Gardnerville Ranchos General Improvement District Board of Trustees Zoom Video Meeting held Wednesday May 6, 2020 at 6:00 @ 931 Mitch Drive, Gardnerville, NV
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Bob McDowell
Trustees Present: Brad Newlon, David James, John Sheridan, Bob McDowell. LeAnn Teter was not present.
Also Present: Mike Rowe, Mike Bennett, Greg Reed and Beth Cook and the public.
Approval of the Agenda: Bob McDowell motioned to approve the agenda. John Sheridan seconded the motion. All ayes. Agenda approved
Public Comment: None
NEW BUSINESS
- Possible action to adopt Resolution 20-05 updating the District’s Policies and Procedures (P&P) Manual by adding a Reserve Policy to financial Section 12 that will be reviewed annually during the budget process.
Greg presented resolution 20-05 which will be added to the Financial Section 12 of the District’s P & P manual. Mike Rowe will change the signature page to reflect that Leann Teter was absent.
John Sheridan motioned to adopt Resolution 20-05 creating a Minimum Financial Reserves Policy to be included in the Financial Section 12 of the Policy and Procedures Manual and reviewed annually with the creation of the budget subject to suggested amendments. Bob McDowell seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion passed.
Public Comment: James Mckalip supports this policy.
- Possible action to authorize the District Manager to enter into a contract for the 2019/2020 Street Maintenance Project to the lowest bidder.
Mike Bennett reviewed the bid tabulation.
Bob McDowell motioned to authorize the District Manager to enter into a contract for the 2019/2020 street maintenance project to the lowest responsible bidder, Sierra Nevada Construction, at a cost not to exceed $443,000.00. Brad Newlon seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion passed.
Public Comment: None
- Possible action to accept the 2020/2021 Health insurance renewal proposal prepared by L/P Insurance.
Greg explained that given the uncertainties of the current situation, he recommends that the District stay with the renewal package.
John Sheridan motioned to adopt the 2020/2021 Health Insurance Renewal PPO 25-CO 1600 A D0500x2 as presented by L.P Insurance. Bob McDowell seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion passed.
Public Comment: None
- Possible action to authorize the District Manager to submit a letter to Gardnerville Water Company to consider development of an emergency interconnection between our two utilities and to pursue the opportunity of grant funding for the interconnection with the Carson Water Subconservancy District.
Greg drafted a letter to submit to Gardnerville Water Company for discussion. If the letter is accepted, Greg will reach out to the General Manager at the Carson Water Subconservancy District to determine if there might be grant funding to finance the interconnection. John Sheridan is concerned with some of the language in the letter stating if the funding is approved through the CWSD, they will own the capacity rights. Greg spoke to Ed James of the CWSD and he explained that the connection was for public utilities to bring water from one utility to another and not for private use. The Subconservancy will maintain ownership of the capacity of that line. Greg would like to change the wording to state that the Subconservancy would have no authority to dictate when the water could be traded between the two utilities. If the District could not get that type of language change, the District would pursue other options for funding. Brad Newlon mentioned that the District should be cautious when moving forward. At this point this letter is step 1 of a long process. David James feels this is something the Board should do as an operational defense.
John Sheridan motioned to authorize the District Manager to submit a letter to Gardnerville Water Company to consider development of an emergency interconnection between our two utilities and to pursue the opportunity of grant funding for the interconnection with the Carson Water Subconservancy District. Bob McDowell seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion passed.
Public Comment: James Mckalip feels this is an important first step.
- Possible action to adopt changes to the District’s Personnel Manual regarding employee uniforms.
Greg explained that to date employees have been required to purchase their steel toe shoes on their own. The District currently supplies uniforms to its field personnel. There is no policy in the District’s Personnel Manual as to how those uniform allowances are made. This policy will clarify how these allowances are made.
Bob McDowell motioned to adopt proposed changes to the District’s Personnel Manual regarding employee uniforms. John Sheridan seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion passed.
Public Comment: James Mckalip stated that it is important to provide the employees with those items they are required to wear by the District.
- Possible action to suspend accrual of late fees and/or shut off’s for non-payment of water and sewer bills for a period of time not to exceed 180 days.
Bob McDowell suggested changing the wording from suspend to defer. David James would like to have an individual petition to request for a suspension of their late fees. Greg would like clarification of how the decision to suspend the late fees is made.
Bob McDowell motioned the Board to establish a policy for a period of time of 90 days for the date of acceptance of this motion. The customer must contact the office to request the waiver. John Sheridan seconded the motion . All ayes. Motion passed
Public Comment: None
- Possible action to authorize the District Manager to execute a contract with Lumos & Associates for the design of an upgrade to the Long Valley Booster Station.
Mike Bennett reviewed the Long Valley Booster pump station proposal with the Board
John Sheridan motioned to authorize the District Manager to execute a contract with Lumos and Associates for the design of an upgrade to the Long Valley Booster Station at a cost not to exceed $64,200.00 Brad Newlon seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion passed
Public Comment: None
CONSENT CALENDAR
MINUTES
Brad Newlon motioned to approve the minutes of the April 1, 2020 Board Meeting. Bob McDowell seconded the motion. All ayes. Minutes approved.
CHECK SUMMARY
John Sheridan motioned to approve the check summary for the month of April, Brad Newlon seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion passed
Public Comment: None
REPORTS
District Engineer: reviewed tracking schedule for May 2020
District Counsel: Mike explained that April was a quiet month. He wrote Resolution 20-05 to present to the Board
District Manager: Greg reviewed the Manager’s Report and included a new report that will detail the District’s receipts of consolidated tax revenue. The District Manager noted that our Operations Supervisor, Tony Daniels, was awarded the Nevada Rural Water Association’s Bruce Smith Memorial Water Operator of the Year for 2020. Tony will receive a plaque from NVRWA. Congratulations Tony!
Board of Trustees
Bob McDowell: Bob would like a short summary of the status of the District’s future water supply and quality.
John Sheridan; Met with Ed James of the Carson Water Subconservancy District.
Public Comment: None
ADJOURNMENT
Bob McDowell motioned to adjourn the meeting. John Sheridan seconded the motion. All ayes. Meeting adjourned at 6:55
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Beth Cook, Acting Secretary