Marina Coast Water District - February 25, 1998, Board of Directors minutes
MARINA COAST WATER DISTRICT
District Offices Regular Meeting
11 Reservation Road February 25, 1998
Marina, California 7:00 P. M.
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER:
President Randle called the meeting to order at 7:04 P. M. on February 25,
1998.
2. ROLL CALL:
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Emmette Randle, Jr., President
Ken Nishi, Vice President
Tom Moore
Gary Wilmot
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
Ben Smith
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Leo Laska, General Manager
Jim Dowless, Operations & Maintenance Superintendent
Connie Chavoya, ASO for Personnel & Administration
Barbara Mulholland, ASO for Finance
Evelina Adlawan, Technical Services Manager
Rich Youngblood, Water Conservation/Special Projects Co-ordinator
Dave Foote, District Engineer
Lloyd Lowrey, Legal Counsel
Dorothy Lank, Legal Counsel
AUDIENCE:
Mel Vercoe
Gerry Korinek, Olsen Accountancy
Penny Ampolsuk, MCWD
3. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA:
Mr. Mel Vercoe, 3128 Crescent Avenue, questioned if the desalination plant
was working and if there were plans for a second unit to be added to the
existing one. Mr. Laska arranged to meet with Mr. Vercoe on Thursday for
a tour of the plant and to answer any questions that he might have.
4. APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA:
On motion by Director Moore, seconded by Director Wilmot; the Board approve
the Consent Agenda (minutes of February 11, 1998) as presented. Motion
carried unanimously (4 ayes - 1 absent/Smith).
5. RECEIVE 1996/1997 AUDIT REPORT:
Mr. Gerald Korinek of Olsen Accountancy reviewed the 1996/1997 audit with
the Board. He stated that if the Board had any general questions he would
respond, but if there were any detailed questions the Board would like to
have answered he requested that they be in writing and he would respond at a
later date.
Director Nishi questioned; 1) why there was a decrease in sewer revenues,
2) the water operating revenues versus the cash received from water
customers, 3) where the bad debt expense came from, 4) why the restricted
accounts went from $1,919,724 in 1996 to zero in 1997, and 5) why the
unrestricted went from $151,537 in 1996 to $1,226,463 in 1997. He stated
that he could not accept the 1996/1997 audit until he was provided with the
answers.
Discussion was held on the various options for collecting bad debts. A
report on the bad debts is to be provided to the Budget and Personnel
Committee at the next meeting. A report was also requested on the
bankruptcies and the overall processes that the District has for bad debts.
Director Wilmot suggested that staff look into sending bad debts to a
collection agency and what the process is for handling delinquent multi
family units.
Acceptance of the audit was postponed until the Board is provided with the
answers to their questions.
6. RECEIVE 1997 ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT:
On motion by Director Wilmot, seconded by Director Moore; the Board approve
printing and distribution of the 1997 Annual Water Quality Report as amended.
Motion carried unanimously (4 ayes - 1 absent/Smith).
Director Wilmot requested that fluoride treatment be put on the next
Operations & Maintenance Committee agenda.
7. APPROVE ORDINANCE FOR INDIVIDUAL METERING OF MULTIPLE UNITS:
The draft ordinance for metering of multi-family dwelling units was
discussed. Mr. Youngblood informed the Board of some additions under
Section 4, Item A made by the Water Conservation Commission. There was
however, some concerns by the Board and staff over the language additions
that were made. Staff was directed to take the ordinance back to the Water
Conservation Commission for further discussion.
8. BRIEFING ON CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENTS:
Mrs. Dorothy Lank briefed the Board on the Political Reform Act of 1974
which requires public officials to disclose economic interests that might
influence their decisions, and requires disqualification from decisions
involving conflict of interest. The requirements, prohibitions and
penalties of the conflict of interest laws were discussed. Mrs. Lank
thoroughly reviewed the 1997/1998 Statements of Economic Interest with
the Board and staff.
Director Wilmot asked the minutes reflect that he has turned in his
Conflict of Interest Statement.
9. STAFF REPORTS:
Mr. Laska informed the Directors that the Workshop was scheduled for
Friday, March 6th. Staff will look into holding the Workshop at Vince
DiMaggio Park. The Board was also briefed on the FORA agreement and the
first meeting held today regarding the utilities contract with the Army.
Minutes from this meeting will be available in a couple of weeks.
Director Nishi requested that a lobbying process, in regards to the PBC,
be put on the next Board agenda. He also questioned if the Directors could
attend the negotiating sessions.
Director Wilmot requested that the Fort Ord Committee review the minutes
from the negotiating sessions.
10. BOARD COMMENTS:
Director Wilmot: "I reviewed the tape and I’d like to make a recommendation
that from now on we basically make the Board comments in writing verbatim.
And not edit them. At least mine. Because there was several comments I
made which dealt with the parking situation here, the lighting, the fact
that I didn’t want to spend any more money to make this place more
accessible. That never got into it. The only thing comment that I think
really got in there was, I will try to avoid any meeting I possibly can.
And there was a lot more said to my comments than that. So as far as.
I don’t mind the other part of the meeting being minutes of just the bullet,
the action that we’ve taken, but I’d like to have the comments basically
read verbatim. Thank you.
Director Moore requested a status report at the next Board meeting on how
the staff is handling the access issues during the Board meetings. Mr. Laska
responded to his concerns. He also questioned when the Lake Court report
would be on the agenda.
Director Nishi commented that the east fence was falling down and should be
taken care of.
11. ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting was adjourned at 10:13 P. M.