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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-07-19 Agenda Packet - Board (11) NNW TRUCKEE ® Di Public Utility ONNIER rr istrict Monthly Activity Report To: Board of Directors From: Peter L. Holzmeister Date: July 14,2000 Telecommunications: I have been working with Alan Harry and SR Jones to get our application before the LAFCo Commission. LAFCo staff is not familiar with the telecommunications industry and its terminology. They are trying to finalize their staff report to the Commission. I have been helping them answer issues that are raised as they perform their analysis. Alan and I have also been trying to shorten the process by focusing their analysis on traditional LAFCo areas. Union bargaining: During the past month I spent considerable time finalizing an agreement with IBEW, the union that represents our hourly employees. That agreement is now complete. Water supply issues: I have been working with our staff and staff from the California Department of Health Services to review our well capacity and make sure we have a program in place to bring new wells on line. I have also been working with Joe Scalmanini to secure a proposal to perform an evaluation of the Brockway Well problems. Water quality and Del Oro Water Company: Del Oro Water Company sent out a notice for their customers to boil their drinking water. There is confusion in the community. Some people do not know whether their water comes from us or from Del Oro.We are receiving many calls per day. In an effort to clarify matters, we have sent out a notice to all our customers that we hope will help them identify their water purveyor. You will receive this notice in your normal mail. Strategic plan workshop: I have rescheduled the strategic plan workshop with Bob Rauch. It is now scheduled for September 20, which is the date of our normal meeting in September. Steele enterprises land: I spent time during the month evaluating the acquisition of land from Chris Steele. This is an action item on the agenda, so more details are in that staff report. Recruiting GIS position: I participated in the recruitment of the GIS/mapping person who will join District staff. We have selected a gentleman named Ian Fitzgerald from the Seattle area. We had over 80 applicants, interviewed five, and Ian was the unanimous choice of the interview committee. The committee consisted of me, Steve Hollabaugh, Joe Horvath, Neil Kaufman and Glen Anderson from Stantec Consulting of Reno. Glen is a GIS professional who agreed to help us interview candidates. •Page 1 �f3 II y Public• District Monthly Activity Report To: Board of Directors From: Ed Taylor,Water Superintendent Date: 07/14/00 WATER QUALITY We have monitored the Hirschdale Treatment Plant on a daily basis and the aesthetic quality of the water has been excellent all month. Performed preventative maintenance on equipment. Water samples were taken each week during the month. Routine daily rounds were made, taking chlorine residuals throughout the system. The monthly bacteriological report for June was sent to the Department of Health Services. The District has met the State's drinking water standards for the month. SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE. Twenty three leaks were repaired Nine fire hydrantis were repaired or replaced. USA marking for Southwest Gas pipeline project. Fifteen repairs to pipelines made because of Southwest Gas hitting our pipes. •Page 1 .y„ TRUCKEE. . . lity Staff Report To: Board of Directors From: Kathy Neus, Support Services Manager Date: July 12, 2000 Meter Readers The annual seal check is full swing. The seal check slows things down but the meter readers are still able to remain current in their work. There were 10,904 meters read, 251 service reports, 162 notices delivered and 22 low usage investigations for the month. Building and Grounds I have been working on various quotes for repairs throughout the building; stripping all the parking areas, roof repairs, concrete walkway repairs and some tile work in the lobby. Purchasing and Warehousing Sam and Sue remain busy. It seems like every day is different.Transformers,fire hydrants, every day brings a new delivery. Vehicle Maintenance All vehicles are now on a required maintenance schedule. •Page 1 TDPUD STAFF REPORT Date: July 14, 2000 To: Board of Directors From: Mary Chapman, Administrative Services Manager Subject, June-July, 2000 Staff Report AGENDA #/? CUSTOMER SERVICE: The customer service staff continues to be busy. Recently, they have been inundated with phone calls from customers who want to know if they have to boil their water. We will be sending a letter out today to all customers and we will put a display ad in next week's paper. Both the letter and the display ad will explain to customers that if they get their water from Truckee Donner PUD, they do not have to boil their water. NEW CONSTRUCTION: New construction continues to be busy. To date, we have received 103 applications for new electric and water service. This count includes only those customers who have paid their connection fees. BILLING: Billing is current. ACCOUNTING: Accounts payable and payroll are current. We are currently working on June financial reports. 0600MOLY.RPT UI� �IIIU� II III Public Utility District I, Monthly Activity Report To: Board of Directors From: Bob Quinn, Electric Superintendent Date: 07/14/00 Electric Department crews worked on the following projects during the month of June: The service crew installed 34 new overhead and 21 new underground electrical services and responded to 346 requests for underground facility locates (USA's). Crews continued to replace or add additional transformers to transformers that were overloaded because of new construction and growth. The District's meter technician/electrician continued working on the commercial meter audit program. The District's electricians continued working with the water department at numerous water department facilities. The line crew completed work on relocating some overhead facilities in the Prosser Lakeview area. This work was required due to homes being built on vacant parcels that restricted access to our facilities. Additionally, poles were changed due to woodpecker damage. The line crew completed the Thompson development project located adjacent to Prosser Heights. The line crew completed the Bellon development project located in Sugar Pine Estates. Thermal imaging revealed our underground system supplying power to the Albertson's complex was about to fail. An outage was arranged during early morning hours and the line crew replaced 18 terminations in the transformers. The individuals who attended a thermal imaging class the previous month found the problems in the complex. Utilization of the thermal imaging camera the District purchased last year and the expense of sending staff to 0 Page 1 the thermal imaging school last month has already paid off in this one incident. Additionally, the camera was used during the time frame of this report in several of the District's water facilities. Problems were discovered and repairs made in advance of equipment failure. Vaults were installed at critical locations for future installation of conductors. This was done in conjunction with the William's project. Two staff members attended a CalOsha seminar in Roseville. I attended a meeting of the California Superintendents and Supervisors Committee in Roseville. Department staff continued GO 95/GO 128 inspections. Planning staff continued work on pole attachment requests and new developments. s Page 2 l� Monthly Activity Report To: Board of Directors From: Alan Harry, Director of Telecommunication Services Date: July 13, 2000 During the month of June '00 I focused my attention on six related areas: 1. Nevada County LAFCo 2. Broadband Technology education 3. Pole Ownership 4. Communication with SIGCORP Communications, Inc. (SCS) 5. MOU between District&Town of Truckee 6. Litigation: TDPUD vs. USA Media Group, LLC; USA Media Group, LLC vs. TDPUD Discussions are ongoing with LAFCo Staff regarding the District's application. Nevada LAFCo's Special Legal Counsel submitted questions to me regarding the District's Business Case, and related governmental regulatory issues. All questions were answered in early June, however we have not yet seen a copy of Special Counsel's report to LAFCo. General Manager Holzmeister and I continue to stay in touch with Nevada LAFCo's Executive Director, SR Jones, so as to insure that her questions are answered in a timely manner. As of this writing, we believe that the District's Application will be heard by the Commission in September. Again, in order to ensure that misconceptions regarding the District's proposed telecomm I broadband plan are put to rest in a timely fashion, staff continues to speak to 0 Page 1 District customers, local businesses & service groups regarding the concept of providing broadband/telecommunication services within the Truckee Community. As previously reported, I continue to keep in contact with Pacific Bell regarding the District ownership of "poles". A meeting is scheduled for mid July to discuss recently recovered information pointing to the District's ownership of all poles within its service area. I have been in contact with representatives of SIGCORP Communications Services (SCS) regarding the District's Broadband /Telecommunications plan. SCS is currently involved with the City of Alameda in the design, construction management& operation of Alameda Power and Telecom's Broadband services. A report recommending that the District hire SCS to provide an independent evaluation of the District's Business Case has been agendized for the Districts July 19P meeting. To insure that the Town of Truckee will not be harmed by the District's entrance into the Broadband services business I have recently held discussions with the Town Manager, Steve Wright, regarding our respective agencies agreeing to an MOU pertaining to the District's proposed provision of Broadband Services As this document formalizes, I will bring it to the Board during a scheduled workshop. Litigation continues between the District and USA Media. Joe Horvath and I will be spending quite a bit of time in July locating information requested by USA Media Groups legal counsel pursuant to a "discovery" request As information becomes available I will report it to you. 0 Page 2 TRUCKEE DONNER Public Utility District Monthly Activity Report To: Board of Directors From. Scott Terrell Date: July 14, 2000 Note: Since most of these projects are ongoing, Staff continues to report the basic information and highlights the activities that have occurred during the reporting month. When a project/activity is completed it is reported,then deleted from this report. Strategic Planning/District$Savings Key Accounts Program- Staff will be in touch with KA customers this year regarding their wants and needs and feelings (opinions) about TDPUD. Staff is waiting to contact KA customers until the outcome of TDPUD's plans regarding telecommunications is known. TDPUD Building GSHP Proposal- Staff would like to re-visit this project idea with the Board in the near future. This project is on-hold pending the District's Strategic Planning process outcome. Deregulation Education- I am attending various courses, seminars, workshops and meetings to help me keep up with deregulation and "competition" activities. Staff will do a review again of how TDPUD's residential electric rates compare with the other thirty-seven electric utilities in California. Conservation/DSNUEconomic Development/Public Benefits Public Benefits Program- TDPUD has received and processed about seventy-five Conservation Cash Rebate program applications. The School District Staff is looking into various funding mechanisms to implement EMI's cost-effective lighting recommendations. Staff is also working with EMI to survey the Truckee Fire Stations and TSD's facilities. The Airport energy projects are currently being installed and almost complete. The Solar PV system planned for Sierra High School has been installed. TDPUD staff is currently working with a few representatives of the Downtown Merchant's Association to look at incorporating energy-efficient decorative roofline lighting on the downtown Historic buildings. Staff is also working with several local non-profit "children- oriented" organizations to incorporate an energy-efficient heating system in the proposed Kidzone structure. Public Benefits money will be proposed as a possible option to partially fund both of these projects. Staff is currently developing a low-income energy-efficiency program for the Board's future consideration. Schools Energy &Water Conservation Education Program- This program is designed to teach both energy and water conservation education and includes actual energy and water conservation measures the children can install in their parent's homes. Sierra Mountain Middle School has begun implementing this program with assistance from Americorps and TDPUD staff. So far the Living Wise program has been received very well. Sue Mock, SMMS teacher, has asked TDPUD to provide them with 175 more kits beginning this Fall. TDPUD Programs & Services- Staff is currently collecting information and ideas about some possible future programs and services for TDPUD customers. Staff is researching whole-house surge protection and "fiber-optic" building security systems for the benefit of our customers. Alan and Scott met with a representative from Energy Solutions Network to discuss a $5M grant to research some broadband/internet applications with substantial potential benefit to users. Ground Source Heat Pump Bulk Purchase & Installation Program- Staff is currently looking into new ideas on how to educate and promote this technology to our customers. Staff is currently planning to offer a few GSHP seminars to provide customers with information to help them begin planning their GSHP installations. Staff has been contacted by several developers, architects and building engineers, etc. due to their interest in possibly pursuing GSHPs for projects they will be building. The TDPUD Board has approved TDPUD's participation in cooperation with SMUD in a grant for $200,000 from the California Energy Commission to do some additional GSHP monitoring. Business & Energy Efficiency Partnership- The Truckee Donner PUD/Sierra College Partnership project is designed to encourage local groups, clubs and individuals to tour the energy and water- efficient Sierra College facility.TDPUD uses the grounds as a demonstration of low-water using plant types and water conserving irrigation systems. TDPUD Staff is available for guided tours. The TTUSD School District is planning to use this facility in conjunction with the Living Wise kits. Energy Surveys/High Bill Assistance- Staff completed 0 commercial and 1 residential energy- use analyses and/or energy survey(s)this month. Staff also responded on-site to 2 residential "high" bill complaint(s). There are currently no survey requests pending. Solar Home Tour- A tour of 7 sites with solar, geothermal heat pump, energy conservation and water-efficient landscaping applications are planned for Truckee in October. A bill stuffier or a newsletter article is planned to promote this event. Communications/Public Relations/Education Newsletter-The Summer 2000 newsletter is currently being worked on. This issue will include articles on broadband, TDPUD's water/non-boil status, Solar Home Tour, Donner Party Hike, etc. Staff was on-hold publishing a newsletter due to delays in pursuing broadband and an overwhelming surge of requests from community organizations in using our bills to market community activities.An August newsletter release is being planned. Marketing & Media- Our current marketing efforts focus on community conservation cash rebate programs, low electric rates & high power reliability and TDPUD's efforts in promoting environmental- clean air, high water quality and the local economy. Peter and Alan were recently interviewed on the Sierra Lifestyles program about the community's interest in TDPUD pursuing installing a broadband system and getting into the cable TV business. Community Event Marketing- TDPUD has provided marketing support for the following activities this year: Small Business Development Center workshops, Town Census, Truckee Spring 2000 Home Show, Chamber of Commerce Windows on History event, Truckee-Donner Historical Society Social/Presentation, Sierra Nevada Children's Museum Circus benefit/fundraiser, Truckee-Tahoe Airport Air Affair, School District promotion of Student Excellence in Education, Nevada County Fair Truckee Donner Day and the Kidzone project. Other activities planned for TDPUD support this year include: Railroad Days, Donner Party Hike,Truckee Solar Home Tour and the Truckee Town Portrait. Power Content Label- State law requires that all California public and private utilities supply their customers with a Power Content Label quarterly. The next quarterly label will go out in October. Water Bottle- The new TDPUD water bottle is getting a lot of attention. There have been requests for bottles to take to meetings and other events. If you have a meeting or event you would like to take water bottles to give me a call. Truckee-Tahoe Affair- The Airport District organized a new Truckee event June 24 at the airport called the Air Affair. This event involved many different activities including an USO dinner and dance. TDPUD co-sponsored this event including having an exhibit on display. Kidzone project- Staff has been working with a group of organizations in Town to develop the Kidzone project. This is a 3,500 square-foot facility planned to be used as a play and educational center for young children. It will also be the new home for the Sierra Nevada Children's Museum. This new facility is planned to be located next to the Recreation District's Activity Center. Kidzone participants would like to partner with TDPUD to heat the structure with a ground source heat pump hydronic heating system. Community Garden Brochure- Staff has agreed to participate in the development of a brochure that describes Truckee's garden projects that are available to the community. The brochure will include the garden at the SBDC building created to showcase low water using plants and water-efficient irrigation systems. Community/Statewide Involvement Community Involvement- There are many community-related activities staff is involved with as described throughout this entire report. Staff has concentrated more on helping with and participating in activities than serving on committees. Committees are often time-consuming and involve members in many activities unrelated to their expertise and ability to contribute efficiently. Truckee River Watershed Coordinated Resource Management & Planning- Staff is currently serving on this committee to see how TDPUD fits into their overall effort. There are opportunities to work cooperatively with this group that may be mutually beneficial to both organizations. This is not the group that coordinates Truckee River Day, but is associated with that group.TDPUD is a supporter of Truckee River Day. California Municipal Utilities Association Energy Services and Marketing Committee- The Committee is working on projects and programs to help CMUA member utilities prepare for deregulation. Staff recently began participating in Legislative Committee conference call meetings. Association for Efficient Environmental Energy Systems- Staff participates in quarterly meetings of the California Utility & GEA GSHP Collaborative. The California Collaborative was formed to oversee the development and promotion of the GSHP industry in California. The next meeting is scheduled for July 14 in Truckee. Utility Energy Forum Planning Committee-The next Conference is scheduled for May, 2001 in Gran- libakken, Lake Tahoe area A post-conference meeting is planned for July at Plumas-Sierra REC. Confidential Closed Session Item To: Board of Directors From: Peter L. Holzmeister Date: July 14, 2000 Compensation Adjustment For Management And Exempt Staff The Board recently approved a revised compensation package for the District's hourly employees who are represented by Local 1245 of the IBEW. I would like the Board to consider a revised compensation package for the management and exempt staff. What I will propose for your consideration in the memorandum excludes the position of General Manager. The compensation of General Manager must be adopted by ordinance, so my position is usually handled by itself. The Board has discussed the compensation for management in relation to the union compensation. The consensus has been that the management compensation package should track reasonably close to the union package, but that there may need to be some amount of variation to allow us to attract and retain highly skilled and experienced leadership. What I have tried to do in the following recommendation is strike that balance. 1. The union received a 1% pay raise and a 3% contribution to a 401(a) retirement plan for a total of 4%. The management/exempt group would like to receive a 4% salary increase and they will contribute to a 401(a) at their discretion. 2. The management/exempt group would like to receive the same Long Term Disability package that was approved for the union. It lowers the waiting period to 13 weeks, rather than the current 26 weeks. 3. The union received a new benefit providing medical insurance upon retirement under limited conditions. The monthly benefit is capped at $350 for the retiree and $350 for the retiree's spouse and is further capped at $200 for each when Medicare kicks in. There is a schedule of years worked at the District to qualify. For example, a person retiring at age 58 with 19 years of service, would have 91%of the retiree and dependent premiums paid by the District if the actuarial equivalent was calculated to be exactly 2%. The employee must reach age 60 to receive the full benefit. (If a person retires earlier than age 60, the benefit is reduced to its actuarial equivalent.) 0 Page 1 r P The managementlexempt group would like the same benefit, with one minor variation. YEARS OF SERVICE PERCENT OF BENEFIT Union Management& Exempt Employees Employees 10 50 75 11 55 12 60 80 13 65 14 70 85 15 75 16 80 90 17 85 18 90 95 19 95 20 100 100 4. The management/exempt group would like the Board to consider extending five additional days of administrative leave per year to them. They currently receive three days. This would give them a total of eight days. This is not an out-of-pocket cost to the District. If they take admin days off, they work long days to catch up. We should discuss this matter in closed session. 0 Page 2