 |
MINUTES
BROOKTRAILS TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BROOKTRAILS COMMUNITY CENTER
24850 Birch Street, Willits, CA 95490
April 23, 2002 |
The Board of Directors of Brooktrails Township Community Services District
met in regular session on April 23, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. in Brooktrails Community Center.
A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
B. ROLL CALL
Roll call showed the following Directors present: Pohlson, Venturi, Orth and Skezas. Also present were General Manager Chapman and District Counsel Neary.
C. ADDITIONS/ ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA
None
D. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
April 9, 2002
Director Pohlson moved to approve the minutes of April 9, 2002, as written, seconded by Director Orth. President Skezas asked that the word "Lake" be added after "Boy Scouts" on page 3263, and that the word "unilaterally" be added after "the Board could not" on page 3266, paragraph 1 of item number 2. Director Pohlson amended her motion to include the changes, and Director Orth amended his second. A vote was taken on the motion which passed unanimously.
E. SPECIAL PRESENTATION
A RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO SUSAN MONTELEONE
The resolution was read aloud by General Manager Chapman. However, Ms. Monteleone was unable to attend.
F. PUBLIC HEARING
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION FIXING WATER AVAILABILITY CHARGE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002-2003
President Skezas opened the public hearing at 7:09 p.m. Hearing no comments he closed the public hearing at 7:10 p.m.
Director Venturi moved to approve Resolution No. 2002-8, A Resolution Fixing the Water Availability Charge for Fiscal Year 2002-2003. The motion was seconded by Director Pohlson and the vote was taken as follows:
AYES: Directors: Pohlson, Venturi, Orth, Skezas
NOES: Directors: None
ABSENT: Directors: None
Resolution No. 2002-8 Adopted.
G. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Alicia Walter, of Poppy Drive, came forward to voice concern about the expense of raising the dam and urged the Board to explore other options. She announced that the Women's Club flea market would be held on June 1st at the ballfield.
In response to Robert Terry of Poppy Lane, General Manager Chapman provided information on the Request for Action program.
Robert Houtz, of Harrah Place, voiced concern about holding the flea market at the ballfield, and offered to help Ms. Walter with setting up and tearing down.
Warren Miller, of Oriole Drive, reported that over $9,000 had been raised for the Protective Clothing fund.
H. CONSENT CALENDAR
3. REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE REPORT AND AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE CHECKS
After a brief explanation by General Manager Chapman of the cost for the election, Director Orth moved to approve the report and authorize issuance of checks. The motion was seconded by Director Venturi and passed unanimously.
4. APPOINTMENT TO BROOKTRAILS ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
Director Orth moved to appoint Robert Houtz to the Architectural Review Commission. The motion was seconded by Director Pohlson and passed unanimously.
I. ACTION AGENDA
5. INTERVIEWS OF POTENTIAL BOARD MEMBER-CANDIDATES
After a lengthy question and answer session between Board members and candidates Ed Horrick, Randy Eads, Jack Housman, Carol Gee and Mike Phelan, the Board members ranked the candidates in order of preference, one to five. Candidate Ed Horrick received the lowest count when all votes were added, hence Director Venturi moved to appoint Ed Horrick to fill the unexpired term of Susan Monteleone. The motion was seconded by Director Orth and the vote was taken as follows:
AYES: Directors: Pohlson, Venturi, Orth, Skezas
NOES: Directors: None
ABSENT: Directors: None
Motion Carried.
7. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE BORROWING OF FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002-2003; THE ENTERING INTO AN AMENDED AND RESTATED JOINT EXERCISE OF POWERS AGREEMENT, THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF A 2002-2003 TAX AND REVENUE ANTICIPATION NOTE THEREFOR AND PARTICIPATION IN THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES CASH FLOW FINANCING PROGRAM
Using the overhead projector, General Manager Chapman provided charts demonstrating the fund cash balances on a month-to-month basis, based upon acquiring the funding from the TRAN notes in July. He noted that the funds could be deposited into an interest bearing account until needed, which would offset a portion of the interest cost. He also stressed the importance of public perception.
Tim Knudsen, Tax Collector for the County of Mendocino, took the podium. He provided a summary of the level of the County's participation, explaining that they had participated in the program since 1992.
In response to Director Venturi, General Manager Chapman provided a chart demonstrating the repayment schedule, half being due in January, and the balance due in June.
Mr. Knudsen explained that the proposed resolution would not lock the District into the notes, and that it could cancel prior to signing the contract.
Director Orth spoke in favor of the program, noting the goal of each department standing on its own.
Director Venturi asked for clarification of the stated $250,000 amount referenced in the resolution. General Manager Chapman explained that the amount in the resolution is a maximum, and the District would qualify for approximately $125,000.
Director Pohlson spoke against participating in the program, noting the need for all departments to operate within their budget. She voiced concern that the enterprise funds could be used to repay the loan.
President Skezas disagreed with the perception issue, but agreed that all departments should be self sufficient. He voiced concern about the cost of the program.
Director Orth moved to adopt Resolution 2002-9, a Resolution Authorizing and Approving the Borrowing of Funds for Fiscal Year 2002-2003; the Entering into an Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement, the Issuance and Sale of a 2002-2003 Tax and Revenue Anticipation Note Therefor and Participation in the California Communities Cash Flow Financing Program. The motion was seconded by Director Venturi.
Randy Eads also voiced concern about pledging money from the enterprise funds for repayment. However, he suggested passing the resolution to have the option, pointing out that the application could be withdrawn as the budget process continues. He asked for clarification of some of the amounts in the cash flow statement attached to the staff report. General Manager Chapman explained that the numbers in question were calculated by the company that issues the notes.
Mike Phelan came forward and spoke in favor of passing the resolution.
Director Pohlson voiced concern about using the program as a crutch every year.
Director Venturi pointed out that General Manager Chapman was doing exactly the job that the Board hired him to do, which was to take control of the District's budget and to make Brooktrails into a more fiscally responsible government by looking into options that have not been looked into before. He spoke in support of the resolution and commended the General Manager for his work preparing the budget.
A vote was taken on the motion as follows:
AYES: Directors: Pohlson, Venturi, Orth, Skezas
NOES: Directors: None
ABSENT: Directors: None
Resolution No. 2002-9 Adopted.
Bob Houtz asked if the General Manager planned to use this funding as a temporary program. General Manager Chapman voiced optimism that the District's financial position, including cash flow, would improve each year.
A brief discussion ensued concerning repayment terms. General Manager Chapman again reviewed the cash flow chart on the overhead projector.
6. FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET
Using the overhead projector, General Manager Chapman provided a brief review of the state health department requirements and the capital replacement items which were included in the proposed budget. He reviewed the proposed increases to the rates and fees, noting the justification for the increase to the sewer base rate, based upon the operating expenses and the number of users of the system.
Randy Eads voiced concern that the Board had pledged money to the County for the second access which was not included in the budget, and inquired about the matching funds for the the streambed restoration grant.
A break was called to change the tape.
BREAK at 9:00 p.m. - RECONVENE at 9:07 p.m.
In response to questions from President Skezas, District Counsel Neary explained that public hearings could be scheduled for the June meetings on rates and the budget prior to finalizing them. However, notices mailed to all water customers must include the rates that are proposed and be mailed 45 days prior to the first public hearing. If the rates are changed after that time, re-noticing would be required.
Director Pohlson disclosed her conflict of interest relating to certain items in the Golf Fund and the General Fund, as her husband is employed by the District as Assistant Parks Superintendent. District Counsel Neary offered to provide guidance as to what issues she should not participate in, and suggested she refrain from voting at this meeting.
President Skezas reviewed changes that he proposed to the budget which would cut expenses equal to approximately 75% of the money which would be raised by the rate increases without compromising the amount to be set aside for reserves. He voiced concern about the cost of overtime and comp time. He asked for written documentation regarding the clearwell, and questioned the distribution of wages in the thirteenth month. He suggested cooperative buying of supplies for the water plant as a means of saving money, asked that staff look into available grants for water and waste water systems, and questioned the amount budgeted for interest expense on TRAN notes.
Director Venturi made a motion to set the following rates: the monthly service charge for water be set at $25.20, the water usage tier rates for regular service be set at 0.014, 0.024, 0.029, and 0.037, the construction usage rate be set at 0.063, and the monthly service charge for sewer be set at $17.57. The motion was seconded by President Skezas.
Director Orth stated his support for the proposed rates, noting the need for the users of the sewer system to pay for the use of the facility, and the absentee property owners to pay their share of the maintenance of the lines.
Director Pohlson voiced appreciation to the Board for separating the vote on the water and sewer rates from the vote on golf rates.
A vote on the motion was taken which passed unanimously.
Director Pohlson left the table due to her stated conflict of interest.
Director Venturi made a motion to set the following golf rates: single over 18 years old annual $360, each additional in household over 18 years old $245, daily green fee for 18 holes on weekdays $15, daily green fee for 18 holes on weekends $17. The motion was seconded by Director Orth and passed unanimously, with Director Pohlson abstaining.
Director Pohlson returned to the table.
Director Venturi moved to set a public hearing on the proposed budget for June 11, 2002. The motion was seconded by Director Orth and passed unanimously.
Director Venturi moved to set public hearings on the proposed rates and fees for June 11, 2002 and June 25, 202. The motion was seconded by Director Orth and passed unanimously.
8. REVIEW CHAPTER 1 OF SPECIFIC PLAN - FIVE YEAR REVIEW
Deferred
J. SPECIAL REPORTS - GENERAL MANAGER
General Manager Chapman reported that former Board member Richard Estabrook has asked that someone from the Board attend the Rails to Trails workshop scheduled for May 11, 2002 President Skezas volunteered to attend with General Manager Chapman.
The Board reviewed a report on the lot reduction programs.
General Manager Chapman reported that he would be mailing his final letter to the State Water Resources Control Board as directed, by the May 1st deadline.
No objections were raised to the proposed agenda items for May 14, 2002.
K. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Robert Terry of Poppy Lane suggested that staff consider the installation of a coffer dam silt catchment to reduce sediment in the Lake.
L. ADJOURNMENT
Director Orth moved to adjourn and President Skezas declared the meeting of April 23, 2002 closed at 9:45 p.m.
MICHAEL V. CHAPMAN
Secretary to the Board of Directors
GEORGE SKEZAS,
President |
|
 |
