For Immediate Release
Contact: Mike Prinz, General Manager
Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District
(415) 472-1734

District Board Member Rabi Elias Announces Resignation

San Rafael, CA (October 11, 2021) — Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Board of Directors member Rabi Elias has announced his intent to resign from the Board, effective December 2, 2021. Mr. Elias cites personal reasons for his decision. The resignation will leave a vacancy on the Board and an opportunity for a resident of the District to be appointed to serve out the term through December 2022.

Mr. Elias was first appointed to the Board in 2013, was elected to that seat later that year, and re-elected in 2018. He was chosen by his colleagues to serve as President of the Board in 2015 and 2020, a role which includes managing the Board meetings, leading the committee assignments process, and guiding policy discussions. With his deep background in civil engineering and public works, Mr. Elias brought to the Board a level of expertise and knowledge that has been instrumental in the District’s infrastructure improvements. He was also involved in regional water issues, including representing the District in the North Bay Water Reuse Program, which works to enhance regional recycled water cooperative projects in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties.

“Rabi has made a substantial impact during his tenure,” said Board President Crystal J. Yezman. “His practical experience and tremendous knowledge have truly advanced our policy-making around key operational issues, particularly with the current project to upgrade our secondary treatment plant and expand our recycled water program. We’ll miss his leadership and thoughtfulness, and we’re grateful for his service.”

The Board of Directors is responsible for policy decisions, which govern the District’s operations. These decisions focus on a range of critical issues from budgets and funding, discussion of operational and infrastructure matters, development of partnerships, and other critical items which guide the overall success of the District.

The Board of Directors will confirm the timing, process, and application period for filling Mr. Elias’s seat at their Board meeting on December 2, 2021. It is anticipated that applications will be accepted between December 3 and December 20 with interviews scheduled before the end of December. Candidates interested in filling the upcoming vacancy must live in the District’s 16 square mile service area, which encompasses the northern part of the City of San Rafael and surrounding unincorporated areas of Marin County, including the communities of Lucas Valley, Marinwood, Santa Venetia and Terra Linda. Persons interested in serving on the Board can contact the District office and ask that they be notified once applications are ready to be accepted. Upcoming Board meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month at 4:00 PM.

The Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary Sewer District serves 30,000 customers in the northern San Rafael area and manages approximately 105 miles of sewage collection pipelines. In addition to the wastewater treatment plant, the District also produces recycled water and is involved in solar and biogas power generation, garbage collection, and a multi-faceted reclamation project which includes a wildlife pond, irrigated pastures, recycled water storage ponds, and a saltwater marsh. Visit https://lgsdis.specialdistrict.org/ to learn more.

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