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VIDEO. From the Montara Water and Sanitary District (MWSD) Director’s meeting on Thursday, May 18th, 2023 at 7:00pm as a hybrid meeting.
MWSD President, Scott Boyd, introduces the agenda item. MWSD General Manager, Clemens Heldmaier.
“Review and Possible Action Concerning Disagreement about Sewer Authority MidCoastside Fiscal Year 2023-2024 General Budget.”
[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.coastsidebuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/NB_1.pdf”]
Comments by the MWSD Board
Half Moon Bay Op-Ed my Mayor Deborah Penrose
GCSD Chair, Nancy Marsh, Calls Out Mayor Penrose’s Sewer Inter-tie Op-Ed as Factually Incorrect and a Convenient Fallacy
RESOLUTION NO. 1764
RESOLUTION OF THE MONTARA WATER AND SANITARY DISTRICT IDENTIFYING ACTIONS BY CITY OF HALF MOON BAY WHICH WILL CAUSE SEWER AUTHORITY MID-COASTSIDE TO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH JUDICIAL CONSENT DECREE
WHEREAS, the Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside (“SAM”) is a public entity established under the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (“Agreement”) entered into among Granada Community Services District, City of Half Moon Bay and Montara Water and Sewer District (collectively “Member Agencies”, individually “Member”), to carry out the Authority’s purpose to use the common powers of its Members to construct, maintain and operate a common publicly owned treatment works for the treatment and disposal of wastewater generated by the collection systems of the Member Agencies.
WHEREAS, five years ago, on or about May 7, 2018, Ecological Rights Foundation (ERF) provided Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside (SAM) with a Notice of Violations and Intent to File Suit under Section 505 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (“Clean Water Act”); and provided this notice to the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”); the Administrator of EPA Region IX; the U.S. Attorney General; the Executive Director of the State Water Resources Control Board (“State Water Board”); the Executive Officer of the Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region (“Regional Water Board”); and
WHEREAS, ERF as a nonprofit public benefit corporation dedicated to the preservation, protection, and defense of the environment, wildlife, and natural resources of California’s waters, filed suit to protect our coastal environment (“Action”); and
WHEREAS, ERF’s 2018 lawsuit identified SAM’s operation of the wastewater sewage collection system in the City of Half Moon Bay, El Granada, Montara, Moss Beach and Princeton by the Sea to have caused at least 65 separate discharges of inadequately treated or raw sewage in the last 5 years alone. Over 557,103 gallons of sewage illegally released, the vast majority of it released into the Pacific Ocean and Half Moon Bay. The inadequacy of the wastewater sewage collection system and the serious ecological problems resulting therefrom have been known to SAM for years; and
WHEREAS, SAM, through its Member Agencies, agreed to resolve the Action and enter into a Consent Decree; and
WHEREAS, under the Consent Decree, SAM, by and through its Member Agencies, agreed to comply with the requirements of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit and the Clean Water Act, and complete the following SAM system improvement projects on or before the deadlines set forth:
(a) Granada Force Main. SAM shall complete the replacement of the fourth and final original segment of the Granada Force Main, by June 30, 2020;
(b) Montara Force Main. SAM shall complete the replacement of the original Montara Force Main by June 30, 2024;
(c) Princeton Force Main. SAM shall implement the feasible recommendations of the Princeton Force Main condition assessment and the pump station feasibility study by no later than June 30, 2024; and
WHEREAS, SAM completed the Granada Force Main project within the required time deadline set forth in the Consent Decree, and was and is capable of adhering to the required time deadline for completing construction of the Montara Force Main project, which SAM Member Agency Montara Water and Sanitary District voted to fund as part of SAM’s General Budget (FY2023-24); however, the City of Half Moon Bay consciously and deliberately delayed and obstructed this project by 1) disapproving the necessary General Budget (FY2023-24) funding, 2) insisting on the creation of an engineer’s committee to prepare a Request for Proposals (RFP) instead of utilizing SAM’s engineering consultant SRT, 3) attempting to expand the work into a new project requiring time-consuming CEQA review and creating an opt-out for the City, and 4) disapproving the full SRT suggested scope of work, all in an effort to circumvent the obligations of the Consent Decree; and
WHEREAS, Montara Water and Sanitary District is committed to protection of this community and coastside, and is cognizant of its duty to strengthen SAM’s infrastructure to serve its environmental and public health protection mission and comply with the Consent Decree; and
WHEREAS, since 2009, the City of Half Moon Bay has continuously obstructed SAM system improvements, including repairs and maintenance of the Intertie Pipeline System (IPS), a SAM asset, the failures of which led to SSO spills and the ERF lawsuit; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, SAM was provided with an evaluation of the IPS condition by SRT Consultants which clearly identified the high risk of the IPS failures and resulting Sewer System Overflows (SSO) such that SAM ‘must consider options for improving the IPS condition… Based on the Report analyses, the large number of high risk pipelines sections identified, and the high cost of emergency repairs and SSO fines, SAM needs to conduct activities to rehabilitate or replace the force mains.’; and
WHEREAS, the 2009 SRT IPS condition evaluation stated ‘Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) is a violation of SAM’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. In 1995, SAM had been fined by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), received a warning letter and a cease-and-desist order for its WWTP in 1996, underwent a federal investigation in 2003, and was once threatened with a $212-million-dollar fine by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Any future SSOS will likely expose SAM and its member agencies to high risk of fines and litigation due to potential public health impacts.’; and
WHEREAS, since 2009, despite the clear need identified in the SRT evaluation, the City of Half Moon Bay has continuously and intentionally obstructed SAM system improvements to the IPS by deliberate omission or removal of agenda items, by refusal to approve budgets with necessary funding for required improvements, or through delays under guise of requests for new information, studies, or redesign; and
WHEREAS, as early as 2011, to fully daylight obstructive actions by the City of Half Moon Bay, the District adopted Resolution 1497 putting the City of Half Moon Bay on notice that it be held fully answerable for all adverse consequences arising from its refusal to approve the funding of essential IPS repair/replacement projects for FY2011-12, designated by SAM staff as Priority One projects due to the risk of losing a significant asset and facing high-cost emergency repairs, fines and endangering public health, welfare and safety; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, the City of Half Moon Bay took further obstructive action and filed a a lawsuit against its SAM partners attempting to recharacterize work on the IPS so as to avoid paying its fair share under the Agreement. The City lost said suit, but has continued the fight with an appeal of the ruling. To date, this lawsuit has caused more than $600,000 in legal fees for the District, all while preventing critical work on the IPS; and
WHEREAS, obstructive actions by the City of Half Moon Bay continue in 2023 as evidenced by a May 8, 2023 letter from City Manager Matthew Chidester indicating approval of the 2023/2024 SAM Budget by Half Moon Bay Board members only if funding for the Montara Force Main is removed; and
WHEREAS, Montara Water and Sanitary District is compelled to identify and daylight actions that prevent the protection of the Coastside and will likely cause not only significant financial, but environmental harm; and
WHEREAS, this Board desires to place the City of Half Moon Bay on notice that it shall be held fully answerable for all adverse consequences arising from SAM’s failure to comply with the Consent Decree as well as the City’s refusal to fund necessary IPS projects that benefit all Member Agencies.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF THE MONTARA WATER AND SANITARY DISTRICT, A PUBLIC AGENCY IN THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, AS FOLLOWS:
- The forgoing recitals are hereby incorporated as true statements of fact, findings and conclusions of this Board.
- The approval hereby is made and restated with reservation of all rights by this District to recover from the City of Half Moon Bay all other consequential damages from said City’s failure to participate in the Consent Decree and/or fund essential IPS projects.
- The City of Half Moon Bay is hereby notified that it shall be held fully answerable for any and all SSOS, or other adverse occurrences and the consequences thereof arising from its failure to approve funding to comply with the Consent Decree including, without limitation, liability for personal injuries and property damage, citizen suits, civil penalties and liabilities, assessments and criminal liability.
- Authorize the Manager to distribute information related to this Resolution to the communities served by SAM.
- The District Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to Sewer Authority Mid–Coastside, the Granada Sanitary District and the City of Half Moon Bay.
[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.coastsidebuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Reso_1764_SAM-HMB_Budget_Signed.pdf” title=”Reso_1764_SAM HMB_Budget_Signed”]
Montara Water and Sanitary District (MWSD) Meetings ~ 1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 7:30pm
From left: Peter Dekker, Kathrine Slater-Carter, Chair Scott Boyd, Bill Softkey and Cid Young.
Watch remotely. Comments and questions by email.
Agendas and Zoom Live Meeting Links
If you experience technical difficulties or have technical questions prior to or during the meeting, please contact MWSD’s IT support at (650) 728-7843.
Meeting Videos
Meeting Schedule:
Regular meetings are 7:30pm on the first and third Thursday of each month. They used to held at the District office at 8888 Cabrillo Hwy, next to Pt Montara Lighthouse and Hostel.
To receive agendas by email, send a request to [email protected]
In addition to email, we post agendas before each board meeting:
- On the District website here
- Montara post office
- Moss Beach post office
- the bulletin board in front of the MWSD office
Who is on the Board of Directors?
The Board of Directors manages the affairs of the District. Through their bi-monthly meetings they set policy, enact appropriate resolutions or ordinances, approve all payments to vendors, review and approve the budget, set Sewer Service Charge rates, establish connection charges, hire staff, approve contracts and other necessary actions needed to carry out the business of the District.
There are five Board members, all of whom are elected at large, and must reside in the Montara or Moss Beach area. The current Board is as follows:
| DIRECTOR | TERM |
|---|---|
| Scott Boyd — President | Term 2020-2024 |
| Peter Dekker — Treasurer | Term 2020-2026 |
| Kathryn Slater-Carter — Secretary | Term 2020-2024 |
| Bill Softky — Director | Term 2022-2026 |
| Carlysle Ann (Cid) Young— Director | Term 2023-2024 |
All Board members may be reached by sending an email to [email protected].
Or writing the District office at: Montara Water and Sanitary District, P.O. Box 370131, Montara, CA 94037. Telephone: (650)728-3545; FAX (650)728-8556.
General Manager
Clemens Heldmaier (650)728-3545 email
MSWD General Manager Clemens Heldmaier showing a creek filtration system.
Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside (SAM) Meetings ~ 2nd & 4th Mondays @ 7:00pm
Watch remotely. Comments and questions by email.
SAM Agendas and Zoom Links
SAM Meeting Videos via Pacific Coast TV
Regular Board Meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 7:00pm.
Contact Us
Our regular office hours are 7:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The Authority can be reached 24-hours a day at:
(650) 726-0124
Our Mailing Address is:
Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside
1000 Cabrillo Hwy N.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 726-7833 (fax)
Regular Board Meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 7:00pm.
From time to time a meeting date may be changed, cancelled or relocated. Check the posted agenda for any changes to the normal schedule (click on links below).
The Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside (SAM) provides wastewater treatment services and contract collection maintenance services for a population of approximately 27,000 in the following areas:
- City of Half Moon Bay
- El Granada
- Miramar
- Montara
- Moss Beach
- Princeton by the Sea
SAM Directors
SAM is a joint powers authority (JPA) created by its three member agencies: City of Half Moon Bay (City), Granada Community Services District (GCSD), and the Montara Water and Sanitary District (MWSD).
The JPA is a separate, independent, public agency created by the member agencies to perform functions and share powers common to the member agencies. Those powers are outlined in a joint exercise of powers agreement (Agreement). The Agreement creating SAM can be found on the Documents page.
Each Agreement identifies how the independent agency will be governed. In the case of SAM, each member agency appoints two members from its governing board to represent it on the SAM Board of Directors, for a total of six directors.
The Agreement also establishes the weight of each director’s vote. The vote by each representatives from the City is given the weight of two votes. The vote by each representative from GCSD and MWSD is given the weight of one vote. The total number of possible votes is eight. A quorum is a minimum of five votes and resolutions require at least six votes to pass.
Kathryn Slater-Carter
Board Chair, Representing the Montara Water & Sanitary District
Barbara Dye
Vice-Chair, Representing the Granada Community Services District
Deborah Ruddock
Secretary/Treasurer, Representing the City of Half Moon Bay
Peter Dekker
Director, Representing the Montara Water & Sanitary District
Matthew Clark
Director, Representing the Granada Community Services District
Deborah Penrose
Director, Representing the City of Half Moon Bay
VIDEO. Two pump failures in last two weeks.
Wipes and rags, as seen below, are the culprit.
Talk to your neighbors, please.
Repair for one pump can be $50,000.
Replacement is very, very expensive. A new pump can be a million dollars.
Burning out a generator can cost $100,000 to replace
~ Montara Sewer and Water District’s (MSWD) Board Member Kathryn Slater-Carter and MSWD General Manager, Clemens Heldmaier.
Other Links
- Wastewater and Microgrids for the Coastside? No More Inter-Tie or Outfall!?
- Video. What is ElectroScan & How Can it Help Sewer Authority Mid-Coast (SAM)?
- Podcast. Managing sewage is the most important job on the planet ~Freakonomics: In Praise of Maintenance.
- Video. SAM Meeting 4/22 ~ Partners with PG&E to Reduce its Carbon Footprint
Video Tour of the SAM Plant
Author: Coastside Buzz
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