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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReal Estate, Environmental & Planning MINUTES 08-20-24Page 2 of 7 110ENTRAL SAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS: MARIAHN. LAURITZEN President REGULAR MEETING OF THE MICHAEL R. MCGILL CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA President Pro Tem SANITARY DISTRICT BARBARA D. HOCKETT TAD J PILECKI REAL ESTATE, ENVIRONMENTAL ELORENCET WEDINGTON & PLANNING COMMITTEE PHONE: (925)228-9500 FAX.- (925) 372-0192 MINUTES www.central.van.org Tuesday, August 20, 2024 8:30 a.m. (:nmmittaa Chair Florence Wedington Member Barbara Hockett Staff. - Roger S. Bailey, General Manager Katie Young, Secretary of the District Greg Norby, Deputy GM - Operations Philip Leiber, Deputy GM - Administration Danea Gemmell, Planning and Development Services Division Manager Melody LaBella, Resource Recovery Program Manager Lori Schectel, Environmental and Regulatory Compliance Division Manager Dana Lawson, Senior Engineer (left after Item 4.a.) Colleen Henry, Envionmental Compliance Program Administrator Brandon Mielke, Assistant Real Property Agent (left after Item 4.a.) Karen DeLong, Administrative Services Assistant 1. Call Meeting to Order Chair Wedington called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. 2. Public Comments None. September 5, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 53 of 66 Page 3 of 7 Real Estate, Environmental & Planning Committee Minutes August 20, 2024 Page 2 3. Items for Committee Recommendation to Board a. Review Draft Position Paper to authorize the General Manager to execute a Professional Consulting Services Agreement with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $470,000 for the Feasibility Evaluation for Consolidation with Mt. View Sanitary District and find that the Project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Ms. Lawson provided an overview of the draft Position Paper included in the agenda materials. After going through a joint Request for Proposals (RFP) process with Mt. View Sanitary District (MVSD), the selection committee has taken this proposal to the MVSD Board, and it has been approved. Mr. Bailey stated that the desired outcome is a win -win situation for both parties. There is an opportunity to consolidate and both services benefit not just feasibly, but advantageously. Central San's position is that any progress must be mutually beneficial, and it is important that Mt. View is a joint partner and fully involved in the selection process and assessment. Mr. Leiber commented that this is not a fixed price contract, so if there are significant issues, Central San could withdraw without additional spending. The findings will need review on many levels beyond the customers, including employee considerations, the nutrients issue, and status of capital expenditures. Mr. Bailey remarked that across the country there is a big push for consolidation due to concerns that there are too many small entities. The large public policy question is whether this the most efficient way to serve customers. A long-term perspective is needed to determine if the public is best served by many small entities versus consolidation. Consideration and sensitivity must be applied in the evaluation as people are understandably concerned about losing jobs or positions. Ms. Gemmell mentioned that Contra Costa Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), in the 2024 Wastewater Municipal Services Review, recommended that Central San review Sanitation District No. 6 (SD No. 6) and MVSD. SD No.6 Homeowners Association has blocked increases to sewer service charges, which makes it challenging for the City of Martinez to upgrade the system. Mr. Bailey added that SD No. 6 has experienced problems from a regulatory standpoint and one of the biggest issues is finding the money to upgrade the system. There are also concerns that extending the sewer line will be a green light for unwanted development. It was noted that LAFCO has approved SD No. 6, whereas they have put Central San and MVSD in abeyance awaiting the results of the evaluation. September 5, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 54 of 66 Page 4 of 7 Real Estate, Environmental & Planning Committee Minutes August 20, 2024 Page 3 In response to Member Hockett's question whether Central San can decline the MVSD annexation due to lack of infrastructure and cost, Ms. Gemmell replied that the District can stop at any point. Mr. Bailey added that MVSD considered raising rates two years ago and had many responses in opposition. Mr. Leiber reiterated that this evaluation is a preliminary overview to see if the numbers make sense. Ms. Gemmell shared that Central San's single-family rate is $725 and the MVSD rate is $972, so there is quite a difference for rate payers. Member Hockett opined that it is a good time to reevaluate the situation. In the past a merger was thought to be less efficient. Mr. Bailey stated that the upside of a small organization is that it can be controlled, and there is perceived access to a governing body. The downside is that that there may be duplication of effort which could increase cost. Central San could optimize administrative costs. Even if this study is halted by either party, it will resurface again, so there is advantage in completing this project currently. Chair Wedington asked if the evaluation will also be considering the stakeholders, such as MVSD employees, retirement and benefits. Mr. Gemmell said there will be efforts for parity. Mr. Bailey clarified that mitigating the issues and differences are policy decisions to be made, but first Central San needs to understand the facts to determine compatibility. Ms. Gemmell also stated that the study will identify areas where more work would be required if consolidation were to move forward. A second phase will be implemented if needed. There was no further discussion. COMMITTEE ACTION: Recommended Board approval. 4. Other Agenda Items a. Receive annual Right -of -Way report Ms. Lawson gave an overview of the report included in the agenda materials. During this last year, staff authority was amended to address real property agreements, quit claims and easements with no cost involved. This will reduce the number of items brought to the Board. If the purchase of an easement occurs, that will still be brought before the Board. The annual report is brought to the Board for transparency and recording purposes. There were no questions. COMMITTEE ACTION: Received the report. September 5, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 55 of 66 Page 5 of 7 Real Estate, Environmental & Planning Committee Minutes August 20, 2024 Page 4 b. Receive AgLantis/CoCo San Sustainable Farm 2023 Annual Report Ms. Gemmell provided an overview of the report included in the agenda materials. The farm lease renewed in 2022, which was short of the ten-year timeframe, because of a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). At the end of 2023, the farm expanded from one to two greenhouses. The farm has met their reporting obligation and continues to expand. Ms. Gemmell stated she was happily surprised by the number of volunteers participating in the project, with almost one thousand last year. Dr. Carolyn Phinney provides an orientation, discussing carbon sequestration and recycled water, to all volunteers. Member Hockett opined that the situation is still very positive, and since Central San currently has no plans for the acreage, it is a great use of the land. She added that she was thrilled to see that the farm provides produce to Loaves and Fishes as well as Mt. Diablo High School. Ms. Gemmell added that the farm is glad to donate to Loaves & Fishes because they cook and distribute the produce. Member Hockett noted that Loaves & Fishes distribute up to 3,000 meals a day. The Committee unanimously agreed that the report be sent to the Board. COMMITTEE ACTION: Received the report and recommended Board receipt. C. Receive update on the 2024 Pollution Prevention (P2) Awards, including P2 Award Winners, Recycled Water Champions, Water Quality Community Partners, and P2 Partner Ms. Henry reviewed the presentation in the agenda materials, highlighting the award honorees, including 41 Community Partners. COMMITTEE ACTION: Received the update. d. Receive verbal update on the most recent meeting of the Bay Area Clean Water Agencies (BACWA) Ms. Schectel gave a verbal overview of the August 16 Bay Area Clean Water Agencies (BACWA) Board meeting. On August 29, BACWA is hosting the Professor David Jenkins memorial scholarship nutrient reduction workshop. It will cover various nutrient reduction methods, strategies, case studies, and will include a recycled water discussion focusing on Central San. September 5, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 56 of 66 Page 6 of 7 Real Estate, Environmental & Planning Committee Minutes August 20, 2024 Page 5 Next month BACWA will meet at East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Pardee facility for strategic planning in lieu of a regular meeting. Mary Cousins, the BACWA regulatory program manager, gave a preview of the draft 2024 biosolids survey. This survey is conducted every three years and includes information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as BACWA members. The biggest challenges are rising costs, hauling distances and capacity issues. Cost increases for agencies have risen more than 50 percent over three years. There is a new coastal climate resilience learning opportunity through the University of California, Santa Cruz. San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) is working with community -based organizations and tribal communities, especially in low-income areas, to provide scholarships. BACWA will be funding a scholarship for this first year. There may be opportunities for public agency participation in future years. Ms. Schectel requested that this years' scholarship recipient return to report on the experience and how we can partner with these communities. BACWA filed a request to keep the petition in abeyance, on the Third Nutrient Watershed, with five agencies signing on. Other agencies filed individual petitions. No active petitions were filed. BACWA is putting together a Request for Proposal (RFP) for consulting services for the group report required under the third Nutrient Watershed permit and the scope for the regional planning effort. This Committee will receive an update in October on the permit's requirements. The Bay Area pollution prevention group, Baywise.org has updated their website to include an interactive map showing flows and collection systems. The Quarterly Meeting with the Regional Water Board senior staff was held following the Board Meeting. Assistant Executive Officer Thomas Mumley has retired. There will be a celebration in September for those who would like to attend. The State Water Board's ten-year compliance schedule policy was discussed. Ms. Schectel stressed the need for documented, definitive milestones and a clear roadmap and schedule for revising the compliance schedule policy. Conversations with key water board members have begun. The ten years' requirement did not come from a federal level, so there may be room for revision. There is also a need for more consistent reporting from the science team. Ms. Schectel will discuss Central San's priorities for the science program internally. September 5, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 57 of 66 Page 7 of 7 Real Estate, Environmental & Planning Committee Minutes August 20, 2024 Page 6 Member Hockett opined that one of the positive results from the public hearing, is that now there are opportunities to improve the process and re- examine the science with less emotion involved. There may be better ways to engage and report necessary facts for informed decisions. There were no other questions. COMMITTEE ACTION: Received the update. 5. Announcements Mr. Bailey announced that he will be on vacation beginning August 22, through Thursday, August 29. Chair Wedington announced that she will not be available for the next Committee meeting on September 12 but is working with Ms. Young to find a substitute. 6. Suggestions for future agenda items a. Receive list of upcoming agenda items and provide suggestions for any other future agenda items Mr. Bailey shared that in the near future he will give the committee an update on Central San's strategy relative to the Nutrient Strategy permit. He stated that Central San is in a good place considering the opportunities, and strategically Central San is doing the right things and will continue down the path. COMMITTEE ACTION: Received the list and provided input to staff. 7. Future scheduled meetings a. Thursday, September 12, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. (Special) Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. (Special) Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. 8. Adjournment — at 9:34 a.m. September 5, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 58 of 66