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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-11-06 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING November 6, 1989 The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order by Chairman Maass at 7 : 02 P.M. in the TDPUD Board Room. ROLL CALL: Directors Joe Aguera, John Corbett, Pat Sutton and Jim Maass were present. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Counsel John Phelps. EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Debi Black, Tom Buckhouse, Andy Hyde, Peter Holzmeister and Susan Craig. OTHERS PRESENT: Among those present in the audience were Richard Curran, Paul Tilton, Jennifer Reynolds, Todd Nelson, Scott Whittier, Doug Kennedy, Katie Siefker, Alison Burke, Hope Austin, Simon Broadley, Jim Burch, Chris Kuttel and Teresa Hilandes. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Director Sutton moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the Board approve the minutes of October 2 , 1989 as presented. All Directors, aye, with the exception of Director Aguera who abstained since he was absent from that meeting. SO MOVED. Director Sutton moved that the Board approve the minutes of October 5, 1989 as presented; seconded by Director Corbett. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Regarding the minutes of October 16, 1989, Director Corbett moved that the Secretary be directed to prepare them in final form, as corrected. The motion was seconded by Director Aguera. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. STATEMENT OF GENERAL FUND AND BILLS FOR APPROVAL The statement of general fund and bills pending were reviewed by the Board. There were no questions, and Director Corbett moved that the bills be approved for payment; seconded by Director Sutton. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. MANAGER'S REPORT Financial reports The Investment Report, Electric and Water Income Statements, Electric and Water Balance Sheets prepared by Finance Supervisor Colburn were provided in the packet for Board review, Mr. Holzmeister noted. Storm related outages The District Electrical Engineer advised that several short outages 1 • in Tahoe Donner were experienced during the last snow storm. He explained that No. 2 ACSR aluminum conductor, which is steel reinforced, is used for the primary. Conductors slapping together and broken insulators cause the fuses to trip or blow. These must first be located by the crew, then unwrapped, resagged or replaced. He demonstrated the equipment and how it works to the Board. There was some discussion, and the Chairman mentioned that perhaps the Sierra Sun would be willing to write an article on getting ready for Winter. PUBLIC INPUT There was no public input. CORRESPONDENCE - POSSIBLE DIRECTION Phelps - Orme development Mr. Phelps noted that he has been working with the Engineering Department on Dr. Orme' s development. The development, he said, is being conducted through a California corporation. His firm does not represent that corporation; however, in the past his firm has represented, on unrelated matters, some of the individuals that own stock in the corporation. He stated he does not believe there is an actual conflict of interest, but wanted to bring the matter to the Board's attention. The Board agreed that there is no conflict. County of Nevada - water main leaks Manager Holzmeister made note of the letter regarding water leaks from the County Department of Transportation. The County states there are a significant number of road failures in Tahoe Donner caused by water leaks and these water leaks have been causing road maintenance problems. They are requesting that the PUD provide a projected plan for repair of the leaks. Mr. Holzmeister said he has informed Mr. Boring of the County that the District is currently seeking engineering proposals to evaluate the Tahoe Donner water line leak situation. Director Sutton mentioned that many of the problems could be caused by springs rather than leaks. She cautioned that the District should wait for the consultant' s report prior to assuming any liability for road repairs. No direction was given. Sierra County - water issues Chairman Maass noted that Tim Beals, Planning Director of Sierra County, has written advising that the District will be included on mailing/circulation lists being maintained for meeting notices and correspondence respecting water issues. 2 ® Soroptimist International - Youth Forum A letter was received from the Soroptimists thanking the District for allowing them to use the Board room for conducting their Youth Forum. State Department of Transportation CalTrans has notified the District that a public hearing will be held November 21, 1989 to discuss the Route 267 Truckee bypass. COMMITTEE REPORTS Director Aguera reported that review of the James Rhodes ' development, New Frontier, has been referred to the District' s Electrical Engineer for further information. PUBLIC HEARING Consideration of facilities impact fee ordinance and administrative code for the implementation and collection of facilities fees It being 7: 30 P.M. , Chairman Maass opened the public hearing to discuss the facilities impact fee ordinance and related administrative code. • Engineering Technician Black, summarizing AS 1600, said that the purpose and use of the fee must be identified as well as the benefit to the project; a reasonable relationship between the project and the required improvements or fees must be established; justification must be made for the fee collected and its benefit to the project; money must be kept in a separate account and used only for the purpose collected; money must be spent within five years of the date collected unless justification exists for keeping it for a longer period. She advised that the accounting would tie into the District 's present work order system. The proposed ordinance, she stated, will provide findings and declarations by the Board making the basis for the fees; define the terminology; provide for the payment and time of payment of fees; provide for special trust fund accounts; provide for exemptions, refunds and credits; provide for use of funds, including payments on bonds and other debt instruments. She further advised that the proposed ordinance will not alter the amount of the existing fees or the method of their calculation. Some amendments suggested by Counsel Phelps were reviewed. One would eliminate the provision for penalties for violation of the ordinance. Others would call for the District to prepare and retain a written memorandum pertaining to the computing of the fee and designate that state law will control in the event of any conflict between the ordinance and state law. The Board agreed with these recommendations. Ms. Black noted that the amendments requested with regards to the 3 administrative code have been included in the draft. (On Page 12, VIII A includes language that states the District will make developers aware of exemptions; on Page 18, XI A and B, the word "review" was substituted for "appeal" with respect to the District Engineer and General Manager; an appeal is to be made only to the Board. ) Director Sutton asked that the proposed ordinance, Section Five, Definitions, Item G - "Water System" , include terminology relating to disinfection, and that Section Twelve, Exemptions and Credits, also indicate the District's responsibility to notify the developer (such as the amendment made to the administrative code) . After some discussion, it was decided that there would be an annual rather than biannual accounting of the funds collected. In order to be consistent with state law, Director Sutton noted that the District's Engineers should be licensed in the State of California. She also asked if Counsel Phelps could look into whether or not the District has the right to refuse service if the provisions of the ordinance are not followed. The water and electric connection and facilities fee schedules were briefly reviewed. Ms. Black advised that Sauer's Engineering is proceeding with the master planning and should have the Gateway Area Zone of Benefit to the Board the first part of December. There was no public comment, and Director Corbett moved that the public hearing be closed at 8: 27 P.M. ; seconded by Director Aguera. SO MOVED by unanimous voice vote. Director Corbett moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that Ordinance No. 8903, the water and electric facilities fee ordinance (as amended) , and the administrative code for the implementation and collection of facilities fees (as amended) be adopted. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO ORDAINED. APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR TO FILL BOARD VACANCY The Chairman noted that he was very pleased with the quality of the five applicants for the Board vacancy; each had something unique to offer the Board, he said. Director Corbett moved that a unanimous ballot be cast to appoint Richard K. Curran to fill the Board vacancy created by Karen White' s resignation; seconded by Director Aguera. SO MOVED unanimously. The Clerk of the Board administered the oath of office to Mr. Curran and he assumed his seat on the Board. HIRSCHDALE WATER SYSTEM STATUS REPORT - POSSIBLE ACTION Civil Engineer Hyde noted that the results from the mineral 4 analyses of the water sample taken from the Hirschdale well during September were provided in the Board packet. He said the water is somewhat harder than the water produced by either the Airport Well or the Northside Well. The increased hardness is due to the elevated metal concentrations, most notably iron and manganese. These two elements exceed the maximum permissible concentrations established by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and the State of California Drinking Water Standards. Both standards, he noted, have been set for aesthetic reasons, not health related concerns. Mr. Hyde has recently spoken with several Hirschdale customers and been told that the water is noticeably colored sometimes and is crystal clear other times. This variable quality could be related to the periodic entry of sludge from the tank into the distribution system. The State Department of Health Services has advised that additional grant funds to construct a water treatment plant at Hirschdale to remove iron and manganese will not be approved. The District may, however, apply for loan funding. A preliminary estimate of the cost of a treatment plant at Hirschdale is $330, 000. This loan would have to be repaid by the property owners of Hirschdale. Mr. Hyde recommended that the District go forward with a loan application and continue to monitor the quality of the water at Hirschdale. If the users in the system cannot tolerate the high iron and manganese concentrations, then the District should pursue the loan option. If the quality of the water is acceptable, then the treatment plant would not be necessary and the loan application could be withdrawn. After some discussion, Chairman Maass directed that a mineral analysis of the Hirschdale distribution system be performed. CONSIDERATION OF ENGINEERING PROPOSALS TO EVALUATE TAHOE DONNER WATER LINE LEAKS The Civil Engineer reported that nine firms responded to the District's request for proposals for the Tahoe Donner Leak Analysis. The nature and quality of the proposed services differ tremendously, he said. He suggested that the proposals be referred to the Water Committee to determine what exactly the District expects to gain from the analysis and how much should be spent. After brief discussion, the Chairman remanded consideration of engineering proposals to evaluate the Tahoe Donner water line leaks to the Water Committee for recommendation. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS FOR COST OF SERVICE AND RATE STUDY Mr. Holzmeister noted that two proposals to perform a cost of service and rate study, one from R. W. Beck and the other from . Economic and Engineering Services, were received. It was his opinion that the District is in serious need of an electric rate study and in less serious need of a water rate study; ideally, both should be done. An electric only study could be performed for 5 between $17 , 000 and $25, 000. Both studies would cost approximately $29, 000 to $40, 000. The possibility of having John Springer of the Northern California Power Agency perform the study once the District becomes a member of that organization was mentioned and briefly discussed. The Chairman directed Mr. Holzmeister to determine whether NCPA could perform a cost of service and rate study for the District and, if so, the cost. CONSIDERATION OF SUPPLEMENT NO. 2 TO THE NCPA JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT It was explained that the District will become a member of the Northern California Power Agency upon affirmative votes of all parties to the Joint Powers Agreement. Director Aguera moved, and Director Sutton seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 8934 adopting Supplement No. 2 to the Joint Powers Agreement and authorizing execution. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye, with the exception of Director Curran, who abstained from voting. SO RESOLVED. After some discussion, Director Sutton moved that the Manager be directed to prepare a resolution naming Director Maass the . District' s representative to NCPA and authorizing all other Directors to serve as alternates at the direction of the President of the Board; seconded by Director Aguera. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CLOSED SESSION The meeting was adjourned to closed session at 9 : 26 P.M. for the purpose of discussing bargaining unit matters and real estate negotiations with John Belegrin regarding the Truckee Steak House in accordance with Government Code Section 54956.8 . RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION The Board returned to public session at 10: 32 P.M. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PERSONNEL MATTERS Director Corbett moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that Nancy Waters be upgraded in accordance with the recommendations considered during closed session. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Director Aguera moved that Mechanic Tom Edgman's tools, up to a value of $500, be covered by the District in accordance with the provisions discussed with the Manager during closed session; seconded by Director Corbett. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. 6 • ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote at 10: 35 P.M. TRUCREE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT J es A. Maass, Pp side Prepared by Susan M. Cra g, Deputy District C1 smc i 7