09-04-97SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
"Basic Services for a Complex World"
Robed Baer, General Manager Richard Solbrig, Assistant Manager
Christopher H. Strohm, President BOARD MEMBERS James Jones, Vice President
Robed Mason, Director Mary Lou Mosbacher Duane Wallace, Director
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
SEPTEMBER 4, 1997
MINUTES
The Board of Directors of the South Tahoe Public Utility District met in a regular session September
4, 1997, 2:00 P.M., City Council Chambers, 1900 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe,
California.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
President Strohm, Directors Wallace, Jones, Mason,
and Mosbacher.
ROLL CALL
STAFF:
Baer, Solbrig, McFarlane, Sharp, Noble, Schrempp, Bird,
Hydrick, Adams, Rieger, Swain, and Attorney Neese.
GUESTS:
Judy Brown/City Council Liaison; Jack Brower/Sizzler;
Carol Suzawa, Takato Sokei, Cesar Portugal, Ernest Lau,
Paul Ganaden, Les Yoshioka, Gregg Fujikawa/Kauai
Department of Water; Craig Morgan/Avalex; David Kelly;
Gerry Hurwitz
Representatives visiting from the Kauai Department of
Water were introduced. Ernest Lau described the op-
erations of their water system and the challenges of
accommodating growth in Hawaii. Their group will tour
District facilities and meet with staff on September 5.
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
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REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 4, 1997 PAGE - 2
Mike Adams reported 33 manholes are being lined
and invited the Board to observe the process.
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
(continued)
Mr. Brower came before the Board to object to staff's
recommendation that a properly sized grease interceptor
be installed at Sizzler Restaurant by August 15. Mr.
Brower stated he would be receptive to installing the
interceptor in seven years when the restaurant may be
relocated during redevelopment. The bid he received
for the work to be done was very expensive.
REQUEST TO APPEAR BEFORE
THE BOARD: JACK BROWER/
SIZZLER RESTAURANT
Staff's recommendation resulted from a sewer stoppage
at Sizzler. An enormous amount of grease is bypassing
the existing grease trap and entering the District's system
through the Sizzler's lateral. Stoppages such as these
could result in a sewer spill.
After a lengthy discussion, the Board directed staff to assist
Mr. Brower in tracing the lines through dye testing, and
suggested Mr. Brower review the building plans to deter-
mine exactly where the lines drain, and to ascertain who is
responsible for the building's infrastructure. Mr. Brower
should also consider soliciting a second bid for the work to
be performed. The Board agreed a larger interceptor is
needed as soon as possible and directed staff to continue
to research this matter and make a recommendation at the
September 18 Board meeting.
No Board action.
COnsent Item 6 was brought forward for a separate
vote.
CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA OR
CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved Wallace/Second Strohm/Passed Unanimously
to approve the Consent Calendar as amended:
CONSENT CALENDAR
1 ) Authorized entering into a three-year support contract
for computer hardware and software support with Hewlett-
Packard in the annual amount of $17,374;
2)
Flagpole Booster: Electrical Switchgear - A) Approved
exceptions to bidding, included as part of the District's
Purchasing Policy; and B) Authorized purchase of
electrical switchgear from Wedco, Inc., in the amount
of $27,827;
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REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES -SEPTEMBER 4, 1997 PAGE -3
3) Rejected liability claim received from J. Riboli;
4) Rejected liability claim received from R. Okronick;
5) South Y Groundwater Investigation: Approved Right-
of-Entry agreements to allow geoprobe punches.
CONSENT CALENDAR
(Continued)
CONSENT ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD FOR ACTION / DISCUSSION
Moved Wallace/Second Strohm/Jones Abstained/
Passed to adopt Regular Board Meeting Minutes of
August 7, 1997. (Director Jones was excused from
that meeting.)
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 1997
(Consent Item 6)
ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION
Hal Bird reported the rock quarry site at Harvey Place
Reservoir does not have the necessary permits in place
to allow for rock removal to use for District projects. Only
two truckloads of material per day can be removed via an
agricultural exception. Necessary approvals include ob-
taining a Conditional Use Permit for the operation and
preparing a reclamation plan in conformance with SMARA.
Bird outlined several options for the Board to consider. He
also requested the Board assess the feasibility of including
a crushing operation at the site to make aggregate base
material for use as backfill in future pipeline replacement
work.
Avalex, Inc., submitted a proposal to provide engineering
services for the mining operation. It was broken down into
separate task categories to aid the Board in assessing the
full scope of the project and its economic feasibility.
Moved Mason/Second Jones/Passed Unanimously to
authorize Task No. 1 (the preliminary feasibility analysis)
of the Avalex proposal, be completed in the amount of
$5,OOO.
Moved Jones/Second Mason/Wallace Abstained/Passed
to approve Regular Board Meeting Minutes of 7/17/97.
(Director Wallace was absent from that meeting.)
ALPINE COUNTY: SURFACE
MINING AND RECLAMATION ACT
(SMARA)
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
MINUTES OF JULY 17, 1997
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REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES -SEPTEMBER 4, 1997 PAGE -4
Moved Jones/Second Mason/Mosbacher Voted No/
Passed to approve payment in the amount of
$479,817.08.
Water and Wastewater Operations Committee: The
committee met September 4 and discussed several items
on this agenda. Minutes from the meeting are available
upon request. Director Mason reported the portion of
Meadow Crest Drive that runs in front of the WWTP was
formerly owned by the District, and was later deeded to the
City of SLT.
County Water Agency/EDWPA Committee: President
Strohm reported a full page ad was in the Mountain
Democrat asking customers to conserve water due to
conveyance problems.
Legislative Funding Ad Hoc Committee: The VA-HUD
appropriations bill will be reviewed by the House and
Senate Conference Committee. It is expected to go
before the President for signature soon after. The House
version (for $7.25 million) and the Senate version (for
$7.15 million) are in different accounts, but this is not
expected to pose a problem.
Lahontan/SWRCB Communications Ad Hoc Committee:
The Lahontan Board meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. tonight.
There are many items of interest on their agenda.
FEMA Ad Hoc Committee: A meeting was held September
3 between FEMA, OES, legislative representatives, and
District staff in an attempt to resolve the Ponderosa Pump
Station funding issue. The gravity sewer lines that run
under the Upper Truckee River were damaged during the
January storms. The lines were not repairable in their
current alignment. The District explored several replace-
ment options. TRPA and Lahontan informed the District
the only allowable option was to eliminate the river crossing
from the SEZ, build a new pump station and install a force-
main in the paved street away from the river. FEMA would
only agree to provide funding for what it would have cost to
restore the line to its original state (under the river) and
stated they do not agree that new standards require the
removal of the sewer lines from the river. The FEMA ins-
pector then threatened to lower the recommended funding
amount unless the District concurred with his reinspection
report, which is exactly what he did.
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
BOARD MEMBER STANDING
COMMITTEE REPORTS
BOARD MEMBER AD HOC
COMMITTEE REPORTS
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REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES -SEPTEMBER 4, 1997 PAGE -5
Rhonda McFarlane summarized the events of the Septem-
ber 3 meeting. The Board previously authorized $30,000
for consultants to assist staff in developing a binder and
to assist in making a presentation to FEMA outlining the
events that have taken place to date. After hearing the
presentation, FEMA still refused to fund the project; the
District must now make a formal appeal to Region 9. If
required, the second appeal would be on a national level.
McFarlane recommended the Board authorize additional
funds to continue with the appeal process. It was the
consensus of the Board to move forward with the appeal
process. They also directed the FEMA Ad Hoc Committee
to determine the amount of money needed and to make a
recommendation to the Board at the next meeting.
Director Jones reported he will attend the September 18
ACWA Water Quality Committee meeting and may not
be present at the next regular Board meeting.
Director Mosbacher reported on the amounts charged to
the El Dorado County fairgrounds for sewer and water
services.
Richard Solbrig reported on the status of the remaining
emergency project:
Millich Ditch/Snowshoe Thompson Ditch No. 1 Emer-
gency Project of March 20, 1997 - The Soil Conservation
District has had difficulty getting the Millich Ditch construct-
ed due to problems between the contractor and Woodford's
Inn. Water flowing through the sandbags in Snowshoe
Thompson Ditch No. 1 must cease by October 15 when
Clarence Burr's water rights obligations are met for the
season. At that point, the District can bid the project and
begin construction irrespective of if Millich Ditch is repaired
or not. Don Bently can get his winter flows through
Snowshoe Thompson Ditch No. 2. The District must move
ahead with the project, it was declared an emergency pro-
ject and immediate actions must be taken - any water that
flows down the hill could cause further damage. Mr. Bently
has verbally indicated his interest in participating in the
project, but an agreement has not yet been submitted by
his attorney.
BOARD MEMBER AD HOC
COMMITTEE REPORTS
(continued)
BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
STATUS OF EMERGENCY PROJECT
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REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 4, 1997 PAGE - 6
Rhonda McFarlane reported the audit was completed with
no adjustments recommended. The Board commended
staff for a job well done.
3:50 P.M.
4:25 P.M.
6:00 P.M.
GENERAL MANAGER/STAFF
REPORTS
MEETING BREAK
MEETING RESUMED AND ADJOURN-
ED TO CLOSED SESSION
RECONVENE TO REGULAR
SESSION
ACTION / REPORT ON ITEMS DISCUSSED DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION
It was the consensus of the Board to reject the claim.
The Board directed legal counsel regarding this item.
No Board action.
The Board directed legal counsel and staff regarding
this item.
No Board action.
The Board directed negotiators regarding this item.
No Board action.
6:05 P.M.
Pursuant to Section 54956.95 of
California Government Code/
Liability Claim against STPUD
received from Steve Kooyman
Pursuant to Section 54956.9(b) of
California Government Code/
Conference with Legal Counsel -
Anticipated Litigation (one case)
Pursuant to Section 54956.9(b) of
California Government Code/
Conference with Legal Counsel -
Anticipated Litigation (one case)
Pursuant to Section 54957.6 of
California Government Code/
Public Employee Performance
Evaluation for Unrepresented
Employee: General Manaqer Position
ADJOURNMENT
Christopher H. Strohm, President of Board
South Tahoe Public Utility District
ATTEST: '=-?"i E:L
Kathy Shar¢.~_ ler-~ of the Bo~lrd
South Tahd4Public Utility District
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REGULAR BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
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