Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-05-20 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING May 201, 1985 The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Vice President Maass in the TDPUD Board room. ROLL CALL: Directors Cooley, Corbett and Maass were present. Director Duffy was not present, having been selected by AT&T to attend software school away from the area. Director Hamilton was also absent. He is recuperating at Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento from a five-way bypass operation. EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Peter Holzmeister, Tom Buckhouse and Susan Craig. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Counsel John Phelps was on vacation; his associate, Jim Porter, sat is his place. OTHERS PRESENT: Among those present in the audience were Margaret Rasmussen, Vicki Hutchins, Stephanie Tamietti, Cathy McClintock, Richard Moutray, Tracy Shane, David Toussaint, Dale Cox, Dick VanLandingham, Ray Bonnett, Karen Mosher, Dawn Ivens, Robert Womack and Johann Spleedigar. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Director Corbett moved, and Director Cooley seconded, that the minutes of April 1, 1985 be approved as written._ All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. M085/73 Director Cooley moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the Secretary be directed to prepare the minutes of April 15, 1985 in final form as drafted. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. M085/74 STATEMENT OF GENERAL FUND AND BILLS FOR APPROVAL In addition to the bills presented for consideration, Manager Holzmeister asked that the Board consider an invoice from Attorney Martin McDonough in the amount of $2,388.25, representing work to date on the Sierra Pacific wholesale rate filing. There were no objections. Questions concerning the payment to Wesco and Mayo Construction were answered by the Manager and., thereafter, Director Corbett moved that the Board approve the bills for payment; seconded by Director Cooley. All Directors, aye. SO MOVED. M085/75 MANAGER'S REPORT Stampede hydroelectric power allocation Mr. Holzmeister advised that the District has received verbal notification from the Western Area Power Administration that it has been allocated three megawatts of non--firm Stampede hydro power. Steve Oliver of WAPA will be meeting with PUD staff soon to discuss negotiations with SPPCo for wheeling the power. District Engineer Tom Buckhouse will provide engineering input until the project gets to a point where a specialist is necessary. Also, Mr. Holzmeister noted the District may need consulting assistance from Martin McDonough. Director Maass suggested authorization to use appropriate engineering and legal consultants with respect to the Stampede hydro allocation be placed on the June 3, 1985 meeting agenda for consideration. Boca hydro project The Manager stated that the District has received the license to build and operate the Boca hydro plant at Boca Dam for a period of 50 years. The license must be formally accepted by the Board; this matter will be placed on the next agenda. In the meantime, Mr. Holzmeister noted, the District should review the conditions of the license and note any objections within 30 days. If the license is acceptable, there is a series of actions to be taken. The license stipulates that construction must be initiated within two years of issuance, and completed within four years. Recommendations will be made to the Board Pg. 1 at the next meeting. 4 Director Corbett moved, and Director Cooley seconded, that the Manager be authorized to move along on the 30-day response. All M085/76 Directors, aye. SO MOVED. I IRS penalty reimbursement Mr. Holzmeister noted that, several months ago, the District paid a penalty under protest for a late filing of income taxes withheld to the IRS. The filing was late because IRS did not forward appropriate forms to the District in a timely manner. Today, the IRS reimbursed the District the amount of the penalty, and the matter has been resolved. Street sign - Estates Drive A street sign for the intersection of Highway 267 and Estates Drive has been ordered. Nevada County is cooperating by making the ` sign; the District will pay the costs incurred by the County. Insurance claim policy In response to Director Maass' inquiry regarding the revision of the insurance claim policy, Mr. Holzmeister advised that staff is preparing a presentation and the matter will be ready for consideration at the next regular meeting. PUBLIC INPUT There was no public input. f i CORRESPONDENCE L. Martin Duffy Director Maass noted the District received a letter from President Duffy stating he will not be present at PUD meetings for the months of May and June as AT&T, his employer, selected him for software k school, and indicated his desire to step down from the chair for that reason. He also stated he does not feel he should receive Director compensation for May or June. Director Maass suggested that President Duffy retain his office until November; as Vice President, Director Maass will conduct the meetings until Director Duffy is again able to attend. The Board was in agreement. Richard Fambrini Regarding Mr. Fambrini's letter of May 4, 1985 (copy attached) Director Maass stated that he may respond as an individual Director. Director Cooley suggested a District response be prepared and sent by i M085/77 the Manager. SO MOVED by consensus. E CONSIDERATION OF POLICY REGARDING USE OF PAVED DISTRICT EASEMENTS FOR ACCESS TO PRIVATELY OWNED PROPERTY I Mr. Holzmeister explained that the District has received a request from an individual for use of a paved District easement in Martiswoods Estates. Permission from the property owner has already been obtained. It was his feeling that the District should have a policy and enter into an agreement in cases of this nature so as to be able to set certain conditions of use and obtain some renumeration for maintenance. After some discussion, Counsel Porter noted that the fee owner of property has the ability to grant a license for use to whomever he chooses, and if the District wishes to set conditions, any agreement is better than none. He also noted the Civil Code states that if two or more individuals share the use of an easement, the obligation to maintain falls according to use. He stated the District may want to entertain signing a revocable license or an easement sharing expenses. fDirector Cooley moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the District adopt the proposed policy regarding use of paved District M085/78 easements for access to privately owned property. ROLL CALL: Duffy and Pg. 2 t� Hamilton, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. REVIEW AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF NEW BUILDING PLANS Architect Dale Cox presented and explained a schematic of the new building to the Board and audience. The building is approximately 40,000 square feet, including the office, garage and warehouse, and would be tilt-up construction. The site plan has been presented to the County and approval has been received. The cost for construction, site work, demolition and landscaping is estimated at 1.7 million dollars. There was some discussion relating to rental of the space on the second floor, the warehouse layout, snow build-up and drainage, "open space" offices, traffic patterns, and the Board room. Mr. Cox stated he hopes to have the preliminary drawings at the next meeting, to complete the plans by the middle of July, go to bid in late July, award the contract the middle of August, have the walls up and roof on by mid-October, and complete construction in February. Site work would be- completed after the snow melts in the spring of 1986. By consensus, the Board agreed that Mr. Cox should go forward as outlined. M085/79 CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF THE HIRSCHDALE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT APPLICATION TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES By all indications, Mr. Holzmeister noted, Hirschdale qualifies for a grant from the State Department of Water Resources. An improvement district must be formed to receive the grant. The application is complete save some information which is being gathered by Dan Cook, Civil -Engineer, and Counsel Phelps. The money the District has expended on the Hirschdale matter to date will be reimbursed through the grant. After some discussion, Director Corbett moved that the District adopt Resolution No. 8514 authorizing the preparation and execution of the Hirschdale Improvement District application to the State Department of Water Resources. Seconded by Director Cooley. ROLL CALL: Duffy and Hamilton, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO.RESOLVED. R8514 CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING SPECIFICATIONS AND ISSUING A CALL FOR BIDS ON ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION WIRE Manager Holzmeister noted that the specifications on electrical distribution wire are in order, and Director Cooley moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 8515 approving the specifications and calling for bids on wire Schedules A through G. Seconded by Director Corbett. ROLL CALL: Duffy and Hamilton, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. R85/15 PROJECT 85-1 - DOWNTOWN WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS - CONSIDERATION OF PROGRESS PAY ESTIMATE NO. 1 Mr. Holzmeister advised that Engineer Cook has recommended payment to Hardrock Construction for work completed to date on the downtown water improvements, and further advised that the contractor is expected to complete the project on schedule. Director Corbett moved, and Director Cooley seconded, that Progress Pay Estimate No. 1 in the amount of $69,978.15 be approved. All Directors, aye. SO MOVED. M085/80 AUTHORIZATION RE SEWER LINE EASEMENT REQUESTED BY CAL TRANS THROUGH THE PARCEL ON WHICH SCHOOL FACILITIES ARE LOCATED The Manager explained that the School District received a request from the State Department of Food and Agriculture to install a sewer line through a parcel on which school facilities are built. The parcel is currently owned by the TDPUD, but should have been deeded to the School District some time ago. The School District is endeavoring to obtain legal title, and will. thereafter directly provide easements to the State. They have advised that the sewer line will not interfere with the School District's operation. Pg. 3 fI 1 The Board reviewed a draft letter granting a right of entry over AP#18-570-03 for the purpose of constructing or improving a sewer line and setting forth related conditions. Thereafter, Director Corbett moved that the Board authorize execution of the letter, copy attached. The motion was seconded by Director Cooley. All Directors, aye, by M085/81 voice vote. SO MOVED. Relating to transfer of the property, Mr. VanLandingham, a member of the audience and retired surveyor, noted there is a record of survey on the School District's property. He will attempt to obtain a copy for the PUD. Director Maass advised that he will discuss transfer of the property with the Superintendent of Schools. AUTHORIZATION TO HIRE CONSULTANT TO PERFORM A CUSTOMER ATTITUDE SURVEY Manager Holzmeister stressed that public power agencies that are performing with excellence have remained close to their customers. A key to being close to customers is performing a competent survey of attitudes and perceptions. Based on this survey, a proper public re- lations effort can be designed and followed. I He presented the Board with two proposals from firms specializing in customer surveys - Heyer and Marylander. He compared the proposals and recommended that the Board select Heyer, as they will survey more customers, will spend more time on questionnaire development, will supply the District with more copies of the report, and are more conveniently located. Director Cooley moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the Manager be authorized to employ N. Robert Heyer at a cost of $10,250 to conduct the customer attitude survey. All Directors, aye, by voice M085/82 vote. SO MOVED. i CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT TO ELECTRIC RULE NO. 16 AND ELECTRIC MISCELLANEOUS FEE SCHEDULE The Board reviewed amended Electric Rule No. 16 - Metering. Mr. 1 Holzmeister stated the District is attempting to bring its rules into conformance with respect to broken meter seals and meter errors. There were some questions on Section 16.9(c) relating to errors made in reading a customer's emter, and it was decided to clarify this paragraph. It was moved and seconded that the Board adopt amended Electric Rule No. 16, as clarified, and the Miscellaneous Electric Service Fee M085/83 Schedule. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. NWPPA MEETING Mr. Holzmeister noted there is a Northwest Public Power Association meeting in Reno next week. He would like Tom Buckhouse to ! attend the entire event. Also, there are some items that are of interest to Mary Chapman and himself, and some subjects in which the Board may be interested. Director Maass advised that current policy permits the Manager to authorize attendance. I f CONDEMNATION ACTION - CAL TRANS Counsel Porter advised that CalTrans has filed an action to condemn property near airport flats. The PUD was named as the District serving utilities in the title report on the subject property; consequently it was named in the Complaint. It was his recommendation that, since the District has no interest in the property described in the action or in any compensation that may be awarded, the President be authorized to execute the Disclaimer, and that he be authorized to execute the Stipulated Order for Withdrawal of Deposit. SO MOVED by Director Corbett; seconded by Director Cooley. All Directors, aye, by M085/84 voice vote. i CLOSED SESSION The meeting was adjourned to closed session at approximately 9:25 4 P .M. for the purpose of discussing negotiations on the sale of the 1 .9 f Pg. 4 f �a acre parcel and personnel matters. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION The meeting was returned to public session at 9:57 P.M. Director Maass advised that, during closed session, instructions were given relating to the sale of the 1 .9 acre parcel on the corner of Highway 89 and Donner Pass Road. Also, a personnel matter was briefly discussed. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, Director Corbett moved, and Director Cooley seconded, that the meeting be adjourned. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED at 9:58 P.M. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT By J s A. Maass, Acting President i Susan Ford, Deputy District Clerk Pg. 5