REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
OF THE
CAMP MEEKER RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
5240 Bohemian Highway, Camp Meeker, California
I. CALL TO ORDER
Gary Helfrich called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Directors Gary Helfrich, Lori Ford, Cheryl Martinsen, Cathie Andersen and Fred Meyer were present. The District’s counsel, Malcolm Manwell, and the District’s engineering firm, represented by Rich Ingram, were present.
III. AGENDA APPROVAL
A motion was made by Cheryl Martinsen, seconded by Cathie Anderson to approve the agenda as written. The motion was unanimously approved.
IV. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION
There were no statements of abstention.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT
Dan Nielsen stated that the lien had remained on his property for several years after it had been satisfied. Gary Helfrich suggested that the District implement the use of a letter advising placement of liens and removal of liens. In the course of further discussion, it was thought that the County Recorder’s office was to inform parties of release and placement of property liens. Malcolm Manwell is to research with the county.
VI. CONSENT ITEMS
A. Approval of Minutes
1. Minutes of April 8, 2003 were tabled.
2. Minutes of March 11, 2003
A motion was made by Cheryl Martinsen, seconded by Cathie Anderson to approve the March 11, 2003 meeting minutes as written. The motion was unanimously approved.
B. Payment of Claims
A motion was made by Lori Ford, seconded by Cheryl Martinsen to approve warrant request G2002/2003-015 (R&P) $2,251.78 and warrant request W2002/2003-013, $13,279.18 for expenses for the month of May 2003. The motion was unanimously approved.
C. Financial Report
Cheryl Doran Girard presented the financial report and indicated that the FAMIS report reflected that flat charge receipts are lower than expected after receipt of funds through the County of Sonoma. Memos were received from the County indicating an undetermined increase in costs for flat charge processing and accounting service charges for the coming year. Ms. Girard advised that fiscal year-end is approaching and asked that all reimbursements, bills, etc. for the current fiscal period be received for approval at the June meeting, if possible.
Camp Meeker Recreation and Park District
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Minutes May 13, 2003
Page Two
VII. ACTION ITEMS:
A. PUBLIC HEARING
The Board took and reviewed public comment on Proposed Resolution 03-09, which proposed to change the schedule of fees and charges for water services and hook-ups, too add excess user charges to encourage conservation of water, and to add provisions in compliance with the new County of Sonoma requirements relating to fire sprinkler systems.
Gene Koch requested clarification of the provisions regarding sprinklers. Discussion ensued.
Dan Nielsen stated that he didn’t see how the rate increase for those hook-ups using more water would result in conservation. Gary Helfrich explained that the rate per thousand gallons used increases quite dramatically for high usage. He went on to say that the schedule is structured so that the average family doesn’t pay premium rates for normal usage.
Steve McNeal of Occidental Community Services stated that he applauds the conservation direction and for inclusion of the sprinkler requirements.
B. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSURE:
At the conclusion of discussion regarding the impact of fire on the water system,
as there were no further comments from the public, the Public Hearing on Resolution 03-09 was closed.
C. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 03-09:
CHANGING SCHEDULE OF FEES AND CHARGES FOR WATER SERVICES AS OF JUNE 10, 2003.
A motion was made by Cheryl Martinsen, seconded by Lori Ford to approve Resolution 03-09 changing the schedule of fees and charges for water services and set the effective date as of June 10, 2003.
The motion was unanimously approved.
D. REVIEW AND ADOPTION OF AMMENDED AND RE-STATED RESOLUTION
03-010, SHARING OF COSTS AND TERMS OF A PROPOSED BUY-IN BY THE OCCIDENTAL COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTRICT INTO THE EXISTING CAMP MEEKER WATER SYSTEM.
Steve McNeal, President of the Occidental Community Services District Board, detailed the background, basic components, organizational structure, USDA requirements of OCSD and rationale for the re-statement of this underlying matter.
After considerable questioning from individual Camp Meeker Board members, the general consensus was that the resolution should be tabled pending a review by a joint committee.
Resolution 03-010 was tabled for further review and consideration.
Camp Meeker Recreation and Park District
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Minutes May 13, 2003
Page Three
E. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE TO MEETING OVER CO-ORDINATION, ISSUES, AND INFORMATION GATHERING REGARDING THE SHARING OF A WATER SYSTEM WITH OCCIDENTAL COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT.
A motion was made by Lori Ford, seconded by Cheryl Martinsen to approve appointment of a committee to discuss issues, co-ordinate and gather information with Occidental Community Services regarding the sharing of the Camp Meeker water system. Meetings will be public and duly noticed.
The motion was unanimously approved. Lori Ford and Gary Helfrich will serve on the committee.
F. REPORT BY ATTORNEY, MALCOLM MANWELL, REGARDING DAN NIELSEN LETTER OF FEBRUARY 26, 2003.
Attorney Manwell reported back to the Board on Dan Nielsen's February
26, 2003 letter concerning the Brown Act. Mr. Manwell stated that the
first concern was whether there was a Brown Act violation at the Joint
Occidental/Camp Meeker meeting on February 9, 2003 because a member of
the general public raised a question about something not on the
Agenda. Mr. Manwell stated that there was no violation. Board Member
Gary Helfrich had refused to allow discussion on the point for that very
reason. Mr. Manwell commented that, although no action or deliberation
is permitted on an item which is not on the agenda, a Board member may
respond briefly to a question from a member of the public [Government
Code Section 54954.2].
The second concern stated in Mr. Nielsen’s correspondence related to Resolution 03-04 that had not been deliberated by the Board and serial meetings arising as a result of meetings with staff, etc. It is Mr. Manwell’s opinion that while this is a complex issue, there is no Brown Act violation in this regard. For example, various firms function as staff to public entities helping to compose such things as water rates for subsequent approval. Attorney Manwell stated that he felt much good had arisen from the process of researching and reviewing Mr. Nielsen’s concerns.
Gary Helfrich asked Mr. Nielsen if he was satisfied with the District’s response to his concerns. Mr. Nielsen replied in the affirmative; however, had one issue with Occidental in this regard.
G. REVIEW AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 03-011, PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR, JULY 1, 2003-JUNE 30, 2004.
A motion was made by Lori Ford, seconded by Cheryl Martinsen to approve Resolution 03-011 to approve the preliminary budget for fiscal year July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004 for all funds required.
The motion was unanimously approved.
Camp Meeker Recreation and Park District
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Minutes May 13, 2003
Page Four
H. DAM PLAN COMMITTEE REPORT
Tara Cantua reported that it was her understanding that funds would be coming indirectly from the Sonoma County Water Agency for this project through NMFS.
She detailed that Gold Ridge is the lead agency on a joint project regarding the culvert. This would be separate from the dam project.
Ms. Cantua was advised that it would be necessary to prepare a budget for these funds if they are to be received in the 2003-2004 fiscal year.
Ms. Cantua further reported on the Harmony School field trip and native plants garden presenting the Board with thank-you notes from the kindergarten class.
She noted that the class enjoyed the merry-go-round far more than the native plants.
VII. MONTHLY REPORT FROM WATER SYSTEM OPERATOR.
Report tabled as Water System Operator was not in attendance.
VIII. DIRECTORS REPORTS
Lori Ford reported that the District is entitled to vote on the Monte Rio sewer project due to the District’s property ownership.
She also reported that the Bodega Navigator has requested copies of agendas be emailed. It was agreed that this would be helpful in keeping the public advised of Board activities.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further matters to be addressed by the Board, a motion was made by and seconded to adjourn the regular meeting of the Camp Meeker Recreation and Park District Board of Directors. The motion was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
CHERYL DORAN GIRARD
/cdg