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
  
  Staff Present: Staff: 5Guests: 4
Agenda Approval
GM Cox asked that agenda item #6 be tabled until the next meeting as more conversations are being had with PERS later this week.
The motion was made accepting the change to table #6.
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. October 29, 2024, Regular Meeting
  
  no discussion
  Arthur Tharpe motioned to approve. Stephen Voboril seconded the motion.
  
  The motion passed with the following vote:
  5 In Favor Opposed
  Abstained Absent Recused
2. November 06, 2024, Special Meeting
  
  no discussion
  Arthur Tharpe motioned to approve. Stephen Voboril seconded the motion.
  
  The motion passed with the following vote:
  5 In Favor Opposed
  Abstained Absent Recused
Approve Financials
GM Cox stated the Fire Fund remains at 1.8 million in deficit.
Service charges/revenue for Water and Sewer have been caught up and corrected from last month.
OES Invoices are being reviewed, as they are being adjusted down by 30K, so far.
Director Green stated that the insurance costs look much better. GM Cox stated that is because of many changes in carriers and combining plans.
Director Voboril stated that the Equipment budget for Water is already used up and it is also 2/3 used for Sewer. GM Cox stated that funds within the budget may need to be adjusted. The Budget didn't have many capital expenses within it.
Director Raker expressed concerns about the PG&E/ utilities expenses. Solar was discussed as a possible option within the Water Grant, which the state is not funding this year.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Arthur Tharpe seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
  5   In Favor         Opposed
     Abstained         Absent         Recused
Fire Department's CalPERS UAL Refunding Overview
Tabled until the next meeting during Agenda Approval.
General Manager Report: Adam Cox
LAFCo has all the documents completed and submitted from CPUD and Peninsula Fire.
After Thanksgiving there will be a mandatory meeting with Plumas County regarding the property parcels and the taxes.
Debt/OPEB with CalPERS is the next part of the annexation project. Working on refinancing the 2 Safety Plans. PERS' Contracts Department and Actuarial Department have different opinions on how to go about it.
Asked the board to consider having the last group of policies to be reviewed be added to the next regular meeting agenda rather than at a Special Meeting.
Winter projects: Streetlight Funding, X-Connection Ordinance and rework the lease with Plumas County.
Fire Chief Report: Richard Sonsteng
Chief Sonsteng (absent). GM Cox stated that the Chief has been working on the annexation, and fire department loose ends. He has been working on the Federal Incident invoices. He notified the Division Support team members that this is their last year with Chester. Those that want to go to Peninsula Fire will let us know.
Utility Operations Manager: Allan Homme
Well 3: waiting to go back online after water samples meet state standards.
Did some non-required water testing for Chlorate and Nitrates just as precaution.
4th Avenue Lift Station: Installed rebuilt pump. Back up pump being rebuilt currently.
Seneca's new Hospital is tied into Water and Sewer. Director Green stated that Seneca's CEO Shawn McKenzie told her that the CPUD crew was very helpful in this process. She thanked the CPUD staff.
Well 3 issues were initially found during an inspection.
Local Union Representatives
1. Local 5317 / Chester Professional Firefighter's Association (CFD Safety)
  
  no one present
2. Local 39 / Stationary Engineers (CPUD Misc.)
  
  none at this time
TowerCo VI, LLC Ground Lease Agreement
GM Cox stated that if this agreement is approved, that we will be entering into a 50-year ground lease in the form of ten 5-year terms. Rent starts at $1,850.00 per month as soon as they start construction. The rental rate will go up 2% annually. Construction to start no later than 2 years. This is just in case they have issues getting power from PG&E and/or have issues due to weather.
Verizon is the only company that will be utilizing the tower so far.
CPUD legal counsel has reviewed the agreement.
Arthur Tharpe motioned to approve. Stephen Voboril seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
Public Comment: Non Agenda Items
GM Cox reassured the public that retirees and current employees will not see any changes when the 2 safety plans are terminated.
Correspondence
none
Comments
Adjournment
Director Voboril made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:18pm. Director Tharpe seconded. All in favor, meeting adjourned.

Posted 3:21 pm 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 3:21 pm by Cheryl Johnson, CPUD Clerk to the Board