Board Meeting Minutes – August 22, 2024

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MONTHLY BOARD MEETING OF L. A. WATER COOPERATIVE HELD August 22nd, 2024, AT THE GASTON FIRE HALL.

Board Members Present: Amber Morgan, Dave McAdams, Linda Fountain, Terry Wymore, Joel Mulkey, Ted Leach, and Joe Kuran.

Board Members Absent: Don Wicks, Tom Gunn

Staff Present: Kylie McDermott

Guest Present: Kylie Kelly

This meeting of the L. A. Water Cooperative was called to order at 6:02 PM by Terry Wymore, Vice President.

Regular Business

Secretary’s Report:  The minutes of the July 2024 meeting were presented in writing.  

Motion to approve by Amber Morgan.  Seconded by Dave McAdams. Voted and passed. 

Treasurer’s Report: July financials were presented. 

Motion to approve by Linda Fountain.  Seconded by Joe Kuran. Voted and passed. 

Business Manager’s Report presented in writing.

Motion to approve by Linda Fountain.  Seconded by Amber Morgan. Voted and passed. 

Operation Manager’s Reports presented in writing.

Motion to approve by Ted Leach.  Seconded by Joel Mulkey. Voted and passed. 

 Old Business

1. Employee Travel Reimbursement Policy 

Motion to approve policy by Amber Morgan. Seconded by Joe Kuran. Voted and passed.

New Business

  1. Budget Review

Budget review has been moved to the following board meeting.

2. Leak Credit

Motion to approve leak credit by Amber Morgan. Seconded by Dave McAdams. Voted and passed.

3. Hardship Certificate Application 

The county has approved the hardship. Jason approved allowing the homeowner to serve the ADU off their existing meter.

Motion to approve Hardship Certificate application by Dave McAdams. Seconded by Ted Leach. Voted and passed.

4. Employee Handbook Update

The employee handbook was last updated in 2017. The Business Manager updated the employee handbook with current Oregon regulations, updated language, and current benefits. A copy was provided to board members to review. Discussion and approval will be pushed to the next board meeting to give time for board members to review. 

5. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy 

Confirm with the bankruptcy lawyer that L.A. Water Cooperative is included in the customer’s bankruptcy filing. If LA Water is named then write off the balance. 

Motion to approve to write off the balance if LA Water is included in the bankruptcy by Amber Morgan. Seconded by Dave McAdams. Voted and passed.

6. Shut off past due account 

Pull the shut off meter and close the account. Send the bill to the active certificate holder for active water use. Credit the account for no water use and late fees for the year the meter has been shut off. 

Motion to approve pulling the shut off meter and sending bill to active certificate holder by Dave McAdams. Seconded by Ted Leach. Voted and passed. 

7. Member requesting installation of hydrant at the end of their water line. 

Jason to refer them to the Fire Department.

8. Member planning major upgrades and wants to increase the meter from our standard ⅝ inch to 1 inch. 

Jason to request member fill out certification application and attend the next board meeting. Depending on the owners actual intent, SDC and new meter fee may be appropriate. 

MOTION to adjourn by Linda Fountain.  Seconded by Joel Mulkey.  Voted and passed.   Meeting Adjourned at 7:36 PM