Coastside Water Board Celebrates Tank Milestone, Approves $126K in Infrastructure Upgrades

The Coastside County Water District Board of Directors marked a major infrastructure milestone at its Aug. 11 meeting, celebrating the completion of the new Half Moon Bay water storage tank with a ribbon cutting that drew more than 90 attendees and three government proclamations — then turned to the quieter but essential work of keeping pumps running, trees trimmed and trucks on the road. The board also got word that two candidates are vying for Board President Bob Feldman's seat after his retirement announcement.

• Half Moon Bay tank ribbon cutting draws 90+ attendees and proclamations from a congressman, county supervisor and city mayor

• Board approves $126,000+ in procurement across a new district truck, water treatment plant pumps and fire-risk tree removal

• $50,000 sole-source tree contract sparks raptor nesting compliance questions before unanimous approval

• Aging chlorination pumps replaced at Denniston treatment plant with safer peristaltic technology

• Two candidates for open board seat attend meeting as President Feldman confirms retirement plans

90-Plus Gather to Celebrate Years-in-the-Making Water Tank

The new Half Moon Bay water storage tank — a project that board members described as years and many dollars in the making — received a community sendoff that General Manager Mary Rogren called an overwhelming success.

Why it matters: The tank represents a critical upgrade to the coastal district's water supply reliability, and the celebration signaled broad intergovernmental support for the project's completion.

Where things stand: Rogren reported that more than 90 people attended the ribbon cutting, including staff from the city of Half Moon Bay, the county, the fire department and state regulators. Steve Ritchie from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission also attended.

"We received three proclamations, which is great. We had a proclamation from Congressman Ricardo's office. We had a proclamation from our Supervisor Mueller's office. And then Mayor Reddick came and gave us a proclamation from the city," said General Manager Mary Rogren.

Vice President John Miller reflected on the scope of the undertaking: "We'll never forget that amazing day. How many years and how many dollars it's taken to get that thing put together."

Board President Bob Feldman framed the event as a testament to collective effort: "It would appear to me this is an affirmation of all the efforts of all the people, the management, the staff, the board of directors and the public who participated in making this happen."

Wells, Blowers and Hydrants: Operations Update

Staff delivered a wide-ranging operations update signaling that several capital projects are nearing completion.

Why it matters: PG&E well testing, if completed as expected, would bring new water supply capacity online for the coast side community — a significant resource gain.

Where things stand: Staff reported that PG&E started testing the district's wells and is expected to finish this month. "They started testing the wells and we are expecting PG to finish this month. So hopefully next month we tell you the project is ready to go," said district staff.

Additional updates included:
- The El Granada Tank 3 residual control system is now operational with staff trained
- The flock basin was drained and cleaned (an annual task), along with the settled basin (every four to six months)
- A new hurricane blower was installed on the concrete tank to aid in removing trihalomethanes (TTHMs), a common disinfection byproduct
- The mixer in Tank 3 was replaced when the tank was refilled
- Two hydrants at Amesport Landing were replaced, converting from wet well to dry well configuration — staff clarified these were replacements, not new installations, after a director raised questions about fire protection permits

Vice President Miller thanked staff for resolving a fire hydrant confusion issue with the fire department.

$50,000 Sole-Source Tree Contract Raises Raptor Nesting Questions

The board unanimously approved a $50,000 sole-source contract to Brush Hog Tree Care Inc. for tree maintenance, pruning and hazardous tree removal near the Half Moon Bay tank site — but not before Director Ken Coverdell pressed staff on wildlife compliance.

The basics: The district needs to resume tree work around the tank site after missing a year during construction. The goal is to lower the canopy to prevent debris from falling on the tanks and to create defensible space against wildfire.

Why it matters: Overgrown trees near water storage tanks pose a direct wildfire risk to critical infrastructure. The work also requires compliance with raptor nesting protections — a topic the board took seriously.

Where things stand: Staff explained that specialized crane equipment would reach trees from newly paved areas built during tank construction, avoiding the need to send workers in to fell trees on top of other trees. "We're bringing in specialized equipment that has a crane that will reach out from the paved areas that we just created with the building of the new tank," said district staff.

Director Ken Coverdell zeroed in on timing: "Are we out of the raptor nesting time period to have someone evaluated that for the permission to do this work?" Staff confirmed the nesting period typically ends in late July, but Coverdell pushed further: "I would just appreciate your being certain of that because the city gets a little." Staff committed to verifying compliance before starting work.

Vice President Miller seconded the motion and praised the use of a local firm.

Decisions: The contract was awarded under sole-source procurement Resolution 2025-07. The vote passed 5-0 (For: Coverdell, Dixon, Mickelsen, Miller, Feldman; Against: none; Absent: none).

Aging Chlorination Pumps Swapped for Safer Technology at Denniston Plant

The board authorized approximately $33,000 for four Watson Marlow peristaltic pumps to replace failing hypochlorite chemical feed pumps at the Denniston water treatment plant.

Why it matters: The existing pumps, installed during the 2013 Denniston upgrades, have reached their expected 5-to-10-year lifespan and are showing significant wear from the corrosive nature of hypochlorite. Pump failure could compromise the plant's disinfection capacity.

Where things stand: The district previously replaced permanganate pumps with Watson Marlow peristaltic pumps and was satisfied with their performance and SCADA integration. The new pump design allows operators to swap out pump heads without direct chemical exposure — a meaningful safety improvement.

"This new wave design with the Watson Marlow pumps makes where we are able just to take off the pump head and swap it out and really keep us away from the chemical itself," said district staff.

Four pumps are needed because peristaltic pumps have a narrower output range than the previous style. A director asked about the vendor's location; staff confirmed the distributor is local while Watson Marlow is an international manufacturer.

Decisions: The motion passed 5-0 (For: Coverdell, Dixon, Mickelsen, Miller, Feldman; Against: none; Absent: none).

Two Candidates Emerge as Board President Eyes Retirement

Director Ken Coverdell used the meeting's closing agenda to welcome two candidates in the audience who are running for an upcoming open seat on the five-member board, delivering extended remarks on the value of public service and the quality of the district's operations.

Why it matters: Board President Bob Feldman's planned retirement — announced in June — creates a vacancy on a board that has benefited from unusually long-tenured leadership, including Director Chris Mickelsen at roughly 25 years.

Coverdell urged the candidates to approach the role with humility: "I've learned more than I've brought to the party and I'm proud of that. And I hope that either one of you, however this election works out, whoever gets selected and elected by the community, that you also come and learn more than you bring."

Feldman expressed satisfaction that his departure attracted qualified interest: "In June when I discussed my plan to retire, my closing remark was I was sure we would find within the community some people who are interested in providing public service and working with an organization like this. And I am so happy to be proven right in that prediction."

Legal counsel advised that allowing the candidates to speak would constitute reopening public comment; President Feldman declined to do so.

Minor Items

• Consent calendar approved covering monthly accounts payable, with President Feldman reporting all expenses in order. Approved 4-0, one absent.

• $43,619 Ford F-150 purchase authorized from Town Ford for a 2027 4x4 standard cab pickup under the annual vehicle replacement program. Directors praised staff for keeping trucks in service for extended periods. Approved 4-0, one absent.

• Director Mickelsen reported a productive meeting with Vasca CEO Tom Smigel, noting "a little room for optimism on the negotiated settlement moving forward." General Manager Rogren also attended. No details were discussed in open session.

• Board entered closed session for a public employee appointment matter under Government Code Section 54957.