Letters
Dear Editor,I would like to thank and commend the Sheriffs Department for their enforcement in our community parks, particularly with respect to the drunk and disorderly behavior. (It's a community affair, Aug. 14th) I would also like to request that the Sheriff's enforce the "No Smoking" ordinance that exists for all of our county parks as well.Although a common occurrence, I am always stunned when people choose to light up in our parks and playgrounds and around children in particular. For kids, secondhand smoke causes ear infections, bronchitis and other respiratory infections. It also exacerbates asthma and increases chances of SIDS. In adults who have never smoked, secondhand smoke causes heart disease, lung cancer and stroke.According to the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services, there is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure and even brief exposure can be harmful to our health.Our parks should be a safe and healthy environment. Smoking should not be tolerated anymore than drunk and disorderly conduct.Jennifer Gomez,Lompico
Update on Fifth District activities
ELECTRICAL RATE REDESIGNATION IS SOUGHTI am working with the Valley Women’s Club on an important request to the California Public Utilities Commission to change the PG&E baseline designation for the San Lorenzo Valley.The goal is to reduce the cost of electricity and reduce air pollution from woodstove smoke. Currently, due to the high cost of electricity, many area San Lorenzo Valley residents use wood-burning stoves as their primary heat source, resulting in smoke particulate pollution.The requested change in the electrical baseline designation would align San Lorenzo Valley with areas with similar average temperatures. It would also correct the mistaken designation made years ago which effectively locked our costs to almost double the surrounding areas, in spite of our extremes of severe cold in the winter and heat in the summer. WATER DISTRICT MERGER MOVES FORWARDSan Lorenzo Valley Water District has resolved to move forward to merge with the Lompico Water District, a commitment which is good government, a good neighbor policy, and a critical step in the eventual solution to Lompico’s water problems.The SLV Water District recently voted 5-0 to recommit to merge based on the successful formation of a $2.75 million assessment district by current Lompico Water District customers.I’m absolutely elated. I want to credit the two water districts for sticking with this to solve a critical issue. I can’t say enough about each of the boards and want to express my appreciation for their committed efforts to come up with this proposal.The water districts submitted an application last year to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) which requires Lompico Water to make improvements to their water system prior to the merger. Lompico Water District conducted a vote to sell bonds to fund those capital improvements. That election fell short of the needed two-thirds approval by one vote and subsequently failed.Since then, the water districts and County officials have worked to find a different, acceptable funding mechanism for the $2.75 million, which is required as a component of the still pending LAFCO application.It appears that the answer is to have Lompico form an assessment district to pay for capital projects identified in the LAFCO application. Current plans call for a ten-year assessment to be placed on the County tax roll for the "Lompico Assessment District."The proposed district will include all Lompico properties that will directly benefit from the improvements that will be built. A public hearing will be held to give Lompico property owners the opportunity to protest the formation of an Assessment District. It would take a negative vote of more than 50 percent to prevent the formation. If formation of the assessment district is successful, the merger could be complete as early as February of 2016. BOARD APPOINTS CANNABIS CULTIVATION CHOICES COMMITTEEA 13-member Cannabis Cultivation Choices Committee, also known as C4, has been appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The C4 group is charged with trying to shape a new marijuana cultivation law for the Board of Supervisors to review by December. The committee includes marijuana industry leaders, a former County attorney, a former County Planning Director and community members. I appointed Eric Hammer as the Fifth District representative on the committee.This most recent effort to draft a cultivation ordinance follows a successful petition drive to repeal the ordinance the Board of Supervisors approved in March. Leaders of a ballot initiative collected more than enough signatures to repeal the ordinance. Rather than go to a costly election, we have instead chosen to craft a new law with the help of C4.While the C4 works to come up with consensus on a County policy, six bills are also moving through the State Legislature. In addition, it is expected that one or more proposals for legalizing recreational marijuana use by adults will be on the 2016 statewide ballot. SAN LORENZO VALLEY TRAFFIC UPDATEEveryone in the valley knows by now that traffic on Graham Hill, Mount Hermon, and Highway 9 was much worse during the month of August. Caltrans, the San Lorenzo Valley Water District, and PG&E were completing infrastructure projects all at the same time, projects that – as beneficial as they are for the community – have caused daily frustration for drivers for months. When I saw the timing of the projects, and realized we were about to have a “perfect storm” of traffic impacts, the agencies involved met at my request to juggle schedules and delay long-scheduled projects. The results were perfect, but it was better than it would have been.The good news is that the SLV Water District anticipates wrapping up its intertie pipeline project, relieving traffic until the final paving at the end of September, which will close Graham Hill Road for two days.PG&E has finished both projects involving Graham Hill Road. First, the Meyers Lane gas line project is complete. And the big PG&E gas line testing project, which involved trucks going in and out of the parking lot next to Roaring Camp, is done. The good news is that the gas pipe passed the tests; the extra good news is that the large project – the largest of its kind on the west coast – went very smoothly with very little disruption to traffic and residents. The most noticeable part of the project was the helicopter which flew over the gas line everyday to make sure that there was no unauthorized digging around the pipelineCaltrans has announced that the most recent target date for completing the Highway 9 project south of Felton is mid-October. As painful as the congestion has been for the entire valley, we may be seeing the light at the end of the back-up tunnel. COUNTY UPDATES PERMITTING FOR SPECIAL EVENT BUSINESSESThe Santa Cruz County Planning Department has been working for the past several years on modernizing and streamlining the permits for special event businesses, such as wedding venues and wine tasting rooms. The County is hosting several upcoming public meetings to present the draft updates, answer questions, and hear your comments and questions. A key part of the process is to engage affected business owners and interested residents so that the final regulations reflect the needs of the community.Community meetings are scheduled for September, including one for the San Lorenzo Valley from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, at the Zayante Fire Station Community Room, 7700 E. Zayante Road in Felton. If you are concerned about this issue, please come to the meeting to learn about this issue and provide your input.Bruce McPherson is the Santa Cruz County Fifth District Supervisor
Letters
Mayor and Police Chief Working Together On Gun Shop SafetyBy Chief John P. Weiss, City of Scotts ValleyThe Scotts Valley Police Department recently proposed an ordinance to address gun shop security and safety in our town. The increase in local gun shops prompted us to examine this issue.While gun shops are highly regulated by Federal and State law, there are no requirements for alarm systems and video cameras. The current gun shops in town are professionally run (all have alarm systems and cameras) but we want to insure that they remain that way. Rather than reinvent the wheel, police staff researched neighboring jurisdictions and proposed an ordinance similar to others in other jurisdictions.Unfortunately, the convenience in following other regulations led to a somewhat hasty staff report that lacked adequate analysis. Gun shop owners and council members had valid concerns about certain provisions of the ordinance and several council members felt there were too many unanswered questions. It became obvious to police staff that more work was needed for the city council to make an informed decision.The police department’s main objective is to insure that gun shops are properly alarmed and equipped with camera systems (an invaluable resource for theft investigations.) The police department is designing a burglary and robbery protocol so local dealers know how to respond to such incidents. A modified ordinance will be brought back to the City Council and the City will explore a reasonable permit process for firearms dealers.The City of Scotts Valley prides itself on our commitment to public safety. We consistently have a low crime rate, vigilant police department and excellent programs like DARE and our Junior Police Academy. To that end, we will work together to insure local gun shops are safe, secure and well protected by our police staff. Mayor and Police Chief Working Together On Gun Shop Safety By Dene Bustichi, MayorCity of Scotts ValleyAt last week’s city council meeting, the issue of existing and future retail gun shops was discussed. After listening to many comments on the subject, the City Council decided to defer action on a proposed ordinance and study the matter further. The consensus among the council was that the police department should do more inquiries on this matter and that, as written, the ordinance would have exempted the current gun shops from any proposed changes.The priority of this council is and always has been public safety. We reserve nearly 50 percent of our operating budget to achieve that goal. We also strive to craft a balanced approach to any matter that comes before us. To that end, I have asked staff (in coordination with the police department) to put two items on our agenda for the September 2nd meeting.A revised licensing ordinance from our police department which fully addresses the security and safety of gun shops in our community.A 45 day emergency moratorium of any new gun retailers, to allow the City Council to consider creating a conditional use permit process for any applicant who is considering opening up a retail gun shop. Throughout this process, the City Council and the police department have been and will continue to be proactive in dealing with this issue. Public comments and dialogue are always welcome in implementing measured and thoughtful policies that are best for our city.
When a fundraising event is more than just another ‘nice time out’
On August 9, at Bret Harte Hall in Roaring Camp, Valley Churches United Missions became the gracious beneficiary of a wonderful fund raising event. More than 25 restaurants, 10 wineries, and 4 breweries served up delicious tastes and sips straight from their respective kitchens to our donors. Nearly everyone that I spoke with was complimentary and all who were there had a good time. We sincerely thank the vendors who shared their goodies and we appreciate the hundreds of donors who sold out our event.When I arrived last fall to become the Executive Director of VCUM, the calendar was essentially set and all that I needed to do was support the existing plan and learn how to execute against our various program deliverables. I did that. When 2015 began, I was focused on how to find a ‘success’ that we could point to as a turning point in our evolution as an organization. After all, the new guy would eventually have to produce something that was, well, new. Sunday was new and I was delighted. To be sure, the fund raising is important, but just as important to me right now, is how we showed up in the community, and how we worked together as a team. I’m proud that we exceeded our fund raising goal and I’m even more proud about how we worked together as a team.“Tasting under the Redwoods” required some new volunteers, with some new expertise and a whole new set of personal contacts. When I arrived at Valley Churches I observed that we had a dedicated cadre of volunteers, and many were also board members. What we didn’t have was a large number of people who were volunteers. While I saw remarkable commitment to our organization, I also observed a fairly small circle of people. I believed then and now more than ever, that our organizational strength comes from our volunteers. If you’d like to become involved with Valley Churches, we have an “All Volunteer Meeting” at Park Hall on September 24. Show up there and we’ll try and find something good for you to do.For a non-profit organization like ours to thrive, we need the trust and support from our local business community. I view that as something to be earned and cultivated by spending the donated money wisely and keeping fundraising expenses to a minimum. “Tasting under the Redwoods” wouldn’t have happened without the direct support from the restaurants, wineries and breweries. You may not know that our business sponsors, Liberty Bank, Union Bank, and The Keller Williams Team, enabled us to fund the basic event costs. Our media sponsor, KSCO, was instrumental in turning out the sellout crowd. Yes, requesting that a restaurant prepare 350 bites of something delicious to donate for charity is a big ‘ask.’ The support that we received blew us away. However, it turns out that many in our community have a personal story or anecdote that triggers a good vibe when thinking of Valley Churches. My predecessor, Annette Marcum, and the hundreds of volunteers that have come before Sunday, built that goodwill. I recognize that is a tremendous asset for us to build upon, and it is a serious responsibility to keep that support alive and healthy.There was also a wee bit of organizational trepidation to overcome last Sunday. This was a new event for us. We had no experience to fall back on when we ran across the unforeseen hurdles and all the little hassles that inevitably surface when you doing something for the first time. Indeed, we’re a stronger organization today than we were just the week prior to “Tasting under the Redwoods,” because we proved to ourselves that we are capable of doing something new and in fact we can be “bigger” if we want to be. I have high hopes for evolving our services portfolio at Valley Churches. Thinking bigger, acting bigger, and bigger fundraising are all different things. We all feel a bit better now that we’ve actually delivered this event and satisfied our sponsors and donors. Whatever new thing that comes next, it won’t quite be as daunting because of that success. For that, I’m grateful.So, to what not-for-profit purposes will the money be used to fund? At Valley Churches our calendar-year’s fourth quarter is the busiest time of the year. Historically, that’s been true for both giving and receiving. Our Thanksgiving project provides literally hundreds of Thanksgiving meals, and our annual “Valley Christmas Project” is a really a collection of giving programs for families, seniors, and others. The truth is that the money raised from “Tasting under the Redwoods” won’t go to any one program, rather it will be used to offset expenses for food purchases, which we do for much of the year; build our storm preparedness capacity; and it will fund the other giving programs. Apart from food distribution, we have rent expense, transportation assistance, medical catastrophe expenses and other catastrophic services support. Having completed this event in the third quarter will provide us with the financial momentum for going into the fourth quarter and it will likely enable a few of our volunteers to work less hours this coming Holiday season. Again, for that I am grateful.
Letters to the Editor
Dear EditorRE: New Funding Challenges for School Parent GroupsSafeway has been very good to our schools in the San Lorenzo Valley. The High School alone has raised over $50,000 over the last four years through the Safeway eScrip program, and the staff at our local Felton store have been very supportive and helpful during the Back-to-School fundraisers.Unfortunately, as of August 1, the corporate office of Safeway has decided to discontinue its relationship with eScrip. This means that the parent groups at BCE, SLE, SLVMS and SLVHS will be looking for other fundraising activities this fall and beyond, so that they can maintain support for the schools.If you have a student enrolled in any of our schools, please pay special attention to information on how you can sign up to the other passive fundraisers run by the school, and consider giving additional support to the fundraising events.Safeway has said it remains committed to funding projects which are important to local communities, so please show your support for our schools on www.Safeway.com and find the Contact Us page.Jill Collen, SLVHS Cougar Parents ClubMelissa Avilla, SLVMS Panther ClubBrandy Escott, SLVE Bobcat ClubTammy Schultz, BCE Parents Club o The Editor, As a hiker and 34 year Bonny Doon resident, I would love to see the Bureau of Land Management’s Coast Dairies unit added to the existing California Coastal National Monument.This will be accomplished by legislation just introduced by California’s Senators Boxer and Feinstein. I believe this upgrade to Monument status will bring additional protections and resources. Since I live adjacent to these BLM lands I want this higher level of protection as the unit is opened for public access. As a State Parks volunteer docent, I appreciate that nearby Big Basin Redwoods and Wilder Ranch State Parks have extensive trail systems. However, continuing population growth means that additional high quality natural areas like this National Monument expansion need to be given maximum protection now. The National Monument will provide much needed educational and trail user opportunities with expansive ocean views from its coastal meadows, woodlands, creek canyons and upland redwoods, while protecting Native American cultural sites Barry Grimm, Bonny Doon Dear Editor,I want to thank Senator Boxer and Senator Feinstein for their effort and leadership in working with local community leaders to establish the Cotoni – Coast Dairies National Monument. This elevated status upgrade to the Coast Dairies property will allow for federal protections in perpetuity and make access free and open to everyone. It is of utmost importance that we protect this cherished land so that our communities can enjoy what the North Coast has to offer as well as pass on a legacy of environmental advocacy to future generations. Thank you, to Senator Boxer and Senator Feinstein, and thanks’ to you Congresswoman Eshoo for leading the way.Madeleine ConwaySanta Cruz Dear Editor,I was walking Molly, my chocolate lab on Graham Hill Rd. near the corner of Sims Rd. this morning when two lovely ladies crossed the street coming toward us. Molly, who is very skittish about everything, got “spooked" by their presence and decided to bolt. Unfortunately, she took me with her. She weighs 109 lbs., almost as much as I do, so I landed flat on my face on the gravel path. A very kind young man named Rusty from Ben Lomond was driving on his way to go surfing. When he saw what happened, he got out of his truck. Not only did he help me get back on my feet, he walked me and Molly home. Thank you, Rusty, for your act of kindness. Perhaps one day I can help you in return.Dianne Kessler,Felton
Letters to the Editor
Recycled water fill-up station coming to Scotts ValleyBy Bill Maxfield On August 4, Scotts Valley Water District, a regional leader in the distribution of recycled water, announced plans to open, by late August, a recycled water fill-up station that will provide free recycled water to Scotts Valley residents.Believed to be the first of its kind in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties, the station will provide Scotts Valley residents up to 250 gallons of recycled water per day, free of charge, that can be used to irrigate residential landscaping, fruit and vegetable trees, as well as to wash down hard surfaces and control dust from construction projects. Recycled water is wastewater purified through multiple treatment processes that meets California Department of Public Health quality and safety standards. Since 2002, the District has delivered about 530 million gallons of recycled water to customers, an amount equivalent to about a year’s worth of water used by the entire system, which serves 4,000 accounts. “We are excited about making recycled water more widely available to Scotts Valley residents, who we know are committed to helping us reduce groundwater pumping during the drought,” said District General Manager Piret Harmon. “Increasing our community’s use of recycled water for landscaping and gardening will help us maintain our target consumption level of 75 gallons of potable water per person per day.”The fill-up station will be located in a lot behind the Scotts Valley Library Branch on Kings Village Road, across from the Scotts Valley Senior Center. The operation schedule will be announced in late August.For more information about recycled water use within the District, visit http://svwd.org/your-water/recycled-water.About Scotts Valley Water DistrictScotts Valley Water District is a public agency providing water and sewer service over six square miles including most of the City of Scotts Valley and a portion of the unincorporated areas north of the city limits. The community of Scotts Valley places a high value on livability, innovation and planning for the future. Scotts Valley Water District is proud to play a vital role in supporting those efforts by providing a reliable, sustainable, high-quality water supply. Through partnership with our community, strategic investment in resources and pursuit of new ideas, Scotts Valley Water District is redefining its historic role in order to meet future challenges and turn them into opportunities. Learn more about Scotts Valley Water District at www.svwd.org or www.facebook.com/svwater.
Dangerous driving on East Zayante Road
There was a collision on East Zayante Road on July 22 when a 19-year old man, Jacob Waring of Felton, let his 1989 GMC truck cross over the yellow line as he was traveling southbound. Dylan Hage, a 21 year old man from Boulder Creek, was Waring’s passenger. Waring collided with Patrick Goldie of Lompico who was driving northbound in a 2001 Saturn.Reportedly, witnesses said that the GMC truck was being driven recklessly prior to the collision. There is an ongoing investigation regarding this claim.All three men were transported to hospitals with major medical conditions. Both Waring and Hage were taken to Valley Medical Center, while Goldie was moved to Stanford for treatment.Investigating California Highway Patrolman M. Diaz reported that the incident occurred at 7:55 a.m. The road was still closed at 10:30 a.m. Traffic was diverted from East Zayante Road to West Zayante Road while the scene of the accident was made
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor, In your edition of July 24, Ms. Lois Roth asked the Board of Directors of Lompico Water District (not a company, by the way), to tell our constituents why we would approve the use of water to clean our office building and parking area.We have been doing a late spring cleaning at the office, organizing, scrubbing, dusting, polishing... In that spirit, John, one of Lompico Water's field staff, filled the pot holes in the parking lot. I went out to admire his work and thank him, and said that I wished we could power wash the building. John said that we could, using reclaimed and no longer potable water, so I asked him to do that.We were waiting for the calls from people asking why we were wasting water; we would have reassured them that we weren't.I did not expect to see the first question in the Press Banner, rather than asked of us directly. I wish Ms. Roth had not skipped that step. This does give me the opportunity, however, to remind everyone that we are still living in drought conditions, and need to practice severe conservation. At the same time, please don't rush to judgment about neighbors; many of us used recycled water for gardens, for instance.Please save water, and please ask before accusing.Merrie SchallerDirectorLompico Water District
Letters
Dear Editor, I was curious after reading the opinion on vaccines and autism by Natasha Stephenson in the 7/24 Banner.The link she gave didn't work but I was able to find a site that lists 100 research projects which prove a link — so I dug in.The 1st related to vaccines with thimerosal, which is not used in pediatric vaccines, and rarely in adult. It had little to do with the current spectrum of vaccines children get, and adults can ask their doctor for thimersosal-free vaccines. The study was from 91 to 97. It concludes high doses of thimerosal in the first month of life increases risk of neurological impairment. The CDC reports "Since 2001, with the exception of some influenza (flu) vaccines, thimerosal is not used as a preservative in routinely recommended childhood vaccines. Parents can request thimerosal-free vaccines. The 2nd study reported some adverse results for the Hepatitus B vaccination when given in the first month of life.The 3d study found a correlation of frequency of vaccines with aluminum as preservative and ADS. But as aluminum is used more and more industry and common household products, the causal link is problematic. For instance there is also a correlation of autism and increased use of GMO foods, which contain the carcinogenic glyiphosate residues. The 4th study speculates that AL in vaccines may have a role in causing ADS but it states: "Over the last 200 years, mining, smelting, and refining of aluminum (Al) in various forms have increasingly exposed living species to this naturally abundant metal. Because of its prevalence in the earth’s crust, prior to its recent uses it was regarded as inert and therefore harmless. However, Al is invariably toxic to living systems and has no known beneficial role in any biological systems. Humans are increasingly exposed to Al from food, water, medicinals, vaccines, and cosmetics, as well as from industrial occupational exposure. Al disrupts biological self-ordering, energy transduction, and signaling systems, thus increasing biosemiotic entropy. Beginning with the biophysics of water, disruption progresses through the macromolecules that are crucial to living processes (DNAs, RNAs, proteoglycans, and proteins). It injures cells, circuits, and subsystems and can cause catastrophic failures ending in death. Al forms toxic complexes with other elements, such as fluorine, and interacts negatively with mercury, lead, and glyphosate. Al negatively impacts the central nervous system in all species that have been studied, including humans." (Note glyphosate, which is present in nearly 97% of all meat consumed in the US, through GMO feedstock, and is present in most soy and corn and other foods)Study 5 looked at the blood of Egyptian children with lead and mercury in their system. This study did not look at mercury, or lead, alone in the system, so its conclusions (that lead and mercury together) lead to an increase in autistic symptoms is problematic, since lead, alone is a well known, neurotoxin, and of course, except for the flu shot which parents can get mercury free, childhood vaccines in the US do not contain thimerosal.Study 6 found "an inappropriate antibody response to MMR, specifically the measles component thereof, might be related to pathogenesis of autism."I do not have the patience to go further but out of these 6 studies, none proves vaccines cause autism, and the issue of mercury can easily be addressed, as indicated, and studies of vaccines in the first month of life do not prove anything about vaccines given later. These studies do raise concerns, however, and more study is indicated.I would certainly suggest that children never be given vaccines with mercury (i.e. ask for mercury free flu shots if given) and not in the first few months of life. The California law does not require vaccines until the child is ready for public school.The CDC recommends only one vaccine (HepB) in the first month and there is no law that requires it this early. Kids can get vaccines at any age. Vaccines can be waived with a doctor's recommendation but research shows that children with vaccine exemptions are 35 times more likely than others to contract measles. The law requires vaccines for 10 diseases to attend schools. I am 74, have not had a shot in over 60 years, and have no vested interest one way or the other, except I want our children and population to be safe from disease. I think we need more research. However, fears of mercury, etc are often founded on ignorance of the elimination since 2000, in all but flu shots, which are available without mercury. Much more dangerous is the widespread pollution of our air, our soil, and our water systems by the burning of fossil fuels, fracking and factory farming. I think common sense can reduce most fears and concerns. I am glad I don't need any more shots, but measles, in areas with no vaccinations, for example still kill thousands. "Approximately 145,700 people died from measles in 2013 – mostly children" according to WHO. In the U.S., death from measles is extremely rare, but that is after decades of vaccinations. Dale Ruff,Felton
San Lorenzo Valley Water District: A Community Update
We’re still in a drought, and that continues to be a major focus. The Governor mandated 25-percent water use reductions from a 2013 baseline, state-wide. The District’s goal is the same 25-percent reduction, and so far we’re doing great! To support conservation goals, the District has leak-tested more than 100 miles of District main line distribution piping and fixed dozens of leaks, representing about 10-percent of the District’s water production. To help customers conserve, the District has expanded its rebate program, posted roadside signage and conducted outreach through bill inserts, direct mail, Facebook posts and community events.Customers have responded enthusiastically to the District’s call for conservation, reducing water use by 40-percent from the 2013 baseline for the second quarter of 2015. On average, in April through June, District customers used about 65 gallons of water, per person, per day. As we head into the warmest months of the year, our creeks are critically dry, so we ask that our customers continue to conserve water and we thank you for your efforts.To ensure reliable delivery of high-quality water, the District is working on a number of important capital improvement projects focused on emergency preparedness, replacing old and leak-prone infrastructure, and protecting the watershed. Two major projects have recently been completed: the Olympia Circle integration and the state-funded emergency intertie in Felton. Other major capital projects are underway, including engineering and permit work for two storage tank sites, state-funded emergency interties in the Mt. Hermon/Graham Hill area and the Felton Fish Ladder.To help guide the District’s decisions on future capital improvement projects, community workshops were held in May and June, at which attendees provided input on prioritization. Stay tuned for additional community engagement opportunities that will take place in coming months.Beyond capital projects, a number of key administrative improvements have been implemented: an updated Strategic Plan, a new integrated financial management, billing and record keeping system, and automation of payroll and monthly customer billing systems as well as a review and update of District policies and procedures.On June 18, the District Board adopted a final budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year, which began July 1. Establishing a budget is a critical element in the annual cycle of any organization because it describes the general direction of the organization and sets specific funding commitments.The budget was presented at six committee and board meetings where board members and the public discussed the details of the budget, line-by-line. The budget covers all anticipated operating and capital expenses. The District’s daily operations are projected to remain in the black. However, funding for capital projects is anticipated to be in the red. This shortfall is chiefly the result of reduced revenues due to water conservation. Because of the drought and how well District customers have conserved water, in fiscal year 2014-2015 District revenues were more than 16-percent below what was projected, and for the current fiscal year are anticipated to be more than 19-percent below those anticipated at the time present rates and rate increases were set in 2012. To address the shortfall, the District is pursuing ways to trim expenses. Some savings opportunities may be in insurance coverage, postage and billing systems, and water meter changes. Trimming costs will help but the shortfall cannot entirely be cured by cutting costs. We know that in the long run, the District will need to adjust to rising costs, aging infrastructure and reduced revenues through instituting new rates and rate structures. Supporting this assessment, the State Controller has warned that Districts who don't raise rates in response to drought revenue reductions face credit rating downgrades.Looking ahead, the coming year includes work on several essential areas:Rate studies to carefully assess the full costs of District systems and services, and the environmental impacts of water diversions.New technology, including modern water meters and an upgraded monitoring system.Continued leak detection and repair.Work on major capital projects currently underway.Some of these projects will be very visible to the community and may impact motorists, especially the emergency intertie project. This summer the project will impact traffic in the Mt. Hermon/Graham Hill Road area. Please contact the District, visit www.SLVWD.com or check out the District’s Facebook page for project details.Community input and collaboration are vitally important to SLVWD as we respond to the drought, address funding shortfalls, make needed improvements, and tackle new projects. We invite our community to reach out and engage with us, and we commit to doing the same. Please visit our website for updates, follow us on Facebook, sign up for email updates and come to our board meetings and community events. Margaret Bruce serves as President of the Board of Directors of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District. Brian Lee serves as District Manager of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District.
San Lorenzo Valley Water District extends deadline for committee applications
San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) is inviting local residents to join its standing committees, with the deadline for applications now extended to Jan....
