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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD MINUTES 09-01-55 1..33 MINUTES OP A RB;ULAR MEETING OP THE DISTRICT BOARD CENTRAL CON1RA COS'm SANITARY DI S1RICT HELD SEPTEMBER 1, L955 '-ì The District Board of Central Contra Costa Sanitary District convened in a Regular Session at its regular place of meeting located at 1822 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, City of Walnut Creek, County of Contra Costa, State of California, on September 1,1955, at 8:00 o'clock P.M. The meeting was called to order by President Roemer. I. ROLL <:'ALL PRESENT: Members: Mitchell, Spieg1, Sa1fingere and Roemer ABSENT: Member: Fisher. II. APPROVAL OP MINUTES The Minutes of the meeting of August 25, 1955, were approved subject to correction of Member Mitchell's statement regarding his vote on retaining the 60ç tax rate, as follows: 1955-56 TAX RATE REVIEW BECAUSE OF STATE BOARD OP EQUALIZATION ACTION ~ember Mitchell stated that, based on Mr. Crosno's opinion of questionable validity of assessment increase and requirement to set a tax rate rather than a budget figure, which might possibly leave the District short of funds, and because of the summary statement of immediate financial needs by the District Engineer, he would vote Aye, but that the tax rate should be lowered in future years to compensate for ,the high tax rate this year." r-. III. APPROVAL OP BIlLS It was moved by Member Mitche11,- seconded by Member Salfingere, that the bills as audited by the Auditing Committee and as submitted by the District Manager be approved, reference being specifically made to Sewer Construction Vouchers Numbers 523 to 542, inclusive, and Running Expense Vouchers Numbers 10,369 to 10,519, inclusive. Carried by the following vote: AYES: NOES : ABSENT: Members: Members: Member: Mitchell, Spieg1, Salfingere and Roemer None Fisher IV. HEARINGS None. V. OLD BUSINBSS None. VI. REPORTS DISTRICT MANAGER AU1HORIZATION FOR TPMPœARY TRANSPPR OP $50,000.00 PRQ.1 SEWm. CONS1RUCTION FUNDS ro RUNNING EXPDlSE FUND It was moved by Member Spieg1, seconded by Member Mitchell, that $50,000.00 be temporarily transferred from Sewer Construction Funds to Running Bxpense Fund until 1955-56 tax monies are received, at which time the $50,000.00 will be returned. Carried by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Members: Members: Member: Mitchell, Spieg1, Salfingere and Roemer None Fisher 09 01 55 134 ADOPTION OF PLANS t SPECIFICATIONS t AND WAGE SCALE AND DIRECTING NOTICE TO BIDDERS FOR ORINDA PUMPING STATIONS EXPANSION - 1955 It was moved by Member Salfingere, seconded by Member Spieg1, that the plans, specifications and wage scale be adopted for the installation of the Orinda Pumps and the Secretary be authorized to call for bids on September 15, 1955; the estimated cost of $10,000.00 authorized from Sewer Construction Funds. Carried by the following vote: AYBS: NOE.S: ABSENT : Members: Mi tche11, Spieg1 t Sal f ingere and Roemer Members: None Member: Fisher i "---" OOUNSEL FOO THE DI STRICT STA1US OF LOCAL IMPROVItotENT DISTRICT NO. 30 LITIGATION Mr. Nejed1y, Counsel for the District, reported on the present status of the Local Improvement District No. 30 litigation. VII. NDJ BUSINBSS . REQUESf FOR ANNEXATION UNDER ORDINANCE 24, BETTENOOURT PROPERTY. DANVILLE Member Mitchell stated that he was not satisfied with authorizing the annexation, as presented, because the Danvi11e sewer line was planned to serve an estimated 16,000 homes in the area, which was an average of approximately two homes to an acre; that plans for the division of the pIOperty should be submitted and they should oonfor~ to th~ planning for the County; that, because sewers are available, encouragement should not be given to smaller lots resulting in a burden on the sewer system because of the higher density. Other members of the Board agreed in principle but questioned the authority of the Board to act in any m~tters concerning lot sizes. After discussion, it was moved by Member Salfingere, seconded by Member Spieg1, that the Bettencourt property. for which terms had previously been established, be annexed under Ordinance 24. Carried by the following vote: -~ AYES: NOES: ABSTAINING: ABSENT: Members: Members: Me~ber: Member: Spiegl, Salfingere and Roemer None Mitchell Fisher REQUEST FOR ANNEXATION t AMELIA GREENE PROPERTY It was moved by Member Mitchell, seconded by Member Salfingere, that terms for the annexing of the Amelia Greene property ~ $191.00 per acre plus $300.00 processing cost. Carried by the following vote: AYES: Members: NOES: Member: ABSBNT:Member: Mitchell, Salfingere and Roemer Spiegl Fisher ACCEPTANCE OF EASEMENT, A. HOWARD KEPLER It was moved by Member Mitchell, seconded by Member Salfingere, that the easement from A. Howard Kepler be accepted and its recording ordered. Carried by the following vote: AYES: Members: NOES: Members: ABS1NT: Member: Mitchell, Spiegl, Salfingere and Roemer None Fisher -~ MR. MC FARlAND. PLEASANT HILL. RELATIVE TO 1955-56 TAX RATB Mr. McFarland, Chairman of the Pleasant Hill Civic Council, reviewed the action of the State Board of Equalization in increasing the assessed valuation 35 per cent for other than the utility roll and stated that the action of the District Board in maintaining the 60ç rate was detrimental to the public good and would affect the District's public relations adversely. - 09 01 55 1.35 He stated that other Districts are in need of funds and that good administrators should get along on what they have. He requested that the additional funds received be set aside for a reduction in the tax rate for 1956-57. ~ Mr. Harry Morrison, Executive Secretary of the Contra Costa County Tax- payers' Association, stated that he endorsed the stand of Mr. McFarland. and also stated that letters were sent to various Districts in the County and to the Board of Supervisors, at the time of the State Board of Equalization's action, asking that the Districts and Board of Supervisors not take advantage of the increase in assessed valuation and requesting a- reduction in the tax rate. He further stated that all Districts are in need of funds and would spend them if they.had them and asked that the Board consider favorably the setting aside of the"fùnds for lowering the tax rate next year. Leslie Carbert, Chairman of the Budget Committee of the Taxpayers' Association, expressed his disappointment in the action of the Board, stating that information was not available in the District's budget concerning the use of the funds. Mr. Gilman, of the Pleasant Hill Civic Council, stated that the Board had a responsibility and moral obligation to the taxpayers and the action of the Board was an indication" of bad faith. President Roemer stated that he was sorry that those present were not at the last meeting of the Board when the problem was thoroughly considered. He referred to the District files in which there is a great deal of correspondence from various County and State bodies insisting that the deficiencies of the District system be corrected. ,........ He also referred to meetings with these bodies and the District's inability to make promises due to the lack of funds and the threat of the East Bay Municipal Utility District to remove the San Pablo Dam Reservoir from service ~d bring suit against the Sanitary District. Mr. McFarland stated that he felt the urgency was not present and that the District would not be criticized by other agencies if the funds were not taken . Member Spiegl referred to the threat of the State and County officials to bring action if all available funds were not taken and spent. He also pointed out that, after the failure of the last bond issue, it was necessary to resort to a connection fee to show good faith on the part of the District in obtaining funds for system deficiencies. President Roemer stated that, if funds were not taken, the Board would be derelict in its duty to the taxpayers. Mr. Morrison suggested that the Board consider employing a management consultant firm to develop a budget procedure and more explicit information. Member Salfingere stated that the consulting Hnn of Brown and Caldwell has stated that the plans for District expansion, as outlined by Mr. Horstkotte, are for necessary expansion and that the District is already committed to the purchase of a new pump site in Orinda so that Brown and Caldwell can proceed with their design. He suggested that Mr. Horstkotte prepare an outline showing for what the available funds are needed which can be used as a press release and sent to various organizations. It was moved by Member Mitchell that the Board will make a maximum effort to reduce the tax rate and establish a reasonable capital fund based on the tax revenue on a yearly basis. Failed for lack of a second. 09 01 55 --------- 13G It was moved by Member Spieg1 that the Board resolve that its present intention is not to use the increased assessment funds except as it may be necessàry for needed capital improvement. Failed for lack of a second. i.BTl'ER FROM C. J. HERMAN RB CDNSTRUCTION IN LOCAL IMPROVDdBIT DISTIUCT NO. 30 Letter from Mr. Herman was read, and the Board directed President Roemer to reply. VIII. ADJOURNMENT At 10:45 o'clock P.M., the meeting was adjourned by President Roemer to September 15, 1955. .......... Pr sident the District Board of Central C ntra Costa Sanitary District of Contra Costa County, State of Ca1iforniå <X>UNTBRSIGNBD: ~~-~ Secretary of the District Board of Central,Contra Costa Sanitary District of Contra Costa County, State of California ~ ....... - ~. 09 Õl 55