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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-21 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING MINUTES July 21, 2021 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. by President Finn. 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(s) Bender, Aguera, Harris, Vice President Laliotis, and President Finn. EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Brian Wright, Steven Poncelet, Mike Salmon, Joe Horvath, and Shanna Kuhlemier. CONSULTANTS PRESENT – Steve Gross, District Counsel 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – defer. 4. CHANGES TO THE AGEND A – none. 5. PUBLIC INPUT President Finn called for public comment: Barney Dewey: It has been reported that Grass Valley local businesses lost $400,000 per day during the 2019 PSPS events. One business, a food cooperative, reported it lost $300,000 in two days from spoilage and lost commerce. I believe that micro-grids for Truckee are important and should be a high -priority of TDPUD. A micro-grid that serves the area from downtown Truckee, the business and medical districts and the schools will help Truckee maintain a more normal experience during PSOM events. In the last TDPUD Board meeting, two Standing Committees were formed to explore TDPUD’s top two stated initiatives: (1) to become an Internet Broadband provider and (2) 100% Clean Renewable Energy. It was noted in that Board meeting that the district does not have the resources to have more than two Standing Committees to explore new initiatives. I believe that establishing micro-grids should be the highest priority initiative for TDPUD. I am asking the TDPUD Board to strongly consider replacing the Community Broadband Initiative with an initiative to establish a micro-grid. Here are my thoughts on why this should be done. DocuSign Envelope ID: 6CFF3E64-5248-4084-90A2-8CA5FF15B8C3 First, I believe TDPUD should focus on water and power and not expand staff, skills and ex- penses to become an Internet Broadband provider. TDPUD entering a new competitive mar- ket, where huge losses could occur, is a very large risk to the water and power nee ds of the community. Second, it has been reported that these PSOM events are likely to last for at least 5 to 10 years and maybe indefinitely. A solution like a micro-grid is needed now and into the future for the Truckee community. Third, there are existing Internet Broadband providers that serve the Truckee area. One pro- vider, Suddenlink, provides very good service to some areas; but poor service where their in- frastructure is older and above ground. However, the solution for the community is not for TDPUD to establish a risky competitive Broadband service; but, to pressure Suddenlink to re- pair or replace their areas of poor infrastructure. The Town of Truckee is currently taking on this task by working with the State and Federal governments to resolve the issue of Sud- denlink’s poor service. If the Town is successful, the risk for TDPUD entering this competitive market against a well-funded public company is extremely high. In summary, micro-grids can be established in many ways. A fast and relatively low-cost solu- tion is to rent large portable diesel generators for the 4-month PSOM season. Another, more sustainable example, is to a use solar and propane solutions available from a Nevada County company, BoxPower, located in Grass Valley. I would like TDPUD to investigate these and other micro-grid solutions. Please make micro-grids as TDPUD’s number one initiative and Standing Committee. Thank you. 6. DIRECTOR UPDATE This item provides time for Directors to comment on any item within the purview of the Dis- trict. 7. GENERAL MANAGER UPDATE – General Manager Wright provided an update. CONSENT CALENDAR 8. Consideration to procure an Emergency Backup Generator for Martis Valley Well. A. Reject the bids received at the June 23, 2021 bid opening. B. Authorize the General Manager to execute the procurement of an Emergency Backup Generator for Martis Valley Well through Cummins Generators in the amount of $109,509, plus a 10% change order allowance for a total not to ex- ceed $120,460.00 + incidentals and sales tax. 9. Consider the ratification of the General Manager’s termination of the emergency related to the Donner Creek Well failure. Ratify the General Manager’s termination of the emergency related to the Don- ner Creek Well motor failure. 10. Consideration to increase the change order allowance for Red Mountain Tank Replace- ment Project. DocuSign Envelope ID: 6CFF3E64-5248-4084-90A2-8CA5FF15B8C3 Approve an increase in change order allowance for the Red Mountain Tank Con- struction Project from 10% ($86,982) to 12% ($104,379), for a new total project amount not to exceed $974,199. 11. Consideration to approve an accounting specialist lead position. Approve an accounting specialist lead position. 12. Consideration to approve the Troubleman Position. A. Approve the addition of a Troubleman position at Wage Range 37. B. Approve the addition of a second Substation Lineman/Inspector at Wage Range 36. 13. Consideration of a Contract with Koff & Associates for a Compensation and Classification Study. Authorize the General Manager to execute a contract with Koff & Associates fo r a compensation and classification study for the District’s unrepresented staff for a total contract amount not to exceed $27,200. President Finn called for public comment, seeing none. Vice President Laliotis moved, and Director Harris seconded, that the Board approve the con- sent calendar. The motion passed (5-0), by a roll call vote. WORKSHOP 14. Update on NV Energy’s PSOM Wildfire Safety Power Outages and District Response. Provide input to staff. CLOSED SESSION 15. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957, Public Employee Employ- ment– General Manager. No reportable action. 16. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) Deciding Whether to Initiate Litigation, one case. No reportable action. ADJOURNMENT - 9:05 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 August 4, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT _________________________________________ Christa Finn, President Respectfully Submitted, ________________________________ Shanna D. Kuhlemier, CMC, District Clerk DocuSign Envelope ID: 6CFF3E64-5248-4084-90A2-8CA5FF15B8C3