11-15-07
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SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
IIBasic Services for a Complex World"
Richar~Solbrii' G~e~~~~1 Man~~er
Eric W. Schafer, President
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BOARD MEMBERS
~~~I ~ciu~~~~s~istant Ma~a~er
James R. Jones, Vice President
Duane Wallace, Director
Mar Lou Mosbacher, Director
Kathleen Farrell, Director
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
NOVEMBER 15, 2007
MINUTES
The Board of Directors of the South Tahoe Public Utility District met in a regular session,
November 15, 2007, 2:00 P.M., District Office, 1275 Meadow Crest Drive, South Lake
Tahoe, California.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
President Schafer, Directors Wallace, Jones, Farrell,
Mosbacher
ROLL CALL
STAFF:
Solbrig, Sciuto, Sharp, McFarlane, Brown, Curtis,
Ryan, W. Stanley, Henderson, C. Skelly, Donovan,
Coyner, Barnes, Hoggatt, Nolan, R. Johnson, Bird,
Swain, Thiel, S. Gray, Pinkel, Attorney Herrema
GUESTS:
David Kelly/T ACCD, Inc.; John Runnels/Citizens
Alliance; Paula Lambdin/EI Dorado County Human
Services; Ernie Claudio
Director Mosbacher reported the Board received a copy COMMENTS
of letter from an outside agency thanking staff member
Julie Ryan for the information she provided to them.
Consent Items c. (trucks for Heavy Maintenance) and CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA
d. (trucks for Underground Repair and Pump Station OR CONSENT CALENDAR
crews) were brought forward for discussion prior to
Board action.
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Moved Farrell / Second Jones / Passed Unanimously
to approve the Consent Calendar as amended:
CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - NOVEMBER 15, 2007
PAGE - 2
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a. Information Technology Strategic Plan - Authorized
staff to enter into a contract with NexLevel Infor-
mation Technology, Inc., for processional services
to develop an Information Technology Strategic
Plan, in the amount of $41,725;
b. Luther Pass Pump Station Seismic Upgrade -
Approved Change Order No.2 from Thomas Haen
Company, Inc., for a credit amount of < $5,327>;
c. See Consent Items Brought Forward;
d. See Consent Items Brought Forward;
e. Upper Dressler Ditch Phase 1 Project - (1) Approved
the Project Closeout Agreement and Release of
Claims for T&S Construction Co., Inc., and
(2) Authorized staff to file a Notice of Completion
with the Alpine County Clerk.
CONSENT CALENDAR
(continued)
CONSENT ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD FOR DISCUSSION/BOARD ACTION
Randy Curtis and Linda Brown answered questions
regarding state bidding and general bidding.
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Moved Mosbacher / Second Farrell / Passed
Unanimously to: (1) Authorize staff to solicit bids
from Ford dealers for the purchase of two F-350
4X4 trucks for Heavy Maintenance and Equipment
Repair; and (2) Authorize staff to advertise for bids
for the purchase of one new 2-door % ton 4X4
pick-up and one 2-door % ton 4X4 pick-up for
Underground Repair and Pump Station Crew.
NEW TRUCKS FOR HEAVY MAIN-
TENANCE, UNDERGROUND REPAIR
WATER, AND PUMP STATION
CREWS
(Consent Items c. and d.)
ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION
Staff has met with the Finance Committee regarding
regarding the establishment of a customer assistance
program to help low-income homeowners pay their
water and sewer bills. Staff received support from the
Finance Committee and would like to move forward with
establishing this program effective January 1, 2008.
Rhonda McFarlane and Lisa Coyner gave a PowerPoint
presentation covering why such a program is needed,
the legalities of it, how it fits into the budget, that the
majority of customers support this plan, assistance
qualification requirements, eligibility, and administration.
\., David Kelly spoke in favor of approving the program.
ORDINANCE NO. 501-07:
CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - NOVEMBER 15, 2007
PAGE - 3
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Moved Wallace / Second Mosbacher / Jones Voted No /
Passed to enact Ordinance No. 501-07 adding Section
6.1.9 to Division 6 of the Administrative Code regarding
the Low-Income Customer Assistance Program.
Requests for proposals from Third Party Administrators
(TPA) were solicited in October to determine the best
TPA to administer claims for the District's health plan.
Proposals were received and evaluated by a staff
committee. Interviews were held and a Finance
Committee meeting was held to discuss the results.
Rhonda McFarlane reported on problems with the
current TPA (FirsTier) and the benefits of switching
to a new administrator. She recommended entering
into a contract with CDS Group Health.
Moved Wallace / Second Farrell / Passed Unanimously
to: (1) Approve staff recommendation to contract with
CDS Group Health for Third Party Administrator services;
and (2) Authorize staff to enter into a contract with
CDS Group Health effective January 1, 2008.
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The District does not currently install water meters on
water services on capital projects. AB 2572 requires
that all water systems in the state have meters on all
service connections by January 1, 2025. The intent of
the law is to account for water and ultimately con-
serve water for use throughout California. The District
is currently seeking an exemption from this legislation
because the District is not part of the California water-
shed.
Based on a recent waterline project, the cost for
installation of a standard %-inch water meter is
approximately $3,000; $3,500 for a 1-inch water
meter; and $4,500 for a 2-inch water meter.
At a minimum, District staff believes it is consistent
with past practice to install water meters on all
existing water services 1-inch in diameter and greater.
Staff also believes it is prudent to increase the water
service diameter for multi-family dwellings to be
consistent with Uniform Plumbing Code recommendations.
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Paul Sciuto and Lisa Coyner reported this is a policy
decision for the Board - whether to install meters now at
significant costs, or to wait until after the District's
exemption request is determined. Capital projects are
pending and a decision should be made. After a lot of
discussion regarding consistency, long-term costs, and
the legislative exemption, it was recommended that
meters be installed on 1-inch diameter lines or greater.
ORDINANCE NO. 501-07:
CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
(continued)
SELF-INSURED MEDICAL PLAN:
THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR
WATER METER LEGISLATION AND
INSTALLATION
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - NOVEMBER 15, 2007
PAGE - 4
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Moyed Jones / Second Farrell! Passed Unanimously
to approye that water meters be installed on water
lines 1-inch or more in diameter, and that water meters
will not be installed on anything %-inches in diameter or
less.
WA TER METER LEGISLATION AND
INSTALLATION
Staff is working on the design of these tank replace- REPLACEMENT OF ANGORA TANK
ments. The project is on a fast-track, with a goal of AND COUNTRY CLUB TANK
starting construction May 1, 2008. Due to constraints
of current workload and a need for specialty experience,
staff has sought engineering support services from three
qualified engineering firms. Proposals were reviewed
and judged on a pre-determined set of criteria. Brown
and Caldwell was recommended based on their scores
with respect to the criteria. The price of $95,555 will
be used as a starting point for negotiations.
Moved Farrell / Second Mosbacher / Passed Unanimously
to approve proposal from Brown and Caldwell for
structural and civil engineering services.
Jim Hoggatt reported the project priority list was ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT 2008
developed through a series of meetings with managers, PROJECT PRIORITY LIST
supervisors, leadmen, and maintenance personnel.
He gave a PowerPoint presentation that covered:
existing 1 O-year capital outlay plan, Angora fire
response assessment, staff assessment and prioritization,
proposed projects list, proposed capital outlay revisions,
engineering schedule, and workload assessment.
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Moved Jones / Second Farrell / Passed Unanimously
to approve priorities.
Moved Farrell / Second Jones / Passed Unanimously
to approve payment in the amount of $915,321.47.
Water and Wastewater Operations Committee: The
committee met November 12 and toured the South
Upper Truckee Pump Station as part of the meeting.
Minutes of the meeting are available upon request.
Richard Solbriq reported that the agency is still trying to
secure 40,000 acre-feet of water to accommodate
agricultural needs. Seyeral issues raised by Georgetown
Oiyide PUD must be resolyed before any more progress
can be made.
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Director Mosbacher relayed her appreciation to the
staff of the "Fun 4U Club" for putting on employee
lunches and events. She enjoys them.
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
BOARD MEMBER STANDING
COMMITTEE REPORTS
EL DORAOO COUNTY WATER
AGENCY PURVEYOR
REPRESENTATIVE REPORT
BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - NOVEMBER 15, 2007
PAGE - 5
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General Manager: Richard Sol brig reported on two
items:
1) A group, spearheaded by Tahoe City PUD, and
including the North Tahoe PUD and the Corp
of Engineers, was formed to develop projects that
could be included in the 219 funding request. The
group will also pursue other avenues for grant funding
for a possible joint project.
2) The City is making progress in regards to affordable
housing - programs can be set up through the state
to provide support for median housing for those who
earn less than the City's median income. That targets
middle class workers who work for various agencies
throughout South Lake Tahoe and would give them
assistance to buy housing in order to keep them in
Tahoe. The District will provide a breakdown of District
staff who fall into that category.
Accounting Manager: Debbie Henderson pointed out
a modification to the ,budget schedule necessary to
comply with the "Big Horn" decision to notice rate-
payers 45 days prior to adoption of a budget that
includes a rate increase.
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Customer Service ManaQer: Lisa Coyner reported that
customer service will extend the policy of waiving
two quarters for homeowners whose homes were
inhabitable due to smoke damage caused by the
Angora Fire.
Clerk of the Board: Kathy Sharp reported on the
November 6 Board election results.
Legal Counsel: Brad Herrema reported that Hatch &
Parent will merge with the law firm of Brownstein
Hyatt Farber Schreck effective January 2008.
3:50 - 4:00 P.M.
4:05 P.M.
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GENERAL MANAGER REPORTS
STAFF REPORTS
MEETING BREAK AND ADJOURN-
MENT TO CLOSED SESSION
RECONVENED TO REGULAR
SESSION
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REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - NOVEMBER 15, 2007
PAGE - 6
ACTION / REPORT ON ITEMS DISCUSSED DURING CLOSED SESSION
No reportable Board action.
4:05 P.M.
ATTEST: c
Pursuant to Government Code
Section 54956. 9{a)/Conference
with Legal Counsel - Existing
Litigation re: Meyers Landfill Site:
United States of America vs. EI
Dorado County and City of South
Lake Tahoe and Third Party
Defendants, Civil Action No.
S-01-1520 LKK GGH, U.S. District
Court for the Eastern District of Ca.
ADJOURNMENT
Eric W. Schafer, Boa a resident
South Tahoe Public I ity District
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