April 8, 2010

Pat McIntyre called the meeting to order at 4:03pm.

Board members present were Pat McIntyre, Ed Tremper, Jaimee McCoy, Mel Earls and Gloria Crockett.

Employees present were Lynne Arndell, Joe Seng and Teri Hurt.

Members of the audience: Charles Lawson

Pat led the pledge of allegiance.

#1. Approval of Agenda – Gloria made a motion to approve the agenda. Mel seconded. None opposed. Motion passed.

#2. Approve Block Items – Ed made a motion to approve the Block items. Jaimee seconded. None opposed. Motion passed.

#3. Public Participation – Charles Lawson made an official announcement that he is running for Lyon County Commissioner. His platform is “What do you want from a Commissioner?”

#4. Discussion and Decision on Appeal of Late Notice Fee and Late Charges by Natalie Leist – Pat and Staff spoke with Natalie several times regarding her receipt of a Late Notice with corresponding late notice fee and late charges. Ms. Leist claims she never received a bill and does not believe she should be liable for the late fees. It is Board Policy that late notices are issued to any customer whose bill is unpaid on the first of the month, unless prior arrangements are made. Bills are mailed by the 10^th of each month, but we cannot control the US Postal Service. Jaimee said the water bill is always due on the same day (the 25^th of every month) with a grace period allowed until the last day of the month. Ms. Leist’s bill was unpaid on the 1^st and as per policy the late notice fee and late charges stand. Jaimee made a motion to deny Ms. Leist’s appeal. Ed seconded. None opposed. Motion passed. Pat directed staff to write Ms. Leist a letter informing her of the Board decision.

#5. Update from Jack Norberg on Pilot Well, Discussion and Decision on Location of Next Pilot Hole – Jack was not in attendance as there is nothing to update at this time. Sample results are still coming in on surrounding well owner properties. No action was necessary on this item.

#6. Update Board on Letters for Army Corps of Engineers’ Grant – The letters have been written and sent to all Nevada Representatives and Senators requesting their support of our request of assistance from Army Corp of Engineers for a total of $1,261,828.00 grant funding. No action was necessary on this item.

#7. Update from Charles Lawson on Grant from Army Corps of Engineers – Charles said Senator Reid had made a stop on his bus tour at the Stagecoach Community Center. Charles spoke with him personally about SB595 funding. Charles has a meeting scheduled with Mary Connelly from Senator Reid’s office to continue the discussion regarding SB595, No action was necessary on this item.

#8. Discussion and Approval of Tentative Budget – The Board had received copies of the Tentative Budget (See Attachment A). No further changes or recommendations were made. Gloria made a motion to Approve the Tentative Budget as presented. Mel seconded. None opposed. Motion passed.

#9. Acknowledgement of Joe Seng’s Merit Increase – Lynne told the Board that Joe would be receiving a 2 ½% merit increase as per the Personnel Policy. Mel made a motion acknowledging Joe’s merit increase. Jaimee seconded. None opposed. Motion passed.

#10. Manager and Supervisor’s Reports and Recommendations to the Board –

Lynne –

Had a meeting this morning with USDA Rural Development regarding Build-America Bonds. These are low interest rate (3.25%) loans where you are eligible to receive 35% of the interest you pay back. That brings the interest down to 1.38%. These are taxable Bonds meaning you have to pay taxes on them, so there is some question as to how much you’re really saving in interest. This also has to go through the Debt Management Commission for approval. Bond Counsel is required at a cost of approx. $15,000.00 and A-133 audits are necessary, which are about $3,000.00 more than our regular audit. Lynne told Kay and Barbara from USDA/RD that she didn’t believe the Board was interested in borrowing any money but if the Board is interested in pursuing this type of loan for our projects they must close by 12/31/10. Ed asked Lynne what her recommendation was? Lynne said we have the money in savings to cover our projects. She suggested we do not borrow any money but use our own and when feasible pay ourselves back with the same monthly payment.

Joe – (Marlon was not in attendance so he asked Joe to go over the following items)

The firehouse is back on track, but they will be downsizing the building. They would like to come to a meeting and discuss the water rights necessary. They believe with the downsizing and proposed limited use of water perhaps not as many water rights will be needed.
The letter regarding replacement of 1/4hp motors with 1/2hp motors on Denite systems went out to the Denite customers with their April bill. At the time the letter went out we did not have information on the approx. cost related to switching over to 220 power, but we do have that info now, here in the office, if anyone should ask.
We will be having another meeting with NDOT regarding the frontage roads that will go along with the widening of Hwy 50. Our water line runs adjacent to the proposed frontage road and something will need to be done about the position of the Fire Hydrant Tees. This is all under discussion with NDOT, Jack Norberg and Staff.
We had another line break – This time at Cimarron and Stagecoach Dr.
We are still taking Arsenic samples for Jack. The results we’ve received so far are from properties around Boyer Lane and all came back with high Arsenic results. We just sent in some from the Turf Farm and Iron Mountain areas and are still waiting for the results.

#11. Pay Bills Over $5,000.00 as Manager is Authorized to Pay All Others Without Approval –

There were none.

#12. Director’s Reports and/or Suggestions –

Ed asked if it was required to attend the Board Training that Lyon County was providing, if he had already attended previous training? Lynne said it was not required but anyone that wanted to go should go. Charles said a representative from the Attorney General’s Office would be there.

Pat raised his concerns regarding the new Health Legislation and the effects it may or may not have on our employees. Lynne said we are tied in to Anthem until December, but we could get our agent Pete Gilbert in here before then to look at some new options.

#13. Adjournment – Mel made a motion to adjourn. Gloria seconded. None opposed. Motion passed.

Meeting was adjourned at 4:40pm.

Minutes documented by Teri A. Hurt _________________________________

(Attachments are with original minutes located at the GID Office. Copies of minutes and attachments are available upon request at a cost of .25 cents/page.)

A tape recording of this meeting is on file at the GID Office.

Respectfully Submitted,

_______________________________

Mel Earls

Secretary