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, Stephen Voboril, Royce Raker
  
  Absent: Arthur Tharpe
  
  Staff Present: Staff: 5 Public Members: 9
Agenda Approval
Director Graffweg expressed his concerns on meetings not being audio recorded.
Director Green asked for #10 be moved to discussion and possible action after Closed Session and stated that Policies were not added to this agenda, rather will be covered in an upcoming Special Meeting.
Director Voboril's motion was made to include above suggested changes.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Royce Raker seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
4 In Favor Opposed
Abstained 1 Absent Recused
Public Comments
Approval of Meeting Minutes
1. July 23, 2024 Regular Meeting
  Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Stephen Graffweg seconded the motion.
  
  The motion passed with the following vote:
  4 In Favor Opposed
  Abstained 1 Absent Recused
2. July 30, 2024 Special Meeting
  
  Director Raker to abstain as he was not present for the 7-30-2024 meeting.
  Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Stephen Graffweg seconded the motion.
  
  The roll call vote:
  
  Aye Stephen Graffweg Aye Kimberly Green Aye Stephen Voboril Abstained Royce Raker Absent Arthur Tharpe
Approve Financials
GM Cox reported that in July: Wages and Benefits are high as that line includes the PERS UAL paid as an annual lump sum. Includes projected wages to our Support Division folks.
Director Raker asked about Grant Expense for Fund 300. GM Cox stated that the Sewer Collection Grant is slow moving.
A public member asked for clarification on Retirement and Grants. She was answered to her satisfaction.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Stephen Graffweg seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
4 In Favor Opposed
Abstained 1 Absent Recused
General Manager Report: Adam Cox
GM Cox: Meetings with Peninsula Fire weekly are going well; Director Green explained some of the processes regarding LAFCo, Nor-CAL and all the information and participation needed by all parties.
The Chesterpud.org website is getting overhauled with a new template. Hopeful that the new agenda system will integrate to it soon.
Cal Recycle has an annual grant for 250K for promoting recycling programs. An example would be Water Bottle refill stations and a recycling center.
LAFCo is performing a Basin-wide Fire Services study.
OPEB Consultant has done a GASB study regarding reducing retiree healthcare. Should have some options for September or October's board meeting.
Asked to have a Special Meeting on 9-4-2024 at 4:00pm to discuss policies. Quorum confirmed.
CalOES has a grant for updating IT. To be discussed at the special meeting as well.
The website will be updated with LAFCo reports for public review, when available.
Fire Chief Report: Richard Sonsteng
Presented by Office Manager, Cheryl Johnson. Chief Sonsteng not present.
Chief is working on submitting the KBK Grant by Friday's deadline.
Reimbursable Chester Fire response coverage: Park Fire 3.5 days. Preposition 6 days. Preposition 2 days.
Support Division: 1.1million billed out. 352K we will acquire as the cost of doing business by the administration fee so far. More orders coming in.
Fire Staff: 160K billed out. 68K we will acquire as the cost of doing business by the admin fee so far. More orders expected.
Utility Operations Manager: Allan Homme
UOM Homme: Infrastructure Updates:
Well 3 was videoed after it was exploded to clean scaling. There was no improvement. Working with CPM for next steps.
4th Ave. Lift Station will take 2-3 weeks to rebuild the pump after the parts arrive in 7-10 days.
Lead and Copper Survey deadline is October 16th. 1986 or newer builds are OK. 1940 are not. Checking the District side of the system as well as the resident's side near the meter boxes.
Lifting manholes after the county did road paving on side streets to make them more level with the new street surfaces.
Hoping to mail out cross connection public information brochures and surveys by next week.
Director Raker stepped out at 6:29pm.
Local Union Representatives
1. Local 5317 / Chester Professional Firefighter's Association (CFD Safety)
  
  no members present
2. Local 39 / Stationary Engineers (CPUD Misc.)
  
  no comments at this time
Professional Services Agreement with Aries Advisors for Cell Tower Site Negotiation Services
Director Raker returns at 6:33pm
GM Cox: Aires is a niche firm that represents property owners when companies want to build cell towers on prime locations such as the land out by the sewer ponds. We will list all of CPUD properties with Aires. We are not the only properties in Chester that are being looked at.
Director Green stated that the revenue should go to the Sewer Fund since the tower would be on sewer land.
GM Cox stated that more than one service will be able to use the tower.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Royce Raker seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
4 In Favor Opposed
Abstained 1 Absent Recused
Resolution 2024-435: CalRecycle Rural Exemption Waiver
GM Cox: The state is increasing their monitoring of food waste. We have to complete the EAR report annually as we have the Franchise Agreement for Chester. We are applying for the "Rural Waiver".
Director Green stated that the Resolution was not included in the board packet, so this item will be tabled for action until the Special Meeting.
Central California Regional Water Quality Control Board Settlement Agreement & Stipulation
GM Cox: This has to do with the Cease-and-Desist order put into place in 2021 after the 2020 state inspection of the sewer system. That winter we discharged to the lake. During testing, exceeded amounts of Coliform bacteria were detected. This was created by the amount of I&I which dilutes the treatment of the waste. We have complied with the findings and the settlement terms. We have spent 33K on equipment and repairs in lieu of penalties and fines at the direction of the state. The Cease-and -Desist expires in 2025. Resolving these issues through Multimillion dollar grants could take up to 10 years to complete as engineer reports are needed and funding is slow.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Stephen Graffweg seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
4 In Favor Opposed
Abstained 1 Absent Recused
Public Comment: Non Agenda Items
Darrah Hopper with Firewise stated they are on the verge of being non-renewed. They need the forms filled out with hours worked and dollars spent on yard maintenance: raking, tree removal, new roof, etc.
Closed Session
1. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2) or (3) - 1 potential case
2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(4)
3. Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 – Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release
4. Conference with Real Property Negotiators (Gov Code Section 54956.8)
  1. 881 First Avenue, Chester
  2. 198 Main Street, Chester
  3. 251 Chester Airport Road, Chester
Reconvene and Report on Closed Session
Director Green read verbatim the Closed Session items and adjourned to Closed Session at 6:49pm.
The Board reconvened at 7:54pm.
Director Green reported that there was much discussion and direction was given to staff.
Correspondence
none
Comments
Director Graffweg stated his disappointment with Board proceedings.
Director Raker encouraged the GM to keep up the good work regarding Peninsula Fire discussions.
Board Clerk Johnson asked that the board call GM Cox when they notice the board packet arrives incomplete to give her time to rectify the issue before the meeting.
Adjournment
Director Voboril made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:07pm. Director Graffweg 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