AGENDA
REGULAR
MEETING
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
INDIAN
VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT
WEDNESDAY
MARCH
14, 2007
6:30
PM
CIVIC
CENTERCONFERENCE ROOM
Standing Committees:
Personnel & Planning
– John Schramel, chair; Brad Smith
1 p.m., first Wednesday of the month
Finance – Mike Yost, chair; Jane Braxton Little
1 p.m., second Tuesday of the month
Ordinance – Jane Braxton Little, chair; Brad Smith
1 p.m., second Wednesday of the month
Public Relations – Judi Yocum, chair; John Schramel
4:30 p.m., second Monday of the month
IVASA – Judi Yocum; Mike Yost
Quarterly
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
INDIAN
VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTRICT
Held March 14,
2007 at 6:30 p.m.
At the Civic
Center Conference Room
Greenville, CA
95947
Clerk Lawson called the roll. Chairperson Yost, and Directors John Schramel, Judi Yocum, and Brad Smith were present. Vice-Chairperson Little was absent. Also present were Brien Walters, Tonu Plakk, David Keller, and Robert Meacher.
Director Schramel moved to adopt the agenda as written. Director Yocum seconded. All present Board members voted Aye, and the agenda was adopted as written.
Director Schramel moved to approve the Minutes of the Special Meeting of February 28, 2007. Director Smith seconded. All present Board members voted Aye, and the Minutes of the Special Meeting of February 28, 2007 were approved.
Chairperson Yost noted the change that speakers have five minutes to make their comments. He also read the rules and reminded the public that this is a Board business meeting, not a community meeting or forum.
Suzanne Hamar asked when does the community have a say. Chairperson Yost reminded her that the community can make their comments during public comment, and that if one feels strongly about an issue, they may request to put it on the agenda.
Ms. Hamar requested that the street lighting fee on the water bill be removed. Chairperson Yost explained that this issue was discussed in the past, and it was determined that the fairest way to pay the lighting fee is to attach it to the water/sewer bill. Robert Meacher suggested that the Board look into the legalities of the process of determining who pays the lighting fee. Mr. Meacher referred the Board to County Council.
David Keller, the Director of Community Development Commission, stated that he also questioned the street lighting fee, and received an attorney’s opinion from Greg Einhorn. He pointed out that the Board has a memo regarding this issue and stated that he agrees with Mr. Meacher that this issue should be revisited with County Council. Chairperson Yost referred the issue to General Manager Moore.
Robert Meacher suggested having a public forum monthly or quarterly, and offered to hold it during the closed session time. He stated that this issue of the street lighting would be good to discuss at a forum. Chairperson Yost agreed, and said that he would discuss it with Mr. Meacher after the meeting.
Alicia Knadler commented on the public’s requests not being addressed.
No reports at this time. Director Schramel commented that the most harmful thing to small rural towns, are rumors.
a.
Personnel Committee
No report at this time.
b. Finance Committee
No report at this time.
c.
IVASA
Director Yocum reported that a report from South Lassen was not obtained.
There were a couple of concerns regarding the finances. Brian McNett from Indian Valley Hospital brought a letter forgiving a debt that was carried over by IVASA for $239,188. This debt forgiveness was approved by the hospital Board.
Director Yocum also reported that the check signing was also discussed, as far as the new members coming in.
Audits were also discussed, what would be looked into.
Keeping the heliport clear in the snow was also discussed.
Director Schramel commented that IVASA members are entitled to the Life Flight Helicopter, and that if it is not available to contact South Lassen in Susanville, which will avoid a large fee.
d.
Ordinance
No report at this time.
e.
Public Relations
Director Yocum reported that not a lot was accomplished, and business was unable to be done.
a.
Plumas County Mental Health Lease Agreement
General Manager Leanna Moore stated that this issue would be tabled until next month, or that there may possibly be a special meeting held to discuss it.
a.
Addition of Board Clerk position to Policies
General Manager Leanna Moore requested that the Board Clerk position be adopted permanently. Director Yocum suggested that a substitute be delegated in case of absence of the regular Board Clerk. Director Schramel moved to adopt the Board Clerk position as permanent with a delegated substitute. Director Yocum seconded. A roll call vote was taken. All present Board members voted Aye, and the Board Clerk position was permanently adopted into the Policies.
b.
Lift of Hiring Freeze
Chairperson Yost stated that the hiring freeze was implemented a year ago, for the winter, and since then, two people have left, and the workload has increased. General Manager Leanna Moore stated that she wishes to implement a Preventative Maintenance Program, and a Professional Development Program within the staff to find someone to become an operator. However, at this time there is not enough manpower to do so. She also stated that the CSD couldn’t afford to be working without a full crew. Mavis Somers asked if the CSD could afford to hire another maintenance worker. General Manager Leanna Moore pointed out that there are two budgeted maintenance positions, which are currently not filled. Director Schramel pointed out that if the Water or Sanitation Operator quit or retire, there might not be someone to immediately fill the position, which would make the Plant inoperable. Director Schramel moved to adopt the lifting of the hiring freeze. There was no second, and the motion died.
Director Leanna Moore stated that she spoke with Marie Anderson from the corporate office of Plumas Bank, and she requested to investigate the CSD’s finances before the Bank decides if they want to turn the credit line into a long- term loan. The credit line will be extended while she investigates the finances.
a.
Greenville Water
Jim Urchinson reported that everything is working well.
David Keller with the Plumas County Community Development Commission stated that their organization provides technical assistance to small districts.
Tonu Plakk, the Senior Operations Manager stated that they would like to provide their services to the CSD at no cost. This means finding grant funding to support the solution to bring the Water Treatment Plant into compliance with the Department of Health Services. Mr. Plakk stated that he is working with three funding sources: the State of California, through the department of Water and Resources, the USDA Rural Development, and Indian Health Services. He also stated that the State has tentatively committed the majority of funds to this project, and the supplemental funds can come from either or both, the USDA and Indian Health Services. The critical element is what the solution to the filtration issue is.
Brien Walters reported that the leak surveyors would arrive tomorrow. He also stated that he would make an appendix to his report addressing CDF.
Robert Meacher offered the county’s assistance in pursuing the grant for the wastewater.
b.
Crescent Mills Water
Jim Urchinson stated that there is nothing to report.
c.
Greenville Sanitation
Jim Urchinson reported that everything is going well.
d.
Taylorsville Sanitation
Jim Urchinson reported that everything is working fine.
Robert Meacher encouraged the Board to join LAFGO.
Director Schramel stated that the idea of joining the Special Districts Association is to unite in order to have progressive movement. Director Schramel moved to accept joining the Plumas County Special Districts Association. Director Yocum seconded. There was a roll call vote. All present Board members voted Aye, and the motion passed to join. The resolution was passed around for the Board to sign.
Chief Hamblin was not present. John Hunter reported that the department is doing fine.
Robert Meacher commented that the rumor about forced consolidation is not true.
General Manager Leanna Moore reported that the audit field visit was completed in one day instead of two.
She also reported that the Board is receiving weekly updates from her via email. Regarding finances, Mike Culbert from Rural Development, is very please with the CSD’s progress, and that Rural Development is considering giving the CSD more grant money due to follow through in fulfilling commitments. To date, $26,000 has been paid to Rural Development, which is more than half of what is owed.
General Manager Moore reported that the street lighting issue was referred to Greg Einhorn, and Director Schramel read that report.
Director Schramel reported that the museum is trying to proceed with the grant. However there is a communication problem between the Recreation and Park District and the Services District.
General Manager Leanna Moore stated that the finances were covered in the Manager’s Report.
No old or new business at this time.
There being no further business, Director Schramel moved to adjourn the meeting. Director Yocum seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:27 pm.