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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-08-02 Min - Board .r- REGULAR MEETING August 2, 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 7:03 PM in the TDPUD Board room by President Hemig. ROLL CALL: Directors Joe Aguera, Patricia Sutton, Nelson VanGundy and Ron Hemig were present. Director James Maass was absent. EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Mary Chapman, Susan Craig, Steve Hollabaugh, Peter Holzmeister, Neil Kaufman, Bob Quinn, Ed Taylor and Scott Terrell. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Consulting Engineer Keith Knibb and Counsel Steve Gross. OTHERS PRESENT: A list of about 100, mostly residents from Donner Lake, is attached. PUBLIC INPUT There was no public input. DISCUSSION OF DONNER LAKE WATER ISSUES; POSSIBLE ACTION Director VanGundy excused himself from the room because of a possible conflict. Mr. Holzmeister briefly described the organization of the District and explained how this agenda .— item came about. Its purpose is to determine if there is community support for TDPUD to take an active role in the provision of water to Donner Lake. The District has water system standards. In order to become part of the District, the Donner Lake system would need to meet TDPUD standards. This would require a complete rehabilita- tion, formation of an assessment district and an increase in water rates. Once part of the District system, operation, maintenance and future system replacement would be paid for by the District as a whole. Mr. Holzmeister explained the TDPUD's current water supply situation. He said that the District can provide water at Donner Memorial State Park so there is a place for Donner Lake residents to fill containers. There's not much else that can be done because it is not part of the District system A preliminary estimate for rehabilitation of the Donner Lake system is $8,500,000. This would result in an annual assessment to each customer of $375 ($31.30 per month). The projected Donner Lake Utility Company water rate is $45 per month. The TDPUD preliminary projected rate is $68 per month. The following residents spoke in favor of asking the District for assistance: Barbara Lewis, Don Cassler, Cathy Polucha, Bob Drake, Dirk Melloma, Gardner Coombs, Milan Wight (see copy of Mr. Wight's letter attached), Scott Kessler, Travis Pribble, Terry Thomas, Juanita Schneider, Sam Levin, Peggy O'Niel, Dan Wendin, Bob Montano, Marge Adkerson and Colin Treadway. Edwin Gomes explained that intervention by the District at a previous time came to a halt when the residents learned that they would have to buy the system and turn it over to the PUD. The TDPUD has the power to serve water within its boundaries under state law; Donner Lake is within those boundaries. Mr. Holzmeister said he would like authorization to write a letter to regulatory agencies putting them on notice that the District is interested and would like to per- 8/2/00 Page 1 form a study on how acquisition of the Donner Lake system would be possible and how a fran- chise is revoked. Director Hemig moved that the District immediately forward a formal notice to the Public Utilities Commission and other regulatory agencies of the District's intentions and ask staff to prepare a preliminary Donner Lake water system plan including any possible ways of acquiring the sys- tem, and to come back to the Board with a preliminary plan as soon as possible. The motion was seconded by Director Sutton. ROLL CALL: Maass, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING STAFF TO FILL A WORK ORDER SPECIALIST PO- SITION Director VanGundy returned to the Board room. During the last Board workshop meeting, Mrs. Chapman discussed the need to fill the position of Work Order Specialist. The reason this matter had to go before the Board was because the money to pay this person had been removed from her budget. The position pays $17.92 per hour. Director VanGundy moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board authorize the Ad- ministrative Services Manager to fill the position of Work Order Specialist. ROLL CALL: Maass, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT ON SOLICITATION OF BIDS FOR DISPOSAL OF SUR- PLUS ELECTRIC METERS; POSSIBLE ACTION The District advertised and issued a call for bids in July for the sale of approximately 605 used -- electric meters. These meters are all that remain of the meter change-out program. No bids were received even though requests were sent to a number of potential bidders. After some discussion, Director Sutton moved, and Director VanGundy seconded, that the Board authorize disposal of the surplus electric meters by the General Manager. ROLL CALL: Maass, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING WHOLESALE POWER SUPPLY; MEMBERSHIP IN UTAH ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPAL POWER SYSTEMS (DAMPS); POOLING AGREEMENT AND RESOURCE 2000 — CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AGREEING TO MEMBERSHIP IN UAMPS; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIV- ERY OF THE POWER SYSTEMS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT FOR JOINT AND COOPERATIVE ACTION AND RELATED MATTERS Mr. Hollabaugh is suggesting that the District join the joint powers agency Utah Associated Mu- nicipal Power Systems (UAMPS). The agency has members located in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Idaho and Nevada. He believes the agency will help the District strategically acquire power in the future. The Board reviewed the UAMPS amended and restated agreement for joint and cooperative action; the amended and restated bylaws of UAMPS; and the Power Pooling agreement between UAMPS and the District. Director Aguera moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 2000-15 agreeing to membership in Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems; authorizing the execution and delivery of the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems Amended and Restated Agreement for Joint and Coop- erative Action with UAMPS; and related matters. The motion was seconded by Director Van- Gundy. ROLL CALL: Maass, absent; Sutton, no; all other Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. 8/2/00 Page 2 CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT ON THE BIENNIAL REVIEW OF THE DISTRICT'S CON- FLICT OF INTEREST CODE; POSSIBLE ACTION State law requires the District to biennially review its conflict of interest code. Counsel has de- scribed the required process and a suggested schedule. After brief discussion, Director VanGundy moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board take the following action: authorize the General Manager to notify the Fair Political Prac- tices Commission that the District intends to amend its conflict of interest code; submit the draft amendment to affected employees and then advertise it for public review; schedule a public hearing on the draft amendment for September 20, 2000. ROLL CALL: Maass, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT FROM THE DISTRICT WATER SUPERINTENDENT RE- GARDING WATER PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED AT 15540 ALDER CREEK DRIVE (HOME OF MARK WOLFSON) At the July 19, 2000 meeting, Mr. Wolfson expressed a concern relating to a long standing problem --water drainage running down the street which has damaged his driveway. The water is from a spring and, at one time, there was also a water service line leak. All of the leaks in the area have been repaired in a timely manner so as not to add to the drainage problem. Mr. Taylor met with Town Public Works director Tom Covey to discuss the drainage problem. Mr. Covey explained that the town has a plan for drainage on Alder Creek Road and is obtaining a drainage easement from Tahoe Donner Association to convey the water to Alder Creek. The town plans to construct the drainage improvements this fall. The Water Department will continue to monitor the area for any water system leaks and make any needed repairs in a timely man- ner. CONSIDERATION OF THREE PUBLIC BENEFITS PROGRAM PROJECTS — SCHOOL DIS- TRICT ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROJECT — KIDZONE GROUNDSOURCE HEAT PUMP PROJECT— DOWNTOWN ROOFLINE LIGHTING PROJECT The District has an established public benefits program and is currently complying with AB 1890's requirement to fund public benefit projects within TDPUD's electric service area. One of the main components of TDPUD's public benefits program is to provide large public, non-profit agencies in Truckee with comprehensive energy analyses and financial energy measures retro- fit assistance. Energy Masters International has recently completed a preliminary and comprehensive energy analysis for the School District. TDPUD contributed $6,687 to the School District's energy analysis. Mr. Terrell is proposing to provide $90,000 (or 1/3 of the total project costs, whichever is less) financial assistance for the proposed efficiency measures. Director Aguera moved, and Director Sutton seconded, that the Board authorize the expenditure of $90,000 or one-third the total project costs, whichever is less, to fund a portion of the energy measures recommended for implementation at Tahoe Truckee Unified School District. ROLL CALL: Maass, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. Counsel Gross disclosed that he is the President of the Sierra Nevada Children's Museum and Counsel to the Recreation and Park District, two entities involved with the Kidzone project. The Kidzone group has approached the TDPUD asking for assistance in incorporating a ground source heat pump project into the Kidzone facility. The total estimated cost to install a GSHP is $35,000. The estimated payback period for this project is five to ten years due to high gas rates and low electric rates. The estimated cost of this project is higher than an average GSHP proj- ect because a hydronic distribution system is proposed. 8/2/00 Page 3 Director Aguera moved, and Director VanGundy seconded, that the Board authorize the District to contribute $15,000 or one-third of the total project cost, whichever is more, with a total project contribution cap of $20,000, to fund a portion of a ground source heat pump system for the Kidzone project. ROLL CALL: Maass, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. The item re the downtown roofline lighting project was tabled. The public benefits program pol- icy will be reviewed at a future workshop meeting. CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF JULY 5, 2000; POSSIBLE APPROVAL Director VanGundy moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve the minutes of July 5, 2000 as presented. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. TREASURER'S REPORT — APPROVAL OF THE MONTHLY REPORT — APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS Director VanGundy moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve the monthly Treasurer's report (copy attached). All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Director Aguera moved, and Director VanGundy seconded, that the Board approve the dis- bursements. ROLL CALL: Maass, absent; Sutton, no; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. NEXT AGENDA The next agenda is to include an item relating to the commercial building on Meadow Way and possible encroachment on TDPUD property. CLOSED SESSION Conference with labor negotiator — agency negotiator — Peter Holzmeister. Unrepre- sented employees: all management and exempt staff Conference with legal counsel —existing litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a), two cases: TDPUD vs. USA Media and USA Media vs. TDPUD The Board adjourned to closed session at 10:05 PM. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION The Board returned to public session at 10:42 PM. The following action was reported: the Board unanimously adopted the same post retirement medical insurance benefit for the management and exempt employees as was approved for the union employees. Further, the Manager was authorized to enter into letters of agreement with Ed Taylor and Bob Quinn stating that if they remain working at the PUD until age 60 they will qualify for full medical insurance benefits upon retirement. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 PM TRUCKS DONNE UBLIC UTI I# DISTRICT J. on mig, Presid It Prepared by Susan M. Craig, Deputy District Clerk smc 8/2/00 Page 4 Truckee Donner Public Utility District July 28, 2000 11570 Donner Pass Road 15374 Donner Pass Road Truckee, CA 96160 Truckee, CA 96161-3669 (530) 550-0882 1 would appreciate it if you would include this letter in the minutes of the meeting called for August 2, 2000 regarding the water problem faced by the Donner Lake area. We firmly believe that public notice should be given to the Del Oro Water Company (Donner Lake Water Company), and regulatory agencies, to have a water management plan, authorized permits, resolution of the easement conflict with Donner Lake Resort, and firm contracts by December 1, 2000 designed to have a $3.7 million water treatment plant and new distribution system, or sell their business to another company with resources to provide an adequate water supply to serve the Donner Lake area needs through the year 2020. The residents of the Donner Lake area should have zero tolerance for any water system that does not provide quality water service. The present Del Oro Water Company (Donner Lake Water Company) system is in the same league as 3rd world developed countries. A disgrace in this day of technical, management and scientific development in the U.S.A. What evidence is there that the Donner Lake water system is mis-managed by the Del Oro Water Company: 1. We have been advised that we should boil water for domestic use, or, use bottled water. Boiling water, the age old method of disinfecting, does kill bacteria. But since some of the water boils off in the process, simple boiling actually concentrates the levels of nitrates, salts, heavy metals, and other contaminates in the water that is left Bottled water may seem like a good idea, but there are no uniform nationwide quality standards that currently apply to bottled water. Which makes it not at all surprising that there is almost no scientific evidence to suggest that bottled water is any healthier than most municipal tap water. 2. The water distribution system is old and leaks. For the past four years the 82 property owners on West Reed Avenue have needed to repair the road surface. The $60,000 project has been put on hold until Del Oro Water Company installs new water pipe. The residents don't want their road dug up for a water line after paving the road. No timeline has been provided by the Del Oro Water Company. Truckee Donner PUD July 28, 2000 Page 2 When Del Oro Water Company gets around to digging a trench for their pipe why not dig a bigger hole and put all the utilities underground. What we have today is a utility wire fence in our neighborhoods that is visual polution. Include the gas line, power, telephone, TV cable, fiber optic, and one more line for future use. No doubt in the year 2010 someone will propose a line connecting county, state and federal capitols exclusively for the use of residences, apartments, mobile homes and permanent tents for the purpose of voting on issues and candidates. 3. Water rates are inconsistent and out of line because of the availability of a lake full of water. For example we own a legal duplex with a total of 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. We have one 1" water line serving both units. We pay twice what a single family home of 4 bedrooms and 2 baths are charged. That seems reasonable since there were two families in the duplex. Now that Mrs. Wight and I have occupied the total building for the last three years, we requested Del Oro Water Company to reduce our monthly (yes we negotiated a monthly rather than an annual in advance payment schedule--ever hear anywhere of a utility getting their service paid a year in advance) water charge since there are only 2 of us using water. Their response was that they would need to inspect the property and that there would be a $720 reconnect fee if we ever operated the house again as a duplex. What is there to inspect? Nothing will be disconnected, so what is there to reconnect.? Only paper needs to be shuffled. Pay for use is OK, but not this excessive rate. 4. A water treatment plant and distribution system to accommodate the 1200 residents and future development to the year 2020 should have been implemented years ago. There is no need for a 'Water Emergency Declaration" because this is Del Oro Water Company's responsibility. Either get it done, or get out of the water business. 5. There seems to be a problem of an easement through Donner Lake Village to Donner Lake for the Del Oro Water Company pipeline. Why now? Didn't Del Oro Water Company realize that the source of water for their system is Donner Lake? Why wasn't future development part of their management plan. I remember in 1958 when we first purchased property at Donner Lake I enjoyed the crispness and good taste of water. At that time the water came from a spring, and served the population at that time very well. But Del Oro Water Company did not adequately project the population growth seasonally or annually and their system was not upgraded. That's why we have a problem of water quality today. Truckee Donner PUD July 28, 2000 Page 3 Where does the Truckee Donner PUD fit into the Donner Lake water problem and / or solution? If you recall, when DART Industries developed the Tahoe Donner residential project, DART proposed to put a pipeline from their project, under the Highway 80 Freeway, and into Donner Lake at the east end. There was such a conflict with various agencies and the public that the pipeline was plugged. It is my understanding that Tahoe Donner drilled two wells by the airport and derive their water from that source. And, the Town of Truckee contracts for water from that source. If this is not accurate, I stand corrected. A representative of Truckee Donner PUD reported that PUD would not have sufficient water to supply the Donner Lake area if they were to undertake the water treatment and distribution system. In the meantime Donner Lake residents and property owners are confronted with questionable water quality, may find property values adversly affected, and bear increased expense and gross inconvenience in daily living. In any other situation we would "throw the rascals out". Could Truckee Donner PUD operate two systems, the one now with their treatment plant and distribution system, and, a separate system to serve the Donner Lake area? This would put the Donner Lake water system under public control, not private enterprise. This would also provide more local control of the water system. Respectfully submitted, Milan Wight Permanent DL resident cc: Maia Schneider, Mayor, Town of Truckee California Public Utilities Commission Water Division 3rd Floor 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102 Dr. Diana Bonita, Director State of California Health Department 714 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 Department of Water Resources Donner Lake Property Owners' Association P.O.Box 8387, Truckee, CA 96162 Assemblyman Sam Aanestad, 350 Crown Point Circle, Suite 150 Grass Valley, CA 94945 -- Senator Tim Leslie, 1200 Melody Lane, Suite 110, Roseville, CA 95678