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Home My WebLink About1998-05-20 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING May 20, 1998 In accordance with District Code Section 2.08.010 the TDPUD minutes are action onl minutes. All Board meetings are recorded one udio tapes which are preserved perpetually and made available for hstemna to any interested party upon their request The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order at 7:08 PM in the TDPUD Board Room by President Maass. ROLL CALL: Directors Ron Hemig, Bob Jones, Patricia Sutton and James Maass were present; Joe Aguera was ill and unable to attend. EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Mary Chapman, Susan Craig, Steve Hollabaugh, Peter Holzmeister, Kathy Neus, Ed Taylor and Scott Terrell, CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Attorney Steve Gross and Consulting Engineer Keith Knibb. OTHERS PRESENT: Wes Hollabaugh; Rick Blumenfeld and Teri Guthrie of Arthur Andersen & Co. PUBLIC INPUT: There was no public input. PUBLIC HEARING — APPROVAL OF AN INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT AND DRAFT NEGATIVE DECLARATION RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION OF THE HERRINGBONE BOOSTER PUMP STATION The public hearing was opened at 7:09 PM. Consulting Engineer Keith Sauers reported that no comments were received from other agencies or individuals and the actions listed on the agenda are appropriate. The public hearing was closed at 7:10 PM. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FOR THE HERRINGBONE BOOSTER PUMP STATION—ADOPTION OF THE NEGATIVE DECLARATION — APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT FOR PURPOSES OF CEQA—AUTHORIZATION TO FILE THE NOTICE OF DETERMINATION WITH THE OFFICE OF NEVADA COUNTY CLERK AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH — ADOPTION OF A DE MINIMUS IMPACT FINDING AND AUTHORIZATION TO FILE THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME CERTIFICATION OF FEE EXEMPTION WITH THE OFFICE OF NEVADA COUNTY CLERK — ADOPTION OF A FINDING THAT DRAFT DOCUMENTS CIRCULATED AND THE NEGATIVE DECLARATION REFLECT THE DISTRICT'S INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT Director Jones moved, and Director Hemig seconded that the Board take the following action with respect to the Herringbone booster pump station project environmental review: • Adopt the negative declaration • Approve the project for purposes of CEQA • Authorize the filing of the Notice of Determination with the office of the Nevada County Clerk and the Governor's Office of Planning and Research 5/20/98 Page 1 s Adopt a DeMinimus Impact Finding and authorize the filing of the Department of Fish and Game Certification of Fee Exemption with the Office of the Nevada County Clerk • Adopt a finding that the draft documents circulated and the negative declaration reflect the District's independent judgment All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF TERMINATING THE EMERGENCY ACTION RELATING TO REPAIR OF THE SECOND FAILED TRANSFORMER AT THE TAHOE DONNER SUBSTATION The new core and windings for the second failed transformer at the Tahoe Donner substation were re-assembled. The rebuilt unit was put into service at the substation on May 7. Director Jones moved, and Director Sutton seconded, that the Board terminate the emergency action relating to repair of the second failed transformer at the Tahoe Donner substation. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. DISCUSSION OF DRAFT AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL REPORTS OF THE DISTRICT FOR 1997 Terry Guthrie and Rick Blumenfeld of Arthur Andersen & Co. were present to review the draft audit with the Board. The audit included examination of evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements of the District and assessment of the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Mr. Blumenfeld noted that revenues in excess of expenses for the Electric Department were $1,554,350 and $309,052 for the Water Department. The District is in compliance with all requirements. Several questions regarding the deferred compensation and employee benefit plans were answered. One of the Directors requested that a copy of the agreement with auditors setting forth the scope of services be provided along with audit. There was some discussion about the District's current process of obtaining authorization for payments after the fact. Mr. Blumenfeld explained that although the auditors have not examined the related policy, he has discussed the matter with staff and the audit included payments made in this manner. This policy does not violate any law, Mr. Blumenfeld stated, and he believes it is appropriate, makes good business sense and is operating effectively. Review and possible acceptance of the final audit will be placed on the next meeting agenda. DISCUSSION OF A DRAFT PUBLIC BENEFITS PROGRAM MANDATED BY AB 1890 AB 1890 mandated that California electric utilities begin collecting and spending 2.85% of their gross electric revenues on public benefit programs beginning in 1998. The purpose of the program is to ensure that California electric utilities continue to spend money helping their customers and assisting their communities with energy-related programs and services. The District is required to spend approximately $235,000 per year over the next four years for these programs. Planning Director Terrell proposed that the District fund programs as follows: r Ene[gy conservation pro-grams j • Energy/water conservation education, $5,000 5/20198 Page 2 f • Residential energy surveys, -0- • Building energy conservation diagnostic program, $10,000 • Business technical energy surveys, $25,000 • Conservation retrofit assistance program, $50,000 • Ground source heat pumps, $30,000 • GSHP water heating, $10,000 Low-income energy assistance • Energy/water conservation low-cost retrofit program, $10,000 Renewable energy • Solar photovaltaics, $40,000 Research development and demonstration • Electric vehicles, $25,000 • Model resource efficiency home, $15,000 • College technology demonstration, $15,000 The Board seemed to agree that an emphasis be placed on energy conservation and that staff focus on just a few programs so that the effort is not diluted. There is the potential for tremendous public relations mileage if the programs are conducted and publicized property. Mr. Hoizmeister reported that recent meetings he has attended to discuss public benefits programs indicate that the money {•,_ should be spent in flashy ways that prove the District helps the community and shows it is innovative and high tech. The public is interested in low rates and helpful staff. One Director felt the District should zero in on programs that benefit the majority of the customers not an exclusive group. Mr. Terrell noted that administrative costs to administer the programs may be included in the money allocated. Also, services to other districts (such as the School District and Recreation and Park District) are allowable. The District wants to show it is spending money to make the community a better place. Briefly discussed were deregulation, customer choice, green power, photovaltaics at water pump stations to defray the cost of pumping water, wind farms, recycling pine needles and cones and the Stampede hydro plant. Staff will reshape the proposal and come back to the Board with a revised plan that will feature more focused programs. DISCUSSION OF A STATUS REPORT ON PREPARATION OF A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE DISTRICT Manager Holzmeister noted that in preparing a strategic plan for the District, it is important to take a look at the society in which we live; not just Truckee society, but beyond the District's borders. There needs to be a basic, sound concept of what that large society is like and where it is going. Many researchers document the basic components of our present society and futurists comment on trends that help us see where society is headed. We need to think about whether the District wants to provide other programs and services that are related to water and electricity. Do we want to be _ in the wholesale water business? Based on the strategic plan, staff will prepare water, electric and facilities master plans, the capital improvement program and budget. 5120198 Page 3 Two strategic plan guidebooks Mr. Holzmeister has consulted, the American Management Association and American Public Power Association, both suggest a facilitated retreat to receive input from Board members and management staff. He will arrange such a workshop in the near future. It will be a special workshop meeting that is open to the public. REVIEW OF APRIL STAFF REPORTS The Board had no questions with respect to the staff reports for April. CLOSED SESSION Conference with legal counsel —existing litigation (Subdivision (a) of Section 54956.9 of the Government Code— Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Docket Nos. ER 973593-000 and ER 97-4462-000, Sierra Pacific Power Company, Truckee Donner Public Utility District, Truckee Carson Irrigation District, Public Utilities Commission of Nevada, Newmont Gold Company and Idaho Power Company The Board adjourned to closed session at 8:55 PM. Director Sutton did not participate because of a possible conflict. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION The Board returned to public session at 9:20 PM. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:22 PM. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT roes A. Maass, Presi nt 'Prepared by ' v ,7 Susan M. Craig, Deputy District Clerk smc 5/20/98 Page 4