Chester Public Utility District
Minutes
Regular Meeting
June 24, 2025 05:30 PM
251 Chester Airport Rd, Chester, CA 96020
https://chesterpud.org


  1. Call to Order
    The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Kimberly Green.

    1. Pledge of Allegiance
      Led by Susan Martinez

    2. Roll Call

      Present: Stephen Graffweg, Kimberly Green, Stephen Voboril, Royce Raker, Susan Martinez

      Staff Present: Staff: 5  Guests: 9


  2. Agenda Approval

    Director Green requested that Agenda Item #14: Public Comment Non-Agenda Items be moved to the #3 position. The motion was made with the suggested change accepted.

    Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Stephen Graffweg seconded the motion.

    The motion passed with the following vote:
      5   In Favor         Opposed
         Abstained         Absent         Recused

  3. Approval of Meeting Minutes
    1. May 27, 2025, Regular Meeting

      Director Raker abstained as he was not present for the 5-27-2025 meeting.

      Susan Martinez motioned to approve. Stephen Graffweg seconded the motion.

      The motion passed with the following vote:
        4   In Favor         Opposed
        1   Abstained         Absent         Recused

    2. June 2, 2025, Special Meeting


      Royce Raker motioned to approve. Susan Martinez seconded the motion.

      The motion passed with the following vote:
        5   In Favor         Opposed
           Abstained         Absent         Recused

  4. 2023-2024 Audit

    Robert Dennis with RT Dennis Accountancy Presented: 

    He stated that he gave the District a "Clean" Opinion. 

    No Control Findings.

    Explained Net Position on page 6.  How the District ended the year.

    Page 7 shows the activity for the year.

    Long Term Liability is always Pension Related.

    Page 14 shows the pension broken out.

    He thanked the staff for all the help acquiring all the data.

    The Due to and Due From lines remain unclear to the Board and the GM Mullaney after Mr. Dennis's presentation and a brief discussion.  GM Mullaney recommended tabling the approval of the 23-24 Audit until the July Regular meeting.  She would like more time to research and bring back the history, facts and a better explanation.

    Director Voboril's motion was to table approving the audit until July's Regular Board meeting. 

    Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Susan Martinez seconded the motion.

    The motion passed with the following vote:
      5   In Favor         Opposed
         Abstained         Absent         Recused

  5. Waste Management Contract Extension: WM Public Sector Service Manager, Kayla Reaster Presenting.

    Ms. Reaster presented a Power Point stating:

    Waste Management is present to ask the board for a 5-year extension of the existing agreement for 2025-2030.

    WM has services the Chester Community for over 20 years with trash service as well as free recycling.

    WM has and 8.2 out of 10 customer service rating.  Some surveys came in as 10s.

    The community is need of an education with customer outreach on "clean recycling".  

    GM Mullaney stated after her conversations this week with WM, and their explanations, she recommends to the Board that they approve to extend the agreement.  No other communities get an annual$5000.00 franchise fee. She will be working on the 2 EAR reports with the Cal-Recycle Rep.

    Ms. Lester with WM explained that at CRV recycle is not profitable.  The markets in town pay not to have CRV at their establishments.  Tom McGowan with Plumas County Board of Supervisors stated the County should look at putting a CRV site at the Transfer Site. 

    Chester is not a Mandatory pickup community.

    It was explained that the rate for trash collection will be going up 1.64 percent, based on the CPI.

    Stephen Graffweg motioned to approve. Susan Martinez seconded the motion.

    The motion passed with the following vote:
      5   In Favor         Opposed
         Abstained         Absent         Recused

  6. Approve Financials

    GM Mullaney explained the one-time items listed on the Checks for the Month Report.

    She explained that a Water and Wastewater rate study is needed as now all expenses are allocated to Water and Wastewater only since now there isn't a Fire Department to allocated to.

    She explained the difference between Accrual based Financials and Actual Cashed based. 

    Board Clerk Johnson explained that Unfunded Accrued Liability lump sum payment deadline is July to receive the discount. 

    Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Royce Raker seconded the motion.

    The motion passed with the following vote:
      5   In Favor         Opposed
         Abstained         Absent         Recused

  7. Grants Update

    GM Mullaney stated that UOM Homme and she will be meeting monthly with the Engineers.

    $499,970.00 Collection System Planning Grant.  Construction Grant applications are in process.  May get better chance at 100% grant funding if we show we need to add sewer connections to other properties that are within 200'.

    $554,000.00 NPDES Permit:  This will be done in small phases to show due diligence.  We will still owe fines starting 2026, roughly 176K per year based on violation history. Reaching out to situation department to try for another extension.  She recommends paying the fines rather than getting a high interest loan.

    Director Voboril recommended using the videos of the system that show the I&I issues and work on those.  It was confirmed that the I&I issues were not caused by Dixie Fire Dozers.

    GM Mullaney has applied for a grant to have another rate study done, now that fire doesn't absorb expenses any longer.  A Capital improvement plan needs to be created.  She will work on this as a work in progress.  

  8. General Manager Report: Bonnie Mullaney

    Peninsula Fire Facility Lease agreement still in discussion status

    Reviewing expenses to cut costs

    West Coast Trenchless has damaged a few sewer laterals accidentally.  We will be billing them for the repair's costs. Thier insurance will cover the damages per the Office Manager, who was very accommodating.

    Working on a One Drive, Shared File system for all CPUD documents to be housed and accessed by all employees.

    Patrick Tynan with MCP-Tech (our IT guy) is creating a binder with all of our network information to have on site:" IT Bible"

    Reached out to LAFCO regarding a Streetlighting District.  Work in progress.

    We will be participating in annexation to be a part of Plumas County's Hazard mitigation plan.

    2 PRA's have had initial responses.

    GM Mullaney has submitted a PRA for all of former General Manager's emails.

    Rate Study needed since the fire department is no longer sharing expenses. (Referenced in the Grants Update) 

  9. Utility Operations Manager's Report: Presented by GM Mullaney

    John getting his Backflow Certificate in August.

    198 Main generator maintenance on fuel pumps, fuel filters etc. still in process.  Oil mess has been cleaned up.

    2 months of bad water samples. Samples came back clean on June 18th, so chlorination was not needed.

    All CPUD facilities are being brought up to water code.  The fire sprinkler system at 251 Chester Airport Rd. will require a backflow devise. A specialist may need to sign off on it once completed.

    2 Martin Ranch residential sewer laterals were damaged from a construction company boring into the ground.  A sub-contractor was needed to help fix the one lateral that was 7' down. The shoring we purchased earlier in the year was valuable in getting this emergency repair fixed promptly.

  10. Cross-Connection Control Program Ordinance

    GM Mullaney recommended tabling.  She stated the state regulator was ok with tabling until July's Regular meeting.

    Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Stephen Graffweg seconded the motion.

    The motion passed with the following vote:
      5   In Favor         Opposed
         Abstained         Absent         Recused

  11. Local Union Representatives
    1. Local 39 / Stationary Engineers (CPUD Misc.)

      Nothing at this time.

  12. Public Hearing: 2025-2026 Preliminary Budget

    GM Mullaney stated that all expense and income for 198 Main St. will be allocated equally to Fund 200 Water and Fund 300 Wastewater for Fy 25-26. This includes hangar rent paid from Digital Path.

    Will continue to work on the Budget. Hopeful by next meeting to have a budget with 2 previous years and 5 future years to help show trends. Possibly include graphs.

    Professional Services breakdown will be submitted for the board at the July board meeting.

    A Capital Improvement Plan is needed to plan for replacements and maintenance.

    After a brief board discussion, Director Green opened the Public Hearing at 7:08pm.  After more discussion, and hearing no further comments, the public hearing was closed at 7:13pm.

    Director Martinez' motion was to accept the Preliminary Budget as presented.

    Susan Martinez motioned to approve. Stephen Voboril seconded the motion.

    The motion passed with the following vote:
      5   In Favor         Opposed
         Abstained         Absent         Recused

  13. Policy # 2425 California Public Records Act Response Procedures

    After much deliberation, the board asked GM Mullaney to bring this policy back to the board at a later meeting.  This Policy approval was motioned to table.

    Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Royce Raker seconded the motion.

    The motion passed with the following vote:
      5   In Favor         Opposed
         Abstained         Absent         Recused

  14. Public Comment: Non Agenda Items

    none

  15. Closed Session
    1. Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 – Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release

      General Manager Sectaris Partners / Adam Cox

      Direction given to staff to issue the prior General Manager his final check.

    2. Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 – Public Employee Appointment 

      General Manager Dynamic District Solutions / Bonnie Mullaney

      Director Green to work with Prentice Long to draft a General Manager contract as an Independent Contractor.

    3. Conference with Labor Negotiators Susan Martinez and Sophia R. Meyer Law P.C.

      Unit: Stationary Engineer's Local 39 2025-2028 MOU and Salary Schedule

      Discussion no action.  Motion was made to table until a Special Meeting 6-30-2025 at 5:00pm.

      Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Royce Raker seconded the motion.

      The roll call vote:

        Aye    Stephen Graffweg     Aye    Kimberly Green     Aye    Stephen Voboril     Aye    Royce Raker     Aye    Susan Martinez  
    4. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2) or (3)

      Informational only.

  16.  General Manager Job Application Review Ad Hoc Committee Update

    Director Green stated that this Committee is no longer needed and so it is dissolved.

  17. Approve 2025-2028 MOU and Salary Schedule between Chester Public Utility District and Unit: Stationary Engineer's Local 39.

    Tabled: See Closed Session Report out for vote.

  18. Board Education/Training GM Mullaney wants to have trainings with the board as a group. The vote was to table pending class schedules and board availability.  Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Susan Martinez seconded the motion.

    The motion passed with the following vote:
      5   In Favor         Opposed
         Abstained         Absent         Recused

  19. District Legal Counsel Recruitment

    After a brief discussion a motion was made to table until July's Board Meeting.

    Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Susan Martinez seconded the motion.

    The motion passed with the following vote:
      5   In Favor         Opposed
         Abstained         Absent         Recused

  20. Correspondence 

    none

  21. Comments
    1. Directors

      none

    2. Staff

      none

  22. Adjournment

    Director Voboril made a motion to adjourn at 8:43pm.  Director Raker seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.

Posted 3:19 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 3:19 pm by Cheryl Johnson, CPUD Clerk to the Board