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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD MINUTES 03-25-93 (2) 70 MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF THE DISTRICT BOARD OF THE CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT HELD ON MARCH 25, 1993 The District Board of the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District convened in an adjourned regular session for a joint meeting with the Sanitation and Water Agencies of Contra Costa County at 6:30 p.m. at the Velvet Turtle, 100 Chilpancingo Parkway, Pleasant Hill, County of Contra Costa, State of California. The Secretary of the District noted the attendance of the following Board Members. PRESENT: Members: Menesini, Dalton, Rainey ABSENT: Members: Hockett, Clausen Members Hockett and Clausen had previously advised staff that they would be unable to attend this meeting and had requested that they be excused. 1. INTRODUCTIONS Chair Menesini welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Sanitation and Water Agencies of Contra Costa County. The representatives of each agency and members of the public attending the meeting introduced themselves. Mr. Ken Crockett announced that Oakley Water District's name will soon be changed to Diablo Water District. 2. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 29.1993 MINUTES There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of the January 29, 1993 meeting of the Sanitation and Water Agencies of Contra Costa County were approved as mailed. 3. PRESENTATION ON PG&E ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM FOCUSING ON COMPLIANCE AND WATER ISSUES IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Chair Menesini introduced Dr. Vic Furtado, Environmental Manager for Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). Dr. Furtado stated that PG&E's environmental goal is to improve the quality of the environment by leading efforts to increase energy efficiency, develop environmentally preferred technologies, and expand the use of clean fuels, and by conducting all aspects of PG&E's business in an environmentally sensitive manner. Dr. Furtado stated that at the same time PG&E pùblished its corporate environmental goal, it published a commitment to environmental quality. Efforts were focused in seven areas: 03 1 ) Encourage customers to use less energy, holding customers' energy costs down while reducing the impact of energy use on the environment; 2) Development of an electric resource plan placing primary reliance on energy conservation and efficiency, thus reducing growth in energy use and avoiding the need for major new power plants in this decade; 3) Increase employee involvement in environmental programs such as recycling of paper and scrap metal, car pooling, use of public transportation, and increased use of environmentally preferred materials in the company; 4) Promote environmental management by complying both with the letter of and the spirit of the law, auditing environmental performance, making environmental factors an integral part of decisions, and reducing residential pollution; 5) Promote the use of clean fuels and support development of clean fuel technologies; . 6) Improve air quality by development a clean air vehicles program, including development of electric vehicles; and 25 93 71 7) Natural resource stewardship, by protecting the land, water, wildlife and timber resources and providing opportunities for recreational use of these natural resources. Dr. Furtado stated that although PG&E has this commitment to improving the quality of the environment, it does not mean there are n.o problems. PG&E is working to address possible problems resulting from burning oil a small percentage of the time, compliance with the Proposition 65 requirement to advise the public relative to carcinogens, cleanup of hazardous waste sites, reduction in the amount of hazardous waste produced, and protection of fisheries. PG&E has once through water in its facilities. That is, the water that comes into a facility goes out; however, it is warm when it goes out. PG&E has worked for years to reduce the thermal impact on the fish. These issues are considered in determining the long-term economic viability of PG&E plants. Approximately $50 million a year is spent for compliance programs, or about one half of one percent of revenues. A lot of these programs are done by choice and a lot are done because the law requires them. They are a necessary part of PG&E's business. It is PG&E's belief that improving environmental quality is both good social policy and sound business. Discussion followed concerning the issue of electrical and magnetic field and impact on human health, studies on the incidence of cancer, hazardous waste byproducts of geysers, and effectiveness and cost of wind generation. Chair Menesini thanked Dr. Furtado for his interesting and informative presentation. 4. FISCAL UNITY COMMITTEE Ms. Susan McNulty Rainey, of Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, stated that when the Sanitation and Water Agencies of Contra Costa County group was formed, it was with the intent to bring agencies with common interests together to share information and resources in an effort to save money for the ratepayers. The Fiscal Unity Committee has similar goals. The Fiscal Unity Committee was formed by Supervisor Tom Torlakson and Walnut Creek City Councilmember Gwen Regalia about two years ago. The Fiscal Unity Committee includes representation from cities, counties, and special districts. The Fiscal Unity Committee has been working to identify ways in which agencies with common concerns can work together to the benefit of the ratepayers. At the January 1993 Fiscal Unity Summit, the majority of the people in attendance were in favor of the ongoing program and endorsed adoption of a model resolution supporting the Legislative program addressing local government financing, a copy of which was distributed. Ms. Rainey read the model resolution and encouraged those present to calendar the resolution for adoption by their local water and sanitary district boards. Copies of adopted resolution should be forwarded to Ms. Rainey at Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, 5019 Imhoff Place, Martinez, CA 94553 or Ms. Gwen Regalia, City of Walnut Creek, P. O. Box 8039, Walnut Creek, CA 94596. 5. CORRESPONDENCE a. RECEIVE LETTERS FROM MR. TOM TORLAKSON. CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. CONCERNING BUDGET SHORTFALLS AND LOSS OF AB 8 PROPERTY TAX Receipt of the letters from Mr. Tom Torlakson, Chair of the Board of Supervisors, concerning budget shortfalls and loss of AB 8 property tax, were noted. Mr. Roger Dolan, of Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, expressed concern with the impled suggestion that some special districts should deplete capital reserves to pay for operations and maintenance activities. In the discussion that followed, Chair Menesini suggested that the Sanitation and Water Agencies members form a united front on these issues, cooperating on public information related to budget shortfalls and loss of revenues, and exploring programs that might lesson the impact of raiding the agencies' various budgets. Following discussion, it was moved by Mr. Roger Dolan, of Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, and seconded by Mr. Bob Beebe, of Dublin San Ramon Services District, that a letter be drafted for Chair Menesini's signature opposing the notion of depleting reserves accrued for the purpose of building future capital facilities, and opposing the use of those 03 25 93 72 reserves for short term operations expenses. There being no objection, the motion was unanimously approved. 6. CONTRA COSTA SOLtD WAStf..AUll:IQBJTY UPDATE Ms. Rainey, of Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, reported that after three years, the Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority (CCSW A) has progressed to the point that Contra Costa County is willing to work with the CCSWA on a contractual basis for a period of three to five years with review after the first six months. The hope is that the County might become a participating member. All of the agencies, cities, and sanitary districts involved in franchising the collection of solid waste currently have a resolution before them for approval of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CCSWA and the County. The County has already approved the MOU. CCSWA members are very excited about the progress that has been made; although as with any political document, it is not perfect. CCSWA members are very hopeful that having all the agencies dealing with solid waste at the same table will eventually translate to lowering bills for ratepayers. Chair Menesini thanked Ms. Rainey for the update. 7. INDUSTRIAL WATER CONSERVATION Mr. Rod Butler, of Crockett Valona Sanitary District, stated that Mr. Bob Devengenzo will be making a presentation on industrial water conservation as it relates to evaporative condensers or cooling towers. Mr. Butler described the operation of a cooling tower. He claimed that this is the single most correctable water wasting device used in our culture. Approximately 100,000 gallons of water a day is used in one tower. A new system has been designed that allows cooling towers to operate in a much more efficient way. Mr. Butler introduced Mr. Bob Devengenzo, creator of the new industrial water conservation system. Mr. Devengenzo thanked the group for the opportunity to discuss the concept of water and energy conservation, stating that a new system has been developed that will allow cooling towers to oPÐrate without chemicals. The system has three major components: 1 ) 2) Physical treatment of water rather than chemical treatment; Use of highly technical filtration equipment that is capable of backwashing itself, conserving up to 80 percent of the water normally blown down through these cooling systems; and 3) The application of copper and silver into the water through a ion generator, keeping algae and bacteria from growing in the system. Mr. Devengenzo stated that some of the biggest water wasters are large commercial industrial users. This new cooling tower system will eliminate that waste and help conserve water and energy. Chair Menesini thanked Messrs. Butler and Devengenzo for their presentation. 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS None 9. DEVELOP AGENDA FOR MAY 27. 1993 MEETING It was suggested that Mr. Bob Baker, of Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, report on the status of the Central San Residential Metals Study and that Mr. Paul Morsen, of Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, provide an update on export of solid waste. Any other suggested agenda items should be submitted to Ms. Joyce Murphy at Central Contra Costa Sanitary District. 03 25 93 73 10. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chair Menesini adjourned the meeting at the hour of 8:00 p.m. Dinner was served immediately following the business meeting. Pre dent f the Board of Directors, Ce, ontra Costa Sanitary District, County of Contra Costa, State of California COUNTERSIGNED: Se~r a of the Central C tra Co ' Sanitary District, County of Contra Costa, State of California 03 25 93