As of February 24, 2009, the latest word on PG&E outage for Wallace Lake Drive South area.  Will not be out on March 2.  Now looking at March 6, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and even that is iffy!

Wallace, CA   December 12, 2008

The Wallace Community Services District (WCSD) Board of Directors, at its regular meeting of December 12, 2008, lifted its moratorium on home building, imposed in March 2007 due to Wastewater Treatment Plant limitations.  The Board acted after being notified that construction of a 50,000 gallon equalization/overflow protection tank system had been completed as of December 1, 2008.

 

According to board member Chuck Cantoni, the WCSD board of directors became concerned as to the capacity of its wastewater treatment plant in 2006 and commissioned an engineering study to examine historical flows.  The study, completed in January 2007, showed that the safe capacity, based on historical data, was significantly below the design capacity. The board therefore imposed a moratorium on February 8, 2007 on any significant new development until the problem could be resolved. 

 

After consultation with the board and GM David Edwards on design requirements, District Engineer Gary Ghio of Weber Ghio and Associates, Inc. of San Andres led the effort to design the equalization/overflow protection tank system and the project was put out to bid.  The winning bid came in from Teichert Construction at $183,675.  The construction project was authorized by the WCSD board on August 14, 2008, and Teichert completed the job on time and within budget.  Available District funds were supplemented by financing from the California Special Districts Association (CSDA). 

 

Said Director Cantoni, "We're pleased at the sequence of events that took place.  The Board and its district engineer recognized the need to be cautious in 2006 and commissioned the historical use study that revealed the need to modify the plant design.  Mr. Ghio and associates designed the needed addition to the plant, the board found supplemental financing and got the construction completed, all in a 27 month time frame.  The modification to the plant gives us the protection we need against inadvertent spills and restores the plant treatment capability, back to its original design capacity."

 

The Wallace CSD, chartered in 1990, provides water, wastewater treatment and other services to the Wallace Community, including the Wallace Lake Estates development.

 

Wallace, CA  November 24, 2008
Wallace CSD Board members Bill Pugh and Chuck Cantoni are leading an effort to create a planning committee for the Wallace Community that will take on the task of setting a Vision Statement for Wallace, as part of Calaveras County's General Plan Update.  Interested persons are invited to a kick-off meeting on December 9, 2008, to held at Fusselman's "Red Barn" in Wallace Lake Estates.  "Our goal is to create a Vision Statement for Wallace.  What do we want Wallace to look like 20 or 30 years from now?  Do we want to expand the business area?  More residential development?  Low cost housing?  These are some of the questions to be addressed" said WCSD Director Pugh.  "We hope to see lots of folks representing various stakeholders come out and be a part of the effort to help define our future."

"We envision a series of public meetings over the next few months" WCSD Director Cantoni stated.  "We need to have the Vision Statement completed by the end of February, 2009.  We've mailed out to over 400 people in the Wallace area.  We're hoping to see people with varying interests, such as preservation of the environment, economic development, transportation, Wallace history, etc.  This is the chance for residents and land owners to have a say in the future of Wallace."

According to Cantoni, a new section has been added to the wallaceonline.org web site on which news and notices will  be published. 

Wallace, CA  August 20, 2008
The Wallace CSD Board of Directors approved the construction and financing of the WWTP Equalization Tank Project at its meeting of August 14, 2008.  The project was designed by the District Engineer and put out for bid.  The low bidder was Teichert Construction, coming in at $183,675.  They were awarded the contract and financing by the CSDA finance operation, providing $150,000, to be re-paid over 15 years was approved.  The construction of the Equalization Tank will correct an original construction deficiency and allow the district to utilize the original design capacity, which should be able to support the 200 EDU's of Unit 1 of Wallace Lake Estates.  Once the project is completed the Board will be able to lift the current moratorium on home building that is in force within the District.

In a separate action, the board approved a reinstatement and extension of the Remainder Parcel will serve agreement, approving assignment of the will serve agreement to Pinacle Land Ventures, LLC, an LLC owned by John Reynen.  The agreement had expired on April 14 of this year, and has now been extended to expire on April 14, 2010.  The reinstated agreement provides for the developer to improve the water system and the wastewater treatment system such that both will support 400 EDU's.  It also requires Pinacle Land Ventures to deed over to the District (within 6 months) the water treatment plant land, Wells 1, 2, 3, and 4 (Mokelumne Oaks), and the remainder of the lake, open space and dam not owned by the District.  Said Board President Cantoni, "We finally have an agreement to get the water plant, wells and lake deeded over to the District, independent of any completion of Remainder Parcel home building, a task the District has been trying to achieve since the original developer, Mr. Winchell, passed away.  We appreciate the actions by Reynen & Bardis in agreeing to our request."

Wallace, CA, July 11, 2008
The Wallace CSD Board of Directors was busy last night, with the meeting lasting over three hours.   For starters, lots of comments from the public.  A lengthy discussion ensued based on comments by Mr. Ahmad Al Ruosan regarding the pricing Campora has set for propane.  This has been a difficult task - to get a handle on what constitutes "reasonable pricing" as called for in their contract.  The board, and committee chair Rick Guantone resolved to keep working on the problem.  Committee reports included notice that the clean-up of the "Point" on the north side of the lake have been completed by Bruce's Tree Service. 

The board went over conditions under which the Remainder Parcel Will Serve Agreement can be extended, as requested by Reynen & Bardis.  This is a continuing discussion between the developer and the District.  The also board decided to proceed with development of a Water Shortage Contingency Plan, based on urging from the Department of Public Health and CCWD.  Director Cantoni and GM Edwards were assigned the task of coming up with the scope of the project, probable costs, etc. for the next meeting.

Director Cantoni gave a status report on discussions with the County and the Crestview Estates folks.  The discussion centers on WCSD providing water and wastewater treatment services for the 32 lot (5 acre) development.  No action was taken.  Based on job performance for the FY 2007 audit, the Board appointed the firm of Blomberg and Griffin as independent auditor for FY 2008 (year ending June 30, 2008).  The board also adopted a policy setting up a repair and maintenance reserve for the District.  The contribution to this reserve from FY 2008 will be approximately $30,000.

Director Cantoni announced that he would be resigning his position as board president, effective after the September 11, 2008 meeting, citing health reasons.  The board will be appointing a new president at the September 11 meeting.  Finally, the board approved liability limits for the coming year's liability insurance policy.

Wallace, CA  June 13, 2008
The Wallace CSD Board of Directors approved its Budget for FY 2009 (period ending June 30, 2009), at a public hearing during the regular board meeting of June 12, 2008.  Projected revenues for the year are $234,123, up 2.8 percent from the FY 2008 budget.  Expenses are projected at $ 205,219, down 1.5 percent from FY 2008.  In Fiscal Year 2008, just ending, the district has been able to set aside $30,000 into a badly needed  repair and maintenance reserve.  The budget for FY 2009 includes a planned increase in this reserve of another $30,000.  These funds will allow performance of much needed maintenance on the water storage tanks.  The budget is available in the Wallace CSD, Financial section of this web site.

The board also approved its Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) for Fiscal Year 2009.  This plan lays out projected capital improvements to the water and sewer systems for the next 15 years.   According to board president Chuck Cantoni, "We have a good idea of the planned capital improvements in the next few years, which basically support the needs of the current residents.  The plan identifies needs in later years, but the timing of such improvements will largely be set by any development plans that may occur."

Wallace, CA  June 13, 2008
The Wallace CSD Board of Directors, at its board meeting on June 12, 2008, did not submit an initiative petition to the voters.  The petition, brought by residents of Wallace Lake Estates, sought to lower water and sewer rates by forty-five percent, effective December 1, 2008.  Proponents gathered signatures and the Calaveras County Clerk/Registrar of Voters provided a Signature Verification Certificate to the board by mail dated May 15, 2008.

At its meeting of June 12, the board sought the advice of legal counsel as to the validity of the proposed ordinance.  Board counsel Michael McGrew of Neumiller and Beardsley advised the board that in his opinion, the ordinance was not valid, citing a number of invalid sections of the ordinance.  After discussion and public comment, the board voted unanimously to not submit the petition to the voters.

According to board president Chuck Cantoni, "Legal counsel advised us that the proposed ordinance was not valid, citing a 2006 California Supreme Court Decision.  We are in an awkward situation, wherein our advisors tell us that to cover all costs, as required by statue, we should be raising rates, at the same time that a significant number of our residents are signing a petition to lower them.  The dilemma is caused, in part by this being a small district (about 100 customers), supporting the water and sewer operations wherein plant equipment is aging and in need of maintenance and repair, and State and Federal regulations keep piling on.  As it is, we rely on significant volunteer help from Board members to meet our obligations.  Disagreement between the proponents and the board on how to accomplish needed maintenance and repairs further complicates the issue, and is apparently the primary motivation for circulation of the petition."

In an attempt to solve the problem, and to satisfy State requirements for water conservation and drought preparedness, the board, at its May 8, 2008 meeting directed the president to explore bringing in a third party to work with the community and the board in developing a workable rate strategy.  Further discussion on this approach was continued to the next meeting of the board, following a total power failure at the meeting place on this last Thursday night.

Wallace, CA  March 19, 2008
On March 13, 2008 the WCSD Board of Directors voted to authorize its District Engineer to design an Equalization/Overflow tank for the District's Wastewater Treatment plant.  The design task will cost up to $20,000.  After completion, the District will go out for bids for construction.

The District Engineer has advised the Board that, based on analysis of historical data conducted in 2007, the current equalization tank has insufficient capacity.  The concern is very simple.  Based on the historical data analysis, an overflow spill could occur during peak flow times, usually, but not always occurring during heavy rains.  The board became aware of the potential problem in 2007, and began study work to determine the best approach to correcting the problem.  At the March 13 Board meeting, Engineer Gary Ghio presented results of his study, which concluded that a larger equalization/overflow tank is needed to support the current operation and to support build-out of Wallace Lake Estates Unit 1.  The plant was supposedly designed to handle the needs of Unit 1 (approximately 200 units), but that capacity cannot be achieved until the change is made.

According to Board President Chuck Cantoni, "The Board decided last year to sign no more will serve letters until the capacity problem was fixed.  The board further resolved to institute careful monitoring of flows during the 2007/2008 winter months, which we have done, and no overflows have occurred.  We have had full transparency on this issue, including reporting to the State of California.  We now need to complete the design of the modification to the plant and get bids in to determine final costs."

The issue was discussed extensively at the March Board meeting, including discussion of financing means.  The District maintains a Sewer Reserve which is used for major modifications and improvements to the plant.  "The problem," said Cantoni, " is that the estimated cost of construction would deplete the reserve.  We are therefore looking at the possibility of utilizing a grant or a loan to finance part or all of the project.  We are researching the funding possibilities while having the design work completed."

The water and sewer plants operated by the District have been under discussion for some time, usually associated with development of the "Remainder Parcel," which is Wallace Lake Estates Unit 2.  Under the Will Serve Agreement for that development, the Developer is to provide a new the sewer plant and expand the water system to accommodate the additional needs (200 more units).  "The Remainder Parcel development has been delayed at the County for more than a year and we are now in the middle of a housing slump, so we can't look to a developer to correct the problem," said Cantoni. "The District needs to take action to correct this design problem.  We are optimistic that we will be able to make the modification to the plant under reasonable financial terms, and will be able to do so under the current rate structure for the sewer plant. We will know better once we have a firm handle on construction costs."

Cantoni further noted that the WCSD Board is planning to hold a Special Meeting on March 26, 2008 to discuss District finances in general and to hold preliminary discussions on budgets for the next fiscal year.  The discussion will include consideration of the financial impact of the Equalization/Overflow project.