Indian Valley Community Services District
Minutes
Regular Meeting
July 23, 2025 05:30 PM
127 Crescent St., Suite 1, Greenville, CA 95947
https://www.indianvalleycsd.com/


  1. Call to Order
    The meeting was called to order at 5:32 pm by Director Wanda Carpenter.

    Public Comment:
    Tyler Pew, the general contractor for the weigh station project, addressed ongoing challenges with sewer and water connections on Franklin Street. They noted the existing laterals are undersized and do not meet current code requirements, particularly for fire suppression systems. The preferred solution is to connect to the main on Main Street, which is anticipated to be a complex and costly process borne by the property owner, including engineering expenses. The speaker expressed confusion over whether an additional connection fee of $6,000 would be charged. They requested that this issue be placed on an upcoming agenda to discuss ways to support commercial development by reducing connection costs without increasing burdens. Board members discussed timing, with suggestions to add the topic to a special meeting agenda if time-sensitive, or otherwise the next regular meeting. The consensus was to include the item on the upcoming regular agenda for public information and further discussion.



    1. Roll Call

      Present: Director Wanda Carpenter, Director Andy Meyers, Director Dan Kearns, Director Roger Cherry

      Absent: Director Susan Doran


    2. Pledge of Allegiance
      Led by Director Wanda Carpenter

  2. Approve Agenda

    An amendment to the agenda was proposed to add a discussion item regarding the recent expiration of the law firm Long PC’s agreement as legal counsel, effective June 30, 2025. This included the possible appointment and approval of a new agreement with Long PC to serve as Indian Valley CSD District Counsel. A motion was made and seconded to add this item immediately following the Greenville Park Renovation update. The motion carried, and the agenda was amended accordingly.

    Director Dan Kearns motioned to approve. Director Roger Cherry seconded the motion.

    The motion passed with the following vote:
      4   In Favor         Opposed
         Abstained      1   Absent         Recused

  3. Greenville Park Renovation Update

    An update was provided on the Greenville Park renovation project. To date, no funds have been spent beyond staff time. The project has been divided into separate scopes of work—including fencing, basketball court resurfacing, and related contracts—to reduce overall costs by avoiding a general contractor’s full oversight fee. Contractor walkthroughs took place on July 11, with addenda issued to address questions such as grading and water runoff. A second walkthrough is scheduled for July 29. Bids are due August 13, with construction anticipated to begin in September, starting with fence removal followed by grading and sprinkler system work. Rotary volunteers will assist with snack shack repairs and other minor improvements, while the Chaney Foundation has pledged $60,000 for new scoreboards, pending formal approval. Project details and walkthrough information are posted on the District website. Volunteer work days will require signed liability waivers due to public property regulations. The target completion is before winter. Community concerns about project funding and transparency were acknowledged and addressed.

  4. Review of Prentice Long Contract for 2025-26 fiscal year

    The board reviewed the contract renewal for Prentice Long law firm for the term July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with two optional one-year extensions through 2027 and 2028. The contract terms remain essentially unchanged from the previous agreement. The board chair noted they only had a draft version of the contract and will provide staff with the fully executed agreement once finalized. Discussion confirmed the contract is year-to-year with termination rights. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the contract renewal for the upcoming fiscal year. 

    Director Andy Meyers motioned to approve. Director Roger Cherry seconded the motion.

    The motion passed with the following vote:
      4   In Favor         Opposed
         Abstained      1   Absent         Recused

  5. Board Minutes Review/Approval
    1. June 25, 2025

      The board reviewed the minutes for June 25th, 27th, July 1st, 11th, and 16th, 2025. No public comments were made. Discussion included requests for clarification on specific agenda items from prior meetings and a proposal to add an “Old Business” or “Tabled Items” section to future agendas to better track ongoing matters. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes for all dates, which passed without objection.

      Director Dan Kearns motioned to approve. Director Andy Meyers seconded the motion.

      The motion passed with the following vote:
        4   In Favor         Opposed
           Abstained      1   Absent         Recused

    2. June 27, 2025

      Director Dan Kearns motioned to approve. Director Andy Meyers seconded the motion.

      The motion passed with the following vote:
        4   In Favor         Opposed
           Abstained      1   Absent         Recused

    3. July 1, 2025

      Director Dan Kearns motioned to approve. Director Andy Meyers seconded the motion.

      The motion passed with the following vote:
        4   In Favor         Opposed
           Abstained      1   Absent         Recused

    4. July 11, 2025

      Director Dan Kearns motioned to approve. Director Andy Meyers seconded the motion.

      The motion passed with the following vote:
        4   In Favor         Opposed
           Abstained      1   Absent         Recused

    5. July 16, 2025

      Director Dan Kearns motioned to approve. Director Andy Meyers seconded the motion.

      The motion passed with the following vote:
        4   In Favor         Opposed
           Abstained      1   Absent         Recused

  6. General Manager Report

    The General Manager provided an update on the fire station funding and project status. A recent meeting with county representatives confirmed that the county will withhold the $1.5 million grant until the District can guarantee financing for the project completion. The group agreed the District should begin funding initial groundwork using its own funds, with the county reimbursing the amount once guaranteed financing is secured. An updated financial plan and project timeline are in progress, with estimates expected within a few weeks. The Board will be asked to vote on proceeding once this information is available, possibly at a special meeting if timing requires. Discussion included FEMA funding, clarifying that funds are typically reimbursed after expenses are incurred; some upfront funding has already been received, but details are still being confirmed.

    Additionally, the General Manager noted the District owns several unused lots valued at approximately $260,000 and suggested considering selling them. The report also highlighted challenges in managing special meetings, which often lack sufficient time for thorough agenda review, compared to regular monthly meetings better suited for detailed discussion.

    The upcoming Local Hazard Mitigation Plan meetings on August 6th and 7th were noted as important for fire insurance ratings and grant eligibility. Board participation is planned.

    The General Manager encouraged board members to reach out for any questions or discussions.

  7. Utility Manager Report

    The Utility Manager was absent due to a personal obligation but provided a written report, which was read aloud by Dan Kearns. The report included updates on the Taylorsville septic cleaning, Crescent Mills water system planning, recent repairs on Standard Mine Road, and progress on several active projects including smoke testing equipment deployment and the Greenville Water Plant access road.

    The board clerk also relayed a text update regarding the generator on Highway 89, which is experiencing a temperature sensor issue. The generator is operational and will be permanently repaired soon. The High Mountain generator issue has been resolved and is functioning properly.

  8. Interim Fire Chief Report

    Interim Fire Chief Dennie reported that the Indian Valley Volunteer Fire Department responded to nearly one call per day over the past month, including seven fire-related calls, one motor vehicle accident, and three standby medicals—one of which supported the Fourth of July Rodeo, where an injury did occur. In addition to emergency response, volunteers provided community support by power washing the grandstands for the rodeo, ensuring they dried overnight for public safety. Fire trucks participated in both the Gold Digger and Fourth of July parades, requiring full cleaning and prep. The department also held its regular meeting nights throughout the month. Chief Dennie noted participation in a LAFCo protest hearing on July 22nd in Taylorsville. The event was attended by a member of the Fire Chiefs Association, who expressed support for the department. Only one member of the public appeared and ended up supporting the fire district’s efforts, making no protest. The next step in the LAFCo process will be a meeting scheduled for August 11th at 10:00 a.m. 

  9. Personnel Committee Report

      The Personnel Committee reviewed comparable general manager salaries in similar districts, noting that Chester recently contracted a general manager at $120,000 annually without benefits. The committee recommends setting the salary range for the General Manager position to start at $100,000 annually, with the upper range to be finalized according to district pay scale procedures with incremental steps. This range aims to balance market conditions and budget realities while attracting qualified candidates.

      The committee acknowledges ongoing revenue uncertainties and grant funding challenges but emphasizes that competitive compensation is critical to securing a capable general manager. Temporary general manager contracts remain an option for interim coverage, and use of recruitment agencies is encouraged to streamline the hiring process.

      The committee moved to approve the updated General Manager job description with amended minimum qualifications requiring an associate degree and/or at least five years of management experience in a public agency or utility, including budgeting, personnel supervision, operations, engineering, and grant writing. The updated salary and benefits section reflects the recommended salary range.

      Recruitment efforts will focus on targeted advertising through the California Special Districts Association job board and networking with neighboring districts to maximize the applicant pool. 

      Director Dan Kearns motioned to approve. Director Roger Cherry seconded the motion.

      The motion passed with the following vote:
        4   In Favor         Opposed
           Abstained      1   Absent         Recused

  10. COVID Arrears Credit/Reversal Criteria Recommendation

    The Board continued discussion on the COVID relief credit overpayment issue and reviewed a proposed set of criteria to determine which customer accounts should be contacted for repayment. 

    Board members stressed the importance of acknowledging the District’s error while also ensuring customers take responsibility for credits they were not entitled to. It was noted that some customers were aware they received overpayments and had not been billed in years. Staff shared that individual account reviews revealed varying circumstances that will need to be considered in determining repayment feasibility.

    The Board discussed financial impacts of several repayment scenarios, with staff estimating the total overpayment liability at roughly $200,000. A final repayment policy will be brought back for Board approval after review by the Finance Committee. Directors indicated support for adopting a flexible, criteria-based approach to recovery rather than a one-size-fits-all method.

    Motion passed to approve the draft criteria as a working framework for account review and repayment planning. A finalized proposal, including financial implications and potential write-offs, will be presented at a future meeting for Board consideration.

    Director Dan Kearns motioned to approve. Director Andy Meyers seconded the motion.

    The motion passed with the following vote:
      4   In Favor         Opposed
         Abstained      1   Absent         Recused

  11. Pool Employee Handbook

    The Board reviewed the Pool Manager Employee Handbook, which had been previously approved by the b IVRPD board. The current version presented was formatted to be more accessible and appealing to younger staff, but no content changes were made from the version already approved by the IVRPD board. The purpose of this presentation was to have an official vote on record by the IVCSD, as the pool employees are technically IVCSD employees reimbursed by IVRPD.

    Directors raised concerns over grammatical and typographical errors in the handbook, as well as potential policy and liability issues. Examples discussed included:

    • Chemical testing and application responsibilities, which appear to fall on IVCSD staff per the handbook, despite existing agreements and staffing limitations.

    • Minors being tasked with responsibilities that may exceed their legal or training capacities.

    • Conflicting language regarding operational roles and oversight, especially during pool emergencies or chemical imbalances.

    Discussion also highlighted that the current operating agreement in place (the recreation grant funding agreement) does not align with past MOUs and places responsibilities on IVCSD that the district is not currently staffed or trained to fulfill. Board member Dan Kearns noted discrepancies between current and past pool management practices, including concerns about chlorine levels being consistently logged below required thresholds and lack of adult presence during certain pool hours.

    Board members agreed the issues go beyond simple editing and reflect fundamental operational and liability concerns that require clarification and coordination between IVCSD and IVRPD.

    A motion was made and passed tonot approve the Pool Manager Employee Handbook atthis time. TheBoard expressed interest in a joint discussion with the IVRPD Board regarding the Pool Manager Employee Handbook and related operational responsibilities. Should a meeting of the full boards prove impractical, the topic may be considered by the respective committees as an alternative.

    Director Dan Kearns motioned to approve. Director Roger Cherry seconded the motion.

    The motion passed with the following vote:
      4   In Favor         Opposed
         Abstained      1   Absent         Recused

  12. Adjournment

    Dan Kearns motioned, Roger Cherry seconded. All in favor. Adjournment at 7:38pm.