MINUTES

BOARD MEETING

February 13, 2008

 1.        Meeting was called to order at 0901 hours by Chair Tretten.

 2.        Report on Closed Session

            Nothing to report

 3.        Motion to approve the January Minutes.

            Motion – F. Shepard                Second – L. Walker                 All in favor – Aye.

 4.        Chief’s Report (given by General Manager Motzkus)

            Calls

            1/16 – Vehicle Rollover – 4 members responded

            1/20 – Medical Call – Eureka Springs Drive – 3 members responded

            2/03 – Medical Call – Poplar Valley Road – 2 members responded

            2/05 – Vehicle Rollover – 2 members responded

            Personnel

The prospective new member reported on at the January Meeting has moved out of the area.

Fire Fighter/1st Responder Bob Arieta is back from Iraq

            Grant Update

            Nothing to report

            Exhaust Ventilation System

            We will attempt to get Grant money for purchase and installation of this system.

            Sequoia Circle Propane Tank

The Chief and General Manager met with Dave Shelton and Robert Spaniel from Bi-State Propane and representatives from the Plumas Pines Master Association.  The safety violations were discussed as outlined in the letter sent to all affected parties on December 27, 2007.  Bi-State assured the CSD and Homeowners Association that the items will be addressed and that a letter will be forthcoming outlining the repair timeline.  At the time of this meeting (February Board Meeting), this correspondence has not been received.  If not received by the end of the following week, the General Manager will contact them again.  

Also discussed, was our request for increased liability from one million to five million dollars and the PECSD being named additional insured on Bi-States insurance policy.  Further, a Fire Department Mitigation Fee was proposed since the propane tank resides on CSD property.

Clerk’s Note:  At this time, representatives from Brandis Tallman arrived at the Meeting.  The Chair postponed the Chief’s Report so that they could make their presentation to the Board.

 5.        Brandis Tallman LLC

The General Manager introduced Rick Brandis and Jeff Land to the Board.  They informed the Board that the language in the CSDA documents for the Bond for the construction of the Dynamite Leachfield indicated that the Certificates of Participation could not be marketed for refinance until a ten year period had passed.  This has occurred and now if we wish, the CSD can refinance the balance due on the Bond for a lower interest rate and earlier payoff, using private sector financing rather than public which would entail far less legal procedures thus cutting costs.

There followed a question and answer period.  Upon its conclusion, the Board thanked Misters Brandis and Land for their time and they took their leave.

1020 hours - at this time, the board took a short break.

1030 hours – the Board Meeting reconvened.

 6.        Fiscal Year 2006/2007 Audit Report

            Bob Johnson, CPA presented a review of the Financial Audit Report to the Board.

He complimented both the CSD Staff and Board for their efficiency and ability to face things ‘head on’ rather than ignoring an issue.

Motion to accept the 2006/2007 Audit.

Motion – L. Walker                  Second – V. Wiemeyer            All in favor – Aye.

The Board thanked Mr. Johnson for making the trip from Citrus Heights to give the Audit presentation.

 5.        Brandis Tallman     

Board Member Shepard informed the Board that he had shown the initial proposal to a friend who had been in this type of financing for a number of years.  His friend recommended that the Board explore this avenue of financing and see what kind of numbers ‘they’ come back with.  It was the sense of the Board to go forward with Brandis Tallman proposal and have them compare fees percentages and covenants.  Also ask them to gather information on the I Bank versus Private Lending and make a comparison for the Board.  This item was put on the March Agenda.

 4.        Return to the Chief’s Report

Propane Tank – continued

The Board continued discussion on some type of Fire Protection Fee to be charged to the propane company for having the tank on CSD property.  They discussed whether or not it might be better to title the fee as a “Land Use” fee rather than Fire Protection.  This will be revisited at the March Board meeting.

Miscellaneous

• There have been articles and news reports on the ongoing budget problems in California and the possibility that Plumas Eureka State Park may be closed as part of a proposed downsizing.  The Chief requested that the Board entertain a notion of sending a letter to the Governor protesting this closure.  The Board was informed that the Chief is in the process of drafting a letter to the Governor pointing out our concerns from a Fire point of view.  The Board concluded that they would draft a letter after reviewing the language of the letter that the Chief is sending.

• In 2009, Engine 9121 is scheduled to be replaced.  The Chief would like the Board to consider acquiring an Incident Command Vehicle (the Chief currently uses his own vehicle to respond to calls) and using 9121 as a back up engine.

Discussion – perhaps get rid of 9121, then get an Incident Command Vehicle and have Graeagle’s equipment as a possible back up thus freeing up space in the engine bay to park the Type 3 Wildland Fire Engine and park the Incident Command Vehicle in engine bay #4.  The General Manager will discuss this with the Chief and report back to the Board at the March Board Meeting.

 7.        LAFCo Update

On February 11th, Frank Motzkus (General Manager), Elmer Tretten (Board Chair) and Larry Walker (Vice Chair) all attended the LAFCo Meeting in Quincy.

CSD had been informed by LAFCo that we were scheduled for Municipal Service Review (MRC) and a review of our Sphere of Influence (SOI).  We had been waiting for the Eagle Ridge RV Park to approach LAFCo about being annexed into the Plumas Eureka Fire response area for fire protection in order to share costs of the studies, but we have since found out that they do not have to go through LAFCo for fire protection because of the wording in their development permit.  Discussion on this matter will continue at the March Board Meeting.

 8.        Length of Service Awards Program – update.

V. Wiemeyer advised the Board that this Program is still under the control of CALPERS and the matter of them turning it back over to the control of the California State Fire Fighters Association is not likely to happen anytime soon.

 9.        Expenditure Request

            Nothing to request.

10.       Goals and Objectives update

The Board was informed that letters had been sent to the Homeowners Associations advising them of the May meeting for our second G & O session and inviting their attendance and recommendation of any other interested parties who should be asked to attend.  To date we have only received a response from The Village at Plumas Pines Homeowners Association.    

11.       Standing Committee Reports

            Safety – nothing to report

            Fire Corps – Mr. Machado is not in attendance

            Insurance – nothing to report

Personnel – the Board was advised that the Committee shall be performing an annual evaluation of the General Manager this week and would report on the evaluation at the March Board Meeting.

12.       Future Agenda Items and New Business

            The Clerk reviewed the items that were placed on the March Meeting Agenda

            New Business

There was a suggestion to have the Fire Corps explore the possibility of having members of the Fire Corps monitor and maintain the snow clearance around fire hydrants in the District.  This will be brought to the attention of R. Machado, Fire Corps liaison upon his return.

13.       General Manager’s Report

There was a review and a question and answer period on the January Financial Reports.

Motion to approve the January Financial Reports.

Motion – L. Walker                  Second – F. Shepard                All in favor – Aye.

Fire Station – possible re-model and expansion – the General Manager showed a rough sketch to the Board on the possible design on this future project.

Commercial Rate for Fire Calls – as previously discussed, the General Manager will discuss this item with the Chief and report back to the Board at the March Board Meeting.

Miscellaneous

• In the spring and early summer, the District will be setting up tours of our facility and wells and treatment plants.  Lewis Prince, Operations Manager has prepared a flyer to put around the area and there will be an article on this in the Spring Issue of the Newsletter and the information will also be posted on our website.  The Board thanked Lewis for his initiative.

• The General Manager advised the Board that currently in the summer, we recycle reclaimed water from Treatment Plant #6 to the front nine on the Golf Course.  From data being collected on the recently upgraded Treatment Plant #7, he would like to explore getting grant funding to implement recycling reclaimed water from Treatment Plant #7 to other parts of the Golf Course and the Sequoia Circle Park.

It was the sense of the Board to proceed.

• The Board was informed that the General Manager and Vice Chair had recently attended a Special Districts Meeting in Quincy.  There they met with John Sheehan from Plumas Corp, who is involved in the renovation of the Plumas Eureka Ski Bowl outside of Johnsville.  Mr. Sheehan asked that Plumas Eureka CSD sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) supporting the renovation of the Ski Bowl.  Copies of the MOU will be made available to the Board Members and the item will be placed on the March Agenda.

• February 20th will be the next meeting of the Ground Water Management Plan Group

• At the Special District’s Meeting the members were informed that the Plumas County Board of Supervisors had passed a Policy on Tax Revenue Sharing.

At the May meeting of the Association, the Plumas County Counsel will be asked to attend to explain the language in this policy, since it appears to be rather vague. 

The General Manager informed the Board that he is working on a strategy to renegotiate Tax Revenue Sharing with the County for areas in Plumas Eureka Estates, Eureka Springs and The Village at Plumas Pines.

It was pointed out that the Association is struggling with a lack of people to perform some of the work on the Association’s projects.  A solution to this is lack of membership is being sought.

14.       Written Correspondence to the Board

            Already discussed under item number 10.

15.       Opportunity for the Public to address the Board

            Mr. Stone, who was in attendance at the Meeting had no comments at this time.

16.       Motion to Adjourn

            Motion – L. Walker                  Second – F. Shepard                All in favor – Aye.

Meeting adjourned at 1233 hours.

In attendance:

            E. Tretten, L. Walker, V. Wiemeyer, F. Shepard

Absent:

            R. Machado

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                                   Teresa L. Cunningham

                                                                                                Teresa L. Cunningham

                                                                                                Clerk to the PECSD Board