Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-06-05 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING June 5, 1989 The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order by President Maass at 7 : 10 P.M. in the TDPUD Board Room. ROLL CALL: Directors Aguera, Corbett, Sutton and Maass were present. Director White was in Florida at the American Public Power Association conference. EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Tom Buckhouse, Mary Chapman, Andy Hyde, Peter Holzmeister, Joe Straub and Susan Craig. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Counsel John Phelps. OTHERS PRESENT: Among those present in the audience were Donna Straub, Frederico Santas, Mike Hartwell, Leslie Anderson, Wayne Stuart, Adria Aslanian, Marty Cochran, Rich Parker, Max Williams, Shawn VanEnoo, Grace Robertson and Tony Rivara. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Director Corbett moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the minutes of May 1, 1989 be approved as written. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. With respect to the minutes of May 8, 1989, Director Maass asked that reference be made to the fact that it was, in part, a joint meeting with the Recreation and Park District. Also, Jack McCormick is to be identified as being of McCormick Realty; Jim Westphal is to be identified as a realtor associated with McCormick Realty. Director Corbett moved, and Director Sutton seconded, that the Secretary be directed to prepare the minutes of May 8 in final form as corrected. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. It was suggested that wording regarding the November election on page 9 in the May 15, 1989 minutes be changed and, thereafter, Director Corbett moved that the Secretary be directed to prepare the minutes in final form as corrected. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Regarding the minutes of April 17, 1989, Director Sutton noted she would like to amend certain portions having to do with Hirschdale. Although the minutes were previously approved, the Chairman indicated the Board would consider Director Sutton' s proposed corrections. STATEMENT OF GENERAL FUND AND BILLS FOR APPROVAL Director Sutton asked for an explanation of how insurance expense is allocated between the Water and Electric Departments, and the Office Supervisor said she would provide a coverage summary for the 1 CORRESPONDENCE - POSSIBLE DIRECTION ® Note was made of the June 2 , 1989 letter from Counsel Phelps to Grace Robertson's attorney concerning the East South River Street water line. Since the Board had not yet had a chance to review the letter, there was no discussion. COMMITTEE REPORTS Director Sutton noted that two items discussed by the Finance Committee which require Board direction had not been placed on the agenda. Mr. Holzmeister said they would appear on the June 19 agenda. SPECIAL BUSINESS - PRESENTATION OF 20-YEAR PLAQUE TO JOE STRAUB Director Maass noted that Warehouseman Joe Straub will be with the Truckee Donner PUD 20 years on June 16, 1989 . He presented a plaque to Mr. Straub for 20 years of dedicated service to the people of the Truckee community. HIRSCHDALE WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS - POSSIBLE DIRECTION - STATUS REPORT - DISCUSSION OF PHELPS LETTER OF 5/19/89 - STATUS OF COOK ASSOCIATES BILLING - DISCUSSION OF COST ALLOCATION - FINALIZATION OF PERFORMANCE AUDIT • Engineer Andy Hyde noted, at the last meeting, that there were two items remaining to be resolved before customers could connect to the Hirschdale water system: the existing Rivara wells and the pre-lube system to the well pump. Jess Morehouse of the State Health Department approved leaving the Rivara wells active subject to certain conditions. The District has prepared an agreement for Mr. Rivara to sign which will formalize those conditions. Mr. Rivara has indicated he will not sign the agreement unless the District negotiates the magnitude of the cost allocation he is to pay. Mr. Morehouse has authorized the District to proceed with hook-ups of other customers provided that no water service is provided to Rivara until State Health Department conditions have been met. The pre-lube system has been installed. The supplier advised that the foot valve is now holding and the pump can be operated without damaging the bearings. Joe Suter will be meeting with Mr. Hyde at the site soon to inspect the pot holes and repair them as necessary: Mr. Hyde identified three alternative ways to allocate the costs associated with the Hirschdale improvements. 1. Place an assessment on each parcel with payment scheduled over a period of time. The assessment is a matter of public record and will show up in title reports. 2 . Require property owners to pay their allocation in full 3 before the District provides them service. The advantage is the District receives payment in full immediately. The disadvantages are that full payment might be a hardship for some owners and people might choose not to hook up as long as the Rivara system continues to serve them. 3 . Allow time payments as long as the property owner records some type of payment agreement against the property. Mr. Hyde explained that the cost allocation is based on the square footage of the lot. Director Sutton asked for a copy of the formula used, and stated she thinks zoning and fire protection should be a factor in determining the allocation. There was some discussion, and Mr. Hyde noted Counsel Phelps ' recommendation that the District check with Brown and Wood, bond counsel, to see whether the District can legally impose an assessment against the property in Hirschdale without a protest hearing. David Casnocha of Brown and Wood said he thinks the District cannot place an assessment against the property without a protest hearing. If less than a majority of the property owners protest, the Board may vote with three out of five to place the assessment; if the majority of the property owners protest, the Board can still vote to place the assessment, but with a four- fifths vote of the Board. Mr. Casnocha noted that he had not yet . had a chance to review the District's file, and so his conclusions were tentative, until he had an opportunity to become more familiar with the procedure used to set up the Hirschdale improvement district. Director Sutton said she thinks the District may have a problem with the cost over runs and the legal obligations of the assessment district since the District did not handle the funds through an assessment. Tony Rivara said the residents of Hirschdale think the costs should be divided equally between the people. After some discussion, Director Maass advised he would call a special meeting to consider the matter if Mr. Rivara obtained a petition to this effect signed by every property owner in Hirschdale. He moved that Counsel Phelps be authorized to assist Mr. Rivara in drawing up the appropriate document. SO MOVED by Director Corbett and seconded by Director Sutton. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Mr. Hyde reported that he has not yet received the requested additional documentation from Dan Cook regarding his latest bill and, based on the lack of response, Mr. Hyde recommended that the billing be rejected in its entirety. After some discussion, Director Corbett moved that the Cook bill be rejected and that the Manager be directed to notify Mr. Cook; . seconded by Director Aguera. ROLL CALL: White, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. 4 The Board discussed the cost summary of the Hirschdale water system project and it was decided that the District would bear the following costs: $7, 263 .75 for the construction audit performed by Terrance Lowell, $4 , 576. 29 for settlement costs in the Suter arbitration, and $645.20 for pavement cores performed by SEA. The portion of costs to be allocated to the residents of Hirschdale may be reduced further upon settlement of the Cook bill . Regarding the performance audit, Director Sutton said she thought certain findings that came out during discussion should be included in Mr. Lowell 's audit. It was decided staff would attach written documentation concerning these matters. CONSIDERATION OF SELF-FUNDING VISION INSURANCE PLAN Office Supervisor Chapman reported that the results of the employee survey show it would be advantageous to the District to self-fund the vision coverage at the current level of benefits provided under the Traveler's vision plan. She compared the tabulation of results with the Traveler's schedule of benefits. Mrs. Chapman said that administering the vision claims would be fairly simple. The employee or eye doctor would submit the invoices to the District; the District would issue a check according to the schedule of benefits. A record would be kept to make sure no one receives more than the maximum benefit per year, . and a quarterly report would be provided to the Board. Director Corbett moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 8915 authorizing the self-funding of employee vision insurance coverage. ROLL CALL: White, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. DISCUSSION OF DISTRICT MEMBERSHIP IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA POWER AGENCY Manager Holzmeister explained to the Board why he feels the District should join the Northern California Power Agency and how to go about becoming a member. He noted that once the PUD is a member, it would still rely on others to generate the power used; however, NCPA would represent the District in some of the negotiations for power and the District would sit on the NCPA governing board. He said the District would have a contractual relationship with NCPA, Sierra Pacific, WAPA and PG&E. It would be an active participant in a much larger world of power generation and transmission, and there would be more control over the District' s future. Director Aguera moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the Board authorize the Manager to submit the application and $17 , 163 fee for NCPA membership subject to review of the related agreement by Counsel Phelps. ROLL CALL: White, absent; all other Directors, • aye. SO MOVED. 5 CONSIDERATION OF LEASING SPACE TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF • FORESTRY Counsel Phelps noted that the proposed lease between the TDPUD and the Department of Forestry is now in the form prescribed by the Board. Director Corbett moved that the lease be approved; seconded by Director Aguera. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF WATER DEPARTMENT STAFFING, JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND WAGE RATES; CREATION OF AN APPRENTICE PROGRAM Mr. Holzmeister noted it has been a long-term plan to initiate an apprentice training program within the Water Department. He recommended approving the supplementary agreement with the Union regarding apprenticeship and to also approve the proposed job descriptions and pay scales for Working Foreman, Leadman, Service Technician 1, Service Technician 2, Apprentice Service Technician and Helper. Mr. Holzmeister said there would be no change in the pay scale of existing employees. Director Sutton stated she hasn't seen clerical positions being advertised and doesn't think the District has an open hiring policy. Mr. Holzmeister disagreed and briefly explained the procedure followed by the PUD. After some discussion of the proposal, Director Corbett moved that • the Board approve the Supplementary Agreement between the TDPUD and Local Union 1245 regarding apprenticeship and also approve the job descriptions and pay scales for Working Foreman, Leadman, Service Technician 1, Service Technician 2 , Apprentice Service Technician and Helper; seconded by Director Aguera. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING SPECIFICATIONS AND ISSUING A CALL FOR BIDS FOR RECLOSERS Electrical Engineer Buckhouse noted that specifications have been prepared for two vacuum type, oil filled, automatic circuit reclosers with micro-processor based controls. The units will be used to improve the circuit protection and load data gathering capabilities at the Truckee Substation. The estimated cost of $28 , 000 is included the in Electric Capital Improvement Program for 1989. Director Corbett moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 8916 approving specifications and calling for bids on circuit reclosers. ROLL CALL: White, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. CLOSED SESSION The Board adjourned to closed session at 8 : 37 P.M. pursuant to . Government Code Section 54956.9 (b) (1) . RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION 6 • The meeting was returned to public session at 9 : 54 P.M. The Chairman reported that no action was taken. Director Sutton requested the Board consider giving direction to monitor the test well between the Airport Well and Tahoe Truckee Sanitation Agency at the next regular meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, Director Aguera moved that the meeting be adjourned at 9 : 55 P.M. The motion was seconded by Director Corbett and passed unanimously. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT By S a r z-- - J s A. Maass, esid t Prepared by 7 - Susan M. Craig, Deputy District Cijilrk smc • 7