McKinleyville Community Services District

Board Agenda Background

AGENDA TITLE:                       Manager’s Report F. 1. d.

MEETING DATE:                        April 16, 2008

PRESENTED BY:                  Tom Marking

TYPE OF ITEM:                        Information

TYPE OF ACTION:                   None

1. CSDA training:  Board Member Training and Ethics Compliance:  Mark Bryant of Garberville CSD is hosting a training session to be held on June 6, 2008.  Mark is on the CSDA board and has scheduled this training for the benefit of members up in our region.  Please see the correspondence section of the Agenda packet for details.

2. Mad River Bluff Project:  We have not received any word on the status of the project.  The County sent out an RFP for environmental work and design of the project in January, with limited response.  The liability of the project with the mix of the NRCS and the County makes this a bit complicated.  I have loaned my file to Mike Nelson of LACO Engineering, who is working with the County on preliminary design and geology concerns.

3.  Sutter Ranch Open Space and Drainage Easement:  We have been negotiating with the Hanlon’s and their attorney regarding our concerns about the easement issue at the subdivision.  The Hanlon’s have sold the property to new owners prior to the easement being signed. We think we are finally nearing the end of this process and a draft agreement has been reached with the new owners.  The final draft is being prepared and hopefully within a few weeks this will be signed and recorded and we can put this behind us. No change in the status of this easement.

4.  Ramey Pump Station:  Staff will be meeting with Winzler and Kelly Engineers in late April to discuss operational modification to this pump station.  Currently, by operating in “time of use” mode, we are having difficulty filling our reservoirs in the summertime during peak use periods.  We are considering installing one or two vertical turbine pumps to improve our capacity.  This will require considerable modification of the site and we will need careful engineering to meet future needs. 

5. Green Diamond Resources:  There has been no further contact regarding this matter.

6.  State Budget:  We have no further information of the State Budget.  The Governor is staying firm with a 10% across the Board with all State Departments.  How that will affect local governments is yet to be determined.  Typically, the “big five” go behind closed doors after an impasse at the Legislative level and some budget compromise is negotiated out of view of the public.  I don’t expect this to happen until late July or August.  Substantial cuts in our taxes will have an immediate affect on the Parks and Recreation services including all services relying on property tax revenue.

7.  Cell Tower:  one tower is constructed and is currently in service, with one tenant on the pole.  PWM, Inc. can place one more client on this pole.  Its possible, if the client wants more height, and will pay the fee, a second pole may be constructed at some time in the future.  The service demand will dictate the construction of a second pole.

8.  Accounting Services:  A contract has been signed with Cynthia Rosenberg, a CPA and former Special District Finance Officer, to assist us with the Assets and General Ledger accounting system during this transition period.  She is working with the Assistant Business Manager to keep accounts currents, maintain proper procedures and keep reports timely.  We realized that the LAIF process required a current resolution, and the auditor process was behind schedule.  These are both on the agenda for action. The office is operating smoothly at this time.