HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-04-01 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING
April 1, 1991
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner
Public Utility District was called to order by President Aguera at
7: 00 PM in the TDPUD Board Room.
ROLL CALL: Directors John Corbett, Richard Curran, James Maass,
Pat Sutton and Joe Aguera were present.
EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Mary Chapman, Peter Holzmeister and Susan
Craig.
CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Counsel Phelps was absent.
OTHERS PRESENT: Joe Suter, Bill Quisnell and Joel Alford.
CONSENT AGENDA
Director Sutton asked that both items be removed from the consent
agenda and thereafter obtained clarification on several matters
relating to the items.
AWARD OF TRANSFORMER AND RECLOSER BIDS
Responding to Director Sutton's question, it was noted that the
evaluated lifetime cost for each transformer includes the cost of
operating the transformers (value of the losses) .
Director Maass moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the bids
for transformers be awarded as follows: Schedule A, Western States
Electric - value $19, 632 ; Schedules B and C, General Electric -
value $15,716.89 ; Schedules D and E, WESCO - value $14, 678 . All
Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED.
Director Maass moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the bid
for two vacuum circuit reclosers be awarded to Cooper Power Systems
at a unit cost of $14, 516. 23 . All Directors, aye, by voice vote.
SO MOVED.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ANNUAL ADVERTISING CONTRACT WITH THE SIERRA
SUN
In answer to Director Sutton's question, the Secretary advised that
the cost of display advertising is less expensive under the terms
of an annual contract.
Director Maass moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 9112
authorizing the annual advertising contract with the Sierra Sun;
seconded by Director Corbett. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO
RESOLVED.
CONSIDERATION OF JOB DESCRIPTION/SALARY RANGE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE
MANAGER
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Manager Holzmeister noted that recently the Board adopted the
report entitled "Analysis of Office and Financial Functions"
prepared by Glenn M. Reiter and Associates and directed him to
return with recommendations regarding a job description and salary
range for the Administrative Manager.
By memo dated March 27, 1991, Mr. Holzmeister provided the Board
with a job description accurately describing what Mary Chapman is
currently doing and what the report recommends. With respect to
salary, the report concludes that the proper salary range is
$43 , 200 to $52 ,800 annually. Mrs. Chapman's present salary is
$43 , 084 .
Mr. Holzmeister recommended setting Mrs. Chapman's salary at
$48, 000 per year retroactive to the date she assumed the position
and entering into a professional development program to encourage
completion of her degree, at which time this accomplishment could
be recognized by moving her to the top of the pay scale.
Director Corbett moved that the Board accept the Manager's
recommendation regarding salary retroactive to when Mrs. Chapman
assumed the position (approximately May of 1990) ; the motion was
seconded by Director Maass.
Director Sutton stated she has a problem with placing a person in
the position of having to complete her course work and earn a
. degree while concurrently holding a demanding position with the
District. She said she did not want to make the appointment
contingent upon a degree. It was clarified that holding a degree
is not a requirement of the position, but would be a means for Mrs.
Chapman to reach the top of her pay scale.
ROLL CALL vote on the motion to set Mrs. Chapman's salary at
$48, 000 per year retroactive to the time she assumed the
Office/Finance Supervisor position: Corbett, aye; Curran, no,
stating he has a problem with the salary proposed by the Manager;
Maass, aye; Sutton, abstain; Aguera, aye. SO MOVED.
CONSIDERATION OF MANAGEMENT FRINGE BENEFIT POLICY
Mr. Holzmeister noted that Director Sutton, Counsel Phelps and he
were appointed to a committee to review a draft policy defining the
fringe benefits that would apply to management and confidential
employees. The issue was first raised by the auditors, who advised
that there should be a written policy defining the vacation
schedule for management employees. (There has been a consistent
and long term practice of providing management employees with the
same fringe benefits as the hourly employees, although the practice
has never been formally set down as written policy. )
A draft policy formalizing not only the vacation schedule but other
fringe benefits as well was prepared and reviewed by the committee.
Several changes were incorporated into the final draft: 1) In every
case, the term "permanent employee" was changed to read "regular
employee. " 2) Regarding the long-term disability plan, the maximum
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benefit has been changed to $4,000; it was $2, 000. Mr. Holzmeister
noted there is no additional cost to the District since this is
what the plan now provides for all employees. 3) The policy
eliminates the ability of the employee to keep the first $5 of jury
duty pay. 4) The vacation schedule was changed. 5) The new policy
eliminates the need to take vacations of no less than one week
increments. 6) It provides for three day administrative leave per
year which cannot be accrued from year to year. 7) It allows the
General Manager to provide additional vacation time for extra hours
worked. 8) It allows the District to require evidence of
disability after three days rather than five days. 9) The new
policy allows the District to request a doctor's release to return
to work after an absence of three days. Current policy is five
days.
Relating to long-term disability, Mr. Holzmeister explained the
difference between work connected injuries and disabilities
occurring off the job for Director Sutton' s benefit. He said the
District pays an insurance premium for long-term disability and
does not make any payment to the employees.
Director Maass moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the Board
adopt Resolution No. 9113 establishing a fringe benefit policy for
management and confidential employees. ROLL CALL: all Directors,
aye. SO RESOLVED.
PUBLIC INPUT
Relating to a recent newspaper article, Joe Suter (local
contractor) asked how the Board is going to handle a multi-million
dollar project if it's having a problem with a $6 dollar item.
President Aguera noted that this problem was solved at the time it
came up. Mr. Suter said he hopes the (Tahoe Donner water system
improvement) project will be handled a little better than the last
job he did for the District as he had to go through arbitration to
obtain payment.
CONSIDERATION OF POLICY REGARDING RECRUITMENT OF DEPARTMENT HEADS
At the February workshop conducted by Bob Rauch, Mr. Holzmeister
noted, there was some interest expressed by the Directors in
setting forth in a formal policy the procedure used in recruiting
department heads. He prepared a draft policy calling for wide
publication of the vacancy, setting up a screening process, and
placing final responsibility for hiring the department head with
the General Manager. Mr. Holzmeister noted that this process was
followed in the recruitment of Tom Buckhouse, Andy Hyde and Paul
Colburn as well as himself.
Director Sutton noted that the policy states an interview committee
shall be appointed consisting of the President of the Board or a
Director appointed by the President, the General Manger and three
persons appointed by the General Manager. She said she'd rather
leave it open and have the policy state " . . .consisting of a
Director designated by the Board, the General Manager. . . . "
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After some discussion, Director Maass moved, and Director Corbett
seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 9114 establishing a
recruitment policy for department heads as drafted. ROLL CALL:
all Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED.
DIRECTION REGARDING DRAFT MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 2 AND MARCH 18, 1991
At Director Sutton's request, the minutes of February 2 , 1991 were
tabled to the next meeting.
Regarding the draft minutes of March 18, 1991, Director Sutton said
perhaps the Secretary should listen to the tape recording of the
meeting and verify that Counsel Phelps' suggested corrections were
accurate. Director Aguera moved that the Secretary be directed to
prepare the minutes in final form incorporating both Director
Maass ' and Counsel Phelps' corrections; seconded by Director
Curran. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED.
CORRESPONDENCE
There was no correspondence discussed by the Board.
BILLS FOR APPROVAL
Director Maass moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the bills
presented for consideration be approved for payment. All
• Directors, aye, by voice vote.
Director Sutton thanked staff for providing a breakdown on the list
of bills; she said it was very helpful.
STAFF REPORT
A copy of the staff report has been attached to these minutes for
reference.
Board/Manager work plan
Based on recent workshops and seminars, Mr. Holzmeister thought
some programs could be implemented to steer him and the Board in a
good direction. He suggested a work plan that focuses on some high
priority areas.
There was some discussion and, thereafter, Director Maass moved
that the Board approve the concept of the Board/Manager work plan
prepared by Mr. Holzmeister dated March 27, 1991; seconded by
Director Corbett. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED.
Report on status of restricted funds
Administrative Manager Chapman made a brief presentation on the
status of the District's various restricted funds, gave a short
• description of the fund and related action which authorized or
required the deposit.
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Concerning the building fund, Director Maass said it was his hope
that the District could make the payments from the interest and not
have to use the principal. Also, he noted that the net amount
collected from rent should be deposited into the fund. The Manager
said he would look into the matter and if an adjustment seems
appropriate, he will come back to the Board with a recommendation.
Mr. Holzmeister summarized for the Board the Tahoe Donner funds.
CLOSED SESSION
The meeting was adjourned to closed session at 8 : 25 PM for the
purpose of discussing personnel matters in accordance with
Government Code Section 54957.
RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
The meeting was returned to public session at 9: 04 PM. There was
no action taken or direction given as a result of closed session.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was
adjourned by unanimous consent at 9: 05 PM.
TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
J s ph guera esident
Prepared by
Susan M. Craig, Deputy District Clerk
smc
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