CCSD Meeting Agenda Includes staffing changes, Veteran’s Hall fees, water system upgrades, conservation goals and more

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Amanda Rice

The Cambria Community Services District will meet Thursday, September 22 at the Veteran’s Memorial Building at 12:30pm. Below are highlights of the agenda for the meeting. The full agenda and related reports are available at http://wwww.cambriacsd.org

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS/PRESENTATIONS

Proclamation Recognizing Maintenance Technician Richard Fishback Retirement

MANAGER’S AND BOARD REPORTS

A. DESALINATION AND WATER STORAGE FACILITIES REPORT -
B. MANAGER’S REPORT
C. MEMBER AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

HEARINGS AND APPEALS

A. Adopt Ordinance Amending CCSD Code Section 7.04.010 Relating to Rules Governing the Veterans’ Memorial Building and Section 3.04.010 F and Table relating to User Fees and Charges
B. Consider Adoption of Resolution 41-2011 Adopting an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Stuart Street and Fiscalini Tank Sites Water Storage Project and Authorizing the General Manager to File a Notice of Determination and Authorizing the Project to Proceed (Continued from August 25, 2011 Regular Board Meeting)
C. Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Resolution 51-2011 Adopting Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for Rodeo Grounds Pump Station and Authorizing Proceeding with the Project (Recommendation to Continue this Item to Regular October 27, 2011 Board Meeting)
D. Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Resolution 52-2011 Adopting the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration, along with the Findings and the Mitigation Monitoring Program for the Moonstone Beach Drive Connector Path and Authorizing Proceeding with the Project
(Estimated Time: 60 minutes)

9. REGULAR BUSINESS

A. Consider Funding Alternatives for Remaining Environmental and Design Tasks of the RBF Consulting Professional Services Agreement Entitled Rodeo Grounds Pump Station Replacement and Stuart Street Tanks Storage Project and Provide Staff Direction
B. Board Review and Consideration to Approve Conservation Goal Setting Portion of the Urban Water Management Update Plan
C. Consider Adoption of Resolution 54-2011 Approving Reclassification of a Confidential Administrative Technician III Position to Administrative Services Officer and Adopting a Salary Range for the Administrative Services Officer Position
D. Consider Adoption of Resolution 55-2011 Approving Revision of Facilities Resources Supervisor Salary Range
E. Consider Adoption of Resolution 56-2011 Granting Exception to Hiring Freeze for Facilities and Resources Supervisor Position
F. Consider Adoption of Resolution 57-2011 Granting Exception to Hiring Freeze for Maintenance Technician Full Time Position

Posted in CCSD, Desalination, Master Plan, Uncategorized, Water Use | Leave a comment

Calculator for Future Water Demand Scenarios

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Amanda Rice

You can view full screen or download an excel version by clicking “Calculate Future Water Demand” in upper right of the spreadsheet. Formulas are shown near the bottom.

Posted in Cambria University, CCSD, Solutions, Water Rates, Water Use | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

National Geographic : New Series on Water includes article on Desal

Posted on August 6, 2011 by Amanda Rice

National Geographic published “Could Seawater Solve the Freshwater Crisis?Experts weigh in on what’s holding desalination back.” as part of a series of articles on water. Check it out here: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/08/110804-fresh-water-crisis-desalination-environment-science/

Although the article seems to lean toward desalination as a potentially viable solution to increasingly stressed water regions, there are many obstacles outlined that remain major stumbling blocks – and will likely remain so – for years to come.  The final paragraphs really speak to the present reality of desalination:

Despite RO’s promise, Yale’s Elimelech is concerned that countries might see RO desalination as a silver bullet for water woes. In many cases, the best options may be slightly less sexy but also less expensive: smarter land planning and plain-old water conservation, for example.

(See “Desalination No ‘Silver Bullet’ in Mideast.”)

“You cannot rely absolutely on desalination,” he said, “if you have other alternatives.”

From another article about desalination in the online “Water Issue” :

“The thing about water is, you gotta have it,” says Tom Pankratz, editor of the Water Desalination Report, a trade publication. “Desalination is not a cheap way to get water, but sometimes it’s the only way there is.”

Even if we manage to squeeze more federal money into this project, desalinated water WILL NOT be cheap. And we will not get federal funding to subsidize the ongoing costs of producing desalinated water.  As a community, we must keep this in mind. Sure, I’d love to have someone give me a Bentley or (even better) a Tesla Roadster, but I won’t be able to pay for the specialized maintenance and repairs, to say nothing of the insurance or unexpected indirect costs (like always buying dinner -since I appear rich) of such a car. Even if I don’t have to cover the upfront cost of the car, I couldn’t afford to own and drive it. No amount of positive thinking/praying will change that fact. Only by carving a large chunk out of my meager budget to spend on it could I afford to use such a car. If only I didn’t need to buy food or pay rent!

A desalination plant will be like all capital assets – the initial investment will, in the long run, be a small fraction of what it will actually cost to own and use.

 

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Looking at the Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program in Cambria

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Amanda Rice

I’ve been tracking the Cambria Community Services District Fire Department weed abatement/fire fuel hazard reduction closely since 2008. There is no doubt that Cambria’s fire hazard is reduced each year because this program is in place. The current implementation policies are also very welcome changes – especially the more appropriate timing and friendlier non-compliance procedures.

The issue I’d like to raise is this: to date, the district hasn’t provided information about the effectiveness of having the added administrative fee – either in terms of whether is actually covers the costs (staff time, postage, paper, etc) or whether it has increased voluntary compliance. The Board should consider whether the program is meeting the policy goals and is an effective use of staff time and resources.

Click here to download an excel spreadsheet comparing the APN data for years 2008-2011 from CCSD agenda packets from 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. There is a tab for each individual year and three with all four years combined on a single sheet – formatted in different ways.

From the data, these tidbits:

  • Over the four years, 234 unique APNs have failed inspection.
  • Of these, there are 14 APNs that have consistently failed to clear their properties. These  “chronic cases” have failed each of the four years.
  • 23 properties have failed three times times (including 13 who failed this year and two other years),
  • 42 have failed twice (including 14 who have failed this year and one other year).
  • 31 APNs on this year’s “fail” list were first-time offenders.

Perhaps this longitudinal view of the program offers insights and will provide for a good discussion this Thursday. See you there.

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July 28, 2011 CCSD Meeting Agenda

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Amanda Rice

The July 2011 Cambria Community Services District meeting  is scheduled for 12:30pm Thursday, July 28. The full agenda packet available at www.cambriacsd.org

This agenda is prepared and posted pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2. By listing a topic on this agenda, the District’s Board of Directors has expressed its intent to discuss and act on each item. In addition to any action identified in the summary description of each item, the action that may be taken by the Board of Directors shall include: a referral to staff with specific requests for information; continuance; specific direction to staff concerning the policy or mission of the item; discontinuance of consideration; authorization to enter into negotiations and execute agreements pertaining to the item; adoption or approval; and disapproval.

1. OPENING

A. Call to Order
B. Pledge of Allegiance
C. Establishment of Quorum
D. Report from Closed Session

2. SPECIAL REPORTS

A. SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT REPORT

(Estimated Time: 5 minutes)

3. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS/PRESENTATIONS

A. Presentation by Greg Burns, VanScoyoc Associates

(Estimated Time: 20 minutes)

4. PUBLIC COMMENT

Members of the public may now address the Board on any item of interest within the jurisdiction of the Board but not on its agenda today. In compliance with the Brown Act, the Board cannot discuss or act on items not on the agenda. Each speaker has up to three minutes. Speaker slips (available at the entry) should be submitted to the District Clerk.

(Estimated Time: 20 minutes)

5. AGENDA REVIEW: ADDITIONS/DELETIONS AND PULLED CONSENT ITEMS

(Estimated Time: 5 minutes)

6. MANAGER’S AND BOARD REPORTS

A. MANAGER’S REPORT

B. DESALINATION AND WATER PROJECTS REPORT – General Manager and/or District Engineer

C. MEMBER AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

(Estimated Time: 30 minutes)

7. CONSENT AGENDA

All matters on the consent calendar are to be approved by one motion. If Directors wish to discuss a consent item other than simple clarifying questions, a request for removal may be made. Such items are pulled for separate discussion and action after the consent calendar as a whole is acted upon.

A. Approve Expenditures for Month of June 2011

B. Approve Minutes of Board of Directors Meeting, June 23, 2011

C. Schedule Public Hearing to Consider Approval of the Appropriation Limit for Fiscal Year 2011/2012

D. Approve 12-Month Extension of Intent to Serve Letter for Senior Care Facility, Michael Clark, Applicant, APN 024-191-052, Ardath Drive and Green Street Property

E. Approve a One-Year Extension of Agreement for Alternative Point of Water Diversion (Well SR 4) at Coast Union High School Between the CCSD and Coast Union School District

F. Consider Adoption of Resolution 37-2011 Authorizing Applicant’s Agent Designation for Office of Emergency Services

G. Consider Adoption of Resolution 38-2011 Ratifying the Hiring of Wastewater Operator

(Estimated Time: 15 minutes)

8. HEARINGS AND APPEALS

A. Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Resolution 35-2011 Ordering Abatement of Public Nuisance for Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program Click here to download an excel spreadsheet comparing the data for years 2008-2011  More on this issue in the next post.

B. Public Hearing to Take Public Testimony on the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Proposed Geotechnical/Geophysical Research Investigation Study Project at Santa Rosa Creek Beach and Shamel Park Beach, Cambria, CA

(Estimated Time: 60 minutes)

9. REGULAR BUSINESS

A. Cast Ballot for LAFCO Alternate Special District Member

(Estimated Time: 10 minutes)

10. ADJOURN

 

Posted in army corps of engineers, CCSD, Desalination, Fiscal Responsibility | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lot Transfer/Conservation Workshop – Monday July 18, 2011

Posted on July 17, 2011 by Amanda Rice

The subject of Monday’s special meeting (Rabobank, 6pm) is the proposed transfer of lots by SLO County Land Conservancy to the Cambria Community Services District for park and open space purposes.
From the agenda posted at cambriacsd.org:
MEETING AGENDA
1. INTRODUCTIONS
2. PRESENTATION BY BOB HILL, CONSERVATION DIRECTOR, SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY LAND CONSERVANCY
3. QUESTION AND ANSWERS
4. CONCLUSION
This is a Public Informational Meeting and Workshop which may include quorums of the Board of Directors for the Cambria Community Services District and the Park, Recreation and Open Space Commission. No formal action will be taken by the Board, and/or the Commission.

Space is limited, so get there early to ensure you have a seat.

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