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03-16-00SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT "Basic Services for a Complex World" Robert Baer General Manager Richard Solbri~, Assistant Mana~ler Christopher H. Strohm, President BOARD MEMBERS Pembroke Gochnauer, Vice President James Jones, Director Mary Lou Mosbacher, Director Duane Wallace, Director REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT MARCH 16, 2000 MINUTES The Board of Directors of the South Tahoe Public Utility District met in a regular session, March 16, 2000, 2:00 P.M., City Council Chambers, 1900 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, California. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President Strohm, Directors Wallace, Jones, Gochnauer, Mosbacher. ROLL CALL STAFF: Baer, Solbrig, Sharp, McFarlane, Noble, Brown, Reid, Swain, Rieger, Johnson, Cocking, Hoggatt, Zaninovich, Attorney Kvistad. GUESTS: Judy Brown/City Council Liaison, Colin West/U.S. Forest Service, Lew Feldman/Park Avenue Redevelopment Project, Stan Hansen/American Ski Company, Judith Von Klug/City of South Lake Tahoe Redevelopment Agency, David Kelly, Joyce Blackstone, Roy Hampson. Judy Brown distributed a copy of the resolution the City will consider for adoption at their next meeting. The resolu- tion supports El Dorado County's ordinance to ban the sale of MTBE in gasoline in the county portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE STl11072 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - MARCH 16, 2000 PAGE - 2 None. Moved Gochnauer/Second Jones/Passed Unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted: Authorized implementation of the two-week discon- nection procedures for delinquent sewer and/or water accounts; Alpine County's Summer 2000 Fish Purchases - Authorized payment to Alpine County in the amount of $28,750; Sher Funding for MTBE Contamination - Adopted Resolution No. 2704-00 authorizing a claim for financial assistance from the California Drinking Water Treatment and Research Fund and further authorizing certain officers of the District to act on behalf of the District for all fiduciary and administrative requirements thereof; Bijou Pump Station Equipment Upgrade -Authorized staff to advertise for bids for purchase of pumps and motors; Administrative Assistant Position: Temporary Help - Authorized purchase order to the Substitute Personnel Service in the total amount of $20,400; Approved Regular Board Meeting Minutes: February 3, 2000. Roy Hampson distributed a copy of a lawsuit filed against owners of a local gas station. He encouraged Board members to review it and to also watch actions before the local courts. Due to a potential conflict of interest, President Strohm disqualified himself from participating in the discussion of this item. Diane Noble reported the Finance Committee met with the project proponents on February 14, 2000. CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA OR CONSENT CALENDAR CONSENT CALENDAR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE REQUEST TO APPEAR BEFORE THE BOARD: Lewis Feldman, on behalf of Park Avenue Development Proponents STl11073 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - MARCH 16, 2000 PAGE - 3 Lewis Feldman came before the Board to discuss the project's proponents' request to relocate sewer capacity within the project area without the District imposing transfer conditions and fees as set forth in Section 4.8 of the District's Administrative Code. He requested the Board determine the relocation of sewer capacity within the project area is the functional equivalent of use within a legal parcel for the purpose of determin- ing transfer fees. Construction on Phase 1 of the project will commence May, 2000, and includes construction of the Heavenly gondola and the Grand Summit Resort Hotel. The hotel is a 195-unit hotel replacing approximately 300 old motel rooms. Additional sewer units will be needed as the rooms will have multiple bathrooms, kitchen facilities, Jacuzzi, steam showers, etc. It is the proponents belief that the concept of "legal parcel" as referred to in the District's ordinance, is somewhat inconsistent for a project of this magnitude - the project area is approximately 34-acres. They consider it to be one project area, deed restricted as to coverage, density and all land use elements. Even though the project is large and involves multiple parcels, all of which will be acquired by the Redevelop- ment Agency, he encouraged the Board to view the project as the equivalent of one parcel. Feldman noted the Park Avenue Development will require several hundred additional sewer units and the proponents recognize those costs and are not seeking relief from District ordinances. Diane Noble stated staff does not recommend that all parcels be considered as one. The District's criteria/ conditions of transfer clearly define the "parcel" as one boundary over which sewer capacity can be transferred. The District's sewer transfer provisions of the Administrative Code already gives a very sub- stantial consideration to redevelopment. The Project 1 Redevelopment Sites: Embassy Suites Hotel, Marina Village, EVR & the EVR southwest corner, were all handled in accordance with the "parcel" as the boundary for each project. Additionally, the original sewer REQUEST TO APPEAR BEFORE THE BOARD: Lewis Feldman, on behalf of Park Avenue Development Proponents (continued) STll1074 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES -MARCH 16, 2000 PAGE -4 capacity permits for parcels being demolished were issued in the 1950's and 1960's, were issued prior to any connections fees ever being collected. Noble listed the significant contributions the District has already made on behalf of redevelopment efforts. A lengthy discussion of the pros and cons of the request were discussed. Comments were also received from Judy Brown, Judith Von Klug, and Stan Hansen. The Board requested additional time to consider this issue prior to taking any Board action. Vice President Gochnauer directed an ad hoc committee to review this item and make a recommendation to the full Board. No Board action. REQUEST TO APPEAR BEFORE THE BOARD: Lewis Feldman, on behalf of Park Avenue Development Proponents (continued) ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION Both ENS Resources and Impact Strategies represented the District's needs in Washington D.C. during the last year. With their assistance, the District obtained $1 million for completion of the export pipeline replace- ment project, funding for MTBE cleanup activities was included in the Tahoe Restoration Act, and they also assisted the District with contacts at the federal level of EPA and the U.S. Forest Service. The Federal Legislative Ad Hoc Committee has met twice to review the proposals. Additionally, Directors Wallace and Jones have met with both firms to review the District's needs for this upcoming year. The District requires assist- ance in several areas, including: 1) Ensuring passage of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act, including an appropriation for MTBE cleanup activities. 2) Advocating assistance to support groundwater modeling needs. 3) Identifying assist- ance for energy production from hydroelectric power on the export pipeline. Staff believes that this combination of representation gives the District the best chance of con- tinued success in Washington D.C. Moved Wallace/Second Jones/Passed Unanimously to: A) Authorize proposal from ENS Resources in the amount of $54,404; and B) Authorize proposal from Impact Strategies in the amount of $60,000, plus expenses. CONTINUED WASHINGTON D.C. REPRESENTATION STl11075 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES -MARCH 16, 2000 PAGE- 5 Richard Solbrig reviewed that at the March 2, 2000 Board meeting, the Board approved a Special Use Permit that was acceptable to District staff and general counsel. District general counsel has been in contact with the USFS general counsel and are working out the details of several clauses contained in the draft permit. District and USFS staff reviewed the USFS proposed well site location to ensure the distance from the District's well was sufficient enough to avoid well interference. The District's electrical engineer provided a list of key equipment and bidding directions. Some of the equipment must be pre-purchased to ensure the project schedule is met. Colin West, USFS, reported their well driller will begin work the week of March 27. The USFS will approach the District regarding their need for fire and emergency cover- age in the near future. Gary Kvistad identified a number of items that must be completed before the Special Use Permit can be finalized. No Board action. (4:30 p.m. - Director Wallace left the meeting at this point.) Ross Johnson gave an oral and visual presentation re- garding biosolids disposal. He reviewed the available disposal methods - incineration and hauling. The economic evaluation revealed that hauling will save money. Several other advantages in hauling include: a significant reduction in air emissions and energy usage, increased handling capacity, reductions in plant recycle flows, and reduced operational complexity and maintenance. Johnson recommended the District convert to hauling in the fall of 2001. U.S. FOREST SERVICE SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR GARDNER MOUNTAIN WELL PRESENTATION: Biosolids Disposal Sludge Transport vs. Incineration ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION Richard Solbrig reported discussion of this item will be tabled to the next Regular Board meeting. No Board action. GARDNER MOUNTAIN WELL PUMP AND CONTROL BUILDING STl11076 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - MARCH 16, 2000 PAGE - 6 Bob Baer reported there are many important issues facing the District that require Board involvement. Staff recom- mends scheduling workshops in order to focus on one issue at a time. Workshops are needed for the following: the Groundwater Management Plan, Special Districts Board Institute update, and Alpine County Agreements update. Board members provided staff with suggested dates for each workshop. No Board action. Moved Gochnauer/Second Jones/Wallace Absent/Passed to approve payment in the amount of $427,032.17. 3:45 P.M. 4:00 P.M. Planning Committee: The committee met March 13 to begin reviewing the status of District-owned properties. Water and Wastewater Operations Committee: The committee met March 13. Minutes of the meeting are available upon request. Federal Legislative Ad Hoc Committee: Director Jones reported on his meetings with several legislative represen- tatives during his recent trip to Washington D.C. General Mana,qer: Bob Baer reported on six items: 1) Governor Davis appointed Jack Clarke to serve on the Lahontan Regional Board. 2) As part of an overall budget reduction, EPA cut grant programs by 5%, which included the District's $1 million appropriation. 3) He attended the El Dorado County Agricultural Com- mission meeting on March 8. The main topic of the meeting was to decide if the commission should be involved in County Water Agency issues. 4) The Budget Workshop is scheduled for March 21. 5) Staff met with a group of Canadian broadcasters who are doing a story about MTBE. BOARD WORKSHOPS PAYMENT OF CLAIMS MEETING BREAK MEETING RESUMED BOARD MEMBER STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS GENERAL MANAGER / STAFF REPORTS STl11077 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - MARCH 16, 2000 PAGE - 7 6) The District Information Officer has developed a "position statement" pertaining biosolids disposal. He will continue to develop these statements to provide an in- depth focus on various important issues facing the District. District General Counsel: Attorney Kvistad reported he sent a letter to Lahontan regarding the District's Special Discharge Permit requirements for remediation at the Tahoe Tom's site. 5:50 P.M. 6:00 P.M. GENERAL MANAGER / STAFF REPORTS (continued) ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED SESSION RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION ACTION I REPORT ON ITEMS DISCUSSED DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION By a unanimous vote of the four directors present (Director Wallace was absent), the Board approved the 2000 Manager's Incentive Program and directed Manager Baer to implement the program. (All other items listed on the agenda for Closed Session were discussed during the Special Board Meeting held prior to the Regular Board Meeting.) 6:00 P.M. Pursuant to Section 54957.6(a) of California Government Code/Con- ference with Labor Negotiators: Agency Negotiator: Robert Baer Employee Organization: STPUD Management Staff ADJOURNMENT Christopher H. Strohm, Board President South Tahoe Public Utility District ATTEST: Kathy Sharp,~ler~ 6f ihe Bo/ard South Taho~ Public Utility District STl11078 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. STl11079