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: 6 Guests: 15+
Agenda Approval
Director Graffweg objected to the meetings not being recorded; he also requested to move agenda item #15 to #11. After a brief discussion, there was a motion to approve the agenda as presented with no changes.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Arthur Tharpe seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
Public Comments
Approval of Meeting Minutes
1. August 27, 2024 Regular Meeting
  
  Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Royce Raker seconded the motion.
  
  The motion passed with the following vote:
  4 In Favor Opposed
  1 Abstained Absent Recused
Approve Financials
GM Cox explained items within the financials.
The Fire deficit is larger, due to wildland fire pay.
Hopeful that the negative Fire fund balance gets under $1 million once wildland fire receivables come in.
PERS UAL: paid annual lump sum in July to get the discount. Discount applied back to the liability.
Property Taxes arriving later in the year; Plumas County not apportioning taxes in a timely manner.
IMT Program receivables and payables explained.
Stephen Graffweg motioned to approve. Arthur Tharpe seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
General Manager Report: Adam Cox
Cell Tower negotiations are underway.
Peninsula Fire weekly meetings are productive. More information to the board by next meeting.
23-24 Audit started.
Website overhaul in progress. Community feedback welcomed.
Requested a special meeting for October 10th for Policy review. Quorum confirmed.
Explained how the audit can't show a negative cash balance.
Will apply for the recycle grants next year. Would like community input for suggestions; recycle center etc.
Fire Chief Report: Richard Sonsteng
Chief Sonsteng absent. GM Cox stated that the Chief was working with Peninsula Fire on the KBK grant for a demo model ambulance.
Utility Operations Manager: Allan Homme
Well 3 low discharges. CPM working on new pump.
4th Ave lift station: received the parts.
Lead and Copper Survey: vacuumed 300+ water meter boxes, looking for lead pipes. Most homes built before 1986 have the potential to have these types of pipes. 50% completion of this project.
Manhole project is 60% completed. Hoping completed by snow fall.
Water sample issue has slowed those other projects. Flushing didn't fix the issue. Chlorinated the water system per State advisement. Director Green thanked UOM Homme, as she did see him working over the weekend. GM Cox stated it took longer than they thought to get the chlorine residuals where they needed to be all over town.
Director Voboril would like to meet to discuss the guidelines and policies for the cross-connection program. 10-15-2024 at 5pm tentative time.
Local Union Representatives
1. Local 5317 / Chester Professional Firefighter's Association (CFD Safety)
  
  no one present
2. Local 39 / Stationary Engineers (CPUD Misc.)
  
  nothing to discuss at this time.
Resolution 2024-435: CalRecycle Rural Exemption Waiver
GM Cox explained that the rural waiver will relieve us of significant reporting requirements. He has reached out to Plumas County in taking it over. Contracting with them is a potential.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Arthur Tharpe seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor Opposed
Abstained Absent Recused
2024-2025 Final Budget
GM Cox stated that the board approved the preliminary budget in June showing Water -$1800.00, Sewer +$20K, and Fire -291K.
Actuals and some projections, with the $50K to annex with Peninsula included in the new budgeted figures.
To have a streetlight assessment for streetlights this year, 6K was added as well. Prop 218, public notices and actual costs, showed that $25.00 per parcel would be what we would ask for. GM Cox will ask the consultants if it matters who benefits from the streetlights.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Stephen Graffweg seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
  5   In Favor         Opposed
     Abstained         Absent         Recused
Public Comment: Non Agenda Items
Darrah Hopper with Firewise: We met the need and are again, a Firewise Community.
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 - Existing Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1) 2 cases
  Maumoynier v. CPUD
  Giampaoli v. CPUD
3. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(4)
4. Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 – Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release
Reconvene and Report on Closed Session
Director Green reported; Discussion only and direction given to staff.
Resolution 24-436: Censure of Director Steven Graffweg
Director Graffweg recused himself on the advice of his attorney and left the room at 7:04pm.
Director Green read verbatim the Censure, Resolution 2024-436.
Director Green stated that this is necessary to help cover the other 4 board members as individuals/personally and financially should any of Director Graffweg's violations cause legal recourse.
Director Green stated that the mandated trainings for each board member are up to date.
Director Voboril made a motion to accept the censure, with Stephen Graffweg's spelling of his name being corrected on the document.
Stephen Voboril motioned to approve. Arthur Tharpe seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
  4   In Favor         Opposed
     Abstained         Absent      1   Recused
Correspondence
None
Comments
none
Adjournment
Director Voboril made a motion to adjourn at 7:34pm. Director Raker seconded the motion. All in favor, meeting adjourned.

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