The Board of Directors of Brooktrails Township Community Services District
met in regular session on July 25, 2000 at 7:03 p.m. in Brooktrails Community Center.
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
President Whitney announced that the Board had selected a preferred candidate for the General Manager position, and will do a site visit to Grass Valley in early August.
A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
B. ROLL CALL
Roll call showed Directors Orth, Monteleone, and Whitney present. Directors Estabrook and Venturi were absent. Also present were General Manager Williams and District Counsel Neary.
C. ADDITIONS/ ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA - None
D. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
July 11, 2000
Director Orth asked that on page 3032, in the second paragraph, the words "financial support" be struck and replaced with the phrase "lobbying the Board of Supervisors to fill the new North County position." He also asked that on page 3035, in item 7, the words "6 month" be struck from the second sentence.
Director Orth then moved to approve the minutes of July 11, 2000 as amended, seconded by Director Monteleone. Motion was passed unanimously.
E. SPECIAL PRESENTATION - JOHN BURNS
President Whitney introduced John Burns, a Registered Professional Forester, who had prepared the Timber Harvest Plan for the property owner, John Mayfield. Mr Burns distributed copies of a summary of the plan which he had prepared.
In response to a letter on the subject received from Charles Frey, President Whitney assured the audience that Brooktrails is concerned about the effects of timber harvest on the District's watershed.
Mr. Burns' outline of the timber harvest plan included the location, types of trees to be removed, equipment to be used, roads to be utilized, erosion control methods, distance of operations from the creek, and fuel breaks to be installed. He assured the Board that no herbicides would be used, and that Spotted Owls had not been located within a mile of the harvest location.
General Manager Williams commented that an inspection of the area would be conducted on August 2nd. Mr. Burns clarified that the inspection was not open to the public.
Concerned citizens who addressed Mr. Burns included Scott Harris, of Willits, Maria Bates, of Spring Creek, Milane Corr, of Timberline Road, Charles Rinden, of Spring Creek, Josephine Silva, of Troll Ridge, Sherri Pruett, of Timberline Road, Bob Anderson, of Spring Creek, and Ellen Drell, representative of the Willits Environmental Center.
Director Orth, acknowledging of the benefits of the proposed road improvements, voiced concern about the reduction of canopy retention from 85% to 70%, the possibility of increased sediment in Lake Emily and its effect on the domestic water supply, and the failure to identify yellow legged frog habitat, when other studies have confirm them in the area. He felt that further comment would be warranted if helicopter logging were to be implemented.
Director Monteleone asked for clarification of the number of trees to be harvested per acre, and the type of equipment to be used. She felt that the erosion hazard rating should be high as opposed to moderate, and asked for clarification of road construction in the Watercourse and Lake Protection Zone. She informed the audience that representatives from the Water Quality Control Board, Department of Fish and Game, and the Division of Mines and Geology would be present at the pre-harvest inspection, and informed them of the closing date for public comment.
President Whitney encouraged the use of water on the roads to minimize dust, and spoke against subdivision of the property after the harvest. He clarified for the audience that CDF is the official reviewing agency, and encouraged them to submit their comments and concerns to them. He thanked Mr. Burns for his informative presentation.
A break was called to change the tape.
BREAK at 8:55 p.m. - RECONVENE at 9:10 p.m.
President Whitney suggested items 4a and 4b be moved ahead to accommodate Jerry Ward.
H. ACTION AGENDA
4a. CONSIDERATION OF ANNUAL AUDIT OF SOLID WASTES OF WILLITS, INC.
General Manager Williams offered a brief review of the annual audit report, noting the Franchise Fee of $12,652.18 for the year.
Gerald Ward, CEO for Solid Wastes of Willits took the podium and introduced his controller, Diane Clatty, who was present in the audience.
Mr. Ward reported a profit for the Brooktrails operations for the year, and said that he would not be seeking a rate increase, but rather a 6% decrease in rates. In response to a question from President Whitney, Mr. Ward reviewed the Franchise Fees paid to the City of Willits and the County of Mendocino. President Whitney asked for an analysis based on increasing the Franchise Fee as opposed to reducing the rates.
Mr. Ward explained that the recycling revenue for Brooktrails is allocated, as it is not cost effective to unload the trailer when partially full, so the material is mixed with material from surrounding areas.
President Whitney expressed interest in obtaining a measure of how well the District is participating in the recycling program. Mr. Ward explained that the State measures the reduction of material going into the landfill, as opposed to the increase of material being recycled.
Mr. Ward also explained the process of allocating transportation costs based on truck hours.
4b. CONSIDERATION OF NEW A NEW FIFTEEN YEAR AGREEMENT WITH SOLID WASTE OF WILLITS, INC.
General Manager Williams explained that the Franchisee was requesting a new 15 year agreement with the District, as they are in the process of developing a long-haul transfer station and are proposing a more efficient system for refuse and recycling carts, which will require a substantial investment on their part. The Finance Committee had reviewed the proposal and suggested that the term be for 7 years, with the option for renewal of 3 years, their concerns being the provision for automatic rate increases based on the CPI, and the recent changing conditions in the solid waste industry.
Ms. Clatty brought forward a demonstration set of the new refuse carts. Mr. Ward explained that by November 1st the transfer station on Franklin Street would be expanded to accommodate the entire North County, and that agreements with Fort Bragg, the City of Willits and the County of Mendocino had been solidified. He reviewed the advantages of the new cart system, the various options that would be available to the customers, and the funds that would be needed to implement the new system, explaining that a long term contract with the District would assist his efforts to secure financing.
Director Orth commented that the Franchise Fee goes into the General Fund, available for the benefit of the public, and suggested that a portion of it be used to offset losses in those funds affected by the lot reduction programs. He felt that an increase in the Franchise Fee may influence the Finance Committee to support a longer contract term. He pointed out that fuel costs were not included in the CPI, and felt that the issue of mandatory pickup should be approved by the voters.
Director Monteleone pointed out that the existing agreement still has three years left, with the option to renew for two five-year terms, for a total of thirteen years. She questioned the increase in debt reflected in the audit.
She felt that the proposed carts were too large, as many streets in the District do not have curbs or sidewalks, and are very hilly. She was also concerned about senior citizens being able to handle them.
She pointed out the higher rates paid by Brooktrails customers, and the lower Franchise Fees received by the District. She felt that a 6% reduction in rates was insignificant, and believed that ultimately, the rates will go up, as automatic rate increases are provided for in the contract. She was concerned about the risk of damage and/or theft of the carts, as the customer would be responsible for the cost of replacement.
Mr. Ward justified the lower rates for the City of Willits, because of the large base of commercial customers, and assured Ms. Monteleone that if the Board does not approve the contract proposal, the garbage will still be picked up, but they would miss a golden opportunity. He explained that the increased debt was a result of his investment in the building of a transfer station to serve self-haulers, and was not being repaid from revenues from monthly customers.
President Whitney voiced concern about pollution problems on the roads resulting from self-haulers. He spoke in favor of mandatory pickup, which would result in lower rates, and asked for a map of the areas that would be subject to mandatory pickup and a schedule of the actual rates if it were implemented. He agreed with Director Orth's idea of using the Franchise Fee to offset losses from mergers and donations, and asked that a portion of the fee be used for Recreation, as well. He spoke in favor of a long term agreement, noting the excellent service received in the past, and the few viable alternatives.
Mr. Ward offered to address the Board's concerns at an upcoming meeting.
A break was called to change the tape.
BREAK at 11:03 p.m. - RECONVENE at 11:08 p.m.
F. PUBLIC HEARING
3. HEARING ON FISCAL YEAR 2000-2001 BUDGET
President Whitney opened the public hearing at 11:10 p.m. Noting no audience members present he closed the public hearing at 11:11 p.m.
G. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
Director Orth moved to continue the meeting, to discuss items 5 and 8, deferring all other matters to August. Motion passed unanimously by the members present.
5. HAZARD ABATEMENT GRASS LOTS.
President Whitney asked that the Fire Department prepare a written outline of the criteria used for determining which grass lots are abated, to be discussed at the August 22nd meeting.
Director Orth moved to adopt Resolution No. 2000-40, A Resolution Declaring the Existence of a Public Nuisance Because of Weeds, Grasses, and Other Combustible Vegetation On Certain Private Parcels Located Within the District, seconded by Director Monteleone. A vote on the motion was taken as follows:
AYES: Directors: Orth, Monteleone, Whitney
NOES: Directors: None
ABSENT: Directors: Venturi, Estabrook
Resolution No. 2000-40 Adopted
6. REVIEW OF REQUEST FOR ACTION FOLLOW UP PROGRAM, REVISED SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, AND NOTICE TO LOCAL REALTORS.
Deferred to August 1st.
7. REVIEW REQUEST FOR E-MAIL OPINION THROUGH APPROPRIATE CHANNELS.
Deferred to August 1st.
8. THE REDWOOD FOREST TRAIL PROJECT.
General Manager Williams briefly outlined the proposed project, noting that, if the project is approved by the National Park Service, a planner would be provided for up to two years, to assist with the effort.
Noting the small staff available at the District office, President Whitney explained that the District would be working with the Jackson State Forest, CDF, the County of Mendocino, the City of Fort Bragg, and the City of Willits, and would probably not remain lead agency, but this action would at least get the project started.
President Whitney moved that Brooktrails submit the application to the National Park Service, Rivers and Trails Program, for technical assistance in developing the Redwood Forest Trail Project. Director Monteleone seconded the motion. Director Orth asked that the application be copied to Senator Mike Thompson's office.
A vote was taken on the motion which passed unanimously by the members present.
9. REVIEW OF A REPORT FROM THE OAK CONSERVATION COMMITTEE.
Deferred to August 1st.
I. SPECIAL REPORTS - GENERAL MANAGER
i. Significant Correspondence received since last meeting:
ii. Personnel
General Manager Williams asked the Board to adjourn with thoughts of Director Venturi and his wife Kristina, as Kristina's mother passed away on July 19th.
iii. Finance
The Finance Committee met on July 17th, finalized its recommendations on the 5-year Capital Improvement Plan Update, and made some excellent suggestions regarding the District's list of assets.
iv. Planning
v. Possible upcoming agenda items
vi. Other
J. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
K. ADJOURNMENT
Director Orth moved to adjourn and President Whitney declared the meeting of July 25, 2000 closed at 11:18 p.m.
PAUL A. WILLIAMS
Secretary to the Board of Directors
BOB WHITNEY,
President
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