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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-12-04 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING December 4, 1989 Prior to the meeting being called to order, the Clerk of the Board administered the Oath of Office to Directors Elect John Corbett and Pat Sutton in the TDPUD Board Room. At 7 : 07 P.M. , Chairman Jim Maass called the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District to order. ROLL CALL: Directors Joe Aguera, John Corbett, Richard Curran, Pat Sutton and Jim Maass were present. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Counsel John Phelps. EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Debi Black, Tom Buckhouse, Peter Holzmeister, Ron Reynolds and Susan Craig. OTHERS PRESENT: Among those present in the audience were Kristine Holmes, Silver Dwinell, Shelby Seeber, Joel Alford, Teresa Hilarides, Tracey Kissinger, Alison Burke, Shannon Kuhlemier, Katie Siefker, Simon Braodley, Doug Kennedy, Michelle LeBeouf, Tami Cardwell and Phil Dolan. Chairman Maass turned the meeting over the Mr. Holzmeister, Clerk of the Board, to conduct the election of officers. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Director Corbett nominated Jim Maass for President, and Director Sutton moved to cast a unanimous ballot for Mr. Maass as President of the Board. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Director Maass resumed his seat as Chairman of the Board. Director Corbett nominated Joe Aguera for Vice President; Director Sutton moved that a unanimous ballot be cast for Mr. Aguera as Vice President of the Board. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Director Aguera nominated Pat Sutton for Treasurer of the Board, and Director Corbett moved to cast a unanimous ballot for Mrs. Sutton as Treasurer. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. STATEMENT OF GENERAL FUND, FINANCIAL REPORTS AND BILLS FOR APPROVAL Regarding Anlab's quarterly organic analysis of water from Airport, Northside, Southside, Sanders, Prosser Heights, A, B and Hirschdale Wells (as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act) the Board asked that a copy be provided to each Director. Director Sutton requested that the Wayne Richardson actuarial report be placed as an item on the next meeting agenda. 1 Directors Aguera and Curran asked to be provided with copies of the Porter, Simon, Graham and Phelps' bills until further notice. Director Aguera moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the bills presented for consideration be approved for payment. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. MANAGER'S REPORT Storm outages The Chairman noted he was approached in the post office by a customer who praised the Electric Crew, and Ron Reynolds in particular, for work towards restoring power over the Thanksgiving weekend snow storm. Ron Reynolds advised that outages began on Saturday afternoon when heavy ice loading burned down one conductor of the transmission line serving Donner Lake Substation. All available Electric Crew members and a Water Crew member worked through the night to restore the line and the substation was energized at approximately 4: 00 A.M. on Sunday. Other outages were checked out and some were left to be handled during daylight. Heavy snow and ice caused many blown fuses in Sierra Meadows, Tahoe Donner, Prosser Heights, Olympic Heights, Donner Lake, Prosser � . Lakeview Estates and Ponderosa Palisades. There were many broken tree tops in the Donner Lake area. Crews worked until about 10: 00 P.M. on Sunday, then took care of the remaining outages on Monday. Mr. Reynolds noted that the congested traffic conditions caused long delays in crew movements; many man-hours were wasted sitting in traffic. Director Curran suggested placing additional personnel on stand-by when a storm is expected, and Mr. Holzmeister indicated the idea is worth investigating. Chairman Maass suggested to the Manager that Scott Andre of the Sierra Sun be invited to accompany him to observe one of the crews working during a storm to restore power. The Board discussed the congested traffic conditions over Thanksgiving weekend caused by the snow storm and the impact on emergency service response. Director Sutton moved that the President write a letter to the California Department of Transportation relaying the problems encountered by the PUD due to the gridlock during the storm; seconded by Director Corbett. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. • Director Sutton asked that the Manager be directed to review the environmental impact report on the Truckee bypass and make a presentation at the upcoming public hearing on behalf of the 2 District. SO MOVED by consensus. Director Corbett moved, and Director Curran seconded, that a letter be placed in the appropriate employees' files for a job well done in restoring power during the Thanksgiving holiday storm. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Seasonal disconnects Sally Campbell wrote a letter to the Board asking that the District' s policy on seasonal water service disconnects be reviewed. The matter was referred to the Water Committee, where it was discussed. The recommendation was to make no change at this time, but to consider in the future whether a change could be workable. The committee asked the Manager to draft a letter to Mrs. Campbell for review by the Board explaining the status of her request. The Board reviewed the draft and indicated approval with the exception of Director Sutton, who said she would provide Mr. Holzmeister with a few changes prior to finalization. Snow removal at Tahoe Donner Substation At the last meeting, direction was given that staff perform snow removal at the Tahoe Donner Substation. Staff has suggested an alternate plan for consideration, Mr. Holzmeister said. Mr. Buckhouse noted that the PUD' s backhoes are inefficient for removing the quantities of snow experienced at the Tahoe Donner Substation. Berst Enterprises, the successful bidder for most of the District's snow removal, has reconsidered and is willing to also plow the Tahoe Donner Substation for $55 per hour. This is consistent with his other bids. Mr. Berst's equipment can accomplish the work in approximately half the time as the District 's equipment and at less cost. Director Corbett moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve snow removal at Tahoe Donner Substation by Berst Enterprises. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Truckee incorporation Mr. Holzmeister mentioned that Marge Adkerson asked to meet with him regarding the District's position on Truckee incorporation. The Chairman directed that the matter be placed on the next meeting agenda for consideration. PUBLIC INPUT There was no public input. CORRESPONDENCE Letter from City of Santa Clara dated October 25, 1989 3 . Chairman Maass acknowledged the letter from the City of Santa Clara expressing appreciation for offering to supply personnel, equipment and materials to help restore electric service following the October 17, 1989 earthquake. Letter from Department of Water Resources dated November 17, 1989 Mr. Holzmeister noted a letter from Department of Water Resources was received updating the District on the status of the Department' s Truckee Basin technical work to support the California-Nevada interstate water allocation negotiations. Director Sutton said she and Mr. Holzmeister attended a meeting of the California Water Resources Association in Reno, and she would like to discuss some of the information they received regarding the bi-state compact during closed session. Letter from Manny Lopez regarding annual employee get-together Chairman Maass made note of a letter from employee Manny Lopez who expressed concern that the PUD is not calling its annual get together a "Christmas" party as has been done on occasion in the past. Director Maass explained that the get together has no religious significance; it is rather a dinner and awards presentation. He suggested that in future years the event be held the second or third week of January. COMMITTEE REPORTS There were no committee reports. After some discussion, the Chairman appointed Director Curran to serve on the Finance Committee with Director Sutton. FACSIMILE SIGNATURE STAMPS - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING USE AND RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TRUCKEE RIVER BANK TO HONOR SUCH SIGNATURES At the November 20 meeting the Board asked that two resolutions be prepared - a general policy resolution governing the use of facsimile signatures and the other a specific resolution for Truckee River Bank. Director Corbett moved, and Director Sutton seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 8937 setting forth policy on the use of facsimile signature stamps. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. Director Corbett moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 8938 authorizing Truckee River Bank to honor certain facsimile signatures; seconded by Director Sutton. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. ® PURCHASING LIMITS SET BY LAW - REVIEW OF SURVEY OF OTHER DISTRICTS AND POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO REQUEST CMUA®S ASSISTANCE TO CHANGE LEGISLATION 4 • At the last meeting the Board discussed the possibility of asking the CMUA for assistance in raising the statutory bid law on material purchases. State law now requires that material purchases in excess of $4 , 000 be bid. Mr. Holzmeister talked to Tahoe City PUD, North Tahoe PUD and Donner Summit PUD; all were in favor of increasing the bid limit to at least $10, 000. Stewart Wilson of CMUA said he would be willing to arrange for legislation to be sponsored increasing the bid limit and he did not anticipate any opposition. Director Corbett moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Manager be directed to contact the California Municipal Utilities Association and ask their assistance in changing the purchasing limits set by law to $10, 000. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. DISCUSSION REGARDING POSSIBLE PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF CABLE TV The Chairman advised that, under the Public Utility District Act, the TDPUD has the authority to provide the community with water, electric, natural gas, parking, public transportation, recreation, sewer, fire protection, cable tv, as well as other services. The recent Syndex network exclusivity rules were discussed. It was noted that WestStar will be dropping from their schedule KTVU TV 2 Oakland and KGO TV7 San Francisco on January 1, 1990. Chairman Maass proposed that the District offer the community an opportunity to form a committee to review the entire situation and explore the possibility of public ownership of cable TV; he noted he would want a representative of WestStar to participate. Director Sutton asked the Chairman to provide a plan for consideration by the Board at the December 18 or January 2 meeting to guide a committee comprised of a PUD Board member, a representative of WestStar and several community members. RESOLUTION ISSUING A CALL FOR BIDS FOR MECHANICAL LIFT Mr. Buckhouse explained the mechanic's dire need of a means of lifting heavy vehicle parts and moving them around in his shop. The least expensive and most versatile piece of equipment is a moveable steel gantry with a two-ton electric chain hoist that can be used throughout the facility as well as outside, he said. Specifications have been prepared; the lift device is expected to cost approximately $6, 000. Director Corbett moved, and Director Curran seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 8939 calling for bids on a lifting device. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. iCONSIDERATION OF RONALD MC BNIGHT®S PETITION TO ABANDON EASEMENT Ms. Black noted that electric and water facilities are provided to 5 • AP# ' s 44-580-28 and 29 and services are in place. The District's Engineers anticipate no need for the subject easements. Petitioners Ron and Mary McKnight have applied for a lot line adjustment with the County in order to clear an existing encroachment, have filed a petition for abandonment with the District, and have paid the required fees. Staff is recommending that the Board release the District's interest in the side lot line easements on either side of the boundary between the parcels and release the District' s interest in the easements covering the water lines not located in public roads or dedicated easements as they relate to the above referenced parcels. Director Corbett moved that the Board direct the Manager to write a letter abandoning the District's interest in the 5 ' side lot line easements as requested by the McKnights; further, he noted the District would be willing to release its interest in the blanket easements as they relate to the property; seconded by Director Aguera. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. DISCUSSION OF POLICY REGARDING PAYMENT OF DIRECTOR'S EXPENSES At the last Board meeting the District' s policy on payment of Director' s expenses associated with attendance at meetings and conferences was mentioned. The Chairman, by memo dated November 30, provided the Directors . with a copy of the policy. Paragraph 2 states "the Board of Directors shall authorize attendance and payment of appropriate expenses. . . " Director Maass thought perhaps the Board should clarify what is meant by "appropriate expenses. " He suggested it include actual, documented employment related expenses such as the cost of a substitute teacher, the cost of an embalmer, the cost of a temporary secretary or bookkeeper, the cost of a vacation day, or other invoiced services that are incurred as a direct result of a Director attending a conference. How other special districts handle expenses and compensation was discussed and Director Curran, an employee of the Truckee Sanitary District, volunteered to provide the Directors with a copy of TSD' s policy regarding Directors' compensation, expense reimbursement, payment for committee meeting attendance and also the policy regarding provision of medical insurance. The upcoming Northern California Power Agency Commission meeting was mentioned and the President appointed Director Aguera to serve as the Alternate Commissioner. DISCUSSION OF CONSULTANT'S ATTENDANCE AT BOARD MEETINGS Director Curran noted that this item was placed on the agenda at his request. He had several questions regarding consultant's attendance at Board meetings which, he said, have already been answered to his satisfaction. CLOSED SESSION 6 The meeting was adjourned to closed session for the purpose of discussing the Truckee Steak House property negotiations with John Belegrin, and pending litigation in accordance with Government Code Section 54956. 9 (b) (1) and (c) . RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION The meeting was returned to public session at 11: 06 P.M. There was no action taken or direction given. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously passed, the meeting was adjourned at 11: 07 P.M. TRUCREE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT C' es A. Maass, Pre dent Prepared by Susan M. Craig, Deputy District Cle smc 7