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4/17/2008 Board Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF

BIG BEAR MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT

HELD THURSDAY APRIL 17, 2008

CALL TO ORDER

President Smith called the Open Session to order at 1:00 PM.  Those in attendance included Director Eminger, Director Suhay, Director Murphy, Director Fashempour, District Counsel Keith Lemieux, General Manager Scott Heule, Lake Manager Mike Stephenson and Board Secretary Vicki Sheppard. 

SPECIAL PRESENTATION TO JOHN TUTTLE FOR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE

Mr. Heule acknowledged John Tuttle's 20 years of service to the District.  He described John as a man of many talents highlighting his various areas of expertise. President Smith presented Mr. Tuttle with a framed certificate and a gift of appreciation.  Mr. Tuttle expressed his love for his job and he thanked President Smith, the Directors, Mr. Heule and the entire staff.

REPORTS

Mr. Heule thanked the Directors for allowing him to attend the Water Utility Management Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah. He commented that he received a lot of useful information from the institute and he also received a certificate from Utah State University.  He added that Mike Stephenson will be attending the institute this fall and he hopes that Travis Carroll will be able to attend next spring.  Mr. Heule stated that staff is busy addressing the Quagga Mussel issues.  He explained that the issue was addressed at the Marina Task Force Meeting as well as the Big Bear Valley Managers Meeting commenting that everyone seems to be very interested and willing to help in whatever way they can.  Mr. Heule reported that he and Director Fashempour appeared on Channel 6 this morning and discussed the Quagga Mussel issues.  He added that he, Mr. Stephenson, and Mr. Carroll met with Marcus Dietz, Big Bear Today, and discussed in detail the Quagga issue.  He added that he feels the media coverage that is being received is very important in educating the public regarding the precautions that need to be taken to protect the lake.  President Smith thanked Director Fashempour and Mr. Heule for appearing on Channel 6 and doing such a good job of informing the public on how important addressing the Quagga problem is to protecting the lake.  Director Eminger commented that perhaps Brian Charles, Big Bear Grizzly, would like to see the District's new pressure washers.

Mr. Stephenson reported on the new aquatic weed herbicide that was delivered today explaining that he will be starting weed treatment soon.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR

Upon a motion by Director Suhay, seconded by Director Fashempour, the following consent items were unanimously approved:

·     Minutes of a Regular Meeting of March 20, 2008

·     Minutes of a Special Meeting of March 26, 2008

·     Warrant list dated 4/11/08 for $78,108.32

·     Approval of a Special Event Permit for Buff Masters Annual Trout Tournament to be held May 31, 2008           

PUBLIC HEARING:

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF DIVISION BOUNDARY REDISTRICTING

Mr. Heule reported that population of the District has increased significantly since redistricting was completed in 1990.  He explained that the total population in the District is 20,558 indicating that to accurately represent similar populations each Division should include 4,111 people.  He added that the current population by Division is as follows; Division 1 (Murphy) = 4,092, Division 2 (Fashempour) = 3,381, Division 3 (Suhay) = 3,451, Division 4 (Eminger) = 4,553, and Division 5 (Smith) = 5,081.  He stated that Mike Stephenson, Lake Manager, has compiled census data by census tract, block group, and block and presented a first draft of proposed Division boundaries at the January 17, 2008 meeting.  Mr. Heule explained that in the new proposal, the population in each division is approximately 4,111 people.  He stated that if the Board approves the proposed new division boundaries, Staff will have an engineer prepare legal descriptions of each for submittal to the County Registrar of Voters.  President Smith clarified that the redistricting is based on population and not registered voters.  He thanked Mr. Stephenson for the hard work and good job.  Director Eminger stated that Mr. Stephenson saved the District a great deal of money by being able to complete the redistricting process in-house.  Director Fashempour asked if the difference in the maps of registered voters versus total population is considerably different.  Mr. Stephenson stated that there is a significant difference.  Mr. Heule commented that he, the Lake Manager and the Administrative Committee (Directors Eminger and Smith) recommend realigning Division Boundaries as shown on the realignment map.

The public hearing was opened at 1:34 pm.  No comments were received and the public hearing was closed at 1:35 pm.

            Director Eminger moved approval of Division Boundary Redistricting as shown on  the map dated April 17, 2008.  Director Murphy seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BALLOT FOR REGULAR SPECIAL DISTRICT MEMBER AND METHOD OF CONDUCTING SPECIAL DISTRICT SELECTION COMMITTEE BUSINESS FOR THE LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION

Mr. Heule explained that two LAFCO items require formal action by the Board of Directors; one is casting a ballot for a Regular Special District Member of the LAFCO Board (there are three candidates) and the second matter is casting a ballot for how LAFCO should conduct its future method for conducting the Special Districts Selection Committee process.  He reported that, after reviewing the balloting information and candidate statements, the Administrative Committee was not satisfied they had sufficient information to make an informed candidate selection.  He stated that they did, however, feel that a proposed mail in balloting approach for Independent Special District Selection Committee would be more appropriate than conducting LAFCO business by requiring calling of a meeting.  He explained that the Committee is recommending that this issue should be returned to Committee for further study prior to full Board consideration at the May 1, 2008 meeting.  President Smith stated that rather than approve only part of the proposal, the entire issue should be tabled until the May 1, 2008 Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors.

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AUTHORIZATION FOR THE DISTRICT'S JPIA REPRESENTATIVE TO VOTE AT THE ACWA/JPIA MEETING IN MAY 2008

Mr. Heule reported that, as in previous years, the District's JPIA representative will be attending the upcoming ACWA/JPIA Conference in May 2008.  He explained that there will be an election for President of ACWA-JPIA at this meeting.  He stated that the District’s JPIA representative, Director Todd Murphy, is requesting that the Board direct him to cast a ballot for President of ACWA-JPIA and requests that he be directed to vote for Merle Alsehire for President.  Director Murphy explained why he feels Merle Alsehire is a good candidate for President of ACWA-JPIA.

            Director Suhay moved approval of authorization for the District's JPIA Representative to vote at the ACWA/JPIA meeting in May 2008. Director Fashempour seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

QUAGGA MUSSEL INITIATIVE UPDATE

Mr. Heule made a presentation regarding the various tasks associated with the Quagga Mussel Initiative covering the following general topics:

·     Recent activities

·     Public outreach

·     Marina Task Force

·     Expenses

·     Public and agency response

·     Future activities

·     Possible new activities

Travis Carroll covered the current hours of operation at the two ramps. Director Murphy asked what the public's response has been to the new hours.  Mr. Stephenson responded that the response has been mostly positive with a few complaints.   Director Fashempour asked if the hours could be the same at the West Ramp as they are at the East.  Mr. Heule responded that the District would have to purchase additional equipment and then the public would not be able to park in the lot when no staff was on duty.  Mr. Carroll reviewed the various signage that has been placed.  He also explained the new pressure washers for mussel decontamination.  Mr. Heule highlighted the expenses so far which add up to $58,100 (materials, signs, training, additional salaries).  Mr. Heule reported on the various valley agency responses and offers of assistance including Bear Valley Unified School District, Chamber of Commerce, City of Big Bear Lake, marina operators, and many others including the local media.  Mr. Stephenson reported that staff is placing boulders in many unsecured areas to limit access (Grays Landing, Willow Landing, etc.).  Director Murphy asked how many outlets are not yet secured.  Mr. Stephenson replied that staff is constantly working on the problem and that possibly ten access points are not yet secured.  Mr. Heule mentioned the Quagga Mussel Workshop coming up on April 24th.  Director Suhay asked if anyone is working on a chemical to treat the mussels.  Mr. Stephenson answered that there are some options at this time; however they still need to go through all of the environmental checks before they can be considered and approved for use.  Director Fashempour asked if a charge for decontamination is being considered.  President Smith stated that there are too many questions at this time and when the season gets underway we should know more. He reported that there will be no charge at this time.  Mr. Heule stated that the mussel process should not inconvenience the public to any measurable degree or cause a significant delay in public launching as long as boat owners have prepared ahead of time and are clean, drained and dry.

PUBLIC FORUM

No comments were made.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mr. Heule announced he is going to meet with Don Evenson, Mike Huffstutler, and Randy Van Gelder next week regarding the in-lieu water program. 

DIRECTOR COMMENTS

No comments were made.

ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED SESSION

The meeting was adjourned to Closed Session at 2:39 P.M to:

Conference with Legal Counsel on Existing Litigation – Two Cases #CIV HS 700219 & #CIV HS 800027.

RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION

The meeting was reconvened to Open Session at 3:10 P.M.

No reportable action.

NEXT MEETING                 Open Session at 1:00 P.M.

Thursday May 1, 2008

Big Bear Municipal Water District

40524 Lakeview Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA

Vicki Sheppard

Secretary to the Board

Big Bear Municipal Water District

(SEAL)