MINUTES

APRIL 25, 2005, at the Meadows Restaurant, Solvang

President Susan Warnstrom called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The attendees were introduced. All present participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States.

Treasurer’s Report: Chuck Arnold reported the checking account has $1,463.24 and the savings account $1,380.47 for a total of $2,843.72.

Approval of Minutes: Motion, second, unanimous, to approve the Minutes of the March 28, 2005 meeting.

LAFCo Report: Tim Campbell reported LAFCo staff still is awaiting information from Laguna Sanitation and the Santa Maria Public Airport District. At the last LAFCo meeting, the proposal of the Vector Control District to proceed with annexing the north county cities did not proceed because of concerns of the cities of Santa Maria and Lompoc. There is now a State law that addresses the resolution of islands not yet annexed to the cities which surround them. LAFCo has a proposed budget of approximately $255,000, with $104,000 from the current year being carried forward to offset next fiscal year.

Guest Speaker: Kamil Azoury, Goleta Sanitary District General Manager: Kamil talked about the path of the Goleta Sanitary District in their recent renewal of their wastewater discharge permit. It took 6 years to appeal and then negotiate a 5 year permit. His primary caution is that an agency does not accept a permit they cannot comply with. If you accept it, you have to live with it. Kamil reviewed the components of a discharge permit, including pollutant limits, technical consideration, legal requirements, and operational restrictions. He also noted that penalties are now mandatory, with a $3,000 minimum. Further penalties can include administrative civil liabilities, cease and desist orders, and possible criminal and punitive damages. There are 2 options to a permit: either negotiate a permit you can comply with, or change your operations to comply with the permit. Kamil urged agencies to review their draft permit thoroughly. If a discharge permit is negotiated, it is a long process. Negotiate with the permit writer and the Executive Director. Seek reasonable compromises. The Goleta Sanitary District appealed to the State Water Resources Control Board and eventually negotiated their settlement. When evaluating the obligations to meet the permit, include not only capital costs, but operational costs and staffing requirements. Negotiate a reasonable transition period, and also negotiate to protect yourself during the transition period. Kamil noted the Goleta Sanitary District has complied with all permits issued to them. Their negotiated settlement includes full secondary treatment at some point in the future with the useful life of their current facilities maximized. They will upgrade in 10 years (2 permit cycles). The negotiated settlement also includes that there will be no penalties if major milestones are complied with, and protection from citizen lawsuits.

CSDA Report: John Fox reported there will be a Chapter Presidents meeting in Sacramento on Mary 27^th. The Government Affairs conference will be May 16-17^th.

CSDA Report: George Emerson thanked those opposing the Ortiz bill, over 200 letters were received. AB1234 is now a 2 year bill which shifts property taxes from special districts to schools.

Susan Warnstrom reported that Brooks Firestone’s planning representative, Parker Montgomery, is forming a round table group. Also, we are contacting State Senator Tom McClintock to be the speaker at our annual meeting.

New Business: None.

Old Business: None.

Adjournment President Susan Warnstrom adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, May 23, 2005 at this location.

Cathy Schlottmann