October 2018 CCSDA Newsletter Final
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Contra Costa Special Districts Association Newsletter Contra Costa Chapter of the California Special Districts Association October 2018 Quarterly Newsletter New Contra Costa Special Districts and for other specified purposes, including the initiation of an action, based on determinations found in the study, Web page as approved by the commission. The bill would make funding for the program subject to appropriation in the annual Budget Act. Amendments to AB 2258 will mirror the signature thresholds currently in California Elections Code 11221. These thresholds range from 10 – 30 percent depending on the number of affected registered voters. The previous version of the bill raised the protest threshold from its current 10 percent level up to a flat 25 percent, regardless of population. CSDA is pleased to support AB 2258 as proposed to be amended, and encourages special districts to support the legislation once the compromise amendments go into print. th AB 2258 creates a grant-funding program for LAFCOs At the July 16 meeting, when the membership okayed managed by the Strategic Growth Council to fund certain the use of our new web host provider Digital studies and actions. Protest thresholds are the minimum Deployment (Streamline) our page was open for percentage of eligible voters in an affected jurisdiction business. Please take a look and provide comments to required to place a LAFCO action on the ballot. A Stan Caldwell, Susan Morgan, or Ed Duarte so we can LAFCO action could include various decisions like make corrections, additions or deletions as required. mergers and consolidations. The URL: https://contracostasda.specialdistrict.org/ CSDA appreciates the willingness of both Assembly CSDA and CALAFCO Strike Member Caballero and CALAFCO to work together with Compromise on AB 2258 CSDA to find a solution that will empower LAFCOs to do their important work while protecting the voice of local th On June 26 the Senate Natural Resources Committee, voters. This compromise is a victory for collaboration and Assembly Member Anna Caballero and the California partnership, as it not only addresses CSDA’s concerns, Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions but begins the process of improving an important area of (CALAFCO) agreed to compromise amendments to AB public policy for local agencies. Both CALAFCO and 2258 (Caballero). The compromise, developed together CSDA have also agreed to continue the dialogue to by CALAFCO and CSDA, provides for a tiered public attempt to find agreement on a comprehensive review of protest threshold for LAFCO-initiated actions funded by all protest thresholds going forward. the new grant program established by the bill. th On September 18 the bill was vetoedth by the governor. AB 2258 would require the Strategic Growth Council, The governor had to September 30 to sign bills or veto until January 1, 2024, to establish and administer a them. local agency formation commissions grant program for the payment of costs associated with initiating and completing the dissolution of districts listed as inactive, the payment of costs associated with a study of the services provided within a county by a public agency, Newsletter 1 CSDA Upcoming Webinar: Disaster Free Water-Wise Gardening Workshop Planning was held for Dublin San Ramon Services District Residents How does your agency define a ‘disaster’? Fire, Flood, Earthquake, Cyber-Attack, Active Shooter are just some A free workshop on Water-Wise Gardening in the Tri- of the critical events that public agencies have found Valley was offered Saturday, Aug. 18, in the Community themselves facing. How do you plan for a disaster? You Room of the Dublin Library, 200 Civic Plaza, Dublin, focus on RECOVERY. hosted by Dublin San Ramon Services District. $65 CSDA member October 10, 2018 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM To attend sign up at https://www.csda.net CSDA Webinar: Legislative Round-Up Presenters: CSDA Advocacy and Public Affairs Department Free bi-annual webinar series for CSDA members only. Each year the State Legislature introduces thousands of bills; hundreds have potentially serious implications for special districts. Hear from CSDA’s advocacy team about the most significant bills and how they will impact your ability to deliver essential services, maintain and build infrastructure, raise and protect revenue sources, Water conservation experts taught attendees how to manage personnel and more. Ask your questions create a beautiful, water-conserving landscape that can directly to CSDA’s lobbyists walking the Capitol halls help lower water bills and save a precious resource. and learn how your district can join the advocacy effort. Participants learned where the water for the Tri-Valley comes from and how it is delivered to customers. 11/11/2018 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Armstrong Garden Center gave a presentation on having Free to CSDA members a lush garden while saving water with drought-tolerant To attend sign up at https://www.csda.net plants. Eco Folia Design described the steps for sheet mulching as well as options available for irrigation. The next chapter meeting date is Preregistered attendees were entered into a drawing for October 15, 2018 a hardcover copy of East Bay Municipal Utility District’s "Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates" and The Chapter normally meets from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM drought-tolerant plants from Armstrong Garden Center. at the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District – Come at 9:30 AM for a meet and greet opportunity to network. Attendees also received a giveaway bag that included a Refreshments will be available. This meeting will low-flow garden hose nozzle. explore the special topic of: California Voting Right Act (CVRA) and the Legal Challenges to Subdivide (Cities District of Distinction Gold Level and Districts). See the map for directions on the last page of this newsletter. Town of Discovery Bay Community Services District has demonstrated the district’s commitment to transparency, The Central San Multi-Purpose Room (MPR) remodel is sound operating practices, and comprehensive going to take about 8 months. It is part of the Plant governance training for the entire Board. Operations Building retrofit. A number of upgrades will be addressed since they are basically closing off that This accreditation is designed as a way for districts to side of the building. Board Meetings will still take place highlight their prudent fiscal practices along with other in Board Room but that will be closed for the most part areas important to effectively operate and govern a too. They will be bringing trailers in for staff that will be special district, highlighting their transparent displaced. The MPR remodel will take place from governance, strong community outreach, and prudent January to August. We have the room over at fiscal practices. Collection System Operations (CSO) for those dates. Location is 1250 Springbrook in Walnut Creek. We will use the training room which holds up to 60 people. Newsletter 2 Stege Sanitary District Announces No Rate Increase for 2018 In 2014, The Stege Sanitary District Board of Directors approved a rate increase plan that was to be phased in over a period of five years. Under this plan, the annual Thank you Central Contra Costa Sanitary District residential sewer rate for the fiscal year 2018-2019 was (CCCSD) for continuing to host the Contra Costa to increase to $294.00. Instead, the annual residential Special Districts Association (CCSDA) and providing sewer rate will remain at $242.00 ($20.17 a month). the administrative service and support to CCSDA. We The non-residential rate will remain $4.97 per 1000 greatly appreciate the work and services that Central gallons. San provides. The District was able to maintain the current sewer Our January 28, 2019 meeting will not be hosted at the service rate structure because of its strong financial current Central San headquarters Multipurpose Room; position at the end of the 2017-2018 fiscal years. The the room will be closed for a remodeling project. We will current rate structure will meet necessary operating and meet at Central San’s Collection System Operations capital improvement expenses while maintaining (CSO) for those dates. Location is 1250 Springbrook in sufficient emergency reserve funds. Walnut Creek. Highlights from Senator Glazer guest West County Wastewater District Speaker at July Meeting Certificate of Excellence Award “Brian Oftedal (President, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District), Senator Glazer, Susan Morgan (Director, Ironhouse Sanitary District) 1. Trust - Special Districts build trust in their community by providing (me) transparency, (ii) accountability, and (iii) fiscal responsibility. 2. Interest groups including unions – will “punish” decisions that go against their interests. This takes the At the Board meeting of May 2, 2018, West County form of large expenditures to defeat a candidate, or Wastewater District (WCWD) was presented with the recall a candidate, etc. It is part of the reason that Certificate of Excellence Award from the Special District lawmakers are reluctant to speak up against powerful Leadership Foundation (SDLF) in recognition of interest groups. WCWD’s outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance. Ms. Colleen Hayley, Public 3. Public Pensions (CALPERS) – 71% funded statewide. Affairs Field Coordinator of California Special Districts Currently costs are $6B this year, will be rising to $9B by Association (CSDA) presented the Award to the Board 2023. In CCC, Special Districts are 77% funded of Directors. Pictured with the Award (left to right) is Ms. (CALPERS); Cities are 70% funded. Senator Glazer Colleen Hayley CSDA representative and WCWD tried to introduce a measure that would allow only new- President Audrey Comeaux. hires for the state to "opt-in" to a 401(k) type of plan as several other public agencies and cities have done, (UC System, City of San Diego) Not one single Democrat would vote for it, so it never even made it out of committee.