01-22-98SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
"Basic Services for a Complex World"
Robed Baer, General Mana er Richard Solbri , Assistant Maria er
...... ' .......
James Jones, President BOARD MEMBERS Christopher Strohm, Vice President
Duane Wallace, Director Mary Lou Mosbacher Pembroke Gochnauer, Director...~
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
JANUARY 22, 1998
MINUTES
The Board of Directors of the South Tahoe Public Utility District met in Special Session on January
22, 1998, 2:00 p.m., at the District Office, 1275 Meadow Crest Drive, South Lake Tahoe, California.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
President Jones, Directors Wallace, Strohm,
Mosbacher, Gochnauer.
ROLL CALL
STAFF:
Baer, Solbrig, Sharp, Hydrick, Noble, Forsythe,
Attorney Neese.
GUESTS: Dave Herzog/HSI Geotrans, Greg
Moss and Ivo Bergsohn/AGRA Earth and Environ-
mental, Patrick McCartney/Tahoe Daily Tribune.
ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION
Baer gave a visual presentation outlining the
conceptual Water Quality Assurance Plan.
Six District wells have become contaminated
with PCE and MtBE, and several more face
WATER QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN
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SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES - JANUARY 22, 1998 PAGE - 2
possible contamination. In the past year, approx-
imately $353,000 has been spent to investigate the
contamination of these wells, and to explore poten-
tial threats to other wells.
The presentation outlined the issues and constraints
the District has encountered in trying to protect the
community's drinking water supply from sources of
contamination. To safeguard water quality, staff's
recommendations include conducting an outreach
program with customers, collaboration with other
agencies, continued involvement with ACWA, a
study of the Tahoe Paradise aquifer, research of
regulatory and enforcement options, and the hiring
of a staff hydrogeologist to reduce the dependency
on consultants.
Hydrick stated several potential funding sources will
be sought to reduce impacts to the District's financial
plan. Additionally, staff met with four of the six parties
that may be responsible for Iow levels of MtBE con-
tamination in Meyers, in hopes that a cooperative
approach can be coordinated to resolve the
contamination problems. Staff outlined goals of site
assessment and remediation, and possibly seeking
compensation from the responsible party. A second
meeting has been scheduled for January 23.
Hydrick pointed out that hiring a staff hydrogeologist
to investigate the contamination cases and to prepare
a remediation plan will prove to be more cost effective
than the continued use of consultants. Director
Wallace urged the Board to consider imposing a
"sunset period" of five years in which this position
must submit their results. The Board agreed that the
District's top priority is to maintain a reliable and safe
supply of drinking water.
As part of the conceptual plan, Attorney Neese will
explore regulatory responsibilities and research plan
implementation guidelines.
WATER QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN
(continued)
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SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES - JANUARY 22, 1998
PAGE - 3
Moved Strohm/Second GochnauedPassed
Unanimously to: A) Approve conceptual Water
Quality Assurance Plan, including recruitment of a
staff hydrogeologist, with the stipulation the
contract for the position will not exceed five years;
and; B) Authorize Hatch and Parent to research
plan implementation guidelines, in an amount not to
exceed $15,000, and directed Attorney Neese to
present the results of the research within six weeks.
4:10 P.M.
WATER QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN
(continued)
ADJOURNMENT
h Tahoe Publi~COtility District
Kathy Shar~Clerk of Boafrd
South Tahoe Public Utility District
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