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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-03-04 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING March 4, 1985 The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order at 7:01 P.M. by President Duffy in the TDPUD Board room. ROLL CALL: Directors Cooley, Corbett, Hamilton, Maass and Duffy were present. EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Tom Buckhouse, Peter Holzmeister and Susan Craig. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Counsel John M. Phelps and Dale Cox, Architect. OTHERS PRESENT: Among those present were Danny Van Enoo, Rich Acevedo, May Bretthauer, Jill McCollum, Dick VanLandingham, David Toussaint, Tracey Shoemaker, Dawn Ivens_ and Tracy Shane. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Director Corbett moved, and Director Cooley seconded, that the minutes of January 21, 1985 be approved as written. All Directors, aye, M085/34 by voice vote. SO MOVED. With respect to the minutes of February 4, 1985, Director Hamilton moved that the secretary be directed to prepare them in final form as written. MOTION DIED for lack of a second. Director Corbett recommended corrections be made to the minutes of February 4th as suggested by Mr. VanLandingham regarding the new District complex and proposed contract for architectural services, as Mr. VanLandingham was present in the audience at that meeting and raised some questions which were not included in the draft minutes. The Chairman noted that the minutes are prepared to show action taken at the meetings --- and give a general idea of the discussions - not a verbatim transcript. After some discussion, Director Maass suggested that brief note be made in the minutes of Mr. VanLandingham's concerns, and that the secretary be directed to prepare the minutes of February 4, 1985 in final form for consideration at the next regular meeting; seconded by Director Hamilton. M085/35 ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. Director Hamilton moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the secretary be directed to prepare the minutes of February 19, 1985 in M085/36 final 'o-_rm as written. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. STATEMENT OF GENERAL FUND - BILLS FOR BOARD APPROVAL After questions were answered regarding the purchase of a new computer terminal by the Data Processing Supervisor, Director Hamilton moved that the bills presented for consideration be approved for payment. M085/37 Director Cooley seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. MANAGER'S REPORT California Department of Health Services Manager Holzmeister reported that the California Department of Health Services has given the Hirschdale water system a ranking of 15 out of 1,200 pre-applications filed for funding under the Safe Drinking Water Bond Law of 1984. Because of this exceptionally high ranking, a grant for the rehabilitation of the Hirschdale system is expected. The grant will reimburse the District for all preliminary costs to date as well as the future engineering and construction costs. Health Services will . formally request that the District file a full application by March 20, 1985; the application will be due in by approximately May 20, 1985, and must be accompanied by complete plans and specifications. Final approval of the funding will be made by the State Legislature during September of 1985. 3/4/85 Pg. 1 In order to keep the entire project on track, two things must occur. Cook Associates must finish the plans and specifications by May 20th, and an improvement district must be formed to officially receive . the funds. to Mr. Rodrigues has notified the District that he necessaryis now to install willing the give to the District ge tank, andever ments are will cooperate towards solving the system, well and storage d that Mr. Rodrigues' attitude may have problem. Director Maass mentione ter from the Health Department requiring developed after he received a let him to provide improvements to the system. Director Maass suggested that, since there is possible litigation relatin to this item,_ it should be further discussed during closed g session. California Municipal Utilities Association Conference Mr. Holzmeister distributed a memo concerning the CMUA conference he and Directors Cooley and Corbett attended February 27thugh March 1st. He highlighted several things that took place g the co and noted he was favorably impressed with both the CMUA staff and bills have been membership. It was reported during the conference that introduced in the State Legislature dealing with water quality standards. The public perceives water quality to be a problem, so strict regulations will be enacted. Water suppliers have not been effective in educating the public about the real condition of drinking water. Several of the CMUA speakers stated that the problems utilities encounter in getting their customers to support their plans result not listening to customer needs and not talking to the customers. CMUA staff reports that they are having an increasingly difficult time lobbying the legislature because legislators dthe not customers that we utility -^ officials can influence voters - we have so ignored are no longer community leaders. When we lobby the legislature, it is from a weakened position. Assemblywoman Moore, chair of the Utility and Commerce Committee, reported that a common theme coming from hearings is that utility customers are tired of using less and spending more. She ties Ys the legislature will require lifetime rates for governmental One speaker dealt with worker productivity; one with making effective presentations. While at the conference significant contacts were made with Roger Foutes of the NCPA and George Frazier of SMUD, who is the proper contact person to gain wheeling over the SMUD/SPPCo intertie. In conclusion, Mr. Holzmeister noted that the CMUA is a well organized group that deserves the support of the TDPUD. Outage .- Truckee Substation Mr. Holzmeister stated that there is a serious problem with one of the transformers at the Truckee Substation, but the District will be able to utilize one of the spare transformers that has been in the yard for some time. Repairs can be made at virtually no cost. PUBLIC INPUT May Bretthauer May Bretthauer, tenant at the Senior Housing project and Treasurer of the Tenants Association, presented a letter to the Board requesting that the private street leading to the District's substation and Senior Citizen Housing Project be named "Rodeo Drive." She noted that CalTrans will place a sign at the entrance, if the District, as owner of the other street property, will choose a name that does not conflict with names and have the name approved by the County of Nevada. 3/4/85 Pg. 2 President Duffy suggested' that the street be named "Rosamond Drive," since Mrs. Rosamond was instrumental in the Senior project. The Board and Mrs. Bretthauer were in agreement, and Director Maass moved that Counsel and the Manager investigate to determine what procedure must be followed to name the street; seconded by Director Corbett. ROLL CALL: M085/38 all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. Mrs. Bretthauer noted that the CalTrans representative she spoke with is John Loomis. Director Maass advised that the District will keep •--, Mrs. Bretthauer informed of the progress. CORRESPONDENCE Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative The Chairman made note of a letter from Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative expressing appreciation for the work the PUD crew did in getting electricity restored to its members after the storm. Manager Engel wrote that they were especially indebted to the PUD men because they were not the type hired out of, a union hall; they were not afraid to work. (Dennis Devine, Mike McGovern and Pat _McQuary were the employees involved.) COMMITTEE MEETINGS Water Committee The Manager advised that the Water Committee met to discuss the engineering agreement with Keith Sauers, cathodic protection, and Hirschdale. NEW DISTRICT COMPLEX - STATUS REPORT - CONSIDERATION OF ARCHITECTURAL AGREEMENT WITH DALE COX Director Corbett noted that he abstained from participating in discussion of this matter previously because of a possible conflict of interest. After talking things over with Counsel, it was determined that there was no conflict. Counsel Phelps noted that the proposed agreement for architectural services with Dale Cox is in order. There is an arbitration clause; insurance indemnity and attorneys' fees clauses have been added. The charge to be added. to outside consultants' fees has been changed to 1.1. Mr. Cox has noted his agreement with the changes. After some discussion, Director Maass moved that the President be authorized to sign the agreement with Dale Cox. The motion was duly M085/39 seconded. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. Member of the audience, Dick VanLandingham, asked to be recognized to speak regarding the new complex but was not recognized. AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT WITH KEITH SAUERS ENGINEERING FOR CONSULTING SERVICES It was noted that the Manager and Water Foreman visited Mr. Sauers' office to view the operation. They recommended to the Water Committee that the District enter into an agreement for consulting services with the firm. Counsel Phelps advised that some changes have been made to the standard agreement - Paragraph Four regarding insurance limits has been changed from $5,000,000 to $1,000,000. He was in agreement with this change. With respect to the addition of the word "negligent" to Paragraph Six dealing with liability and indemnity, Mr. Phelps noted this would not be in the best interest of the District. It was noted that Sauers would be charging 1.15 times his expenses to the District. Director Hamilton recommended this be changed to 1.1, as in the agreement for architectural services. 3/4/85 Pg. 3 Director Maass moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the Board approve the agreement with the deletion of the word, "negligent" in M085/40 Paragraph Six, and at the rate of 1.1 times expenses. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. SIERRA PACIFIC RATE FILING - AUTHORIZATION TO EMPLOY MARTIN McDONOUGH, ESQ. AS CONSULTANT The Manager has talked to Ben Bartlett, City of Fallon, and they are willing to share legal fees for negotiation with Sierra Pacific; however, they would not be interested in joining for a consultant to do a rate analysis, as Mr. Bartlett will be doing this analysis for the City of Fallon. Director Maass suggested we check with Mr. McDonough to see what he will need for the District in regards to rate analyses. _. Mr. Holzmeister noted that, as yet, the District hasn't received official written notice of the rate filing, so the requested increase is not known. There have been two conflicting reports - 20% and 92%. Director Maass moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the District authorize the Manager to use Mr. McDonough as a consultant to M085/41 negotiate with Sierra Pacific. It was determined that the standard contract form will not be used. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CATHODIC PROTECTION - STATUS REPORT - POSSIBLE DIRECTION The Water Committee, Mr. Holzmeister noted, met and discussed Harco's proposed water system piping cathodic protection survey and design services pricing for the District. He briefly explained the three phases proposed - a comprehensive corrosion survey testing of the entire piping system; data compilation and final report submission; and complete cathodic protection system design/plans and specification preparation. It was the Committee's recommendation to go forward with Phase I. Director Maass moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the Board authorize Harco to proceed with a full corrosion survey testing of M085/42 the entire system for the lump sum of $14,400. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS AND POSSIBLE AWARD OF BIDS JANITORIAL SERVICE After reviewing the staff recommendations, Director Maass moved that the award for janitorial services be made to Helluvajob Housekeeping, M085/43 subject to a positive reference check made by the Manager; seconded by Director Cooley. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. PCB RETROFILL PROJECT Six bids, Mr. Buckhouse reported, were received on the PCB retrofill project ranging from $27,326 to $69,495. National Electric, who has been in the transformer oil cleansing and filtering business for thirty years and is highly recommended by other utilities, was low bidder. Director Maass moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the award M085/44 for the PCB retrofill project be made to National Electric. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. SURPLUS DISTRICT VEHICLES Manager Holzmeister reported that four surplus vehicles were placed up for bid. The high bidder on Unit 3 was Lee Baalbergen at $802; Unit 20, Susan Craig on behalf of her son, $370.99; Units 21 and 22, John Phelps at $511 and $711 . Counsel Phelps stated that, although legally and ethically his bids were proper, he'd like to withdraw the bids to avoid the slightest appearance of anything improper. It was his concern that someone could bring this up in the future; although the District could show the matter was properly handled, it could result in bad publicity for the District. 3/4/85 Pg. 4 y� The Board was generally in agreement that Mr. Phelps' bids were proper, and withdrawal was denied. Director Hamilton moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the vehicles be awarded to the high bidders as recommended by the Manager. M085/45 ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CLOSED SESSION ...�. The meeting was adjourned to closed session at 8: 12 P.M. in order to discuss the Hirschdale water system matter. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION The Board returned to public session at 8:41 P.M. There was no action as a result of closed session. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, Director Maass moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:41 P.M. ; seconded by Director Corbett. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT By L. artin ff President ate .-- Susan M. Craig, Deputy Dis ict Clerk i 3/4/85 Pg. 5