Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:31 pm by Kimberly Green.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
  Led by Stephen Graffweg
2. Roll Call
  
  Present: Stephen Graffweg, Kimberly Green, Stephen Voboril, Royce Raker
  
  Staff Present: 5 Staff 6 Guests
Agenda Approval Royce Raker motioned to approve. Stephen Graffweg seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
4 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
Approval of Meeting Minutes
1. January 28, 2025 Regular Meeting
  
  Director Voboril stated that in item #6 the word engine should be replaced with the word vehicle. All agreed in the motion.
  Royce Raker motioned to approve. Stephen Graffweg seconded the motion.
  
  The motion passed with the following vote:
  4 In Favor Opposed
  Abstained Absent Recused
Approve Financials
GM Cox stated that in February more funds were moved to the CLASS account.
Director Green would like the CPA and Auditor to come to a meeting to explain the financials in detail. GM Cox will arrange this after the tax season.
GM Cox reiterated that General Ledger lines that are over budget can be adjusted from funds available in other GL lines if the board would prefer. The consensus was to leave it as is. Many emergency repairs have caused the repairs and equipment lines to be over budget.
The board would like to see a list of the unexpected expenses.
Direction was given to staff to pay off the Excavator Bobcat and Trailer now, 2 years early.
GM Cox would like the board to start thinking about paying back sewer from fire for the interest lost.
Questions were asked and answered regarding checks and deposits to the board's satisfaction.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Royce Raker seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
4 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
Board Vacancy: Possible Appointment
1. Susan Martinez
  
  GM Cox explained that the posting requirements were met to appoint someone within 60 days of the board being notified of the vacancy. The other option was to go to a Special Election for a public vote. One letter of interest was submitted by the deadline by Susan Martinez.
  Susan Martinez shared her experience with being a school administrator, understanding the budget process, MOUs, risk management, disaster planning and that one of her character traits is that she listens to issues in order to resolve them effectively. She answered interview questions, was appointed, sworn in by Oath and then took her seat at the table.
  Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Stephen Graffweg seconded the motion.
  
  The motion passed with the following vote:
  4 In Favor Opposed
  Abstained Absent Recused
General Manager Report: Adam Cox
GM Cox stated his last day as General Manager will be June 30th.
Local 39 Negotiations are beginning soon and should be completed by June 30th. This means the 25-26 budget will have appropriate figures allocated in time.
Working with Plumas County on the lease agreement for this building. (251 Chester Airport Rd.)
Upcoming board meeting will have information to start the Prop. 213 processes for a Streetlight Fee.
Working with Chester and Peninsula Chiefs on a services agreement and a lease agreement.
Chief Sonsteng will be with Chester through the end of March. He had PG&E tour the office space at 198 Main St. to potentially rent in the future.
GM Cox is looking into the rules on getting rid of vehicles purchased with grant funds. The Board requested a list of rolling stock and what is going to be acquired by Peninsula Fire.
Director Green expressed her gratitude to GM Cox for what he accomplished during his time as General Manager.
Utility Operations Manager: Allan Homme
GM Cox stated that a vehicle replacement program needs to be established.
Many vehicles need to go to surplus: forklift, backhoe, etc. The backhoe dumps oils and both hubs at 16K a piece need replaced making it not worth the expense.
Director Voboril expressed his concerns for snow removal options. A discussion to hire this service out until we have sufficient equipment to do so may be a short-term option.
Local Union Representatives
1. Local 5317 / Chester Professional Firefighter's Association (CFD Safety)
  
  no one present
2. Local 39 / Stationary Engineers (CPUD Misc.)
  
  Local 39 Shop Steward, Cheryl Johnson said they are looking forward to the upcoming negotiations.
Proposal to Update the Wastewater Treatment Plant Risk Management Plan (RMP)
GM Cox stated this program hasn't been updated in 10 years. With the changes to the wastewater treatment plant and other statutory changes with the chemicals etc., this update is warranted.
The spelling of Homme as Himme needs to be fixed.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Susan Martinez seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
  5   In Favor         Opposed
     Abstained         Absent         Recused
Approve Special Counsel Agreement for Labor Negotiations
GM Cox stated that we have used Sophia R. Meyer Law P.C. in past labor negotiations.
Director Green obtained a quote from Prentice Long as well for like services showing only a $10.00 per hour difference.
After a brief discussion the motion was made to include a 5K ceiling for the service with having to come back to the board to approve more funding if needed, and to accept the Sophia R. Meyer Law P.C. Special Counsel Agreement and appoint her as a labor negotiator.
Royce Raker motioned to approve. Susan Martinez seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
  5   In Favor         Opposed
     Abstained         Absent         Recused
General Manager Job Description
After a brief discussion, the only change to the GM Job Description was to make sure Part-time or Full-time are referenced. The consensus is that an Independant Contractor is ideal to fill the position. Salary and Job Duties were discussed only to be continued to be discussed again at a later meeting.
Director Green will send the job posting to GM Cox to start the posting process. Posting with CSDA, Indeed and LinkedIn were mentioned.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Kimberly Green seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
Approve New Board Policies
1. Section 1000: General
  
  Due to the policies emailed attachments not opening for 2 of the board members and also to give the new board member the opportunity to go over the policy packet, the policy approval agenda item will be tabled to a Special Meeting held on March 13th at 3:00pm.
2. Section 2000: Administration:
  2100 Financial Management
  2200 Inventory and Property Management
  2300 Risk Management
  2400 Communications and Technology
3. Section 3000 Personnel
  3100 Employment Practices
  3200 Standard of Conduct
  3300 Communications
  3400 Compensation & Benefits
  3500 Health Safety & Security
4. Section 4000 Board
  4100 Board of Directors
  4200 Board Meetings
Public Comment: Non Agenda Items
none
Correspondence
Board Clerk Johnson stated that all the 700 forms have been collected.
Comments
Directors:
Director Raker stated he was glad we were back to having a full board.
Staff:
GM Cox stated that the recording of the meetings topic is in the policies to be discussed at the Special Meeting.
Board Clerk Johnson thanked GM Cox for all he did with the Annexation and for his expertise over the last few years. All agreed and thanked him as well.
Adjournment
Director Voboril made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Director Raker seconded the motion. All in favor, meeting adjourned at 8:01pm.

Posted 3:26 am on November 3, 2025

This agenda was posted on the front window of the office of the Chester Public Utility District located at 251 Chester Airport Rd., Chester California, at the Chester Post Office, Plumas Sun and at Chesterpud.org on November 3, 2025 3:26 am by Cheryl Johnson, CPUD Clerk to the Board