09-03-2020SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
Randy Vogelgesang, President BOARD MEMBERS Kelly Sheehan, Vice President
Chris Cefalu, Director Duane Wallace, Director Nick Exline, Director
John Thiel, General Manager _ Shannon Cotulla, Assistant General Manager
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
September 3, 2020
MINUTES
The South Tahoe Public Utility District Board of Directors met in a regular session, 2:01 p.m., at the
District Office, located at 1275 Meadow Crest Drive, South Lake Tahoe, California.
ROLL CALL:
Board of Directors: Directors Sheehan, Wallace
Via Conference Call: President Vogelgesang, Directors Cefalu, Exline
Staff: John Thiel, Paul Hughes, Melonie Guttry, Tim Bledsoe, Julie Ryan, Brian Bartlett
Via Conference Call: Shelly Thomsen, Gary Kvistad, Shannon Cotulla, No Bergsohn, Brent Goligoski,
Jeff Lee, Stephen Caswell, Jessica Henderson
Guests: Margie Kovarik-Maxhimer, David Peterson
CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA OR CONSENT CALENDAR:
None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Moved Wallace/Second Sheehan/Vogelgesang Yes/Cefalu Yes/Sheehan Yes/Exline Yes to approve
the Consent Calendar as presented.
a. FUTURE WATER AND SEWER PIPELINE REHABILITATION PROJECTS
(Julie Ryan, Engineering Department Manager)
1) Approved the Proposal from Sierra Ecotone Solutions to complete biological resources
studies and authorize the General Manager to execute Task Order No. 16 in the amount
$28,310; and, (2) Approved the Proposal from Susan Lindstrom, PhD, Consulting Archaeologist,
to complete cultural resources studies, and authorize the General Manager to execute Task
Order No. 14 in the amount $16,600.
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES September 3, 2020 PAGE -2
b. TRUCKEE MARSH SEWER FACILITIES PROTECTION PROJECT
(Ivo Bergsohn, Hydrogeologist)
Accepted the Cost Proposal from Northwest Hydraulic Consultants for engineering services
needed to conclude the Truckee Marsh Sewer Facilities Protection Project in the amount of
$43,080.
c. WATER AND SEWER SERVICE CHARGE LATERENALTY FEES
(Paul Hughes, Chief Financial Officer)
Approved waiving late fees on the Fiscal Year 2020/21 second quarter water and sewer bills.
d. TEMPORARY HELP FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE
(Tim Bledsoe, Manager of Customer Service)
Approved a Contract with Blue Ribbon Personnel Services for one temporary employee, in the
estimated amount of $34,335.
e. TEMPORARY SHIPPING AND RECEIVING CLERK
(Heidi Baugh, Purchasing Agent)
Approved the Contract extension with Blue Ribbon Personnel Services for one temporary
Shipping and Receiving Clerk through October 31, 2020, in an amount not to exceed $17,500.
RESOLUTION FOR BUREAU OF RECLAMATION WATERSMART GRANTS: WATER AND ENERGY
EFFICIENCY GRANTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
(Lynn Nolan, Grants Coordinator)
Adopted Resolution No. 3151-20 approving submittal of a grant application for the Bijou and
Bowers Waterline Infrastructure Improvement Project to the Bureau of Reclamation
WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for Fiscal Year 2021 grant program.
g. REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES: August 20, 2020
(Melonie Guttry, Executive Services Manager/Clerk of the Board)
Approved August 20, 2020, Minutes
ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION
a. Customer Assistance Program (Tim Bledsoe, Customer service Manager) - Tim Bledsoe provided details
regarding the Customer Rate Relief Program and addressed questions from the Board. The
outreach has been done via local media and emails directly to customers. The District has
received 125 applications to date, for a total of $32,000 credited toward customer sewer bills.
This includes 11 commercial accounts, 17 multi -family dwellings, and 97 single family dwellings.
The bulk of the credit has gone toward commercial accounts to date for a total of $18,460. Tim
Bledsoe shared a few thank you letters with the Board from District customers. Director Wallace
and Director Exline commended staff for their efforts on this program. John Thiel stated reports
will continue to be brought forward regarding this program, with total numbers brought forward
in November.
Moved Wallace/Second Sheehan/Vogelgesong Yes/Cefalu Yes/Sheehan Yes/Exline Yes to
adopt Resolution No. 3152-20, a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the South Tahoe Public
Utility District establishing a Temporary Sewer Rate Relief Program in response to the COVID-19
Pandemic Emergency.
b. Transfer of Sewer Units for Public Agencies (Tim Bledsoe, Customer Service Manager) -Tim Bledsoe
provided details regarding the Transfer of Sewer Units for Public Agencies and detailed the
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES September 3, 2020 PAGE - 3
discussion regarding the Ad -Hoc Workforce Housing Committee Meeting and addressed
questions from the Board.
Moved Sheehan/Second Cefalu/Voaelgesang YeslCefalu Yes/Sheehan YeslExline Yes to
approve Ordinance 578-20 amending section 4.8.14 of the Administrative Code regarding
transfer of sewer units for public agencies.
c. Aeration Blower Emergency Power and Secondary Clarifiers No.'s 1 and 2 Rehabilitation Project
(Brent Goligoski, Associate Engineer) - Julie Ryan provided details regarding the Aeration Blower
Emergency Power and Secondary Clarifiers No.'s 1 and 2 Rehabilitation Project and addressed
questions from the Board.
Moved Sheehan/Second WallacelVo_ eq�l esang YeslCefalu Yes/Sheehan YeslExline Yes to (1)
Approve the Proposal from Carollo Engineers, Inc., in the amount of $186,782 for engineering
services for the Aeration Blower Emergency Power and Secondary Clarifiers No.'s 1 and 2
Rehabilitation Project; and, (2) Authorize the General Manger to execute Task Order No. 22 to
the Master Services Agreement with Carollo Engineers, Inc.
d. Approve Payment of Claims (Debbie Henderson, Accounting Manager)
Moved Sheehan/Second Cefalu/VoQelgesang YeslCefalu Yes/Sheehan YeslExline Yes to
approve Payment of Claims in the amount of $2,322,054.75.
STANDING AND AD -HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS:
BOARD MEMBER REPORTS:
President Vogelgesanq thanked Director Sheehan for leading the meeting today. Director Wallace
provided details regarding his dinner with Congressman McClintock regarding several Tahoe issues.
The City of South Lake Tahoe is considering hiring a legislative lobbyist, and ENS is in consideration.
The District may consider coordinating an ad -hoc committee with the County, as the District currently
does with the City. Director Exline mentioned an article in South Tahoe Now, regarding the volume of
refuse post COVID-19, with the majority of waste being single use items, such as plastic water bottles.
This might be a good time to market Tahoe Tap. Shelly Thomsen responded with information
regarding Tahoe Water Suppliers Program and the successful launch of the recent "Drink Tahoe Tap"
campaign in Tahoe City. Director Cefalu echoed Director Exline's comments regarding plastic water
bottles. Shelly Thomsen will research refillable water stations as well as other water ideas and report
back at a future Board Meeting. Shannon Cofulla suggested adding flushable wipes into the
campaign conversation.
EL DORADO WATER AGENCY PURVEYOR REPORT:
Director Sheehan reported the next meeting is September 9, which she will participate via
conference call and Director Wallace may participate if available.
GENERAL MANAGER REPORT:
John Thiel reported on several items:
■ The 24th Annual Lake Tahoe Summit was held virtually this year and he provided details.
• There have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases at the District, 12 employees have isolated at
home, but all tested negative and all staff are back to work at this time. The District is optimistic
that field crews can return to regular 10-hour shifts as soon as October 1, with all mitigation
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES September 3, 2020
PAGE - 4
protocols in place. The District has had success with remote work for office staff, but they may
return to regular office hours next month as well. Customer Service will be returning to the
office on September 21. John Thiel thanked the Board and staff for all efforts on the Customer
Relief Program.
STAFF/ATTORNEY REPORTS:
Melonie Guttry reported there is a tribute article in memory of Director James Jones in the current
California Special Districts Association Magazine.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION: 2:45 p.m.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION:
a. Pursuant to Section 54956.9(a) of the California Government Code, Closed Session may be
held for conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation United States District Court,
Case No. 2:20-CV-01514-WBS-CKD, Alpine County v. South Tahoe Public Utility District; et al.
No reportable Board action
b. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b) of the California Government Code,
Conference with Legal Counsel regarding Potential Litigation (one case).
No reportable Board action
c. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b) of the California Government Code,
Conference with Legal Counsel regarding Potential Litigation (one case).
No reportable Board action
ADJOURNMENT: 2:52 p.m.
Kel heehan, Board Vice President
South Tahoe Public Utility District
Melonie Guttry, Clerk of e Board
South Tahoe Public Utility District