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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMetting MinREGULAR MEETING May 18, 1981 I The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Dormer Public Utility District was called to order by President Huber at 7:00 P.M. in the TDPUD Board Room. ROLL CALL: Directors Dui'fy, Kuttel, Maass and Huber were present at the start of the meeting; Director Corbett arrived at 7:05 P.M. EMPLOYEES PRESENT: D. Eugene Holt and Susan Craig were present. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: District Counsel Simon, Tom Jennings of Cook Associates, Kenneth Peters and Bob Barta of James Hansen and Associates, Peter Collet and Tom Merritt of R. W. Beck and Associates and John Bertko of Coopers and Ly- brand were present. OTHERS PRESENT: Among those present were Sabrina Smith, Bob Gebhardt, Jenni Huffman, Eric Noda, Tracie Yaokum, Randy Chance, Rob Huber, Tom Lott and Ken Baker. APPROVAL OF MINUTES I Director Duffy moved, and Director Kuttel seconded, that the minutes of April 6 and 15, 1981, be approved as corrected. ROLL CALL: Corbett, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. Director Kuttel moved, and Director Duffy seconded, that the Board direct that the minutes of April 20, 1981, be prepared in final form as corrected. ROLL CALL: Corbett, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. BILLS FOR BOARD APPROVAL After a brief review of the bills presented for approval, moved, and Director Duffy seconded, that payment be approved, bett, absent; all other Directors, aye. SO MOVED. Director Kuttel ROLL CALL: Cor- I iJEST RIVER STREET ASSESSMENT DISTRICT STATUS REPORT The Board noted receipt of the West River Street Assessment District status report dated May 6, 19S1» which listed transactions since December 31, 1980. COMMITTEE REPORTS President Huber noted that she and Manager Holt attended several meetings which would be reported and discussed later in the meeting. MANAGER'S REPORT It not yet being 7:30, the time scheduled for public hearing, the Board moved to Unfinished Business. REIMBURSEMENT TO DIRECTORS (OR THEIR EMPLOYERS) FOR WAGES LOST DUE TO LEGAL COURT APPEARANCES ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT - REPORT BY COUNSEL With respect to Mr. Simon's request for input from other agencies regarding a formal policy of reimbursement of expenses to Directors or their employers for wages lost due to legal court appearances, he noted the Tahoe Truckee Sanitation Agency and SMUD have responded. He is still awaiting response from other agencies contacted, and will prepare a report after hearing from them. LOGO CONTEST - DETERMINATION OF RULES AND AWARDS The draft contest announcement and application prepared by the secretary with assistance from Charles White was reviewed by the Board. After some discussion, the Board determined tnat a grand prize in the amount of $500 would be awarded, and no second or third prize given, employees and their families will be inelig- ible. Director Duffy moved that the Board direct staff to select someone (per- haps Marigrey Fish and the local high school art teacher) to review the entries 5/18/81 pg. 1 and choose what, in their opinion, are the best five - the Board will make their selection from these five entries and name a winner at the July 6th Board Meeting. Director Corbett seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: all Dir- ectors, aye. SO MOVED. WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS - PROJECT 79-1 - STATUS REPORTS - POSSIBLE DIREC- TION AND/OR ACTION Tom Jennings, representing District Engineer Cook, advised the Board that the Farmers Home Administration is requiring further amendments to the operating budget submitted with respect to Project 79-1. He presented the operating budget containing revisions which FmHA has reviewed and approved, and noted that the amounts are the same but figures have been rearranged. Director Maass moved, and Director Duffy seconded that the Board authorize the President and Secretary to execute the Operating Budget as amended. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. I Mr. Jennings noted that FmHA has indicated there is a problem with the rider to the contract bond, but he has not been informed as to what is re- quired to be in compliance. District Counsel Simon was provided with a copy of the rider so that he may contact FmHA representatives and learn the nec- essary requirements. Also, he was asked to notify Farmers Home Administra- tion that delays caused by them are costing the District money, and the PUD will hold that agency responsible for increases caused by such delays. He asked to be provided with a copy of the bond resolution. PUBLIC HEARING - CONSIDERATION OF ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT BUDGET FOR 1981 President Huber opened the public hearing at 7:30 P.M. District Manager Holt noted a problem with one of the District vehicles and discussed the possibility of purchasing another truck. It was suggested by the Board that employees doing the most driving use the small economy vehicles. It was noted that the Martis Valley Substation costs have been reflect- ed in the proposed budget. Mr. Holt advised that the substation work will not be able to be completed this year, and this will have a boarinq on the total budget. I Costs for microfilming documents and test equipment for the Meter Depart- ment were discussed. After some discussion regarding the proposed $3,000 expenditure for a new base station, Director Duffy moved that the Board remove the base station - two way radio from the budget. The motion was seconded by Director Kuttel. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. Director Duffy moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the Bond iuth- orize Gene Holt to look into the possibility of relocating the existing radio station to the top of the mountain where the antenna is located. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. Director Maass moved, and Director Duffy seconded, that the Board pass Resolution No. 8141 adopting the 1981 Electric Department Operating and Con- struction Budget as amended. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. 1.9 ACRE DISTRICT PARCEL President Huber noted Eric Noda's presence in the audience, and advised him that the Board would not be discussing future use of the 1.9 acre parcel owned by the District at this meeting. He asked to be noticed of any meet- ings at which the 1.9 acre parcel will be discussed. I CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION DECLARING RESIDENTIAL I AHGKI, UNNECESSARY FOR DISTRICT USE - PARCEL C After a brief review of the proposed document, Director Maass moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 8142 declaring District Parcel C unsuitable for District use. Director Duffy seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: all Dir- ectors, aye. SO MOVED. 5/18/81 pg. 2 1\ I I I Because cf the high cost of reappraisals, Director Duffy suggested that, if the five parcels of District land going out for bid are not sold, the Board not have such parcels reappraised for a period of five years. The Board was in agreement. ENGINEER'S REPORT Elimination of priv itc water sources and lines within the District Tom Jennings had nothing to report at this time. Report on monitoring wells (re groundwater quality - TTSA proposed expansion) Mr. Jennings noted that no report has been received from Mssrs. Dendy and Scalmanini. By Board consensus, the Board moved to direct Gene Holt to write a letter asking for a status report with respect to its request for an investigation and recommendations for a monitoring well site having to do with the proposed Tahoe Truckee Sanitation Agency expansion and the District's concern over the groundwater quality. HYDRO PROJECTS - STATUS REPORTS - POSSIBLE PIRECTION AND/OR ACTION Boca - Prosser Mr. .-.olt explained to the Eoard Senate Bill 306, a bill which would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to construct, operate, and maintain hydroelectric power plants at various existing water projects. He noted that, unless the District requests that Boca and Prosser be included in the bill, the projects will be disqualified for consideration of development by federal ag- encies due to the existing preliminary permits issued to the District. He sug- gested the American. Public Power Association be contacted and asked for recom- mendations. Kenneth Peters noted that Alex Radin, Legislative Counsel, is the proper person to contact with respect to Senate Bill 306. It was noted that Roberto Iniguez of Tudor Engineering is awaiting a telephone call with respect as to how to proceed in this matter; Mr. Holt indicated he would be in touch with him. Mr. Peters introduced Robert Bart i, a new consultant with James Hansen and Associates, who will be working with the District. Regarding the status of the proposal to Friant Power Authority, it was noted that the Board of Directors for Friar.t are in the process of evaluating proposals and anticipate making some decision at their May 18th Board Meetin-j. A final decision regarding the sale and use of the power from the project will be made in the near future. With respect to locating long range cost effective power supplies, Mr. Peters gave a brief proqre^sL> report. He noted that the scheduled meeting with the State of Nevada was postpone 1 because their collection of datu was not com- plete. Contact has been made with the Nevada Power Company in relationship to the MX program. The PUD will receive all available technical information. Mr. Barta advised the Board that he contacted officials of SMUD respect- ing their plans in the disposition of power from its interest in the first unit to be installed in a geyser field in Northern Nevada. There are four gen- eral geothermal fields with a potential of 3,000 MW of generating capacity - Steamboat Springs, Dixie Valley, Desert Peak and Beowawe. As yet, no decision has been reached on which site to develop first. Beowawe is the probable in- itial construction site. Commercial operation of the first unit is scheduled for April, 1983. NORNEV has invited the PUD to join in the development of one of the geothermal fields. This would require an investment in what is probably a highly speculative venture, Mr. Barta explained. Respecting the Zebra Plant which is to be constructed in Northern Nevada near Wells, plant ownership allocation has not yet been closed. Sierra Pac- ific Power Company would act as operator of the plant for the combined owners. Initial generation is expected in 1989. Mr. Barta presented the Board with in agenda of the 23rd annu.il conference of the Northern California Municipal Electric Association, and a ted that there would be no cost to the District to obtain membership. 5/18/81 pg, 3 Mr. Peters presented the Board with an estimate of TDPUD future growth with respect to population, service connections, electric demand, annual energy demand and SPPCo's avoided cost mills and average cost. REQUEST OF FHIL NOTZ (ALPINE DELI) FOR VARIANCE After a short review of Mr. Notz' request to locate a propane tank five feet from the west property line of the District's Southside Complex, Director Duffy moved that the Board deny the request. President Huber stepped down from the Chair and seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Corbett, no; Duffy, aye; Kuttel, no; Maass, no; Huber, aye. MOTION FAILED. The General Foreman's recommendation was reviewed and, thereafter. Dir- ector Maass recommended that the Board grant Mr. Notz' request as long as a written agreement stating that the tank will be relocated if, at some time, the District makes such a request, is signed by Phil Notz. Director Corbett seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Corbett, aye; Duffy, no; Kuttel, aye; Maass, aye; Huber, no. SO MOVED. K!:, ;'EST OF ROBERT COOMBS FOR EASEMENT Mr. Coombs' request for an easement across a District parcel for the pur- pose t constructing and maintaining a driveway access to his lot was review- oil. It was the General Foreman's recommendation that the Board deny the re- quest inasmuch as the property may possibly be used for future utility lines from the Diinner Booster Station. Mr. Coombs, present in the audience, advised that there is access to his property from Bull Pine Drive. Director Maass moved that the Board deny Mr. Coombs' request, and made note of the Garbutt case, litigation presently pending with respect to Mr. Garbutt's un.iuthorized use of District property for access to his residence. The motion was seconded by Director Corbett. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS - I'ONDEROSA ESTATES - POSSIBLE DIRECTION AND/OR ACTION Director Maass reported that on May 15th it came to his attention that Mark Etcheberry of W.E.S. Construction had been authorized by Tom Lott, En- gineer for the developer of Ponderosa Estates, to perform clearing and grub- bing on the proposed tank site (which belongs to the District). Upon learning that several trees had already been removed. Director Maass contacted District Attorney Simon, who established a conference call between himself, Director Maass District Engineer Cook and Tom Lott. It was clarified that, at the May 4th Board meeting, the Board directed that no work on water related items be done until the Development Agreement had been finalized. At the May 4th meeting, the Board agreed that rough grading of the roadways only be started. Work on the proposed tank site was halted. The misunderstanding between John Roth, the Board, Tom Lott and Tom Jen- nings of Cook Associates was discussed. The Board's position that no water related excavation, construction, clearing or grubbing be started until final- Leation of the Development Agreement was restated. District Counsel Simon advised that the Development Agreement has been prejared in rough draft form only. He is still awaiting plans and specifica- tions approved by the District's Engineer. The Board and Mr. Roth briefly re- viewed the draft agreement and made note of some necessary changes and addi- tions. Mr. Simon indicated that as soon as the required documents are received from Cook Associates he will prepare the Ponderosa Estates Development Agree- ment for Board review. MARTIS VALLEY SUBSTATION - STATUS REPORT BY REPRESENTATIVES OF R. W. BECK & ASSOCIATES - POSSIBLE DIRECTION AND/OR ACTION Mssrs. Collet and Merrit of R. W. Beck and Associates were present to discuss the Martis Valley Substation and related costs with the Board. Mr. Collet noted that the estimate contained in his May 1st letter was incorrect - the actual estimate, as noted in his May 13th letter, is $20,000 less. Mr. Collet advised that Sierra Pacific had prepared plans for the proposed substation, but their drawings were not adequate for assessment by prospective bidders. R. W. Beck proposed to develop one general contract which will include the balance of all meterials and a number of drawings with detailed specifica- tions. After discussing the substation with Gene Holt and Bob Slattery, Beck 5/18/81 pg, 4 I I I has concluded that it will not be possible to complete the substation by December as the General Foreman does not anticipate being able to complete the three necessary distribution switches prior to the end of the year. With respect to the apparent overload at Tahoe Donner Substation, Mr. Slattery noted that he plans on transferring one half of the alleged over- load to the Truckee Substation which is still within capacity. P I Mr. Collet reviewed items yet to be ccmpleted with respect to the substa- tion and approximate time lines involved. He indicated R. W. Beck will be able to prepare the contract documents and specifications in ten weeks. After review by Counsel and the General Foreman, the Board must approve the documents and issue a calJ for bids. Mr. Collet recommended allowing a six week period for receiving bids. After bids are received, Beck Associates will require one week for evaluation and preparation of recommendations. R. W. Beck will pre- pare the Notice of Acceptance after a selection is made by the Board. The contractor is then allowed two weeks to obtain insurance certificates and nec- essary bonds. One week should be allowed for execution of the documents by all involved parties. It was noted that work could commence in April and be completed by September. Mr. Collet advised the Board that General Foreman Slattery is qualified! to perform the necessary inspection. The revised schedule and its relationship to cash flow was discussed. With respect to a transfer from the General Fund to the Martis Valley restricted fund authorized by the Board, Manager Holt was asked to investigate whether or not appropriate action has been taken. Director Maass indicated he would discuss the matter with the Office Manager. Mr. Collet noted Cook Associates is qualified to perform the necessary soil testing on the substation site. The Board advised that Mr. Cook al- ready has an open work order on the Martis Valley Substation. I ?._• W. BECK'S RECOMMENDATION RE ANNE AUDAS' REQUEST FOR LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT; POSSIBLE DIRECTION AND/OR ACTION Mr. Collet advised that he, Mr. Merrit, the Manager and Foreman visited the Truckee Substation site, which is adjacent to Ms. Audas' property. It is her request that a lot line adjustment in the area next to the creek, below the transformer, be allowed. District Counsel Simon presented a map showing the requested adjustment. It was noted that there are overhead lines, and a federal regulation requiring a certain amount of land surround- ing the substation for oil containment. Director Maass moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that Anne Audas' request be denied because of the overhead lines and potential use of the land by the District for .il spill prevention. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. POHDEROSA RANCHOS Tom Jennings advised that the Ponderosa Ranchos annexation must be com- pleted prior to entering into a Development Agreement with the District. He indicated the next step is approval of a negative declaration on the project, and stated he would prepare the document for Board consideration at the June 1st meeting. PLANNING DEPARTMENT NOTICES I President Huber made note of a large development at Donner Lake (Mel Powers), and indicated that, since the District serves only electricity to that area, there should be no problem. The Bill Williams' development near the Airport was briefly discussed and the Board noted that he should be advised of the need for a development agreement. CLOSED SESSION - DISCUSSION OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT I'ACKA ,E, 'L.AI.ANP MATTERS President Huber adjourned the meeting to closed session it 11:1b P.M. 5/18/81 pg. 5 RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION - POSSIBLE ACTION RESULTING FROM CLOSED SESSION The meeting was returned to Public Session at 12:26 A.M. General Manager Holt advised it would be possible to install five thermal windows (three which would open) in the mobile unit for a cost of $1,089. Director Duffy suggested the work be included with the remodeling contract. Since all Directors were not in agreement, the Chairman asked that considera- tion of the window installation be placed on the next meeting agenda. Director Maass moved that a public hearing be scheduled for 7:30 P.M. at the June 1st meeting to review a corrected ordinance setting the GS-1 rate. The Secretary was directed to advertise once in a small ad. The motion was seconded by Director Kuttel. ALL AYE BY VOICE VOTE. SO MOVED. I The President directed that consideration of a policy respecting fluc- tuations in the fuel charge be placed on the next meeting agenda. In addition to specific action noted above, President Huber advised that the employee benefit package and personnel matters were discussed during Closed Session. ADJOURNMENT The Meeting was adjourned at 12:27 A.M. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT By / r_^ Roberta C. Huber, President / I •«-■.*—. / y j «r ■ Susan M. Craig, Deputy Dist! i 2p Clerk I 5/18/81 pg. 6