HERITAGE RANCH COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

MINUTES OF September 17, 2009

Directors present: Richard Gourley, Ralph Allison, Dan Burgess, Don Clarke

Directors absent: Marilyn Breland

Staff present: John D’Ornellas, Manager

CALL to ORDER/ROLL CALL 3:00 PM

Director Breland absent.

ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION

Pursuant to Government Code Section §54956.9(a) the Board conferenced with Legal Counsel regarding existing litigation; Guzman vs. Heritage Ranch Community Services District (CV098232).

OPEN SESSION 4:00 PM

FLAG SALUTE

President Allison called the meeting to order, announced that there was no reportable action from closed session and led the flag salute.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

MINUTES

5. Minutes of August 20, 2009: President Allison asked if there were any questions about the August 20, 2009 minutes. There were no questions. Director Gourley moved to approve the August 20, 2009 minutes. Director Burgess seconded the motion. The vote carried 4-0.

PAYABLES

6. August 2009 Payables: President Allison asked if there were any questions about the August payables. There were no questions. Director Clarke moved to approve the Warrant Register for August. Director Gourley seconded the motion. The vote carried 4-0 in favor.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

7A. Nacimiento Reservoir Water Elevation. D’Ornellas presented background drought information and current water status of the Nacimiento Reservoir. He presented a PowerPoint presentation with information including history of the reservoir, District water rights, SLO County 1959 Nacimiento water agreement, drought impacts to the gallery wells, and implementation of the staged water use reduction plan ordinance. D’Ornellas said the District ordinance provides for an analysis of the reservoir water status in the Spring of every year not the winter, however since the ordinance was adopted in July of this year, the timing of this first year water status report is being done now. D’Ornellas said Monterey County reported the reservoir will be at minimum pool around October 25 and they intend to end water releases to the river at that time. He said SLO County has instructed Monterey County to release water pursuant to SLO County entitlement for Heritage Ranch but not allow any water to flow past the gallery wells. D’Ornellas reported that SLO County’s position is to release only enough water for Heritage Ranch and has calculated this flow to be as low as 1-5 cfs. D’Ornellas said the lowest flow Heritage Ranch has experienced in the River is about 10 cfs and the impacts to the gallery well of an ultra low flow are unknown. He said water demand will need to be reduced during this low flow condition. D’Ornellas asked for Board input on scheduling a public hearing for implementing the drought ordinance and the prohibitions on water use There were questions and comments by the Board on the ordinance and current water level status. President Allison asked for public comment on the item. There were several comments regarding proposed water restrictions and prohibitions against the waste of water. There was Board consenses that the entire community must become aware of the seriousness of the water status and the need to conserve water until the reservoir level increases. Director Clarke made a motion to agendize the declaration of a drought condition and implementation of water prohibitions at the October meeting for a public hearing. Director Gourley seconded the motion. The vote carried 4-0 in favor.

7B. Open House. D’Ornellas described the proposed open house event. He said the event was discussed at the Public Relations Committee on August 26. D’Ornellas said the open house concept is to dedicate a day for public tours of District facilities with an emphasis of education on our services, operations and equipment that provide water and wastewater services to the community. D’Ornellas reported the conference room will be set up with educational materials on water/wastewater operations. He said from this starting point customers could either walk over to the maintenance yard to see the sewer operations or take a van ride to the water treatment plant. D’Ornellas indicated the Committee proposes to use a shuttle van and driver to transport customers to the water treatment plant. He reported that Director Gourley proposes to offer a District funded BBQ for all those that participate in the tours. He also said that raffles prizes and free water conservation prizes will be provided to get customers interested in attending. There was general Board discussion about the event. Director Gourley reported that the Senior Center will be occupied for an event on November 7 and suggested that November 14 may be a better date. Director Gourley made a motion to schedule and fund the open house per the staff recommendations except for a date change of November 14. Director Burgess seconded the motion. The vote carried 4-0 in favor.

CONSENT ITEMS

8A. Treasurer’s Report for August 2009: D’Ornellas presented the Treasurer’s Report for August 2009. Item was received and filed.

8B. Fiscal Report August 2009: D’Ornellas presented the Fiscal Report for August 2009. Item was received and filed.

8C. Manager’s Report August 2009: D’Ornellas presented the report. Item was received and filed.

8D. Engineer’s Report August 2009: President Allison asked if there were any questions on the Engineer’s Report. There were no questions. Item was received and filed.

8E. Staff Reports August 2009: D’Ornellas asked if there were any questions on the Staff Reports. Item was received and filed.

BOARD STAFF GENERAL DISCUSSION

None

ADJOURNMENT

Director Clarke made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Director Burgess seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 in favor. The meeting adjourned at 5:40 PM.

Approved:

_____________________________

Ralph Allison, President Board of Directors

Attest:

_________________________________

John D’Ornellas, Secretary Board of Directors