Report from GPUD Meeting
DIVIDE CITIZENS FOR WATER
http://flushthewaste.com
General Meeting
July 12, 2011
Board Members Present: Director Otermat, Director McLane, Director Griffiths, Director Krizl, Director Neeley.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Non-controversial items passed without discussion.
PUBLIC HEARING – ADOPTION OF THE URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
Plan passed unanimously.
PRESENTATION OF STUDY GDPUD EMPLOYEES SALARY
Bryce Consulting was hired to do a study if GDPUD employees were adequately paid. The firm reviewed other water districts and showed GDPUD employees were underpaid by 9.91% total cash compensation. Director Otermat objected to the study because GDPUD had the lowest customer base and the comparison were to PCWA, EID, Amador, Groveland, NID, etc. From the audience Ray Kringel said there should be comparisons with non-governmental agencies ie the schools, bank, market, etc.
(most positions are comparable, ie a Treatment Plant Operator is the same no matter which district, the comparisons for management skills should have included comparisons of treatment plant certification, educational degrees, past job experience, skills in grant writing, business management, public relations, human resources, technological expertise, accounting, public administration, and present job performance) (if in fact these attributes are present at GDPUD, why is there an attorney on call to the tune of 100k a year, why so many consultants???)
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT
Water usage is down. Stumpy is overflowing.
BUDGET
The revised budget was presented and voted on, all yes except Director Otermat who voted “NO” wanting to work on the budget immediately. Other directors voted to accept the budget and to look at spending cuts over the next few months. All agreed to look at the proposal by Director McLane for the district to pay for a basic medical plan of $500 with the employee choosing the plan, additional members, etc. This is the plan the union has, Director Neeley opposed any reduction to management benefits. Director McLane said pitting management against the ditch worker was discrimination, condescending, and just plain wrong. (This could amount to a considerable savings to the district if management had the same plan as the ditch workers, what makes Neeley think office help deserves more than the guys actually on the ditch delivering water??) Also discussed was to bring another tier plan of 2% at 55years. This will be brought up for a vote in August.
Director McLane and Director Otermat were proposing changes in the retirement plan but with the “lock box” on retirement the only suitable cuts that will make a difference will be the 20% cuts to the top 5 management salaries. Past boards have approved lucrative compensation, benefits, and retirement and these legacy costs will be passed on to the 3,500 customers today (with a deficit of 329k for 2011) and costs that will only escalate in the future. Even if all 5 of these people leave, the district is on the hook for the legacy costs, you can all thank past directors. (Director Neeley and Director Krizl were part of the “legacy board”…………can they redeem themselves by realigning medical and 20% cut on top salaries????………..will they vote for reform in 2011, or will voters vote for reform in 2012)
AGREEMENT WITH VAN SCOYOC LOBBYIST
It was agreed to not renew the upcoming contract.
CUSTOMER SURVEY
The survey was completed and discussion followed on how to distribute to the public, one line, at the front desk, etc.
PROPOSTION 218 – RATE INCREASE TO TREATED WATER
The board authorized the GM to move forward with a cost study analysis on a surcharge to the treated water customers for the loan of the retrofit of the Cool/Pilot Hill Treatment Plant. The government mandates a separate study stream of income to repay the note of 6 million dollars over 40 years. (or 4 ½ million, depending on what day you ask the GM)
CLOSED SESSION
Existing litigation Government code Section 54956.9(a) Jean Lee Choo Leow v GDPUD
Negotiations with the union
ADJOURN TO OPEN SESSION
No action
Next General Meeting is August 9, 2011
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