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Home My WebLink About1997-11-05 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING November 5, 1997 In accordance with District Code Section 2.08.010, the TDPUD minutes are action only minutes All Board meetings are recorded on audio tapes which are preserved perpetually and made available for listening to any interested party ypon their request. The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order at 7:07 PM in the TDPUD Board Room by President Hemig, ROLL CALL: Directors Joe Aguera, Ron Hemig, Bob Jones, James Maass and Patricia Sutton were present. EMPLOYEES PRESENT.- Susan Craig, Steve Hollabaugh, Peter Holzmeister, Kathy Neus, Ed Taylor CONSULTANTS PRESENT. Engineering Consultant Keith Sauers;Attorneys Christina Bark and Steve Gross. OTHERS PRESENT. There were no others present. PUBLIC INPUT.- Directors mentioned advertisements and commercials they have seen recently placed by energy providers in the newspapers and on television. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A POLICY REGARDING CUSTOMER CHOICE At the last Board workshop a policy stating the District's position on customer choice under AB 1890 was discussed. Under the new law, the electric industry in California was deregulated and the customers of investor owned utilities will be given the opportunity to choose their electric generation provider. It does not require customer owned utilities such as the District to offer that same choice; that is left to local policy. A draft policy regarding customer choice of an electric generation provider was presented and reviewed. 1t was noted that the District has had no increase in electric rates since 1986 and the current residential rate per kilowatt hour is 6.81 cents. The TDPUD is currently among the utilities offering the lowest rates in the state. It was agreed that these facts should be included in the resolution being considered. Director Maass moved, and Director Jones seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 9719 adopting policy regarding customer choice. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. PRESENTATION OF THE DRAFT 1998 DISTRICT BUDGET Manager Holzmeister presented copies of the draft 1998 budget and noted that it does not recommend a water rate increase for 1998 and proposes an electric rate decrease in the form of customer credits. The budget includes funds for continued appearances before the Federal Energy Regulation Commission, some transmission contingencies and also money to complete the meter 11/5/97 Page 1 conversion; $600,000 needed in 1998 probably won't be needed in the future. So maybe in 1999 there can be even further rate reductions. This budget also includes some large capital improvements created by town, CalTrans and Southwest Gas projects. Staff will give an analysis of Water Department debt and will go over the budget in detail at the next workshop meeting. CONSIDERATION OF A POLICY AUTHORIZING DISTRICT STAFF TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS ESTABLISHING THE PRICE OF POWER PURCHASED FROM IDAHO POWER COMPANY Director Sutton disqualified herself with respect to this item and left the room. Mr. Holzmeister noted that the Board discussed opportunities available to the District to manage the price risk that is inherent in purchasing power on the Mid-Columbia Index. The District has the opportunity to work the market in such a way as to obtain the lowest price for power purchased. It does require, however, that there be a method in place to quickly secure quotes and lock in a price. The Board reviewed a draft policy and, thereafter, Director Jones moved that the Board adopt Resolution 9720 adopting policy authorizing District staff to enter into contracts establishing the price of power purchased from Idaho Power Company. Director Maass seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Aguera, Jones, Maass and Hemig, aye; Sutton, abstained. SO RESOLVED. Director Sutton returned to the Board room. CONSIDERATION OF A POLICY IMPLEMENTING THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MANDATED DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING PROGRAM The Board reviewed the draft policy implementing the Federal Department of Transportation mandated drug and alcohol testing program. It fulfills the minimum procedures necessary to comply with the federal mandate and applies only to those employees who are required, as a condition in their job description, to drive trucks with a gross weight over 26,001 pounds. Director Jones moved, and Director Maass seconded, that the Board adopt the policy implementing the Federal Department of Transportation mandated drug and alcohol testing program. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF ENGINEERING CONTRACTS FOR THE FOLLOWING PROJECT - RELOCATION OF WATER SYSTEM FACILITIES ASSOCIATED WiTH CONSTRUCTION OF THE HIGHWAY 267 BYPASS The engineering proposal being considered is for services regarding a utility agreement with CalTrans required for the relocation of the water mains necessitated by the construction of the Highway 267 Bypass project. The agreement will spell out which agency is responsible for design, construction and right of way for the relocation of the District's water mains. Water Superintendent Taylor noted that there is a question as to which agency will be responsible for the relocation cost of the water pipelines. if the District can establish superior rights for the locations in question, then the cost of the engineering services agreement will be eligible for reimbursement from CalTrans. After discussion, Director Maass moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve the engineering services agreement with Sauers Engineering, inc. for service regarding the . Highway 267 Bypass Pipeline Relocation Utility Agreement in the amount of$8,500 as defined in Sauers'proposal dated October 27, 1997. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. 11/5/97 Page 2 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION DECLARING ELECTRIC METERS SURPLUS AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO DISPOSE OF THEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH DISTRICT POLICY The District is converting its electric meter reading to an automated technology. As a result, there are several hundred surplus meters and related materials. Staff is asking the Board to declare these items surplus and authorize staff to sell them through the bid process and, as the same situation is likely to occur at least twice during 1998, to grant authority to sell those materials as they build up in the warehouse. Director Maass moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 9721 declaring meters surplus and issuing a call for bids. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE PAINTING OF THE DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS BUILDING AND AUTHORIZING THE FILING A NOTICE OF COMPLETION After brief discussion, Director Maass moved, and Director Jones seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 9722 accepting the District complex painting project and authorizing the filing of a notice of completion. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. CONSIDERATION OF CONTINUING THE ACTION REGARDING EMERGENCY REPAIR OF THE TAHOE DONNER SUBSTATION TRANSFORMER Director Maass moved that the Board continue the emergency action for the Tahoe Donner . substation transformer. Director Aguera seconded the motion. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED, CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING NEVADA COUNTY TO COLLECT THE DISTRICT WATER AND ELECTRIC STANDBY CHARGES Each year Nevada County collects the District's water and electric standby charges by placing them on the tax bill. They are asking the District to enter into a standard form tax collection services contract whereby the District agrees to pay their administrative fee. Director Aguera moved, and Director Maass seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 9723 authorizing execution of a standard form tax collection services contract on behalf of the District. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 1 AND 15, 1997; POSSIBLE ACTION Director Jones moved, and Director Maass seconded, that the Board approve the minutes of October 1 and 15, 1997 as presented. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. MONTHLY TREASURER'S REPORT - ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL OF MONTHLY REPORT Director Maass moved, and Director Jones seconded, that the Board accept and approve the • monthly Treasurer's report. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. Director Maass moved that the Board approve the disbursements; seconded by Director Jones. 11/5197 Page 3 • ROLL CALL:Aguera, Jones, Maass and Hemig, aye; Sutton, no. SO MOVED. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, Director Jones moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:54 pm; seconded by Director Maass. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT Ja ,as A. Maass, Presi ent V Prepared b Susan M. Craig, eputy District Clerk smC • 11/5/97 Page 4