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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-21 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING February 21, 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 7:05 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: Steve Hollabaugh, Nancy Waters, Ed Taylor, Mary Chapman, Alan Harry, Scott Terrell, Jessica Wilson, Sanna Schlosser, Peter Holzmeister, Kathy Neus, Neil Kaufman, Mark Thomas and Barbara Cahill CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Steve Gross, Sandra McDonald OTHERS PRESENT: Frank & Juanita Schneider, Charlie White, Ellie Hyatt, Neal Mock, Jack Kashtan, Rolf Godon, Chris Wooster, Pat Waite, Howard Weigal, Bob Johnston, Robert Mowris, Joanna Walters, Beth Ingalls, Mike McDonald and Ronnie Colby PUBLIC INPUT Jack Kashtan asked the Board to do something about the flooding on West Reed. There are a number of causes: Cal Trans, Town of Truckee, homeowners and PUD construction work on the joint trenching and service laterals. The road across the Montano property to the PUD tank has also affected the drainage. Staff will bring a report back to the board at the next meeting. Robert Johnston asked if agenda items about the committee could be moved up. It was decided to move up those items if possible. STAFF UPDATES ON PUBLIC REQUESTS CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT ON FREEZING OF WATER LINES DURING RECENT COLD WEATHER. a.) This item involves a discussion of water laterals that froze during the cold spell in Truckee during January and possible steps to solve the problem Charlie White asked that PUD field staff give management better feed back when there are customer issues. Director Sutton asked staff to come back with a workshop item to discuss the reason PE (plastic) service lateral piping is now used, creating this non conductive situation. The Board thought another workshop on this topic may be helpful. 1 Minutes: Feb. 21, 2007 REPORT ON BOARD DESIGNATION OF GENERAL MANAGER TO MEET AND CONFER WITH DISTRICT EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS a.) This item relates to a discus- sion of whether the Board has formally designated the District General Manager the authority to meet and confer with management and professional employees over compensation issues. Peter Holzmeister explained this item is to clarify a discussion on the last agenda. Director Sutton believes the District Code delegations to the General Manager needs input of perspective if the policy working is ok- specifically if the General Manager can negotiate salary or other employee issues. CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT FROM THE DISTRICT'S FINANCIAL CONSULTANT REGARDING INVESTMENT OF 2006 COP PROJECT FUND, POSSIBLE ACTION. a.) This item involves determining how best to invest cash related to the 2006 COP issuance with the goal of earning interest needed to complete the water system construction program. Director Hemig moved and Director Aguera seconded, a motion to authorize the District's Treasurer to invest the remaining Series 2006 COP construction funds in a fully flexible guaranteed investment contract that meets state law requirements and the criteria of the bond indenture. To further authorize Sandra McDonald of McDonald Partners to guide the District through the investment process for a fee not to exceed $5,000. ROLL CALL: Director Sutton, no (don't believe will see 9-10% interest in 3-1/2 years; no reason to pay IRS for money earned over arbitrage and LAI F has been a stable place to invest); Director Thomason, no (against the COP's and why not wait until LAIF begins to drop); All other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. ~~ CONSIDERATION OF RESCHEDULING A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE INPUT REGARDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FOR THE ALDER DRIVE PUMP STATION a.) This matter involves rescheduling the public hearing for the Alder Drive Pump Station environmental review due to the fact that the State Clearinghouse lost the District's submission to them. Director Hemig moved and Director Aguera seconded, a motion to schedule a second public hearing regarding the Alder Drive Pump Station for March 7, 2007, post the hearing in the Sierra Sun and extend the public comment period until March 12, 2007. ROLL CALL: All Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING A SALARY SCALE FOR MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES OF THE DISTRICT a.) This matter involves adjusting salaries for management and professional employees of the District resulting from the Koff compensation study Director Hemig moved and Director Aguera seconded, a motion to adopt the management and professional salary plan for 2007 and the memo assigning ranges to the District's management and professional positions, with the exception of the General Manager. ROLL CALL: Director Thomason, recuse; Director Sutton, no (should have received a list of all current employee salaries; did not like the way comparable agencies were selected, how they turned out and not appropriate for this District; and just because the Union has a certain goal and acceptable agree- ment that management has to be lumped in with the Union); All other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. WORKSHOP ITEMS ; -- The Board decided to change the agenda order and skipped to item #12. 2 Minutes: Feb. 21, 2007 DISCUSSION OF A POWER CONSERVATION PROGRAM a.) This matter involves a discussion of the program elements of a conservation power plant. Robert Mowris and Scott Terrell gave a slide presentation on the rapid development of a conservation program: • California Conservation Laws • History of PUD public benefit programs • PUD electric usage by sector • Water & energy savings • Residential electric end use • Commercial electric end use • Conservation power plant benefits • Conservation program management • PUD conservation programs • Develop rapid & high impact conservation program • Community assessment • Conservation Potential measures • Creating community awareness, input and participation • Conservation Program Implementation and Auditing • Evaluation, measurement and verification of conservation programs • Conservation program costs • Truckee community conservation program development and potential timeline • Summary conclusions Pubic comments: • Would like to see a more aggressive rebate program • Found company to install a solar water heater • Do a most aggressive conservation program • Conservation power plant wonderful • Save dollars spent on electricity so money benefits community spending • Change incandescent lighting to fluorescent • Show products that will help conserve • Educate people so they can use their ingenuity- simple things they can do • Get customers involved to be proactive • LED light are more efficient • Truckee Climate Action Network is working on a light bulb change out program • Work with other agencies • Conservation measures work during peak periods • Help building owners install cost-effective measures • NCPA has done a study that will give the Board information as to where best to spend dollars for the greatest efficiency Board comments: • How can the committees be implemented • What type of conservation measures should the PUD concentrate on? • Find little conservation victories • Have customers pledge a reduction in kw usage- reward if met 3 Minutes: Feb. 21, 2007 DISCUSSION OF ESTABLISHING A POWER SUPPLY COMMITTEE a.) This matter is a continua- tion of the Board's discussion of establishing a citizen committee to study and provide advice to the Board related to power supply. DISCUSSION OF ESTABLISHING A WATER AND POWER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE a.) This matter is a continuation of the Board's discussion of establishing a citizen committee to study and provide advice to the Board related to water and power conservation. Both agenda items establishing committees were discussed at the same time. Board Discussion: • Resolutions good with parameters • Two separate committees • Education component • Application is lengthy for volunteer position- streamline • Will need facilitator • Board should understand a persons background through the application • Board members can sit in on committees- but should not be a voting member • Committees report to the Board • Board has ultimate authority • Want to see independent ideas without board influence • Request that Board counsel Steve Gross provide a memo as to how committee should con- duct its activities in public. --- • Name staff people on each committee or could be different staff at different times Public comment: • Conservation committee could include: citizens, experts, MAPF, CATT, Truckee Tahoe Board of Realtors, Town • Use non residents- there are many second homeowners with great resources • No facilitator- slows down the process • Small groups rather than large • Advertise to the public- public needs to come and add to the input • Consider committee hand off to the Town on goal advisory • Establish concrete steps for the 20/25 plan • Keep committees to 12 members or less as meetings will be open to public input • Have a PUD bill stuffer to reach homeowners not living in Truckee and may be interested. The Board asked staff to bring the resolutions back as an action item with some suggested changes. DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT TO THE DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT a.) This matter involves review of the District Mission Statement to add language further defining the District's commitment to securing renewable power and promoting conservation, including adoption of a revised Renewable Portfolio Standard Item postponed 4 Minutes: Feb. 21, 2007 ` ROUTINE BUSINESS STAFF REPORTS Peter Holzmeister told the Board that he, Tim Taylor and Steve Randall of the Truckee Recreation and Park District met on Tuesday about the Michael Horn's outstanding billing dealing with the Biomass Plant. There is no conclusion at this time as more information is needed. TREASURER'S REPORT Approval of the report: Director Hemig moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve the Interim Treasurer's report through January 31, 2007. ROLL CALL: All Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED Approval of disbursements: Director Hemig moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve the January 2007 disbursements report. ROLL CALL: Director Sutton, no (feels the Board should approve the checks before they are mailed); All other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:40 PM. TRUCKEE DONNER P IC UTILITY DISTRICT Tim F. Taylor, Pr ent Prepared b p y Barbara Cahill,Deputy District Clerk bhc 5 Minutes: Feb. 21, 2007