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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-03 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING January 3, 2007 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 perpetually 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 Taylor. ROLL CALL: Directors Joe Aguera, Ron Hemig, Patricia Sutton, Tim Taylor and Bill Thomason were present. EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Mary Chapman, Neil Kaufman Kim Szczurek, Ed Taylor, Nancy Waters, Kathy Neus, Peter Holzmeister, Steve Hollabaugh, Jessica Wilson and Barbara Cahill CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Steve Gross OTHERS PRESENT: Frank and Juanita Schneider, Bob Johnston, John Eaton, Robert Mowris, Neal Mock, Rick Golinatz, Karen Backlund, Pat Waite, Pat Davison, Christina Stanley and three other members of the public. PUBLIC INPUT There was no public input. ACTION ITEM. (Action item discussions will utilize the following format: (a) staff report, (b) public input, and (c) Board discussion and action CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING THE REQUIREMENTS OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD PRONOUNCEMENT #45 RELATED TO ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING FOR POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN RETIREMENT This item involves establishing a fund for deposit of monies to be used to pay the cost of post employment benefits and provides for the investment of those monies in the Local Agency Investment Fund. Director Hemig moved and Director Aguera seconded, a motion to adopt the requirements of Governmental Accounting Standards Board pronouncement #45, "Accounting and Financial Reporting by Employers for Post employment Benefits Other Than Pensions"; the Board author- ize staff to create and make monthly deposits to a Board-designated account for the accumula- tion of funds towards the future payments of these benefits; and that those funds be invested in the California Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) until such time that the Board determines the method of creating an irrevocable trust fund for these monies. ROLL CALL: All Directors, aye. SO MOVED. Director Sutton asked this item return with a formal resolution adopting GASB 45. 1 Minutes Jan. 3, 2007 WORKSHOP ITEMS DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ESTABLISHMENT OF BOARD COMMITTEES. This item involves a discussion of the process and procedures of establishing committees to help evaluate issues coming before the Board of Directors. Peter Holzmeister wants the board to think through the administrative questions relating to the formation of committees: • How are committees appointed? • When are committees designated as standing (long term- ongoing) vs. ad hoc short term- specific)? • How are issues sent to committees for evaluation? • What is the relationship of staff to committees and the Board? • How are committees required to report back to the Board? • What is the limit of committee authority? • Are all committee meetings Brown Act meetings? Public Input: John Eaton: • Consider a committee more broadly than just power- increase conservation measures. • Committee should involve community, board, staff, CATT and Town planning • Work with Town on conservation and green energy • Committees could be a big boost for the PUD's credibility Juanita Schneider • If there are too many people on a committee, things do not happen- this would not serve the purpose. Neal Mock • Emphasize the public- want to see a power committee of 15 with a facilitator • Issues are complicated • Need more than 2 or 3 experts in energy to offer services Bob Johnston • When set up a committee: need facts, recommendation, alternatives • Brown Act can be inhibiting • Committee reports back to Board, Board back to committee- issue may be taken away and come back Board comments: • Need citizen committee for power • Keep the workshop format for department issues • Committee should report back to the board in the form of a workshop • Size of committee could be 10 people • Standing committees can become bogged down over a long time. • Had committees previously, but the board wanted to cover the subject matter in detail instead of only getting a concise summary from the committee • Public outreach committee seems like it would be a standing committee • Members: define category, advertise, letters of interest, board select member, formal appointment 2 Minutes Jan. 3, 2007 • Board should determine the issues a committee should be involved in • Board can choose the number of members from the board for a committee • Expect expenses- provision for fund request (ex. Conference, trip, consulting with an expert) • In favor of committees being subject to the Brown Act- agenda, notice, public input, minutes • Need to establish a power committee: each board member selects someone from the public, plus 2 others • Small steps- right direction for the District and community • Make sure appointees do not oppose each other • The Board has to trust committees • Issues are the board's decision- some could be simple/some convoluted • Establish board/committee relationship- boundaries, tasks • Limited authority- any committee request for money has to come to the Board for approval • Brown Act- do not want so much involvement that the committee cannot more forward • Three possible committees: o COP o Power o Conservation • Need baseline qualifications for appointment- beyond being enthusiastic • Board has to evaluate with the committee reports- it should not be a rubber stamp process • Committees need a benchmark • Does a committee member need to complete a Conflict of Interest form? DISCUSSION OF DISTRICT ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION ISSUES. This item involves a discussion of the various issues involved in providing a reliable supply of electric power to meet the needs of the community while incorporating the benefits of energy conservation and the use of renewable energy sources. Peter Holzmeister started by saying there needs to be baseload and peak power to Truckee. Renewables need to be considered in the portfolio. Use conservation efforts- not just buying and delivery. Another question is whether Truckee should be out buying power or making an effort to generate. Board comments followed: • Should start to put together tasks for a committee to do. • Present information on conservation power plants and green power projects the PUD can access • Tour alternative energy sources: biomass, wind power, solar • Tour nearby coal plant in Nevada • Board guidance to staff as to renewal of current Constellation contract • Ask Sierra Pacific to come an talk about transmission problems • Send a board member to a conference on green energy • Board needs a 100% understanding of power needs- only have months to make a decision- can't rush a committee for answers • How will Steve Hollabaugh incorporate all the information to take advantage of energy possibilities • Board has big decisions to make real soon What is the charge to the committee? It needs long term success, a timeline, objectives and benchmarks from the Board. There is a problem with someone who does not have knowledge to deal with power needs. 3 Minutes Jan. 3, 2007 • Want definitions for power terms and contracts • A power committee is not going to fix the problem- there needs to be a long term committee- set a goal when to meet- need a track record • The Board needs to provide conservation and efficiency information to the power supply committee so it can meet Board goals. Get the committee started • Steve Hollabaugh's task is to meet the immediate needs • Need to get going on the power committee- cannot underestimate power needs • There are ways to start conservation: replace light bulbs, water heaters • Hold another workshop on committees: set objectives, mission, size, time lines, resources • Approach systematically and carefully- depending on Steve Hollabaugh's input Public Input: Robert Mowris: • Make people more efficient— PUD can be an educator/guide • Conservation: retire electric water heaters, practice water efficiency (ex: shower heads), lighting in hotels • Town of Truckee should adopt Title 24 • PUD has some good programs- but could do more- should dedicate 3% of revenue to conservation efforts • Gas opportunities- co generation as Tahoe Forest Hospital, natural gas combustion Steve Hollabaugh said the District currently has the Shaped Capacity & Energy contract (SCE) with UAMPS for the period of January 2008 through March 2009 and is able to access renewable energy in the SCE. He is working on power for the remainder of 2009. He feels we need a conservation and efficiency committee. Mr. Hollabaugh wants to clarify what type of energy the Board wants, what the Board defines as green power and a direction. The Board and future committee need to be educated on accessing power. DISCUSSION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW DISTRICT CORPORATION YARD This item discusses the possible sale of land to finance the proposed corporation yard (declar- ing certain property surplus, securing appraisals of those parcels, the method of offering the parcels for sale), and possible initiation of phase two of design of the corporation yard. Peter Holzmeister said the lot line adjustments are now completed for the Chris Steele property and distributed maps to the Board with the new lot lines. He explained that easements will need to be identified and recorded so the District retains access to the tank area and roadways. Other steps will be to declare Parcel 1 and 3 surplus, acquire appraisals and send letters to the required agencies. The Board can now reenergize the corporation yard plan/design. Board feedback: • Want property to have sealed bids • Want a report on current easements, history of dedications and what happens at time of closing to convey easements • Get the bidder list from the Forest Service of bidders for adjacent property so PUD could sent notice of sale. • Advertise publically for the two parcels The Board agreed to bring this back as an action item. 4 Minutes Jan. 3, 2007 ROUTINE BUSINESS CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES: DECEMBER 6, 13 AND 20, 2006 Director Hemig moved, and Director Thomason seconded, that the Board approve the minutes of December 6, 13 and 20, 2006. ROLL CALL: All Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. CLOSED SESSION CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR: SECTION 54957.6 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE. DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE: PETER HOLZMEISTER. EMPLOYEE REPRESENTA- TIVE: IBEW LOCAL 1245. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION No reportable action. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 PM. TRUCKEE DqANJER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT Tim F. Taylor, Pr dent Prepared by L � Barbara Cahill, eputy District Clerk bhc 5 Minutes Jan. 3, 2007