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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-01-17 Min - Board — REGULAR MEETING January 17, 2001 In accordance with District Code Section 2.08.010, the TDPUD minutes are action only minutes. All Board meetings are recorded on audio tapes which are preserved Perpetu- ally and made available for listenina 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 7:04 PM in the TDPUD Board room by President Maass. ROLL CALL: Directors Joe Aguera, James Maass, Patricia Sutton and Ron Hemig were pre- sent; Director Nelson Van Gundy was absent. EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Mary Chapman, Susan Craig, Alan Harry, Ed Taylor, Neil Kaufman, Kathy Neus, Bob Quinn and Peter Holzmeister. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Attorneys Dennis DeCuir, Steve Gross and Andy Morris; Consult- ing Engineer Keith Knibb. OTHERS PRESENT: Among those present in the audience were Juanita and Frank Schneider, Charlie White, David Knickerbocker, Darren Olde and Kathy Polucha Kessler. PUBLIC INPUT -. David Knickerbocker, a Glenshire customer and director, expressed concern about Teichert Ag- gregates taking material in the Martis Valley that filters the aquifer and suggested the District give some thought to this matter since a well is planned for that area. The Water Superintendent explained that there are different aquifer levels and noted that Tei- chert's removal of aggregates will not affect the level from which well water will be drawn. The District's consultant is currently preparing an analysis for the District and Mr. Knickerbocker's concern will be mentioned. He is to be advised of the consultant's response. PUBLIC HEARINGS Mitigated Negative Declaration relating to acquisition and rebuild of the Donner Lake wa- ter system The Consulting Engineer has circulated a new, revised mitigated Negative Declaration for the possible acquisition and rebuild of the Donner Lake water system. The public hearing was opened at 7:19 PM for the purpose of receiving oral comment. The 30- day notice period is still running, so no action will be taken at this time. The CEQA process will be finalized in February. Mrs. Kessler noted that the group of Donner Lake residents she is associated with is in full sup- port of the acquisition and rebuild of the Donner Lake system by the District and also said they approve of the mitigated Negative Declaration which is being circulated. Mike Strem of Tahoe Donner voiced some questions and concerns relating to the worth of the system, the assessment to be levied and the rate structure, District liabilities — especially if the 1/17/01 Page 1 -- state funding falls through, the portion of the system requiring rebuilding, related costs and also asked about water rights. The public hearing was closed at 7:43 PM Intent to adopt a Negative Declaration relating to construction of a new well known as Martis Well Number 1 The public hearing was opened at 7:44 PM. A proposed Negative Declaration relating to the new Martis Valley Well is being circulated. No action may be taken at this time as the 30-day public notice period is still running. The CEQA process will be finalized in February. There were no comments and the hearing was closed at 7:45 PM. STATUS REPORT ON DONNER LAKE WATER SYSTEM ISSUE Mr. Holzmeister gave a brief update of the Donner Lake water system issue. The cost to acquire and rebuild the system is estimated to be $13,000,000. The assessment levied on a single- family dwelling unit would be $6,868 and the annual assessment would be $450 for 20 years. The assessment district engineer's draft report should be available on January 19. It will be sent to the attorneys for review and comment. The assessment district notice and ballot language has been prepared and was presented to the Board. When the assessment district engineer's report is final, the ballot labels can be printed and affixed to the ballots. At a Board meeting, the Directors may accept the Engineer's report and adopt a resolution initiating the assessment dis- trict proceedings, authorizing mailing of ballots and setting a public hearing. Darren Olde of the Sierra Sun asked if the purchase price of the system would include water rights. It was noted that, at this time, the PUC does not show that Del Oro Water has any Don- ner Lake water rights. CLOSED SESSION Conference with real property negotiator — Donner Lake water system. Negotiating par- ties are Dennis DeCuir and Peter L. Holzmeister for the District and Robert Fortino for Donner Lake water system. Under negotiation is the acquisition of the Donner Lake water system Conference with legal counsel —existing litigation pursuant to government Code Section 54946.9(a), three cases: TDPUD vs. US Media, USA Media vs. TDPUD and USA Media complaint filed at the Federal Communications Commission The Board adjourned to closed session at 8:21 PM. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION The Board returned to open session at 9:45 PM. There was no reportable action. CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT ON BIDS RECEIVED AND POSSIBLE AWARD OF A CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF TRANSFORMERS 1/17/01 Page 2 Bids were opened and analyzed for the District's purchase of padmount and polemount trans- formers. These transformers are required to meet the District's customer obligations and their purchase has been budgeted. The Board reviewed a summary schedule of the bid information. Director Aguera moved, and Director Hemig seconded, that the Board approve award of trans- former bids as follows: Schedules A and C, G. E. Supply; Schedules B and E, Western States Electric; Schedules D and F, ERMCO; Schedule G, Howard Industries. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. DISCUSSION OF THE STATUS OF THE DRAFT WATER SYSTEM MASTER PLAN; POSSI- BLE DIRECTION REGARDING SUSPENSION OF ACCEPTANCE OF FACILITIES FEES UN- TIL A NEW FEE IS ADOPTED Staff has submitted to the Board a draft update to the Water System Master Plan and partici- pated in a workshop on the plan during December. Since that time, Ed Taylor, Neil Kaufman and Peter Holzmeister have met with representatives of CATT and discussed their views. Staff is now developing alternatives for implementation of the facilities fees for presentation to the Board. An item appears on this agenda to adopt a Negative Declaration on the Water System Master Plan and to schedule a public hearing. The CEQA process will require at least 30 days to com- plete and during that time there will be the opportunity to further discuss alternatives to imple- ment revised facilities and connection fees. After the CEQA process is complete, the Board will be able to hold a hearing and adopt an ordinance amending the fees. That ordinance will not take effect for 30 days following adoption. So, it is unlikely that new facilities and connection fees will be in effect until about April 15. Staff is suggesting that, in the meantime, the Board consider a resolution suspending the acceptance of facilities fees and connection fees until a decision is made on amendments to those fees. Construction may continue; the suggestion is that fees be collected prior to the date that water service is actually available. At that time the revised fees would be charged. The Board did not wish to take action endorsing staff's recommendation relating to the collection of fees after the fact. DRAFT WATER SYSTEM MASTER PLAN CEQA PROCESS: Consideration of authorizing staff to file the proposed Negative Declaration and Envi- ronmental Initial Study with the office of the Nevada County Clerk Consideration of authorizing the circulation of the proposed Negative Declaration and Environmental Initial Study with responsible and interested agencies and with the State Clearinghouse Consideration of authorizing staff to publish a Notice of Public Review Period and public hearing on the proposed Negative Declaration Sauers Engineer has completed the proposed Negative Declaration and Environmental Initial Study for the Truckee Water System Water Master Plan Update. Now the documents need to be circulated to the State Clearinghouse, interested agencies and made available for public re- view. the District also needs to schedule a public hearing to receive comments. Director Hemig moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board take the following action: 1/17/01 Page 3 s- Authorize the filing of the proposed Negative Declaration and Environmental Initial Study with the offices of the Nevada County Clerk and Placer County Clerk. authorize the circulation of the proposed Negative Declaration and Environmental Initial Study with interested agencies and with the State Clearinghouse. Authorize publication of a notice of public review period and public hearing on the proposed negative declaration. Schedule a public hearing for the proposed Negative Declaration at the regular Board meeting of February 7, 2001. ROLL CALL: Van Gundy, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. REVIEW OF A STAFF REPORT AND POSSIBLE AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER FUNDS FROM THE WATER AND ELECTRIC FACILITIES FUNDS TO THE WATER AND ELECTRIC GENERAL FUNDS Several projects were constructed during 1999 and 2000 that were paid for out of the general fund that qualify for facilities fees reimbursement. The Board reviewed descriptions provided by the Electric and Water Superintendents. Thereafter, Director Hemig moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 2001-01 authorizing the transfer of funds from electric facilities fees to the electric general fund and Resolution No. 2001-02 author- izing the transfer of funds from water facilities fees to the water general fund. ROLL CALL: Van Gundy absent; all other Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. CONSIDERATION OF THE ACQUISITION OF LAND FROM TRUCKEE TAHOE SANITATION AGENCY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING A NEW WELL The Tahoe Truckee Sanitation Agency owns land where the District wishes to drill a production well. A draft agreement with the following terms has been drawn up: TTSA would lease a well site to the District for 50 years with a 50-year renewal in return for the District providing a water line to serve TTSA. The District would also forego collection of facilities fees and connection fees associated with the connection of TTSA to the system. TTSA would pay the normal monthly water bill for water used. Director Hemig moved, and Director Sutton seconded, that the Board approve the concept of the proposed site lease agreement between the District and TTSA for construction of Martis Well No. 1. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. The Board asked staff to inquire about a second site on TTSA land at a reduced price. CONSIDERATION OF A SALARY ADJUSTMENT FOR CERTAIN MANAGEMENT AND EX- EMPT EMPLOYEES OF THE DISTRICT Employees represented by the IBEW received a wage increase effective January 1, 2001 in the amount of 1% in hourly wage and 1% additional contribution to the 401(a) plan. The Manager is recommending that the Board increase the salaries of the management and exempt staff by 2% effective January 1, 2001. Director Aguera moved, and Director Hemig seconded, that the Board increase the salaries of the management and exempt staff by 2% effective January 2, 2001. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. 1/17/01 Page 4 �. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR THE FINANCING OF THREE SERVICE TRUCKS FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT Director Hemig moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board adapt Resolution No. 2001-03 approving an agreement to acquire equipment for the acquisition and financing of three service trucks and that the President be authorized to execute the loan documents after ap- proval of the documents by legal counsel. ROLL CALL: Van Gundy absent; all other Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. TREASURER'S REPORT - APPROVAL OF THE MONTHLY REPORT — APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS Director Aguera moved that the Board approve the monthly Treasurer's report; seconded by Di- rector Hemig. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Director Aguera moved, and Director Hemig seconded, that the Board approve the disburse- ments. ROLL CALL: Van Gundy, absent; Sutton, no; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. MONTHLY STAFF REPORTS Monthly staff reports were provided to the Board and are attached to these minutes for refer- ence. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:55 PM. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT L Ja a A. Maass, Pr ident Prepared b Susan M. raig, Deputy District Clerk smc 1/17/01 Page 5