Minutes of the Board of Trustees – Wednesday, August 12, 2009.
1. Roll Call:
Present: President, Evan Long; Secretary, Belen Gomez; Bette George; Harold Dozier and Bruce Myers.
Staff: Manager, Michael Alburn; Assistant Manager/ Biologist Yolanda Lourenco.
2. Approval of July Minutes:
It was moved by Bette George, seconded by Harold Dozier, and unanimously carried that the Minutes of the July meeting be approved as mailed.
3. Approval of July 29 Special Meeting Minutes:
It was moved by Harold Dozier, seconded by Belen Gomez, and unanimously carried that the Minutes of the July 29 Special Meeting be approved as mailed.
4. Approval of July Bills:
Following discussion, it was moved by Bruce Myers, seconded by Harold Dozier, and unanimously carried that the July Bills be approved as mailed. See: Board Order to disburse funds No. 2, Exhibit I.
5. Approval of August Payroll:
Following discussion, it was moved by Bette George, seconded by Belen Gomez, and unanimously carried that the August Payroll be approved as mailed. See: Board Order to disburse funds No. 3, Exhibit II.
6. Public Forum:
None.
7. Operational Report:
The Manager reported on the following items of operational interest:
Weed spraying at wastewater sites is currently on a 18 day turn around.
Larval program for wastewater treatment is seeing heavy treatment requests with over forty per week, typical for this time of year.
Single-person Catch Basin truck is on track, with it being a rare exception that help is needed.
Tarbell pastures (RD 164) are doing better following owner meeting with Superintendent.
Pratt pastures (Elbow Creek School) are shut off following meeting with Superintendent and letter from Manager.
Two from Lab crew have gone back to school. Hired one new applicant to replace due to high WNV activity.
The Manager recognized that Darin Dula has been coming in and fogging multiple times early mornings, even weekends. The entire crew has been pulling in the same direction, intent on finishing the summer strong. In spite of high infection rates in mosquito populations, the abundance has continued to improve, lessening the opportunities for infection between mosquito and human population.
8. West Nile Virus Update:
Yolanda Lourenco provided a detailed report and statistical summary on the current West Nile virus infection. Highlights of her report included these facts:
· Dinuba; 12 positive mosquito samples, 1 positive dead bird
· Farmersville; 1 positive mosquito sample, 1 positive dead bird
· Orosi; 1 positive mosquito sample
· Visalia; 52 positive mosquito samples, 14 positive dead birds
Abundance levels depend on location; generally, the District has low abundance and high infection rates. Ground fogging has been instituted whenever abundance shows significance prior to results being received from the state lab since it is clear that virus is throughout the District. Mosquito sample submissions have reached 2008 season totals two months early. It is expected that the total number of submissions will be in the neighborhood of 1,000 for the year.
9. Amended Fiscal Budget 2009/10:
The Manager reported that the District received $68,944 in revenue as Tulare County closed the books on 2008/2009. Additionally, $55,169 in unanticipated revenue was also received. These increases necessitate an amendment to the adopted budget for 2009/2010.
Carryover $2,596,750 → $2,651,919
Revenue $1,910,625 → $1,979,569
Budget $2,291,752 NO CHANGE
Reserve $2,215,623 → $2,339,736
Following discussion, it was moved by Bette George, seconded by Bruce Myers, and unanimously carried to approve the Amended Fiscal Budget 2009/10 as presented.
10. MVCAC/ VCJPA National Cotton Council v. EPA:
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals received a petition for rehearing en banc (full court). The petition was circulated not only to the original panel members but also all other active judges of the court, and no judge of the court requested a vote on the suggestion for rehearing en banc, so the petition for rehearing was referred to the original panel. The panel further reviewed the petition for rehearing and concluded that the issues raised in the petition were fully considered in the original submission and decision. Therefore, the petition was denied.
This means that the original 1/7/09 Sixth Circuit decision will stand, subject to possible review by the U.S. Supreme Court. This order does not affect the earlier court order granting the two-year stay of the effective date of the decision until April 9, 2011.
The Delta VCD is currently working under an NPDES Permit to control mosquitoes in the larval stage.
The State Water Resources Control Board/ MVCAC/ DPH and others continue to work together in order to formulate a general permit to control adult mosquitoes. Updates will be presented as they are warranted.
11. Hayashida Architects:
The City of Visalia Planning Department is in the process of compiling all comments and sending them to the applicant (Hayashida & Delta). We are presently waiting for all sheets to be turned in. Some answers:
· Irrevocable Dedication is for the future widening of Houston, when the City has the funds to complete the widening process. Until the time comes that the City of Visalia can afford to complete the road widening, the land will still come under the Ownership and Control of the Delta VCD. When the City has the funds for the widening, then the ownership and control of the eight-foot strip of street frontage will revert to the City of Visalia. We will use counsel to make sure the language is very specific and clearly states when and for what use the land can be transferred to the ownership of the City of Visalia.
· Quality Assurance Division will only require a sampling pit outside the building so they can test the ph level of the out flowing waste water.
· Fire Department has no problem cutting the lock at the entrance for accessing the site.
· The trash enclosure has been fully described.
· We are developing an operational report for the building as well as gathering prices for soil engineering costs as well as contents costs.
· A spreadsheet has been developed that identifies and assigns various issues still to be resolved.
12. SCI:
SCI has put together a proposal designed to measure the service priorities, projects and level of investment that the property owners within the Delta Vector Control District would like to make in improved local mosquito and vector control services. SCI will work closely with District staff to establish a preliminary budget for the improved facility and then use the survey to confirm support levels, and better understand the most highly desired way to structure this local investment.
The Consultant Services Agreement describes the various phases of work. Initially, the Board would approve Phase I and II for a cost of $4,500 and $22,500 respectively.
If the survey does not support the Board’s desire, the District is not required to proceed. The District or the Consultant may cancel this agreement without cause.
Following discussion, it was moved by Belen Gomez, seconded by Bette George, and unanimously carried to approve the Consultant Services Agreement as presented.
13. Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.