Minutes of the Board of Trustees – Wednesday, January 13, 2010.
1. Roll Call:
Present: President, Evan Long; Secretary, Belen Gomez; Bette George; Bruce Myers; Richard Phillips and Harold Dozier.
Staff: Manager, Michael Alburn.
2. Oath of Office:
Directors, Bette George and Richard Phillips took the Oath of Office administered by Evan Long, President.
3. Election of Officers:
Following discussion, it was moved by Bruce Myers, seconded by Harold Dozier and unanimously carried to approve Evan Long, President and Belen Gomez, Secretary as officers for the 2010 calendar year.
4. Approval of December Minutes:
It was moved by Bette George, seconded by Bruce Myers, and unanimously carried that the Minutes of the December meeting be approved as mailed.
5. Approval of December Bills:
Following discussion, it was moved by Harold Dozier, seconded by Belen Gomez, and unanimously carried that the December Bills be approved as submitted. See: Board Order to disburse funds No. 13, Exhibit I.
6. Approval of January Payroll:
Following discussion, it was moved by Bruce Myers, seconded by Harold Dozier, and unanimously carried that the January Payroll be approved as submitted. See: Board Order to disburse funds No. 14, Exhibit II.
7. Public Forum:
None.
8. Operational Report:
The Manager reported on the following operational items:
The Argo Avenger was received from SLO County. The unit has been out in salt air/ water for some time, we are doing a complete restoration. The trailer is of great value as well.
Updating of data base/ mapping continues for upcoming season.
Pesticide label training to occur in February is in the process of being reorganized.
Source reduction work has been completed along Kings River. St. Johns and Kaweah remain. All areas will require a spring clean up of early growth before the season starts mid March.
Herbicide treatments have started around contracted dairy and wastewater treatment facilities. We will get as much pre-emergent down between now and Valentines Day as possible in the locations permitted. Also making contact treatments. Collected $8,552 of $8,748 to date from 2009 contracts.
Golden Bear 1111 has been discontinued for 2010 due to re-registration problems. The District will pursue alternative pupae control products for inclusion into the program.
9. Quarterly Expenditure Report:
The Manager reported the following information:
Revenue:
Current Secured collected = 40% of annual; projection $1,670,977. + $156,146
Current Unsecured collected = 80% of annual; projection $99,727. + $ 18,776
Prop 1A Securitization + $146,038
Projected Unanticipated Revenue + $320,960
Expenditures:
Unemployment Ins. Rate hike 6.2% on first $7,000/ ea. Previously 5.5%.
Look back period is 12 month period 08/09.
Health received a premium holiday for all participants who subscribe to Blue Cross amounting to an approx. $15,000 savings. This money was retained by the District as the benefit was in fact provided as though paid.
Utilities appears to have consumed $1,200 more than budgeted, however we spent $6,187 last year same period, so our balance of $7,588 may hold.
Professional Services, depending on progress will retain approx. $175,000.
Gas is in good shape with $22,771 remaining with $8,506 having been expended last year same time period.
Capital: we still need to purchase:
Shop: chip set for engine analyzer $ 1,200
Office: Only a chair has been purchased to date $ 6,065
Contingency: Should retain fully $ 50,000
Anticipated budget carryover $240,000
Bottom line: Anticipate the District will have approximately $180,000 more in revenue than it spends in budgeted items. Recall we were spending $381,000 more than anticipated revenue for the year.
10. SCI:
The Manager reported that the assessment will require a SFE of $6.50 to generate the necessary funds to pay the Certificate of Participation (COP). Further, it is the policy of the Tulare County Auditor that no assessment is placed on the tax roll that is less than $10. This will require that some properties are assessed every year, two-years, three-years, etc.
The Manager showed a model that will allow the District to move forward with the project, collecting the necessary funds in a timely manner, waiting one year to start issue of COP’s so enough revenue was in the bank to pay the funds due. It was moved by Bruce Myers, seconded by Belen Gomez and unanimously carried to move forward with the preliminary engineers report, legal review of the report and resolutions, as well as the ballot preparation for consideration at the February Board meeting.
11. AB1234:
The State requires directors, trustees and other governing board members of special districts to receive ethics training. A two hour workshop is required within the first year of service and every two years following.
The District has been using the questionnaire provided by the Institute for Local Government (2 - hard copy self study test -$25/ea). Because other opportunities exist the Manager brought them to the Board for review and direction.
Several board members who are able to access the internet in their own time will exercise that option. The others will use the method that has been available.
12. Other Post Employment Benefits:
The Manager reported that as part of the District’s agreement with CalPERS to pre-fund OPEB, the District is required to perform an actuarial valuation once every two years. We have been in contact with Bickmore Risk Services to begin the 01/01/2010 actuarial valuation that will apply to fiscal years 09/10 and 10/11. Catherine MacLeod of BRS is in the process of preparing an engagement letter and data request form. As soon as these documents are received from BRS we can begin gathering the necessary data and move forward with the valuation.
13. Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Board Minutes Approved on February 10, 2010.
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Michael W. Alburn, Recording Secretary