Untitled Document

Addition to the Minutes under the General Manager’s Report, specifically the “Mutt Mits” that are to be installed throughout the District by PEPS. At the January Meeting, Mr. Walker volunteered to pick up any plastic bags dropped within the District.

1/29 – Chimney Fire Whitehawk Ranch – GFD 1st on scene
2/05 – Vehicle Accident Hwy 70 @ Feather River Inn – GFD 1st on scene
2/08 – Fire Alarm Pine Street in Clio – GFD 1st on scene
2/09 – Medical Aid Chinook Trail – unknown 1st on scene
2/09 – Medical Aid Pine Cone Court

We have received three quotes for fire shelters for the 2008 CALFire Grant for ten fire shelters, including training shelters. The lowest bid was from Allstar Fire Equipment for $3,100, and the highest price was $3,617, tax and shipping not included.
We are still waiting for the third bid for the SCBA’s from the FEMA Grant, but so far the lowest bidder is under our dollar request.
We have received the 2009 CALFire Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Grant application paperwork. He is currently working on it and the submittal date is March 1, 2009.

We are waiting for the next set of drawings showing the proposed storage area down by the lower driveway.

On January 28th, a copy of the fourth quarter arsenic letter was published in the Portola Reporter. On January 30th copies of the letter were sent to all property owners.

Eco:Logic Engineers has requested more information be forwarded to them for the well study.

The documents from the collection agency were forwarded to the Attorney for language review. He advised that he is familiar with the Firm and that the language is standard form and that costs are not open ended. He recommends that we set up a good line of communication with the Firm and their attorney, so that there is no miscommunication as to what we need and how far we want them to take the issue.

The Board reviewed the revised language of Policy #3045, which outlines standards and procedures for procurement of goods and services.

The Board was informed that the County is in the process of implementing a Reverse 911 System and the head of OES will come and explain its function when the implementation is complete.

The Board was informed that Chair Tretten and General Manager Motzkus met with a representative from Plumas Sierra Rural Electric Co-operative to discuss our investigation into solar power. He will continue to report on the progress of this item.

The Clerk reviewed the items on the March Agenda so far. The Chair requested that Water Conservation be added to the Agenda and also a monthly report on Accounts Receivable. This will be done

There were some questions about the protection level on the capital funds that we have deposited in LAIF (Local Agency Investment Fund) at the State level. The General Manager will look into the matter and report back to the Board in March.

Budget adjustment for the stipend increases approved in January for the volunteer firefighters.

Letters will be sent out to the members of the Budget/Finance Committee advising that the FY 2009/2010 Budget discussions will start in April. A letter will also be sent to T. Thomas who requested a possible seat on the committee.

The General Manager reported that he had a discussion with the Attorney on the language contained in Prop 218 with regard to fees. With regard to fees for water, sewer and garbage services, we do not fall under the vote requirement because our fees are set by Ordinance.

He further advised that unless we have to go out for some type of emergency loan funding, there will be no rate increases for the 2009/2010 Fiscal Year.

With regard to snow removal for fire hydrants, he has spoken with the staff and the clearing will be a higher priority.

The company that performed our electric cost review advised us that the Well 1B meter is on a schedule that could be reduced and give us a possible savings of as much as $7,000 per year. He will investigate this tidbit of news.

We have received a letter from the Village at Plumas Pines developer, requesting an extension on the installation of the infrastructure for the second phase. Due to the economic downturn the County has granted them an extension on their permit until October 2010 and they have requested the same from the CSD.

The General Manager and Board Member Walker attended the Special District’s Meeting on February 6th. A representative from the County Elections Office spoke to those present. Among the topics discussed were the required Form 700 which must be filled out but kept at each District’s offices. It is a conflict of interest form that is a State requirement. Also, forms for November elections will be coming to the Districts around July. For the PECSD the terms that are up are Walker, Shepard and Machado.

Also a representative from the LAFCo Board was present and he informed those present that work is slowing down for LAFCo and they are not going to push for Municipal Service Reviews or Sphere of Influence Reviews unless it has to do with an annexation or development. Also a letter has been sent to LAFCo from the districts that are only parks and recreation or cemeteries requesting that they restructure LAFCo to separate them from CSD’s, which have clients (living) and fees.

There was a vacancy on the Special District’s Board and our own Mr. Walker volunteered to fill the vacancy.

At the meeting, Mr. Motzkus met Brian Morris who is part of the Regional Groundwater Management Plan for Plumas County. He requested that his name be included for notification of future Plumas Eureka Groundwater Group (PEGG) meetings.

The General Manager advised the Board that Jerry Sipe from the Environmental Health has sent a letter to the State for the Special District’s Association, stating their opposition to AB885, which as previously stated in prior minutes addresses the proposed new requirements for properties with individual septic systems. The General Manager further advised the Board that written comment from us is not necessary since he has attended a meeting on the subject in Susanville and voiced our opinions at that time.

We have received both a phone call and a letter of sorts from DiLoreto Limited regarding the lots that he owns down on Sugar Pine Court that are in a flood plain and he considers unbuildable (clerk’s note – they may be buildable, but it would be very costly). He feels that he should not be charged for water stand by fees and fire assessments for these lots. After discussion the Board feels that since other owners of lots are billed for the same things, he should be too.

Further the General Manager told the Board that Mr. DiLoreto indicated that should the CSD be interested, he may consider donating the parcels to the CSD to be used as open space. After discussion, the Board asked the General Manager to write Mr. DiLoreto a letter indicating that we would not be opposed to opening a dialog on this matter. Also, if Mr. DiLoreto responds positively, then contact legal about formation of a Recreation District within the CSD.

David Stone asked if the Arsenic Notices could be sent out by e mail? It was explained that the last time we tried to send information out via e mail, most of it was bounced back as spam. But we are going to contact the State and ask if we can include the notice in our newsletter and have that constitute notification and or post it on our website.

On the subject of saving on electricity, he advised the Board that he had gone “green” on practically all his lighting at his home and had been tracking his electric charges for several years and the savings is considerable!

He is on the Board for Goldridge and had some questions regarding the Lien process that one must go through to lien property. The Clerk told him to stop by the office and she would give him the information he asked about.

The Chair asked about the progress on a stand by generator installation for the building. We are waiting on bid information from McElwain Construction.