Phelan, Pinon Hills Community Services District
January 4 Regular Board Meeting
By: Andrea Frost
The Phelan Piñon Hills Community Service District held its first Board Meeting of the year on January 4th. The Sheriff gave a community report for November and December 2022. For the community of Piñon Hills, November 2022 had 191 calls for service, 37 reports generated, and three arrests. December 2022 had 239 calls for service, 34 reports generated, and five arrests. The top calls for both months were audible alarms, credit card information theft, well checks, disturbing the peace, and follow-ups. Phelan had 588 calls for service, 92 reports generated, 13 arrests in November 2022, 650 calls for service, 93 reports generated, and 13 arrests in December 2022. The top calls were audible alarms, follow-ups, well checks, and credit card information theft. The Sheriff noted that these service calls “all correlate to this time of year.”
Dr. Ryan Holman, Superintendent for Snowline Joint Unified School District, gave his community report next. Dr. Holman summarized the focus of the Life Skills effort program. Last year the program focused on self-awareness in September, self-management in October, and responsible decision-making in November. This year the program will teach students goal setting in January, relationship management in February, and wrap up with social awareness in March. The School Board is currently revising the cell phone policy for students. It will poll the community soon about school start times to determine if any changes are needed. The School District is also interested in expanding the dual enrollment program. This program allows students to earn college credit from Victor Valley College while taking their High School classes. Dr. Holman noted that there are currently 100 students participating in the dual enrollment program.
The CSD then moved on to item 6A, the second reading of Ordinance 2023-01, Establishing regulations for the custody and use of the district seal, district logo, and district insignia. The staff recommended waiving the second reading of ordinance 2023-01. The motion passed. Item 6B was the public hearing for ordinance 2023-01. No written protests, objections, or comments were submitted for the hearing. Item 6C was the discussion and possible adoption of ordinance 2023-01. Staff recommended the adoption of ordinance 2023-01. The motion passed, and ordinance 2023-01 has been adopted.
Item 6D discussed the possible action for the 2023-2024 budget process schedule. The motion to approve the budget process schedule as presented passed. Item 6F was the possible participation of the CSD in the California Class Investment Pool. California Class offers a higher interest rate payout than the CSDs current savings account. The staff recommends opening an account with Class to pursue investments through their programs. The motion passed.
Item 6G reviewed the cost of living adjustment for CSD employees. Since January 2022, the cost of living has increased by 5.9%. The COLA projection was as high as 6.4%. Staff recommends a 4% COLA increase effective January 1st, 2023. Any remaining COLA funds will then be implemented as per policy on July 1st, 2023. The physical impact of this recommendation would be $59,500. The motion to implement the 4% COLA increase for staff passed.
Item 6G reviewed ordinance 2022-01, establishing guidelines for the conduct of district public meetings and activities. The staff proposes moving the regular board meetings from the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays to the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month and moving the meetings from 6 pm to 5 pm. This change would allow staff to generate reports needed for the meetings quicker and more accurately and save the district some money over time. This possible change will be reviewed and possibly approved in the next meeting.
The CSD would like to remind everyone to properly insulate their pipes and be prepared for a water emergency. The CSD is currently updating its records to ensure correct contact information. The first public workshop for SB 1383 will be held later this month. A postcard mailer has been sent to all inhabited parcels in the district.
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March 4, 2021
Shareholders Meeting To Be Virtual
By Michael Palecki
The 2021 Annual Shareholders Meeting of the Sheep Creek Water Company (SCWC) scheduled to take place on May 15 will conduct business by remote virtual participation via Zoom. Due to ongoing Covid-19 pandemic restrictions concerning in-person meetings and the uncertainty of receiving additional information beforehand, SCWC Directors continued to move forward with planning at the Regular Board Meeting of February 18. General Manager Chris Cummings provided an update as well as a draft agenda for the Shareholders Meeting.
Starting off, Cummings expressed concerns that the virtual presentation would pose issues with voting. Director David Nilsen felt a letter to shareholders explaining all the procedures would be necessary. In using that method, Nilsen suggested that shareholders could then submit questions by email or regular mail, which could be answered in the same manner. Leading up to the last week before the Shareholders Meeting, President Andy Zody noted that Zoom has a comment function that could be utilized on the day of the meeting.
In regards to the draft agenda, there were three items to be considered at this time. In addition to approving consolidation efforts with the Phelan Piñon Hills Community Services District CSD), Shareholders will also be asked to approve selling water rights to the CSD. Selling the water rights would be contingent on completion of the consolidation. The third item involved the Source Capacity Project for which SCWC has received a $4 million line of credit to drill future Wells #12, 13 and 14, should consolidation efforts fail. Shareholders will be presented with options for repayment of construction costs for the wells required by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) but put on hold in lieu of consolidation. Insomuch as the 2020 Shareholders Meeting was cancelled, Cummings was insistent the item is fully explained in the letter. Additionally, the issues of accommodating proxy votes and how to nominate and vote for a candidate to fill a Board vacancy remained unresolved.
Cummings provided an update on current requests from the SWRCB. A Sanitary Survey File review was completed on February 8 and a System Inspection was completed on February 10, with Hector Cazares of the SWRCB-Department of Drinking Water approving of those measures in a virtual meeting. Complete results will be forthcoming next month.
The SWRCB has also requested that an updated Cross Connection Survey be completed. That agency also recommended lock boxes for all tank sample ports, and it recommended repairs to gravel grade bands on two tanks. In addition to those consolidation issues, Cummings reported that Infrastructure Engineering Corporation staff was working with the State preparing plans and technical assistance, hopefully to be completed later this year.
In order to continue resolving issues for the 2021 Annual Shareholders Meeting virtual presentation, SCWC Directors have scheduled two meetings this month on March 4 and March 18 to be held at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom.
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Phelan Piñon Hills CSD
Narrows Parks & Recreation Focus
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January 18, 2021
PPH CSD Engineering Committee
Last week on January 13, the Engineering Committee of the Phelan Piñon Hills Community Services District (CSD) met to begin the process of reviewing the 10-year Enterprise Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and Maintenance plans for the 2021/2022 Budget. Beginning in January and continuing until June, several special committee meetings, Board Workshops, and Regular Board Meetings will address budget assumptions. Agendas for all meetings are posted on the District calendar at www.pphcsd.org.
Leading off with suggested CIP Projects, CSD Engineering Manager George Cardenas proposed moving forward to drill and equip a new well at a cost of $1 million with land acquisition for Reservoir Site 6A, costing an additional $50,000. CSD General Manager Don Bartz explained that Chromium 6 deposits had caused the existing well to pack up with production lowered considerably.
Additionally, Bartz commented that while the State had not initiated new Chromium 6 requirements, the CSD was prepared. In the meantime, until the situation changed, he suggested moving $4 million intended for infrastructure improvements on the mitigation project, out two years. Addressing the new well construction, Director Mark Roberts felt the estimate was low and that $1.3 million would probably be a more feasible price.
Continuing with top dollar CIP items, Bartz requested that $100,000 be set aside for future expansion sites, should SBC tax sale opportunities develop. Also budgeted for the next two fiscal years from the Enterprise Fund was $2 million per year for the future Civic Center Administration Building to be located on Sheep Creek Road.
On the low end of projects to be funded, the CSD will continue to develop the Smithson Springs Canyon site. CSD Water Operations Manager Sean Wright reported that although CalFire was unable to provide a crew to clean the wetland area, CSD staff will assume the task of routine maintenance with an annual proposed budget of $5,000. The natural artesian wells produce 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm) at the upper basin and 1.0 gpm in the lower basin. Continuing with discussion about future plans for the site, the option to install temporary water tanks at a cost of $25,000 to supply “water credit” was deferred until next year. Insomuch as the site includes more than 25 acres, other agencies will have to participate in the planning process.
Moving on to the Enterprise 10-Year Repair and Maintenance Plan, committee members decided to retire and replace a 2012 Toyota field truck and a 2014 Toyota field truck. In discussion of whether to replace either a 1996 Freightliner dump truck or a 2017 Pacific Tek vacuum excavator, it was determined the extensively used excavator was in worse condition than the dump truck.
In regard to the water meter replacement plan, Wright disclosed the total replacement schedule would be achieved within five years. He also reported that in the last calendar year, 82 new customers had been issued meters. For the future progress of the project, 400 meters have been ordered.
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By Michael Palecki
The January 6 Regular Board Meeting of the Phelan Piñon Hills Community Services District (CSD) began with a continuum of discussion between team members of KTUA Landscape Architect and Planning and CSD Directors with the focus being what amenities are most requested for the Phelan Community Park and which of those items fit within the $8 million window of potential Proposition 68 grant monies. Conducting the presentation were KTUA Principal Mike Singleton and Associate Matt Wilkins.
Insomuch as the grand total of construction costs for everything on the site plan totals $28,695,084, the task at hand was to reduce the scope of amenities for each area while providing just the essentials until future revenue streams become available. Leading off, Wilkins disclosed the top ranked (non alphabetical) areas as per the community survey were A, D, C, B, E, and F. He explained that Area A had remained the most requested area since the November 2020 updated site plan had been presented.
Singleton noted that the multi-purpose lawn of Area B was also important as a drainage swale and proposed grading the slope to the west without initially constructing the terraced seating. Interjecting, Wilkins commented, “If you want the terraced seating, it can be plugged in later.” Additional cost-saving options were then presented by Singleton to CSD Board Members.
Singleton next disclosed that none of the Civic Center parking was included in the Park Expansion project. He also mentioned that with minimal construction in Area B and eliminating one athletic field in Area C, costs could further be reduced. At that point Director Mark Roberts questioned Wilkins about the costs of parking lots for Area C. Wilkins replied that the cost of ingress and egress roads was included, but not for parking lots.
At that juncture in the discussion, a conundrum for the entire Park Expansion Project was evident. Wilkins then explained, “Grading and installation of underground utilities can be reduced to a ‘fair shared level’ for each area, but that will cost more in the long run.” Director Roberts then posed an issue to Wilkins in regards to Area D, “We already have a playground, but will probably need the restrooms, yet may not need the concession stand initially. How would that be addressed?” Wilkins replied, “It costs more to develop an area in increments.”
Likewise, Director Charlie Johnson noted that the athletic field of Area C was not budgeted for lighting fixtures. And although it may be possible to receive a grant from the U.S. Soccer Federation, that probably would not pay for electrical service to Area C.
Johnson was also insistent that Proposition 68 grant monies be spent on the top three or four survey choices. He commented, “I want to stay loyal to the survey.”
On that point, KTUA suggested Scenario 1 to fund Areas A, B, and D at a cost of $6,817,806 or Scenario 5 to fund Areas A, C and D at a cost of $7,821,243. With the Proposition 68 application due in March, additional fine tuning of costs will continue with updates.
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PPHCSD Proceeds with Water Theft Ordinance
By Michael Palecki
During the September 2 Regular Board Meeting of the Phelan Pinon Hills Community Services District (CSD), Directors and Staff continued the process of establishing a Water Theft Ordinance with the First Reading following the First Publication on August 27, 2020. With regards to the Covid-19 response, CSD Board members authorized staff to continue waiving the $2 credit card fee for payments and waiving late fees through December 31. The meeting concluded with an update on the Proposed Phelan Park Expansion Project.
Beginning with Community Reports, Snowline Superintendent of Schools Ryan Holman appeared on Zoom with a back-to-school report. Holman disclosed there were 7,560 students enrolled for the opening of schools. The numbers represent at-home remote students and homeschool students in the Snowline Academy. “Online Design” connectivity will continue until Covid-19 cases fall. Free meals to all community members 18 and younger has been expanded to three meals a day with the Los Angeles Food Bank donating 2,420 meals.
The Board passed a motion to approve the First Reading of Ordinance No. 2020-02, which prohibits Water Theft, Unauthorized Use, and Tampering. In addition to stealing District water by any means from fire hydrants, blow-off valves, or water mains, “Tampering” addresses opening valves of meters that have been turned off, breaking, picking or damaging cut-off locks, or bypassing a meter in any way. The administrative penalties include: Up to $500 for the first violation, up to $2,500 for a second violation within a twelve-month period, and up to $5,000 for each violation thereafter within a twelve-month period. The Second Reading, Public Hearing & Adoption has been scheduled for September 16 with the ordinance becoming effective 30 days later.
As a result of Covid-19 protocols, the CSD began to waive the $2 credit card fee for online and phone payments on March 18, but continued to charge the credit card fee for transactions made in the office, hoping to discourage in-person business. Since April when the Governor issued an executive order to suspend water disconnections, the CSD also began waiving late fees and disconnection fees, continuing until September.
Agenda Item 6-B represented a renewal of those items until December 16, 2020, while staff continues to evaluate information from the state pertaining to Covid-19 restrictions. The total loss of revenue from credit card fees and late fees through the end of August was $41,400.
Concluding the meeting, CSD Engineering Manager George Cardenas provided an update on the Proposed Phelan Park Expansion Project. Cardenas disclosed he was working with landowner Gary Van Dam on abandonment of two easements, which would provide ingress/egress to the Civic Center and Park. CSD Executive Secretary Kimberly Ward announced three Stakeholder Meetings on Zoom for: Equestrian, Dog Park, Gardening – September 15 at 10:00 a.m.; Skate Park, BMX Track – September 15 at 4:00 p.m.; and Soccer, Baseball on September 17 at 6:00 p.m. For information on how to participate, go to www.PPHCSD.org/YourParksYourWay.
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Phelan Piñon Hills Community Services District Announces Board Candidate Filing is Open
Staff Report
PHELAN, Calif. (July 14, 2020) – The Phelan Piñon Hills Community Services District (“District”) has two seats on its Board of Directors (“Board”) open for election on the November 3, 2020, ballot. Candidate filing began Monday, July 13 and continues through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2020.
Interested candidates for the District’s Board must file the necessary documents to run for the open Board seats through the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters.
A contact-free option is available to candidates with a new My Candidacy Gateway web application and video conference appointments. My Candidacy Gateway is available on the Registrar of Voters website at www.SBCountyElections.com.
Residents interested in running for the open Board seats in the November 3, 2020, Presidential General Election can use the application to begin the candidate filing process and schedule an appointment to file candidacy documents.
For the health and safety of candidates and county staff alike, candidates are required to schedule appointments for candidate-filing services. My Candidacy Gateway provides candidates with the option to schedule a video conference or in-person appointment. In addition, candidates that use My Candidacy Gateway will have candidacy documents prepared in advance of their appointment.
Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In-person appointments will be conducted at the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters, 777 E. Rialto Avenue in San Bernardino.
Candidates unable to access the web application may call the Registrar of Voters to make an appointment. For more information on this election, visit www.SBCountyElections.com or call (909) 387-8300.
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June 30, 2020
PPHCSD Reviews Phelan Civic Complex & Park Project
By Michael Palecki
During the July 1 Regular Board Meeting of the Phelan Pinon Hills Community Services District (CSD), Directors reviewed several configurations of amenities proposed for the future Phelan Civic Center and adjoining park. Although the original Conditional Use Permit application for structures designed by Architect Thomas Steno included a broad overview of park components, refinements by KTUA Architecture and Planning have not enlarged the overall project.
Utilizing remote Zoom participation, members of the KTUA team communicated with CSD Board Members in the Phelan Community Center. The presentation was similar to one given to CSD Parks, Recreation & Street Lighting Committee members at a special June 9 meeting. KTUA participants included Principal Michael Singleton, Associate Matt Wilkins, Senior Designer Chris Stebbins, and Senior Associate Cheri Blatner-Piffer.
After introducing team members, Singleton explained, “The park masterplan is based upon user needs and the importance of facilities to the community.” According to CSD General Manager Don Bartz, those elements were determined by a CSD Masterplan survey and programmatic studies.
Stebbins then explained other factors involved including land opportunity, constraints, assets, and liability or (LOCAL). In defining those LOCAL elements, opportunity involves something that does not yet exist but can add to the overall park experience such as connections to neighborhoods and within the park itself. Constraints involve strong winds from the southwest, which determine positioning of certain amenities. Assets include views of the mountains and desert, existing natural vegetation, as well as circulation between the park site and Phelan Elementary School. Liability for the site focuses on the flash-flood potential of the drainage condition. For that element, the entire east side of the future park has been designed with a 60-feet wide buffer of berms, swales, and retention basins to reduce flood velocity. That area can be utilized for hiking paths and picnic areas in dry months, landscaped as a sound damper for nearby homes.
Overall in competing for the bid, KTUA developed six concept site plans concluding with a “Refined Hybrid” for 12 recreational activities. Although Steno’s positioning of the Civic Center building, multi-purpose Community Building, and Central Plaza Restrooms and Concession Stand remain, the Maintenance Building and Yard was moved farther north, creating a more welcome vista of the park from the main entrance on Sheep Creek Road.
Coming in at 43,000 square feet versus 36,000 square feet for ball fields, the Equestrian Center on the northeast corner of the park was pivoted several ways and yet remained a concern. In doing the Math, CSD President Charlie Johnson concluded the size of the equestrian arena did not include extensive roadways, turnarounds, and parking lots needed for large horse trailers. He felt the Equestrian Center did not belong in Downtown Phelan and there were other sites owned by the CSD which were better suited.
Although an indoor swimming pool was perhaps the most requested amenity, both Johnson and Bartz agreed there were no funds available, even considering a partnership with Snowline School District. In regards to the existing park, the site plan included a location for future tennis and pickle-ball court. In reference on the site plan for a future Police Station, Bartz commented, “The SBC Sheriff’s Department would like to consider the existing CSD Office when the Civic Complex is completed.”
Concluding the presentation, the consensus of the Board was to move forward with contract negotiations with the architects for design. According to CSD Executive Secretary Kim Ward, “There are no further workshops or discussions scheduled until contracts are approved and design work begins.”
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Phelan Pinon Hills Community Services District Water department presents plans for new smart water meters
By Vicky Rinek
Water meters keep tabs on water usage that residents and businesses consume. The mechanical meters, inherited from the San Bernardino County District, have been operating for a number of years and are out of date, some meters and connections with leaking problems.
These meters require in-person reading of the dials, resulting in the high cost of manpower to read meters and the cost of gas and wear and tear of vehicles to drive to every single meter. Aging infrastructure, repair, and maintenance costs are a concern. PPHCSD loses revenue when those meters get old and sediment builds up in them, often measuring inaccurate water usage. It is estimated that PPHCSD loses as much as 7 to 12% of water from these old meters and lines. PPHCSD has been replacing service lines to help reduce the overall loss. The next step is to replace the outdated mechanical meters with smart meters.
A smart meter, as a component of a smart grid, has a two-way communication between the meter and the water utility that allows the utility to get readings on an hourly (or more frequently) basis and issue commands to the meter. The plan allows for up to four towers placed throughout Phelan and Piñon Hills, much like cell towers, to communicate to each meter. Board members expressed security concerns with this system.
Communications between the meter and the PPHCSD grid tower will be encrypted, thus making it more difficult to be intercepted, faked, or even jammed. The manufacture of the wireless meter claim that cyber-attacks against the system are protected. These smart meters broadcast a wireless signal so that a meter reader can simply be transmitted to is respective tower, detect the signal, and broadcast electronically to the PPHCSD office. That procedure reduces the cost of reading meters in person and would benefit PPHCSD in the long run. Adding computer technology throughout the infrastructure helps bring down costs. It’s easier for utilities to monitor usage on any given day and send bills more frequently. They can also detect water leaks more precisely, based on water usage patterns throughout the population. Water meters with wireless attachments can become sensors for the utility and two-way communications systems. Utilities can also resolve billing disputes better, provide more customer service, enforce water conservation, and identify illegal water connections.
The conversion of old meters to smart meters would take place over a five-year period. The infrastructure costs to PPHCSD is estimated at $3 million over 20 years. The smart meters come with a 20-year warranty at a cost of $300 per 1” meter.
The PPHCSD will have further discussion on the proposed plans for smart water meters at the next board meeting on June 10, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. at the Phelan Community Building on Warbler. A teleconference is scheduled should it be required.
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PPHCSD invited school age children to participate in the Earth Day Art Contest.
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By Vicky Rinek
Congratulations to the winners of the Earth Day Art Contest “Conservation – It’s our way of Life!” The District received over 16 entries (participation was down due to COVID-19). The month-long contest featured a range of creative works from multi-media art, all celebrating the Earth! A huge thank you to all who participated in the virtual Earth Day Celebration this year.
3rd place winners were:
Nataly Gutierrez, Kindergarten, home schooled
Jaxon Carone, 3rd grade, Heritage School
Kylee Ann Quiñonez, 6th grade, Quail Valley Middle School
2nd place winners were:
Avery Mackey, 3rd grade, Snowline Academy
Kamea Marquardt, 6th grade, home schooled
1st place winners were:
Kieli Marquardt, 2nd grade, home schooled
Sadie Howe, 8th grade, Sky Mountain Charter School
The winners received a cash prize of $100 for 1st place, $75 for 2nd place, and $50 for 3rd place.
All artwork will be on display at the PPHCSD office.
Earth Day Art Contest is held each year in the month of April.
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March 4, 2020
PPHCSD Reviews Draft Water Rate Study
By Michael Palecki
The board meeting of the Phelan Pinon Hills Community Services District (CSD) included review and discussion of the draft water rate study report with consultant and author of the document, Habib Isaac, present to answer questions. Other agenda items pertained to replacing a utility truck and awarding a sole source contract.
San Bernardino County Fire Battalion Chief Dave Wetzel delivered his final incident report prior to retiring. During February in Phelan and Pinon Hills there were 17 medical aid calls, 10 traffic accidents with three extractions, three structure fires, three vegetation fires, four vehicle fires, one HazMat call, and 27 investigation. At the end of incident reports, CSD President Charlie Johnson thanked Wetzel for five years of attending meetings.
Managing Partner of IB Consulting LLC, Habib Isaac, addressed needed adjustments to the Draft Water Rate Study Report, which applied to capital improvements from Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 through FY 2025. Of particular interest was the replacement of water meters. At the onset of the CSD, with no clear indication of how old or how efficient 6,940 meters were, it was decided to replace all meters with radio-read models which reduced the costs of manually reading meters with a quick drive-by procedure. However, the warranty lifespan of 20 years proved to be incorrect, with some meters requiring change out at 10 years and others wearing out in five years. With that information from Isaac, Director Mark Roberts suggested the scheduled change out be adjusted to eight to ten years.
The proposed water rate increase of six percent for five years would fund capital spending projects of Chromium 6 mitigation at $7.5 million, Civic Center headquarters at $ 4.0 million, and water meter replacement at $3.5 million. Additionally, ongoing repair and replacements to the water system brings capital spending to approximately $3.6 million per year through FY 2025. A public hearing regarding the proposed water rate increase will be held on Wednesday, March 18, at 6:00 p.m. in the Phelan Community Center.
CSD Directors declared a 2008 Ford F-350 truck with a cracked engine block to be a surplus vehicle sold at auction. Directors then approved the lowest bid for a Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD truck at $39,905.09 from Courtesy Chevrolet.
Concluding the meeting, CSD Water Operations Manager Sean Wright presented a request to the Board to award a Sole Source Contract to ARM Electric to furnish and install generator transfer switches and junction terminal equipment, known as switchgear, at eight facilities in the water district. Currently, there are only two sites where an emergency back-up generator can be connected to existing switchgear in a power outage,
According to Wright, “Southern California Edison’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs in high fire risk areas seldom provide more than a two-hour notice. The District intends to rent emergency generators from surrounding rental companies and connect them to all affected facilities to maintain pumping capabilities once the proper switchgear is installed. With expansive knowledge of the District infrastructure and consistently coming in with lower bids, ARM has performed electrical work of this nature in the past. It is important to complete the project before the summer fire season.” With CSD Legal Counsel Steven M. Kennedy approving of the two elements required for sole sourcing, the action was approved.
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PPHCSD Increases Directors’ Compensation
By Michael Palecki
At the February 19 regular board meeting of the Phelan Piñon Hills Community Services District (CSD), Directors approved Ordinance No. 2020-0, which increased their compensation for the first time since 2012. Following that action, CSD General Manager Don Bartz was nominated as a Director of the California Special Districts Association. Completing annual tasks, Directors then reviewed and updated the District’s Conflict of Interest Code.
On January 8, 2020, the Board directed staff to begin the process to set Board compensation at $120 per meeting. At that time General Manager Bartz noted, “With fewer committee meetings, the increase to $120 is financially less.” At the last meeting, CSD Legal Counsel Steven M. Kennedy reported that public notification was published in the Mountaineer Progress on January 30, February 6, and February 13, 2020. Additionally, Board Secretary Kim Ward posted a notice in the District Office and on the District website. At the last meeting, she reported that no written protests had been received. During a public hearing on the matter, Director Mark Roberts noted, “Although the compensation could have been increased five percent per year, there has been no increase since 2012 when the amount was adjusted from $100 to $110 per meeting.” At the close of the public hearing, the ordinance was unanimously passed by a roll-call vote.
After the CSD was notified of a vacancy on the California Special District Association (CSDA) Southern Network Board of Directors, it was decided to nominate General Manager Bartz for the 2020-2022 term of Seat B. The CSDA is a statewide not-for-profit association representing special districts involved in irrigation, water, parks & recreation, and other community services. The CSDA provides education, insurance programs, legal advice, capital improvement, and equipment funding.
Insomuch as Bartz already attends the CSDA annual conference and Special Districts Legislative Days, additional meetings will be reimbursed by CSDA to the CSD for meetings outside of the two events. Therefore, there will be no fiscal impact for Bartz attending those meetings. With full support of CSD Directors, Resolution No. 2020-03 placed Bartz in nomination for Seat B. The recommendation will be considered by the CSDA Southern Network Board Members for consideration on March 27. If Bartz is elected, he will take office on April 1, 2020.
CSD Directors then reviewed the District’s Conflict of Interest Code. The Code identifies officials and employees who should be filing Statements of Economic Interests (Form 700). The code tells public officials, governmental employees, and consultants what financial interests they must disclose on their Form 700s to ensure transparency. According to the document, “Each person holding a designated position shall file a statement disclosing his/her interest in investments, business positions, real property, and income deemed to be reportable.” Income aggregating $500 or more in value, gifts of $50 or more, and loans ranging from $500 to $100,000 must include the name and address of each source. Additionally, persons in this category must disclose all interest in real property within the CSD to comply with the Political Reform Act.
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