Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Kimberly Green.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
  Led by Kimberly Green
2. Roll Call
  
  Present: Stephen Graffweg, Kimberly Green, Arthur Tharpe, Stephen Voboril, Royce Raker
Agenda Approval
no discussion
Stephen Graffweg motioned to approve. Royce Raker seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
Public Comments
Approval of Meeting Minutes
1. April 23, 2024 Regular Meeting
  
  no discussion
  Arthur Tharpe motioned to approve. Stephen Graffweg seconded the motion.
  
  The motion passed with the following vote:
  5 In Favor Opposed
  Abstained Absent Recused
2. May 7, 2024 Special Meeting
  
  no discussion
  Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Arthur Tharpe seconded the motion.
  
  The motion passed with the following vote:
  5 In Favor Opposed
  Abstained Absent Recused
Approve Financials
GM Cox:
Water Fund looks ok, will get better with spring meter readings.
Fire Fund has deficit of 1.6 million. This will be explained later in the Budget agenda item.
696K in Fire Accounts Receivable is for IMT OES invoices from the summer of 2023 and some previous ambulance runs balances due. Journal entries will be recommended by the auditor for the CPA to reverse any items that will never be recovered.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Royce Raker seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
General Manager Report: Adam Cox
GM Cox deferred his report, as all of his items will be addressed later in the agenda.
Fire Chief Report: Matthew Balzarini
Chief Balzarini shared the same power point from the last few regular meetings which explained the financial history of the fire department.
He thanked the reserves that were present, for their service. They are paid a small stipend to come train and respond when needed under the supervision of the Lieutenant.
He thanked Adam and the Board for the opportunity, and he stated he learned a lot over the last year and a half. His last day is 5-31-2024.
Director Green and others thanked Chief Balzarini for his efforts and wished him luck.
Utility Operations Manager: Allan Homme
Well 3 Issues- CPM inspected by video: screen not blocked. Lots of scale on the casing.
4th Ave. lift station pump issues: wear on rings and 2017 back up pump doesn't fit. It needs to be rescaled and ordered 2 rebuild kits.
I&I Issue on 1st Ave and Cedar has been fixed. 8K was saved by having it repaired by a robot from a Southern Calif. Co.
Cease and Desist: In 2 years our forgiveness/safe harbor will expire. Items we have scheduled to be fixed by grant will not happen in time. Fines are imminent.
Costs on Pump repairs are still being researched.
Update Regarding Basin Emergency Medical Services
Director Tharpe stated that there is a meeting with Peninsula Fire and Chester Fire, management and 2 board members from each department on Thursday, 5-30-2024. Talks of annexation and EMS coverage options.
Sam Blesse recommends a short-term plan for summer is imperative due to the influx of people and call volume to the Chester area. SEMSA is going to try to stay staffed in Westwood as much as possible as well Care Flight in Indian Valley. Long term plans are also recommended by the Committee.
PFD Chief Gray stated that we all have to rely on each other. There will be obstacles and opportunities to be discussed Thursday. He is looking forward to starting those conversations to cover the basin, as we are all feeling the pain of not having services in Chester.
Board Policy Ad Hoc Committee Update
Director Tharpe and GM Cox meeting to go over any changes to the policies. Final drafts to be presented at June's meeting.
Local Union Representatives
1. Local 5317 / Chester Professional Firefighter's Association (CFD Safety)
  
  no one present
2. Local 39 / Stationary Engineers (CPUD Misc.)
  
  no comments
Biennial Conflict of Interest Code to Plumas County
GM Cox stated this is biennial housekeeping with Plumas County. The board policy 1020 and Resolution #432 with Appendix A, by gov. code has to be updated. This reports who has to submit 700 forms.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Arthur Tharpe seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
CFAA Salary Survey/Administration Rate
GM Cox stated that this is an annual housekeeping item for the Cal-OES salary survey /admin rate. The worksheet and resolution #433 showing the calculations for the admin rate were explained. Once OES receives the documentation, the new rates will go into effect.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Arthur Tharpe seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
2024-2025 Budget
GM Cox presented the first draft of a 24-25 Budget. Revenue and expenses were explained assuming current staffing.
GM Cox gave a second scenario with no Fire fund expenditures. Water and Sewer will have to pay all the previously paid fire fund portions of administrative staff, the GM and all benefits, taxes etc. Also, all of the utilities, propane, etc. Having no Fire Fund/Department throws Water and Sewer into the Red. There are still 3 years of Golden Handshake that need to be paid. There is no other fat to trim.
LAFCO will be a large part of figuring out the future of the district and fire department for Chester and the basin.
Public Comment: Non Agenda Items
Darrah Hopper with Firewise asked the public to fill out the forms to help Chester remain a Firewise community. List how much time was taken to clean debris, how much was spent if you hired cleanup services like tree removal etc.
Closed Session
1. Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 – Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release
2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2) or (3) - 1 potential case
Reconvene and Report on Closed Session
The Board went to Closed Session at 6:48pm. Reconvened at 7:25pm. Director Green reported that staff shared information with the board. No action.
Correspondence
none
Comments
Director Green wants a Special meeting June 11th at 5:30pm with agenda items: Cross Connection, Policy discussion/review and the update to the Peninsula Fire talks.
GM Cox stated that the petitions to recall 4 board members failed.
Staff and the Board thanked Chief Balzarini again for his efforts.
Adjournment
Director Raker made a motion to adjourn at 7:43pm. Director Tharpe seconded the motion. All in favor, meeting adjourned.

Posted 3:30 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 3:30 am by Cheryl Johnson, CPUD Clerk to the Board