Water district approves rate hike

The Valley of the Moon Water District Board of Directors toasted the new year at its meeting Tuesday evening with a glass of water from the newly operating Well #5.
The directors moved smoothly and quickly through a number of items of business at the meeting, first deferring election of new officers to their next meeting. The prospective rate increase was next, and no members of the public came forward to comment. The proposal was to increase the capacity charge to $8,841 (up from $4,777) per equivalent single-family dwelling and the service charge for a 1-inch connection to $3,400, (up from $1,528) to be effective April 1, 2009. Board president Mark Bramfitt said he’d published the required public notices. General Manager Krishna Kumar reminded the directors that this increase affects new customers only; it is a one-time charge for any new construction.
Kumar presented a bilingual outreach for water conservation, including two dedicated hotlines, one in English and one in Spanish. In addition, the district will hold eight landscaping classes to be conducted in Spanish and four in English. Bramfitt encouraged the outreach.
Kumar reported on the “Cash for Grass” program, noting that the program has survived for two years. To date, he said, they have reimbursed $13,878. “It’s about 1.3 acre feet of water that’s been saved annually,” he said. “It’s a policy decision as to whether it’s to be continued.” Some directors questioned how success of the program could be judged, and Kumar said there were pre- and post-inspections: “One of the reps will inspect, and there are some criteria, and then after the work is done, a post inspection.” Director Russell Townsend asked whether there is a penalty should someone decide to replant, and Kumar said that the program requires them not to. Director Al Bandur asked if commercial properties were included, and Kumar said it was strictly a residential program.
Bramfitt expressed encouragement for continuing the program. “I tried to challenge our general manager as to the cost effectiveness of this measure as opposed to other measures,” he said. “It seems to be, despite any issues of persistence, looking pretty good, and I fully support putting more money into that budget, and just funding the water efficiency program in general.”
Bramfitt then invited anyone who wanted to taste water from Well #5, which was opened Dec. 15, and, while not technically complete, is up and running and the water it gives, according to Kumar, is “fully potable.”  Sonoma City Councilmember Laurie Gallian bravely stepped up, poured a glass, took a sip and pronounced it good. The board discussed possibilities for a dedication ceremony to mark completion of the well.
On a sad note, director Ed Kenney mentioned the recent death of Angelo Pedroncelli, who had served three terms as a director of the district and had served as president. “He had a monstrous funeral,” said Kenney, reflecting the broad respect for Pedroncelli in the community.