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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-18-97SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT "Basic Services for a Complex World" Robed Baer, General Mana~ler Richard Solbri~, Assistant Mana~ler Christopher H. Strohm, President BOARD MEMBERS James Jones, Vice President Duane Wallace, Director Mary Lou Mosbacher, Director Pembroke Gochnauer, Director :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::~:~:~:[:~:[:~:~:~:~:~:~:[:~:~:~:~:~:i:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:[:~`1:i:i:~:~:i:g::::::::::::::::::::::::::::[:i:~::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::[:i:~:i::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::~:~:[:~:~:~:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::~:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:~:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:::::::::::::::::::::::::i~::::~:i REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CONVENED AS EMPLOYEES' BENEFIT PLAN TRUSTEES SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT DECEMBER 18, 1997 MINUTES The Board of Directors of the South Tahoe Public Utility District met in a regular session December 18, 1997, 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, Twomey, Noble, Hoggatt, Hydrick, Rieger, Garcia, Brown, R. Johnson, Forsythe, Attorney Neese. GUESTS: Patrick McCartney/Tahoe Daily Tribune, Reed Schmidt/ Bartle Wells, Harold Singer/Lahontan RWQCB, Tammy Gochnauer, Joyce Blackstone. The Clerk of the Board administered Oaths of Office to incumbent Directors Strohm, Jones; and to newly- elected Director Gochnauer. OATHS OF OFFICE Director Gochnauer introduced his wife, Tammy, and thanked Board members and staff for their support. ST007252 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - DECEMBER 18, 1997 PAGE - 2 Reed Schmidt gave a presentation outlining revisions to the sewer export system financial plan. The plan was revised to reflect impacts of the EPA grant on the export pipeline replacement project. Construction options were included in the event additional grants are received in the future. PRESENTATION: EXPORT PIPE- LINE REPLACEMENT FINANCIAL PLAN REVISIONS BOARD MEMBERS CONVENED AS EMPLOYEES' BENEFIT PLAN TRUSTEES Rhonda McFarlane reported the renewal options for the self-insured medical plan have been reviewed. Due to the unusual claims experienced during 1997, the current carrier's (Gerber) aggregate attachment point for excess insurance is unrealistically high. Staff recommended ob- taining excess insurance (specific and aggregate) through Transamerica, with aggregate coverage for medical and prescription claims exceeding $1,059,615 during the 1998 plan year. Based on 1997 claims, staff recommends funding expected claims and fixed costs of $842,400, and setting aside $400,000 in a separate contingency fund to account for higher than expected medical and dental claims. The recommended funding level, per employee per month, is $650.00. The Finance Committee has reviewed this item and recommended approval. McFarlane noted although 1997 was a difficult year, the District saved over $75,000 when compared to what would have been spent if the District had stayed with the former insurance carrier. Moved Strohm/Second Jones/Passed Unanimously to: A) Approve Transamerica as excess insurance carrier; B) Approve recommended funding plan ($650.00 per employee per month, and setting aside $400,000 in a contingency fund); and, C) Authorize Board President and/or Plan Administrator to sign related renewal documents. SELF-INSURED MEDICAL PLAN R E N EWAL RECONVENED TO REGULAR BOARD MEETING Consent Item 1 was brought forward for a separate vote. Consent Item 7 was brought forward for discussion prior to Board action. CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA OR CONSENT CALENDAR ST007253 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - DECEMBER 18, 1997 PAGE - 3 Moved Wallace/Second GochnauedPassed Unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar as amended: 2) Authorized implementation of the two-week discon- nection procedures on the property located at 2358 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, APN 31-020-41, for failure to perform annual backflow assembly test; 3) Authorized implementation of the two-week discon- nection procedures on the property located at 2970 Emerald Bay Road, APN 34-671-012 for failure to perform annual backflow assembly test; 4) Flagpole Booster Pump Station - Approved Change Order No. 1 for G. B. Construction/Michael Rohrer in the amount of $1,782.84; 5) 1997 Paving Project - Approved Change Order No. 1 for G. B. Construction in the amount of $5,996.55; 6) Adopted Resolution No. 2662: Authorizing South Y Groundwater Contamination Investigation; 8) Adopted Resolution No. 2663: revisions to the Deferred Compensation Plan Trust; 9) Approved Willy B. Water agreement and authorized execution by Board President. CONSENT CALENDAR CONSENT ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD FOR ACTION / DISCUSSION Moved Wallace/Second Gochnauer/Strohm Abstained/ Passed to authorize implementation of the two-week disconnection procedures for delinquent sewer and/or water accounts. (Director Strohm abstained due to a potential conflict of interest.) Richard Solbring reported because of requirements from EPA Region IX, additional work had to be done on the ENNegative Declaration in order to satisfy NEPA. Lahontan presented a lengthy list of questions that must also be answered prior to a stormwater pollution permit being issued. It is necessary to increase Harland Bartholomew and Associate's task order to cover costs resulting from the additional work. DISCONNECTION PROCEDURES FOR DELINQUENT SEWER AND/OR WATER ACCOUNTS (Consent Item No. 1) A-LINE: PHASE II (Consent Item No. 7) ST007254 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - DECEMBER 18, 1997 PAGE - 4 Moved Jones/Second Mosbacher/Passed Unanimously to approve increase to Task Order No. 12 for Harland Bartholomew and Associates in the amount of $11,750, to complete environmental documentation. A-LINE: PHASE II (Consent Item No. 7) (continued) ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION Moved Strohm/Second Wallace/Passed Unanimously to elect Director Jones to the office of President of the Board. At this time, Director Strohm exchanged places with Director Jones; Director Jones presided over the remainder of the meeting. Moved Jones/Second Gochnauer/Passed Unanimously to elect Director Strohm to the office of Vice President of the Board. Moved Strohm/Second Wallace/Passed Unanimously to approve work plan with Holland and Knight to secure federal fiscal year 1999 funding, in an amount not to exceed $65,000. Moved Mosbacher/Second GochnauedPassed Unanimously to approve payment in the amount of $542,733.55. Water and Wastewater Operations Committee: The committee met December 15, and discussed several items on this agenda. Minutes from the meeting are available upon request. Finance Committee: The committee December 8 to discuss self-funded medical insurance, liability insurance renewal, and the schedule for budget preparation. The final budget will be reviewed by the committee in March. Planning/Ordinance Committee: Bob Mason will serve as a public liaison to this committee. Two public workgroups were held to gather public input regarding residential and commercial sewer issues. ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICERS EXPORT PIPELINE REPLACEMENT PAYMENT OF CLAIMS BOARD MEMBER STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS ST007255 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - DECEMBER 18, 1997 PAGE - 5 County Water A,qency/EDWPA Committee: The next EDWPA managers' meeting is January 9. Staff will attend to discuss cost sharing with the water agency. LAFCO: Per LAFCO's request, staff is working to include several small areas as part of the annexation. Lahontan/SWRCB Communications Ad Hoc Committee: Bob Baer and Director Strohm will attend the January 8 and 9 Lahontan Board meetings in Victorville. A tour of the Mojave watershed is included as part of their agenda. FEMA Ad Hoc Committee: District representatives traveled to Sacramento December 16 to appeal the decision by FEMA not to reimburse nearly $1.3 million in funding for the Ponderosa Pump Station. The hearing was held before FEMA's new regional director. Staff from Senator Boxer's and Congressman Doolittle's office attended to show support. Tremendous support was also received from the State Office of Emergency Services. H20 Program (Helping Hand Outreach Program) Ad Hoc Committee: Staff is coordinating efforts to include this program, along with other similar programs being administ- ered by El Dorado County. Details of the program are still being formulated. Director Wallace reported on the makeup and activities of the 15-member federal advisory committee that was developed to advise President Clinton on Tahoe issues. 3:55 P.M. 4:00 P.M. Director Jones reported on his attendance at a recent governor's advisory panel. He participated in a work- group designed to evaluate the effectiveness of 1998 standards for underground storage tanks and marina refueling facilities. Additional meetings will be held in January. Manager Baer reported on five items: 1) Staff attended Senator Boxer's hearing on MtBE. Testimony was received from ACWA, Senator Hayden, BOARD MEMBER STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS (continued) BOARD MEMBER AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS BOARD MEMBER REPORTS MEETING BREAK MEETING RESUMED GENERAL MANAGER/STAFF REPORTS ST007256 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES -DECEMBER 18, 1997 PAGE and Senator Mountjoy. Standards for MtBE taste and odor levels are proposed to be set at 5 ppb. 2) A letter was received from the State Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water, commending the District for implementing several water system improve- ments, and for the excellent results achieved during their recent inspection. 3) District staff met with representatives from El Dorado County Department of Health and Lahontan, to discuss protecting the community's water supply from the threats of MtBE Harold Singer, Lahontan RWQCB, encouraged the District to aggressively pursue oversite of the District's water supply. He expressed to the Board his concerns regarding the impacts of MtBE on groundwater supplies. The District's viewpoints on this issue are valuable; he emphasized the need to pool resources, seek solutions, and minimize the affects of MtBE. Singer reported on the reorganization of Lahontan's South Lake Tahoe office. Effective February 1, the north portion of the Lahontan region will be separated into three geographical areas: South Lake Tahoe; Alpine County, Mono County, etc.; and from the Upper Truckee River to the Oregon border. The South Lake Tahoe office will be headed by Laurie Kemper, and will deal only with issues pertaining to South Lake Tahoe. Director Mosbacher questioned Singer about Lahontan's position with regards to adding fire hydrants to the export pipeline. Singer responded that the regional board de- clined to take a stand on the issue. Current law prohibits the discharge of effluent in the Tahoe Basin; however, the District could introduce legislation to amend this law. He suggested installing tees as part of the pipeline design, to allow for placement of hydrants in the future. 4) At the December 4 meeting, the Board directed staff to make a recommendation regarding how to proceed with the MtBE issues. The Executive Committee will review the recommendations. GENERAL MANAGER/STAFF REPORTS (continued) ST007257 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - DECEMBER 18, 1997 PAGE -7 5) Reed Schmidt, Bartle Wells, will present the District's Five-Year Financial Plan to the Tahoe Transportation and Water Quality Coalition on December 19. Richard Solbrig reported on the status of the emergency projects: Millich Ditch/Snowshoe Thompson Ditch No. 1 Emergency Project of March 20, 1997 - A cost-sharing agreement is being developed between project participants. The Snow- shoe Thompson pipeline project is expected to be bid in February. Construction will commence in March and April, with completion expected in time for the beginning of the irrigation season. Upper Truckee River Gravity Sewer Line Crossing (near Morton Dr. and South Upper Truckee Road) Emergency of 10/2/97 - The project scopes and sketches were submit- ted to TRPA and Lahontan prior to the extension deadline. Ed Wallace, P.E., has determined the proper size of rocks needed to protect the line. Staff met with property owner, Jori Corley, regarding access to the site. District Information Officer: Dawn Forsythe reported she met with the NRCS (National Resource Conservation Service) and the Conservancy. A backyard conservation program is included as one of the presidential deliverables. NRCS requested the District join their efforts to develop a conservation program to be implemented this summer. 4:45 P.M. 4:50 P.M. GENERAL MANAGER/STAFF REPORTS (continued) STATUS OF EMERGENCY PROJECTS MEETING BREAK MEETING RESUMED AND ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION ACTION / REPORT ON ITEMS DISCUSSED DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION Attorney Neese reported on the status of this case. 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 ST007258 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES - DECEMBER 18, 1997 PAGE - 8 The Board directed legal counsel and staff regarding this item. No Board action. Pursuant to Section 54956.9(b) of California Government Code/ Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation (one case) The final revisions to the managers' 1998 performance goals were presented. Moved Wallace/Second Strohm/Passed Unanimously to approve the Incentive Program, as presented. 5:50 P.M. Pursuant to Section 54957.6 of California Government Code/ Conference with Labor Negotiators re: STPUD Management Staff ADJOURNMENT es R. Jones, ~,'8 Presiden th Tahoe PublT'8 Utility District K'a~.hy ~har~l~r~-o~ tiqe go~rd South Taho'~ublic Utility District ST007259 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