MINUTES
Board Meeting
September 12, 2007
Closed Session
Called to order – 0830 hours
Adjourned – 0910 hours
Open Session
1. The Board Meeting was called to order at 0910 hours by Chair Tretten.
2. Report on Closed Session
The Board and General Manager discussed the possible purchase a piece of land for use either as a test well or a production well. The matter was continued pending further communication with the property owner.
3. Motion to approve the August 2007 Minutes.
Motion – L. Walker Second – F. Shepard All in favor – Aye.
4. Fire Chief’s Report – by T. Cunningham
Calls
during their Chief’s funeral
from the Moonlight Fire
Mohawk Vista
Personnel – No changes
Grant Update – we have been informed by FEMA that we were not successful in the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for this year.
Sequoia Circle Propane Tank – The Chief met with the gas company manager, Dave Shelton. He assured the Chief that they will take the necessary steps to complete all the safety items in a timely manner. The Chief will continue to update the Board until all safety items are in compliance.
Miscellaneous –
5. Definitions
The Board discussed whether or not to change the language in the definition of a Multiple Dwelling unit in Section 3.01.30 in the Billing Ordinance.
With reference to this subject, the General Manager advised the Board that he had received an e mail from property owner Seelig, with a request that his correspondence be read to the Board and made a part of the Minutes. This was done by the General Manager and a copy of said correspondence is available upon request.
Discussion included input from local real estate agent T. Joyce.
Conclusion – the following motion was made by L. Walker.
Motion - To stay with the existing definition of Multiple Dwelling Units, but add the wording “with separate access” to the definition of a Dwelling Unit.
Motion – L. Walker Second – F. Shepard
Aye – Walker, Shepard, Wiemeyer and Tretten
Abstain – Machado
- - - -
Irrigation Taps – the General Manager advised the Board that it has come to our attention that there are homes in the District that have gone into the water boxes and installed separate water connections for the sole purpose of irrigation.
1. We do not know if the required back flow preventor has been installed into this connection.
2. They are not paying for the additional connection thus depriving the District of revenue and therefore coming under the heading of “Unauthorized Tapping or Connection” as referred to in the recent letter sent to all property owners regarding the proposed changes to Ordinance Number 98 – C – 2008.
Clerk’s note – after the Meeting a conversation was held between myself and the General Manager. It was decided that an article regarding this subject will be composed for the upcoming newsletter.
6. Ordinance 98-C-2008 – Public Hearing
The Public Hearing was called to order at 0955 hours.
It was ascertained at this time that there were no members of the Public present.
The Clerk advised the Board that no written protests had been received as of this date. However, what we have been receiving are several phone calls and office visits with people asking what service size their dwelling had, which is the ¾” to 1” size.
The Public Hearing closed at 1007 hours
7. Annexations
The General Manager advised the Board that we have agreed to provide a Fire Contract upon annexation into our Fire District for the Eagle Ridge Development on Graeagle/Johnsville Road. Any annexation is a LAFCo process.
He informed the Board that he and the Developers had met with LAFCo to start said process.
Discussion – currently we are not a contributing part of LAFCo and some Board Members expressed concern that by going through this process, we would somehow be pulled into being a part of LAFCo, which would mean a financial commitment. The General Manager would check into this.
The General Manager further advised that we are due for a review of our sphere of influence by LAFCo (a State requirement that spheres be reviewed every five years). Again the concern of being pulled into LAFCo was raised. The General Manager would also check into this.
The General Manager commented that after reviewing the plans for the Development, it came to his attention that the water and waste water facilities at Eagle Ridge would be monitored by State Agencies. If the annexation went through could it also include water and wastewater monitoring in addition to providing fire protection, he wanted to know and how the Board felt about this possibility.
Discussion and conclusion – more information is needed before the Board could consider this subject.
The item was continued to the October Board Meeting Agenda.
8. Goals and Objectives
Board Member Walker commented that we had made significant progress on the list originally compiled in 2004. He felt that we should set up another Goal Setting Session, possibly in the Winter or Spring to review and re-define our Goals. At the November Meeting, schedules will be reviewed and a date for the Session will be set. This will give us time to invite members of the Public to also attend and provide their input.
Mr. Walker will write an article for the Pipelines outlining the Goals and Objectives.
Board Member Wiemeyer distributed an article that he wanted to be included in the Pipelines, it is entitled “PECSD Board Member Corner”, and hopefully this will become an ongoing form of Board Member communication with property owners in the District.
9. Fire Corps Update
Board Member Machado informed the other members of the Board that informational flyers about the Fire Corps had been made available at the recent Pancake Breakfast.
He commented that we need to find someone to act as a Coordinator for implementation of our local Fire Corps. He will also compose an article for the newsletter.
10. Expenditure Request
The General Manager explained to the Board that the roof at Treatment Plant #7 needs replacing. We solicited three roofing contractors for bids and two responded. He would like to award the bid to Circle Roofing out of Quincy for the amount of $5270. He further explained that the funding for this may come from one of two places, depending on receipt of the final invoice from KG Walters. If there is enough left after the final invoice, the USDA funds will bear the costs, otherwise the funds for the project will come from Sewer Reserves.
Motion to approve award of the bid to Circle Roofing in the amount of $5270.
Motion – L. Walker Second – F. Shepard All in favor – Aye.
11. Standing Committee Reports
Personnel – both Board Members Walker and Shepard reviewed the Gold Mountain consultation contract for F. Motzkus and gave the go ahead for him to provide the consulting services.
Safety – nothing to report
Insurance – we have just sent in the annual review forms for policy renewal
12. Future Agenda Items and New Business
The clerk reviewed the items that had been put on the October Agenda.
There was no new business
13. General Manager’s Report
The General Manager and Board reviewed the August Financial Reports. The General Manager pointed out that the Payroll Tax percentage was high due to a booking error, which has since been found and corrected. The percentages will be back in line on the September Financial Reports.
Clerk’s note: F. Shepard left the meeting at 1100 hours.
Motion to approve the August Financial Reports.
Motion – L. Walker Second – V. Wiemeyer All in favor – Aye
Absent – F. Shepard
There was a slight problem with the original lay out of the line, so there was a meeting set with the CSD, Shaw Engineering and the Cleary’s representative to locate property markers and reset the lay out, this has been completed and marked with marking paint and it is now located on CSD property. Designs are being drawn up and when they are completed and accepted by all parties, the surrounding property owners will be notified and given all cost information in case they also want to tie into the Sewer System.
Plumas Geo-hydrology is compiling an historical paper on what has been accomplished and what we still need to do on this project. We have spoken to the Forest Service and they are on board our panel. We will now contact the others, such as the State Park, Golf Course, Eagle Ridge, Graeagle Land and Water, etc.
Water Boxes – as old water boxes need replacement, we will replace them with what is known as a meter pit, it is a slightly different size and sits lower down in the ground to prevent freezing.
Some of the residents have offered to plant shrubbery in the area between the walkway and their property, we have told them to go ahead, but identify what they have planted so we don’t accidentally mow it down. Next Spring we will perform a major pruning of the shrubs and bushes and will plant some new shrubbery and trees.
14. Written Correspondence to the Board
We have received a letter from property owner Ray Bryant who would like the Board Meeting Minutes released prior to Board approval.
Discussion and conclusion – upon completion of the transcription of the Minutes, a copy will be available at the District Office. Anyone interested in reading them may come to the office the Minutes are not to leave the building until approved at the next scheduled Board Meeting.
15. Opportunity for the Public to address the Board
There were no members of the Public present.
16. Motion to adjourn.
Motion – R. Machado Second – V. Wiemeyer All in favor – Aye.
Absent – F. Shepard
The Meeting adjourned at 1142 hours.
In attendance – E. Tretten, L. Walker, V. Wiemeyer, R. Machado, F. Shepard (until 1100 hours)
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa L. Cunningham
Teresa L. Cunningham
Clerk to the PECSD Board