PSWID Regular Meeting Minutes – 2024-09-26

by | Sep 30, 2024 | Regular Meeting Minutes

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PINE-STRAWBERRY WATER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT 

Regular Meeting

Thursday September 26, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.

PSWID Administrative Office

6306 W Hardscrabble Rd.

Pine, AZ 85544

  • 1. CALL TO ORDER
    Cory Ellsworth called the meeting to order at 4:00p.m.
  • 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
    Conducted by Cory Ellsworth
  • 3. PRAYER
    Offered by Cory Ellsworth. 
  • 4. ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS
    Conducted by Cory Ellsworth:  Board members present: Sharon Hillman, Cory Ellsworth, George Gorkowski, and Larry Bagshaw. Brent Pruett and Victor Tayao were present via Go to Meeting.  A quorum was present. Paul Hendricks, EUSI, and Steve Bowen, operations manager, and Kristi Allen, accountant, were also present. Steve Wene, the district’s attorney, was present via Go to Meeting.  Roger Childers arrived at 4:30 p.m.
  • 5. CALL FOR MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
    August 29, 2024 –Regular Meeting. Sharon Hillman moved the minutes be approved.  George Gorkowski seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
  • 6. REPORTS TO THE BOARD
    • a. WIFA/EUSI Program Manager’s Report– As posted to the website.
    • b. Field Operations Report – There were 10 leaks, with a 76,000-gallon water loss. The new hire is working great. We received a permit from ADOT to construct a line on 87 to hook up 3 meters on Pine Creek Canyon Road.
    • c. Treasurer’s Report – As posted to the website.
    • d. Secretary’s report – None.
    • e. Vice Chairman’s report – As posted to the website.
    • f. District Attorney’s Report –Steve Wene reported that the Strawberry Hollow HOA complaint was not filed properly, and they made a motion to dismiss it. The attorney for Ponderosa Water had contacted him regarding getting the interconnect turned on. The rate case has not been heard by the Corporation Commission yet, so that cannot be done. He had also responded to the audit letter from Hinton Burdick. The well list for the Gila River adjudication is being prepared. The Mungers are again requesting a water meter which was not part of the sales agreement with them.
  • 7. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC – Raymond Dvorak asked questions about the water model report, why no new lines were being installed in Strawberry, why the deep well was not being finished, and if there was a ten-year plan being developed. Cory will meet with him to answer his questions.
    Ruth Newton wanted to know if there was a way the district could refuse to issue the 29 water meters to Ray Pugel for the tiny homes he was going to put on the Dude Ranch property. There isn’t room for them and the traffic will be too heavy. 
  • 8. BUSINESS Discussion and possible action regarding the following items:
    • I. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL WATER MODEL REPORT. Sharon Hillman. Sunrise Engineering has finally completed the water model report which includes a complete GIS of the entire system as well as meter locations. It is ready to be published to the website. George Gorkowski moved that the board approve the Water Model Report and post it to the district’s website. Larry Bagshaw seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
    • II. APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT. Sharon Hillman. The FY 2023-2024 audit report has been completed and there were no deficiencies found by Hinton Burdick. It is ready to be approved and posted.  George Gorkowski moved that the Annual Audit Report and the Special Audit Report be approved, and both posted to the district’s website. Cory Ellsworth seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
    • III. REVIEW OF THE WATER METER RELEASE PLAN AND CONTINUATION OF THE MORATORIUM. George Gorkowski. George moved that this be tabled until at least January when the new board is in place and there be no changes at this time. Sharon Hillman seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
    • IV. APPLICATION FOR A TWO MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FROM WIFA FOR WATER TANK REPLACEMENT FUNDS. Sharon Hillman. Sharon found out that the household income in Pine has risen $10,000 per household and that disqualifies the district for a 100% grant, we have no funds to finance a partial grant.
    • V. KUBOTA FRONT-END LOADER PURCHASE REQUEST WITH THE CASE BACK-HOE TRADE-IN. REVIEWING QUOTES FROM BINGHAM FOR $73,420.05, VERMEER FOR $77285.71 (WITHOUT THE TRADE-IN) AND BOBCAT FOR $98437.38. Kristi Allen. Kristi explained that the Vermeer front end loader is available immediately and that the field staff was able to test drive it. They prefer it due to its multifunctionality. The district could sell the backhoe or put it up for sale with an auction house that sells equipment. George Gorkowski moved that the district purchase the Vermeer front end loader for $77,285.71 and put the backhoe up for sale.  Larry Bagshaw seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
    • VI. APPROVAL OF A CHANGE ORDER ON THE WHITE OAK/CEDAR MEADOW PROJECT FROM MOUNTAIN HIGH FOR ABOUT $440,000 FOR PROJECT ADDITIONS. Sharon Hillman. The White Oak/Cedar Meadow project is scheduled to stop in the middle of Holly Drive. The change order will continue the waterline to connect with Mistletoe and loop to Manzanita. In addition, Pinon Drive in the same area is black pipe and has several breaks a year and should be replaced. This will increase the project by 2,846’ of 6” and 4” waterline and 29 services. The changes have been approved by USDA. Larry Bagshaw moved that the board approve change order #3 in the amount of $429,872.45 for the White Oak/Cedar Meadow project and authorize the chairman and treasurer to sign the change order for submission to USDA for final approval. Roger Childers seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
  • 9. IDENTIFY POTENTIAL AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT SCHEDULED BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING ON OCTOBER 24, 2024.
    • I. Chairman’s report on the district’s accomplishments.
  • 10. MOTION TO ADJOURN. Roger Childers moved the meeting be adjourned. George Gorkowski seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.