HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-18 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING
March 18, 1998
in accordance with District Code Section 2.08.010 the TDPUD minutes are action only
minutes. All Board meet now are recorded on audio to es which are reserved er efuatl
and made available for lisfenina to anv 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.
Director Joe Aguera was absent.
EMPLOYEES PRESENT. Susan Craig, Steve Hollabaugh, Peter Holzmeister, Kathy Neus, Bob
Quinn, Ed Taylor and Scott Terrell.
CONSULTANTS PRESENT.-Attorney Steve Gross and Consulting Engineer Keith Sauers.
OTHERS PRESENT. There were no others present in the audience.
PUBLIC INPUT-Director Sutton explained that DirectorAguera was assisting with the funeral service
for Bert Kershaw(retired Truckee Sherift) and would not be attending the meeting.
CONSIDERATION OF CONTINUING THE EMERGENCY RELATING TO REPAIR OF THE SECOND
FAILED TRANSFORMER AT THE TAHOE DONNER SUBSTATION
Director Jones moved, and Director Hemig seconded, that the emergency action relating to repair
of Tahoe Donner substation transformer#2 be continued. Al! Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO
MOVED.
CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION FINDING AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AT THE AIRPORT
WELL AND DIRECTING THAT COMPE77TIVE BIDDING BE DISPENSED WiTH IN CONNECTION
WiTH THE DISTRICT'S REPAIR OF THE PUMP AND PIPE COLUMN
The Airport well provides 45%of the total District water supply. During a normal maintenance check,
a vibration in the pump was discovered. Upon further review, it was learned that production at the
welt decreased by 10% over the last two months. The pump from the well was removed and
inspected on March 11. Serious wear was detected in most of the pump parts along with several
broken parts. The pump will not last through the high-demand summer season.
After brief review, Director Jones moved, and Director Hemig seconded, that the Board adopt
Resolution No. 9809 finding an emergency situation at the Airport well and directing that competitive
bidding be dispensed with in connection with the District's repair of the well pump and pipe column.
ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye, with the exception of Director Aguera who was absent. SO s RESOLVED.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING INSTALLATION OF A GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP
SYSTEM AT THE DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS BUILDING
Scott Terrell advised that there are currently about 25 ground source heat pump installations in {Truckee and 25 additional customers have contracted to instal/GSHPs this year, It was Mr. Terrell's
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{>< opinion that the District headquarters building would serve as a nice commercial application. He
proposed converting the existing hot water fan coil system to a GSHP system and retrofitting GSHP
air handlers in each zone or separate space conditioned area in the building at an approximate cost
of$200,000. This would provide air conditioning as well as heating. An upgrade from the building's
existing 400-amp service to a 1,000 amp electrical service would be necessary at a cost of$25,000.
He does not propose using GSHP for heating the garages and warehouse.
The Board discussed the strategic plan and possibility of relocating the District headquarters. It was
decided this project should be but on hold for the time being and tied in as a component of the
strategic plan.
REPORT ON THE STATUS OF NEGOTIATIONS OF THE DRAFT TRUCKEE RIVER OPERATING
AGREEMENT
The settlement act does not attempt to dictate how the Truckee River system will operate on a day-
to-day basis. Negotiating an operating agreement was left to the parties who use Truckee River
water. The process has progressed to the point that there is now a draft operating agreement. A
draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement is now being circulated for
review and comment. This involves a series of workshops and public hearings. There are issues in
the operating agreement and EiR/EIS that the District and other water purveyors need to comment
on. There are issues that could easily be resolved to the District's benefit that would not injure the
interests of any other party. A brief list of the remaining issues of interest to the District follows:
1. The model being used to predict flows in the river using the operating criteria set forth in the draft
TROA was developed by SPPCo and it cannot be verified by any independent party.
2. The draft TROA contains language to regulate development of future wells. We need to verify
the environmental impacts on the District's ability to drill wells to serve the future customer base.
3. The Settlement Act allocated a gross diversion of 32,000-acre feet per year of water to the
Truckee River Basin in California. During TROA negotiation the Paiute Tnbe proposed converting
the gross diversion to a depletion allocation of 17,500-acre feet per year. California negotiators
agreed to the change without consulting the local sub-group. When we expressed our dismay
to the California negotiators they told us what is done cannot be reversed. We need to live with
it. This is a problem we need to continue to work on.
4. The draft TROA contains language defining the depletion rate applicable to water used for snow-
making. We are not entirely satisfied with the formula and plan to work on this some more.
5. The draft TROA contains language authorizing the parties to engage in water transfers if no harm
is done to any party. The language makes such transfers voluntary. California asked for
language to review the transfers and make a mid-course correction if the parties are refusing to
cooperate. This issue is not yet resolved.
6. TROA is set up to be formally signed by five parties, the State of California, the State of Nevada,
SPPCo, the Paaute Tribe and the U.S.Government. The five signatories would become the
governing board of TROA. It appears that Nevada has significant influence over management
of TROA and California has little. This issue needs to be resolved.
Mr. Holzmeister and Director Sutton will be reviewing the EiPJEIS and attending the informational
workshops and public hearings. They will keep the Board informed.
3/18/98 Page 2
DISCUSSION OF THE PURCHASE OF A THREE-PHASE TRANSFORMER TO UPGRADE THE
{< DONNER LAKE SUBSTATION
in January, the Board authorized the purchase of a used substation transformer for Donner Lake
substation. The transformer is located on the east coast and can be purchsed from U. S.
Transformer at a cost of $152,000. During investigation, staff became aware of a different
transformer, totally re-built by U. S. Transformer, located on the west coast and available for
$80,000. A decision was made to investigate the unit and proceed in that direction. Staff examined
the transformer with Edison Energy Services and found it to be in excellent condition with one
exception. The core ground was damaged from the time of re-build to the time it was delivered to
Trinity. Cost to repair the core ground could range from $3,000 to$100,000. Trinity is investigating
the problem and possible solutions.
The District is still interested in Trinity's unit as costs to make repairs are still well below the cost of
the east coast unit. Trinity wants the District's surplus line truck. Economically, the District is in a
better position to negotiate a trade because Trinity now has a unit that is not marketable. it may well
be that the District can acquire the transformer with little or no expenditure of funds, have Edison
make repairs and still be below the original costs. Staff is negotiating towards that end.
DISCUSSION OF DISTRICT POLICY REGARDING DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS INVENTORY,
MATERIALS, OFFICE EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES
At the last Board meeting there was a brief discussion of whether or not District employees are
permitted to bid on equipment declared surplus by the District. The Board was provided with a copy
of the current policy for review and discussion.
Counsel noted that an employee might bid on surplus equipment as long as he or she is not in a
position to influence a decision regarding the surplus equipment. The Board discussed disposal of
surplus items on which no bids are received. Counsel and Mr. Holzmeister will work together to draft
an amended policy.
REVIEW OF MONTHLY STAFF REPORTS
The monthly staff reports were briefly reviewed.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board, Director Jones moved and Director Hemig
seconded, that the meeting be adjourned at 8:23 PM. SO MOVED by consensus.
TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
F%
By--__ Ijt tY'ti r p
James . Maass, President
l
Prepared b 1- s
Susan M. Craig, Deputy District Clerk
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