Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 3:05 pm by Stephen Voboril.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
  Led by Stephen Voboril
2. Roll Call
  
  Present: Stephen Graffweg, Kimberly Green, Arthur Tharpe, Stephen Voboril
  
  Staff Present: various
Agenda Approval
Director Graffweg asked that item #16, Public Comment Non-Agenda Items, be moved to #13. The Chair agreed.
Kimberly Green motioned to approve. Arthur Tharpe seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
4 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
Board of Directors Oath of Office
The 4 board members listed above recited and signed the Oath of Office form.
Board of Directors: Election of Officers
Director Tharpe made a motion and nominated Kim Green for Board Chair. Director Graffweg seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
The appointment for Vice Chair was tabled due to a tie vote.
Director Voboril made a motion to nominate Director Tharpe as Secretary/Treasurer. Director Graffweg seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Public Comments
Approve Meeting Minutes
Director Voboril made a motion to accept the 11-14-2023 minutes. Director Graffweg seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Director Tharpe made a motion to accept the 11-28-2023 minutes. Director Voboril seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Approve Financials
GM Cox gave a balance overview. Employee payouts and holiday pay won't make December financials look very good.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Stephen Graffweg seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
4 In Favor 0 Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
General Manager Report: Adam Cox
GM Cox deferred his report.
Fire Chief Report: Matthew Balzarini
Chief Balzarini reported from a power point: 30 Incident Management employees, down from 75. Notices given regarding the cease of ambulance services as of 1-1-2024 at 0800. The transition to a volunteer fire department will begin 2-28-2024 0800. Reserve program and volunteer program to be developed. Various public members voiced comments and concerns.
Local Union Representatives
1. Local 5317 / Chester Professional Firefighter's Association {CFD Safety}
  
  none
2. Local 39 / Stationary Engineers (CPUD Misc.)
  
  none
Update from Directors Green and Tharpe regarding Seneca Hospital Ambulance billing agreement.
Director Green stated that she reached out to Seneca's board of directors and received a reply from Seneca Board Chair Jeri Nielsen that there was nothing more to discuss unless there was a new agreement. Director Tharpe reported that the Lake Almanor Basin EMS, 8 agencies and 15 people met to discuss the future of EMS. A public member stated that the EMS group listed above has a 6-month plan and will be working on a long-term plan.
Tax Measure
GM Cox explained that, if passed, the $1,500 tax measure would cover the costs of a fulltime fire department. The $450 tax measure would cover the costs of a volunteer department. If they both pass, only the $1,500 measure would go into effect. The department wouldn't see the money until Spring of 2025 at the earliest. The current parcel tax will remain in place. After a brief discussion with public concerns, Director Voboril made a motion to adopt the 2 Resolutions and coordinating Ordinances. Director Tharpe seconded the motion. Aye Votes: Green, Voboril and Tharpe. No vote: Graffweg. Motions fails as a 4/5 vote is required for this item.
Retiree Health Resolution #2024-02
GM Cox recommended to table this topic while more work is done with legal counsel and our OPEB advisors. He explained that currently CPUD pays for retirees and their dependents for life. After some discussion and public comments Director Voboril made a motion to table this topic. Director Graffweg seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Closed Session
1. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
  1 Case: Maumoynier vs Chester Fire Department Case #CV23-00234.
2. Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 – Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release
3. IAFF Local 5317: Agency Negotiator General Manager Adam Cox
  General Manager: Agency Negotiator Board Chair Steve Voboril
4. one potential case
5. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2) or (3)
6. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(4)
Reconvene from Closed Session
Adjourned to Closed Session at 5:29pm. Reconvened at 6:11PM
Report on Closed Session
Director Green stated direction was given to staff, and no reportable action.
Public Comment: Non Agenda Items
Grants are being pursued. SAFER Grant was declined.
CPUD has reached out to legislature for help.
TOT luxury tax has been brought up to the Plumas County Board of Supervisors.
Comments
Correspondence: letters of interest for the board vacancy have been received. The deadline to receive them is December 26th at 3:00pm.
No other comments from Directors or Staff.
Adjournment
Director Voboril made a motion to adjourn at 6:32pm. Director Tharpe seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Posted 3:18 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 3:18 pm by Cheryl Johnson, CPUD Clerk to the Board