SLVWD Board Meeting Summary
March 20, 2025
Prepared by Mark Dolson for FSLVW
NOTE: Provided purely as a public service — NOT the official SLVWD Meeting Minutes.
Highlights:
New Dump Truck
Regional Government Services Contract Extension
Next Board meeting will be at 6:30 PM on April 3, 2025
Preliminaries
All five directors attended in person.
No reportable actions were taken during the preceding Closed Session.
There was one change to the agenda: the planned discussion of the Board Policy Manual was deferred, as this item is still being reviewed by the Administration Committee
There was one public comment on non-agendized topics.
Bruce Holloway of Boulder Creek noted that the District’s official Committee meeting minutes in recent months have become completely devoid of meaningful content. It is frequently impossible to determine what specific actions were even taken. This is contrary to the guidance in the Board Policy Manual and elsewhere. Mr. Holloway speculated about the possible role of the District’s Legal Counsel in this change.
President Smolley said he would consider this input.
President Smolley said the Board wanted to recognize and congratulate Assistant Engineer Joel Scianna for obtaining his Civil Professional Engineer license. He noted that this was a substantial undertaking and achievement.
Unfinished Business
None.
New Business
New Dump Truck
Interim General Manager John Kunkel introduced this agenda item. He said the District currently possesses a single dump truck, and Operations staff had informed him that excessive demand frequently resulted in project delays. He said a second dump truck would greatly improve efficiency, and $100,000 had been allocated for this purchase in the budget. John said the District explored three bids, and Andy Robustelli, representing Operations, recommended that the District purchase a used 2019 Ford 750 from United Rentals in Visalia for $62,634. John further noted that it might be possible to save $1500 on delivery by having staff handle this themselves. Network Specialist Scott Mattoch commented that this might require two employees and eight hours of driving.
Director Hill asked about EPA guidance requiring truck fleets to transition to low-emission models, but John explained that these are focused on diesel vehicles, and the planned purchase is gas-powered.
There was no public comment.
President Smolley moved to approve the purchase of a used dump truck from United Rentals for $62,634. Director Layng seconded this.
The motion passed 5-0.
Regional Government Services Contract Extension
Interim General Manager John Kunkel introduced this agenda item. He noted that the current contract with Regional Government Services for Finance Consultant Heather Ippolito is coming to an end, and the District will still require her services at least through June as it develops its budget for the next two fiscal years. Staff therefore recommended extending the contract to June 30, 2025, and increasing the not-to-exceed amount by $25,000 to $231,300 (for two full years).
Director Hill commented that Heather was actually inexpensive, considering what it would cost to hire a person of her caliber. President Smolley agreed. He observed that Heather is only part time, but said this is all working to the District’s benefit.
There was no public comment.
President Smolley moved to approve the proposed amendment to the Regional Government Services contract. His motion was seconded.
The motion passed 5-0.
Consent Agenda
There were two items on the Consent Agenda:
a. Board Minutes from 3.6.25
b. Special Board Meeting Minutes from 3.10.25
The Minutes for 3.10.25 were deemed to be adopted by unanimous vote. The Minutes for 3.6.25 were pulled by a member of the public, Bruce Holloway. Mr. Holloway essentially restated his opening public comments but this time specifically with regard to the Board meeting at which the Board affirmed the dismissal of James Furtado. The Minutes for 3.6.25 were remanded to Staff for appropriate updating.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM.