PEBBLE BEACH COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Regular Meeting of March 31, 2006

MINUTES

 

CALL TO ORDER

A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Pebble Beach Community Services District ("PBCSD") was held in the District Boardroom on March 31, 2006. Board President Gary D. Hornbuckle called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.

 

ROLL CALL

Present:     Directors Gary D. Hornbuckle, Leo M. Laska, Richard Verbanec, Gerald Verhasselt, Jeffrey Froke

 

Others Present

Richard Andrews, General Manager/Board Secretary

Kacie Demers, Board Clerk, Paxton Ad Hoc

Robert Wellington, Legal Counsel

Suha Kilic, Finance Officer

Michael Niccum, District Engineer

George Haines, PBCSD Fire Chief / Chief, San Benito-Monterey Counties Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (“CDF”)

John King, Assistant PBCSD Fire Chief / Asst. CDF Unit Chief

Jackie Scoggin, Operations Battalion Chief, CDF

Nancy McCullough, Member, DMFPO Traffic/Safety Committee  

John Fisher, Pacific Grove resident

Mark Verbonich, Vice President, Community Affairs, Pebble Beach Company

        ("PBCo")

John Tormey, Pebble Beach resident

Linda Elliott, Director, DMFPO

Pat Skinner, Director, DMFPO

Spencer Thompson, Member, DMFPO Traffic/Safety Committee

Jan Roehl, Ph.D., Justice Research Center

Jim Nero, Director, DMFPO

Al Budris, Director, DMFPO and Chair, DMFPO Traffic and Safety Committee

Jack Kidder, Director, DMFPO and Chair, DMFPO Community Survey on Traffic and Safety “Blue Ribbon” Committee

Vinod Badani, Vice President, E2 Consulting Engineers

Ray von Dohren, P.E., General Manager, Carmel Area Wastewater District ("CAWD")

Ken White, Director, CAWD

Donna Galletti, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Coastal Unit (representing Commander Ed Lorenzana)

Mark Del Piero, Pebble Beach resident

Joseph Sawyer, Pebble Beach resident

Jean Sawyer, Pebble Beach resident

 

APPEARANCES AND ORDER OF BUSINESS

Noting the number of residents present, President Hornbuckle suggested and the Board concurred that agenda item 11 regarding implementation of police powers by the District would be moved to the first item on the agenda. The General Manager also indicated that item 14, titled “Resolution 06-05 should be corrected to appear as “Resolution 06-07”.

 

GENERAL GOVERNMENT

Supplemental police services within the Del Monte Forest

Mr. Andrews reviewed the staff’s understanding of the Board’s direction regarding supplemental police services: develop proposals from enforcement agencies; develop proposals for technology-based enforcement; and formulate a legal opinion regarding various questions posed by directors concerning the District’s power to provide police services. Mr. Andrews reviewed the submitted General Manager’s Report, which included recommendations to assist the Board in making at least tentative decisions relating to the matter. Also submitted was a legal opinion prepared by Robert Wellington, District Legal Counsel; a draft agreement between Monterey County Sheriff’s Office (“MCSO”) and PBCSD with attachments; a proposal submitted by Intact Protective Services for private security services; the Finance Officer’s Report regarding use of photo radar equipment for enhanced law enforcement, including a recommendation that the equipment not be used; and Resolution 06-06, a draft resolution of application to the Local Agency Formation Commission (“LAFCO”) of Monterey County to take proceedings for the implementation of the latent powers of police and security services by PBCSD.

 

Mr. Kilic reviewed an annual cost comparison of MCSO services versus combined services of the California Highway Patrol (“CHP”) and a private security firm, Intact Protective Services.  To expedite the decision process, Mr. Andrews recommended the Board set a public hearing on the proposed Resolution No. 06-06 for April 28, 2006 at 10:00 AM to consider approving an application to the LAFCO.  

 

President Hornbuckle called for a discussion of each of the seven recommendations included in the General Manager’s report. Regarding his submitted opinion District Legal Counsel clarified that a District police department could be established by contracting with state or local agencies just as is done with current fire protection services. Relating to recommendation 3 to approve in concept contracting with the MCSO or CHP and a private security firm, Director Hornbuckle inquired if services currently provided by the public agencies would continue  as-is, independent of any supplemental services contracted for by PBCSD, or would there be cutbacks in current services. Mr. Andrews stated current service levels should continue, but the issue needed to be monitored, especially in light of the possibility of further County and state budget cutbacks affecting MCSO and the CHP.  He said the agencies would continue to be obligated to provide law enforcement services throughout the County, albeit they might become minimal due to budgetary restraints. He said contracts with MCSO, CHP, a private security firm, or a combination thereof, are options for Board consideration, keeping in mind cost variables. Neither MCSO nor CHP is adverse to the District contracting with a private security firm in conjunction with the services of either agency. As to recommendation 4, a draft agreement for MCSO services, Mr. Andrews said the CHP is agreeable to entering into a similar contract with the District. Recommendation number 5, to approve in concept a scope of services for private security patrols  was discussed and there was consensus to include the suggested services as an option in the District’s application to the LAFCO.

 

Director Verhasselt pointed out the notable incidents of burglary and theft occurring along with speeding and vandalism. Donna Galletti, MCSO, stated that statistics do indicate a spike in these incidents recently. In response to Director Laska’s question, Mr. Kilic said private security firms coordinate with the Sheriff and CHP by use of cell phones, radios with a base station, and scanners tuned to the MCSO dispatch channel. Mr. Kilic reviewed recommendation number 6 to not use photo radar equipment. He said that while it is understood that the Board’s intention was not to use photo radar to issue citations, both MCSO and CHP have indicated that it would not be appropriate for law enforcement agencies to contact owners of speeding vehicles to obtain feedback or reaction. He said CHP is firm in its position of not using the equipment due to difficulty in legal substantiation. District Counsel stated that the use of photo radar technology for “red light” violations is legal, but its use for speeding violations is not.

 

John Tormey, Pebble Beach resident, felt that further Board discussion regarding the District taking on police powers was warranted, cautioning that such discussion should consider that once powers are assumed, the only control by the constituency of that power would be by disapproval of tax for the services; or by abolishing the ordinance by referendum or recall of directors. Counsel Wellington clarified that although the resolution that will be submitted to LAFCO be for approval of a full-range of powers, the Board, may by adopting an implementation ordinance, establish limited, specific police powers which may be expanded on an incremental basis.  Any future change in level of police powers desired by the District will be subject to adoption of a new or revised Ordinance by the Board.

 

Spencer Thompson suggested that the public should not be concerned about an abuse of discretion by the Board, as Pebble Beach is a community that supports democratic processes, and that future boards will be responsive to residents’ concerns.  Jack Kidder, Chair of the DMFPO Blue Ribbon Committee on Traffic and Safety, commended the Board and staff on its responsible, cost-appropriate response to the issues presented by the DMFPO. He expressed the opinion the recommended service levels are response to the scale of the problem.  Director Verbanec pointed out that the issue of supplemental law enforcement is in no way a Board initiative, but is a response to an issue brought before it by an organization representing the interests and opinions of residents and property owners. Moreover, he expressed the view the issue closely parallels the management of the current emergency medical services contract, in which case Board authority has been commended on several occasions as responsible, practical, and being conducted on a level appropriate to need. District Counsel pointed out that flexibility in the scope of services is built into the resolution to express the intent of the current Board without limiting subsequent Boards in expanding or diminishing services in the future.

 

MOTION 03-06-01

 

Moved by Director Froke, seconded by Director Laska, and unanimously carried, to set a public hearing on April 28, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. in the PBCSD Boardroom to consider adopting proposed Resolution 06-06, a resolution of application to the Local Agency Formation Commission of Monterey County requesting approval to implement the latent powers of police protection and/or security services within the Forest, including an implementation plan for such services.

 

MOTION 03-06-02

 

Moved by Director Verbanec, seconded by Director Verhasselt, and unanimously carried, to adopt as a new strategic goal of the District the implementation of police services to augment existing police services within the Forest, including two primary objectives: a) improved enforcement of traffic regulations, and b) improved protection from crimes against property such as vandalism.

 

MINUTES

MOTION 03-06-03

 

Moved by Director Verbanec, seconded by Director Laska, and unanimously carried, to approve the minutes of the regular Board meeting held February 24, 2006 with one change to page 9, i.e. that Director Verhasselt spoke regarding the training schedule for new directors, not Director Verbanec.

 

FINANCIAL MATTERS

Statement of Receipts and Disbursements

Check Register

 

The Board received and reviewed the Statement of Receipts and Disbursements and the Check Register for February 2006. There were no comments or questions from directors.

 

MOTION 03-06-04

 

Moved by Director Laska, seconded by Director Verhasselt, and unanimously carried, to approve the Check Register for February 2006.

 

Revisions to District’s Purchasing Policy

Mr. Kilic reviewed orally the submitted Finance Officer’s Report regarding revisions to PBCSD’s Purchasing Policy, indicating that changes recommended were to make the Districts policy, particularly with regard to purchase limits, consistent with the recently revised state Community Services District Act.  There were no comments or questions from the Board.

 

MOTION 03-06-05

 

Moved by Director Laska, seconded by Director Froke, and unanimously carried, to adopt Resolution No. 06-04 which modifies the District policy and procedures related to purchase and disposal of supplies, equipment and services, and rescinds Resolution No. 01-23.

 

FIRE PROTECTION

Fire Chief’s Monthly Report

The Board received and reviewed the monthly fire department operations report for February 2006. There were no additions or changes to the report.

There was Board consensus to agendize the fire department staff report on Pescadero Canyon fuels and fire risk assessment for next month’s regular Board meeting.

 

Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief Assignments

 

MOTION 03-06-06

 

Moved by Director Verbanec, seconded by Director Verhasselt, and unanimously carried, to adopt Resolution No. 06-05 designating George Haines and John King to serve ex-officio as PBCSD Fire Chief and PBCSD Assistant Fire Chief, respectively, in their capacities as Unit Chief and Peninsula Division Chief of the CDF San Benito-Monterey Unit.

 

Reverse 911® Notification System

Mr. Kilic gave an oral presentation and demonstration to the Board regarding the status of the implementation of the Reverse 911® automated community emergency notification system within the District. Mr. Kilic will make a similar report and demonstration at the upcoming DMFPO semiannual membership meeting on Sunday, May 7, 2006 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Ballroom at the Inn at Spanish Bay.

 

CDF Management Level Vacancies

The Board received and reviewed correspondence from CDF Region Chief Candace Gregory, Central Sierra Region IV, regarding management level vacancies and erosion of experience occurring within Region IV (which includes the San Benito-Monterey County Unit that provides contract services to PBCSD for fire protection services) related to salary inversion problems within CDF. Mr. Andrews stated that upper management-level salaries within local CDF units are less than supervisory positions within units, and the inversion problem is causing higher-level positions within units to remain vacant and that there is no pay incentive to fill the positions as upper management employees retire. There was Board consensus that the General Manager draft a letter to CDF Headquarters in Sacramento, for the Board President’s signature, expressing the Board’s concerns about the upper management salary inversion problem as it is affecting the San Benito-Monterey County Unit.

 

MAINTENANCE, ENGINEERING, AND CONSTRUCTION

Forest Lake Reservoir

Mr. Niccum reviewed the status of the Forest Lake Reservoir Project. He stated that the reservoir is currently filled to approximately 78% capacity.

 

PBCSD Capital Improvement Projects

District Engineer Niccum reviewed orally his monthly status report on capital improvement projects. He responded to questions from the Board.

 

PB-4 Utility Truck Replacement

Mr. Niccum reviewed orally the submitted District Engineers memorandum recommending purchase of a utility truck through the State’s purchasing program, and purchase and installation of the specialized service body as negotiated by District staff.  There were no comments or questions from the Board.

 
MOTION 03-06-07

 

Moved by Director Laska, seconded by Director Verbanec, and unanimously carried, to adopt Resolution 06-07 authorizing the purchase of a utility truck for the maintenance department from Downtown Ford Sales for a total cost of $41,140 including the California Department of General Services contract price of $26,467 for the cab and chassis and an additional $14,673 for the service body and accessories.

 

Wastewater collection, treatment and disposal system

The Board received and reviewed the District Engineer’s Report of Utilities Operations and Maintenance for 2/16/06 – 3/22/06. There were questions or comments from the Board.  

 

Reclamation Management Committee Meeting

The Board received and reviewed the District Engineer’s memorandum regarding the March 17, 2006 meeting of the Reclamation Management Committee. There were no questions or comments from the Board.

 

WaterReuse California Section Meeting

Mr. Niccum had nothing further to add to the submitted report on the meeting he attended in San Francisco on March 12-14, 2006.

 

CAWD Board Meeting

Mr. Andrews attended the Carmel Area Wastewater District Board meeting held March 20, 2006 and reviewed orally the highlights of the meeting.

 

CAWD Meeting Assignment

Director Verhasselt accepted the assignment to attend the CAWD regular Board meeting on Thursday, April 20, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. in the CAWD Boardroom at 3945 Rio Road, Carmel.

 

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Director Laska reviewed orally the submitted report of the meeting of the Monterey Regional Waste Management District (“MRWMD”) held on March 17, 2006. The MRWMD Board authorized a waiver of fees to member agencies for disposal of household batteries. Battery drop-off locations will be established. Suggestions were solicited on how to best notify residents of drop-off locations and batteries appropriate for disposal.

 

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

Oral reports from General Manager

There were no oral reports from the General Manager.

 

Questions from Directors or staff seeking clarification of matters within the purview of the District

There were no questions from the Board or staff.

 

Oral reports or announcements from Board President, directors or staff

There were no oral reports or announcements.

 

CLOSED SESSION

At 12:05 p.m. President Hornbuckle announced the Board would meet in closed session to discuss the appointment and employment of a general manager to replace the current general manager who will retire on June 1st.

 

ADJOURNMENT

At 12:21 p.m. the Board reconvened to open session, Legal Counsel announced that the matter discussed in closed session was as listed on the agenda, and that no reportable action was taken by the Board in closed session.  There being no further business at 12:22 p.m. a motion was made to adjourn. 

 

MOTION 03-06-08

 

M/S/C (unanimous) to adjourn to the next regular Board meeting to be held on Friday, April 28, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. in the District Boardroom at Forest Lake and Lopez Roads.

                          

                                                                            Richard Andrews, Secretary