HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/09/1988, Agenda WHALE ROCK COMMISSION MEETING " T_TINCi2,'__ AGENDA
DATE ITEM #
A G E N D A
WHALE ROCK COMMISSION MEETING
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
HEARING ROOM CITY HALL - 990 PALM STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
12:00 Noon Commissioners lunch at Sebastian's. Chorro at
Monterey adjacent to Mission Plaza
1:30 p.m. Commissioners reconvene at City Hall, Hearing Room 9
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
ROLL CALL
Commissioners: Ron Dunin, City of San Luis Obispo
Commission Vice Chair
John Dunn, City of San Luis Obispo,
Commission Secretary
Doug Gerard, California Polytechnic State University
Commission Chair
Carlos Madrid, California Deparment of Water
Resources
Carmen Salvato, California Mens Colony
Bill Statler, City of San Luis Obispo
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PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
(5 Minutes)
The Whale Rock Commission will receive public comment on items of
interest to the public -within the Commission's jurisdiction.
As a general rule, action will not be taken on issues not listed on
the agenda. Staff will generally be asked to follow up on such items
at the discretion of the Chair. Written material is also encouraged.
1. Minutes - Approval of draft minutes of the August 22,
1988, meeting.
2 . Consideration of Morro Bay's request for emergency water
supply.
3. Approval of Coastal Streams Storage and Diversion Project
contract with Leedshill-Herkenhoff, Inc.
4. Consideration of a request to renegotiate the Cayucos Area
Water users contract.
RECEIVE ®
NOV 4 1988
QTY CLERK
SAN LUISOBISPO.CA
Draft Minutes
Whale Rock Commission Meeting
Monday, August 22 , 1988
Hearing Room, City Hall - 990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, California
Commission Members Present:
Ron Dunin, City of San Luis Obispo, Commission Vice Chair
John Dunn, City of San Luis Obispo, Commission Secretary
Doug Gerard, California Polytechnic State University,
Commission Chair
Carlos Madrid, California Department of Water Resources
Carmen Salvato, California Mens Colony
William Statler, City of San Luis Obispo
City Staff Present:
Barry Daffern, Water Supply & Distribution Supervisor
Hal Fones, Utilities Engineer
William T. Hetland, Utilities Director
Jane Johansen, Recording Secretary
Roll Call
Chairman Gerard called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. and invited
comments from the audience in accordance with the Brown Act (items
not on the agenda) .
Mr. George Brett, of Cayucos, presented a request that the Whale Rock
Commission consider renegotiating the contract with the Cayucos Area
Water Organizations for retrieving groundwater, and considering the
possibility of a water treatment plant for that area in the future.
With the possibility of taking this up as a future agenda item,
Chairman Gerard requested that the recording secretary research and
make available to the commissioners, copies of the original Whale
Rock Agreement. (Copies were sent to each Commissioner week of
8/29/88) .
Mr. Charles Palmer commented that the Commission should be aware that
some residences in Cayucos are not metered.
ACTION ITEMS
1. Draft Minutes from the June 15, 1988 , Annual Whale Rock Meeting.
Commissioner Salvato requested clarification of the motion on
Action Item No. 4 , Water Allocation and Operational Program, a
motion which he had seconded. In discussion, it was agreed that
the operating agreement does make provision for the purchase or
borrow of water from another member agency, and therefore,
Commissioner Salvato's question could be clarified by indicating
at the end of the motion, "within the guidelines of the
Whale Rock Commission Meeting, August 22, 1988
Draft Minutes
Page 2
agreement" . Commissioner Dunn then made a motion to approve
the minutes as modified, seconded by Commissioner Dunin.
Motion carried.
2. Coastal Stream Diversion and Storage Proiect
A. Approval of proposal for environmental impact report
institutional alternatives, and watershed study.
Bill Hetland explained the schedule for the the overall
process, and commented that we are now seeking approval of
the contract. The project has a range of costs, with the
upper limit being $118,000. $42,500 has already been
authorized by the City of Morro Bay to fund the project.
This figure was based on the original estimate of $85, 000.
Now having received the proposal coming in at a possible
$118,000, staff has met again with Morro Bay staff asking
their consideration of an increase in their financial
participation.
Staff recommends the Whale Rock Commission Chairman execute
the contract for the preparation of the Environmental Impact
Report, Watershed Surveys, Alternate Diversion and Storage
Plans, and recommend an Institutional and Financial Plan, and
work with Morro Bay to request an increase of their financial
participation to an amount representing 50%.
The Chairman opened the item for discussion.
Commissioner Dunn clarified that we have a letter from Morro
Bay making it clear that they don't wish to duplicate studies
to analyze San Bernardo Creek Reservoir, as they have already
commenced a $300, 000 study encompassing that scope.
In response to a question from Commissioner Dunin, Bill
Hetland indicated that the increase in the initial cost
projection of $85,000 to $118,000, is not unusual in a
project of this magnitude, and that what is important is that
we have a contract with an upper limit. The duplication
issue would be handled administratively depending on what
issues come up during the study.
Regarding the hourly rates and fees (last page of the
proposal) , Hetland indicated this is a standard fee
schedule. Questions of upper and lower limits on fees, and
whether or not certain travel is appropriate to charge the
city, are questions to be addressed by the Project Manager.
Dunin indicated he wants the Commission to be aware of how
this is written and that travel expenses add up when the
consultant is some distance away.
Whale Rock Commission Meeting August 22, 1988
Draft Minutes
Page 3
Dale Reddell , Mayor of Morro Bay, read a letter aloud (copy
attached) and concluded with the comment that he would really
like to see this project continue.
Bill Coy, County Supervisor, indicated he is very enthusiastic
about this proposal and urges the Whale Rock Commission to
move forward on it. At some future point, the County will
become involved; Cayucos is out of water, Morro Bay has
approached the County, the County is very interested,
communities around this area are interested to pay their way
for future water entitlements. This proposal is very
environmentally sound. Also he recognizes CMC's concerns
about financing as legitimate.
Don Smith, suggested additional sources for consideration.
Chorro Creek Reservoir is not large enough and often overflows
and it is directly behind CMC. Salinas Reservoir is a very
good producer but not large enough to supply in all dry
years. The water goes downhill without additional pumping.
Nacimiento could serve 13 agencies and communities, rather
than go with the State Water Project.
Gary Napper, Morro Bay City Administrator, commented regarding
duplicate studies, asking that we look at our planned scope of
work; Morro Bay is not opposed, just doesn't want to pay
twice.
Randy Ruff (?) , representing Citizens Planning Alliance,
encouraged looking at watershed basins and all supplies within
the county, rather than importing water from outside the
county. He encouraged the Commission to adopt an overiding
viewpoint and the strategies to bring this about.
Bruce Risley, Morro Bay Civic Action League, expressed full
support of actions being recommended today. Morro Bay
citizens feel a certain urgency about this. Hopefully, a year
from now we will be in the midst of a solution, if the Whale
Rock Commission makes a decision today.
Commissioner Dunn hears Morro Bay indicating they are not
willing to pay for the San Bernardo Creek area study; will we
be looking at area to the east too? Hetland indicated yes.
We will review Morro Bay's scope of work, with their
consultant, so we don't duplicate efforts in this area. We
can do this as we are underway.
Whale Rock Commission Meeting August 22 , 1988
Draft Minutes
Page 4
Commissioner Dunin asked the Commission to discuss the
appropriateness of Hetland as Project Manager. Hetland said
the MOU for this project spelled out joint funding of the
project, Whale Rock Commission to act as lead agency, and
Whale Rock staff being Project Manager for the study.
Commissioner Gerard was concerned with the Morro Bay agreement
because Morro Bay came to Whale Rock Commission some time ago
asking the Commission to take the lead in pursuing the study,
and results of the study indicated that the project should go
ahead. The MOU appears to imply that we want the consultant
to work for two bosses, making it very difficult to
administer. He's concerned about this change in approach.
Charles Palmer, Enterprise Engineering, felt the study
indicated Morro Bay coming out on the short end. The report
proposed bringing in water from Santa Margarita Lake, a small
modification. He felt there are other ways to keep costs to
everybody less than indicated in the report.
Commissioner Gerard commented that we are only today in
receipt of Morro Bay's letter, and we need more time to
consider this. He apologizes if the City of Morro Bay feels
it has not been fairly treated. There may be a need for an
MOU to assure a formal process. He suggests staff work with
City of Morro Bay to see if there is an agreement that can be
developed. We would be happy to consider it at a future Whale
Rock Commission meeting, even if this meant a meeting being
held in the very near future.
Commissioner Dunin stated that he will vote against the MOU.
Also, this must be reviewed by the San Luis Obispo City
Council which is a major partner in the Whale Rock
Commission. Regarding storage water from Nacimiento, he is
very supportive of the idea, but feels Morro Bay must realize
they are buying their way into an existing arrangement.
Commissioner Dunn hopes there is a way to proceed with the
project, with the EIR, keeping in mind that it takes a while.
He suggests two proposals, one minor and one serious: (1)
Morro Bay does not want to pay twice -- that is more easily
worked out. (2) The more serious is Morro Bay wanting to be
co-administrator of the contract; that can't be worked out
today. The question is, is there a way to proceed, subject to
resolving these two issues in the very near future.
Whale Rock Commission Meeting August 22, 1988
Draft Minutes
Page 5
Commissioner Gerard agrees that the method of administering
the contract seems to be the issue. He feels there is way to
go ahead with the EIR, and direct staff to immediately meet
with Morro Bay representatives to resolve the mutual
concerns.
John Lemons, Morro Bay City Councilmember, commented that
there is no dissatisfaction at all on the part of Morro Bay
with the way the project is proceeding under the existing
MOU. He supports directing staff to discuss possible changes,
while going ahead with the EIR, etc. It is not necessary to
have a new MOU at this point in time.
Motion•
Commissioner Dunn made a motion to authorize the Chairman of
the Whale Rock Commission to execute a contract with
Leedshill/Herkenhoff for the preparation of the Environmental
Impact Report, Watershed Surveys, Alternate Diversion and
Storge Plans, recommend an Institutional and Financial Plan,
and proceed with this contract subject to coming to acceptable
arrangements with Morro Bay in reduction of cost to them to
avoid their paying twice for a portion of the study, plus
resolution of the contract. The motion was modified by
Commissioner Madrid to indicate consideration of sharing the
cost of alternatives, and giving credit to Morro Bay for work
that their consultant has done. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Madrid and approved by unanimous vote of
Commission members present.
2 . Coastal Stream Diversion and Storage Project
B. Summary of requests for participation in Coastal Stream
Diversion and Storage Project.
Bill Hetland shared information that five agencies have
requested 623 acre feet; Cambria Community Services is not
interested; California Water Company in Los Osos is interested
and will send a letter to that effect.
The summary report was accepted at this time.
3. Paso Robles Beach Water Company
Mr. Roger Lyon addressed the Commission regarding operational
problems in their water system, including pumps sucking air
which causes the chlorinator not to work. It is urgent to
address the letting of a contract to drill a new well upstream
(a proposal was received a month ago to prepare plans and
specifications) , plus make emergency application to drill that
well.
Whale Rock Commission Meeting August 22, 1988
Draft Minutes
Page 6
Regarding the chlorination problem, until a new well comes on
line, the Commission could possibly assist with a backup
chlorination system for the wells.
Concerning percolation ponds, he requests consideration be
given to mitigation measures, plus cleaning of algae from the
ponds without taking out large amounts of rocks, etc.
Bill Hetland indicated that the Whale Rock Commission is aware
of the problems here and is committed to 100 acre feet per
month maximum. With wells as they are operating now, the
Commission is unable to do that. The percolation ponds are
not directly over the aquifer, but off to the side, and
therefore less efficient. The recommendation of the study was
to put in additional wells. Staff has met with the
consultant, decided on a site this past week, and are entering
into a contract with consultant to design the well. The
consultant work should take three weeks, then three weeks for
the bid period after plans and specs are available and it is
uncertain how long to do the work. We can apply for Coastal
Commission permits through the County, with a rapid turn
around. The well site is along frontage road, which is in fee
title to County, so will require permit from the County.
Commissioner Gerard asked how the yield would be distributed.
Hetland responded that in our agreement with the Cayucos Area
Water Organizations, we provided a certain number of acre
feet, then the CAWO divided it up among themselves. We will
probably turn the well over to them to operate and they will
decide how to operate. In response to a question from Gerard
regarding whether this will lower the existing water tables,
Hetland indicated we hope to hit aquifer in area where it is
much larger and see a net effect of a greater yield.
John Bercumueller, Morro Rock Mutual Water Company, indicated
he heartily supports Mr. Lyon's request. He commented that
their pumps are drawing air only when both pumps are working
at the same time. Regarding new wells, there is no way for
County Water Works District #8 to participate in a new well,
since their inter-tie is not constructed. In case of
emergencies, one organization can draw from another. Funding
for the inter-tie is budgeted for this year.
Clint Milne, Water Works District #8, indicated their wells
are not pumping air yet. Their share of the 600 acre feet is
174. What we're doing with the new well is not giving extra
water, but giving the ability to take water without pumping
air. Regarding the road, County Engineering is going to
cooperate and grant a permit for the well in the road. There
will be requirememts, like no surface facilities sticking up
in the road. Overall, some of the red tape can be readily
resolved.
Whale Rock Commission Meeting August 22 , 1988
Draft Minutes
Page 7
Hetland commented regarding chlorinators, that when they pump
air, they loose their vacuum; we are looking at alternative
means. Hope to get the chlorinator manufacturer here to see
about possiblity of a cut-off switch on the well. In response
to a question from Gerard, Hetland indicated Whale Rock staff
can resolve the problem. We will provide whatever is
necessary to meet our obligations.
Hetland indicated we have funds budgeted to dredge the
percolation ponds, but we are having problems getting access.
There has been no response to our formal request for access.
Regarding vacuum dredging methods for cleaning, we have not
looked into this. We have in the past used a drag line and/or
backhoe.
Commissioner Gerard commented that regardless of how we
cleanout the ponds, we must have access, something long-term.
Roger Lyon agreed that a long-term arrangement for access to
the ponds is important. Need to go beyond a verbal lease.
Commissioner Madrid asked about the possibility of injecting
the wells. Hetland indicated that the Health Agency has
concerns about that because it is a pretty shallow aquifer.
motion:
Commissioner Gerard made a motion that the Whale Rock
Commission direct staff to work with Paso Robles Beach Water
Company to address the immediate problem of the chlorinator
and do whatever is required within our obligations to assist
in solving that problem, and that the Commission improve its
efforts to work with the property owner to get access to the
ponds in order to maintain them to the best of our ability.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Dunn and approved by
unanimous vote of Commission members present.
There being no further business to come before the Commission,
Chairman Gerard adjourned the meeting at 3:00 p.m.
co in Secretary, Jane Johansen