HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-01-2026 MinutesSOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
Joel Henderson, Director
Nick Haven, Vice President
Ryan Lee, Acting General Manager
BOARD MEMBERS Kelly Sheehan, Director
Shane Romsos, President Nick Exline, Director
Andrea Salazar, Chief Financial Officer
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
October 1, 2026
MINUTES
The South Tahoe Public Utility District Board of Directors met in a regular session, 2:00 p.m., at the
District Office, located at 1275 Meadow Crest Drive, South Lake Tahoe, California.
ROLL CALL: Board of Directors: President Romsos, Directors Sheehan, Henderson and Exline
Absent: Director Haven
Staff: Ryan Lee, Andrea Salazar, Robert Wakefield, Melonie Guttry, Shannon Chandler, Megan
Colvey, Brent Goligoski, Adrian Combes, Liz Kauffman, Vincent Stagnaro, Aaron Buckman, Chris
Skelly, Anthony Gregorich, Greg Dupree, Donielle Morse, Ross Cole
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
2. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None
3. CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA OR CONSENT CALENDAR: None
4. ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR:
Moved Exline/Second Sheehan/Haven Absent/Romsos Yes/Henderson Yes/Sheehan Yes/Exline
Yes to approve the Consent Calendar as presented.
a. RECEIVE AND FILE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS (Greg Dupree, Accounting Manager)
Received and filed Payment of Claims in the amount of $2,061,785.13.
b. REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES: September 3, 2026
(Melonie Guttry, Executive Services Manager/Clerk of the Board)
Approved September 3, 2026, Minutes.
5. CONSENT ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION/ACTION: None
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES: October 1, 2026 PAGE - 2
6. ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION:
a. 2027 Wastewater Treatment Plant Ballast Ponds 1 & 2 Interim Containment Design (Taylor .Jaime,
Staff Engineer II and Brent Goligoski, Senior Engineer) — Brent Goligoski provided details regarding the
2027 Wastewater Treatment Plant Ballast Ponds 1 & 2 and addressed questions from the Board.
He further provided a PowerPoint Presentation outlining the planning history and escalating
urgency of this project. Aaron Buckman added that both ponds are required to accomplish
the Return Activated Sludge Project as well as during emergency situations. He further stated
that approximately 70% of wastewater treatment plants use ballast ponds.
Moved Sheehan/Second Romsos/Haven Absent/Romsos Yes/Henderson Yes/Sheehan
Yes/Exline Yes to 1) Approve the proposed Scope of Work by Water Systems Consulting, Inc.
for Engineering Services for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Ballast Ponds 1 and 2 Interim
Containment Design; and 2) Authorize the Acting General Manager to execute Task Order No.
14 with Water Systems Consulting, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $152,978.
7. STANDING AND AD -HOC COMMITTEES AND LIAISON REPORTS:
Director Exline provided details regarding the Finance Committee meeting held on September
24, 2026. The Committee requested a stronger finance element associated with all Board
committees. President Romsos thanked Andrea Salazar, Greq Dupree and Chelsea Block for
accommodating the Finance Committee meeting. Overtime compensation details were
requested as this topic was discussed at the Employee Communications Committee meeting on
September 16, 2026, and the Finance Committee would like more departmental transparency
regarding overtime. Also the committee is asking for details on what, if any savings, the District is
realizing from the Solar Project. The Finance Committee will be looking toward a quarterly
meeting schedule going forward.
8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS:
Director Exline reported that he attended the Chamber Candidate Forum on September 30,
2026, and community members had questions regarding energy and the District changing its
name. Director Henderson participated in the District's homecoming float which was well
received. President Romsos shared comments that there is a lot of appreciation in the community
for the District. He further reminded everyone that El Nino is anticipated for this winter, and the
District needs to prepare however possible. He provided kudos to Derek Kuusalu in Heavy
Maintenance for the painting he has been doing at the front of the Administration building.
9. STAFF/ATTORNEY REPORTS: None
10. ACTING GENERAL MANAGER REPORT:
Ryan Lee reported on several items:
• The Audit has been taking place over the last couple of months, and the auditors were on site
last week. Andrea Salazar added that as of now there are no material weaknesses or findings
and the auditors did meet with President Romsos and Director Exline. Previously the auditors
were Mann, Urrutia, Nelson CPA's & Associates and have been acquired by Eide Bailly. She
provided kudos to Finance, Accounting, Grants and Customer Service Departments for their
work on the audit. She is hoping to have the Board accept the audit at the December 5th
Board meeting.
• The Board Candidate Forum will be held Tuesday, October 6 at 6:00 p.m. The Forum is open tc
the public and there will be an opportunity to ask questions of the Candidates.
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES: October 1, 2026 PAGE - 3
11. NOTICE OF PAST AND FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS
12. BREAK AND ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION: 2:38 p.m.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION: 4:50 p.m.
a. Pursuant to Section 54956.9(d) (1) of the California Government code, Closed Session may be
held for conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation: Yolo County Superior Court
Case CV 2021-1686, Alpine County vs. South Tahoe Public Utility District; et al.
No reportable Board Action
b. Pursuant to Section 54956.9(d) (2) of the California Government code, Closed Session may be
held for conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation.
No reportable Board Action
c. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) consider the appointment of public
employee (Interim General Manager). Provide staff with recruitment direction.
No reportable Board Action
d. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b) (1) consider the appointment of public
employee (General Manager). Provide staff with recruitment direction.
President Romsos reported that the Board provided direction to the Ad -Hoc General Manager
Recruitment Committee and the Human Resources Director regarding the Interim General Manager
position and negotiating with the successful candidate.
13. Interim General Manager Appointment (Liz Kauffman, Human Resources Director) - This Item was
pulled from the Agenda as no action was needed at this time.
ADJOURNMENT: 4:51 P.M.
Shane Romsos, Board President
South Tahoe Public Utility District
P��lelonie Guttry, Executi e Services Manager/
Board Clerk
South Tahoe Public Utility District