SOQUEL CREEK WATER DISTRICT

MEETING MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

1. ROLL CALL

President Daniels called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Capitola City Council

Chambers.

Board Members Present:

Dr. Bruce Daniels, President

Dr. Thomas LaHue, Vice President

Dr. Bruce Jaffe

Rick Meyer

Carla Christensen

Staff Members Present:

Ron Duncan, Interim General Manager

Taj Dufour, Engineering Manager/Chief Engineer

Shelley Flock, Interim CCSF Manager

Christine Mead, Operations and Maintenance Manager

Michelle Boisen, Financial/Business Manager

Leslie Strohm, Supervising Accountant

Traci Hart, Human Resources Manager

Doug Martin, Construction Inspector/Cross Connection Specialist

Melanie Schumacher, Special Projects/Community Dialogue Manager

Carla James, Water Quality Program Coordinator

Bob Bosso, District Counsel

Karen Reese, Executive Assistant/Board Clerk

Others Present:

15 members of the public

2. PUBLIC HEARING

2.1 Public Hearing: Cross Connection Control Program Requirements for Auxiliary

Water Systems (including rain barrels, cisterns, and graywater)

Mr. Duncan clarified what an auxiliary water system is. It is an auxiliary system

that is not connected to the District system. For example, it could be a rain

catchment system with a pump in it that has an irrigation system, but that

irrigation system is not also fed by District water. A detailed memo with options is

included in the Board packet.

Lengthy discussion was held by the Board.

President Daniels opened the public hearing.

Public comments:

Doug Deaver thanked staff and the Board for considering changing the policy as it

related to cisterns and backflow. He feels the majority of customers are unaware of

what District policy is or the dangers of backflow. Mr. Deaver would like the Board

to consider hose bib vacuum breakers (HBVB) be given free to any customer.

Meeting Minutes

September 1, 2015

Page 2 of 10

Mr. Dufour noted that the current plumbing code requires all new construction have

hose bib vacuum breakers (HBVB).

Marilyn Garret commented that this seems like an elaborate proposal for something

that may never happen. She objected to the wireless automatic meter readers that

she claims can cause health problems. She stated Central Water District told her

that they also cause corrosion of pipes. Ms. Garrett provided the Board with

information about wireless devices. (attached as Exhibit A)

Doug Martin, SqCWD’s Construction Inspector/Certified Cross Connection

Specialist strongly recommends a minimum yearly inspection whether the District

or customer pays for it. The current inspection program has been shown to prevent

backflow incidents. The original 250 gallon cut off came from cisterns of that size

having potential to have a customer hook into the irrigation system and create a

possible backflow issue.

MOTION: Director LaHue; Second; Director Jaffe: To close the public hearing.

Motion passed unanimously.

Board consensus was that an annual inspection be done at the District’s expense.

Discussion on the capacity of cisterns, graywater systems, and fountains was held.

MOTION: Director LaHue; Second; Director Christensen: To approve the policy

with Option 4 (Page 6 of 219) for auxiliary water systems and remove graywater

from the policy (Page 10 of 219, Item 4) and to remove the Cross Connection

Control and Backflow Prevention Questionnaire from the policy. Motion passed

unanimously.

MOTION: Director Jaffe; Second; Director Meyer: To use existing funds or funds

from Operating Contingency Reserve (OCR) to provide hose bib vacuum breakers

(HBVD) to all customers. Motion passed unanimously.

2.2 Public Hearing on Initial Study and Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration for

Hexavalent Chromium Treatment Project

Mr. Dufour reviewed the memo included in the Board packet. One letter was

received from the Coastal Commission.

President Daniels opened the public hearing.

No comments were heard.

MOTION: Director LaHue; Second; Director Jaffe: To close the public hearing.

Motion passed unanimously.

Meeting Minutes

September 1, 2015

Page 3 of 10

MOTION: Director LaHue; Second; President Daniels: To adopt Resolution No. 15-

16 adopting the Hexavalent Chromium Treatment Project Initial Study/Mitigated

Negative Declaration and approve the Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting

Program for the Hexavalent Chromium Treatment Project, CWO 11-140. Motion

passed by unanimous roll call vote.

2.3 Public Hearing on Initial Study and Proposed Negative Declaration for Land

Acquisition for a Future Employee Parking Lot/Corporation Yard Extension Project

Mr. Dufour briefly outlined the memo in the Board packet. The comment period is

still open for this document. Director LaHue asked that solar panels be considered

for the parking area.

President Daniels opened the public hearing.

No comments were heard.

MOTION: Director Jaffe; Second; Director Christensen: To close the public hearing.

Motion passed unanimously.

Board consensus was to continue the discussion on the Initial Study and Proposed

Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration until the September 15, 2015 Board Meeting.

3. CONSENT AGENDA

3.1 Approval of Minutes – July 21, 2015

Action: Approved

3.2 Aptos Jr. High Well Replacement Project-Phase II, Bid Award

Action: Approved

MOTION: Director LaHue; Second; Director Meyer: To approve the consent

agenda. Motion passed with Director LaHue abstaining as he was not present at the

7/21/15 meeting.

4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (items not on the Agenda)

Public comment:

A customer commented on an agricultural well on his neighbor’s property that is not

capped and his concerns about contamination. He has talked to the County of Santa Cruz

about his concerns. He also asked if customers with more than one unit on their property

are required to have separate meters. He has filed a complaint with the County for a

neighbor at 2620 Capitola Avenue that has several dwellings on the property without

permits or separate metering. The customer was asked to give the information to staff to

investigate. (Attached as Exhibit B)

Becky Steinbruner talked about the Aptos Village project. She feels it makes no sense to

ask customers to conserve water and then give out unconditional will serve letters. She

asked the Board to declare a moratorium until supplemental sources are found. Ms.

Steinbruner thanked Mr. Dufour and Ms. Flock for providing information that she

Meeting Minutes

September 1, 2015

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requested on 7/15/15. She asked when the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was done

for the new well site in Aptos? Is it current? There are 13 private wells within 1000

meters of the new well. Has the District studied how this may impact them? Has the

District contacted those well owners? Will there be a cap placed on the pumping of the

new well that is proportional to the WDO levels that were established by Barry Swenson

Builder and other unconditional will serve letters for the area? Regarding Barry Swenson

Builder the estimate for demand was 37.964 AFY – does that reflect the additional six

residential units?

President Daniels indicated that staff would get back to Ms. Steinbruner.

Tisha Miller has concerns about the additional units being built in Aptos Village and how

the District can approve water usage for this project while asking customers to conserve.

She stated the New Leaf Market that is part of the project will use water all day long for

watering their vegetables. Ms. Miller stated there are a lot of Aptos people who are very

concerned about this project.

Marilyn Garrett agrees with Ms. Steinbruner about the problems the Aptos Village project

will create. She stated that we are in a crisis, and there needs to be a moratorium on new

hookups. Ms. Garrett has issues with smart meters, noting that they can cause fires and

then water needs to be used to put out the fires.

Diana Bush supports the concerns of the poor planning of the Aptos Village project. She

feels that the concerns of the local residents regarding water, safety, resources, crowding

and traffic are not being taken into account. She feels there needs to be much more

discussion and further review of this project before it moves forward.

Lowell Webb referenced Agenda 21 which can be found in last month’s Connection

Magazine. He stated that municipalities world-wide are being affected by the slow

creeping of Agenda 21. Mr. Webb also noted the traffic issues associated with three new

traffic lights in the Aptos Village area.

Board Comment:

Director Meyer pointed out that later in the agenda Item 6.10 is a discussion of how the

District relates to the land use policies of the County and City of Capitola. Although the

Board issues will serve letters, it can’t pick and choose projects, but the County can when

it has zoning changes or changes to its land use regulations.

President Daniels talked about the number of days in his billing cycle not being the same

as last year so comparison is not easy. He went to the booth at the Farmer’s Market on

Saturday and felt the outreach was not aggressive enough. He attended the City’s

enrichment series on groundwater. Scotts Valley also has a leaky aquifer. Andy Fisher

talked about distributed storm water collection and recharge using dry wells as a conduit

to introduce storm water into the aquifer.

5. REPORTS

5.1 Board Agenda Planning Calendar

Meeting Minutes

September 1, 2015

Page 5 of 10

Director Jaffe commented that he likes the planning calendar; seeing what is

coming up is helpful.

5.2 Recognition of Ava Bobby, 2015 Summer Intern

Ms. Schumacher introduced Ava Bobby, 2015 summer intern, who has been

working with the Special Projects and Community Dialogue department learning

about recycled water. Ms. Schumacher noted that the intern program has value for

local residents to see what jobs in the water industry are like. Vaidehi Campbell

and Matt Orbach were both interns. Ms. Bobby was presented with a certificate

and thanked by the Board for her contributions during her internship.

5.3 Income and Investment Report

Mr. Duncan noted the top tier users for the month of July relative to 2013, multi-

family has reduced 88% in the top tier and single family has reduced 73%.

5.4 Draft Project Scheduling Chart

Ms. Schumacher prepared this chart to be presented approximately twice a year to

update the Board on ongoing planning. Input from the Board on how to make it

better was sought. Director Daniels noted that there is a lot of good information,

but it’s very small and difficult to read. Having it on more pages would make it

more useful.

6. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS

6.1 Conditional Will Serve Letters

6.1.1 Conditional Will Serve Letter for Single Family Residence at 208 Mirada

Drive Aptos, Peter Gaeckle, APN 043-052-14

No discussion.

MOTION: Director LaHue; Second; Director Meyer: To authorize the

District's conditional will serve letter for the single family residence at 208

Mirada Dr. in Aptos, APN 043-052-14. Motion passed with President Daniels

opposed.

6.2 Unconditional Will Serve Letters

6.2.1 Unconditional Will Serve Letter for Seacliff Village Park (Formerly McGregor

Park), Canterbury Dr. & McGregor Dr., Aptos, APN 038-081-40

Mr. Dufour noted the County had a credit for Water Demand Offsets (WDOs)

associated with the Polo Grounds project where they did some conservation

projects as well as along the Seascape medians on Seascape Blvd. They will

be putting in a 1” meter which has a larger water capacity fee than identified

in the memo.

Director Jaffe asked about the County’s awareness of water use. Mr. Duncan

responded that in a later item discussing the Housing Element for the

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September 1, 2015

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County, conservation was noticeably absent, yet in the Sustainable Corridor

Plan there was a nice section on conservation efforts associated with project.

MOTION: Director LaHue; Second: Director Jaffe: To authorize the District's

unconditional will serve letter for the Seacliff Village Park at Canterbury

Drive and McGregor Drive, Aptos, APN 038-081-40. Motion passed with

President Daniels opposed.

6.3 Presentation of Potential Software Purchase to Facilitate Preparation of Board

Packets and Minutes

Andrew Baker, Accela Legislative Management, gave a brief presentation of a

software package (attached as Exhibit C) that staff is considering purchasing to

streamline the packet and minutes preparation process and answered questions

from the Board. The Board directed staff to continue review of this product, if so

desired.

Mr. Baker was thanked for his presentation.

6.4 Goal Setting for Public Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement for the Groundwater

Replenishment Project

Ms. Schumacher introduced Linda Macpherson from New Water ReSources, a sub-

consultant to Carollo Engineers who is conducting the District’s groundwater

replenishment feasibility study. Ms. MacPherson gave a presentation (attached as

Exhibit D) on setting goals for public outreach on a recycled water project. Andy

Salveson, from Carollo Engineers, was also present to answer questions.

Lengthy discussion was held. Ms. Macpherson talked about the types of outreach

via the District’s website and social media. Mr. Salveson discussed constituents of

emerging concerns (CECs) and the sources of information on the safety of purified

water.

The need to start outreach right now was stressed by President Daniels. Having

data to back up the information that is provided to the public is essential. Director

Jaffe cautioned strongly that the outreach program on recycling not be construed as

advocacy; that the District will stop moving forward with a project if anything is

found to be unsafe. Director LaHue underscored the need for data early in the

process for both the District and the public. Director Christensen suggested that

single topic workshops for the public would be valuable early in the process.

Public comment:

Becky Steinbruner expressed concerns about microbes and asked if there is science

that shows recycled water would be free of chemicals.

President Daniels noted the Board does not have all the data either, but that the

reverse osmosis process separates out very small molecules. The result of that is

Meeting Minutes

September 1, 2015

Page 7 of 10

essentially distilled water. Director Meyer noted this water would not be sent to

the drinking water supply, but would be injected into the aquifer. The state, as well

as the District, will require that the water supply is not being degraded by the

injection of recycled water.

Mr. Salveson acknowledged that CECs are a common public concern. Data shows

that the level of trace pollutants is less than a nanogram per liter after going

through a series of multiple barriers and treatments.

The Board asked that the outreach plan include the pros and cons of potable reuse,

and that they use clear, consistent, non-stigmatizing language.

MOTION: Director LaHue; Second; Director Christensen: That the Board finds the

goals and objectives for the Groundwater Replenishment Project’s community

outreach plan are generally acceptable and directed staff to bring back a detailed

scope and budget for stakeholder engagement to a future meeting. Motion passed

unanimously.

Ms. Macpherson and Mr. Salveson were both thanked for their presentation.

6.5 Approval of Cooperative Agreement with Santa Cruz County Sanitation District for

Evaluating the Recycling of Wastewater for Improved Resource Management

Mr. Duncan reviewed the agreement for cooperatively exploring the potential of

turning wastewater into purified water.

Brief discussion was held.

MOTION: Director Jaffe; Second; Director Meyer: To direct the Interim General

Manager and Legal Counsel to sign the Cooperative Agreement and proceed with

the actions as described in the agreement. Motion passed unanimously.

6.6 General Manager Recruitment Process & Hiring Options

President Daniels opened the discussion of how to move forward with the

recruitment process. Director LaHue would like to hear from staff on how they feel

about working with Mr. Duncan. Director Meyer stated he would hesitate to cut the

hiring process short by not looking for other qualified candidates. He feels that the

Board owes it to the customers to select the best candidate, rather than the first

candidate.

Motion: Director LaHue; Second; Director Christensen: To have Mr. Duncan

continue as Interim General Manager for five more months and to conduct

interviews with employees in January with a closed session evaluation and Board

discussion in February at which time they will decide whether to go out for

recruitment or to hire Mr. Duncan as General Manager. Motion passed with

Director Meyer abstaining.

Meeting Minutes

September 1, 2015

Page 8 of 10

6.7 Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Region 5 Election for the 2016-

2017 Term

Brief discussion was held.

MOTION: Director LaHue; Second; Director Christensen: To direct the Board

President to cast votes for David Hodgin, Bill Rosen and Rob Marani. Motion

passed unanimously.

President Daniels will submit the ballot.

6.8 Item pulled

6.9 Discussion on the Development of the Groundwater Sustainability Agency

Director Jaffe reported that there is good cooperation amongst the membership of

the Soquel Aptos Groundwater Management Committee (SAGMC). The new

private well owners were appointed. The subcommittee is focusing on a specific

checklist of items with deadlines and will be updating the SAGMC at the next

meeting. Discussion is going to be held on appointing a chair and an alternate for

the private well owners as well as the City and County. SqCWD and Central Water

District already have designated alternates.

This item will be on the agenda after each SAGMC meeting to update the Board.

Director Jaffe was thanked for all the hours he has put toward these efforts.

6.10 Board Discussion on Coordination Between the District and Agencies Involved with

Land Use Planning

Discussion was held on inviting representatives from the City of Capitola and the

County of Santa Cruz to discuss the planning phases and where water use and

conservation fits in. Having someone involved in the Draft Housing Element would

be ideal. There is a 60 day comment period which began August 4th.

It was suggested that representatives from the District (staff and a Board member)

go to both the City of Capitola and the County to talk about what our issues are.

Regulations are changing within the planning department and staff should be

prepared to talk to specific issues and the impact they would have on the District.

An item will be agendized to discuss the Draft Housing Element of the General Plan

and Mr. Duncan will invite County and Capitola staff.

Public comment:

Becky Steinbruner noted that she attended the Board of Supervisor’s public hearing

on 8/4 and not one planning staff member of supervisor mentioned water, but talked

about a dense housing development plan. She also noted that the County planning

Meeting Minutes

September 1, 2015

Page 9 of 10

department is staging various community meetings to discuss the changes to the

Housing Element.

6.11 Review and Consider Potential Modification to the Manner in which Specific Will

Serve Letters are Presented in the Board Meeting Packets

Discussion was held on how will serve letters are presented to the Board.

Suggestions were included in the Board memo. After discussion, it was agreed that

these need to remain under Administrative Business, but can be listed as a single-

table line item. Director Jaffe requested that the cumulative totals year-to-date of

WDOs be included in the same table.

Public comment:

Becky Steinbruner commented that if staff knows how much water is being given

out for new connections, what figures would the District give to the County for an

annual water allocation?

Director LaHue noted this has not been done before and would be a new discussion

with guidance from hydrogeologists and counsel.

MOTION: Director LaHue; Second; Director Meyer: Include will serve letters as a

line item under Administrative Business with running totals of the Water Demand

Offsets (WDOs) reported on the same page. Motion passed unanimously.

6.12 Approve Joint Funding Agreement and Scope of Work from the US Geological

Survey (USGS) to Provide Support for the Groundwater Modeling Effort

Brief discussion was held. Director Jaffe recused himself from voting because he

works for the USGS.

MOTION: President Daniels; Second; Director Christensen: To approve the Joint

Funding Agreement (JFA) and scope-of-work from the USGS and authorize the

interim General Manager to sign it. Motion passed.

7. STATUS REPORTS – None

Mr. Bosso noted that he had given instructions to staff to distribute the draft of the City

Agreement to the Board assuming it had already been seen. This was not correct, and Mr.

Bosso asked the Board to ignore the document as it is a draft in process.

8. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

Discussion was held on how to respond to letters from the public. Mr. Duncan noted this

is an item for a future agenda. Ms. Boisen noted that staff does respond to leak

adjustment letters indicating to the customer that they can come before the Board to

request a variance. President Daniels asked that if staff have responded, that they

indicate so in the memo so the Board knows it was handled.

Meeting Minutes

September 1, 2015

Page 10 of 10

8.1 Letter to Board Members from Bill and Esther Shewaga Regarding Consideration to

Average Billing Over the Past Year

Ms. Boisen noted the Shewaga’s will be on the agenda for the 10/6/15 meeting.

8.2 Email to Board Members Expressing Appreciation for Carla James, Water Quality

Program Coordinator, from Ben Vernazza

Mr. Duncan noted that an email reply was sent to Mr. Vernazaa thanking him for

recognizing Ms. James.

8.3 Note from Wayne Stanton Regarding General Manager (GM) Severance Payment

Mr. Duncan will reply to Mr. Stanton

8.4 Letter to Board Members from Shelley and Ronald Reinisch Regarding Leak Policy

Mr. Duncan will reply to the Reinisch’s

9. CLOSED SESSION

No closed session was held tonight.

10. ADJOURNMENT

President Daniels adjourned the meeting at 10:00 p.m. to the next scheduled Regular

Meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 2015.

SUBMITTED BY: APPROVED BY:

____________________________ _____________________________

Karen Reese, Board Clerk Bruce Daniels, President

Drew Baker abaker@accela.com

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Obtaining appropriate water decisions for sustainable

communities Linda Macpherson, New Water ReSources

Knowledge vacuum

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Risk perception

Risk

Affect heuristic model explaining risk/benefit confounding: Alhakami & Slovic,1994

Information: “Benefit high” Inference: Risk low

Information: “Risk low” Inference: Benefit high

Information: “Benefit low” Inference: Risk high

Information: “Risk high” Inference: Benefit low

Water is constantly recycled

Preferably illustration to show these aspects, masterslide background, or complete illustration not title and text

Indirect potable reuse Direct potable reuse Inadvertent indirect potable reuse Defacto indirect potable reuse Yuck factor or yuk factor Treated wastewater Sewage water Re-purified water

“Water should not be judged by its history, but by it’s quality.”

Dr Lucas van Vuuren (1927 – 2014)

Variety of materials Variety of channels Website

Interpretive centers

Traditional media

Social media Government presentations

Community presentations

TOOLBOX • Success stories • Safety explanations • Concept animations

Safety & benefits

Reliability and monitoring – the hallmark of quality

An independent expert panel can give unbiased verification.

The public considers that water quality & treatment more important for safety of our drinking water supply than its source To provide assurance of safety & quality of recycled

water, it is important to emphasize the amount of monitoring and tests that have been undertaken.

Engaging stakeholders

• SqCWD should agree upon and have a consistent approach (all spokespersons give save message)

• Identify and engage with interest groups • Obtaining written approval from interest

groups can be highly effective

Preferably illustration to show these aspects, masterslide background, or complete illustration not title and text

• Providing information has consistently been shown to improve knowledge – from Singapore to San Diego, Orange County to Northern Virginia

• The words we use make a difference • Stigma is powerful but can be overcome

– Make water reuse familiar – Risk studies and quantitative risk assessments breed

fear – Detection versus “harm”

• Understanding the urban water cycle enhances understanding – and acceptance – Create familiarity – all water is reused

• Information must be provided transparently but be simple, engaging and thought-provoking

• People form opinions regarding contentious issues and respond based on their own values, emotions and cultural context

• Words and images can either improve or hinder understanding

• Talk about water quality – not history

LINDA MACPHERSON Managing Member New Water ReSources, LLC tel: +1 503 720 0082 www.newwaterresources.com