04-16-09SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
"Basic Services for a Comp/ex World"
Richard Solbri , General Manager Paul Sciuto, Assistant Manager
Mary Lou Mosbacher, President BOARD MEMBERS Dale Rise, Vice President
James R. Jones, Director Eric W. Schafer, Director Ernie Claudio, Director
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
APRIL 16, 2009
MINUTES
The Board of Directors of the South Tahoe Public Utility District met in a regular session,
April 16, 2009, 2:00 P.M., District Office, 1275 Meadow Crest Drive, South Lake Tahoe,
California.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
President Mosbacher, Directors Rise, Claudio, Jones,
Schafer
STAFF:
Solbrig, Sciuto, Sharp, Hughes, Brown, W. Stanley,
Cocking, Coyner, Curtis, R. Johnson, Cocking, Bird,
Hoggatt, Ryan, Attorney Kvistad
GUESTS:
Mike Connolly, Dr. and Reba Bry, Bob Rodman/USFS,
Garth Alling & Rob Brueck/Hauge Brueck Associates
ATTENDEES
Ross Johnson led the pledge to the flag. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Moved Schafer / Second Jones / Passed Unanimously CONSENT CALENDAR
to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted:
a. Plan GIS (Geographic Information System) - Approved
proposal from Winzler & Kelly for Phase 2, Task 4
and 5, for mapping of the District's wastewater
treatment plant and emergency retention basin, in
the amount not to exceed$78,033;
b. Harvey Channel Culvert Project - Authorized staff to
advertise for bids for purchase of culvert;
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - APRIL 16, 2009 PAGE - 2
c. Arrowhead Well No. 3 Arsenic Treatment Facility - CONSENT CALENDAR
Authorized An increase to Purchase Order (continued)
P17219C to Carollo Engineers for additional
document reproduction services during the bid phase,
in the amount of $9,074;
d. 2009 Sonora Waterline Replacement Project - Awarded
bid to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder,
Campbell Construction Company, Inc., in the amount of
$2,523,932.35;
e. Approved Regular Board Meeting Minutes:
March 19, 2009.
ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION
This item was discussed with the Board at the April 2
Regular Board meeting, and staff was directed to proceed
with the necessary analysis and prepare agreements for
the Board's consideration. As such, an agreement was
prepared with Douglas County Sewer Improvement
District No. 1 (DCSID) to consent to the District's
collection and treatment of sewage from the Nevada
portion of the park that is within DCSID's service territory.
During a future phase of construction, when the park is
ready to connect the Nevada portion of the park to the
District's sewer system, staff will request that the Board
make the necessary finding of surplus capacity, based on
the capacity information available at that time.
Moved Rise / Second Schafer / Passed Unanimously to
authorize execution of Cooperation Agreement to provide
sewer service to Nevada portion of the park, subject to
final negotiations by legal counsel, staff, and DCSID.
This item was discussed with the Board at the April 2
Regular Board meeting, and staff was directed to proceed
with the necessary analysis and prepare agreements for
the Board's consideration. As such, an agreement was
prepared with Edgewood Water Company that will allow
the District to provide water service to the California
portion of the park that will straddle the California/Nevada
border. Edgewood Water Company has been asked to
provide potable water service to the Nevada portion of the
park and, based on the location of its water storage tank,
fire protection water service to the entire park. In order
to allow utility service in this manner, the District must
also enter into an agreement with Edgewood Water
VAN SICKLE BI-STATE PARK:
COOPERATION AGREEMENT
WITH DOUGLAS COUNTY SEWER
VAN SICKLE BI-STATE PARK
COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH
EDGEWOOD WATER COMPANY
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - APRIL 16, 2009 PAGE - 3
Company, pursuant to which the District would consent VAN SICKLE BI-STATE PARK
to Edgewood's provision of service within its service COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH
territory. Staff requested authorization to negotiate EDGEWOOD WATER COMPANY
and execute the Cooperation Agreement with Edgewood (continued)
Water Company to provide potable and fire protection
water services to the park.
Moved Jones / Second Schafer / Passed Unanimouslv
to authorize execution of Cooperation Agreement with
Edgewood Water Company for Edgewood to provide fire
protection service to California portion of the park,
subject to final negotiations by legal counsel, staff, and
Edgewood Water Company.
On the District's behalf, Senator Dave Cox has introduced SB 672 (COX) WATER METERS
SB 672 which proposes to extend the compliance dead-
lines for AB 2572 which mandated water meters on all
public water systems. Due to Sierra winters and TRPA
grading restrictions, the District can only install meters
during the abbreviated building season and will require
additional time to complete that task. In addition, the
extension will allow the District to concentrate its
resources to complete water infrastructure improvements
to protect our customers from wildfire prior to full
metering compliance.
Moved Claudio / Second Rise / Passed Unanimouslv to
authorize Board President to sign letter of support of
SB 672 to extend compliance deadline.
Moved Claudio / Second Schafer / Passed Unanimously PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
to approve payment in the amount of $786,551.98.
Water and Wastewater Operations Committee: The BOARD MEMBER STANDING
committee met April 13. Minutes of the meeting are COMMITTEE REPORTS
available upon request. The developer of the proposed
convention center at Stateline is foreclosing on the
property.
The agency's August 12 Board meeting will be held EL DORADO COUNTY WATER
at the District in the Boardroom. AGENCY WATER PURVEYOR
REPORT
The main topic discussion at their last Board meeting
concerned the cost share proposals received from the
water purveyors. There was a problem with EID's
submission and they were denied since their projects
did not meet the definition of "works." Policy 4 was
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - APRIL 16, 2009 PAGE - 4
discussed at length. The Board decided to postpone
approval of all the cost share proposals until their next
meeting. It also appears there might not be enough
money to fund all the projects submitted.
2:35 P.M. PUBLIC MEETING
President Mosbacher opened the Public Meeting
at 2:35 p.m.
Julie Ryan provided a slide presentation similar to the
one on February 5, but added comments from the
circulation period for the environmental document.
The environmental review process complies with NEPA
and CEQA requirements for the project and discloses
environmental impacts of the project, if any. The pre-
sentation covered District's responsibility, project
features (tank replacement, waterline replacement,
drainage upgrades, underground backup power,
brackets for solar, site security, drainage features, and
new access road.
The access road is required to comply with new DHS
regulations for water storage tanks. The site is remote
and landlocked, and the only viable route is across
USFS Burton-Santini conservancy land until the
District's parcel is reached.
The project will proceed in 2 phases: the grading,
foundation, waterline, electrical, access road and
drainage features in 2009; the new tank, coating,
demolition of old tank, and site restoration in 2010.
During the circulation period from March 11 to
April 10, the District received comments from neigh-
bors and agencies. They were circulated to the
Board prior to the meeting. These comments and the
District's responses include:
• Concern over increased greenhouse gas emissions:
State Bill 92 will be referenced in revisions to the
environmental document;
• Concern over inappropriate use of road: waterbars
should help deter skateboarding;
• Concern over safety hazards associated with
routing the road to the north of the existing tank,
above adjacent homes: plans will be modified to
provide for temporary barriers, removal of unstable
rocks and debris, and increased security (by
extending the chain-link fence perimeter);
• Recommendation to re-route the road to the
south of the existing tank: with the safety
measures above, the north route is viable and
off USFS property.
EL DORADO COUNTY WATER
AGENCY WATER PURVEYOR
REPORT
(continued)
ANGORA TANK REPLACEMENT
PROJECT
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - APRIL 16, 2009 PAGE - 5
• Reminder from DHS to amend our water service
permit: it will be done prior to bidding the new
tank in 2010.
With Board approval of the environmental document,
the appropriate changes will be made and the appeal
period will begin, ending on May 16. The project will
be advertised on May 5, mandatory pre-bid will be
held on May 19, and bids will be opened on June 2.
Construction starts beginning July.
Dr. Vernon Bry presented the following concerns.
• His home is located in the impact zone from
any dislodged boulders or debris.
• He is concerned that even with safety measures
included in the project, some excavation will be
required to installing them, increasing the risk to
his home.
• He is concerned that the District did not formally
pursue with the USFS a route that goes south of
the existing tank, away from his home.
• He is concerned that the District is disregarding
the adverse human impact by building close to
residences.
• He is concerned that the value of his property will
be impacted by the selected road alignment.
Staff reiterated that the added safety measures are
expected to fully mitigate his concerns of hazard and
added that pursuing the alternative route with the USFS
would delay the project and likely be denied since the
proposed route is viable. Staff will be available to
address Mr. Bry's concerns during construction, if
anything arises.
Mr. Mike Connolly presented a concern about adding
solar panels to the top, and both the reflective issues
and visual impacts. The panels would be installed
under a separate project, with its own environmental
process prior to installation.
Moved Claudio / Second Rise / Mosbacher Abstained /
Passed to: (1) Certify the Mitigated Negative Declaration of
Environmental Impact; and (2) Authorize staff to advertise
for bids for construction and sitework.
Director Mosbacher abstained since she did not attend
the site visit and felt she was missing key information
other board members had.
ANGORA TANK REPLACEMENT
PROJECT
(continued)
President Mosbacher closed the Public Meeting at
3:50 p.m.
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - APRIL 16, 2009 PAGE - 6
3:50 - 4:10 P.M.
Director Claudio distributed a summary of expenses
incurred from the March 17 conference he attended.
Directors Claudio and Rise relayed information they
learned by attending the April 10 Special District Leader-
ship Academy Module 2 - Setting Direction/Community
Leadership conference. They both thought it was valuable
training that helped to define their roles, and allowed
networking with other special district employees and
board members.
Director Schafer reported he will attend the CASA con-
ference beginning April 28. He will bring back information
staff indicated they would be interested in.
General Manager: Richard Solbrig reported on three items:
1) Integrated Regional Water Management Plan and
Proposition 84 Process - The final submittal will be sent
by the end of April. Proposition 50 has been funded through
sale of state bonds. Staff is putting together final waste-
water grant applications from the federal stimulus package.
Funding for five projects will be requested.
2) Alpine County has reconsidered their decision to
discontinue sharing the grant coordinator position and
now wants Y2 the position. The District now uses the
position full-time and cannot oblige their request.
3) The City received a grant to cover the purchase price
of the Reverse 911 emergency notification system. The
maintenance costs will be divided amongst the users.
Assistant General Manager / Engineer: Paul Sciuto
reported on the progress of the Heavenly Valley water
rate study.
District Information Officer: Dennis Cocking distributed
draft letters he wrote in response to two public inquiries
received. It was the consensus of the board to send the
responses as written.
MEETING BREAK
BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
GENERAL MANAGER REPORTS
STAFF REPORTS
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - APRIL 16, 2009 PAGE - 7
ACTION / REPORT ON ITEMS DISCUSSED DURING CLOSED SESSION
No reportable Board action.
Pursuant to Government Code
Section 54956.9(a)/Conference
with Legal Counsel - Existing
Litigation re: Meyers Landfill Site:
United States of America vs. El
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.
4:50 P.M. ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:, -
Kathy Sh rl erk of th oard
South Ta a Public Utility District
Mary sbacher, Board President
South Tahoe Public Utility District