06-17-99SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
"Basic Services for a Complex World"
Robert Baer
James Jones, President
BOARD MEMBERS
Richard
Christopher H. Strohm, Vice President
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
JUNE 17, 1999
MINUTES
The Board of Directors of the South Tahoe Public Utility District met in a regular session, June 17,
1999, 2:00 P.M., City Council Chambers, 1900 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, California.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
President Jones, Directors Strohm, Wallace, Gochnauer,
Mosbacher.
ROLL CALL
STAFF:
Baer, Solbrig, Sharp, Taylor, Forsythe, Adams, Garcia,
Brown, Noble, Hoggatt, R. Johnson, Hussmann, Hydrick,
Attorney Kvistad
GUESTS:
Al Moss/Ski Run Chevron, Ed Anton/State Water Re-
sources Control Board, Bob Dodds/Lahontan, Judy
Brown/City of SLT Liaison, Bob Hedley
Consent Items a. andj. were brought forward for discus-
sion prior to Board action.
Staff requested Consent Item b. (water disconnection pro-
cedures on the property located at 2824 Blitzen Blvd.,
APN 36-431-04) be removed, as the situation has been
satisfactorily resolved.
CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA OR
CONSENT CALENDAR
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REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - JUNE 17~ 1999 PAGE - 2
Moved Mosbacher/Second GochnaueflPassed
Unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar, as
amended:
a. (See Consent Items Brought Forward);
b. (Item Removed);
c. Authorized staff to advertise for bids for purchase
of an easement machine;
d. Authorized staff to advertise for bids for purchase
of a new hydro truck;
Authorized an extension of the dry polymer contract
with Allied Colloids, in the estimated amount of
$65,876.80 for fiscal year 1999-2000;
1999-2000 Chlorine and Sodium Hypochlorite Supplies-
Awarded contracts to lowest responsive, responsible
bidder, Sierra Chemical Co., for chlorine in the amount
of $40,384.51 and sodium hypochlorite in the amount
of $11,900.00;
Upper Truckee Erosion Control -Authorized issuance
and/or amendment of Task Orders 7A, 8A, and 9 for
Northwest Hydraulics, in the total amount of $41,322;
Upper Truckee Pump Station Erosion Control -
Authorized filing a Notice of Exemption with the El
Dorado County Clerk;
Upper Truckee Pump Station Erosion Control-
Authorized staff to advertise for bids for erosion
control measures;
j. (See Consent Items Brought Forward);
Arrowhead Well No. 3 - Approved Purchase Order for
Thomas Haen Company to complete work (disposal of
old pipe, and abandon old connections to distribution
system) in the amount of $15,920;
I. Approved Special Board Meeting Minutes:
May 20, 1999;
CONSENT CALENDAR
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REGULAR BOARD MF_ETING MINUTES - JUNE 17, 1999 PAGE - 3
m. Approved Special Board Meeting Minutes:
May 21, 1999;
CONSENT CALENDAR
(continued)
n. Special Board Meeting Minutes:
June 3, 1999;
Ed Anton gave a presentation summarizing SWRCB's
response to the 3/25/99 Governor's Executive Order
to phase-out MTBE from gasoline. The order requires
the SWRCB to prioritize groundwater recharge, and
resources for protection. The SWRCB has also been
directed to develop a clear set of guidelines for cleanup
criteria, which has proven to be difficult because it is a
challenge to define "when clean is clean enough." Anton
predicted MTBE would likely end up in drinking water
supplies below the taste and odor standard (if it is not a
health hazard), and that there is no effective method to
treat or remediate MTBE.
PRESENTATION: The Future of MTBE
By: Ed Anton, State Water Resources
Control Board
A lot of time has been spent developing a statewide GIS
system to assess the vulnerability of wells. Using maps,
Anton showed the locations of known leaking underground
storage tank sites and public wells in California. He also
presented an analysis of drinking water wells that are
impacted by MTBE.
The executive order also requires the SWRCB to complete
a study on the use of ethanol and have it peer reviewed
before it can be released.
Al Moss, owner of Ski Run Chevron service station, reviewed
the background of MTBE contamination at his site. He
expressed his frustration that he has not received any fund-
ing, which, as an independent operator with limited resources,
makes it difficult to continue with cleanup when personal
resources are depleted. He asked for a commitment from
the state to ensure remediation efforts continue.
Judy Brown encouraged the SWRCB to do a cost analysis
prediction on cleanup costs.
Anton answered questions from Board members regarding:
use of ethanol, lack of assistance from the SWRCB, develop-
ment of the priority list, funding sources available for cleanup
and replacement of drinking water supplies, response to UST
audit, scheduling and prioritizing requests for assistance,
cleanup standards, and the District's AB 3030 plan.
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REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - JUNE 17, 1999 PAGE - 4
CONSENT ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD FOR ACTION I DISCUSSION
Diane Noble represented the concerns of two customers,
Tahoe Tom's and Lahontan/Secor, who were included
on the delinquent list for shut off. These two entities
were issued Special Use Permits to pump MTBE from
the ground, treat it, and release the clean water into the
District's sewer system. Because payments were not
forthcoming, they were placed on the disconnection list.
DISCONNECTION PROCEDURES
FOR DELINQUENT SEWER AND/OR
WATER ACCOUNTS
(Consent Item a.)
Moved Wallace/Second Strohm/Passed Unanimously
to authorize disconnection procedures for all delinquent
sewer and/or water accounts. The Board requested an
update from staff in two weeks regarding the two accounts
mentioned above.
Jim Hoggatt noted the proposal received contained a
significant increase over what staff originally estimated.
REVEGETATION PROJECTS
(Consent Item j.)
Moved GochnaueflSecond Strohm/Passed Unanimously
to approve contract with Western Botanical for revegetation
and botanical consulting services (design, construction
management, and inspection) in an amount not to exceed
$9,090.
ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION
This item will be discussed during Closed Session.
UNION MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING (MOU)
Diane Noble recommended a three year phase-in of the
connection fees, as outlined by Economic and Engineer-
ing Services, Inc.
WATER AND SEWER CONNECTION
FEE
Bob Hedley encouraged the Board to implement a longer
phase-in period, to keep rates as Iow as possible, and to
eliminate connection fees for third bathrooms in new con-
struction.
The Board directed staff to draft an ordinance which will
implement a five year phase-in period for increase in sewer
connection fees and to implement a $115 increase to the
water connection fee as presented. The increases will begin
January 1, 2000.
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REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - JUNE 17, 1999
PAGE - 5
Moved Jones/Second Wallace/Passed Unanimously/
to approve payment in the amount of $592,874.99.
4:15 P.M.
4:30 P.M.
Operations Committee: The committee met on June 14.
Minutes of the meeting are available upon request.
Richard Solbrig reported testing is underway to deter-
mine the cause of death for some of the fish (chubs) in
Indian Creek Reservoir.
County Water A~encv/EDWPA/LAFCO Committee:
The committee met June 14 to discuss the roles and
function of the County Water Agency.
Legislative Ad Hoc Committee: Baer reported the use
of recycled water will be included in the list of concerns
presented to Senator Feinstein to consider for inclusion
in the Lake Tahoe Restoration legislation.
Lakeside Park Association Ad Hoc Committee: A meeting
will be held with representatives of Lakeside Park Mutual
Water Company on July 16. The ad hoc committee has
been reformed and will now consist of Directors Jones
and Wallace.
Director Mosbacher relayed Alpine County's appreciation
of Hal Bird for volunteering his time to work with them on
their playground project.
Director Gochnauer reported on locations being consider-
ed for future recreation sites.
Director Jones reported he will attend the final EPA Blue
Ribbon Panel meeting on MTBE in Washington, D. C. on
June 24.
General Manager: Bob Baer reported that Dawn Forsythe,
District Information Officer, has announced her resignation.
Her last day will be June 30.
Manager of Customer Service: Diane Noble reported the
District is being sued by property owner, Eddie Sanders,
who resides on June Way. CSRMA will assign special
counsel to the case.
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
MEETING BREAK
MEETING RESUMED
BOARD MEMBER STANDING
COMMITTEE REPORTS
BOARD MEMBER AD HOC
COMMITTEE REPORTS
STAFF REPORTS
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REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - JUNE 17, 1999 PAGE - 6
Richard Solbrig reported on the status of the remaining
emergency project:
Gardner Mountain Replacement Well Emergency of
9/17/98 -The gravity method of detection on depth-to
bedrock proved that the site near Taylor Creek is the best
location for the new well. The USFS has requested water
service, and is, therefore, motivated to help ensure this pro-
ject is done in a timely manner. They offered an above
ground storage structure to house the well equipment.
Parsons will update the bald eagle study and do an
archeological evaluation for the well site.
Accountant: Kay Taylor reported the District received a
certificate of achievement for the 1997/98 CAFR.
Manager of Wastewater Operations: Ross Johnson report-
ed he and Rick Hydrick attended a FEMA Integrated
Emergency course. FEMA will reimburse the District for
costs involved. Staff from the City of SLT and Douglas
County also attended. It was a very effective training
course.
District General Counsel: Gary Kvistad reported on two
items:
1) He is providing assistance related to the Gardner
Mountain Well site, including working with the USFS re-
garding their request for water service.
2) The Groundwater Management Plan Stakeholders'
Advisory Group met June 17. The group provided
comments on the County's underground storage tank
issue. At their next meeting, the group will discuss
cost recovery and enforcement of the AB 3030 plan.
5:15 P.M.
5:50 P.M.
STATUS OF EMERGENCY PROJECT
ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED
SESSION
RECONVENE TO REGULAR
SESSION
ACTION / REPORT ON ITEMS DISCUSSED DURING CLOSED SESSION
Legal counsel updated the Board regarding this item.
No Board action.
Pursuant to Section 54956.9(a) of
California Government Code/Con-
ference with Legal Counsel Existing
Litigation: Schwake v. STPUD,
Federal Case No. CV-N-93-851-DWH
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PAGE - 7
Legal counsel updated the Board regarding this item.
No Board action.
Moved Gochnauer/Second Wallace/Passed Unanimously
to authorize Board President to execute Union MOU
pending finalization of two outstanding issues:
1) overtime language subject to legal review;
2) corrected premium differential;
and authorized General Manager to sign required
documents for STD/LTD plan (disability).
5:50 P.M.
Pursuant to Section 54956.9(a) of
California Government Code/Con-
ference with Legal Counsel Existing
Litigation - STPUD v. ARCO, et al,
San Francisco County Superior
Court, Case No. 999128
Pursuant to Section 54957.6(a)/Con-
ference with Labor Negotiators
Agency Negotiators: Robert Baer,
Nancy Hussmann, Board of Directom;
Employee O~ganization: International
Union of Operating Engineers,
Stationary Local 39, AFL-CIO
ADJOURNMENT
,~s R. Jones, __~.._r.d.. President
~e'uth Tahoe Pul3~ Utility District
ATTEST:
athy Sharp,dZ;lerk of the Board
South Tahoe Public Utility District
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DATE:_---T~, /--/, lqqg
REGULAR BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
GUEST SIGN-IN SHEET
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BROWN ACT:
COMPLETION OF THIS INFORMATION IS VOLUNTARY, NOT MANDATORY,
AND IS NOT A PRECONDITION FOR ATTENDANCE.
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