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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-01-03 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING January 3, 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 perpetuate and made available for listening to any interested party upon 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 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, Kathy Neus, Bob Quinn, Dave Rully and Scott Terrell. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Attorneys Christina Bark and Steve Gross. OTHERS PRESENT.John R. Falk, Hal Hogan, Jim Goulding; Richard Johnson and David Herzog of Hydro-Search, inc. WORKSHOP ON THE PROPOSED 1995 BUDGET, POSSIBLE ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET, BUDGET OVERHEADS AND CARRYOVERS FROM 1994 The Administrative Services Manager reviewed the major budget items in that department they include continuing to perform major functions; reviewing processes for time savings and value; redesigning customer bills; purchasing a new system printer; and continuing with employee computer training. The 1994 and 1995 budgets for both departments were compared. The Planning Services Manager reviewed the main areas of expenditure in his budget such as new construction, communications, conservation, employee safety and health. The over-all budget for the Support Services Department is lower than 1994 by approximately $7,000. By getting quotes and bids on everything, costs have been cut in half. No new vehicles will be purchased. Major items to be completed in 1995 are overlaying the yard and correcting the drainage problem. In 1993, an electric master plan was adopted and staff has been using that document as a guideline. Each year items are re-prioritized. During 1995 the following will be completed: road crossing at Truckee River Bridge; establishing second phase at Donner Lake Substation; reconductoring of Truckee Feeder No. 4, upgrading of Donner Lake Substation and installing spare single phase transformers at Donner Lake Substation. During 1995 the Water Department will emphasize system preventive maintenance and operation. The department is emerging from serious system deficiencies that resulted in staff time being diverted to expensive repair tasks. in 1995, repair time should be reduced 113195 Page 1 • and preventive maintenance and operations time should be increased. Prop 55, the Safe Drinking Water Bond Law, will be completed in 1995. (A new well will be constructed near Olympic Heights, Southside well will be rebuilt, a new tank may be constructed in Gateway and a water treatment facility will be constructed at Hirschdale. The General Manager reported that the District is close to resolving some of the largest issues relating to transmission access, territorial disputes and price squeeze. During 1995, there will be a focus on new relationships with Sierra Pacific and the Northern California Power Agency. Service territory expansion into Glenshire and Gooseneck Ranch will be addressed as well as a rate adjustment for commercial customers. Also to be looked at is a redesign of the District so as to improve customer service and cut costs. After some discussion, Director Maass moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve Resolution No. 9501 adopting the 1995 budget (as amended), budget overheads and carryovers from 1994. The Board is to be copied with the revised revenue statements (reflecting new rates) as soon as possible. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. PUBLIC INPUT There was no public input. ® PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING ADOPTING A GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN AB 3030 allows a local agency to adopt a groundwater management plan to protect a groundwater basin (or portion of a groundwater basin) that the local agency overlies. The plan can cover such topics as protection of wellhead and recharge areas; regulation of the immigration of contaminated groundwater; well abandonment and destruction, mitigation of overdraft, replenishment of groundwater; monitoring of groundwater levels; well construction standards; the development of relationships with state and federal agencies; review of land use plans. The act authorizes entering into a joint powers agreement with any other public agencies to bring about a coordinated groundwater management plan for the entire basin. David Herzog and Richard Johnson of HydroSearch, Inc., who prepared the draft groundwater management plan for the District, were present in the audience. The document presents Phase 1 of the Martis Valley Groundwater Management Plan for the Martis Valley Groundwater Basin located in Nevada and Placer Counties in the vicinity of Truckee. They reviewed a location map for the audience. Phase 1 of the plan delineates the horizontal and vertical extent of the groundwater basin, describes the recharge and discharge relationships between surface and ground water, presents a groundwater budget, discusses the groundwater flow system, summarizes . groundwater development and proposes a groundwater monitoring plan to collect baseline and ongoing data regarding groundwater levels and withdrawal rates. 113195 Page 2 • The public hearing was opened at 8:35 PM. John Falk, representing the Tahoe Sierra Board of Realtors, noted that questions raised in his December 11, 1992 letter (copy attached) have been answered. His letter of December 20, 1994, also attached, addresses the Board of Realtors'principle concerns related to the implementation of a groundwater management plan - 1) With the costs associated with setting up a plan and actually managing the aquifer, does the District intend at some point to exercise the financing option alluded to within the text of AB 3030? And, as a follow-up question if the response to No. 1 was in the affirmative, when would a vote be likely to occur, and what level of fees would be sought? 2) Is there any intent to meter private wells under this program? The Board of Realtors is proposing two deletions from the list of optional components of the groundwater management plan - Subsection (k), the Board of Realtors finds an option to develop relationships with state and federal regulatory agencies redundant in that the District has relationships by law and by choice with such agencies at the present time. Subsection (1), which allows the PUD to review and coordinate with land use planning agencies seems ill-advised in their opinion since the District engages in this activity informally on an as-needed basis. They suggest the PUD not formalize this situation and potentially expand its influence beyond its mission and scope of expertise. Bill Whitner of Glenshire Mutual Water Company said he has been kept advised by the • District of what's being done and will be sharing data with the PUD in the future. Director Aguera moved, and Director Maass seconded, that the public hearing be closed at 9:28 PM. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Counsel Steve Gross noted that the groundwater management plan and program are two entirely different things. "Plan" means a document that describes the activities intended to be included in a groundwater management program. "Program" means a coordinated and ongoing activity undertaken for the benefit of a groundwater basin, or a portion of a groundwater basin, pursuant to a groundwater management plan. Mr. Gross saw no problem with adopting the plan at this meeting. It was decided to remove the following language from the draft ordinance: "Whereas, the Tahoe Sierra Board of Realtors has expressed concerns regarding specific provisions of AB 3030, but supports in general the need for local control of the groundwater basin;"and Nos. 2 and 3 of the proposed resolved clauses reading, "No system of fees is established at this time, nor is there any intent at this time to meter private wells, except that private wells may be metered for the sole purpose of documenting water usage and shall only be metered with the permission of the owner of the well" and '7t is not the intent of the District to use the groundwater management plan to be a land use planner in its service territory, but it is the District's intent to provide advice to the Town of Truckee and the Counties of Nevada and Placer when they adopt land use plans, in order to help protect • the groundwater basin recharge areas thus protecting recharge quantities and water quality of the basin." 113195 Page 3 • Director Aguera moved that the Board adopt Ordinance No. 9501 as amended; seconded by Director Hemig. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO ORDAINED. PROSSER HEIGHTS TANK REPLACEMENT Design work has been completed and contract documents prepared for the Prosser Heights Tank Replacement. The project involves the removal of an existing tank and construction of a new steel tank. Because the project involves the replacement of an existing structure with no increase in capacity, it was determined to be categorically exempt under the provisions of CEQA. it is part of Phase 3 of the Safe Drinking Water Bond Law Program so it is planned to finance the project through Prop 55. Director Maass moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution 9502 approving plans, specifications and contract documents and issuing a call for bids for the Prosser Heights Tank Replacement, a component of the Safe Drinking Water Bond Law Program, subject to review and approval of the bidding documents by Counsel ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. ROUTE 8911-80 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT; CONSIDERATION OF PROGRESS PAYMENT NO. 1 AND CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER NO. 1 Director Maass moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that, with respect to the Route ® 80/89/267 Separation Utility Construction Project, the Board approve BENCO's Periodic Estimate for Partial Payment No. 1 in the amount of $33,678.45 and Contract Change Order No. 1 for an extension of the completion date to July 1, 1995. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. DISCUSSION OF DELINQUENT HIRSCHDALE WATER SYSTEM ASSESSMENTS; POSSIBLE INITIATION OF LiEN ENFORCEMENT In 1987, the District constructed a water system in Hirschdale using a grant from the State of California. The cost to construct the water system exceeded the grant and the property owners in Hirschdale were to pay the costs not covered by the grant. The Hirschdale property owners were allowed to pay their portion of the costs over time and a lien was placed on their property guaranteeing payment. There are now some property owners in Hirschdale who have fallen behind in their payments. After some discussion, Director Maass moved that staff be directed to initiate the lien procedure against those property owners in Hirschdale who remain delinquent; seconded by Director Aguera. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. Regarding the Brunson's delinquent water service account, staff is to notify them of the amount of the water bill in arrears and attempt to set up a payment plan for collection. Henceforth, they are to pay bills on a regular, monthly basis. Staff is to also notify them • of the District's plans to construct a water treatment plant in Hirschdale to improve the water quality. 113195 Page 4 . CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ADOPTING POLICY REGARDING UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC FACILITIES At the last meeting, the Board determined that it shall be the policy of the District to require all new or rebuild construction to be placed underground wherever practical. Special circumstances may dictate undergrounding is not practical and the District reserves the right to determine the practicality of a project. There was some confusion caused by the format in which the proposed policy was presented and a simplified resolution has been prepared. Jim Goulding, President of the Tahoe Sierra Board of Realtors, stated that the Realtors are in favor of undergrounding, but feel special consideration should be given to its effects on affordable housing and building in existing subdivisions. Director Maass moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve Resolution No. 9503 adopting policy regarding underground electric facilities. ROLL CALL: Aguera, Hemig, Maass and Jones, aye; Sutton, no. SO RESOLVED. CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT ON SANDERS WELL; POSSIBLE ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REHABILITATION WORK AND DISPENSING WITH COMPETITIVE BIDDING ® The Sanders Well Pump has failed, been removed and shipped to the manufacturer for damage assessment and repair/replacement cost estimates. Staff feels strongly that the District needs to have the Sanders Well on line producing water before May of 1995. Counsel advised that this is an emergency situation and competitive bidding may be dispensed with. Director Hemig moved, and Director Maass seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 9504 ratifying and approving emergency repair work at Sanders Well. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO RESOLVED. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 19, 1994 Director Maass moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve the minutes of December 19, 1994 as corrected. ROLL CALL: Aguera, Hemig, Maass and Jones, aye; Sutton, no. SO MOVED. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF BILLS Director Maass moved, and Director Hemig seconded, that the bills presented for consideration be approved for payment. All Directors, aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED. • CORRESPONDENCE There was no correspondence discussed by the Board. 113195 Page 5 • STAFF FINANCIAL REPORT A complete copy of the Financial Report for November 1994 is attached to these minutes. The Administrative Services Manager reported that, as of the end of November, the District was in a better financial position than last year. CLOSED SESSION At 10:27 PM, the Board adjourned to closed session for the following: a) Conference with legal counsel, existing litigation between TDPUD and Sierra Pacific Power Company, two cases, Government Code Section 94956.9(a). b) Conference with labor negotiator, Peter Holzmeister, employee organization, Local 1245, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Government Code Section 54957.6. c) Conference with labor negotiator pursuant to Section 54957.6; agency negotiator, Steve Gross - unrepresented employee, General Manager. ® RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION The Board returned to public session at 11:25 PM. The Board reported that it concluded negotiations with the General Manager and is pleased to announce that the General Manager will continue his employment with the District but without a contract for a specified term. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:26 PM. TRUCK DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT Robert A. Jones Pr ent Prepared by Susan M. 6raig, Deputy District Clerk smc • 113195 Page 6