Others present: Barry Bierschbach, Engineering Resources of Southern California; Judy Bowers, Big Bear Grizzly; Nick Kfoury, Seatra Systems; Michael Perry, City of Big Bear Lake; Lori Schindler, Citizen; and Ron Worthington, Engineering Resources of Southern California.

Staff present: Joe Hanford, Senior Operator; Fred Uhler, Plant Operator; Nancy Laughlin, Finance Manager; Jerry Rang, Plant Superintendent and Steven C. Schindler, General Manager.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Presentations

4. Consent Calendar

Chairman Colven read the contents of the Consent Calendar and inquired as to the desire of any Board Member wishing to remove any item. Chairman Colven asked that Item 4.C, Monthly Summary of Operations Report be moved to Item 7, Items Removed From the Consent Calendar. Upon motion by Board Member Mellen, seconded by Board Member Dr. Eads, and carried, the Governing Board approved the consent calendar as presented.

5. Old Business

Mr. Schindler advised the Governing Board that as directed, staff has completed research into the costs associated with the 2.7% @ 55 retirement program. The Employee Representatives have met with the General Manager and Employer Representatives and negotiated a cost sharing agreement whereas; the employees will fund approximately $25,287 and $27,582 of the increased costs over the next two years. Mr. Schindler also advised the Governing Board that while this item is on the agenda, there are still a couple of details to workout between the Employer Representatives and the Employee Representatives, as to the length of the agreement and what type of agreement the agency will implement. Mr. Schindler advised the Governing Board that the employees and agency would continue to try and work out the details before the formal contract amendment is brought back to the Governing Board.

Chairman Colven inquired about the verbiage in the staff report. Mr. Schindler clarified the total cost to the agency and the amount that the employees will fund. Board Member Newsome and Board Member Mellen reiterated that the Employer Committee is recommending a four-year agreement between the employees and the agency. Employee Representative, Joe Hanford, advised the Governing Board that the employees were concerned about the length of the agreement and reminded the Governing Board that this item is a carryover from last year when all other requests were denied. Chairman Colven thanked the employees for their offer to participate in funding a portion of the increased costs and reminded everyone that the ultimate cost will depend on PERS and the state of the economy. Board Member Newsome and Board Member Cortez reminded the employees that this was an important benefit and hoped that both sides would be able to work out the details.

Upon motion by Board Member Newsome, seconded by Chairman Colven, and carried, the Governing Board approved moving forward with an amendment to the PERS contract to provide the 2.7% @ 55 retirement program, provided the employees and agency agree on terms of the amendment.

6. New Business

Mr. Barry Bierschbach of Engineering Resources of Southern California provided the Governing Board with an update of his study on the Identification, Evaluation and Preliminary Analysis of Available Wastewater Treatment Processes for Advanced Wastewater Treatment. Mr. Bierschbach reminded the Governing Board that this was the first draft of the outline and that it will change and evolve as we proceed through the study. He then reviewed the minimum requirements for groundwater recharge, treatment processes required to reach those minimum levels, different types of treatment and their effect on dissolved solids, types of disinfection, blending requirements, methods to remove total organic carbon, and treatment methods that have been eliminated from further consideration.

Mr. Bierschbach then responded to questions from the Governing Board and Mr. Perry. Mr. Schindler advised the Governing Board that the next update would be during the January meeting.

7. Items Removed from Consent Calendar

Chairman Colven explained that this item was pulled to allow the Governing Board an opportunity to review the cost saving measures implemented recently. Chairman Colven pointed out that staff had completed the water tower, which will result in a $1,200 per month savings, the conversion of blendwater on the polymer system from potable to secondary effluent that will save approximately 34,000 gallons of potable water per month and approximately $1,400 annually. He then commented on the additional sludge drying activities that can save from $30,000 to $45,000 annually. Chairman Colven and the Governing Board thanked staff for their contributions and urged them to continue with these cost saving efforts.

Upon motion by Board Member Newsome, seconded by Board Member Dr. Eads, and carried, the Governing Board accepted the Monthly Summary of Operations Report.

8. Information/Committee Reports

Chairman Colven provided the Governing Board with an update of the IEMT activities. Mr. Schindler advised the Governing Board that Mr. Kasower is still working on obtaining a reverse osmosis filter for testing in Big Bear.

9. Manager's Report - None

10. Public Forum Response - None

11. Public Forum - None

12. Items for Future Agendas

13. Closed Session - None

14. Adjournment

___________________________________________
Dr. Don Eads, Secretary of the Governing Board
of the Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency