Mendocino County Grand Jury
• 2006-2007
Waste Not . . . Want Not a Report on the Gualala Community Services District May 3, 2007
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 16 findings
F1
GCSD was established in 1987 to provide wastewater and sewer treatment service.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Each parcel has its own interceptor tank. Wastewater effluent is then processed at the treatment facility.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
GCSD consists of a total of four Zones. Currently, only Zones 1 and 2 are being serviced for a total of 353 parcels along the Highway 1 corridor.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Testimony indicates there are no immediate plans by GCSD for expansion of service to Zones 3 and 4.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
All new development within the Zones 1 and 2 must connect to the wastewater treatment system.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
GCSD treatment facility is located south of the Gualala River in Sonoma County.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Treated wastewater from the Sea Ranch north treatment facility is processed at the GCSD facility to tertiary standards for irrigation use on the Sea Ranch Golf Course.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
GCSD is currently in dispute with the Sea Ranch Golf Course for non- payment for tertiary treated water provided by GCSD to the golf course.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
the GCSD take all steps necessary to resolve the dispute with the Sea Ranch Golf Course regarding payment for treated irrigation water.
F9
GCSD has placed liens against the Sea Ranch Golf Course in the amounts of those non-payments.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
An employee of Sea Ranch Golf Course serves as an elected member of the GCSD BOD, but does not vote on Golf Course issues before the Board.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
All BOD members have access to GCSD data, records and information.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
GCSD has experienced a lack of interested community members to serve on its board.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
the GMAC and the GCSD make every effort to work together on common issues facing each other individually for the ultimate overall benefit of the citizens of the Gualala community. Comments Over the years, GCSD has experienced difficulty in finding interested persons to serve on the board. As a result a small dedicated group has attempted to provide guidance and leadership to the District, not always doing things totally in conformance with normal procedures and governing laws. The BOD is aware of past procedural problems and is taking steps necessary to operate within all laws governing Special Districts. The GCSD is required to provide treated effluent to the Sea Ranch Golf Course as a contract condition in the initial establishment of the District. The Golf Course has stopped paying the District for the treated effluent, requiring the District to lien the Golf Course for the amounts due. GSCD must take all efforts and positive steps to resolve this dispute and remedy the related impact on cash flow caused by these non-payments. GCSD currently has no plan for expansion of the District into Zones 3 and 4. This decision appears to be in conflict with the GMAC position and intent.
F13
The BOD of GCSD is aware of past procedural rules of order discrepancies, i.e. required public notice of meetings, ADA compliance, and public relations. It is taking steps necessary to correct them and operate within and in accordance with current law.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
the BOD conduct all activities of GCSD in a totally transparent manner in accordance with all applicable laws governing a special district.
F14
The BOD has participated in the mandated Ethics Training.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
Discrepancies of staff management techniques, processes, and procedures have been noted by the Board. Steps have been initiated to correct these issues.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
the BOD conduct all activities of GCSD in a totally transparent manner in accordance with all applicable laws governing a special district.
F16
Required annual audits have not been performed in a number of years. A new CPA has been retained and up to date audits are anticipated.
No recommendations for this finding
Comments 1
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CO1Over the years, GCSD has experienced difficulty in finding interested persons to serve on the board. As a result a small dedicated group has attempted to provide guidance and leadership to the District, not always doing things totally in conformance with normal procedures and governing laws. The BOD is aware of past procedural problems and is taking steps necessary to operate within all laws governing Special Districts. The GCSD is required to provide treated effluent to the Sea Ranch Golf Course as a contract condition in the initial establishment of the District. The Golf Course has stopped paying the District for the treated effluent, requiring the District to lien the Golf Course for the amounts due. GSCD must take all efforts and positive steps to resolve this dispute and remedy the related impact on cash flow caused by these non-payments. GCSD currently has no plan for expansion of the District into Zones 3 and 4. This decision appears to be in conflict with the GMAC position and intent.