Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-07 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING February 7, 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 7:02 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: Nancy Waters, Mary Chapman, Ed Taylor, Peter Holzmeister, Kim Szczurek, Steve Hollabaugh, Scott Terrell, Neal Kaufman and Barbara Cahill CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Steve Gross OTHERS PRESENT: Frank and Juanita Schneider, Neal Mock, Chris Worcester, Mike Horn, John Eaton, Charlie White, Pat Davison, Rolf Godon, Kathleen Hulat, John Hillstrom and Mick Horn PUBLIC INPUT Charlie White said that in the past few weeks, people at Donner Lake have discovered a major flaw A in the water system due to improper engineering and/or supervision of the construction. The line from the house to the service cannot be thawed if it freezes. Instead of running metal pipe from where the old box T's over to the new box, they used plastic. So it is non conductive. There is no way to hook in at the water box, hook in at the house and melt the water line. That is a major problem and it has to be fixed. There were 2 houses at the west of Donner Lake with this problem. The Board asked staff to come back with a report on this matter. Neal Mock distributed a sheet to the Board summarizing various laws that utilities need to in compliance with relating to efficiency, conservation and procurement of renewable sources of power. Mr. Mock went over each one briefly and asked the board seek legal advice on the laws, direct staff how to comply and report back to the public in a timely manner. The Board agreed to bring this back as a workshop. PUBLIC HEARINGS - At 7:00 PM or as soon thereafter as possible public hearings will be held for the purpose of receiving written and or oral comments from members of the public regarding: POSSIBLE ADOPTION OF AN INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY AND DRAFT NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE PROPOSED ALDER DRIVE PUMP STATION PROJECT No public input POSSIBLE ADOPTION OF AN INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY AND DRAFT NEGATIVE - DECLARATION FOR THE PROPOSED FIBREBOARD WELL PROJECT No public input 1 Minutes: February 7, 2007 ACTION ITEMS (Action item discussions will utilize the following format: (a) staff report, (b) public input, and (c) Board discussion and action REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE BIOMASS PLANT AND CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM MICHAEL HORN COMPANY, INC FOR PAYMENT RELATED TO EXTRA EXPENSES INCURRED IN CONSTRUCTION OF THE BIOMASS PLANT BUILDING. a.) This item discusses the origin of the biomass plant project, its status and considers a request for the District to compensate Michael Horn Company for expenses related to expenditures that are claimed to be in excess of the original contract scope of services. Director Sutton moved and Director Aguera seconded, a motion for the President of the Board and General Manger to organize a method of contact with Truckee Donner Park and Recreation having to do with the cost of contract overruns associated with construction of the building housing the biomass plant at Regional Park; come up with a proposed solution; and appoint another board member and staff member Scott Terrell. ROLL CALL: All Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT ON BIDS RECEIVED AND POSSIBLE AWARD OF A CONTRACT FOR DISTRICT PIPELINE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM 2007 - CONTRACT B a.) This item involves consideration of a contract to replace leaking water pipelines in Tahoe Donner and to designate the funding source for the project. Director Aguera moved and Director Hemig seconded, a motion to award the District Pipeline Replacement — 2007- Contract B to Hardline Excavating in the amount of $944,275.00 and authorize the transfer of COP funds to cover the costs of the project. ROLL CALL: All Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING A TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM THE RESERVE FOR FUTURE METER FEES RESTRICTED FUND TO THE DISTRICT'S WATER DEPARTMENT GENERAL FUND a.) This matter involves reimbursing the water general fund for the cost of installing water meters during the past year. Director Sutton asked staff to generate information and an accounting of the reserve for future meters fund. Director Aguera moved and Director Thomason seconded, a motion to authorize staff to transfer $6,750 from the Reserve for Future Meters restricted fund to the water department general fund to reimburse the fund for the purchase and installation of 50 water meters during 2006. ROLL CALL: All Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING A TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM THE MARTISWOODS ESTATES AND PONDEROSA RANCHOS PREPAID CONNECTION FEES RESTRICTED FUND TO THE DISTRICT'S WATER DEPARTMENT GENERAL FUND a.) This matter involves reimbursing the water general fund for the cost of installing new waters services in the Martiswoods Estates and Ponderosa Ranchos subdivisions. Director Hemig and Director Thomason seconded, a motion to authorize staff to transfer $2,290.00 from the Prepaid Connection Fees restricted fund to the water department general fund to reimburse the fund for the installation of two water services in Martiswoods Estates during 2006 ROLL CALL: All Directors, aye. SO MOVED. 2 Minutes: February 7, 2007 CONSIDERATION OF TRANSFER FROM FACILITIES FEES FUNDS TO REIMBURSE THE ELECTRIC AND WATER DEPARTMENT GENERAL FUNDS a.) This matter involves reimbursing the water and electric general funds for expenses that add capacity to the District's water and electric systems. Director Hemig and Director Aguera seconded, a motion to: 1. Reimburse the District's electric general fund from the electric facilities fees restricted fund for monies spent on capital projects in the amount of $98,655.29 per the attached listing. 2 Reimburse the District's water general fund from the water facilities fees restricted fund for monies spent on capital projects in the amount of $1,448,573.05 per the attached listing. 3. Accept the 5 year facilities fees report showing that there are no electric or water facilities fees funds on deposit that are greater than 5 years old. ROLL CALL: All Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF CASTING A BALLOT FOR SPECIAL DISTRICT MEMBER ON THE NEVADA COUNTY LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMITTEE. a.) This matter involves casting a ballot to fill a vacancy on the Nevada County LAFCo representing special districts Director Sutton and Director Aguera seconded, a motion to cast a ballot for Mr. Grundel to serve as Special District Member on the Nevada County Local Agency Formation Committee. ROLL CALL: All Directors, aye. SO MOVED. WORKSHOP ITEMS DISCUSSION OF FORMATION OF CITIZEN COMMITTEES a.) This matter involves continuation of a discussion on the establishment of citizen committees for conservation, power supply and COP oversight. Rolf Godon prepared a written statement of "Energy Conservation and Alternative Energy Proposal" which stated the PUD Board should declare energy conservation and non green house gas producing energy a top priority and the Board should be proactive and form a conservation advisory committee immediately to show the community their commitment. Pat Davison of CATT suggested the committee set a parameter to report not only the consensus but also allow for a minority report. John Eaton said the committee needs members with expertise but not an ax to grind, need a chair or facilitator and committee should be able to come back to the board and request additional members if needed. Neal Mock said there is a lot of public energy to put toward this, don't limit the options as there is all one goal, committees need to communicate, maintain close contact with decision makers and has many concerns with legislation. The Board had asked Counsel Gross whether a committee member would be considered a public official and required to file a Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700). Counsel Gross said that state regulations maintain when a committee's sole purpose is to make recommendations to another body who makes the final decision, committee members do not have to complete a Statement of Economic Interest. Board comments: • Board members should attend, but not participate in discussion • Advertise for community interest to be on the committee • Large committee could have spokesperson to come to the board with committee consensus 3 Minutes: February 7, 2007 Start as soon as possible Need another workshop to get details Power supply has a lot of moving parts, timing of regulations, transmission issues, some regulations can cost PUD money, need to be aware of the difficulty to coordinate products, timing and integration are critical Need real education in the purchase of power • Revise PUD mission statement-too general- need District objectives and RPS goals • Committee members should be carefully recruited, educated and informed • There needs to be a selection criteria • This could benefit the District if done right • Needs to be a board committee- not a staff committee • Want people with an open mind- not an agenda • Cannot let this fall by the wayside • Makes recommendations to the Board • Board should keep the process moving • Do not want a committee feel like it is failing The Board agreed to have another workshop at the next meeting to come up with what a committee should look like: process, form, build, applications, boundaries, goals DISCUSSION SEEKING CONSULTING ASSISTANCE FOR DESIGN SERVICES AT THE DONNER LAKE AND TAHOE DONNER SUBSTATIONS a.) This matter involves seeking a request for qualifications to assistance is making improvements at the Donner Lake and Tahoe Donner Electric system substations Board Discussion: • Substation design is specialized and not done in-house • Board should approve the Request for Qualifications • Staff can then come back to the Board with a recommendation or approval of contract • Why not do an Request for Proposal with a sealed bid and require Qualifications as part of the proposal • Provide scope of services The majority of the Board agreed to have Joe Horvath put together an RFP and return to the Board with a qualified firm. Mr. Horvath asked President Taylor to provide input on the RFP. DISCUSSION OF MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO ELECTRIC SYSTEM SUBSTATIONS TO REDUCE DAMAGE CAUSED BY ANIMALS. a.) This matter involves a discussion of possible methods to reduce electric outages caused by animals that get into District substations and cause fault currents. Joe Horvath explained to the Board that the crews have been installing insulator shields and bird cage guards to reduce substation outages caused by animal contact incidents. DISCUSSION OF SETTING A RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD FOR THE DISTRICT a.) This matter involves a discussion of a method for establishing an Renewable Portfolio Standard for the District Steve Hollabaugh feels the District should stick with the new state standard - 20% by 2010 should be a minimum. During the special meeting on February 14, many of the issues will be discussed in addition to setting some things in place for 2008. What target does the Board want to give staff to reach? There is a window of opportunity to purchase power taking both price and reliability into 4 Minutes: February 7, 2007 consideration. Look at on-going power goals. What is considered green / renewable now? Include RPS with the mission statement- go beyond the state and federal regulations. ROUTINE BUSINESS CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES: JANUARY 3 AND 17, 2007 Director Thomason moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve the minutes of January 3 special - as amended, January 3 (regular) and 17, 2007. ROLL CALL: All Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. TREASURER'S REPORT Approval of the interim report: Director Hemig moved, and Director Thomason seconded, that the Board approve the month ended December 2006. ROLL CALL: All Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED Approval of disbursements: Director Thomason moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve the December 2006 disbursements report. ROLL CALL: Director Sutton, no (feels the Board should approve the checks before they are mailed); All other Directors, aye. 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 11:15 PM. TRUCKEE DONNER P IC UTILITY DISTRICT Tim F. Taylor, Pr ent Prepared by . 0A UJ Barbara Cah,11111, Deputy District Clerk bhc 5 Minutes: February 7, 2007