Minutes of the Board of Trustees – Wednesday, December 12, 2007.
Present: President, Bruce Myers; Secretary, Belen Gomez; Evan Long; Bette George, and Harold Dozier.
Staff: Manager, Michael Alburn.
It was moved by Bette George, seconded by Harold Dozier and unanimously carried that the Minutes of the November meeting be approved as mailed.
Following discussion, it was moved by Evan Long, seconded by Harold Dozier and unanimously carried that the November Bills be approved and ordered paid. See: Board Order to disburse funds No. 10, Exhibit I.
It was moved by Harold Dozier, seconded by Bette George and unanimously carried that the November Payroll (2) be approved and ordered paid. See: Board Order to disburse funds No. 11, Exhibit II.
It was moved by Belen Gomez, seconded by Evan Long and unanimously carried that the December Payroll be approved and ordered paid. See: Board Order to disburse funds No. 12, Exhibit III.
None.
The Safety Committee Report was reviewed with attention to the suggestion of employee Harlien regarding the placement of safety striping around the lifts in the shop.
Authorization to perform source reduction work on Kings River pursuant to our Streambed Alteration MOU with Fish & Game has been received. Work will commence immediately to ensure we are completed before nesting birds become an issue to our progress.
Weed control efforts (pre emergent) to start with the arrival of sufficient rainfall. The District has billed $8,542 for work completed last year.
Ponding basin inventory/ assessment is underway, when complete the assessment will allow us to notify each municipality of breeding basins so clean out can occur as they dry this coming spring/ summer. The City of Visalia especially is in need of a vegetation management plan as we found sufficient populations of mosquito larvae occurring last season.
Vehicle maintenance, map updating, billing, weed control signups, farm show preparation are all ongoing projects.
Annual Christmas Party to be held on December 14th at Café 225. Twenty-one of a potential twenty-five persons will attend.
Following discussion, it was moved by Harold Dozier, seconded by Bette George and unanimously carried to accept the Audit as presented.
Member Districts of the MVCAC have been asked to participate in assisting with the Research Foundation budget, something that has not been being championed for some time. Two Grant Proposals have been tendered with funding requests for the Foundation to consider. The Manager recommended that rather than bring proposals to the District Board each time a call goes out to request funds it would be worth considering an annual budget item expense of $2,500 that allows the Foundation to decide appropriate research proposal expenditures. This would allow the Foundation to count on funding and encourage research knowing it could regularly count on grant money from the District. Delta could play a leadership role in the region and within the Association by selecting this course. It was moved by Evan Long, seconded by Bette George and unanimously carried to authorize the contribution of $2,500 per year for four years to the Foundation.
The Manager reported on the presentation and discussion pertaining to our Final Report and annexation in conjunction with a benefit assessment for the eastern Tulare County area without vector control services. The basic question for Delta VCD Board from Alan Ishida, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors: Would you be willing or would you be opposed to pursue an annexation of the territory and fund work through a benefit assessment? The DVCD Board would like to see the area receive mosquito control services and Delta is prepared to help make that happen. The main concern is that the funding of a benefit assessment needs to be covered by the communities involved and not the constituents of the Delta VCD. Because a successful election will allow for the recoup of election costs over time through the assessment the concern is with a no vote. The Manager was instructed to proceed with discussion following this direction.
The Manager reported on the activities associated with the development of a strategic plan and legislative agenda for the Association.
Discussed with Leslie Caviglia, Deputy City Manager the southern boundary issue, their lack of representation on the Tulare Board, the differences between the two districts, etc. We came away from the meeting understanding that LAFCO is not a fast moving entity, but some things can be done to move toward a better understanding between our services and ensuring that services are consistent and logically provided for Visalia’s residents. We have tentatively scheduled a meeting in February/ March to address the counsel in a work session where we will present our program. I anticipate that Tulare will be offered the same opportunity. In the mean time, Mrs. Caviglia is going to be conversing with the appropriate staffers at the City to further develop an understanding and pose the question of whether this issue is a concern for the City.
The District has received a request to use the facility for the regular meetings of the Tulare County Astronomical Association. The Board directed the Manager to determine the alternatives available and processes to follow in concert with legal counsel.
The Manager requested that the Board provide the entire staff with a holiday ham purchased from Costco (approximately $25.00 ea.) in recognition of the extraordinary performance demonstrated this past season. It was moved by Bette George, seconded by Harold Dozier and carried with Evan Long abstaining.
The Manager requested that the Board suspend Policy # 2119, Certification so that a revision could be prepared prior to the District being forced to dismiss any employees who may not accomplish the required certifications in the time specified. It was moved by Harold Dozier, seconded by Evan Long and unanimously carried to suspend Policy # 2119 Certification to allow the Manager to amend and present an alternative by the February meeting following review with legal counsel.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Board Minutes approved on January 9, 2008.
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Michael W. Alburn, Recording Secretary