The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2000-07-19 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING July 19, 2000 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 listening 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 Hemig. ROLL CALL: Directors James Maass, Patricia Sutton, Nelson VanGundy and Ron Hemig were present. Director Joe Aguera was absent. EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Mary Chapman, Susan Craig, Alan Harry, Steve Hollabaugh, Peter Holzmeister, Neal Kaufman, Kathy Neus and Ed Taylor. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Counsel Steve Gross. OTHERS PRESENT: Duane Tutt, Casandra Carr of SigCorp; Esra and Janice Tutt, Lin Zucconi and Mark Wolfson. PUBLIC INPUT Mark Wolfson of 15540 Alder Creek reported that there is an enormous amount of water coming down the street onto his property. The Water Superintendent advised that the spring and im- proper drainage are causing the problem. He will talk to Town Public Works Director, Tom Covey, to see if repair can be expedited. He'll report progress to the Board at the next meeting. Roger Terneuzen of USAMedia said he is putting the District on notice that a USAMedia em- ployee was hired by SigCorp and they will be watching for improprieties. He would not name the person. PUBLIC HEARING RE THE DISTRICT'S INTENT TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE LOWERING THE CUSTOMER CHARGE UNDER THE NET METERING PROGRAM President Hemig opened the public hearing at 7:13 PM. At the last meeting the Board discussed amending the District's net metering ordinance, an or- dinance that applies to residential customers that have installed photovoltaic generation facilities and that is required by the state. The amended ordinance will lower the monthly customer charge from $25 to $4. There was no public comment and the hearing was closed. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CUSTOMER CHARGE FOR CUS- TOMER OWNED PHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATION Director Maass moved, and Director VanGundy seconded, that the Board adopt Ordinance No. 2000-01 repealing Ordinance 9602 and substituting in its place an ordinance adopting Schedule D-NM, Domestic — Net Metering. ROLL CALL: Aguera, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO OR- DAINED. CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSAL FROM SIGCORP COMMUNICATION SERVICES TO PROVIDE SERVICES RELATING TO BROADBAND (TELECOMMUNICATIONS) SERVICES SigCorp was formed to serve the growing broadband telecommunications market. The company focuses on broadband networks and related services for municipal utilities throughout the United States. Their primary services are feasibility studies, implementation planning, design, " procurement, construction, operations and maintenance. 7/19/00 Page 1 Nevada County LAFCo will allow the District to submit a revision to its current application in- volving an evaluation of the District's Telecommunications Business Case by SigCorp rather than NERA (making the Board's action of July 5 unnecessary). Mr. Tutt of SigCorp presented a proposal for an economic evaluation of the District's Telecom- munications Business Case that would be completed within 30 days at a cost not to exceed $10,000. He also submitted a conceptual proposal to enter into a contract with the District to design, provide construction management services and operate for a period of five years, the District's broadband business. The proposal includes an exit strategy for the District. The sec- ond proposal does not include a dollar cost at this time. Following the completion of the busi- ness case evaluation, District and SigCorp staff will meet and enter discussions culminating in the submission of a final proposal for a design, construction management and operation sce- nario. After some discussion, Director Maass moved that the District authorize the General Manager to enter into a contract with SigCorp for the evaluation of the District's Telecommunications Busi- ness Case at a cost not to exceed $10,000 (including expenses) and to submit the SigCorp pro- posal to Nevada County LAFCo as part of the District's existing application for activation of la- tent powers. The motion was seconded by Director VanGundy. ROLL CALL: Aguera, absent; all others, aye. Director Sutton complained about not receiving any information or a map prior to the meeting. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF EXERCISING THE OPTION TO ACQUIRE REAL ESTATE FROM STEELE FAMILY TRUST The District entered into an option agreement to acquire three parcels owned by Chris Steele. -. The deadline is July 20, 2000. If the option is exercised, the purchase price is $658,281. The three parcels total 138 acres. Approximately ten acres is needed for development of a storage yard. The District also needs a water storage tank site to serve development in the area north of 1-80 along Highway 89. The Steele property has a site at the proper elevation. When that area develops, developers will be required to contribute toward the cost of the tank site, thus recouping a portion of the invest- ment. There is a significant piece of the site that is attractive for development. The area can be sold at a significant gain to the District Director Maass moved, and Director VanGundy seconded, that the Board exercise the option to acquire the three parcels from the Steele Family Trust at a purchase price of $658,281. ROLL CALL: Aguera, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSAL FROM NIMBUS ENGINEERING TO PROVIDE HY- DROGEOLOGIC SERVICES On July 5, 2000, the Board directed that staff proceed with a scope of services and request a proposal for hydrogeologic services from Nimbus Engineering. After a brief review, Director Van Gundy moved, and Director Maass seconded, that the Board approve the proposal from Nimbus Engineering for hydrogeologic services for a new water supply and authorize the execution of an agreement for the proposed services. ROLL CALL: Aguera, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS ADOPTING 401(A) PENSION PLANS FOR DISTRICT EMPLOYEES — BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES — MANAGEMENT AND EXEMPT EM- PLOYEES Bargaining unit negotiations are complete. Within the agreement, the District has agreed to start a 401 a pension plan for the union employees with contributions to be 3% in 2000, 4% in 2001 7/19/00 Page 2 and 5% in 2002. The management/exempt employee group has requested that their District 457 pension contribution of 10% be directed into a 401 a plan. Director Maass moved, and Director VanGundy seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution 2000-14 establishing and defining money purchase plans. ROLL CALL: Aguera, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. CONSIDERATION OF PARTICIPATING IN THE UPGRADE OF A PORTION OF ALDER DRIVE Residents of the unimproved portion of Alder Drive attended the July 5 Board meeting. They are attempting to improve the road and have it accepted by the town. They asked that the District consider participating in the project since the unimproved road is used to access some water facilities. The project is still in the planning phase. The details are not yet entirely resolved. It was sug- gested that each parcel contribute to project cost based on a formula using parcel frontage and area. The project organizers stated that their preference is to have everyone pay the same amount to avoid disagreements regarding application of the formula. Director Maass moved, and Director VanGundy seconded, that the Board authorize staff to par- ticipate in the Alder Drive pavement upgrade project, paying its proportionate share as one property owner in an amount not to exceed $5,000. ROLL CALL: Aguera, absent; all other Di- rectors, aye. SO MOVED. WORKSHOP ITEMS The following workshop items were discussed: water issues at Donner Lake; status and trends in wholesale power supply markets; monthly staff reports; position of Work Order Clerk. All written material on these topics has been attached for reference. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOV- ERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(A), TWO CASES: TDPUD VS. USA MEDIA AND USA MEDIA VS. TDPUD CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR — AGENCY NEGOTIATOR: PETER HOLZMEISTER. UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES: ALL MANAGEMENT AND EXEMPT STAFF The Board adjourned to closed session at 10:10 PM. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION The Board returned to public session at 10:50 PM. Following discussion in closed session, management and exempt staff were given a four percent salary increase retroactive to January 1, 2000; the same long term disability package that was approved for the union (lowering the waiting period from 26 weeks to 13 weeks); five additional days of administrative leave per year (making a total of eight). The Manager will bring language back to the Board for consideration relating to the provision of medical insurance upon retirement. 7/19/00 Page 3 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:52 PM. TRUCKEE DONNE BLIC UTILITY ISTRICT J on mig, Presi ent Prepared b . p Y Susan M. Craig, Deputy District Clerk smc 7/19/00 Page 4