WILLOW CREEK COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Thursday, December 21, 2017
8:00 a.m.
Regular Meeting
135 Willow Rd., Willow Creek – District Office
MINUTES
Swear in Board members: Ed Duggan, Tyler Holmes & Joe O’Hara
Ed Duggan and Joe O’Hara were sworn in.
1. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL & DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM
Board Chair, Bruce Nelson called meeting to order at 8:06 a.m. Directors
present Joe O’Hara and Ed Duggan. Tyler Holmes absent, and Judy Gower was
to arrive shortly. Staff; General Manager, Susan O’Gorman and Lynn White.
Thirteen others in attendance.
2. ADOPT AGENDA
Copy of Agenda for this meeting Dec. 21, 2017: For review and approval.
MSC (Duggan/O’Hara) move to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
3. ADOPT MINUTES
Of the Nov. 16, 2017, regular meeting. Minutes in Board folder for review
and approval.
MSC (Duggan/O’Hara) move to approve minutes with correction to 8.1 change
Christmas party to Awards Party.
Motion carried.
4. CONSENT ITEMS FOR BOARD APPROVAL
Consent Calendar items are expected to be routine and non-controversial,
too be acted upon by the Board of Directors at one time without discussion.
If any Board member, staff member, or interested person requests that an
item be removed from the Consent Calendar, it shall be removed so that it
be acted upon separately.
4.1. Financial Statements for Nov. 2017; and payables for Dec. 2017.
4.2. Manager’s Report
4.3. Safety Meeting – Ladders & Stairs
4.4. Parks and Recreation
Manager O’Gorman, pulled 4.4, the leaf vacuum we have been using this fall
uses more oil than expected and is not working at this time. Staff checked
the drain down town before the rains and found it to be clear of any debris
and we had no problems. Manager O’Gorman will be asking three contractors
for bids on the drainage upgrades. MSC (O’Hara/Duggan) move to approve 4.1,
2, 3, & 4. Motion passed.
5. STAFF REPORTS
5.1. Water Department Report (O’Gorman)
The treatment plant is running smoothly and pumping of water is way down
into winter mode. Staff did filter inspections and they look no different
than last year. They are in good shape.
5.2. Wastewater Report (O’Gorman)
Board to vote on Resolution #2017-04: Source of repayment for Financial
Assistance agreement for Downtown Wastewater Project.
Director J. Gower arrived at 8:20 a.m.
MSC (J. Gower/O’Hara) move to approve Resolution #2017-04. Motion passed.
6. Board Member Report
No report.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7.1 Manager O’Gorman to report on Planning Commission meeting regard ing
Mercer Fraser Co. and their cannabis processing plant here in Willow
Creek (APPS#10243).
Manager O’Gorman attended the Planning Commission meeting on December 14 th regarding Mercer Fraser’s zoning change and cannabis
processing plant. The District had written a letter opposing this project,
early in the 2017 year. There were only a couple of community members that
wrote letters opposing this project. Manager O’Gorman read part of the
letter from the Services District against this project at the meeting. This
processing plant is next to a recreation area, medical center, District’s
water intake and the elementary school is not far away. The planning
Commission passed in favor of Mercer Fraser Co. History is: This project
was sent for referral in Aug. 2016, the district discussed the project in
our Jan of 2017 board meeting. The district opposed this project. The
District’s stand did not appear to matter nor was it discussed by the
Planning Commission. Board member Duggan questioned the CEQA process.
Manager O’Gorman was instructed by the Board to send a letter to the
Planning Commission and copy the Board of Supervisors for an explanation
why was the District’s concerns were dismissed.
Director O’Hara had to leave meeting at 9:00 a.m.
7.2 Board to discuss Humboldt County project referral, APPS# 13882 –
Sunhouse Gardens, a new commercial cannabis retail dispensary at 30957 Hwy
299. The business will use 900 square feet within the 4,000-square foot
building.
Manager O’Gorman noted that this project does not conflict with the 6 items
of concern listed in the November 1, 2017 letter to the planning department
regarding cannabis related projects in downtown.
Board decided for this permit project referral, the District will have no
comment.
8. NEW BUSINESS
8.1 Staff recommends removal of 9.4 TAMWG per Ed Duggan. TAMWG has been
disbanded.
Board vote
MSC (Gower/Duggan) move to remove TAMWG off agenda and write letter to
County of Humboldt to encourage Humboldt County representation on the TMC.
Motion passed.
8.2 Vote in new officers for 2018 year.
Board Vote
Due to the lack of directors they tabled this until next month.
8. NEW BUSINESS cont.
8.3 Staff recommends approval of Resolution #2017-03 Workers ‘Compensation
resolution for Governing Body Member and /or Volunteer Coverage
Board Vote
MSC (Gower/Duggan) move to approve Resolution 2017-03 Workers Compensation
for Governing Body members and Volunteer Coverage. Motion passed.
9. COMMUNICATIONS
All non Willow Creek Community Services District reports should not
exceed 3 minutes.
No action is required on these items, but the Board may discuss any
particular item as required.
9.1 Sheriff Report
Deputy O’Rouke reported for the Sheriff’s Dept.
9.2 CHP Report
No Report
9.3 United States Forest Service
No Report
9.4 TAMWG Report
No Report
9.5 Health Care Report
Terry Humphreys reported for the Open Door Clinic.
9.6 W.C. Fire District
No Report
9.7 W.C. Fire Safe Council
Barbara Darst reported the Fire Safe Council
9.8 RREDC Report
No Report
10. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR
Patty Harvey and Katherine Donahue spoke in favor of S.B. 562 Universal
Health Care. This will be on our January agenda.
11. CLOSED SESSION
At any time during the regular session, the Board may adjourn to closed
session to consider existing or anticipated litigation, liability claims,
real property negotiations, license and permit determinations, threats to
security, public employee appointments, personnel matters, evaluations and
discipline, labor negotiations, or to discuss with legal counsel matters
within the attorney client privilege.
11.1 Discussion on personnel – No action taken
11.2 Update on property negotiations for wastewater facility – No Action
Taken.
12. ADJOURNMENT
MSC (Gower/Duggan) move to adjourn meeting. Meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.