The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2007-10-03 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING October 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 6:00 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: Kathy Neus, Mark Thomas, Alan Harry, Mary Chapman, Neil Kaufman, John Ulrich, Steve Hollabaugh and Barbara Cahill CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Mike Lawson and Dennis DeCuir OTHERS PRESENT: Juanita and Frank Schneider, Dan Warren, Howard Wright, Joanna Walters, Jamie Cole, Jody Sweet and 2 other members of the public. CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9, SUBDIVISION (B), THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY BRIEFLY RETIRE TO CLOSED SESSION TO CONFER WITH LEGAL COUNSEL IN CONNECTION WITH A POTENTIAL THREAT OF LITIGATION MADE OUTSIDE A PUBLIC MEETING. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION No reportable action PUBLIC INPUT Mike Lawson of Ralph Andersen and Associates gave an update on the search for a General Manager. Through this afternoon, there are 24 applicants and he expects to have nearly 40 by the cutoff of October 10. Mr. Lawson would like the Board to set aside time for a couple special meetings to review candidate binders, preliminary interviews and final interviews. DIRECTOR UPDATE Director requests were as follows: • Explore the possibility of bottled water with a consultant. • Define the role of the Board's legal counsel • Review staffing, succession planning • Review of policy regarding development agreements • Agenda item requests are a privilege with the final decision of the Board President- need to have an opinion by Counsel • Want to explore the possibility of bottling water 1 Minutes: Oct. 3, 2007 SPECIAL WORKSHOP WORKSHOP ON HIRSCHDALE ARSENIC REMOVAL. Mark Thomas, Water Superintendent, covered the history of the Hirschdale water system, the arsenic notification form required by the Ca Department of Public Health and the arsenic standard. The Hirschdale absorption treatment system was installed in August, is the fifth in California and lowered the level to <0.01 ppb or None Detectable. Public comment: • Would like PUD staff to help the Hirschdale community understand whether their system has plenty of water to fulfill their needs or are they in a draught situation. • Community would like to meet with staff periodically to cover any issues with the system Board discussion: • What was the cost of the arsenic treatment absorption vessel? • Is there still iron and manganese removal? • Appreciate staff doing the right thing and the state is behind us. • Could this arsenic treatment be used on a larger system? • Good job- staff following the Mission Statement to provide good quality water ACTION ITEMS CONSIDERATION OF A JOINT MEETING OF THE BOARD WITH THE TOWN' OF TRUCKEE COUNCIL a. This item involves a request from the Town of Truckee to participate in meetings to discuss planned growth and water availability. Director Aguera moved, and Director Hemig seconded, to coordinate a meeting with the Town of Truckee council to discuss planned growth and water availability. ROLL CALL: All Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF HIRING A NOTE TAKER FOR THE CITIZEN ADVISORY WATER AND POWER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE. a. This item involves a request from conservation committee to hire a person to take notes at their meetings and prepare the minutes. Director Hemig moved, and Director Sutton seconded, to hire a person to take notes at the Citizen Advisory Water and Power Conservation Committee meetings and prepare the minutes, not to exceed $300 per month. ROLL CALL: All Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF A CONTRACT TO PERFORM SERVICES RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED DISTRICT PIPELINE REPLACEMENT PROJECTS - 2008. a. This item involves a contract with Inland Ecosystems for CEQA review and SWPPP preparation associated with 2008 pipeline construction. Director Aguera moved, and Director Hemig seconded, to approve the proposal from Inland Ecosys- tems for CEQA Review and SWPPP Preparation associated with 2008 Pipeline Construction in an amount not to exceed $19,525.00; and to authorize the transfer of funds from the 2006 COP to the Water General Fund to pay the costs of the contract, except for the expense related to the new Donner Crest water line which should be paid by facilities fees. ROLL CALL: All Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. 2 Minutes: Oct. 3, 2007 CONSIDERATION OF A CLOSE OUT CHANGE ORDER AND A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DISTRICT PIPELINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT FOR 2007 -CONTRACT A AS COMPLETE AND ISSUING A NOTICE OF COMPLETION. a. This item involves the closeout of the District Pipeline Replacement-2007-Contract A contract to Teichert Construction. Director Hemig moved, and Director Aguera seconded, to authorize Contract Change Order No. 1 in the amount of a $128,983.05 payment from the District to Teichert Construction, bringing the contract total to $1,895,137.05; and to adopt a resolution accepting the District Pipeline Replacement—2007— Contract A project as complete and authorizing the filing of the Notice of Completion. ROLL CALL: All Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF DESIGNATING THE INTERIM GENERAL MANAGER AS DISTRICTS' LABOR NEGOTIATOR WITH ALL UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES. Director Hemig moved, and Director Thomason seconded, to designate the Interim General Manger as the Districts' labor negotiator with all unrepresented employees. ROLL CALL: Director Sutton, no (believes the employees in this category need to organize into an employee group and not negotiate through the General Manager); All other Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENTAL CODE 54957.6 (A) CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR, DISTRICTS REPRESENTATIVE, INTERIM GENERAL MANAGER, REGARDING ALL UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION No reportable action. WORKSHOPS- BUDGET DISCUSSION OF THE MISSION/ GOALS/ OBJECTIVES a. This item relates to the Goals and Objectives and how they relate to budget programs and activities. DISCUSSION OF LABOR a. This item involves discussion of what goes into the District labor force: union, management wages, pay rate increases (study based), benefits, structural changes, rearrange employees, with possible direction or action by the Board. An email from Pat Waite, ratepayer and Business Representative for the IBEW Local Union 1245 (TDPUD union employees) wanted to make the Board aware that this item has potential affects on the bargaining unit employees by adding one management staff and reducing one Customer Services Clerk. Board discussion: • Is the overhead excessive at 83.65% • The PUD pays well and expects high output • In 1994, there were 6,000 customers and 45 employees (133 customers per employee), now there are 12,500 customers and only 66 employees (189 customers per employee). • PUD competes with other districts for employees • Glad the PUD did the salary survey which provides a basis 3 Minutes: Oct. 3, 2007 • Budget year 2006 was a struggle to review pay scales and the package. The salary study helped to set a framework for the future and employees can see it makes sense. • It is important to have a qualified labor pool available. • Board should have oversight of the organization chart of employees and terminology of titles • Staff needs direction related to the budget DISCUSSION OF FINANCE: DEBT a. This item is related to budget debt, with possible direction or action by the Board. Mary Chapman summarized the 2008 budget payments: • Electric 0 2003 COPs $3,418,650 o Substation transformers loan $58,929 o Miscellaneous Equipment $137,147 • Water 0 2006 COPs $1,896,089 o Donner Lake system-SRF $800,852 o Water System Impr.- Prop 55 $306,481 o Tank loan $150,158 o Glenshire pipeline loan $166,786 o Equipment loans $71,743 • Debt categories: facilities fees, rates, assessments and 0 category of billing surcharges • Source of payments o Electric/rates $3,614,725 o Water/rates $1,963,096 o Water facilities fees $504,958 o Assessments/Donner Lake $800,852 o Surcharges/Donner Lake and Glenshire $267,044 Board discussion: • Infrastructure lasts 20-30 years, spread debt out. • Pay as you go theory sounds like you could run into a snag • Fourth category of billing surcharges seems like it would clarify the income sources • No concerns DISCUSSION OF CONSERVATION (NOT SB1-SOLAR INITIATIVE) a. This item involves various conservation programs as they relate to the 2008 budget, with possible direction or action by the Board. Alan Harry's conservation department presentation: • 2008 Priorities: legislation & regulatory, public benefits, water conservation, Ca. Solar initiate, energy efficiency • Changes: renewable portfolio standard, energy efficiency goal, enhanced conservation program, water conservation education, solar rebate program, increased state legislation & regulation, state mandated programs (Solar- SB1, $177,400 per year for 10 years) • Public benefit programs (AB1890, 2.85% of energy sales): customer rebates, education & outreach, renewable energy, energy efficiency (AB2021) 4 Minutes: Oct. 3, 2007 f".4aMi+.e' Director comments: • In favor of the flat$1.14 per month per customer for the Ca. Solar Initiative (state mandated) • Will $177,400 raised through rates be spent each year for the Ca. Solar Initiative and how will it be tracked? • Arrange a water conservation meeting in Hirschdale • Cost of upgraded water pumps • Public is concerned if the PUD is spending the 2.85%on public benefits • Want money spent on public benefits reported each month in a staff report • Raise the billing rate 3%to cover the solar mandated program and the public benefit program • OK with the $1.14 per month for the solar initiative • A 1% energy efficiency would mean less power purchased • Public education and outreach is the key: concept of separating out the 2.85% for public benefits, plus the solar line item and possibly a rate change • Could people pay additional on their bills to meet the efficiency? DISCUSSION OF THE ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT CAPITAL EXPENDITURES a. This item relates to discussion of 2008 capital activity, with possible direction or action by the Board. Steve Hollabaugh's electric capital 2008 budget presentation: • 2008 projects from rates $1,051,175: line extensions & upgrades, pole replacement, meter purchase & test, transformers, Tahoe Donner substation rebuild, Voltage regulator controls, reclosers &controls, transceivers, Substation surfacing materials, vehicles • Electric projects from new business $1,588,823: services, meter purchase & test, commercial services, development agreements • Projects from facilities fees $2,234,503: Donner Lake substation rebuild, Donner Lake Circuit No. 3, electric system master plan ROUTINE BUSINESS BOARD INFORMATION REQUESTS. a. Distribution of Prosser Dam soils map with dry well locations. Directors asked if the Prosser Dam residents received a copy of the report; staff indicated Carol Pauli picked up 20 copies. b. Distribution of maps indicating routing of Public Bike/Pedestrian Trail on District Property. There was no board comment or action. STAFF REPORTS a. Power contract price Additional energy purchased to meet the needs in the first four months of 2008 b. Payson Natural Gas Handouts provided information about the UAMPS project located 50 miles south of Salt Lake City. It is a natural gas fired resource, which is a GE Frame combustion turbine-generator, duct-fired heat recovery steam generator and dual-pressure steam turbine. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 5 AND 199 2007. Director Hemig moved, and Director Thomason seconded, that the Board approve the minutes of September 5 and 19, 2007. ROLL CALL: All Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. 5 Minutes: Oct. 3, 2007 TREASURER'S REPORT Approval of the report: Director Thomason moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve the month ended August 31, 2007. 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 August 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 10:25 PM. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT Tim F. Taylor, Pr dent Prepared by `4: X '%'L , l�(q� Barbara Cahill, eputy District Cler .. bhc 6 Minutes: Oct. 3, 2007 Page 1 of 2 Barbara Cahill From: Waite, Patrick J. [PJW1 @ IBEW1245.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:27 PM To: Barbara Cahill Subject: TDPUD 10.3.07 Board Meeting Barbara Please forward this email to the TDPUD Board of Directors,and have the email read during the public comment section of Agenda Item #14. Thanks Pat Waite IBEW 1245 Business Representative My name is Pat Waite; I am a rate payer who lives in Tahoe Donner, and a Business Representative for IBEW Local Union 1245 representing the bargaining unit employees at TDPUD. After reviewing tonight's Board packet I came across an item that presented interest to the represented employees. Unfortunately I am unable to attend tonight's meeting to address the Board in open session. However, I would like this letter read into the record in its entirety at the October 3, 2007 TDPUD Board meeting. Agenda item#14, "Proposed Labor Changes for 2008"has some potential affects on the bargaining unit employees at TDPUD. Specifically, Cost Center#3 discusses the District creating a Customer Services Manager with"the net affect of this change adds one management staff and reduces one Customer Services Clerk."The concern does not lie with the addition of a management staff, but with the loss of a bargaining unit position. To fully understand our concern, I will present history on related issues between the District and Union. As the Board is aware, we have a pending grievance that has been referred to arbitration regarding the District's assignment of water inspections historically performed by bargaining unit employees to an exempt management employee. When the District created and filled Associate Water and Electric Engineers in late 2004, the Union asked District management if they intended to transfer duties the bargaining unit was currently performing to the new management positions. The District assured us the new engineers were to help the current engineering staff, and not to replace the bargaining unit that was performing those duties. When the exempt employee first started inspecting water facilities in the summer of 2005, the Union brought up the issue to former General Manager, Peter Holzmeister the at the August 8,2005 Labor/Management meeting. At that meeting Peter assured us the District had no intention of using engineers to inspect, as engineers should be engineering. At the next Labor/Management meeting on September 89 2005, we again brought up the issue, at which Peter did not respond. Again, on October 6, 2005,the Union voiced its concern to Peter that the practice was continuing,his tone and rhetoric had changed. Peter told the Union that exempt employees have always performed those duties, and to grieve it. The Union tried multiple times to work through the issue and ultimately left with no other recourse, sent the grievance to the Board, and subsequently to arbitration. As you can see by this example,the bargaining unit employees have a valid concern that the new management position will start performing duties currently performed by the bargaining unit, and soon thereafter the Union and District will be embroiled in another grievance that can be avoided. Additionally, Cost Center#7 states there are no vacancies in the Water Department. It should be noted that there is a current vacancy of a Water Foreman position that the District has assured the Union at recent Labor Management meetings would be filled. n i�innn�