Minutes of the Gardnerville Ranchos GID Board of Trustees Meeting held July 1, 2020 at 5:00 P.M.
Video Zoom Meeting
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by John Sheridan
Trustees Present: David James, Leann Teter, Bob McDowell, John Sheridan and Brad Newlon
Also Present: Greg Reed, Beth Cook, Michael Bennett, Mike Rowe and the public.
Public Comment: None
Approval of the agenda: Leann Teter motioned to approve the agenda. John Sheridan seconded the motion All ayes. Agenda approved.
Public Comment: None
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS
- Possible action to authorize the District Manager to enter into a contract for the replacement of the District’s financial and utility billing software system.
Greg Reed explained the District Staff participated in two utility billing software demonstrations last week. Staff had also had the opportunity to visit two water utility companies using the packages that were short listed. Greg would like to request a final proposal from the company the Board decides on. Bob McDowell wanted Greg to explain the difference in cost when a program is hosted at GRGID as opposed to the company hosting. Greg explained that it is significantly more expensive to host at GRGID. John Sheridan feels that hosting at GRGID in the long term would save money overall.
Bob McDowell recommended that the Board authorize the District Manager to negotiate a contract for the replacement of the District’s financial and utility billing software systems with Caselle and bring back a final program with the cost. John Sheridan seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion passed.
Public Comment: Jim Mckalip would like to know how the other utility companies have their system hosted. Greg will check into that.
- Possible action to authorize the District Manager to apply for a 75%/25% Risk Management Grant from Pool/Pact for fencing around four well sites.
Greg would like to request to install security fencing around Well #1,2,4,6. This would mitigate risk for entry to those properties. Bob McDowell would like to know how often a staff member visits those sites. They are visited 5 days or more per week. David James would rather see plain chain link instead of chain link with slats.
Brad Newlon motioned to authorize the District manager to apply for a 75%/25% Risk Management Grant from Pool/Pact for fencing around four well sites. Leann Teter seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion passed.
Public Comment: None
- Possible action to authorize the District Manager to adopt the 2020 Water System Status and Outlook
Greg put together a summary of a system status report as requested by Bob McDowell. The purpose of the document is to give the Trustees a common document to reply to questions about the status of GRGID’s water system
John Sheridan made a motion to adopt the 2020 Water System Status and Outlook. Bob McDowell seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion passed.
Public Comment: Ron Bush would like this updated every year. Greg stated it could be updated at any time.
- Possible action to authorize the District Manager to move forward with the Schedule 40 Replacement Program
Greg would like to replace schedule 40 in the ground because it is going to be problematic in the future. Currently the District has 2 SRF loans that will be completely paid off by 2025. Interest rates at this time are favorable and he would like the Board to decide if the District should wait until the SRF loans are paid off or pursue a loan at this time. John Sheridan asked if there is an early pay off penalty for the SRF loans. Greg stated there is no penalty. The 2% loans are at a fixed rate. Mike Bennett stated that this project would probably be broken down into one project per year for approximately 4 years. David James would like to see the funding go along with each phase of the project. Mike Rowe wanted to make the Board aware of the State’s previous opposition to paying off the loans. Greg stated that the State is not opposed to refinancing of the loans
Brad Newlon motioned to table this item to allow the District Manager time to look into specific options to present to the Board. Leann Teter seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion passed.
Public Comment: James Mckallip thinks the low interest rates at this time should be considered and the inevitability of the project itself.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MINUTES
Item one of the May 2020 minutes does not have a second.
Leann Teter motioned to approve the May 27, 2020 minutes as amended. Bob McDowell seconded the motion. All ayes. Minutes approved.
Public Comment: None
CHECK SUMMARY:
Bob McDowell motioned to approve the May 2020 check summary. Brad Newlon seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion passed.
Public Comment: None
REPORTS
District Engineer: Mike Bennett reviewed the tracking schedule.
District Counsel: Mike has nothing to report.
District Manager: Greg reviewed the Manager’s report
Public Comment: None
REPORTS
John Sheridan attended the Carson Water Subconservancy District Board meeting. He provided Greg an update to that meeting.
Brad Newlon got an email from Hunter Moses who is willing to help the District upgrade the pump track.
David James: David gave the Board a Covid19 update.
Public Comment: Ron Bush stated that he sent a memo to David James and Greg advising the County was considering hiring an outside consultant to create the 2020 Master Plan Update. This was approved by the Commissioners. He would like the GRID Community plan to be part of that update. David James will discuss this issue with Greg.
ADJOURNMENT
John Sheridan motioned to adjourn the meeting. Bob McDowell seconded the motion. All ayes. Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
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Beth Cook, Acting Secretary