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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD MINUTES 08-23-01 215 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF THE DISTRICT BOARD OF THE CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT HELD ON AUGUST 23, 2001 At 1 :00 p.m., Members Boneysteele and Menesini received a presentation on the Pleasant Hill Relief Interceptor Project, Phase 4, DP 5170, by Associate Engineer Alex Rozul. Mountain Cascade, Inc. is the contractor on the project to install approximately 7,600 feet of interceptor sewer, 2,800 feet of sewer main, and 9,200 feet of recycled water line. Notice to Proceed was issued on March 19, 2001. The original contract amount was $8,565,241. The contract completion date is March 18, 2002 with completion of the interceptor portion of the project required by September 4, 2001. The project is 70 percent complete. Mr. Rozul stated that the last time he reported to the Board on this project, there had been one change order for a credit to the District of $23,000. There have been two additional change orders for a total net value of $4,300 for the three change orders. Following the presentation, a tour of the construction site was conducted. The District Board of the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District convened in a regular session at its regular place of meeting, 5019 Imhoff Place, Martinez, County of Contra Costa, State of California, at 2:30 p.m. on August 23, 2001. President Hockett called the meeting to order and requested that the Secretary call roll. 1. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Members: Nejedly, Menesini, Lucey, Boneysteele, Hockett ABSENT: Members: None a. INTRODUCTIONS . RECOGNIZE EARLENE MILLIER ON HER PROMOTION TO EXECUTIVE ASSIST ANT . INTRODUCE DON BOTELLI. NEWLY HIRED MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN I Ms. Earlene Millier, Executive Assistant, was congratulated on her recent promotion. Mr. Don Botelli, Maintenance Technician I, was introduced and welcomed to the District by the Board of Directors. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS None 3. AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS a. RECEIVE ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN SEWERAGE AGENCIES (AMSA) GOLD AWARD RECOGNIZING CCCSD'S OUTSTANDING WASTEWATER TREATMENT EFFORTS IN ACHIEVING 100 PERCENT COMPLIANCE WITH NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PERMIT DURING CALENDAR YEAR 2000 Mr. Charles W. Batts, General Manager, stated that the District's Plant Operations Department -has received the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AM SA) Gold Award for no significant permit violations for the calendar year 2000. Mr. Batts stated that no record is more important than the District's NPDES permit compliance. This is the tenth year the plant has achieved either Silver (one significant violation), or Gold (no significant violations). This is the third consecutive Gold Award that the plant has received. 08 23 01 216 Mr. Batts introduced Mr. Doug Craig, Plant Operations Division Manager, who stated that in calendar year 2000, the plant processed 17.1 billion gallons of wastewater, produced 5,110 tons of ash, the Laboratory conducted 20,000 compliance analyses, and there were no NPDES permit violations (100 percent compliance). The AMSA award criteria are 1 to 5 violations per year for a Silver Award, zero violations per year for a Gold Award, and zero violations for five consecutive years for a Platinum Award. There are 313 AMSA agencies. In calendar year 2000, AMSA presented 162 Gold Awards and 13 Platinum Awards. In ten of the last 12 years the District has achieved either the Silver Award or the Gold Award. Mr. Craig stated that there are lots of things that can present challenges in achieving 100 percent compliance. In recent years the District has had to address compliance challenges associated with construction impacts, mechanical breakdown of critical equipment, communication of process issues, and uncontrollable constituents. The new NPDES permit raises concern because of increasingly stringent requirements. Mr. Craig expressed appreciation for the support the Board of Directors has given for facilities, and acknowledged the contributions of the Plant Operations Department staff. Mr. Craig introduced Senior Chemist John Snyder, Shift Supervisor Steve Colbert, and Maintenance Planner Matthew Mahoney, who presented the 2000 AMSA Gold Award for 100 percent compliance to President Hockett and the Board of Directors. Mr. Batts stated that the AMSA Gold Award is truly a group award and is representative of the work of District employees. President Hockett and the Board of Directors acknowledged all those who helped the District achieve 100 percent compliance for the third consecutive year. Member Menesini suggested that a news release be prepared in an effort to generate coverage of this noteworthy event. b. RECEIVE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING Mr. Batts, General Manager, stated that in December 2000, the Finance and Accounting Division produced the District's first Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and submitted it to the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for review. After detailed scrutiny by the GFOA, the District's CAFR was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Mr. Batts introduced Ms. Deborah Ratcliff, Controller, who stated that the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is given to agencies who meet the highest standards for governmental financial reporting. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2000 is the first such report produced by the District. It contains ten years of historical and financial data. The CAFR will be useful for future bond financing, and it addresses some of the concerns raised by the Little Hoover Commission. Some of this information will be placed on the District's web site. Ms. Ratcliff introduced Accounting Supervisor Colette Curtis-Brown and Accountant Thea Almendralejo who presented the award to President Hockett and the Board of Directors. President Hockett commended staff for their outstanding efforts in producing the CAFR and receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR It was moved by Member Lucey and seconded by Member Nejedly, that the Consent Calendar, consisting of Items a. through d., be approved as presented, resolutions adopted as appropriate, and recordings duly authorized. a. The contract work for the Collection System Renovations Project, DP 5421, in Walnut Creek and Orinda was accepted and the filing of the Notice of Completion was authorized. 08 23 01 217 Motion unanimously approved on the following vote: AYES: Members: NOES: Members: ABSENT: Members: b. Lucey, Nejedly, Menesini, Boneysteele, Hockett None None The contract work for the Elevated Work Platforms Project, DP 6132, from D. W. Nicholson Corporation, was accepted and the filing of the Notice of Completion was authorized. Motion unanimously approved on the following vote: AYES: Members: NOES: Members: ABSENT: Members: Lucey, Nejedly, Menesini, Boneysteele, Hockett None None The contract work for the Standby Power Supplemental Cooling Project, DP 6138, from Kaweah Construction Company, was accepted, and the filing of the Notice of Completion was authorized. c. Motion unanimously approved on the following vote: AYES: Members: NOES: Members: ABSENT: Members: d. Lucey, Nejedly, Menesini, Boneysteele, Hockett None None September 20, 2001, at 2:00 p.m. was established as the date and time for a public hearing regarding the Angelo Street/EI Sombro Contractual Assessment District No. 2000-3, pursuant to California Constitution, Article XIII D, Section 4, and Streets and Highways Code, Sections 5898.20 and 5898.24. Motion unanimously approved on the following vote: AYES: Members: NOES: Members: ABSENT: Members: Lucey, Nejedly, Menesini, Boneysteele, Hockett None None Member Menesini stated that the Board has been presented with the fact that it does not have representation from the various part of the County and it has been suggested that perhaps its interests are skewed to one area or another as a result. Member Menesini stated that in reviewing the map identifying the sites of the Collection System Renovations Project, it is clear that the Board's care and efforts focus on all parts of the District service area. Member Menesini stated that he would also like to have information on the amounts of money spent in the various areas. 5. CALL FOR REQUESTS TO CONSIDER ITEMS OUT OF ORDER None 08 01 23 218 a. 08 6. REPORTS GENERAL MANAGER 1 ) Mr. Batts, General Manager, stated that with direction from the Board, the District has appealed its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit recently issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and asked that the appeal be held in abeyance. In this way the District would have a place at the table if the environmental community appealed the District's permit, and would be able to take advantage of the general appeal of recent permits by the Bay Area Clean Water Agencies (BACWA) that would affect all permits which contain similar issues. Mr. Batts introduced Mr. James M. Kelly, Director of Plant Operations, who stated that at the last Board Meeting District Counsel Kent Aim reported that he had received a telephone call from the State's Counsel relative to holding the District's appeal in abeyance or proceeding with the appeal at this time. The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) NPDES permit was issued at the same time as the District's. EBMUD has appealed its permit but has not asked that the appeal be held in abeyance. BACW A has appealed both the District's and EBMUD's permits. The District had asked that its appeal be held in abeyance to keep a friendly posture with the Regional Board and asked that BACW A hold its appeal in abeyance as well. BACWA has complied. EBMUD will proceed with its appeal. In response to a question from Member Menesini, Mr. Kelly stated that the appeal is held in abeyance for two years. The District must submit a letter requesting the appeal to be heard. 2) Mr. Batts, General Manager, stated that the District's Annual Pollution Prevention Awards will be presented at the September 20, 2001 Board Meeting. Member Menesini has agreed to help in selection of the award winners. Mr. Batts asked any other Board Members who are interested in assisting in selection to contact him. Mr. Batts stated that one of the requirements of the District's new National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is greater efforts in the area of pollution prevention. With this new NPDES permit comes new requirements for implementation and expansion of pollution prevention activities. While in the past the Regional Water Quality Control Board has often recognized the District for its pollution prevention efforts, this level of activity is now expected by all municipal dischargers. Mr. Batts stated that the belief of the regulatory community is that pollution prevention is the wave of the future, and the Regional Board has personally expressed to him how important they view the District's leadership role in that area. Mr. Batts introduced Ms. Harriette Heibel, Community Affairs Manager, who provided an overview of how the District's new NPDES permit affects the District Pollution Prevention Program. The purpose of the Pollution Prevention Program is to reduce pollutants entering the treatment plant and to subsequently reduce pollutants discharged to the receiving waters. Many District staff members have worked diligently on the visible part of the Pollution Prevention Program including the District newsletter, Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, web site, Green Business Program, Integrated Pest Management ((PM), student education, and the Annual Pollution Prevention Awards. However, there is a lot that is not seen but that is required as part of the District's NPDES permit, including monitoring at the source, analytical method development, stormwater inspection, compliance monitoring, Regional Monitoring Program, toxicity tests, pretreatment, and other regional efforts. The District's new NPDES permit is more challenging than the old one. The new NPDES permit has reduced limits that are not technology based. These future limits will be mass limits and will require reductions prior to treatment. Pollution prevention activities 23 01 219 are now mandated in the new NPDES permit. These pollution prevention activities cover a broad spectrum of programs. A long-term strategy is required to deal with pollutants at their source and implementation will require regional and interagency cooperation. The District's previous NPDES permit issued in 1995 contained generic language with regard to having a Pollution Prevention Program, it required submission of an Annual Report, and it allowed the level of effort on Pollutants of Concern to be set by the District. The new NPDES permit issued in June 2001, contains strong language requiring a more active Pollution Prevention Program. The Regional Water Quality Control Board may require objective third party review of the Pollution Prevention Plan, and more defined Annual Report requirements are also included. The NPDES permit requirements include: . Identification of Pollutants of Concern; . Determining where the current Pollutants of Concern originate; . Development of plans to reduce sources of Pollutants of Concern; . Implementation of pollution reduction plans; . Continuation and expansion of outreach tasks for District employees; and . Continuation and expansion of the current public outreach program. Ms. Heibel stated that reporting requirements have also become more stringent and now include annual review/semi-annual monitoring of potential sources of priority pollutants, implementation of appropriate cost-effective control measures, summary of actions undertaken, description of future actions to be taken, and evaluation of the effectiveness of the programs and tasks. Ms. Heibel reviewed the diverse responsibility for pollution prevention activities at the District including all departments with particular focus by Source Control, the Laboratory, the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, Communication Services, and Engineering. Ms. Heibel stated that the overall Pollution Prevention Program strategy is to: . Establish Pollutants of Concern which is done in the District's NPDES permit; . Identify pollutant sources; . Develop a Pollutant Reduction Program ~ Strong pretreatment effort Public outreach Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility Stormwater and pretreatment inspection Monitoring influent, effluent, and sludge ~ ~ ~ ~ . Measure Program effectiveness Ms. Heibel stated that currently the 2001-2002 Pollution Prevention Plan is being developed. Sampling of influent for diazinon and chlorphyrifos is occurring. The District's three-year Integrated Pest Management (lPM) grant is coming to an end. Preparations are underway for the Annual Pollution Prevention Awards. Staff is working on regional efforts through Media Relations, the IPM Committee, and the Bar Area Pollution Prevention Group which reports to the Bay Area Clean Water Agencies (BACWA). In closing, Ms. Heibel stated that the Walnut Creek Community Channel will 08 23 01 220 08 23 3) 4) 5) be showing the regional IPM video developed by the District. Copies of the video were distributed to the Board. Member Menesini stated that non-point source pollution must also be attacked. That is done through watershed programs. The District has been a party to the Alhambra Creek Watershed Program. They are interested in cooperating with the District and other agencies to prevent non-point source pollution. Mr. Batts, General Manager, stated that on August 9, 2001, the District hosted a public meeting on the landscaping and architectural design for the San Ramon (Larwin) Pumping Station. Eleven people attended, including two San Ramon City Council members (Abram Wilson and Nancy Tatarka) and the San Ramon City Manager Herb Moniz. The participants offered several good suggestions on the two draft designs that were shown. Another meeting is scheduled for September 13, 2001, to review updated architectural and landscape designs incorporating the input received. Mr. Batts introduced Mr. William E. Brennan, Capital Projects Division Manager, who provided a brief update on the Dougherty Tunnel and Trunk Sewer Project, and requested Board input on the proposed project status report format. Mr. Brennan reported that the contractor is excavating for the wetwell extension structure on the San Ramon Pumping Station site. The major utility lines have been exposed on the pumping station property. There is no activity at present on the sewer work on the pumping station site. There are 121 feet of sewer and Manhole Nos. 1 and 2 on the site and existing the site to connect to Manhole No.3 in Estero Drive. There has been a great deal of discussion with the City, but there is no field activity yet on the Estero Drive Trunk Sewer. A revised traffic control plan prepared by Mountain Cascade is being reviewed by the City of San Ramon. If approved by the City by August 27, 2001, excavation of a bore pit will begin that week in front of the pumping station. There is no field activity at present on the Dougherty Valley Tunnel. Mr. Brennan stated that the main interest of District staff is the impact on the people in the area and getting this project completed as soon as possible. Following discussion of the schedule, delays, and submittals, Member Nejedly stated that the format of the project status report is good. Mr. Batts, General Manager, announced that the District has received a letter from the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service in response to the District's Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for expanding treatment plant capacity to 54 MGD. Mr. Batts stated that it is his understanding that several letters similar to this have been written to agencies that have issued project EIR's. These letters express the Fish and Wildlife Service's concern under the Endangered Species Act that habitat will be lost. Even though the District project involves no construction, the Fish and Wildlife Service's letter asserts that increasing effluent limitations at the Martinez treatment plant would ultimately cause a "take" of endangered species since the effluent increase would facilitate growth in the District's service area and that growth may adversely affect the protected species. The Fish and Wildlife Service's letter did not state that the increase in effluent limits would affect marine life living at or near the increased effluent. The initial perception is that the aim of Fish and Wildlife Services is that agencies with projects fund Habitat Conservation Plans. Such a Plan is now being done in East County headed by Contra Costa Water District in connection with the Los Vaqueros Project. Mr. Batts, General Manager, announced that at 10:00 a.m. on September 6, 2001, Contra Costa Water District will dedicate fishing and marine 01 b. c. d. a. 221 recreational facilities at the Los Vaqueros Reservoir. Board Members are invited to attend. .,"':" ,.!'Ø¡t~'f'.i'" 6) Mr. Batts, General Manager, announced that in September the District Safety Division will be performing respiratory quantitative fit tests for the Vallejo Sanitary District (VSD). Approximately 35 VSD employees will be tested. A fee of $20 per employee will be charged. This amount covers all District costs. This effort is an attempt to reach out to other public agencies and is consistent with the District Strategic Plan for enterprise opportunities. 7) Mr. Batts, General Manager, announced that former CCCSD General Manager Roger Dolan is writing a book on Water and Wastewater Utility Management. Mr. Robert Baker, former CCCSD Deputy Chief Engineer, is contributing to the book and has asked to be allowed to reference some of the materials that he helped develop while at CCCSD such as the Capital Improvement Budget, consulting services agreements, consultant selection score sheet, and Dispute Review Board specification language. The book will be published by the Water Environment Federation (WE F) and will credit CCCSD. 8) Mr. Batts, General Manager, announced that the District Laboratory Open House is being planned during Pollution Prevention Week on September 21, 2001, from 10:00 a.m. to 1 :00 p.m. Speakers are being contacted. Invitations were distributed to the Board. 9) Mr. Batts, General Manager, announced that the District Health and Safety picnic will be this Friday night, August 24, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Little Hills Ranch in San Ramon. COUNSEL FOR THE DISTRICT None SECRETARY OF THE DISTRICT 1 ) Ms. Joyce E. Murphy, Secretary of the District, announced that the Sanitation and Water Agencies of Contra Costa County will meet this evening at 5:00 p.m. at Delta Diablo Sanitary District (DDSD) for a tour of the DDSD Recycled Water Facility and the Delta Energy Center. BOARD MEMBERS 1 ) Member Boneysteele reported on the August 15-18, 2001 California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) Conference. Member Boneysteele stated that General Manager Charles Batts was nominated and unanimously elected Director at Large, and it is assumed that he will move through the chairs and become President of the organization. Mr. James M. Kelly, Director of Plant Operations, distributed a written summary and highlighted topics of discussion at the CASA Conference, including pending legislation, proposed sanitary sewer overflow reporting regulations, alternate energy technologies, asset management, reserve policies, Brown Act requirements, and watershed management. 7. ENGINEERING AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER TO EXECUTE RECONVEYANCE DOCUMENTS FOR A PROMISSORY NOTE AND DEED OF TRUST FROM CLAUDE B. SMITH FOR CONNECTION OF 1010 SCOTS LANE. WALNUT CREEK TO THE DISTRICT'S PUBLIC SEWER SYSTEM 08 23 01 222 Following explanation by Mr. Batts, General Manager, it was moved by Member Boneysteele and seconded by Member Menesini, that the General Manager be authorized to execute reconveyance documents for a promissory note and Deed of Trust from Claude B. Smith for connection of 1010 Scots Lane, Walnut Creek to the District's public sewer system. The motion was unanimously approved on the following vote: AYES: Members: Boneysteele, Menesini, Nejedly, Lucey, Hockett NOES: Members: None ABSENT: Members: None 8. CORRESPONDENCE a. RECEIVE AND PROVIDE DIRECTION WITH REGARD TO CALIFORNIA SPECIAL DISTRICTS ASSOCIATION BOARD ELECTIONS Member Menesini, CCCSD's California Special Districts Association representative, stated that Ms. Sherry Sterrett, Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District Director, is currently serving in the capacity of regional representative. Ms. Sterrett has been very active and has represented local special districts well. Member Menesini recommended that Ms. Sterrett be reelected. It was moved by Member Menesini and seconded by President Hockett, that Central Contra Costa Sanitary District cast its ballot for Ms. Sherry Sterrett, Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District Director, for reelection to the California Special Districts Association Board of Directors. There being no objection, the motion was unanimously approved. 9. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. MINUTES OF AUGUST 9. 2001 It was moved by Member Menesini and seconded by Member Nejedly, that the minutes of August 9, 2001, be approved as presented. There being no objection, the motion was unanimously approved. 10. APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES a. EXPENDITURE LIST DATED AUGUST 23. 2001 Member Lucey, Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, stated that he and Member Nejedly reviewed the expenditures. It was moved by Member Lucey and seconded by Member Nejedly, that the Expenditure List dated August 23, 2001, including Self Insurance Check Nos. 101768-101777, Running Expense Check Nos. 133539-133817, Sewer Construction Check Nos. 23597- 23661, Payroll Manual Check Nos. 48783-48786, and Payroll Regular Check Nos. 53726- 53778, be approved as recommended. There being no objection, the motion was unanimously approved. 11. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION None 12. ANNOUNCEMENTS/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None 08 23 01 223 13. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, President Hockett adjourned the meeting at the hour of 3:44 p.m. ~Þ4~ President of the Board of Directors, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, County of Contra Costa, State of California COUNTERSIGNED: Se r tar of the Centra C tra Costa Sa i ary District, County of Contra Costa, State of California 08 23 01