Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 pm by Kimberly Green.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
  Led by Kimberly Green
2. Roll Call
  
  Present: Stephen Graffweg, Kimberly Green, Stephen Voboril
  
  Staff Present: 4. Guests: 11
3. Recite Mission Statement
  
  Director Green recited the Mission Statement
Agenda Approval
No Discussion
Stephen Graffweg motioned to approve. Stephen Voboril seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
3 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
Board of Directors Vacancies: 2 Seats: Review submitted Letters of Interest, Interview and Appoint.
4 Candidate's Letters of Interest were read aloud by Director Green as well as the questionnaire answers submitted by each as the interview process. After a brief discussion with follow up questions to the candidates, it was decided, for the voting process, that each board member would write down 2 names on a post it and give their choices to the Board Clerk to read aloud. The first vote: 3 votes for Rick Paulsen (Green, Voboril and Graffweg). I vote for Susan Martinez (Graffweg). 2 votes for Tami Tharpe (Green and Voboril). Rick Paulsen accepted by unanimous vote, recited the Oath of Office and took his place at the board table. It was decided for the 4 board members to revote for the last seat. The second vote: 3 votes for Tami Tharpe (Green, Voboril and Paulsen). 1 vote for Susan Martinez (Graffweg). Tami Tharpe accepted, recited the Oath of Office and took her place at the board table.
Tami Tharpe and Rick Paulsen are now eligible to make motions and vote.
motioned to approve. seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
3 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
2026 Board Election of Officers
Director Voboril nominated Kim Green as Board Chair and Director T. Tharpe seconded the nomination. With no other nominations, Director Green accepted.
Director Green nominated either Steve for Vice Chair. Director Voboril accepted the nomination. Director Graffweg was glad that Director Voboril volunteered. Director Paulsen seconded the nomination of Director Voboril.
The vote was unanimous for Kim Green to act as Board Chair and Stephen Voboril to act as Vice Chair for the 2026 calendar year.
motioned to approve. seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
  5   In Favor         Opposed
     Abstained         Absent         Recused
Closed Session
1. Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 – Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release No Action
2. 1. Conference with Labor Negotiators - Conference with Labor Negotiators Bonnie Mullaney and Margaret Long; Prentice Long PC Law Firm Unit: Stationary Engineer's Local 39 2025-2028 MOU and Salary Schedule.
  No Action
3. Conference with Real Property Negotiators:
  1. 198 Main St. "Big Bay" Potential Rental Space Opportunity.
  No Action
4. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(4)
  2 potential cases.
  No Action
5. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
  Marissa Giampoli vs Chester Public Utility District et al. Defendants Chester PUD, Adam Cox, and Matthew Balzarini. Case number: CV24-00053, in Plumas Superior Court.
  No Action
6. Liability Claims: Claimant: Stephen Graffweg pursuant to § 54961
  No Action
Board Report on Closed Session
The board adjourned to closed session at 4:05pm. Reconvened at 5:10pm. Director Green reported out the following:
A. Direction to Staff
B. Informational Only
C. Update only, no action
D. Update, informational only
E. Information only
F. Direction to Staff
251 Chester Airport Rd. Sublease Agreement between Peninsula Fire Protection District and CPUD.
GM Mullaney stated that the only change was now the names of the rooms within the agreement match the names on the floor plan. Director Graffweg stated that there should be 3 items added to the agreement: No Alcohol on the premises, no firearms on the premises and what happens if there are sexual harassment issues between CPUD and PFPD employees. Director Green added, authorized visitors.
A public member stated that the monthly amount of the lease should be reduced from $1200.00 per month to $1.00 per year and that CPUD and PFPD policies should meld. His reasoning for the reduction in the price was that PFPD has gone out of their way to become Chester's Fire Department.
A public member stated that if the citizens of Chester start paying PFPD their assessment, and PFPD turns around to pay rent to CPUD on a building that the citizens already paid for, are the citizens paying for the building twice?
GM Mullaney stated she will reach out to the public members regarding their concerns. She reiterated that the 2-year agreement was already approved by PFPD and Plumas County. She will add to February's agenda to add an addendum if warranted. She recommended to the board to approve the agreement as it is presented today with the room name changes.
Stephen Graffweg motioned to approve. Tami Tharpe seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
Approve a Board Member to represent the District as an individual at no cost to the District.
GM Mullaney stated that Director Voboril would like to research on behalf of the CPUD Board, backflow regulations, waiver options, and more by talking with legislatures and the state. He needs the board's approval to act alone. Director Green stated it would be good to try to protect the district by exploring every option. GM Mullaney added...while following the regulations that are in place.
In reference to a question regarding CSDA's assistance provided, GM Mullaney stated that the CSDA does not take on legislation that is already in place, they mostly fight pending bills/law, so they are not an option.
She also stated that the backflow specialists could lose their licenses for not following the state mandates. The state was invited and spoke at a previous meeting at length.
Director Voboril stated that his research could rock the boat, and he believes that an employee writing the policy is a conflict of interest.
Discussion continued on how backflow failures and backflow installations cost the consumer and the district.
Stephen Graffweg motioned to approve. Tami Tharpe seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
Consent Agenda
1. 2025 December 16 Regular Meeting Minutes.
2. Policy 3035: Appoint General Manager, Bonnie Mullaney as CPUD Treasurer.
Director Green requested the minutes be pulled from the consent calendar. She and Director Voboril feel that the recording needs to be listened to, to verify statements made by both concerning previous MOU's, Pay scales and the Position Cost Report.
The motion was made to table the minutes and approve the Investment Policy #3035.
Stephen Graffweg motioned to approve. Rick Paulsen seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
Financials
GM Mullaney stated that if anything changes in the statement of activities, that the financials will come back to the board for approval again. She added that the new CPA and staff will be taking Financial Software training to learn how to run reports that the previous CPA used.
GM Mullaney recommends approving the financials as presented.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Stephen Graffweg seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
3 In Favor Opposed
2 Abstained Absent Recused
Local Union Representatives
1. Local 39 / Stationary Engineers (CPUD Misc.)
  
  No comments at this time.
Reports to the Board for December: by General Manager Bonnie Mullaney
Grant updates: by General Manager Mullaney
CPUD Education & Training
There are trainings coming up for staff and board members. New board members will get registered with CSDA and then added to the classes.
Resolution #440: Interfund Loan Agreement from the Sanitation Fund to the Fire Fund of $215,869.00.
GM Mullaney stated that this was already approved at the December meeting, but the resolution number was not denoted on the agenda. This action is for transparency purposes. No changes were made.
Stephen Graffweg motioned to approve. Stephen Voboril seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
3 In Favor Opposed
2 Abstained Absent Recused
Approve signed Contract with Daniel Daily Construction
GM Mullaney stated he has already been doing work at 198 Main St. The dates should be 2026, 2025 is a typo. Director Green asked if there was a cap? GM Mullaney stated that 27K was the cap, but the work should only be approximately 17K. This contract was put in place as an emergent need with direction given to staff to finalize the contract.
Stephen Graffweg motioned to approve. Stephen Voboril seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
Dissolve Fire Department Specific Policies
No discussion.
Tami Tharpe motioned to approve. Stephen Voboril seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
Committees Policy# 4060: Nominate and Vote on all Committees
It was discussed to omit standing committees.
It was discussed to have board members volunteer to be on 3 ad hoc committees. Backflow: Voboril and Graffweg. Budget: Graffweg and Tharpe. Rate Study: Tharpe and Paulsen.
Director Green asked about having a citizen advisory committee. GM Mullaney will research what that would entail.
The approval of the policy is tabled until the February meeting.
Policy 5010: Board Meetings
After much discussion it was decided that for the calendar year 2026 regular board meetings will be held on the 3rd Monday of the month at 3:00pm with 2 exceptions: February will be the 4th Monday (February 23rd at 3:00pm) and December will be the 2nd Monday (December 14th at 3:00pm).
Tami Tharpe motioned to approve. Rick Paulsen seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
Stand-by Fee Removal Process
GM Mullaney stated that we currently offer a stand-by fee for those that deactivate their water meters. The consumer pays a reduced fee for water and nothing for the sewer during this deactivation period. This will change with the new rate study. She explained that this is the first discussion of many for public awareness. Prop 218 states we need to cover our fixes expenses. Every customer needs to pay the fixed cost, weather their meter is active or not, as that is the base cost for covering all the district's fixed expenses.
Public Comment: Non Agenda Items
None.
Correspondence
Board Clerk Johnson stated that the 700 Annual Forms need to be returned completed to the Board Clerk before April 1st. Voter Confidentiality Forms need to be sent to Plumas County as soon as possible.
Comments
1. Directors
  
  Director Graffweg and others welcomed the 2 new members.
2. Staff
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 7:00pm.

Posted 9:14 am on March 10, 2026

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 March 10, 2026 9:14 am by Cheryl Johnson, CPUD Clerk to the Board