MINUTES

A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

B. ROLL CALL

Roll call showed the following Directors present: Orth, Venturi, Monteleone, Estabrook, and Whitney. Also present were General Manager Williams and District Counsel Neary.

C. ADDITIONS/ ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA - None

D. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS - None

E. SPECIAL PRESENTATION - None

F. PUBLIC HEARING

1. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 113

General Manager Williams offered a brief review of the proposed Ordinance. President Whitney opened the public hearing at 7:10 p.m.

President Whitney explained that because Mendocino County does not have a Graywater Ordinance, the California state code would be the standards to be used. He also had a copy of a book "Oasis, A Graywater Manual" and suggested the state code and the book be available at the District office for interested parties. District Counsel Neary provided copies of the current state code.

Mike Adair asked which portions of the District were not served by the sewer system. Another audience member asked about the estimated cost to install a system.

Hearing no other comments, President Whitney closed the public hearing at 7:20 p.m.

Director Orth moved to waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No. 113, seconded by Director Venturi. A vote on the motion was taken as follows:

AYES: Directors: Orth, Venturi, Monteleone, Estabrook, Whitney NOES: Directors: None

ABSENT: Directors: None

Ordinance No. 113 Adopted

G. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None

H. ACTION AGENDA

2. BUDGET WORKSHOP

General Manager Williams began with a discussion of the anticipated connection fees to be collected, based on an estimate of 10 new units to be built, explaining that most of the year-end carry over will be put into reserves. However, he was recommending installation of two new fire hydrants and additional valves to service new development, as well as the purchase of a metal detector to locate the lines to connect new homes to the system.

Beginning with the Water Enterprise Fund, he reviewed the estimated sources of revenue and the summary of expenditures, showing an increase in reserves from $68,000 last year to $262,000 for the current year, indicating that reserves were beginning to build for needed water line replacement. He reviewed the capital improvements for the upcoming year, including fencing around the sludge ponds, and re-roofing of water tanks. Superintendent of Utilities, Wendell Wilson, was present to answer questions.

Director Orth asked for an estimate of the useful life for the new water tank roofs. President Whitney suggested fencing just the two sludge ponds that were currently in use, to save costs and improve accessibility.

General Manager Williams explained that 100% of the Sewer Connection fees would be put into reserves, in anticipation of the District's share of the improvements to the treatment plant in Willits. District Counsel Neary offered a brief explanation of the permissible use of connection fees and legislation currently being developed.

Director Estabrook commented that the District needs to gain an understanding of what can be charged for connection fees, as he was of the opinion that current fees were not sufficient to cover the true cost of growth.

A review of the anticipated expenditures in the Sewer Fund indicated year-end reserves of approximately $46,650. General Manager Williams stated that the cost of evaluating the sewer line on Poppy was included in the current budget. Mr. Wilson outlined the proposed work to be done on the sewer line, and answered Board members questions about the suggested purchase of a standby sewer pump.

Moving on to the discussion of the Five-year Capital Improvement Plan Update, General Manager Williams explained that $2.2 million in revenue is anticipated to be available over the five year period. The amount had decreased due to a reduction in development over the last few years.

He reviewed the list of major construction projects proposed for the various departments, and the sources of revenues to fund them. In response to concerns expressed by Mr. Wilson, the Finance Committee had added a new tank number 3 and pump house upgrade at a cost of $223,830 to begin in Fiscal Year 2002-2003 and be completed the following year.

President Whitney voiced concern about the potential need for an additional clarifier for the treatment plant. General Manager Williams pointed out that it was included as Treatment Plant Expansion, item number W29. Director Orth suggested possible sources of funding may be available in the future through government agencies.

Board members reviewed the planned improvements for the Sewer Connection Fees, Sewer Fund, Fire Fund, General Fund and Golf Course. Director Venturi commented that the Finance Committee had reviewed the plan at great length with Superintendent Wilson, giving much thought to the scheduling of the listed items.

3. CONSIDERATION OF A LETTER TO CDF PROVIDING ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON THE MAYFIELD THP.

Director Orth reported on the recent inspection of the THP site which he, General Manager Williams, Director Estabrook and representatives from CDF, Fish and Game, Water Quality and Division of Mines and Geology had attended. He confirmed that the representative from the Water Quality Board agreed that the THP was in an extreme erosion area, as opposed to moderate, and suggested that even though the THP had been withdrawn, that the District make its written comments for the record.

Director Monteleone suggested thank you letters be sent to the participants in the field review.

Director Estabrook commented on the lack of monitoring, and provided his written comments on the plan. He reiterated the feelings of relief stated by the other Directors that the plan had been withdrawn.

President Whitney asked that a copy be obtained of the previous THP filed for that property, and the certificate of completion. He suggested working with the property owner to remedy the conditions pointed out by Director Orth, and felt that grant money may be available to do so.

Director Orth suggested Board members submit their comments to the General Manager, and a draft letter be considered at the next meeting.

4. CONSIDERATION OF A LETTER TO THE COUNTY SURVEYOR REGARDING THE STATUS OF THE UN-DEVELOPED PORTIONS OF RIDGE ROAD WHICH ARE DESIGNATED AS FUTURE ALIGNMENT ON THE RECORDED BROOKTRAILS SUBDIVISION MAP.

General Manager Williams explained that as follow up from the annual planning meeting, a letter had been drafted to the County Surveyor, Art Colvin, requesting information about the portions of Ridge Road indicated as "Future Alignment" on the original Subdivision maps.

President Whitney suggested that the third paragraph, asking the County about their future plans, be deleted. He preferred to simply find out the status of the right-of-way, as he was concerned about the County's option to condemn a right-of-way.

Director Orth spoke in favor of keeping the third paragraph and sending a copy of the letter to the Emergency Evacuation Plan Committee.

President Whitney suggested the wording of the paragraph be changed to "Brooktrails would like to have considered road improvements consisting of grading, rocking, and drainage for emergency access, with appropriate privacy fencing and gates."

Referencing the index map included with the packet, he asked that the sheets showing "Future Alignment" be referenced in the first paragraph of the letter by number.

Director Monteleone asked that the wording of the first sentence of the second paragraph be changed to read "This designation raises several questions, especially in its potential as an emergency access/egress for Brooktrails." She also suggested that the third paragraph ask for clarification of the status of the property, as opposed to the future plans of the County.

Director Orth asked that an introductory paragraph be added as follows: "We are currently reviewing our Emergency Evacuation Plan. One of the problems that has been identified is the unfinished portions of Ridge Road."

President Whitney concurred with the suggestion, asking that the Specific Plan be cited, and a map from the Specific Plan be included with the letter as well.

Director Venturi asked that the letter be re-drafted and brought back to the next meeting for final approval.

5. CONSIDERATION OF PROGRAMS FOR INTENSIFYING LOT MERGERS.

General Manager Williams provided an article addressing the problems of pre-platted subdivisions, commenting that other areas of the country are experiencing problems similar to those of Brooktrails . He felt that, of the options available to reduce lots, mergers and donations seemed most appropriate for the District.

Director Orth suggested accumulating money budgeted for the lot merger program, but not spent, and utilizing it to acquire tax sale lots from the County.

Director Venturi was not in favor if intensifying the lot merger program, because the of the resulting decrease of revenues. He agreed with the suggestion of using the Franchise Fee to replace lost revenues for the Fire Department, and spoke against using any funds for the purchase of lots.

Director Monteleone voiced concern about the "cost of sprawl" and spoke in favor of acquiring tax sale lots. She suggested a clearly written pamphlet about the lot merger program be available at the front counter of the District office, and that letters be sent to homeowners with property next to vacant lots for sale.

Noting a steady decrease in lot merger applications, Director Estabrook suggested a targeted letter writing to owners of multiple lots in the District, informing them of the lot merger program. He felt that incentives should be explored to encourage people to merge their lots, and suggested reviewing the donated lots for possible lot merger, exchange, or sale, to raise funds for the purchase of tax sale lots.

To encourage people to purchase adjoining lots, President Whitney suggested sending letters to all owners of vacant lots in the unsewered areas, notifying them that sewer service is not available to their property, and that it would be difficult to install a septic system on a small lot. He also spoke in favor of merging donated lots for possible sale, and suggested the possibility of transferring development rights to owners of large parcels. Another suggestion was the establishment of a redevelopment agency, and he asked District Counsel Neary to investigate the possibility of designating all or part of the District as "blighted."

He asked the General Manager to provide a list of all lots that were sold at the latest tax sale, including the sale price.

6. CONSIDERATION OF A LETTER TO FEMA AND OES REQUESTING CONSIDERATION OF BROOKTRAILS FOR A GRANT FOR PRE-FIRE MANAGEMENT.

General Manager Williams provided copies of an article which reported on a grant obtained from FEMA by the Ventura County Fire District for pre-fire planning.

President Whitney asked for the Board's approval for him to work with the General Manager on a draft letter to FEMA requesting information on available grants. Board members agreed, and Director Venturi asked that the final letter be approved by the Board at the next regular meeting.

I. SPECIAL REPORTS - GENERAL MANAGER

i. Significant Correspondence received since last meeting:

Board members reviewed a letter received from Mary Hiatt asking the Board to consider a resolution of support of a proposed pipeline project, which would transmit high winter flow waters to reservoirs, and research the possibility of two additional reservoirs.

Director Orth was not in favor of adding the proposed resolution to a future agenda, and suggested sending a letter so stating.

President Whitney felt it should be added to the list of future agenda items to respond at a later date. He suggested getting copies of the items listed in the Project Description to determine if there was any effect on the Willits Creek Watershed or Brooktrails.

ii. Personnel

iii. Finance

iv. Planning

Director Orth commented that he was glad to see that the Planning Department was recommending approval of the revised Site Development Standards for Single Family Construction.

General Manager Williams reported that he would be attending the Planning Commission's meeting on August 17th when the item was on the agenda.

v. Possible upcoming agenda items

vi. Other

General Manager Williams reported that he would be attending the County Budget Hearings on August 21st, when they will be discussing transportation matters and animal control.

J. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None

K. ADJOURNMENT

Director Orth moved to adjourn and President Whitney declared the meeting of August 8, 2000 closed at 10:30 p.m.

PAUL A. WILLIAMS

Secretary to the Board of Directors

BOB WHITNEY,

President