BIG BEAR AREA REGIONAL WASTEWATER AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
February 27, 2002
At
122 Palomino Drive
Big Bear City, CA 92314
1. Call to Order
A regular meeting of the Governing Board of the Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency was held on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 4:30 p.m. at 122 Palomino Drive, Big Bear City, California.
Governing Board Members present: Bob Colven, Mary Cortez, Dr. Donald Eads, Bill Mellen, and Jeff Newsome.
Governing Board Member absent: None
Others present: Kim Colven, public member; Betty Schindler, visitor; Bill Jensen, public member; Al Ziegler, public member; and Michelle Shanner, Grizzly.
Staff present: Nancy Laughlin, Finance Manager; Jerry Rang, Treatment Plant Superintendent; and Steven Schindler, General Manager.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Chairman Colven called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Presentation
Mr. Schindler introduced his mother, Betty Schindler, visiting from Ohio.
4. Consent Calendar
The Governing Board reviewed the items on the consent calendar. Upon motion by Board Member Eads, seconded by Board Member Mellen, and carried, the Governing Board approved the consent calendar as follows:
A. Approval of the Agenda - Approved
B. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 23, 2002, Special Meeting of February 5, 2002 and Special Meeting of February 6, 2002 - Approved
C. Monthly Summary of Operations Report - Informational
D. Monthly Cash Disbursements for January 2002 - Informational
E. Monthly Statement of Revenue and Expenditures, Actual vs. Budget for January 2002 - Informational
F. Investment Report and Sewer Connection Report for January 2002 - Informational
G. Governing Board Member Reimbursement - Approved
H. Quarterly Update Capital Expenditures - Approved
I. Resolution of the Governing Board of the Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency Fixing Time and Place of Hearing on Proposed Sewer Standby or Immediate Availability Charges for Fiscal Year 2002/03, and Prescribing Notice of Such Hearing - Approved
J. Ad Hoc Advisory Committee Assignments - Informational
VOTES: 5-AYES
5. Old Business
A. Fiscal Year 2003-2011 Rate Increase
Chairman Colven opened the discussion with an explanation of the need for an increase in operations & maintenance and reclamation funding over the next four years. Staff reminded the Governing Board of the percent increases, 15% FY 02/03, 15% FY 03/04, 12% FY 04/05 and 12% FY 05/06 which are the same as the Governing Board reviewed during the previous January and February 2002 meetings.
Board Member Newsome asked if this funding included the Stanfield Marsh project. Staff advised it was included. Board Member Newsome advised the public, staff and Governing Board that he was supportive of reclamation and agreed with the need, but would still vote "no" as he felt that additional work with the MWD was needed before we plan to use the lake as a reservoir.
Chairman Colven and Board Member Cortez explained that going to the marsh/lake would be beneficial to all agencies, visitors and residents of the valley. Board Member Newsome advised those assembled that he believed that we should strive to guide the reclamation program to serve the member agencies.
Mr. Schindler advised the Governing Board that these issues would not be resolved before our next meeting, but staff will provide answers as soon as possible.
After further discussion, Chain-nan Colven retirned the matter to the Governing Board. Upon motion by, Board Member Eads, seconded by Board Member Cortez, and carried, the Governing Board directed staff to implement the rate increases in the upcoming budgets as follows: FY 2002/03-15%, FY 2003/04-15%, FY 2004/05- 12%, and FY 2005/06-12%.
VOTES: 4-AYES 1-No
6. New Business
A. Proposal Before the Big Bear City Community Services District for Land Purchase - Informational
Chairman Colven and Board Member Newsome provided the Governing Board with an update of the newest activities surrounding the multiple offers to purchase and develop District property. Mr. Schindler advised the Governing Board that Mr. Ray Boling, Pan Hot Springs, is still working on making a proposal to BBARWA and the District. Mr. Schindler advised the Governing Board that the proposal would be forwarded when it becomes available.
B. Authorize Phase II funding in the amount of $38,182 for the Southern California Water Recycling Projects Initiative.
Mr. Schindler advised the Governing Board that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has agreed to allow credit for In-Kind Services in the amount of $22,357. Therefore, it is only necessary to fund $15,825.
Upon motion by Board Member Cortez, seconded by Board Member Eads, and carried, the Governing Board approved the funding in the amount of $15,825 and authorized Chairman Colven and Secretary Eads to sign the agreement.
7. Items Removed from the Consent Calendar - None
8. Information Items - Established Committee Reports
Chairman Colven advised the Governing Board of the Water Committee activities at the February IEMT meeting and advised of the Water Committee's plans to improve the site with native and indigenous trees/shrubbery.
9. Manager's Report - None
10. Public Forum Response - None
11. Public Forum
Chairman Colven inquired of Mrs. Schindler, if she thought her son was doing a fine job. Mrs. Schindler agreed.
12. Items for future agendas - None
Mr. Schindler advised the Governing Board that eventually we would need to address dirt hauling again. Presently, we are looking at the envirorunental documentation and setting a meeting to provide our neighbors an opportunity to address the issue.
13. Closed Session
At 5:45 p.m. the Governing Board entered into closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, Conference with Labor Negotiator. Title of Agency Negotiator, General Manager, Title of Employee, All Agency Employees.
At 6:30 p.m. the Governing Board reconvened into Open Session and reported the following:
1. Denied the request for a contract amendment with PERS for a 2.7% @ 55 retirement program. However, as additional options become available, they may receive additional consideration by the General Manager.
2. Approved revisions to the Personnel Management Policy and Procedures Manual
(PMP&PM), Section 4.01, Benefit Plan, Section 6.01, Sick Leave and Section 6.03, Vacation to allow all employees regardless of their hire date to receive equal coverage under the PW&PM.
3. Denied consideration the of an operator salary survey.
4. Approved the request to investigating option for renaming the agency and focusing on reclamation versus wastewater.
5. Approved the request for a contract amendment with PERS for military credit towards the employee's retirement. providing the employee is responsible for the cost of the credit.
6. Approved the request for a 9/80-work schedule, providing the employees develop a satisfactory schedule.
7. Approved two (2) additional hours of standby time per week (one (1) hour for Saturday and one (1) hour for Sunday).
8. Approved a computer purchase program.
At the same time the Governing Board approved the following changes to the Personnel Management Policy and Procedures Manual:
1. Moving floating and birthday hours to section 6.02.01.
2. Deleting duplicate page 23.
3. Removing the six-month service requirement from vacation time.
4. Establishing an Administrative Policy to clarify Section 10.01.
5. Deleting parking as a non-reimbursable expense.
6. Removing references to long term disability.
14. Adjournment
With no further business to come before the Governing Board, Chairman Colven adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.
________________________________________ Dr. Don Eads, Secretary of the Governing Board of the Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency