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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-03-05 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING March 5, 1990 The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order by President Maass at 7 : 08 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: Mary Chapman, Paul Colburn, Peter Holzmeister, Andy Hyde and Susan Craig. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Counsel John Phelps. OTHERS PRESENT: Among those present in the audience were Joel Alford and Alan Hale. CONSENT AGENDA At the request of Director Sutton, the minutes of February 5, 1990 and correspondence regarding Truckee Municipal Court ' s interest in rental of space in the PUD building were removed from the consent agenda. Director Maass advised that he would give a brief verbal report on • the NCPA Commission meeting later in the evening. Director Corbett moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the following action be recorded: That the minutes of January 2 , 15 and 29, 1990 be approved as presented. That the Secretary be directed to prepare the minutes of November 6, 1989 in final form. That the Board adopt Resolution No. 9007 authorizing execution of the annual display advertising contract with the Sierra Sun. That the Board formally accept Thomas Archer' s resignation from the TDPUD Financing Corporation Board effective March 5, 1990. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 5, 1990 Director Sutton indicated she would like to provide an amendment to the draft minutes of February 5. She moved that the Secretary be directed to prepare the minutes of February 5, 1990 in final form, and said she would present written corrections for inclusion. The motion was seconded by Director Corbett. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. 1 CORRESPONDENCE - TRUCKEE MUNICIPAL COURT INTEREST IN RENTAL OF SPACE IN THE PUD BUILDING Several Directors indicated interest in renting to the court, and it was decided that the matter should be placed under New Business on the next meeting agenda for discussion. REPORT ON NCPA COMMISSION MEETING Director Maass noted that the Northern California Power Agency Commission discussed many of their new projects at the last meeting. He said he abstained from voting on these matters since the District is not involved in the projects. Of interest to the PUD was the Commission' s approval of the District' s request for John Springer to perform a rate study for the District on a time-available basis. REVIEW OF DEPOSIT POLICY; POSSIBLE DIRECTION Office Supervisor Chapman reviewed the statistics related to the accounts that were recently written off. The largest percentage were disconnected for non-payment; others had deposits insufficient to cover the final bill, some were commercial accounts that went out of business, and others are making payments through the credit bureau. She provided a scenario of a delinquent account, and noted • that at least 86 days of electric and water usage accumulates before an account is disconnected for non-payment. Mrs. Chapman also went over the current deposit policy with the Board. There was some discussion, and Director Sutton indicated she would like to propose some changes to the policy in writing. The Chairman suggested other Directors do the same if they have any suggestions, and tabled the matter to either the March 19 or April 2 meeting. DISCUSSION OF TAHOE DONNER GOLF COURSE WELLS; POSSIBLE DIRECTION Several months ago Tahoe Donner Association approached the District about the possibility of sharing two wells that the Association drilled at Tahoe Donner Golf Course. The wells were drilled in hopes of providing enough water to irrigate the golf course, but the capacity turned out to be less than what is required. The Association proposed that the District consider the possibility of connecting the two wells to the District's distribution system and using them as sources of potable water year-round. During the summer, the Association would irrigate the golf course using water taken from the PUD system and some sort of credit would be given for the water produced by the two golf course wells in order to reduce their bill. At the December 18 , 1989 meeting, the Board directed Mr. Hyde to ® determine if the wells were built to District standards. If not, they indicated there was no reason to pursue the proposal. 2 Mr. Hyde stated that his research identified some serious problems with the seals of the wells and also raised some questions about whether they were properly permitted. It is his belief that the grout seals do not meet District and State standards for thickness and installation techniques. Janet Mann of the Nevada County Health Department told Mr. Hyde she is confident that the seals were installed in accordance with domestic standards, not public well standards, and stated the County will not approve the wells for use as public supply wells. Director Aguera moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the Board direct Mr. Hyde to notify the Tahoe Donner Association both verbally and in writing that, if they desire to pursue their proposal further, they should take the lead in obtaining approval from the health authorities for use of the golf course wells as public supplies. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTION REGARDING TDPUD PARTICIPATION OF THE CITIZENS' COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF CABLE TELEVISION Director Maass reported that the committee met on February 26 and selected Herb Weisbrot and James Oldham to act as co-chairmen. There was discussion at the meeting regarding the course of action to follow relative to determining the feasibility of public . ownership of cable television, and Mr. Weisbrot said he would provide the Secretary with minutes for typing and copying to the Board and committee members. Alan Hale, who was unable to attend the committee meeting, provided a memorandum for committee review. He was present at the Board meeting and went over the information with the Directors. The next committee meeting is scheduled for 3 : 00 P.M. on March 20. Director Sutton asked that the PUD Board receive copies of Mr. Hale' s memorandum and agendas for all future committee meetings. Director Maass indicated he wouldn't be attending the next committee meeting so as to avoid the discussion being dominated by him and Joel Alford, Manager of WestStar Cable. Director Sutton asked that a staff person be present if Director Maass was not going to attend, and moved that the District Engineer, Tom Buckhouse, be the alternate for Jim Maass on the committee so that the Board can be assured of having a representative present. MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND. There was some question as to whether or not the Board agreed to be a part of the committee. Director Sutton read the motion forming the committee, which authorized both Director Maass and District Engineer Buckhouse to participate. The Chairman said the committee was formed under the auspices of the District and, therefore, must comply to the Brown Act regulations. He also said the Board would be provided with copies of everything the committee members receive. 3 After some discussion, Director Aguera moved that the Board ® authorize the use of the District conference room, postage for mailings, and copying services for the cable television committee; also, that the Secretary be directed to type the agendas and minutes of the committee meetings. The motion was seconded by Director Corbett. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER RESTRICTED FUNDS In January the District issued a check to the Bank of America in the amount of $154 , 315. 39 for debt service on the building. Based on the current allocation factor of 70% Electric and 30% Water, a transfer from the building fund to the general fund should now be made as follows - $108 , 020. 77 to Electric and $46, 294 . 62 to Water. Director Corbett moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board authorize a transfer from the building fund to the general fund in the amount of $108, 020.77 for Electric and $46, 294 . 62 for Water. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. The second payment on the inter-fund loan from the Tahoe Donner water system fund for the purchase of the FmHA bonds was due March 1, 1990. The total amount of the transfer from the general fund to the Tahoe Donner water system fund should be $17 , 000; $11, 178 . 93 represents interest computed at 8 . 695%. The balance of the loan after this payment will be $251, 313 . 60. Director Sutton moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board authorize a transfer from the general fund to the Tahoe Donner water system fund in the amount of $17, 000 for the inter-fund loan payment. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. POSSIBLE DIRECTION REGARDING APPOINTMENT TO TDPUD FINANCING CORPORATION BOARD Director Sutton suggested that the District run a small display ad in the Sierra Sun notifying the public of the vacancy on the Financing Corporation Board and asking interested individuals to respond. The Board agreed. APPA ANNUAL CONFERENCE Mr. Holzmeister advised of the American Public Power Association conference being held June 11-13 in Denver and asked that Directors let him know if they want to attend. BILLS FOR APPROVAL Director Corbett stated that, since the Board is approving Director Maass' reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses for a substitute teacher so he could represent the District at the NCPA Commission ® meeting, he (Director Corbett) is also submitting a bill for lost wages in the amount of $40. He indicated he does not really expect payment for the lost wages, but has some question about the legality of the reimbursement policy. 4 Director Curran moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the bills presented for consideration be approved for payment. ROLL CALL: Corbett, no; Sutton, abstained; Aguera, Curran and Maass, aye. SO MOVED. STAFF REPORTS The monthly bacteriological report for January and the preliminary December financials were provided in the Board packet. There was no discussion regarding these matters. BUDGET FOR 1990 Director Sutton asked the status of the 1990 budget. Mr. Holzmeister advised he has been holding off on preparation of the budget pending a decision by the Board relating to the District' s organizational structure. The Chairman directed that the budget be prepared based on the current structure. ADJOURNMENT. There being no further business before the Board, Director Aguera moved that the meeting be adjourned at 10: 56 P.M. The motion was seconded by Director Corbett. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT James A. Maass, Pr sident�,B Prepared b Susan M. Craig, Deputy District CArk smc 5