea, Fire Marshal for the Woodside Fire Protection District. She indicated she was receptive to working with the District to increase the neighborhoods preparedness. She was particularly interested in a gravity flow fed hydrant fed by the lake to provide a local source of water for its trucks.
3. They’d spoken with an East Bay firm that manages lakes and small ponds for a variety of customers. This firm indicated that if it was desired, they could control algae growth and could treat the lakes water’s in such a way that it would be safe for drinking.

WATER CONSERVATION:

Director Gage indicated that he would be rescheduling a public subcommittee meeting on Water Conservation for some time after Labor Day. He summarized a range of opportunities for programs in this area:

1. Indoor – Biggest savings are possible with more efficient toilets and washing machines
1. Toilets – current standard in "efficient" lavatories is 1.6 Gallons per flush, but 1 gal / flush units are now available
2. Washing Machines. "Tier 1" units use 9.5 gallons/cu-ft of wash. Newer units, "Tier 2" use 5.5 Gallons per cu-ft. Older washing machines typically use 20 gallons per cu-ft of wash.
3. Shower heads – 1.5 Gallons per minute heads are to be assessed by the District to see if they provide a satisfying shower experience.
4. Dish washers – Typically use 7 – 12 gallons per wash. Newer units require 3.5 – 6 . Hand washing a comparable amount could easily use 20 gallons.
2. Outdoor
1. Landscape selection
1. "Xeriscape – requires no water
2. Native plants - These require some watering typically, at least to get established. Plants in this category offer a wide variety for the landscape designer and modest irrigation needs.
3. Non native – grass areas in particular require large amounts of water
2. Irrigation methods
1. Hand watering – typically very inefficient and time consuming.
2. Simple timers on irrigation systems – better, but such systems don’t compensate for decreased water need during cooler weather.
3. Evapotranspirational controllers aka "ET Controllers" – developed by golf course water managers, these systems are now available for home use and vary watering amounts based on sensors that determine landscaping’s need for water as temperature and humidity vary through a season. It was reported that these controllers, in golf course applications are typically 70% - 80% efficient in water use. Typical home irrigation systems are often as low as 30% - 50% efficient.

Director Gage indicated that it would be the mission of the Water conservation committee to investigate the above conservation methodologies and make recommendations to the Board for as to how it could create incentives for the residents to adopt a selection of the approaches.

After discussion by the board, it was decided we would create and staff a water conservation booth at the upcoming community association picnics. District Resident Mike Ward volunteered to take the lead on this effort.

DISTRICT LANDS

Directors Smernoff and Krenz reported they had made contact with two organizations they felt could assist the District in its efforts to restore the District’s lands:

1. Thomas Reid and Associates – A proposal from this organization described how it could make a survey of the lands and assess the varying "environmental" health of the parcels. More specifically, they will make a professional determination as to where non-native invasive plants are particularly detrimental to ecosystem health and determine where native habitats are part particularly sensitive. Additionally, they will advise the District on how any modifications may trigger the varying levels of reviews as defined in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). These reviews can be costly and time consuming. Directors Krenz and Smernoff reported they would seek to minimize such expenditures.

A $3,500 proposal from Thomas Reid for a $2,500 survey and $1,000 worth of CEQA consulting was approved unanimously by the board following a motion by President Smernoff.

2. Shelterbelt Builders – Representatives from this organization also toured the lands. Shelterbelt indicated they could provide non-native plant abatement as well as help the District organize volunteer work days. A proposal from this organization has been received from the District and is under review by Directors Krenz and Smernoff.

RETIREMENT OF DISTRICT SECRETARY TONI MARKLEY

In grateful recognition of her 32 years of service, the board funded a 2 night stay at a nearby coastal bed and breakfast. Director Gage recounted numerous situations where Ms Markley’s insights recommendations had benefited the District.

OTHER

Director Smernoff reported that Camas Steinmetz had left the District’s law firm, Jorgenson, Siegel, McClure & Flegel.

NEXT MEETING

Sept 7, 7:30 PM 25 Joaquin Rd.