3247-23 Appreciation of General Manager John Thiel 1 RESOLUTION NO. 3247-23
2 A RESOLUTION BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
3 OF THE SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT IN APPRECIATION OF
4 GENERAL MANAGER, JOHN THIEL, FOR 31 YEARS OF SERVICE
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6 WHEREAS, John Thiel has worked for the South Tahoe Public Utility District since
7 1992, for a total of 31 years, serving in the roles of Staff Engineer, Principal Engineer,
Engineering Department Manager, and General Manager; and
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WHEREAS, John's knowledge and experience as a civil engineer allowed him to
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design and develop dozens of important infrastructure projects which increased and
10 improved the capacity of our community's water and sewer systems; and
11 WHEREAS, during his tenure, John has strengthened productive relationships
12 within the community and is held in high regard by the leadership of our partner
13 organizations and governments in the Basin; and
14 WHEREAS, John directed the District to expand the data driven approach to
15 assess the condition of our system assets to prioritize the repair and replacement of
16 aging assets worth nearly $2 billion.
17 WHEREAS, John led the District's response through the COVID-19 pandemic to
ensure staff safety, reliable water and wastewater services, and help customers
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impacted by the pandemic by expanding the customer assistance program and
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delaying rate increases.
20 WHEREAS, when the District's entire service area evacuated during the Caldor
21 Fire, John led the Emergency Operations Center to support staff that worked around
22 the clock fixing leaks and moving water throughout the system to provide water for the
23 fire fight and protect the community of South Lake Tahoe. Under his leadership, the
24 EOC worked with fire personnel throughout the fire, repopulation, and restoration efforts
25 to ensure residents returned home to clean drinking water and a fully functioning
26 wastewater system.
WHEREAS, under John's leadership, the District secured grant funding to plan and
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implement hazardous fuel reduction projects on the 100 acres surrounding the
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wastewater treatment plant and 80 field stations; upsize waterlines; and install fire
29 hydrants for fire suppression.
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1 WHEREAS, during John's tenure, the District worked closely with community
2 partners to identify opportunities for workforce housing by changing the sewer-
connection fee to make fees more equitable.
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WHEREAS, by placing an emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, John
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oversaw the District's purchase of its first electric vehicle, completed a green-house gas
5 assessment, adopted an Environmental Policy, and provided support for the upcoming
6 installation of a 1 MW solar facility at the wastewater treatment plant that will offset one-
7 third of the plant's energy demand.
8 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Tahoe Public Utility District
9 does hereby express appreciation, gratitude and respect to its General Manager,
10 John Thiel, for his many years of dedicated service to the Board, his employees, and
11 the people of South Lake Tahoe.
12 WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing
13 Resolution No. 3247-23 was duly and regularly adopted and passed by the Board of
14 Directors of the South Tahoe Public Utility District at a Regular meeting held on the 1st
day of June 2023, by the following vote:
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16
AYES:Haven,Romsos, Peterson, Sheehan
17 NOES: None
18 ABSENT: Exline
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21 avid Peterson, Board President
South Tahoe Public Utility District
22 AITEST:
: tt
Melonie Guttry, Executive Services Manager/
25 Clerk of the Board
South Tahoe Public Utility District
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29 Resolution No.3247-23
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30 June 1,2023