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Home My WebLink About10 Draft Minutes-TRUCKEE DONNER j AGENDA ITEM #10 Public Utility District J MEETING DATE:December 2,2020 TO:Board of Directors FROM:Shanna D.Kuhiemier,CMC,District Clerk SUBJECT:Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 4, 2020 and the special meetings for November 13,2020, November 17,2020,and November 18,2020 Page 1 of 1 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES. November 4,2020 1.CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order at 6:01 p.m.in the TDPUD Boardroom by President Bender. Disclaimer:Due to the COVID-19 situation and the California Governor’s Executive Orders, this Board meeting was conducted with the Board via video/teleconferencing measures and live streamed on the District website.Public comment was opened using email and questions and answers on Zoom. 2.ROLL CALL Director Ellis,Vice President Finn,and President Bender. Absent:Directors:Tony Laliotis and Joe Aguera. EMPLOYEES PRESENT:Brian Wright,Ian Fitzgerald,Steven Poncelet,Mike Salmon,Rem Scherzinger,and Shanna Kuhlemier. CONSULTANTS PRESENT —Steve Gross,District Counsel. 3.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE —defer. 4.CHANGES TO THE AGENDA —none. 5.PUBLIC INPUT President Bender called for public comment,seeing none. 6.DIRECTOR UPDATE Director Ellis: •Through reflection during the election season,the importance of local government is prevalent. •Appreciate staff and fellow Board members,the District and community. •Stated the experience and relationships through his tenure of the District are amazing. GENERAL MANAGER I CEO UPDATE 7.General Manager/CEO Rem Scherzinger gave updates regarding: •Water was a “banner”month.A huge increase from last year. o Increase in population. o Warmer and dryer fall than normal. •RPS 6%LESS.Total renewable for the year on year. o Looking for more renewable resources. o TCID,offered power for next year at a rate of 28.00 a mwh. Expressed a real opportunity with those folks. •Financial side seeing the flattening of the curve. •Two members of staff tested positive COVID-1 9.These are non-work related. o Moved crews to a more isolated schedule. o Staff working from home will remain at home. o People who have offices are at the District. o TFH helped us out a great deal for rapid test. •Strategic Plan - o Kudos to staff and board for achieving the goals. o Clean set of goals objectives and projects. o Staff development and communication team is working hard on the plan. Good level of participation from community and survey. •CAL DES Grant submittal for 300k.Beginning of something great. PRESENTA11ON 8.Presentation on the Truckee Tahoe Workforce Housing Agency. Receive the update on the Truckee Tahoe Workforce Housing Agency and Re view of Employee Housing Needs Study. Presentation Steven Poncelet,Wendy Sullivan,and Emily Vitas (presentation available upon request). No public input Director Comments: o Lots of comments,which ones from our employees specifically. o Looking for solutions before workforce retires out. o Expense with employees outside of district and cost of running District out of bounda ries. o District vehicles are taken outside of boundaries for on call service. CONSENT 9.Appoint Property Negotiators. Appoint the General Manager/CEO as the District’s Negotiator Concerning Ne vada County Parcel Numbers 19-300-16 and 19-300-17.Entity:Town of Truckee. President Bender called for public comment,seeing none. President Bender moved,and Vice President Finn seconded,that the Board approve the con sent calendar.The motion passed unanimously (3-0),by a roll call vote.Directors Laliotis and Aguera were absent. ACTION ITEM(S) 1O.Award of a Professional Services Contract to Perform Design Assistance for the Pioneer Trail Pipeline Project. 1.Authorize the General Manager to execute a professional services contract with Waterworks Engineers to provide design assistance for the Pioneer Trail Pipeline Project in an amount not to exceed $1 10,000. 2.Approve the transfer of $1 10,000 from the Water Capital Reserve Fund to the Water General Fund. Brian Wright provided a presentation (available upon request). President Bender called for public comment,seeing none. Board Comments: The geotechnical analysis would identify any faults in the area. ®There is significant elevation change on the east end. •Great report and the citizens in Tahoe Donner will benefit. •One of the many projects that support a rate increase. •Robust public outreach will be completed. o There is a potential multi agency project with the third access road the Town has planned. Vice President Finn moved,and Director Ellis seconded,that the Board approve the staff rec ommendation.The motion passed unanimously (3-0),by a roll call vote.Directors Laliotis and Aguera were absent 11.Consideration for Approval of the Airport Well Maintenance Change Order. Authorize the General Manager to execute a change order for the 2020 Airport Well Maintenance Contract with Well Industries,Inc.in the amount of $24,694.32, for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $79,194.20 plus tax. Brian Wright provided a presentation (available upon request). President Bender called for public comment,seeing none. Board Comments: •Column alignment is a contributing factor for a shorter life cycle. •The ground is abrasive and sandy. •Staff used video technology to modulate and extend useful life. •Great project and a great fieldtrip to understand water operations. Director Ellis moved,and Vice President Finn seconded,that the Board approve the staff rec ommendation.The motion passed unanimously (3-0),by a roll call vote.Directors Laliotis and Aguera were absent ROUTINE BUSINESS 12.Approval of the Treasurer’s Report:November 2020 a)Approval of the Treasurer’s report of fund balances for the Month Ended September 2020. Vice President Finn moved,and Director Ellis seconded,that the Board approve the staff rec ommendation.The motion passed unanimously (3-0),by a roll call vote.Directors Laliotis and Aguera were absent b)Approval of disbursements for October 2020. President Bender called for public comment,seeing none. Director Ellis moved,and Vice President Finn seconded,that the Board approve the staff rec ommendation.The motion passed unanimously (3-0),by a roll call vote.Directors Laliotis and Aguera were absent 13.Approve the Minutes of Minutes of Special Meeting,September 16,2020,Regular Meet ing,October 7,2020 and Special Meeting,October 21,2020. President Bender called for public comment,seeing none. Director Ellis moved,and Vice President Finn seconded,that the Board approve the staff rec ommendation.The motion passed unanimously (3-0),by a roll call vote.Directors Laliotis and Aguera were absent ADJOURNMENT -7:27 p.m. There being no further business before the Board,the meeting was adjourned to the next scheduled regularly scheduled meeting of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District on Decem ber 2,2020 at 6:00 p.m. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT Jeff Bender,President Respectfully Submitted,_______________ Shanna D.Kuhlemier,CMC,District Clerk SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES November 13,2020 1.CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order at 10:04 a.m.by President Bender. Disclaimer:Due to the COVID-19 situation and the California Governor’s Executive Orders, this Board meeting was conducted with the Board via video/teleconferencing measures and live streamed on the District website.Public comment was opened using email and questions and answers on Zoom. 2.ROLL CALL Directors:Joe Aguera,Tony Laliotis,Vice President Christa Finn,Bob Ellis, and President Jeff Bender. EMPLOYEES PRESENT:Rem Scherzinger and Shanna Kuhlemier CONSULTANTS PRESENT —Steve Gross,District Counsel. 3.PLEDGE —defer. 4.CHANGES TO THE AGENDA -none CLOSED SESSION 5.Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957,Public Employee Perfor mance Evaluation —General Manager’s Performance Review.No Reportable Action. President Bender called for public comment,seeing none. ADJOURNMENT -12:04 p.m. There being no further business before the Board,the meeting was adjourned to the next reg ularly scheduled meeting of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District on December 2,2020 at 6:00 p.m.and the next special meeting on November 18,2020. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT Jeff Bender,President Respectfully Submitted,_______________ Shanna D.Kuhlemier,CMC,District Clerk SPECIAL MEETING M~NUTES November 17,2020 1.CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order at 3:00 p.m.by President Bender. Disclaimer:Due to the COVID-19 situation and the California Governor’s Executive Orders, this Board meeting was conducted with the Board via video/teleconferencing measures and live streamed on the District website.Public comment was opened using email and questions and answers on Zoom. 2.ROLL CALL Directors:Joe Aguera,Tony Laliotis,Vice President Christa Finn,Bob Ellis, and President Jeff Bender. EMPLOYEES PRESENT:Rem Scherzinger and Shanna Kuhlemier CONSULTANTS PRESENT —Steve Gross,District Counsel. 3.PLEDGE —defer. 4.CHANGES TO THE AGENDA —none. CLOSED SESSION 5~Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957,Public Employee Perfor mance Evaluation —General Manager’s Performance Review.No Reportable Action. President Bender called for public comment,seeing none. ADJOURNMENT -4:00 p.m. There being no further business before the Board,the meeting was adjourned to the next reg ularly scheduled meeting of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District on December 2,2020 at 6:00 p.m.and the next special meeting on November 18,2020. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT Jeff Bender,President Respectfully Submitted,_______________ Shanna D.Kuhlemier,CMC,District Clerk SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES November 18,2020 1.CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order at 6:00 p.m.by President Bender. Disclaimer:Due to the COVID-19 situation and the California Governor’s Executive Orders, this Board meeting was conducted with the Board via video/teleconferencing measures and live streamed on the District website.Public comment was opened using email and questions and answers on Zoom. 2.ROLL CALL Directors:Joe Aguera,Tony Laliotis,Vice President Christa Finn,Bob Ellis, and President Jeff Bender. EMPLOYEES PRESENT:Rem Scherzinger and Shanna Kuhlemier CONSULTANTS PRESENT —Steve Gross,District Counsel. 3.PLEDGE —defer. 4.CHANGES TO THE AGENDA -none. CONSENT 5.Consideration of Professional Services Agreement with East River Public Relations Con tract. a)Authorize the General Manager to execute a contract amendment and all necessary documents with East River PR (Attachment 1),increasing the amount by $3,000 for a new not to exceed contract total of $17,900 for FY20;and b)Authorize the General Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement,and all necessary documents,with East River PR (Attachment 2)in a not to exceed amount of $20,000 for professional services related to FY21 public relations. President Bender called for public comment,seeing none. Director Ellis moved,and Director Laliotis seconded,that the Board approve the consent cal endar.The motion passed unanimously (5-0),by a roll call vote. ACTION ITEM(S) 6.Ratification of the Emergency Procurement of Transformer Bushing for Martis Valley Sub station. a)Ratify the General Manager’s emergency procurement action for the replacement of eight 120kV bushings for the power transformers at Martis Valley Substation,and; b)Authorize the General Manager to execute an amendment,and all necessary doc uments,in the amount of $66,207,plus tax and freight,to the Support Services Program Agreement with NCPA for substation testing services with NorCal Power Services (Attachment 1).This revision will increase the contract from $79,494 to an amount not to exceed $145,701,plus tax and freight. Joe Horvath provided a presentation (available upon request). President Bender called for public comment,seeing none. Board Comments: o Clear and concise about the expediency. The replacement parts and the same type but with updated materials and technology. •Questioned if staff had used this company,how often we inspect these components. o Questioned if our inspections are behind with this significant find?Or if we need to add additional inspections? Joe Horvath,Electric Utility Director!Assistant General Manager stated he would have to look into that. Director Aguera moved,and Vice President Finn seconded,that the Board approve the staff recommendation.The motion passed unanimously (5-0),by a roll call vote. CLOSED SESSION President Bender called for public comment. President Bender announced he received a copy of a letter from Becky Mazzer and signa tures from approximately 29 employees. President Bender read into the record at the request of Kim Harris “November 18,2020 President Bender and members of the Board, Thank you for the opportunity to comment publicly during a Board meeting.I noticed that the Public Comment item was conveniently absent from the Board’s agenda tonight.As this is my only opportunity as Director-elect to comment per the Brown Act,I expect to have my com ments read. First,thank you to the TDPUD for sponsoring the Wild and Scenic Film Festival.I watched all the films and am inspired by the independent films to educate our community to take steps to ensure our environment is preserved for future generations to enjoy. Next,I noticed that there have been three closed-sessions meetings the Board has had over the past six days,including tonight.It appears that the closed session is due to the General Manager performance review and potential public employee discipline/dismissal/release,and appointment of an interim General Manager.This is causing speculation and frustration for me,and I expect frustration from the community and employees. The Board spent considerable efforts including time and money (approx $90,000?)to select a qualified General Manager.Board members bragged about their hiring of Rem Scherzinger as they felt that he was the best candidate among the stringent recruiting and hiring process. I was told several times that the process used was one of the reasons the correct person for the job was selected,and I agree that Rem was a great choice. I am looking forward to working with Rem and the rest of the Board to ensure that our em ployees stay motivated,our District is transparent and that we are fiscally responsible. This appears to be a hasty decision of the Board to get rid of a new employee,and it is ques tionable if the Board is experienced in managing its only employee.I have significant experi ence with human resources and feel that as a Board member,I will be an advocate for the District to ensure the process followed and the reasons behind this potential action are rea sonable and appropriate.From my understanding from Rems reports to the Board,he has been building trust among the staff and community and has addressed many difficult situa tions in a professional manner.Why would the Board choose to let him go?It does not make sense. I request that the Board delay any action that would release Rem from his contract with the District until I am sworn in and am able to be an active member of the Board to help navigate this complicated process with honesty and integrity. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to being sworn in and serving the Truckee Donner Public Utility District and its rate payers. Respectfully submitted, Kim Harris Board-elect Director of TDPUD” President Bender commented during the reading that the District adopted the Speak Your Peace Campaign and this comment/behavior is inconsistent with that culture.Appreciated the constructive criticism and stated the Board does have the experience to deal with difficult sit uations. Grace Newell,commented “Can you please advise the public the nature of what is being de cided these meeting.The hiring of the new general manager was a collaborative effort.Now it appears the general manager is being dismissed please advise what is happening”. 7,Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957,Public Employee Perfor mance Evaluation —General Manager’s Performance Review.No reportable action. 8.Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957,Public Employee Disci pline/Dism issal/Release. The Board unanimously approved a motion to terminate the General Manager Rem Scherzinger without cause.There is not a good fit between the Board and the General Manager and the Board feels this is in the best interest of the TDPUD. 9.Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957,Public Employee Appoint ment:Interim General Manager. The Board unanimously approved a motion to appoint Brian Wright as the Interim General Manager effective immediately.The Board respects and supports Brian Wright and we are asking each of you to do everything to ensure his and the District’s continued suc cess. President Bender called for public comment,seeing none. ADJOURNMENT -7:58 p.m. There being no further business before the Board,the meeting was adjourned to the next reg ularly scheduled meeting of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District on December 2,2020 at 6:00 p.m. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLiC UT~LJTY D~STR~CT Jeff Bender,President Respectfully Submitted,_______________ Shanna D.Kuh~em~er,CMC,District Clerk