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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMeeting MinI I I REGULAR MEETING May 17, 1982 The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order at 7:03 P.M. by President Maass in the TDPUD Board room. ROLL CALL: Directors Corbett, Huber, Kuttel, Monson and Maass were present. EMPLOYEES PRESENT: James M. Ward and Susan Craig were present. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: District Counsel Simon and District Engineer Cook were present. OTHERS PRESENT: Among those present in the audience were Ken Peters, Bob Webber, Michael Starr and Dana Neptune. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Director Huber moved, and Director Corbett seconded, that the minutes of April 5 and 8, 1982, be approved. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. Director Kuttel moved, and Director Monson seconded, that the minutes of April 19 and 26, 1982, be prepared in final form as drafted. ROLL CALL: all. Directors, aye. SO MOVED. BILLS TORJJOARD APPROVAL After review of the bills from Airsignal and Hansen and Associates, Director Kuttel moved that the Board authorize payment. Director Monson seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. COMMITTEE REPORTS Electric Committee Director Corbett reported briefly on the Electric Committee's visit to Bob Webber's gas wells in Susanville, and the Board discussed the possi- bility of purchasing and transmitting the power generated. Mr. Webber ex- plained the project and made note of the PURPA Act under which he is allowed to operate. President Maass requested that Ken Peters of Hansen and Assoc- iates submit a proposal setting forth the cost of a preliminary study for Board consideration at the June 7th meeting. NEVADA COUNTY "HOT J^INE" Director Huber noted that the Nevada County Board of Supervisors, by I four-to-one vote, have eliminated the Truckee "hot line." Water^ Committee Relating to the joint Chamber of Commerce/Downtown Merchants meeting, where representatives of the County spoke of the General Plan and street lighting in Truckee as well as other matters, Director Kuttel reported the District's letter pertaining to water quality and the need for a second river crossing was well received. He also noted the Downtown Merchants would contact the District prior to miking definite plans for changing the downtown 1ighting. MANAGER'S REPORT Assistant Manager Ward advised he had nothing to report other than upon specifically listed agenda items. PROJECT 79-1 District Engineer Cook reported that the meeting with Mr. Phillips of the bonding company representing Dana Knudsen was held on May 6th; a follow- up discussion between Mr. Phillips and Mr. Cook was held today. It has been determined that Joe Suter will finish the project to a 95* point, and Moun- tain Electric will perform the remaining 5%. Mr. Phillips assured Mr. Cook 5/17/82 pg. 1 that an appropriate insurance binder will be delivered to the District with- in a few days. District Counsel Simon made note of the time limit involved for project completion, and stated it may be necessary to make certain demands under the contract provisions. After some discussion, Director Corbett moved that the Board authorize District Counsel Simon to proceed with legal action if contractor Joe Suter does not receive notification to proceed with the project on May 18, 1982. Director Kuttel seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. WAPA POWER ALLOCATION I President Maass advised he may see Dan Speir of Sierra Pacific on May 18th; if so, he noted, he will request Mr. Speir to write a letter on behalf of the District respecting the WAPA power allocation. BOCA-PROSSER HYDROELECTRIC PROJECTS The Chairman made note of a letter received by the District today from the Bureau of Reclamation pertaining to the District's request to proceed with the construction of the hydroelectric powerplants on Boca and Prosser Dams. He read the letter for the benefit of the audience; a copy has been attached hereto for reference. MARTIS J^LLEY _SJJB^S_TATION There have been no new developments relative to the Martis Valley Sub- station, Mr. Ward reported. COTS_IDJ_RATIO^qF_DE_VELOPJffiNT_ AGREEMENT WITH HILLTOP| POSSIBLE APPROVAL President Maass noted that Frederick Kohler's attorney has requested that this matter be put over to the June 7th meeting. The President asked District Counsel to contact the attorney and advise him that any suggested changes to the development agreement should be in the District's hands by June „:id in order to allow the Directors adequate time for review. I CONSIDERATION_0F RESOLUTION_ AUTHOR!/,1N;; AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF CAL- DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES," COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION, FOR After suitable inspection by the Board, Director Corbett moved that the Board adopt Resolution No. 8224 authorizing the agreement with the State of California, Communications Division, for service. Director Huber seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. BUILDING REMODELING - ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT I CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL Assistant Manager Ward indicated this item should be discussed in con- junction with the proposed budget; the Board agreed. ANNUAL AUDIT - DIRECTION REGARDING WORKSHOP MEETING WITH ARTHUR ANDERSEN AND ^COMPANY Mr. Ward mentioned several dates Richard Blumenfeld of Arthur Ander- sen and Company would be available to attend a workshop meeting with the Board, and the Board determined a special meeting should be called for this purpose at 2:30 P.M. on Wednesday, June 2nd. CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT TO INSURANCE LOSS CLAIM PROCEDURE I District Counsel Simon requested this matter be tabled to the June 7th meeting; the Board agreed. PUBLIC HEARING - CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING WATERJVND ELECTRIC BUDGETS FOR 1982 It being 7:30 P.M., the Chairman opened the public hearing on the proposed budget to the Board and audience. Mr. Ward briefly recounted the 5/17/82 P9- 2 changes suggested by the Board and incorporated in the budget, and advised a proposal from Sandel/Avery Engineering for telemetry maintenance has been included for consideration. Mr. Ward also noted a monthly estimate for vehicle maintenance will be provided within a few days. Regarding Capital Expenditures - Office Administration, Director Huber requested that the expense of a fire system for the computer room be listed as a "must have" rather than "should have" item. The Board was in agreement. ¥ I Pertaining to the Assistant Manager's request for employing two tem- porary Clerks, Director Huber moved that the Board authorize Mr. Ward to advertise and hire two temporary General Clerks - one for the Bookkeeping Department, the other for the Engineering Department. Director Corbett sec- onded the motion. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. In order to allow the Directors adequate time for analysis, the Pres- ident continued the public hearing to the next regular Board meeting, June 7th, at 7:30 P.M. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTION RESPECTING THE POSSIBLE SALE, EXCHANGE OR LEASE OF DISTRICT PARCELS Responding to the question of whether or not the District may, since proper notification, advertising and requests for bids have been made pre- viously with respect to certain surplus parcels, sell or lease property no longer of use to the District, Counsel Simon suggested the District again follow the required notification and bidding procedure. If, after taking the required steps, bids are not received or are rejected, Mr. Simon rec- ommended taking immediate action to sell, exchange or lease the property outright. I Directors Huber and Kuttel were not in favor of going to the expense of appraising and advertising the District-^wned residential lots since so little interest was generated from the last call for bids. The President requesteed that consideration of selling the residential parcels be placed on the agenda for the first meeting in February of 1983. Respecting the potentially commercial 1.9 acre parcel on the corner of Highway 89 and Donner Pass Road, Director Corbett moved that the parcel be reappraised as soon as possible so the Board may consider its sale, ex- change or lease in the near future. Director Kuttel seconded the motion. ALL AYE BY VOICE VOTE. SO MOVED. DISCUSSION RE AMENDING DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION PROVISIONS (ORDINANCE NO. 8112), POSSIBLE DIRECTION I Director Monson requested the Board amend its present compensation policy. It was his hope, he stated, that the Board would eliminate the 60% per meeting attendance provision in light of the many committee, special and other meetings normally attended by the Directors. He also asked that the maximum compensation as set forth in the Public Utilities Code - $3,600 per annum presently - be allowed. Discussion followed - Director Kuttel ex- pressed concern that, if the attendance provision was eliminated. Directors may choose not to attend meetings at which "hot issues" are to be decided; Director Huber made note of the Board's recent compensation increase and the fact that employees' salary increases were held down. She stated she did not feel another Board compensation increase should be considered at this time. The Board generally agreed to consider amending the provisions and increasing compensation to the maximum amount effective sometime during 1983. The matter will be discussed in conjunction with the budget at the June 7th meeting. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION _0F SETTLEMENT ACREEMENT WITH SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY RE RATE INCREASE President Maass noted he had reviewed the proposed settlement agreement with Sierra Pacific respecting the resale electric rate increase and found the terms to be correct - an uverall 32% increase for Sierra Pacific,- a 33.8% increase to the PUD; no further request by SPPCo for an increase to be filed prior to May 1, 1984; 12.5% interest to be paid on the refund from January 18, 1982. He advised the City of Fa lion has already signed it» 5/17/82 pg. 3 agreement with SPPCo. District Counsel Simon indicated he had examined the agreement and found the format to be entirely satisfactory. He deferred to Special Coun- sel McDonough with respect to the figure analysis. Director Kuttel moved, and Director Huber seconded, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 8225 authorizing execution of the agreement with Sierra Pacific Power Company respecting resale electric rate increase subject to Mr. McDonough's approval. ROLL CALL: all Directors, aye. SO MOVED. Mr. McDonough is to be contacted by telephone and a verbal opinion obtain- ed followed by his written recommendation. CORRESPONDENCE Michael Starr - letter of May 7, 1982 Mr. Starr was present in the audience and requested permission to pay electrical connection fees in effect prior to March of 1982 - $350 rather than $850. It was noted that Mr. Starr has been constructing his home since June of 1979, and was not aware of the District's increase in fees. The Truckee Sanitary District accepted Mr. Starr's request for past fee rates since that District asked him to wait until the sewer system was construct- ed, which he did. The sewer problems in the Armstrong Tract were discussed. Due to the special circumstances having to do with the sewer system, Direc- tor Corbett moved that the Board grant Mr. Starr's request to pay the $350 electrical connection fee and require the customary $200 deposit for energy usage. Director Monson seconded the motion because of the extenuating con- ditions. ALL AYE BY VOICE VOTE. SO MOVED. Michelle Plevel - letter of May 11, 1982 I The Board briefly reviewed Ms. Plevel's letter requesting reimburse- ment for an alleged electrical problem in the PUD meter or lines, and re- ferred the matter to Mr. Ward for handling "in house." The Board expressed its confidence in Assistant Manager Ward and asked that, in the future, customer requests and problems (even when spec- ifically addressed to the Board) be handled by Mr. Ward with copies of requests and action taken to be provided to the Board for informational purposes only. It was noted that the Board would act as a final appeal board if a customer was not satisfied with Mr. Ward's decision. I Prank 3. Costello - May 11, 1982 Mr. Costello's letter concerning a final notice sent by Customer Re- lations, by motion made by Director Huber and duly seconded, was referred to Mr. Ward for solution. ALL AYE BY VOICE VOTE. SO MOVED. ENGINEER'S REPORT Wells A & B District Engineer Cook advised that a meeting was held on May 13th with Don Strand and Dart Attorney Jim Thompson respecting Wells A & B. He noted Mr. Thompson is rewriting the draft agreement between the District and Dart, and will be presenting the draft to the Board and Assistant Manager in the near future. WATER SYSTEM PROBLEM Director Corbett mentioned a problem with the water system, and asked why District crews had not been completely trained with respect to the sys- tem. He noted he learned of the problem through one of the Avery brothers (Sandel-Avery Engineering). District Engineer Cook explained the problem and solution. I President Maass requested that Mr. Ward check into the matter and discern why Bill Avery, Dan Cook and Director Corbett were aware of the matter and he was uninformed. 5/17/82 pg. 4 PLANNING DEPARTMENT NOTICES Mark Starritt Regarding Mark Starritt's request for rezoning for the purpose of con- verting six existing apartment units into condominiums (Martis Valley Drive), the Assistant Manager was asked to advise Mr. Starritt of the District's re- quirements. 0(1/ I Carl Hickey Mr. Ward was requested by the Board to check into the actual location of Carl Hickey's proposed construction on the south side of Donner Pass Road in the Gateway Shopping Center. Koepf and Lange Director Huber reported that Koepf and Lange have obtained abandonment of the right of way from the County. It was noted that debris from construc- tion of the Koepf and Lange building still remains on the District's easement. DISTRICT COUNSEL'S REPORT Counsen Simon indicated he would report on several matters during closed session. POWER LIMITER DEVICES Director Huber referred to Mr. Ward's memo concerning the use of power limiter devices and requested that discussion and possible direction regard- ing their use be placed on the next meeting agenda. District Counsel ad- vised he would check applicable California laws prior to that time. I CLOSED SESSION President Maass adjourned the meeting to closed session at approximately 8:47 P.M. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION The meeting was returned to public session at 9:07 P.M., and the Chair- man reported that employee Merrilyn Marsh and the Garbutt and Richmond cases were discussed during closed session. No action was taken or direction given. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:08 P.M. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT C\ 1 BV- _ ijf.-yy. d* • Yh J/Sihes A. Maass, President I 5/17/82 pg- 5 <J BILLS FOR BOARD APPROVAL: May 17, 1982 Airsignal, service 5/82 James Hansen and Associates, engineering services through 4/30/82 S 16.00 5,048.80 | 5,064.80 I I I