SR 05:232 - Laserfiche WebLink

Special Meeting of the Board of Directors August 1, 2005 Pleasanton Councilmember McGovem questioned whether, with the Resolution, just the projects and time lines are being approved or does the approval extend to the funding sources as well. Mr. Myers answered that the Zone 7 Board has identified the potential cost allocation on the projects but no funding is being discussed today with regard to the Policy Principles. The only reference is to the project schedule and list of projects. Pleasanton Councilmember McGovem noted, for the record, that on the last page of the brochure it states that in approximately 2009 the water in the western portion of the Zone would go below 150 mg/L of hardness. Mr. Myers concurred that if everything stays on schedule, the demineralization plant wilt go online in 2009. Pleasanton Councilmember McGovem asked, regarding the Joint Resolution under the seventh whereas clause, if the language could be changed. She requested that the three words "to their customers" be stricken because under "Funding Principles" alternatives will be identified to fund these capital and operating costs and will not be borne by the customer. She suggested the recital read, "...implementation of additional improvements to water quality may have significant costs." Zone 7 General Manager Myers noted that from Zone 7's perspective "customers" is not just retail water customers but includes any party that pays a connection fee whether they are a homebuilder or developer. Pleasanton Councilmember McGovem asked if there were other ways of gutting funding money such as through State or Federal grants. Chair Greci stated that obtaining grant funding money is desirable but not always successful. Mr. Myers interjected that Zone 7 did apply for a $3 million grant for the demineralization program under Proposition 50 so the Zone is also pursuing that resource. Pleasanton Mayor Hosterman asked if Councilmember McGovem's suggestion to change the language of the seventh "whereas" clause to eliminate "to their customers" would be acceptable. Chair Greci stated that he is okay with changing the language but does not want to mislead the public when the costs are passed on to the customer. He stated that Zone 7 has open meetings and public hearings where the public can make comments. It is also a good opportunity for Zone 7 to explain to the public why costs are what they are. Many customers do not understand the complexity of the funding which is why it is so important to have an educational program to teach the public how funds are generated. Zone 7 Director Kalthoffinterjected that Zone 7 is making an effort to improve water quality but it does come at a cost. Zone 7 Director Marchand commented that he has no problem with the written language either way. However, it should be understood that most of the cost will be bome by the customers which are ratepayers and developers. DSRSD Director Hansen noted that even with trying to mitigate costs through grants, etc., there still will be an impact on the water ratepayer. The customer will not escape the water quality costs. DRAFT