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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-01-15 Min - Board • REGULAR MEETING January 15, 1990 The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order by President Jim Maass at 7 : 07 P.M. in the TDPUD Board Room. ROLL CALL: Directors Joe Aguera, John Corbett, Richard Curran, Pat Sutton and Jim Maass were present. EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Tom Buckhouse, Mary Chapman, Paul Colburn, Wayne Cummings, Peter Holzmeister, Andy Hyde and Susan Craig were present. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Counsel John M. Phelps. OTHERS PRESENT: Kristine Holmes, Jacqui Crosbie, Shelly Derbyshire, Tracey Kissinger, Teresa Hilandes, Shanna Kuhlimier, Silver Dwinell, Jackie Wells and Stan Mendes. PUBLIC INPUT There was no public input. CONSIDERATION OF BILLING DISPUTE SUBMITTED BY FRANK AND LINDA ALDRIDGE The Aldridges were not present, so this item was tabled to later in the meeting. CONSIDERATION OF REVISION TO BYLAWS REGARDING AGENDA FORMAT The Chairman suggested putting this item over until the end of the meeting in order to have an opportunity to see how the new agenda format works. DISCUSSION OF CABLE TELEVISION - POSSIBLE DIRECTION This matter was put over to later in the meeting. HIRSCHDALE WATER SYSTEM - RESOLUTION OF INTENTION TO ACQUIRE IMPROVEMENTS, ASSESSMENT DISTRICT - STATUS REPORT Civil Engineer Hyde explained that on December 19, 1989 the Nevada County Board of Supervisors passed and adopted Resolution No. 89601, which approved the District's proposed resolution of intention to acquire improvements in Hirschdale, the extent of territory to be included in the assessment district and gave the consent to the District to proceed with the formation of the assessment district. The District is now in a position to adopt the resolution of intention. ® Director Corbett moved, and Director Curran seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 9004 which states the District's intention to acquire improvements, Assessment District No. 1989-1, 1 ® Hirschdale. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. Mr. Hyde noted that the results of the samples taken in December show concentrations of iron from the Hirschdale well continue to increase, but the manganese content has remained stable. The tenfold increase in the iron concentration is not clear, but it is possible, he said, that the groundwater in the well is dissolving the iron in the well casing. Another possible explanation would be the existence in the well of multiple sources of water. One layer might have a lower iron concentration than the other, but the yield from this layer is less than the amount of water produced from the higher iron source. As time goes on and more water is taken from the well, the mix of water shifts towards more high iron water and less low iron water. However, the stable manganese concentration indicates that this scenario might not be right for this situation. Whatever the reason, Mr. Hyde reported, the quality of water produced is worsening. Dr. Zariello of the County Health Department is conducting an analysis to determine if the high concentrations of iron could cause a health problem. Some Hirschdale customers have enclosed notes with their payments complaining about the quality of the water, primarily the color. One customer, Diane Brunson, is following the disputed billing procedure and has asked that her check be held until a course of direction to deal with the poor water quality is decided upon. Mr. Hyde has contacted Bruce Waltrip about using his house as a meeting site for a Water Committee meeting with the residents of Hirschdale. It will be available during the week of February 19. If the Board would like to meet prior to that time, he suggested contacting the Mortensens. After some discussion it was decided that the Water Committee will schedule a meeting as soon as possible in Hirschdale to discuss water quality with interested customers. DISCUSSION OF CABLE TELEVISION - POSSIBLE DIRECTION Present from WestStar were Joel Alford, General Manager, and President Rod Hansen. The Director of Operations and Programming for KOLO, John Csia was unable to attend. Regarding the effect of the Syndex and network non-duplication laws, Mr. Hansen said that when rights to a package of television programs are bought, it is the territory for advertising revenue that is purchased. He said if KOLO retracts their request for exclusivity, WestStar can put KTVU and KGO back on the air. Chairman Maass said KOLO contends that WestStar could install a signal switching system and eliminate the problem. Mr. Hansen stated this is virtually impossible as no such equipment is ® available. Director Sutton complained about the quality of the replacement programming WestStar has selected to fill KTVU' s and KGO' s vacant 2 • slots. Mr. Hansen said the programs were selected as a result of customer surveys, but indicated they could be changed. It was noted that WestStar customers who have a television that is not cable ready must rent converters. Mr. Hansen said that the company loses money on such rentals and they would prefer that subscribers buy them from a local television or electronics store at an approximate cost of $25. Regarding alternatives to subscribing to WestStar Cable, Mr. Hansen suggested satellite dishes, VCR's or antennas. Chairman Maass asked why WestStar charges $21. 12 for basic cable service, while TCI Cable (Lake Tahoe's west shore competitor) only charges $15. 95. Mr. Hansen said TCI is the largest cable company in the world and can get programming much cheaper than WestStar. He went on to say that WestStar provides better quality signals than its competitors. J. R. Thompson, a local businessman, as well as Mr. Hansen, questioned the Board' s reasons for investigating this matter. Directors Aguera and Curran also noted concern and voiced their opposition to the PUD acquiring WestStar or building its own system. Director Sutton explained that the PUD is involved in the cable television issue because WestStar rents its power poles and some property from the District. There was some discussion regarding the financial condition of WestStar. Mr. Hansen said no money has been taken out of the Truckee community to date, and the company is looking at 1990 as its first profitable year. He offered to make WestStar' s financial records available for examination by the PUD. Director Maass advised that seven individuals have expressed an interest in sitting on a committee to investigate the feasibility of public ownership. Of the seven, four appear to have some background in cable television. He also suggested sending District Electrical Engineer Buckhouse to a related APPA seminar. J. R. Thompson, Joel Alford and Jackie Wells (owner of Tom's TV in Truckee) expressed an interest in sitting on the committee. Director Sutton moved that the Board authorize formation of a committee comprised of Peter Brown, Herb Weisbrot, Ann Cleland, Alan Hale, Carl Heydeman, Warren McMillan, James Oldham, J. R. Thompson, Jackie Wells and Joel Alford to study the feasibility of public ownership of cable television. Director Maass will be a voting member and chair the committee; Tom Buckhouse is to act as facilitator. Director Maass seconded the motion. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Counsel Phelps advised that the committee meeting agendas should be 3 posted and mailed in accordance with provisions of the Brown Act. Director Sutton asked that Director Maass provide the Board with an estimate at the next regular meeting of how much staff time will be required with respect to the cable television committee. CONSIDERATION OF BILLING DISPUTE SUBMITTED BY FRANK AND LINDA ALDRIDGE The Aldridges indicated they would be present at the meeting, but still had not arrived. By letter dated December 4, 1989, the Aldridges noted they were recently informed of an increase in the deposit required by the District because of their failure to pay a utility bill (and subsequent disconnection of service) . They advised of financial hardships and requested that the Board waive the deposit increase. Office Supervisor Chapman explained the District's policy regarding deposit requirements. Customers who have been disconnected for non-payment or who have made arrangements to amortize the amount due are required to re-establish their credit by paying a deposit or an additional deposit equal to two times the highest monthly bill within the last 12 months. The District is currently holding a $230 deposit for the Aldridges. Based on the last 12 months of usage on their account, the deposit should be $590, Mrs. Chapman advised. The Aldridges have been customers since August of 1987 ; their payment record has been consistently poor. They have deposited the full amount of the increase ($360) with the Clerk of the Board as required; the check is being held pending a decision by the Board. In addition, the Aldridges were told of the option to amortize the increase of the consumer deposit. Director Corbett moved that the Manager contact the Aldridges and try to work something out for paying the increased deposit over a period of time. Motion died for lack of a second. There was some discussion and Director Sutton stated that maybe the District' s policy is too rigid. She asked that the Board review the policy at the February 20 meeting. Director Maass moved, and Director Curran seconded, that the Board deny the appeal of Frank and Linda Aldridge and direct the Manager to work out a payment schedule for the deposit. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND LEASE OF OFFICE SPACE - CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION This matter was put over at the Manager' s request. AUTHORIZATION FOR MANAGER TO BE SIGNATOR ON ALL DISTRICT ACCOUNTS ® The Chairman noted that obtaining Directors' signatures has been a problem on occasion and suggested that the Board authorize the Manager to be a signator on all the District' s checking accounts. 4 . Director Sutton said she feels the Board has already lost awareness as far as payroll and consumer deposits are concerned (since the Manager is authorized to sign on these accounts) . After discussion, Director Corbett moved, and Director Curran seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 9005 authorizing the General Manager to be a signator on all District checking accounts. ROLL CALL: Sutton, no; all other Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. Director Aguera asked to receive in his Board packet an IBM print- out of checks written; Director Sutton said she would like to continue receiving the print-out, also. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Director Maass stated he has no corrections to the draft minutes of October 30. Director Sutton moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve the October 30, 1989 minutes as presented. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Regarding the minutes of November 6, 1989 , Director Corbett indicated he may have a correction and asked that the tapes be made available to him. Consideration was put over to the next meeting. BILLS FOR APPROVAL After several questions were answered, Director Aguera moved that the bills presented for consideration be approved for payment; seconded by Director Sutton. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. STAFF REPORTS Water quality report for December 1989 The water quality report through the month of December 1989 was included in the Board packet. Mr. Holzmeister noted that in September and October the District encountered positive analyses in the distribution system. He said he believes the positive samples relate to the problem at Northside Well, which is off-line and will remain so until the problem is solved. Power outage of January 9, 1990 Mr. Buckhouse reported that Tahoe Donner and Donner Lake Substations experienced an outage at 1: 10 P.M. on January 9, which lasted approximately ten minutes. According to the dispatcher at Sierra Pacific, PG&E personnel were switching at the Donner Summit Substation when an arc developed and tripped out the 60kv line that feeds the District's substations. The SPPCo dispatcher waited for confirmation that all personnel were in the clear before re- energizing the line. NCPA Technical Committee 5 . Mr. Holzmeister reported that he attended the NCPA Technical Committee meeting on January 11. A copy of the agenda was provided to the Directors in the Board packet. He said the item of most interest is the pooling arrangement that ten of the NCPA members have initiated. The potential benefit of NCPA membership to the District is that the pool has the power to sell to the PUD. He said he would be giving high priority to working with NCPA staff, Ferris Gilkey of R. W. Beck, SPPCo and PG&E, and will most likely be out of the office frequently during the next month. CONSENT AGENDA Director Aguera moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the Board take the following action on items listed on the consent agenda. Acceptance of engagement letter for 1989 audit To approve the engagement letter from Deloitte and Touche for the 1989 audit setting forth a total fee, including out of pocket expenses, of $23 , 450. Award of bid for the purchase of poles To award the bid for 44 to 46 poles to Niedermeyer-Martin of Portland at an approximate cost of $7, 740. Authorization to renew lease of real property - California Highway Patrol To approve the permit for lease of real property to the California Highway Patrol at Ponderosa Palisades Tanksite for a communication center. Authorization to attend Special District Board Management Institute To authorize attendance by Board members at the Special District Board Management Institute in Newport Beach. ROLL CALL: Aguera, Corbett, Curran, Sutton and Maass. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF REVISION TO BYLAWS REGARDING AGENDA FORMAT By way of memo dated January 12 , 1990, Director Sutton provided the Board with samples of agendas from other agencies that include a "consent agenda. " She said she supports the idea of including a consent agenda section to the order of business for regular meetings, and suggested establishing some criteria to be used in agenda preparation to determine which items may be placed in the consent agenda section. ® Director Sutton moved that this matter be continued to the next meeting and requested the Manager and Counsel Phelps to recommend wording defining the criteria to be used in placing items on the 6 • consent agenda and a provision for removal of items from that category to the regular order of business. She asked that Director Maass review the recommended wording. The Chairman suggested that the wording be reviewed by Director Sutton rather than himself; Director Sutton agreed. Director Corbett seconded the motion. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. PERSONNEL MATTERS Chairman Maass noted that he will be finishing a report this week and providing it to John Phelps' office for typing. MEETING RELATING TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION A meeting to discuss problems encountered by PUD crews and other emergency vehicles due to congested traffic and possible solutions has been set for January 29 . Chairman Maass directed the Secretary to place an ad in the Sierra Sun noticing the meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, Director Corbett moved that the meeting be adjourned at 10: 31 P.M. ; Director Aguera seconded the motion. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. So MOVED. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT J es A. Maass, Pr ident� Prepared by f Susan M. Craig, Deputy District Cle smc 7