Patrick J Baird

The Board Meeting covered updates on several active projects, including the biding process for the Water Intake Line Extension project, which is scheduled for bid award in April. Updates included the completion of the Sewer Pump Station Evaluation and the status of the CWSRF Funding Application. Recruitment efforts yielded over 300 applications, with staffing narrowed down to 25 candidates for further review. The SCADA system update is in progress, with cellular communication setup pending radio analysis. District Engineer reports detailed the completion of intake specifications, sewer pump station evaluations, coordination for a well assessment, and ongoing electrical upgrades at Bales pump station. Future projects planned for design include SPS 3 Rehabilitation and Gravity Sewer Rehabilitation. New Business involved the approval of an Environmental Categorical Exemption for the Raw Water Intake Extension project and the SPS #2 and #3 rehabilitation/replacement project. The Board also approved a Task Order, not to exceed $50,000.00, for the SPS 2 Generator. Old Business addressed the Request for Bid (RFB) for the Raw Water Intake Extension project, with construction anticipated to start around September 2026. The Budget Status report indicated that the budgeted surplus might significantly increase. Furthermore, a Budget Committee consisting of two directors was appointed to review the upcoming budget.

The meeting agenda included a Roll Call and the approval of the agenda itself. Key operational discussions involved the General Manager's Report, Project Summaries (including Ops, OPS CIP & UMP CIP), and the Operations Report from the Utilities Operations Manager. Consent Items covered approval of the January 2026 Regular Board Meeting Minutes, January 2026 Check Registers, the financial report for the month ending January 31, 2026, the Cash Summary by Activity for January 2026, Disbursements Requiring Board Approval, and the CERBT Strategy 2 Market Value Summary. New Business focused on Categorical Exemptions for the Raw Water Intake Extension and SPS #2 and #3 rehabilitation/replacement, as well as a task order for the SPS 2 generator. Old Business included the approval to issue an RFB for the Raw Water Intake Extension and a Budget Status Presentation. The Committee section covered the Lake Water Quality Ad-Hoc Committee. Administrative items included follow-up actions from the January 8, 2026 meeting and confirming availability for the March and April 2026 meetings.

The meeting involved the approval of the agenda. Key operational discussions included updates on the Dam Parcel transfer, preparation for next season's work, review of water and sewer flow data, and an incident involving contractor damage to a water lateral and fiber optics. Project summaries were reviewed. Operations reported stable water flows, increasing sewer flows due to DSPUD's new raw water treatment, and successful water flushing for quality control. New business centered on discussing Board of Directors training structure and approving Phase I of a SCADA Implementation Proposal, contingent upon contract review and performance standards being set prior to payment. The Board also accepted the June 30, 2025 Independent Auditor's Report pending auditor clarification on a data labeling issue. Old business focused on approving revised Master Plan Capital Implementation Funding Schedules for water and sewer, eliminating debt financing for water projects by combining and alternating pipeline replacements, and approving funding for the Well #1 Evaluation to secure a secondary water supply. Committee discussions addressed revisions to the Lake Management Ordinance, specifically fine structures and appeal processes, and included public input regarding fish stocking by CFW versus the District taking over approval authority.

The special meeting of the Board of Directors was convened, with four Directors present and one absent. The primary agenda item involved a joint training session for the Board Members titled "Board Member Bootcamp." No substantive discussion took place during this special meeting, as a related item was scheduled for the subsequent Regular Meeting. The special meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote.

The Water Utility Master Plan for Sierra Lakes County Water District outlines system trends, capacity, infrastructure condition, and performance, providing a roadmap for near and long-term capital improvement and replacement needs. The plan addresses deficiencies in water treatment facilities, including freezing intake pipes and disinfection byproducts, and operational challenges in the distribution system, particularly with aging asbestos concrete pipes. Key strategic areas involve a 10-year capital improvement program focusing on extensive water main replacement, intake pipe extension, arsenic treatment relocation, SCADA improvements, and water quality analysis. The ultimate goal is to enhance system robustness and resilience.