Longtime Fern Valley Water District Director Diana Johnson has said she will not continue as a director after selling her home in the district. Although Johnson has not submitted a formal letter of resignation, she indicated in a phone call to Office Manager Jessica Priefer she would not be returning for board meetings.

First elected in 1995, Johnson has served for 17 years and has three more years left in her fifth term. The board will determine how to fill the vacancy in accordance with governing regulations. At its previous meeting, the board passed Resolution 536 authorizing the county registrar of voters to conduct the general district election. Johnson’s departure leaves the board short one director.

In reviewing its third-quarter budget report, the board noted with satisfaction that the district had obtained 73 percent of its projected income and spent only 65 percent of projected expenses.

In his general manager’s report, Steve Erler said March well production was up from the previous month and from March 2012. Surface water availability is low compared with years past, at 160 gallons per minute. By comparison, it was 300 gpm in March 2012 and 1,200 gpm in March 2011. Precipitation for season to date is also low, 13.41 inches compared to 18.64 at this time last year. Snow in inches is comparable, 42.2 inches this season compared to 42.1 last.

In a revision to its scheduled pipeline replacement project, Erler noted that the bid solicitation period has been postponed to April 17 through 25, with bid opening scheduled for April 25. The board plans to award the contract for the Fern Valley Road work at a special meeting in early May with construction slated to begin June 3. The target completion date for the upper Fern Valley project is Aug. 28.

Erler reported the district received a notice of violation from the California Department of Public Health. He explained that the freezing of transducers on two water storage tanks, erroneously recorded low water levels. Consequently, staff increased flow to the two tanks; however, the water did not have sufficient contact time with treatment chemicals. Extra detention time in a third tank prevented inadequately treated water from entering the system according to Erler. He noted there was no monetary sanction to the district from the violation notice.

In an ongoing effort to reduce unfunded liability for retiree medical benefits through CalPERS, the board authorized depositing $25,000 this year and next. It also voted to elect a middle risk investment strategy and category offered by CalPERS.