04-21-09 Emergency MeetingSOUTH 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
EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
APRIL 21, 2009
MINUTES
The Board of Directors of the South Tahoe Public Utility District met in an Emergency
Session, April 21, 2009, 8:30 A.M., District Office, 1275 Meadow Crest Drive, South Lake
Tahoe, California.
(Notice of this meeting was faxed to the Tahoe Daily
Tribune prior to the meeting.)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: ATTENDEES
President Mosbacher (via teleconference), Directors Rise,
Claudio, and Jones. Director Schafer was absent.
STAFF:
Solbrig, Sciuto, Sharp, Hughes, Bird, Hoggatt, Coyner.
ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION
On April 20, the Snowshoe Thompson Ditch No. 1 slid
into the Millich Ditch, causing it to backup. Water in the
Millich Ditch then overtopped the bank causing severe
erosion which eventually led to the failure of the Millich
Ditch. The overflow resulted in mud and soil in and around
the Woodfords Inn.
Hal Bird showed pictures of the running water behind the
hotel - there was approximately 1-foot of water, and 2-feet
of mud and debris around the hotel, hot tub, and parking lot.
According to the hotel manager, one hotel room might have
sustained water damage to the carpet. The overflow also
undermined a county road.
MILLICH DITCH / SNOWSHOE
THOMPSON DITCH NO. 1
WASHOUT
EMERGENCY BOARD MEETING MINUTES - APRIL 21, 2009 PAGE - 2
Clean up efforts began immediately after the water was
shut off. The cause of the slide is unknown at this time.
Immediate repairs are necessary to deliver water to the
ranchers and to handle the spring run-off.
A geotechnical engineer from Stantec has been contacted
to perform soil samples, and Stantec will design a stable
repair to the ditch and to the County road. Whiterock
Construction will do the actual repairs on a time and
materials basis. The area is located on a steep hillside and
is very difficult to access; access agreements will have to
be drawn up. The Millich Ditch will be repaired first, and
then repairs will be made on the Snowshoe Thompson
Ditch No. 1. Staff estimated it will take at least two weeks
to make the repairs. The West Fork of the Carson River is
running full, and the run-off on the hillside is a worry.
Based on the facts presented, Resolution No. 2857-09
was developed finding that this is an emergency situation
involving matters upon which prompt action is necessary
due to disruption of public facilities, and damage to real
property. This damage is a sudden, unexpected occurrence
that poses a clear and imminent danger requiring immediate
action to prevent or mitigate the loss or impairment of health,
property, and essential services. As such, the emergency
will not permit a delay resulting from a competitive
solicitation for bids. The resolution also stipulates that the
General Manager has the authority to order any action in
response to the emergency. Additionally, because of the
emergency, the project is exempt from CEQA requirements.
MILLICH DITCH / SNOWSHOE
THOMPSON DITCH NO. 1
WASHOUT
(continued)
Moved Jones / Second Claudio / Schafer Absent / Passed
to: (1) Determine an emergency exists pursuant to Section
1102 of the Public Contract Code; (2) Determine substantial
evidence was presented to authorize an exception be made
to Section 22050 of the Public Contract Code that this
emergency will not permit a delay resulting from a competitive
solicitation for bids and that this action is necessary to
respond to the emergency; (3) Adopt Resolution 2857-09;
(4) Authorize an estimated amount of $200,000 for repairs
and cleanup.
It was the consensus of the Board that it would be logical at
this time to do a hard-piping repair after the ditches are
stabilized. Staff will research if it can be done under this
emergency declaration, and if so, will proceed.
EMERGENCY BOARD MEETING MINUTES - APRIL 21, 2009 PAGE - 3
9:00 A.M.
ADJOURNMENT
iMary L o acher, Board President
South Tahoe Public Utility District
ATTEST: D
Kathy Shar lerk of the oard
South Tahoe Public Utility District