MCCSD board assigns committee members and prepares for 2022

MENDOCINO, CA » The Mendocino City Community Services District Board of Directors assigned committee members at their regularly scheduled meeting on January 31st and discussed priorities and plans for 2022. In the short term, the district is looking to finalize lease renewals with State Parks for monitoring wells and the State Land Commission for the outfall. In addition, they are beginning negotiations with Mendocino Unified School District to lease property for an emergency water supply tank. They continue to pursue grant money for drought resiliency projects including improvements to the recycled water plant and emergency water supplies. They are also working on repairs on the Main Street and Heeser Drive Lift Stations. In 2022, Superintendent Ryan Rhoades wants to look into a rate increase, solar energy for the plant, replacement of old office equipment, and a salary study.

During public comment on agenda items, one resident expressed concern about the inability of the district to provide recycled water for irrigation and the lack of funding options to help residents purchase water storage tanks. Two residents expressed concern about the efficacy of the groundwater management plan and also suggested the district needed to pursue a municipal water supply. One resident also complained that the stage 2 drought designation prevented residents from cleaning and maintaining their tanks during the rainy season, as it would likely cause them to be fined for going over their allotment.

Committee Assignments The board members divvied up

both standing committees and announced to ad hoc committees. For standing committees; Dennak Murphy and Maggie O’Rourke will serve on Finance and Personnel. Murphy and Jim Sullivan will serve on Plant Operations. Harold Hauck and Tina Aranguren will serve on Safety and Street Lighting. Aranguren and Sullivan will serve on Ground Water Management. For ad hoc committees; Aranguren and Hauck will serve on a Governance Committee. Murphy and O’Rourke will serve on a Litigation Committee.

Water Supply

October 1, 2021, was the beginning of a new water year. As of January 26, 2022, rainfall totals for the current rain year were 20.44 inches or about 1 inch below normal for this time of year. In January MCCSD documented 1.39 inches of rain, while the average for January should be 7.09 inches. There is no rain forecasted in the next few weeks. The district remains in a stage 2 drought.

The average depth of Mendocino’s water table on January 26, 2022, measured at 12.69, compared to 20.11 on January 20, 2021. The depth is the average distance from the surface of the earth to the water from 24 monitoring wells.

A higher number indicates less water.

A Stage 2 drought requests and restrictions

• 15% voluntary reduction in water usage. Customers are allowed to use their full allotment.

• Designated irrigation times

• No vehicle washing except with a hand-held bucket or hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle

• Prohibition on refilling of decorative fountains or ponds unless such water is part of a recycling system.

• No refilling of hot tubs or swimming pools.

• Drinking water served at restaurants only upon request

For more information go to www.mccsd.com.