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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-06-01 Min - Board R$GIILAR "EETING Jane 1, 1987 The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order by President Corbett at 7:04 P.M. in the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District Board room. ROLL CALL: Directors Cooley, Maass, Sutton and Corbett were present. E14PLOYERS PRESENT: Debi Black, Tom Buckhouse, Paul Colburn, Bruce Grow, Joe Straub, Peter Holzmeister and Susan Macdonald were present. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Consulting Engineer Keith Sauers and. Counsel Jim Porter. OTHERS PRESENT: Among those present in the audience were Corey Ray, Ron White, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Curran, Dan Harmon C. R. VanLandingham, and Joe Ag ue r a. BOARD VACANCY - INTERVIEW OF CANDIDATES AND POSSIBLE APPOINTKKNT Four letters of interest in being appointed to the vacant seat created by Jim Hamilton's resignation were received by the District. Letters from Mssrs. White , Harmon and Curran were .received before the deadline on May 27; Mr. Aguera's letter was received early enough on May 28 to be included with the Board packet material. Names were chosen at rando:a; the candidates briefly explained why then would like to sit on the Board and answered questions posed by the Directors. Each of them indicated they would, if appointed , run in the November election for a full_ four-year term. The Board thanked the applicants for their interest. Director Cooley stated he is disappointed with the Sierra Sun for not placing the ads requesting applicants in more prominent positions. He said he thought they should have done a lot of "story writing" for the District on this matter. He suggested extending the deadline for accepting applications for another month to see if the PUD gets more cooperation From the Sierra Sun. The Chairman noted that four qualified people have shown interest in the appointment and he doubts if the District would receive any applicants who are more qualified. Director Maass agreed that the newspaper ads were not very visible, but thought discussions with all four candidates were impressive and commended them for their interest in sitting on the Board. Director Sutton stated she is concerned about one of the letters of interest coming in after the deadline and was in favor of extending the deadline as suggested by Director Cooley. Director Cooley moved that the deadline for letters expressing interest in -1- ,�- the Board vacancy be extended to June 29 , and that consideration of an appointment be placed on the July b meeting agenda; seconded by Director Sutton. ROLL CALL: Cooley and Sutton, aye; Maass and Corbett , no. MOTION FAILED. After more discussion, it was duly moved and seconded that the matter be tabled in order to proceed with the agenda. ROLL CALL: Cooley, Maass and Sutton, aye; Corbett, no. SO MOVED. CLOSED SESSION - DISCUSSION OF LEGAL AND PERSONNEL HERS - REPORT FROM COUNSEL BRUCE MCDONOUGH ON STATUS OF NEVADA COUNTY GROUNDWATER ORDINANCE LITIGATION The Chairman indicated he would move to closed session in order to hear the report from Mr. McDonough (out-of-town counsel) on the groundwater ordinance litigation. Director Sutton stated she thinks it is unfair to the public to move to closed session at this point in the meeting. She suggested that, in the future, closed session items be scheduled at a particular time on the agenda if they are to be other than at the end of the meeting. The Board agreed by consensus. Mr. McDonough said he would wait until other items on the agenda had been considered before giving his report to the Board. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Director Maass moved, and Director Cooley seconded, that the minutes of April b, 8, 20 and May 4, 1987 be approved as written. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. Regarding the draft minutes of May 18, 1987 , Director Sutton stated she has a concern about the last paragraph on page 4 which reads, "Director Maass asked the Manager to contact Jerry Jordan of CMUA to see if there is any action towards amending or repealing the bid limit. The Board agreed with his request." She asked that it be changed to read, "....limit. The majority of the Board agreed with his request; Director Sutton disagreed. SO MOVED." Director Maass moved, and Director Cooley seconded, that the Secretary be directed to prepare the minutes of May 18 in final form as corrected. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. STATEMENT OF GENERAL FUND AND BILLS FOR APPROVAL After reviewing the bills presented for consideration, Director Maass moved that they be approved for payment. The motion was seconded by Director Cooley. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. A typographical error was noted on the list of bills presented for consideration. The bill from Baucum's Lock and Key Service in the amount of $1 ,952.43 for replacing locks and duplicating keys should have been $1 ,052.43. The Board asked that it be corrected prior to attachment to the minutes. -2- 1000*- After obtaining some answers about hAIF investments and the draw on Bank of America certificates listed on the Statement of General Fund, Director Sutton asked that the next agenda include review of the District 's financial policies. Discussion ensued regarding investments and Director Sutton noted her concern that certificates of deposit over $1 ,000,000 exceed the FDIC limit at Truckee River Bank. Mr. Holzmeister advised that he and the Financial Supervisor are preparing a draft policy concerning the investment of funds for Board consideration. It should be complete in about 45 days. Director Sutton said the Board needs to know where the money is being invested, and she doesn't want to wait 45 days for the information. Mr. Holzmeister explained that what the District is now doing is consistent with current Board policy, and the Chairman asked that the Directors be copied with such policy. MANAGER'S REPORT Purchasing procedure - bidding versus telephone quotes Mr. Holzmeister said that at the last meeting he was asked to prepare a report on whether the District is more likely to save money by formal bids or by telephone quotes. He provided some examples of materials where both a formal bid price and telephone quote price were obtained. Since the District does aot purchase in the quantities that make formal bidding really economical, the telephone quotes resulted in better prices. After some discussion, Director Sutton stated that the Code dictates that the Board shall determine what supplies are needed on an annual basis and that the Board shall open bids and make awards. She said she does not feel the District is functioning properly as all annual needs are not estimated and staff is not bringing quotes to the Board for specific award. She questioned what powers the Board may delegate. Mr. Holzmeister noted that hundreds of quotes are received throughout the year on routine items; further, that the Warehouseman is the best qualified to make decisions on purchasing. April budget report Mr. Holzmeister reported the District is one third through its budget year and the report looks good. Both funds are operating in the black and expenditures and revenues are on track. Letter from TrSA The District received a letter from Craig Moods of the Tahoe Truckee Sanitation Agency suggesting the special districts approach Nevada County to request that the districts be granted authority to regulate their own building permits (as Placer County has done). Mr. Holzmeister noted the District would have saved thousands of dollars on the new building if a County permit was not required. k meeting has been scheduled with Supervisor Bost on June 3 to discuss the matter, and Mr. Holzmeister asked for some direction from the Board. Director Sutton said that the Nevada County ordinance was changed to make it consistent with State law; however she thought there should be no fees -3- collected by the County for permits from local agencies. After some discussion, the Board directed the Manager and Counsel to determine whether fees paid to Nevada County for the new complex are appropriate. No direction was given with respect to supporting Mr. Woods' suggestion to approach Nevada County and request districts be granted authority to regulate their own building permits. Sphere of influence slap The Manager noted a sphere of influence map was provided to the Directors with their Board meeting packet. Consulting for SPPCo contract Manager Holzmeister reported that the District is relying heavily on R. W. Beck and Bob McDiarmid in negotiations with Sierra Pacific Power Company. The second meeting with SPPCo took place on May 29. Ferris Gilkey was given an authorization on November 3 to help in these negotiations, and the Board authorized retaining Speigel and McDiarmid on March 2 , 1987. The District should give them authorization to stay involved. There was some discussion and it was decided if there is no specific authorization to involve Beck and McDiarmid in the SPPCo negotiations a related agenda item should be scheduled. Director Sutton moved that the Board continue to have R. W. Beck and Speigel and McDiarmid represent the District in the Sierra Pacific negotiations; seconded by Director Maass. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Mr. Holzmeister advised he would arrange a meeting between the Directors and Bob McDiarmid after the next negotiating session (June 24, 1987). PUBLIC INPUT There was no public input. CORRESPONDENCE Senate Bill 1506 Mr. Holzmeister provided the Board with a copy of SB 1506 and a copy of the request for action from the California Special District Association. Ralph Heim, CSDA lobbyist, told Mr. Holzmeister that SB 1506 was reported out of the Local Government Committee in an amended form. The cities , counties and LAFCo's were opposed to the seating of two special district representatives, so the bill as reported out of committee provides for one special district representative if two-thirds of the districts in a county request it. Mr. Heim suggest doing nothing at this point. Director Sutton noted that presently Nevada County LAFCo seats two special district representatives. Passage of the bill as amended could be -4- 0001*- detrimental to special districts in Nevada County, and she thought perhaps the District should state its opposition. After some discussion, Director Sutton asked to be kept informed as to progress of SB 1506. COWIITTEE MEETINGS There were no committee meetings. CONSIDERATION OF PETITION FOR ABANDONMENT OF UNUSED RESERVED EASBIENT - TAHOE DONNER ASSOCIATION/TIMOTHY BARONS The Engineering Technician reported that she researched the matter of water connection fees to Mr. Baron's parcel_. Zn October of 1974, the District received an application from Richard Kitchen. Mr. Kitchen paid the electric connection fee of $50. His application reflects discontinuance of service in December 1979. He paid monthly rates for water service since July 1978. Nevada County records indicate that Timothy Baron purchased the property from Mr. Kitchen in 1979. District records indicate that Mr. Baron began paying for water service at that time. (In July 1978 the District initiated water billings for all the houses on Trout Creek Road without back-billing for connection fees.) Ms. Black noted that District records cannot be located and it may be difficult for Mr. Baron to provide the District with proof that Mr. Kitchen paid the water connection fees for the parcel since so much time has passed. After some discussion, Director Maass moved that the Board approve the request of the Tahoe Donner Association and Timothy Baron for an easement abandonment over parcel 18-190-08; seconded by Director Cooley. Director Sutton stated she thinks it was worthwhile for staff to research this matter because if fees were owed, the easement abandonment could have provided the leverage for payment. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED, CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE - POSSIBLE DIRECTION President Corbett tabled this matter to the next regular meeting. CONSIDERATION OF BIDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS; POSSIBLE AWARDS -- GENERATOR FOR NEW C014PLEX - COMPUTER UPGRADE Engineer Buckhouse reported that he reviewed the bids to provide a standby generator for the new District complex. He found the low bid to be in order and recommended award to Cal-West Electric, Inc. for $11 ,961 plus sales tax. Director Maass moved, and Director Cooley seconded, that the Board award the generator b d to Cal-West Electric in the amount of $11 ,961 plus tax. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. -5- Regarding the computer upgrade, Mr. Holzmeister noted that none of the bidders followed the instructions. After discussing the matter with counsel, he recommended that all bids be rejected. There was some discussion, and Director Maass moved that the bids for the computer upgrade be rejected; further, that the instructions to bidders be clarified and the call for bids be reissued. The motion was seconded by Director Cooley. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION IMPLEMENTING AND FIXING ELECTRIC AND WATER STANDBY CHARGES PURSUANT TO ORDINANCE NO. 7501 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1987-88 Director Maass moved, and Director Sutton seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 8722 implementing and fixing electric and water standby charges pursuant to Ordinance No. 7501 for the fiscal year 1987-88. ROLL CALL: all Directors , aye. SO RESOLVED. Director Maass moved, and Director Sutton seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 8723 fixing and placing electric and water standby charges on the District tax roll for collection by the counties of Placer and Nevada. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. REVIEW OF MANAGER'S GOALS AND OBJECTIVES This matter was tabled to the June 15 meeting. CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT TO WATER RULE NO. 12 RE RATES AND CHARGES (CLARIFICATION CONCERNING FACILITIES FEES) Director Maass moved that the Water Committee review the amendment to Water Rule No. 12 and make a recommendation to the Board. SO MOVED by consensus. CLOSED SESSION - DISCUSSION OF LEGAL AND PERSONNEL MATTERS - REPORT FROM COUNSEL BRUCE McDONOUGH ON THE STATUS OF NEVADA COUNTY GROUNDWATER ORDINANCE LITIGATION The meeting was adjourned to closed session at 9:38 P.M. pursuant to Government Code 54956.9. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION The meeting was returned to public session at approximately 10:10 P.M. No action was taken or direction given during closed session. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 10:11 P.M. TRU KEE ONNER UBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT JoV 1L. Corbett, President -6- Prepared b Susan Macdonald, Deputy District Clerk sm/d5b/15 -7-