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Home My WebLink About2007-08-01 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING August 1, 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: Steve Trevino, Jim Wilson, Nancy Waters, Mark Thomas, Kathy Neus, Mary Chapman, Ed Taylor, Steve Hollabaugh, Alan Harry, Peter Holzmeister and Barbara Cahill CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Steve Gross OTHERS PRESENT: Frank and Juanita Schneider, Lynde Wilson, Pat Waite, Dan Warren, Rolf Godon, Andrew Cristancho, Dick Fernando, Karen Fernando, Joshua Wilson, Jim Wirgler, Patty Hill, Robert Molvey, Carol Pauli, Rusty Pauli, Pat Ross, Frank Ross, Sale Bourassa, Marylou Sullivan, Jeff Sullivan, George Aboumrad, Darin Rahlves, Debbie Fitzgerald, Meghen Bosler, Julie Vietor, Rolf Godon, Susan Englesby, Karen Serrell, Neville Sewell, Jodi Smith, Justin Smith, Jason Case, Eric Case, Mark Faber, Bill Ruppert, Tom & Doris Jones, Steve Meyer, Terri Molina ,, and 4 other members of the public. PUBLIC INPUT Steve Hollabaugh introduced Steve Trevino, the interim Electric Superintendent and Jim Wilson, Electric Superintendent currently on leave. Mr. Wilson thanked the Board and public for all the well wishes during his long recovery. ACTION ITEMS CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET CALENDAR FOR PREPARATION OF THE BUDGET FOR 2008. a. This item involves review and approval of a schedule for preparation of the District's budget for 2008. Director Hemig moved and Director Thomason seconded, a motion to approve a 2008 budget calendar giving direction to the staff on budget process. ROLL CALL: All Directors, aye. SO MOVED. REQUEST FOR DONATION OF VEHICLES TO NEVADA COUNTY SHERIFF SEARCH AND RESCUE. a. This item involves a request that the District donate two surplus vehicles to the Nevada County Sheriff Search and Rescue group. Mr. Holzmeister was told by Counsel Steve Gross that there are limits on what the District can do with public assets and gifts. No action taken. The Board asked Counsel Gross to check further into the possibility that the District could find a way to donate the vehicles to the Nevada County Sheriff Search & Rescue and report back to the Board. 1 Minutes: August 1, 2007 WORKSHOP DISCUSSION OF PROBLEMS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED AT VARIOUS PRIVATE WELLS ALONG PROSSER DAM ROAD. a. This matter involves discussing the causes of problems affecting private residential wells along Prosser Dam Road. Mr. Ed Taylor explained this is an opportunity to present information related to Prosser Dam Road Wells, hear from the public, get a better understanding and receive direction from the Board. Public Input: • Most wells have dropped 15 feet in one year. • How much water do the golf courses use? • It is very debilitating to be out of water • Some people tested their well levels 2 months ago, levels have dropped and now they have a problem. • Encourage to test their well levels. • Prosser Lake has been lower than it is now. • Are the testing wells at Grays Crossing only 25 feet deep? • Four wells are dry and others are losing water since the golf course irrigation. There have been drier years before and there was not a problem. • How many new homes have gone in on Prosser Dam Road in the last years? • Get a hydrologist—want answers • How can we address this issue- it does not add up why so many wells are dying up now when there has been no new development other than Grays Crossing • Pump burned up and the expense to replace is a hardship • Noticed a drop in water pressure around 7 in evening and in the morning. • Clarify information on dates the wells were drilled and information on the clay seal/barrier • Town said the developers would pay their own way • Concerned about the water system and the cost of water. • Why aren't there water meters- need to control/ rationing • Truckee does not have an inexhaustible water supply • We are not in a draught- something else is happening • Recommend the PUD send out ways for people to monitor their well-should do every three months. • This is too coincidental as not using too much water • Grays Crossing EIR-dissenting opinions of consultants in the master response • Disagree that drawing from the deep aquifer does not affect the upper aquifer • Prosser Dam road residents are electric rate payers • Is the aquifer pumped at a large rate? • Concern about water for a fire emergency. • There is a pond at Grays Crossing that could be used for a fire emergency. Director Hemig recused himself as Prosser Dam Road is in the general location of a client's home and does not want anyone to be concerned about a conflict. Board discussion: • Does a public agency monitor private wells? • There was a lot of moving testimony about the Prosser Dam Road wells • The Mission statement of the District is to provide viable water • How can the PUD work with the residents and help them? • Where is closest main water line? 2 Minutes: August 1, 2007 • What would be the cost to run a line? Need clarification about how a well is sealed at the clay level- keeping upper aquifer from going down to the lower aquifer. Is there gravel around the seal? • Should the PUD hire someone to specialize in monitoring- consistent for all properties- paid for by the homeowners Lots were created by Nevada County- let County know about the problem • Can't spend the rate payers dollars as Prosser Dam Road is not part of the water system • Thinks of the homeowners-feels for them when wells shut off • Coincidental that golf course and wells went down • Prosser Dam is down- but not more than in past years • Get an expert to come in to verify aquifer information • Sympathize with the situation • PUD has a duty to provide information so everyone know the facts • There has to be a mutual respect- public desires answers and they deserve to ask • David Carlson of Aqua Hydrogeologic can gather information and present a 3D model of data • Two sides come together with an agreement to look at all the facts. • Need to get the data together quickly- the community deserves answers • Need a hydrologist who has not played a roll in the original data to review the information • Is the clay layer in the basin solid? • Put together a standard protocol to test wells • Is it possible to serve water in an over-ground pipe? In summary: gather data, speak with David Carlson of Aqua Hydrogeologic, check into another geologist to review the data, develop a well test / monitor process, provide temporary supply and offer a location to fill water jugs. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A GRANT OF AN EASEMENT ACROSS DISTRICT LAND TO THE TOWN OF TRUCKEE FOR PURPOSES OF MAINTAINING THE TRUCKEE LEGACY TRAIL. a. This item involves providing easements to the Town of Truckee to allow for maintenance of the Truckee River Trail. Director Thomason moved and Director Aguera seconded, a motion to express the Board's intent to convey easements (APN's 19-450-53, 19-450-54 and 19-450-45) to the Town of Truckee for the purpose of maintaining the Truckee River Trail as described in the letter from Dan Wilkins dated July 23, 2007 and its attachments. ROLL CALL: All Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF AMENDING THE DISTRICT VEHICLE USE POLICY. a. This item involves amending the vehicle use policy to permit the employee managing legislative and regulatory matters to use a District vehicle. No action taken. The Board asked Counsel Steve Gross to insert another paragraph into the policy regarding a "pool" vehicle for use by employees engaged in District business and return this item to the Board for action. 3 Minutes: August 1, 2007 CONSIDERATION OF A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING PETER L. HOLZMEISTER FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE. a. This item acknowledges Peter L. Holzmeister for his many contributions to the TDPUD and community. Director Aguera moved and Director Hemig seconded, a motion to adopt the proclamation recog- nizing Peter L. Holzmeister for his many years of service to the District on the occasion of his re- tirement. ROLL CALL: All Directors, aye. SO MOVED. WORKSHOPS DISCUSSION OF A DRAFT STATEMENT OF CHARACTERISTICS FOR RECRUITMENT OF A NEW GENERAL MANAGER. a. This matter is agendized to permit citizens the opportunity to comment on desirable characteristics for a new General Manager. Rolf Godon thanked the District for the open process and asked the Board to consider a citizen committee to interview the final 5 candidates and make a recommendation to the Board. Board comments: • Ralph Anderson & Assoc will provide a draft profile and incorporate public input • Make the form readily available for the public and advertise in the Sierra Sun • The Board is elected by the citizens- so there does not need to be a separate committee • Public should be involved- need to get on this • Make sure there is ample time for the public to be part of the process DISCUSSION OF DISTRICT FINANCES AND FINANCIAL REPORTING. a. This item involves an update on the status of District finances and review of the reporting process. Mary Chapman gave a presentation on the status of various restricted funds and internal loans: • Storm damage balance should be $356,017 (less internal loan $84,005) • Reserve for future meters balance should be $1,246,263 (less internal loans $910,855) • Land sales trust fund balance should be $4,065,229 plus interest of $461,962 (less inter- nal loans $1,047,671) • Recap of internal loans: o Electric Department: Broadband $84,005 o Water Department: system improvements $376,274, overdraft $1,026,197, Broad- band $84,005, Glenshire improvements $142,909, Steele property water share $329,141 • Electric Rate reserve fund current balance $969,849 • Water capital replacement fund $214,013 • Water Operating reserve fund $122,928 ROUTINE BUSINESS CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR JULY 5 AND 18, 2007. Director Hemig moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve the minutes of July 5 and July 18, 2007. ROLL CALL: All Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. 4 Minutes: August 1, 2007 CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 54957.6 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE, PERSONNEL MATTERS: CONSIDER APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM GENERAL MANAGER RETURN TO OPEN SESSION No reportable action. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 PM. TRUCKEE DONN UBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT Tim F. Taylor, Pr id t ` Prepared by Barbara Cah�y Deputy District Clerk bhc 5 Minutes: August 1, 2007