Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1968-10-01 Min - Board Octo-ber 1, 1968 The members of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Public Utility District met in a regular meeting at the office of the District on Main Street, Truckee, California at 7:30 P. M. Upon roll call the following Directors were noted present: Rose, Waters, Firpo, Doyle Absent: Moore District employees present: Longo, Cattan, Osburn i Guests present: Walters, Russell, Houlgate Minutes of the regular and the special meeting of September 17th and 24th, were approved as written with the following statement to be inserted: Manager stated a facilities fee for the sub--dividers would be inequitable. It was moved by Director Rose and seconded by Director Firpo Bills paid and Bills for Boards approval be paid as listed. Bills attach: hereto being a part of the minutes. CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION OF FACILITIES FEE Chairman stated we would despense with this item until such time Director Moore can be present. REPORT ON EDA MEETING We presented to EDA what we had prepared. They examined and commented on it. There principle comment was If it is determined that we go in to MAfor application for a grant, we must first prove to them 1. that we have at hand sufficient money to finance our share, 20% of the project. 2. That the project will provide sufficient number of jobs which will ward an investment by EDA of approximately $4,000 per job. 3. It would definitely have influence on the betterment of the community, enabling improved appearance, would effect the commercial economy. These three seem to be of most interest to EDA, however, the one which is a must is how many jobs will it create. Manager stated this is something we do not have documented. It can be done. In order for the District to be able to come up with the 20%, the only alternative we have would be to obtain a state loan called the Davis-Grunsky. In the pre-application minutes it states we have already applied for a Davis- Grunsky loan which we have not done. The men from EDA seemed Quite receptive, but first we have several things to do. We must provide them with a better plan than we have at this time. We must come pp with documented facts relating to the number of people which are to be employed. We must give them information on what the fire protection will be following the installation of this line. The most difficult item for us is getting the money for it. Best way for us would be the 20%. Manager stated there seemed to be no objection to the loan. It was brought up that the Donner Summit Utility District has brought up a program of over 2,000,000. Brien Walters explained his views on the meeting. He stated there are two programs which he diagramed on the blackboard! These are the factors of the EDA and the Davis-Grunsky loans: Economic Development Administration (Federal) 1. 80% a. engr. 2. Jobs b, pre. app. $1S00-$2000.00 Est. cost of preparation c. final app. $5,000.00 + Davis-Grunsky Cal State 20% Loan - SOyrs - 2 1/2 % 1. Needed for Health & Welfare 2. Show where other dollars come from 3. Can't get other financing a. engineering be app. Mr. Walters stated we have to have justification for j obs. Letters from people who will be hiring. A key factor for getting this grant, is a professional presentation,. The only item which continues is the 2,000 acre feet on Donner Lake Which Martin Mc DQnpuP is handling now, Manager stated Davis-Grunsky will loan where hardship is established. We are going to have to prove to both EDA and Davis Grunsky we can get water out of Donner Lake. Manager stated we are not financially able to go ahead with this project at this time. We will also want a document from Sierra Power stating that we will have availability of Donner Lake water at anytime. Mr. Russell stated that there is water available from Martis Lake. The' state will require full treatment of the water. Manager pointed out that Martis is subject to compact division. A portion belongs to California �—.. and the other Nevada. Chairman asked what Davis-Grunsky expects from the District at the meeting on October 22nd. Manager stated we must submit to them letters from our ficial counsel stating that we cannot obtain money for this project from any other source. We must show them that if conditions continue it will be hazardou5:;to the health of the community. We must also how them that we are unable to meet the current requirements. Also to be able to support this statement with the fact we have filed anL EDA application for the balance to complete total project. We will also be required to provide them with final en- gineering analysis. Brien Walters' firm recommends we go a certain distance on this matter. He stated it takes l year to 18 months to get the loan. Chairman asked if we tell them it is not economically fisiable at this time to go ahead with the project, what would they answer to this? Mr. Walters stated that his firm feels it is their obligation to recommend the District proceed along this line. Chairman read item from EDA summary which stated that without water no motel or other adequate commercial facilities to handle increased airport use can be programed. He felt this was sort of a slap in the face. He stated that on this statement alone he does not see how we aan turn it down. We must .. proceed in some manner. Manager stated he is completely in favor of this loan and grant, but does not see how we can go ahead at this time. Chairman stated that it looks like the key to the community is water. The airport is using a well at this time. This well pumps 20 gallons per minute. The cost .of the well was approximately $4,00 0. George Cattan statdd that most of the new consumers we have this year are week-end consumers only. The demand is very little. The only time we have to consider is the months of July and August and on week-ends. He states that after being here 10 years, the greatest growth in the area has been sub-divisions. He feels if we get Sheepherders Springs, we will not need water for the next 10 to 15 years. Firpo stated that in the next 10 to fifteen years all the motels in the Lake Tahoe area will be open year around. Mr. Cattan stated that people will not prefer to stay in Truckee. Brien Walters' firm made their projections on the Districts growth, what the telephone company projects, the county planning projects, Sierra Pacific, telephone connections, 'power rate use increase, based on over all of Northern CAlifornia. , School enrollment, ski. areas, etc. He stated his firm can only proceed by the rate of growths and not on what the firm:.-particularly thinksof the area. Discussion ensued. _.z Mr. Cattan stated that he is basing his projections on actual facts. Homes do not use large quantities. Director Rose feels we should increase our storage. This will take care of week-ends and months of July and August. Manager stated that the situation this year is= we have had two peak week-ends in July and August. In 1967, we ran extremely low on water and the pumps ran 24 hours several times. Mr. Walters would like to go over the report draft with the Directors when it is published in approximately 2 to 3 weeks. (1-laitman. stated based on our orginial idea of hiring an engineer to make a presentation of this kind, it appears we do not want to get into the same bind we were in before. He feels we should guard against the future. Manager stated that our problem is not with projections, but with our in- ability to function in such a mannner that we can provide the economic resources which are necessary to start this thing going. The other alternative we have is HUD. This is a 50% grant. Mr. Cattan recommends Sheepherders Springs and if the sub-dividers would contribute something, approximately $10,000.00 a piece and then we could forget about the facilities fee. Mr. Walters does not recommend Sheep- herders Springs at this time. Chairman stated that if we can get by on Sheepherders Spring for 10 years, then will we be able to get water from Stampedd, Donner, or Martis, etc. , at the end of 10 years. We do not have to take water f or 10 years. Manager stated we have an agreement with Sierra Meadows developers to put a tank in. This will be in in 1969. The pump facilities also. Lauren Russell stated that the land which runs from Sierra Meadows up, is Forest Service land. He felt it might be possible to put a storage tank on this land. A pressure regulator may be necessary. Brien explained it is not economical to do this. The lines must be par- allel and the water would be running up hill. We cannot stretch their zone. Mr. Houlgate stated that the Directors do not have sufficient information to make a judgement of something of this nature. He feels that the Board is not familiar enough with the engineering plans. Chairman stated he had looked over the report briefly. Mr. Walters was instructed to go ahead and prepare this report in its final form and present it to the Bawd of Directors in its intirity. Mr. Walters will advise EDA and. Davis-Grunsky we will not proceed with the program at this time. Director Rose inquired about the discontinuing of having the engineer at the meetings as long as it is costing us a fair amount of money, until we need him again. Mr. Houlgate suggested that when Brien Walters' report is in its final form, it should then be presented to the Directors at a special meeting where nothing else is on the agenda, He could present this to them and then at another meeting answer and explain any-questions which they have. Mr. WAlters will submit the report at a special meeting during the first part of November. Until that time of the special meeting there will be no further need for Mr. Walters to attend the meetings. There being no further business on this matter, the Board proceeded with the agenda. REPORT ON WATER RESOURCES, AGENCY MEETING This item was covered in the above discussion. MANAGERS REPORT - Manager Mana er mentioned that it was pointed out to Brien WAlters -and himself by Mr. Bramkamp, that a $2.S million dollar sewer and water program had the blessings byERA for Boreal Ridge Donner Summit Utility District. Manager presented final draft on Prosser Lake Estates Unit #3, which consists of 113 lots. In accordance with our agreement, with the dev- elopers, this would be the last group of lots to be connected before we ask them to put in additIona- lsource and storage. Mr. Walters presently has the improvement plan. a. water supply Manager read letter received from Mr, D. E. Kiehlen. This: gentleman was a consultant to Brien Walters in the Donner Lake water rights investigation. 11.4 Mr. Kiehlen will now be a consultant to Mr. McDonough in analyz:f�g the agreement to get water from Sierra Power, He will be working directly for us. Discussion ensued. The main objection of the Baord is the no estimate of cost submitted. Manager read excerpt in letter from Mr. -Layton, of Sierra Pacific Power Company, covering the availability of the water, Mr. Cattan suggested that Mr. McDonough be contacted and asked what the maximum of the cost will be. Manager will contact Mr. McDonough will report back to the Directors individually, There will be a meeting on October 7 to determine the contract necessary to enter into availing ourselves the water Bonner Lake. Director Rose asked Manager what Mr, Walters will be checking on the en- gineering plans. Will he be checking all the sub-divisions plans. Manager stated that Mr. Walters has these plans now because he was auth- orized to prepare the individual prints for the Unit's in the water de- partment. Director inquired if George Cattan could check these lines. Manager stated Mr. Cattan could do this and would do a good job. Manager asked Mr. Walters if he had completed the preparation of the line location prints. His reply was indefinite. b. Land at old inspection station It was managers considered opinion that it is of a great deal of importance that we sell our corner lot across from Safeway. Director Rose stated we get better use for that money out of that corner lot if we could sell it for a larger sum, Manager stated we have an.alternative in that we have other real estate, Insofar as financing is concerned, an amount of $58,000.00 is quite high. Discussion continued on this and the Baord decided to table it until further information is available. c. Electric lines Manager reported that the airport has advised us they are going ahead with plans and want an underground cable installed. It will cost the District $750.00 worth of cable to do this job. The District will put the cable in and the airport will pay the difference between an overhead and an under- ground line. We will then bill them on a minimum basis of approximately $10.00 per month according to our schedules and extensions rule. Mr. Waters askdd if we are required to put the underground cable in. Manger stated it is required by the Federal Aviation Agency. Discussion continued, Storm Damage A transformer was lost in an electrical storm last week on :.the East end of the Government Tract, In the last three years we have lost four transformers and all have been without arrestors. Replacement will be approximately $280.00 with $75.00 installation, Meter School On October 14th, 15th, and 16th, at Ukiah, there will be an electrical school sponsored by Sangamo Electric Company. There will be no charge for attending. The only expense will be sending a man, Manager would like to send Bruce Grow. It would cost the District for his motel room and meals which would run approximately $12.00 per day, plus transportation. Bruce is the only man who is in the metering eAd of this operation. This school will enable him to learn more about the meters. Manager announced that tomorrow October 10th there will be a bomb threat school at the administration building. There have been two threats at the high school and at Donner Lake Utility and the telephone company. Chairman stated he wanted to discuss the Cameron matter, He inquired as to urhy must we allow a contractor to take water from a location which we have to pump to? Manager stated we do not always pump to the location, We only pump during peak loading when we take water out of the south side spring. Teichert is taking water out of the line at the airport. He was instructed to take one truck load but he had two trucks there, Mr. Longo and water foreman, Jim Hensley went out to airport and told them to take one truck off. We collect $1.00 per load. He took 44,000 gallons of water at a $10.00 charge. Manager stated he was cutting everyone off from getting water. Their al- ternative is to put a pump at the gravel pit--out by Sanderson. Director Rose suggested we charge more for a truck load. He can't see . cutting everyone off because of one or two persons. Discussion ensued. Manager had in his file, Cameron's bill of sale and a description, The sum of $1.00 was paid by Truckee Public Utility District. We now own the 1,520 feet of line. Chairman stated there was some discussion on the vote we took at the last meeting regarding the facilities fee. As far as he can determine it is perfectly just and legal, Manager commented on lan&concerning Mrs. Popovich, In accordance with Paul's construction, Manager wrote letter to Mrs. Popovich. He read copy of letter to the Directors. Mrs Popovich was provoked by the letter due to the fact she sold her in- terest to a Mr. David G. Baldwin. Th6reis approximately $65,000.00 of mortgages on these remaining 19 acres, This is the Soma Sierra area, The way it stands', we must turn our backs on _i t. There being no further business to be brought before the board, Director Waters moved and Director,, Firpo seconded that the meeting be adjourned. Adjourned 10:25 P.M. aul A. y e, dares z ent o the Board of D ec ors Karol L. 09burn, R or E Secretary