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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-03-06 Min - Board . REGULAR MEETING March 6, 1995 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 upon their re u st. The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order at 7:00 PM in the TDPUD Board Room by President Jones. ROLL CALL: Directors Joe Aguera, Ron Hemig, Bob Jones, James Maass and Patricia Sutton were present. EMPLOYEES PRESENT. Mary Chapman, Susan Craig, Steve Hollabaugh, Peter Holzmeister, Bob Quinn, Dave Ruily and Scott Terrell. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Attorney Steve Gross; Consulting Engineer, Keith Sauers. OTHERS PRESENT.- Bill Stewart of the Tahoe Donner Association, Hugh Williams, Bob Yoder, Jeff Cotton, Jean Solberg, Jerry Goulding and Barbara Green. CONSIDERATION OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DISTRICT'S POLICYREGARDING 0 UNDERGROUNDING OF ELECTRIC FACILITIES; POSSIBLE DIRECTION At the February 21 workshop meeting, the Board discussed the problems encountered in implementing the policy for undergrounding electrical facilities. The principal problems occur in existing subdivisions that were constructed with overhead electric distribution facilities and relate to street crossings. The Electric Superintendent reported on the overhead road crossings from last year - there were 250 new services with a total of 108 road crossings. He noted that most were in Tahoe Donner and explained the different types. District staff met this date with representatives of Southwest Gas. They report that gas line construction in the Truckee area will begin in 1996. They do not anticipate being in Tahoe Donner until 1997, but could move to that area right away if so requested. It is their plan to only make road crossings to existing homes who have signed up for gas service. Lahontan has requested that when Southwest Gas makes road crossings they stay in already disturbed paths. Depending on the PUD and other utilities' needs, they could try to do the crossings at lot lines. The gas line would go in road easements off the pavement on one side of the street. Southwest appears to be very cooperative regarding joint trenching with other utilities, but will bore instead of trench if they do the project on their own. it appears the town wants a single agency responsible for securing encroachment permits and wants Class A contractors to do the work in public fights-of- way. (Contractors who build houses are not Class A contractors.) Staff agreed that the concept of placing electric service lines underground, even in 316195 Page 1 existing overhead subdivisions, is a commendable goal, but it is difficult for one utility to reasonably enforce an underground policy in an existing overhead subdivision unless the other utilities such as telephone, cable television and natural gas are involved in a joint effort. The support of homeowner associations and the town is also necessary. Director Maass moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board exempt the requirement for underground road crossings from the policy in subdivisions with existing overhead electrical lines until such a time as there has been coordination with other utilities. Bill Stewart of the Tahoe Donner Association noted that the objective of the policy is admirable and should be pursued. It was his opinion that it makes no sense for Southwest Gas to come in and start punching lines and stop there. Eventually, the town will undertake a road program - it would make sense for the town to require Southwest to provide laterals to every other lot line so connection can be made without tearing up freshly paved roads. The PUD, cable and telephone companies should be in the trench with the gas line. Two things need to occur- work with the town and Southwest to make sure they're not punching laterals for years to come and work with other utilities to see what it will cost to get in the ground with Southwest. Hugh Williams noted that the 20'easements across the front of lots are only for the PUD. He said it would create an administrative nightmare for staff to obtain the correct • easements. He suggested giving the property owners a choice of going over or under ground with electrical services. Bob Yoder thought that if undergrounding would decrease the PUD's maintenance costs, maybe the Board should encourage builders by reducing the fees for undergrounding. Jeff Cotton, Jean Solberg and Barbara Green agreed with his opinion. Ms. Solberg suggested rewarding developers who place utilities underground. Jerry Goulding noted he didn't think system reliability would be enhanced by having new construction go underground in an existing overhead subdivision. After more discussion, Director Maass reworded his previous motion. He moved that the Board exempt the requirement for underground electrical service in existing overhead subdivisions; the remainder of the policy will remain the same; seconded by Director Aguera. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Staff was asked to provide the Board with a report on areas where they think undergrounding would be important because of wind and storm damage. Mr. Quinn noted that, during the last storm, there were 30 outages in Tahoe Donner and six in Prosser. PUBLIC INPUT There was no public input. CONSIDERATION OF THE GATEWAY WATER STORAGE TANK PROJECT 316195 Page 2 . This item was postponed until after closed session. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE PROSSER HEIGHTS TANK On February 3, 1995 the District opened bids for the Prosser Heights Tank Replacement Project. Four bids were received and RDC, inc., Resource Development Company, of Sparks, Nevada was the low bidder. The draft resolution awarding the contract included clauses allowing staff to make monthly periodic payments and to apply to the State for reimbursement of funds under Prop 55. The Board asked that these policy issues be discussed at the next meeting. Director Maass moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board award the contract for the Prosser Heights Tank Replacement Project to RDC in the amount of$115,500. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR INSTALLATION OF PUMPS AT NORTHSIDE AND PROSSER 11 WELLS Bids were opened on February 28 for the 1995 Well Pumps Project. The low bid was submitted by Claybom Contracting Group, inc. of Auburn, California. • Director Maass moved, and Director Hemig seconded, that the Board award the construction contract for the 1995 Well Pumps Project to Claybom Construction in the amount of$159,864. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSAL FROM SAUERS ENGINEERING TO PERFORM SERVICES RELATING TO THE GLENSHiRE DRIVE WELL PROJECT The last component of the Safe Drinking Water Bond Law Project is construction of a new well on Glenshire Drive; the projected cost of the well is $800,000. The source of funds will be Proposition 55 loan funds. Sauers Engineering has submitted a proposal to perform engineering services in relation to the project and will commence with their work as soon as a well site has been secured. Director Maass moved, and Director Sutton seconded, that the Board accept the proposal letter dated February 27, 1995 submitted by Savers Engineering for services relating to the Glenshire Drive well in the amount of$90,750. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF AMENDING THE DISTRICT'S CUSTOMER DEPOSIT POLICY Current District policy relating to customer deposits required customers to show that they have had utility service in their name for at least 36 months and have paid their bills is promptly and are not currently past due on any accounts with that utility. Staff is recommending that the time period be changed to 24 months. 316195 Page 3 Director Maass moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board amend Section 5.01.010.1A of the District's Residential Customer Deposits policy as recommended by staff. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF AMENDING THE DISTRICT'S POLICY REGARDING TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR NON-PAYMENT Staff analysis shows that approximately 33% to 36% of customers that are sent a 15-day notice pay their bill within one week of their billing date where the bill shows a past due balance. Staff believes that if the policy is changed to delay sending out the notices for one calendar week, postage costs, forms and envelope costs and some labor costs will be recognized; there will be fewer customer calls and less customer aggravation. Director Hemig moved, and Director Maass seconded, that the Board amend Sections 5.12.010.1 and 5.12.020.1 of the District's Discontinuance and Restoration of Service policy as recommended by staff. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION OF REJECTING INDEMNITY CROSS COMPLAINTS SUBMITTED BY AMERIGAS PROPANE, INC. AND A. Y. MC DONALD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. Director Maass moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the District reject the • indemnity cross complaints submitted by Amerigas Propane, Inc. and A. Y. McDonald Manufacturing Company, Inc. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 6, 21 AND 26, 1995 Director Hemig moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve the minutes of February 6, 1995 as presented. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Director Aguera moved, and Director Sutton seconded, that the Board approve the minutes of February 21, 1995 as corrected. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Director Maass moved, and Director Hemig seconded, that the Board approve the minutes of February 26, 1995 as corrected. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF BILLS After several questions were answered by staff, Director Maass moved that the bills presented for consideration be approved for payment, seconded by Director Aguera. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. CORRESPONDENCE • President Jones mentioned a letter opposing the District's new tiered electric rate structure was received. 316195 Page 4 Engineering Association of Nevada County It was noted that the TDPUD received the annual award from the Engineering Association of Nevada County for its Proposition 55 Project engineered by Sauers Engineering. This is a revolving plaque that will be returned to the Association at the end of the year. CLOSED SESSION At 8:54 PM, the Board adjourned to closed session to discuss the following: Conference with legal counsel, existing litigation between TDPUD and Dale E. Wood, at ai., Government Code Section 54956.9(a) Conference with real property negotiator, Government Code Section 54956.8: a) Property, APN 18-570-51;negotiating parties, TDPUD and Roxie Archie and Victoria McIver, under negotiation, terms of agreement b) Property, APN 19-460-02;negotiating parties, TDPUD and Roxie Archie and Victoria McIver; under negotiation, terms of agreement c) Property, APN 18-660-38;negotiating parties, TDPUD and Roxie Archie and Victoria McIver, under negotiation, terms of agreement • d) Property, APN 18-660-07;negotiating parties, TDPUD and Roxie Archie and Victoria McIver, under negotiation, terms of agreement e) Property, APN 18-660-39; negotiating parties, TDPUD and Roxie Archie and Victoria McIver, under negotiation, terms of agreement Conference with labor negotiator, PeterHolzmeister, employee organization, Local 1245, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Government Code Section 54957.6 RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION The Board returned to public session at 10:22 PM. It was noted that the Board did not conduct a conference with the labor negotiator, Peter Holzmeister, employee organization, Local 1245, international Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, in accordance with Government Code Section 549.57.6. POSSIBLE ACTION RESULTING FROM CLOSED SESSION There was no action resulting from closed session. • 316195 Page 5 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, Director Aguera moved, and Director Hemig seconded, that the meeting be adjourned at 10:23 PM. SO MOVED by consensus. TRU KEE DONNER PUBLIC U 1LlTY DISTRICT Robert A. Jollies re tlent i Prepared by Susan M. Craig, Deputy District Clerk I smc i 316195 Page 6