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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-09-06 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING September 61 1988 The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order by President Corbett at 7: 05 P.M. in the TDPUD Board Room. ROLL CALL: Directors Aguera, Maass, Sutton, White and Corbett were present. EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Paul Colburn, Peter Holzmeister and Susan Craig. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Consulting Engineer Keith Sauers and Counsel John Phelps. OTHERS PRESENT: Among those present in the audience were Dick VanLandingham and Tony Rivara. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Director Sutton moved, and Director White seconded, that the Secretary be directed to prepare the minutes of July 18, 1988 in final form as corrected. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Director Maass moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Secretary be directed to prepare the minutes of August 1, 1988 in final form. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Director White moved that the Secretary be directed to prepare the minutes of August 15, 1988 in final form as corrected. The motion was seconded by Director Sutton. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. BILLS FOR APPROVAL AND STATEMENT OF GENERAL FUND The Board was provided with copies of the July 31, 1988 Income Statements, Balance Sheets and Investment Report with their packets. Finance Supervisor Colburn reviewed the Statement of General Fund with the Board and explained various line items. Regarding the computer listing of pre-approved payments, the Board directed that one print-out be provided rather than copying each Director. Director Sutton said she would like to continue receiving her own copy, and Mr. Colburn agreed. Capitalization of the computer and building were discussed. Director Maass asked for a running total on costs incurred in completing the second floor of the District complex; Director Sutton asked for a copy of the authorization having to do with .� capitalization of the computer and building. 1 After reviewing the bills presented for consideration, Director White moved that they be approved for payment. Director Aguera seconded the motion. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. MANAGERS REPORT - POSSIBLE DIRECTION Nevada County Grand Jury Report Manager Holzmeister noted that the Nevada County Grand Jury gave the District a clean bill of health and has not requested a response to their 1987-88 findings. There was some discussion, and the Manager was directed, by consensus, to prepare a draft letter addressing the Grand Jury's comments concerning mandatory training for Directors. Budget calendar Mr. Holzmeister provided the Board with a budget calendar that will result in the budget being adopted by November 28, 1988. He asked for the Board's suggestions on ways to improve its presentation and review, and asked Directors to let him know if there are specific programs they would like to see initiated, deleted or modified. Director Maass suggested that funds for gardening and rebuilding the Board dias be included in the 1989 budget; Director White asked that funds for a maintenance person be included. There was some discussion about the landscaping, and the Board asked the Manager to contact Value Builders and determine the status of the landscaping; if necessary, he is to develop an alternate plan. Report on recruitment of Civil Engineer The Civil Engineer Recruitment Committee has reviewed the candidate and will conduct interviews on September 9. The process followed was similar to that used to select the General Manager, Electrical Engineer and Finance Supervisor, Mr. Holzmeister said. The General Manager, Director White, Dave Rully, Debi Black and Craig Woods of TTSA sat on the interview committee. They will report back to the Board with an entire package and recommendation at the next regular meeting. Proposition 55 Manager Holzmeister noted that staff has been working with Jess Morehouse to finalize the District's plans on the Proposition 55 program. Consulting Engineer Keith Sauers said that the District submitted its pre-application a year and a half ago. The component list has 2 now been refined, and Mr. Sauers reviewed the list of prioritized project components with the Board. They are as follows: 1) Downtown pipeline replacement in the amount of $1,045,000; 2) Chlorination stations at Northside, $74, 000 and Airport, $141, 000; 3) Cross connection program, $475, 000; 4) New source facilities, Martis Well and transmission, $3,350, 000, Prosser Lakeview, $930, 000; 5) Water storage tanks, Soma Sierra, $200, 000, Donner Trails, $133, 000, Donner Creek, $995,000; 6) Joerger Well, $835, 000. The total project is $8, 178,000. The Board and Mr. Sauers discussed the justification for each project and the following changes are to be made. 1) Regarding the Downtown pipeline replacement, " . . .The water and sewer lines were placed at a time when there was less sensitivity to separation between pipelines. This project will be an opportunity to improve this condition. . . " is to be replaced by, "If there are places where the sewer and water pipelines are too close, this project will be an opportunity to improve that condition. " 2) With respect to the chlorination stations, "chlorination" is to be changed to "disinfection. " 3) Regarding Martis Well, " . . .It will allow the District to remove. . . " is to read, "The District has removed. . . " and "The new source will replace the loss of these supplies" is to be inserted prior to "This project will augment service. . . " 4) Tahoe Donner Pipelines (Skislope Way, Springbrook Place, Alder Creek Road, Roundhill Drive) are to be added for a total of $588, 000. Wording noting that portions of the pipeline system in Tahoe Donner have experienced an inordinate amount of leaks resulting from improper construction and that frequent repair of these pipelines results in a potential contamination hazard wherever the water is turned o f f and the pipe is excavated is to be inserted; 5) Under Joerger Well, "chlorination" is to be replaced by "disinfection. " NCPA Annual Meeting The NCPA annual meeting is scheduled for September 21 - 23 at Ceasar's Tahoe, Mr. Holzmeister noted. He said he believes that NCPA is the most viable option for the District to secure low cost wholesale power. He suggested that as many Directors as possible attend the meeting, as the cost is minimal, and the benefits are large. Water quality report The water quality report for July was provided in the Board's packet. Mr. Holzmeister said that the District has encountered no bacteriological problems anywhere in the system. Annual employee party Mr. Holzmeister asked the Board's permission to put together a plan ""` for the annual employee party. Director Sutton stated that she is 3 opposed to spending the customers money on this type of thing; it should be done in some other manner, she said. Director Corbett reminded her of the favorable Attorney General 's opinion obtained previously. Director White moved that staff go ahead and research and come back to the Board; seconded by Director Aguera. After some discussion, the motion was withdrawn, and Director White moved that the Board authorize the Manager to set up a plan for the annual employees' party to be held during the holiday season. The motion was seconded by Director Maass. ROLL CALL: Sutton, no; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. PUBLIC INPUT There was no public input. CORRESPONDENCE August 17, 1988 letter from County re groundwater lawsuit Note was made of the County's letter saying it was sorry to hear that the District rejected the County Board's request for a joint meeting to explore alternatives to continuing litigation on the groundwater issue. Mr. Holzmeister reported that he called Bruce McDonough and asked that the final order be filed immediately, but he has not yet received a copy. Director Maass asked him to check and make certain it had been done. August 18, 1988 letter from Division of Mines and Geology Regarding the request of the Division of Mines and Geology for permission to retrieve a bench mark located near the intersection of Highway 89 and Old Highway 40, the Manager was asked to determine whether it is located on District property, and to place the matter on a future agenda for consideration. August 10, 1988 letter from Jerry Zarriello, MD, MPA There was no discussion concerning Dr. Zarriello's letter saying that he concurred with the District's procedures on future water quality complaints, and noting that he is no longer administratively responsible for the Environmental Department. COMMITTEE REPORTS There was no committee reports. HIRSCHDALE WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS - CONSIDERATION OF CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER NO. 6 - REVIEW OF PROPOSED RATE STRUCTURE; DIRECTION TO SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING - POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO AMEND OR RESCIND EXISTING RATE ORDINANCE 4 Mr. Holzmeister reported that the District is getting close to bringing the Hirschdale water system on line. It will be necessary to have the California Department of Health Services certify that the system is ready for use, to implement procedures concerning how to recoup the funds not covered by the grant, application for service, and deposit policy, and to establish a process for the transfer of service from the old water system to the new system. The Manager noted that the District has no track record regarding rates for Hirschdale. At this point there are no treatment facilities other than chlorination. He suggested adopting the current District Zone 1 rate as an interim rate while deciding what needs to be done with the iron and manganese problem, and then reviewing actual costs of operation and maintenance. In 1983, when Hirschdale was annexed to the District, the Board adopted Resolution No. 8344 establishing interim water rates for Hirschdale. They are not out of date and the resolution should be repealed. Director Maass moved, and Director Sutton seconded the motion, that the Board rescind Resolution No. 8344 . ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. After some discussion, Director Maass moved that interim water rates for Hirschdale be set at the Zone 1 charge, and that an appropriate surcharge be added for operation and maintenance since it is a "satellite system. " Actual costs are to be reviewed in six months and the surcharge added at that time. A public hearing is to be set to consider the ordinance. Director Sutton said there should be no connections until the District has accepted the system formally. Director White seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. Regarding the approximate $45, 000 in funds not covered by the grant, by consensus, the Board asked the Manager to prepare a proposal allocating the additional expenses between the various Hirschdale parcels. Mr. Holzmeister said that Jess Morehouse is concerned about the iron and manganese. Mr. Morehouse feels the District should put the Hirschdale people on notice at the time they apply for service and advise them of the effects they may experience. The Board directed the Manager to prepare a draft letter to affected customers concerning the iron and manganese content in the Hirschdale water system. DIRECTION REGARDING APPRAISAL OF GARDAI AND JOERGER WELLS At the request of the Manager, this matter was put over to closed session for discussion. �^ CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING ELECTRIC RULE NO. 16 AS AMENDED 5 After review of the second draft of Electric Rule No. 16, Director Maass moved that the Board adopt the rule as amended; Director Aguera seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FROM NEVADA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO USE DISTRICTIS WEST PARKING LOT FOR COLLECTION OF HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE PRODUCTS After brief conversation, Director Maass moved that the Board approve the Department of Transportation's request to use the District's west parking lot for collection of household hazardous waste products on October 1, 1988, subject to receipt of an appropriate hold harmless agreement. Director White seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. REVIEW OF BIDS AND POSSIBLE AWARD FOR UPGRADING POWER LINE IN ORDER TO TRANSFER THE ELECTRICAL LOAD FROM TRUCKEE SUBSTATION TO THE MARTIS VALLEY SUBSTATION Two bids were received on the reconductoring project. Mr. Holzmeister recommended that the bid be awarded to Cascade Line Construction of Redding, the low bidder, and that the insurance limit be set at $1, 000, 000. Director Maass moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board award the contract for upgrading the power line in order to transfer the electrical load from Truckee Substation to the Martis Valley Substation to Cascade Line Construction in the amount of $23, 135. The insurance limit is to be $1,000,000 rather than $5, 000, 000. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. FORMAL ACCEPTANCE OF AUDITOR'S MANAGEMENT LETTER Director Maass moved, and Director White seconded, that the Board formally accept the Touche Ross Management Letter. ROLL CALL: Sutton, no; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. REVIEW of PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO MAINTENANCE/MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES POLICY; POSSIBLE DIRECTION Regarding the proposed amendments to the maintenance/miscellaneous services policy, the Board noted a definition of "qualified vendor" is needed, and asked the Manager to clarify the draft before bringing it back for consideration. CLOSED SESSION At 9:42 P.M. the Board adjourned to closed session in accordance with Government Code Section 54956.8 for discussion of real 6 property, the Joerger Well. Counsel Phelps noted that Peter Holzmeister has been authorized to negotiate with the Joerger family, owners of the well. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION The meeting was returned to open session at 10:40 P.M. DIRECTION REGARDING APPRAISAL OF GARDAI AND JOERGER WELLS Director Maass moved that the Board reject the proposals for appraising the Gardai and Joerger wells as the District is now re- analyzing the situation; seconded by Director White. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, Director Maass moved that the meeting be adjourned at 10:42 P.M. SO MOVED unanimously. TR CRE DONNER BLIC UTILITY DISTRICT .t Jo t. Corbett, reside P ared by S an M. Craig, Deputy District C r smc 7