YOSEMITE SPRING PARK UTILITY COMPANY
30250-B Yosemite Springs Parkway
Coarsegold, CA 93614
Telephone (559) 658-7451 / Fax (559) 658-7866
MINUTES OF THE
MONTHLY BOARD MEETING,
JANUARY 19, 2010
CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:30 PM
I. Call to Order – Al Clark
II. Flag Salute – Diane Cruce
III. Invocation – Tom Swire
IV. Roll Call & Establishment of Quorum
Al Clark, President Elaine Loard, Vice President
Mark Zoeller, Treasurer Bob McDonough, Secretary (absent)
Tom Swire, Director Dianne Cruce, Director
Philip Farren, Director
V. Approval of Minutes – 11/17/09
MOTION: A motion was made to approve the November 17, 2009 minutes. M/S/C (Swire, Zoeller) Ayes: Nays: 0. Motion carried.
VI. Public Comment
None at this time.
VII. Financial Report – Mark Zoeller
Treasurer Zoeller showed graphs to the audience and Board. The month end cash level has fallen below the end of December 2009 than that of the previous year. He noted that they’ve paid most of the owed amount of the pipeline replacement project. The accounts payable is down considerably due to this payment. The monthly cash flow for November and December is above than what it was last year. Revenues for the year were slightly less than last year’s. The budget comparison was down possibly because the water usage income was less. This may be partly due to the weather and the vacant homes. Power and chemical costs were higher than last year, but less than budgeted. Labor costs were higher than budget, maybe due to running more crew. Other operating costs were lower than budgeted. Total operating costs were $23,000 below budget. Net profit for the year was lower than budgeted, due to the low water usage income. Interest income is less and may continue to remain that way due to the interest rates continuing to stay low. He entertained questions from the board and audience. Director Farren inquired about the labor costs being high. Manager Harrington explained that it’s due to water breaks happening in the evening and weekend hours. Most of the main breaks happened over the weekend and/or back to back.
VIII. YSPUC Update Report
a. Manager's Report – Ken Harrington
Manager Harrington requested his report be entered into the minutes and entertained questions from the board. Pat Burns, Lot 1194 had thanked his staff for calling regarding a broken pipe in his area. Manager Harrington said they try to call as long as the breaks occur while the office staff is on. Director Cruce thanked Manager Harrington on behalf of the board for the tour. It was very informative and helpful to the board members. President Clark asked the Manager about cross-referencing of water pumped out of the wells and amount of billed? Manager Harrington explained into detail that he does. To answer Director Farren’s question, Manager Harrington explained that there isn’t any more funding regarding MTBE contamination and a new treatment plant. He explained why the wells were shut down. He noted that the contamination levels are subsiding. Director Swire asked if they had tied in the mainlines before the rains began? Manager Harrington explained that they won’t finish until after the storm subsides. He suspects that they will complete the tie-ins in 2-3 days.
MOTION. A motion was made to enter Manager Harrington’s report into the minutes. M/S/C (Zoeller, Loard). Ayes: 6, Nays: 0. Motion carried.
X. Old Business
None at this time.
XI. New Business
1. Nomination of Assistant Treasurer
Treasurer Zoeller made a motion. Vice President Loard asked why the need for another Treasurer? He explained that Director Cruce knows about banking and has connection with Wells Fargo Banking. Vice President Loard agreed it would be a good idea. Director Farren also agreed.
MOTION. A motion was made to approve Diane Cruce as Assistant Treasurer for YSPUC. M/S/C (Zoeller, Swire). Ayes: 6, Nays: 0. Motion carried.
2. Authorize Bank Signer
Treasurer Zoeller made a motion. Director Farren asked if the board members were bonded? Treasurer Zoeller thought that they were covered under insurance.
MOTION. A motion was made to make Diane Cruce as authorized signer of all the accounts that YSPUC has with Yosemite Bank, United Security Bank, Wells Fargo Bank and Wells Fargo Investments. M/S/C (Zoeller, Swire) Ayes: 6, Nays: 0. Motion carried.
3. CFCC Funding Fair
Director Cruce explained that the funding fair is on March 9, 2010 and she’s looking for two volunteers to go to become familiar with rules, regulations and grant information. President Clark and Director Swire said they would go with her.
4. Commitment to the MOU for the IRWMP
President Clark explained this item to the audience members. He explained that they went to the Kings River Water Mgmt Grp to find information on their planning. The law has good intentions, but the KRWMG gave them ideas on using this as a guideline. On 1/26/10, the Madera County Supervisors are signing off on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). They’ve asked the board to come and sign also. This would mean a commitment to the group, where the YSPUC Board will have an opportunity to help develop the group. There’s a 30-day window for withdrawal of the group. The President is recommending that they join the group. This will help to receive grant monies in the future. There was a discussion regarding the board’s thoughts on membership. Assistant Treasurer Cruce and Vice President Loard explained the positive aspects of the membership to the audience.
MOTION. A motion was made that the YSPUC Board join and become signatories of the MOU for the IRWMP on January 26, 2010. M/S/C (Clark, Cruce). Roll Call Vote. Ayes: 6, (Zoeller, Farren, Cruce, Swire, Loard, Clark) Nays: 0. Motion carried.
GM Neveu requested that the board have a signatory identified. A discussion took place regarding who should be the signatory.
MOTION. A motion was made that the GM and YSPUC Manager as an alternate to represent YSPUC as signatories to the MOU. M/S/C (Cruce, Loard), Ayes: 6, Nays: 0. Motion carried.
5. Funding for Grant Request
President Clark stated that they are on a deadline for a possible grant. He gave a background on this item. They put $100k in the budget this year for potential grants. The state is taking applications in March for grant funding. He explained a company that they’ve sought out who has a 100% track record. Treasurer Zoeller asked if there were a possibility of getting the monies back. They explained that potentially, they will.
MOTION. A motion was made to invest $10k to have the grant request done by Ryan Company. M/S/C (Clark, Farren), Ayes: 6, Nays: 0. Motion carried.
6. Public Relations for the Water Company
President Clark spoke regarding the rumors that are going around regarding YLP water having a bad reputation. There’s a need to get the word out to explain that we have great water here. He would like suggestions on how to generate this. He noted that Manager Harrington suggested that he give the “water tour” to realtors. Director Farren suggested they contact TV Station KMPH. Assistant Treasurer Cruce volunteered to join a Public Relations subcommittee with President Clark, the GM and Director Farren. Audience member, Marella Logsden, Lot 0674 and YSPUC staff member, Doug Hyak also volunteered.
XII. Director's Comments
Assistant Treasurer Cruce thanked Manager Harrington, again, for the tour of the water company. Both Director Swire and Pres Clark thanked Manager Harrington for his professionalism and the GM for his support of the tour of the company.
XIII. Board to Adjourn to Executive Session
Not at this time.
XIII. Adjournment of Meeting
The YSPUC Board adjourned at 6:26pm.
