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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD MINUTES 10-29-08MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL BOARD MEETING OF THE DISTRICT BOARD OF THE CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT HELD ON OCTOBER 29, 2008 The District Board of the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District convened in a special meeting at its regular place of meeting at the District Offices at 5019 Imhoff Place, Martinez, County of Contra Costa, State of California, at 2:00 p.m. on October 29, 2008. President Lucey called the meeting to order and requested that the Secretary call roll. 1. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Members: Hockett, McGill, Menesini, Nejedly, Lucey ABSENT: Members: None a. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Board and staff joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. 3. SUMMARY PRESENTATION OF RECYCLED WATER BRIEFING DOCUMENT Director of Engineering Ann Farrell presented an overview of the District's recycled water program. She stated that there are currently four water purveyors in the sewer service area: Contra Costa Water District (CCWD), East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), the City of Martinez, and Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD). Water supply planning for the City of Martinez is included in the CCWD's Urban Water Management Plan. DSRSD does not impact the District's potential recycled water plans. CCWD's and EBMUD's Urban Water Management Plans (UWMPs) indicate that they have adequate supply in wet years, and only experience shortages in severe or longer- term drought scenarios. Both agencies rely on water rationing during water shortages. CCWD also plans to purchase water from other agencies during water shortages. Ms. Farrell stated that the 1994 General Agreement with CCWD requires CCCSD to notify CCWD of a proposed project and provide a business plan. The agreement also requires offering CCWD the opportunity for joint planning and implementation of recycled water projects. The Agreement was last renewed in 2004, and can be terminated in 2009. The provisions within the Water Code may prohibit publicly-owned utilities from providing a similar water service to any land within a county water district that is subjected to the lien of a general obligation bonded indebtedness unless approved by the county water district's Board of Directors or unless a 2/3 vote is passed Book 58 -Page 103 Board Minutes of October 29, 2008 by voters within the area. This may apply to recycled water services so CCWD's permission may be required. Since EBMUD is not a county water district, these provisions do not apply within its jurisdiction. Ms. Farrell described the potential benefits and impacts of recycling wastewater, including the possibility, suggested by CCWD, that it may increase the salinity at CCWD's intake. She also described funding opportunities for recycled water projects, including grants and low interest loans. Associate Engineer Don Berger described the history of the District's Recycled Water Program, which really began in earnest in the 1990s. He stated that CCCSD currently produces about 40 MGD of secondary effluent that could be recycled. The District's current filter plant capacity (about 4 MGD) inhibits a significant expansion of the Recycled Water Program without capital improvements to the filtration system. Currently there are 30 recycled water customers and approximately 200 million gallons of recycled water are sold annually for landscape/irrigation and commercial uses. Users include the Contra Costa Country Club, Buchanan Fields Golf Course, and Diablo Valley College. He stated that rates are set at approximately 80 percent of the customer's competing water source, which is $2.75 per 1,000 gallons for customers previously on potable water, and $1.31 per 1,000 gallons for customers previously on canal or well water. An annual 3 percent increase is built into the District Code. Total capital expenditures on the Program since its inception in 1996 are $11 million. Annual revenue ranges from $250,000 - $300,000. The capital payback is expected to be approximately 100 years, after the operation and maintenance costs are covered. Director of Engineering Ann Farrell resumed her report. She described both small and large-scale projects, including the Moraga Country Club satellite treatment plant and the Naval Weapons Station development in Concord. She described the East County Power Plant Study, which evaluates potentially providing recycled water to power plants. A joint study is being undertaken with Delta Diablo Sanitation District, Ironhouse Sanitary District, CCWD, the Cities of Pittsburg and Antioch, PG&E and Mirant Power companies. The study is expected to be completed by March 2009. A study is also being conducted to evaluate the feasibility of constructing a power plant near the District's treatment plant. She added that staff and CCWD will be meeting with Shell and Tesoro refineries in November to discuss options for serving them with recycled water. She described the suggested next steps, which include developing updated cost and schedule information for serving the refineries, developing a Business Plan in accordance with the CCWD Agreement, and pursuing outside funding sources. General recommendations for the Program include working closely with the City of Concord on the Naval Weapons Station development; developing a Business Plan for a refinery project and presenting it to CCWD; continuing to implement smaller scale projects, where cost effective; and leaving Recycled Water funding flat for the current Capital Improvement Budget/Plan. Book 58 -Page 104 Board Minutes of October 29, 2008 4. DISCUSSION OF POLICY ISSUES RELATED TO EXPANDED RECYCLED WATER PROGRAM Board Members expressed support for the program. There was general frustration with the apparent lack of cooperation from CCWD, particularly in times of water shortage. Board Members discussed the provisions and term of the General Agreement with CCWD, and possible ways to move forward with developing recycled water projects. 5. RECEIVE BOARD DIRECTION The Board directed staff to bring a Position Paper to the Board on the General Agreement with Contra Costa Water District; to continue to add cost-effective users to Pleasant Hill Zone 1; to hire afederal/state lobbyist to help pursue funding and promote projects; to further develop the refinery and other large-scale projects; and to refine the District's legal efforts. 6. CLOSED SESSION The Board convened it 3:30 p.m. in closed session to confer with Legal Counsel - existing litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) -James L. Talada III and Melody LaBella vs. Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, et al., Civil Action No. C08-2771. 7. TOUR Board Members McGill and Hockett toured the filter plant and clearwell. 8. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, President Lucey adjourned the meeting at the hour of 4:30 p.m. erald R. Lucey President of the Board of Directors, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, County of Contra Costa, State of California COUNTERSIGNED: ~~~ Elaine F. Boeh;?~e secretary of the Central Contra Costa Sanaa,ry Cstrict, County of Contra Costa, State of California Book 58 -Page 105