HomeMy WebLinkAbout#18 October 2024 Board Minutes AGENDA ITEM #18
Public Utility District m
MEETING DATE: November 6, 2024
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Brian Wright, General Manager
SUBJECT: Consideration to Approve the October 2, 2024, Board Minutes.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. October 2, 2024, Minutes
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TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TDPUD BOARD ROOM, 11570 DONNER PASS ROAD, TRUCKEE, CA
6:00 PM, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2024
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 Vice President Finn.
2. Roll Call
Directors Present: Aguera, Laliotis, and Vice President Finn
Directors Absent: Harris and President Bender
Employees Present: Brian Wright, Chad Reed, Jared Carpenter, Jillian Steward,
Steven Poncelet, Mike Salmon, Neil Kaufman, Sarah Kraker, Allison McEneaney,
Alex Spychalsky, Trey Griffin
3. Pledge of Allegiance — Director Laliotis led the Flag Salute.
4. Changes to the agenda - None
5. Public Comment on non-agenda items — None
DIRECTOR UPDATE
6. Vice President Finn said she recently completed mandatory ethics training. She
announced she also attended the Third Annual Nevada County Sustainability
Summit and recapped the items discussed.
DEPARTMENT UPDATES
7. Chad Reed, Water Utility Director, provided a water update on utility performance;
commented about upcoming requirements under California Conservation — a Way
of Life; projects including addressing the leak at Rainbow and Highway 89, Ski Run
Tank construction nearing completion, and Alder Creek safety upgrade. Director
Laliotis inquired about the water leak and Mr. Reed responded.
Jared Carpenter, Electric Utility Director, provided project updates on West River
Street and new EV charging site online, and he displayed the power supply energy
sources for the month of August. Mr. Carpenter reported on power updates
including outage on 9-19-24.
Jillian Steward, Human Resources & Risk Director, announced Jenni Trekell-Bolan
as the new Customer Service Representative, and congratulated Haley Roblezl on
promotion to Customer Service Representative II.
Steven Poncelet, Public Information Officer, provided an update, noting focus on
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communications about water conservation issues; and he highlighted participation
at recent events.
PUBLIC HEARING
8. Notice of Public Hearing for the District's 2024 Public Health Goals Report
Vice President Finn opened the public hearing at 6:17 p.m.
Chad Reed, Water Utility Director, reviewed public health goals, the process, as
well as why the goals are set and who sets the requirements.
Public comments were received from:
Chris Martinez who asked if the District knows which pipes are in the
neighborhoods, and Mr. Reed responded a survey was done recently on both the
customer side and District side, that does not use lead.
Director Laliotis commented the perfect customer to test is one with copper pipes
and lead solder.
Dow Costa inquired about the trend of arsenic levels, and Mr. Reed responded.
Mr. Reed also responded to questions from Director Aguera and Director Laliotis.
Vice President Finn emphasized the difference between the goals and maximum
containment levels, and she closed the public hearing at 6:38 p.m.
The Board conducted the public hearing, obtained input from the public,
received the report, and directed staff to file the report with the State.
WORKSHOP
9. Workshop - New Electric Rate Options
Jared Carpenter, Electric Utility Director, summarized the background.
Catherine Elder, Aspen Environmental Group, discussed various rate options,
covering load factor and capacity to meet peak load. Recommendations were
made for adjusting Net Energy Metering.
Joe Long, Aspen Environmental Group, presented new electric rate options such
as a Commercial Electric Vehicle Charging Rate, Residential Electric Vehicle
Rate, Community Solar Rate options, 100% Green Portfolio Rate, and Industrial
Pumping Rate. He discussed reality of implementation feasibility, cost and equity.
Mr. Long explained utilizing existing Smart Meters for Residential Electric Vehicle
customers.
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Truckee Donner Public Utility District October 2, 2024
There were no public comments initially.
Director Laliotis inquired about individual battery systems, and Jared Carpenter
and Catherine Elder responded.
Vice President Finn commented on customer decisions, batteries, EV programs,
time-of-use rates, aspects of solar, and effective communication about rate
changes.
Public comment Mark Hyder said customers that previously added solar are not
realizing any cost savings, and should not be assessed a higher rate now as a
solar user. General Manager Wright emphasized this workshop is presenting
different options for feedback; and when rates come back to the Board,
consideration will be presented regarding existing NEM1 customers vs.
future/successor NEM rates, along with time-of-use and green energy incentives.
Chris Martinez asked about the safety of batteries in homes; and Catherine Elder,
Aspen Environmental Group, Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Wright replied. Another
public comment was made about reducing the peak demand if everyone had a
home battery and timed charging.
VP Finn stated she would like more information presented on solar arrays.
Director Laliotis suggested a primer at a future meeting regarding the difference
between a demand charge and energy charge. Director Aguera questioned if a
different panel is needed to monitor time of use for electricity, and Mr. Carpenter
answered that the existing meters have two-way communication, so no other
equipment is needed.
The Board received the information from the workshop and provided
strategic direction to staff regarding potential new rates.
CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no public comments on the Consent Calendar items.
10. Consideration of an Amendment to Martis Valley Well Property Lease
Authorized the General Manager to execute a Lease Amendment with the
Tahoe Truckee Sanitation Agency for the Martis Valley Well Parcel.
11. Consideration of Appointing the General Manager as the District's Labor Negotiator
for the Updated Memorandum of Understanding with IBEW Local 1245
Appointed Brian Wright, General Manager as the District's negotiator for
2024 MOU negotiations with IBEW Local 1245.
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12. Consideration of Authorizing a 3-year Contract with SaaS E Solutions in an Amount
Not to Exceed $237,600..
Authorized the General Manager to execute a 3-year contract with SaaS
E Solutions for energy efficiency rebate program management software
services, for a total not to exceed amount of $237,600.
A motion was made by Director Laliotis and seconded by Director Aguera
to approve Consent Calendar items 10-12. The motion passed (3-0,
Absent: Harris and Bender) by roll call vote.
ACTION ITEMS
13. Consideration of Review of the District's Investment Policy as described in District
Code Title 3, Chapter 3.20.012.9
Michael Salmon, Chief Financial Officer, presented the staff report, covering
the investment policy and utilization of CLASS (California Cooperative Liquid
Assets Securities System), a Joint Powers Authority investment pool for
public agencies.
There were no public comments.
Director Aguera, Director Laliotis and Vice President Finn asked questions
and provided comments; and Michael Salmon responded.
A motion was made by Director Laliotis and seconded by Director
Aguera to:
A. Review the District's investment policy as described in District
Code Title 3, Chapter 3.20.012.9 and affirm no changes or provide
direction as needed; and
B. Authorize the General Manager to execute an agreement with an
investment agency, California Cooperative Liquid Assets
Securities System (CLASS) to allow for investment of District
funds in CLASS; and
C. Delegate authority to Michael Salmon, Treasurer, to invest
District funds according to the District's Investment Policy.
The motion passed (3-0, Absent: Harris and Bender) by roll call vote.
14. Consideration of Authorizing the General Manager to Execute the Agreement
Regarding APN# 019-770-002-000, Gray's crossing
Mike Salmon, Chief Financial Officer, gave the staff report and introduced
Allison Burns, Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth, legal counsel for CFD No.
04-1 (Gray's Crossing).
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There were no public comments.
Director Laliotis asked who benefits by waiving the penalty and interest.
Attorney Allison Burns responded that the penalty and interest is used to
replenish depleted reserve and refund costs of administrative procedures, and
the reserve bucket is used to pay out at the end.
Director Aguera moved and Laliotis seconded to:
A. Determine that the waiver of current Penalty and Interest for APN#
019-770-002-000 agreement complies with the requirements of
Government Code section 53340(f); and
B. Authorize the General Manager to execute the Agreement regarding
APN# 019-770-002-000 (Attachment 1); accepting full payment for all
installment special tax amounts past due, in exchange for waiving
current Penalty and Interest amounts.
The motion passed (3-0, Absent: Harris and Bender) by roll call vote.
15. Consideration of Amendment #1 to the Contract with Western Area Power
Administration for Delivery of Renewable Energy from the Stampede Hydroelectric
Power Plant
Jared Carpenter, Electric Utility Director, presented the staff report, including
background, new information on Stampede Dam, and increased fiscal impact.
Jared Carpenter and Brian Wright, General Manager, responded to Director
questions.
There were no public comments.
It was moved by Director Laliotis and seconded by Aguera to: Approve
and authorize the Board President to sign Amendment#1 to Contract
07-SNR-01026, with Western Area Power Administration for the
Purchase of Base Resource Power from the Stampede Power Plant at a
Price Set to the Applicable Monthly Locational Marginal Price in the
Heavy Load Hours, and Light Load Hours, through December 31, 2054.
The motion passed (3-0, Absent: Harris and Bender) by roll call vote.
16. Consideration of Authorizing a Change Order Allowance for the District Pipeline
Replacement — 2024 Construction Contract from $295,310.50 to $620,000
Neil Kaufman, Water System Engineer, gave the agenda report.
There were no public comments.
Director Laliotis inquired about another option to declare an emergency,
dispense with competitive bidding and hire a contractor to do the work. Mr.
Kaufman replied that the decision would be which contractor do you choose,
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noting the existing contractor, Hansen Brothers Enterprises. has been doing
good work, is on site, the project is within their scope of work, and the
deadline can be met. General Manager Brian Wright discussed the timing of
mobilizing a different contractor.
Director Laliotis moved and Director Aguera seconded to: Authorize an
increase in the change order allowance for the District Pipeline
Replacement— 2024 construction contract from $295,310.50 to $620,000,
for a total contract amount not to exceed $3,573,190.
The motion passed (3-0, Absent: Harris and Bender) by roll call vote.
ROUTINE BUSINESS
17. Consideration to Approve the Treasurer's Report for October 2024
There were no public comments.
Director Aguera moved and Laliotis seconded to approve the Treasurer's
Report for October 2024 which includes:
a. Fund Balances for the Month of July 2024
b. Disbursements for the Month of August 2024.
The motion passed (3-0, Absent: Harris and Bender) by roll call vote.
18. Consideration to Approve the August 7th, 28th and September 4, 2024, Board
Meeting Minutes
There were no public comments.
Director Laliotis moved and Aguera seconded to approve the August 7,
August 28, with correction to remove Joe Horvath as employees being
present, and September 4, 2024 meeting minutes.
The motion passed (3-0, Absent: Harris and Bender) by roll call vote.
CLOSED SESSION
19. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 Public Employee
General Manager's Performance Plan Review
20. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8, Conference With
Real Property: 10500 Brockway Road, APN 019-450-053-000; District Negotiator:
General Manager; Under Negotiation: Lease Terms
21. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, Conference with
Labor Negotiator; Brian Wright, General Manager
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22. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), Conference
with Legal Counsel, Existing Litigation - Shanna Kuhlemier v. TDPUD
There were no public comments.
At 8:56 p.m. Vice President Finn recessed the meeting to Closed Session for
the purposes stated above.
The meeting reconvened at 10:50 p.m. with no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:50 PM.
TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
Christa Finn, Vice President
Respectfully Submitted,
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