Minutes of the Special Meeting August 19, 2015

Vista del Rey

Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association

Minutes of the Special Meeting, 6 p.m., August 19, 2015

Lord’s Ranch, Vado, NM 88072

President Wade Cornelius opened the meeting at 6:10 p.m. Attending in addition to Cornelius were Brandon Garcia of Pure Ops, Mary and David Lucero, Beth Morgan, and Kenneth Henrie. Rebecca and Heriberto Flores, Patrick Stafford, and Mark Sechrist joined those assembled after the meeting was under way.

The approval of minutes for the July 8 meeting was postponed, as a quorum of the board was not in attendance.

The Pure Ops representative, who had been invited to provide information on options for controlling levels of uranium and radionuclides over those allowed by the New Mexico Environment Department, suggested that an ion exchange system might be most effective in controlling these contaminants.

Mary Lucero asked about the potential for using bio-filters, which she believes were naturally occurring, but destroyed when the well pump seized up and major repairs were required last November. Garcia was not able to provide information about bio-filters. He noted that ion exchange has two types of systems: larger systems, in which contaminants attach to beads in the filters, which are self-cleaning. In smaller systems, the filters become exhausted and have to be replaced. He did not present any significant information on reverse osmosis, but Mary said that reverse osmosis, in essence, creates distilled water. Garcia was standing in for his superior, Mario Gonzales, who could not attend.

David Lucero said that monitoring of the system to ascertain levels of contaminants is desirable, and that since greater than allowable levels of contaminants are present, he wanted to see the matter “put on the front burner.” He asked about cost, which Garcia was not able to estimate. Garcia said the company would have to know more about our system, based on information from the water operator, the Drinking Water Watch website, and from data they collect on forms, before they could hazard a guess. He noted that funding is available to assist water utilities in financing such improvements, that there are solutions. In the end, the presentation seemed less focused on information about options for removing excess uranium and radionuclides than it did on sales.

Beth Morgan presented the treasurer’s report in the absence of Jana Melvin. At the end of June, we had $8, 980.89 on hand. We took in $1,510 during the month of July, and had expenses of $908.39. We finished July with a balance of $9, 582.50. Approval of the report was tabled for lack of a quorum.

A leak in a water pipe at the southeast corner of the intersection at Vista del Rey and Santana Road was repaired Saturday, Aug. 15. This may have been because the T-joint that was leaking was substandard, intended for a low-pressure sewer system, not a pressurized water system. David Lucero asked how bad the leak was, and was generally told that it was bad. Several water association members spent all day working on the leak with the assistance of a hired backhoe. The T-joint was replaced with one appropriate for a water system, and it was generally agreed that our system should be able to handle additional pressure. Water pressure in some homes within the system is highly variable.

Lucero noted that board member Patrick Stafford had purchased a pressure regulator that should enable us to monitor and adjust water pressure within the system to between 30 and 40 pounds pressure. Further, he stated that the question is how much pressure the system can withstand. He indicated he felt that we will be able to adjust pressure to adequate levels. He then reported that fabrication of a wellhead cover had been completed by his son, James, and that he had his daughter, Sabrina, working on a gate for the ladder to the water tank.

President Cornelius reported that the state Taxation and Revenue Department said they would not give us a refund due for taxes, because we had not provided readings to the State Engineer’s office for December 2011, June 2012, December 2012, and June 2014, something former president Michael Schmickle was supposed to provide. The readings show how many gallons were used by the system in a given six month period, and we pay taxes on that. How best to recover the information is not resolved. It can apparently be estimated, but not fully recovered, something that will probably fall to Cornelius.

A decision on whether or not to hire Henry Torres to replace our current water operator was tabled, pending discussing the matter with board member Stafford, who had not yet arrived. When he did make it to the meeting, he noted that our current well operator, Ramon Morales, had again let the chlorine system run dry. On that basis, it was determined that Torres will be invited to our next meeting, we will discuss our expectations of a well operator with him more extensively, and make a decision whether to hire him at that time.

Cornelius noted that regarding insurance coverage, which will run out in October, and which Burke Insurance, has said they will not renew, would probably require another special meeting. He was concerned that we would have only one month to come up with a new agent, if we wait an entire month to pursue the matter. When that meeting occurs, having a quorum present to vote on acceptance of an insurance carrier will be important.

The matter of back taxes was revisited, after Stafford appeared. He said he would look into the reporting issue and try to resolve the matter. We may have records that provide some of the information, and the president agreed to show the secretary what to look for.

Certificates of membership for water users were distributed at the meeting. Secretary Morgan reported that provision of the certificates was a process required by law that had been begun by former Secretary-Treasurer Syd Morgan, but which had never been finished. She will keep a certificate book with copies of certificates and a list of all certificate holders and will provide a duplicate book to the treasurer.

Some discussion of the concerns of a homeowners association to amend existing covenants and to address matters of road maintenance took place. David Lucero is concerned that the crown on our existing dirt road has deteriorated and we may have to bring in some additional soil. It was noted that whether Santana Road is a dedicated county road or not is disputed. Drawings of the subdivision state that it is, however, the county has traditionally ignored that and not maintained the road from the cattle guard on Santana northward. Lucero also noted that keeping to the 25 mph speed limit will reduce the amount of grading required and subsequent degradation of the road.

Finally, Patrick Stafford was presented with a $100 gift card for his many years of service on the association’s board. His voluntary maintenance of the road and his proactive stance on organizing work parties for necessary repairs and improvements has made him a valuable asset to the association and the neighborhood. Cards for Stafford and Jana Melvin were signed by those present. Melvin will be presented hers at a later date.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.