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Home My WebLink About2020-11-18 Min - Board DocuSign Envelope ID:F5C6AA41-8597-483B-875A-FBF53115F88E 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. DocuSign Envelope ID:F5C6AA41-8597-483B-875A-FBF53115F88E • Joe Horvath provided a presentation (available upon request). President Bender called for public comment, seeing none. Board Comments: • 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. DocuSign Envelope ID:F5C6AA41-8597-483B-875A-FBF53115F88E • 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/Dismissal/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. DocuSign Envelope ID:F5C6AA41-8597-483B-875A-FBF53115F88E • 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. TRUC�KFE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT u gne den enAcier, President DocuSlgned by: Respectfully Submitted, SG.aa"ana 6U-"'<<t-r Shanna D. Kuhlemier, CMC:BrireliferClerk • •