RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Eight topics were on the agenda – most of them related to water – when the Rancho Murieta Community Services District Improvements Committee met on Nov. 4.

The committee was updated on a developer meeting, discussed a site for a third water tank, considered a water conservation program and talked about finding more water. An audience member questioned whether developers are paying their fair share.

Another topic involved failing culverts at the Murieta Equestrian Center that could lead to flooding. (See "CSD Faces Costly Culvert Repair")

The Improvements Committee is currently made up of Board President John Merchant, Director Randy Jenco, Interim General Manager Amelia Wilder, Chief Plant Operator Travis Bohannon, Utilities Supervisor Corey Carskaddon and other staff. The committee reviews infrastructure issues and forwards recommendations to the full board.

Bohannon provided an update on the Oct. 20 private meeting with developer Bob Keil, Rancho North developers, Merchant, Director Bill Gere and district staff.

The meeting was prompted by Merchant and District Counsel Patrick Enright abruptly informing Keil and his partners that they would be required to enter into an agreement to build a third water tank in order to receive water meters for the Residences subdivision. It was also driven by Wilder’s unexpected announcement that they must pay additional fees under a Facility Services Agreement.

Bohannon said the group discussed the need for a third 2.5-million-gallon tank, possible sites, water meters for the Residences and the 670 Facility Services Agreement.

Keil said the meeting had been productive. 

“I do want to have some sort of formal follow-up. It’s been a couple of weeks, and I don’t know where we stand on some of these items.”

Bohannon said the group agreed that Site 4 above Chesbro Reservoir was the preferred location for a third water tank. The land is owned by Carol Anderson Ward and Rancho Murieta Properties. 

“She did affirm she was agreeable with this option and that she would provide the land,” Bohannon said. Gere also proposed a less visible Site 4B, and development engineer Mike Robertson suggested another variation.

Much discussion followed about the various site possibilities, with District Engineer Joe Domenichelli providing technical details.

Bohannon then raised a second issue, saying he wanted to meet with Domenichelli, Carskaddon and Robertson to design a pump station for the site, with the goal of presenting a proposal next month.

Jenco added that a commitment from Rancho Murieta Properties to dedicate two acres and needed access was also required.

Rancho Murieta Properties CEO Greg Dyer said the tank would “pretty much eliminate the value of the land between the tank and the water treatment plant,” meaning a larger parcel would likely be needed. He noted that about 30 acres of high ground are available and suitable for future tanks.

Dyer also said there had been some miscommunication about providing the land. 

“We would like to cooperate because down the road, it will help us as well. But, right now, we are not going to provide the land for free.”

Saying she wanted to move the process along, Wilder asked Dyer to return with cost estimates for what would work best at Site 4.

Merchant agreed to continue with Site 4. 

“Let’s see what the whole thing adds up to,” he said. “Then we can have another fight on how it gets apportioned.”

Bohannon opened the water conservation discussion, explaining that the throttle-valve system needed to fill the Rio Oso tank during peak summer use would not be ready by spring. That could affect the 800 customers above Guadalupe Drive and in the Residences subdivision. He recommended developing a voluntary conservation program, such as alternate-day watering, and emphasized the need for simple outreach. Merchant agreed. Jenco asked Bohannon to bring proposals to the next meeting.

Bohannon reported that Water System Consultants was reviewing well-study data from the 1970s and drafting a well-siting memorandum for early December.

Jenco emphasized finishing the Integrated Water Master Plan so the district can determine how much water will be needed for future development. Merchant essentially told him there was no urgency because the Working Group already agreed with master plan consultant Lisa Maddaus’ demand numbers. 

“We have a reasonably good handle on demand,” he said.

After Jenco and Merchant went back and forth, Wilder said she would place Jenco’s request for a proposal from Maddaus on the next board agenda.

Working Group member Jim Farrell said it was “pretty safe to say” the district needs an additional 2,500 acre-feet of water and urged moving forward with Water System Consultants.

Farrell raised the need for clear cost allocation between development-related work and operational expenses. Concerned about the burden on district staff, he asked, “Are everyday ratepayers paying for the cost of trying to find more water because somebody wants to build new homes?”

Responding later in the meeting, Keil said everyone agrees the community needs productive wells; the question is who will pay for them. 

“For sure, if there is no development, I know who is paying for the wells,” he said.

Keil noted that developers contribute through water-augmentation fees. If $8 million to $10 million in developer fees are removed from the equation, he said, the existing ratepayers would be left to cover roughly $15 million.

Developers also pay deposits for their projects, Keil added, and the district bills staff time and professional services to those accounts. Addressing Farrell, he said, “I want you to make sure you understand that all of the staff time you’re talking about is compensated.”

Bohannon reported reservoir levels as of Oct. 31: Calero 60.7% (1,257.59 acre-feet), Chesbro 90.7% (860.5 acre-feet) and Clementia 80.1% (520.45 acre-feet). With batter boards, Calero was at 55.1%.

He also reviewed capital improvement projects and will bring a status report to the board.

Jenco said he will ask the board to approve appointments to the ad hoc Water Vision Committee, which will assist Water System Consultants with well-site selection.

Wilder suggested involving the Sloughhouse Resource Conservation District in groundwater discussions. Merchant agreed. The district is a public agency that focuses on groundwater management, watershed health, habitat restoration and soil conservation.