THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MONTHLY BOARD MEETING OF L. A. WATER COOPERATIVE HELD JUNE 26, 2025, AT THE GASTON FIRE HALL.
Board Members Present: Amber Morgan, Ted Leach, Linda Fountain, Dave McAdams, Joel Mulkey, Terry Wymore and Joe Kuran.
Board Members Absent: Tom Gunn, Don Wicks
Staff Present: Jason Bayne, Matt Jackson
Staff Absent: Kylie McDermott
Guest Present: Jim and Kelly Lumley
This meeting of the L. A. Water Cooperative was called to order at 5:55 PM Amber Morgan, Chairman and President.
Regular Business
Secretary’s Report: The minutes of the May 2025 meeting were presented in writing.
Motion to approve by Ted Leach. Seconded by Joel Mulkey. Voted and passed.
Treasurer’s Report: May financials were presented.
Motion to approve Linda Fountain. Seconded Ted Leach. Voted and passed. The number of Capital Projects in 2024 and 2025 have significantly decreased on-hand monies. There may need to be a rate increase.
Business Manager’s Report presented in writing.
Motion to approve by Joel Mulkey. Seconded by Ted Leach. Voted and passed.
Operation Manager’s Reports presented in writing.
Motion to approve by Ted Leach. Seconded by Joel Mulkey. Voted and passed. Member with a vineyard connected to a well is also on L.A. Cooperative Water System. Jason has not dealt with backflow concern as yet and will ask Matt Jackson to give the member and call him to discuss the issue.
Shingled roofs on pump houses are going bad – Sunrise Peaks, Gammon, and LaSalle. These may need to be addressed this winter or next spring.
Old Business
- Construction Updates
- As of June 26th, the new water line was hooked up to the tank. Over the next few weeks, the field team will be charging the line, chlorinating and sampling the tank.
- Once the Cunningham project is complete, this will open up about 193 new certificates on the valley floor.
- The Electrician will install Mission System next week.
- A culvert is to be installed next week along Cunningham Lane. The culvert was necessary based on the wash boarding along Cunningham Lane. It will cost approximately $2,000.
- The tank itself did not come with a 12-inch valve so there was an additional cost of $5,000 for 12-inch valve.
- Bald peak project is still in process.
2. Water Loss
Water loss is at 25% for June. Reasons for this loss include filling tanks after the TMS project, and construction on the Cunningham reservoir.
3. Shut off past due account update
Need to verify letters were sent and they were certified.
4. Easement update.
On June 3rd, 2025 our lawyers mailed out the terms of the agreement, so hopefully they will start this process soon. The total cost of legal fees from December 2024 to the present amounts to $8,800.
- Air B&B Update.
Table this project for now. Board to work on amending our policy/definition of a single-family dwelling.
- Update on Policy for Transfer Certificate in event of Member Death
The lawyer created a new affidavit and indemnity specifically for transfers in the event of member death. This was given to the trust handling the estate for them to fill out and return to us.
- Gammon Driveway
Contacted the property owner and requested they come to the board meeting to present their case. Jason Bayne provided video of before and after of the driveway to the board. Jason Bayne was asked to put together a document containing all data, videos, and Joe Kuran’s response.
- Delinda Morgan has filed another complaint against the L.A. Water Cooperative. There have been 3 new calls. Amber Morgan following up with the agencies and providing past documentation on this issue.
- Discussed new option for recording and transcribing Board meeting minutes. It is software already available through our Microsoft Office license. Also, the Board discussed the Table of Motions. The table should only contain motions of substance. Current there are lot of motions in the Table that are not, i.e. motions to approve Secretary’s minutes, Treasurer’s reports, etc. Review and clean up is needed.
New Business
- Treasurer’s Proposal
See Appendix A for Current Resources & Capital Expenditures. Leave funds as they are for now. If additional cash is needed, draw from funds at Cetera. Major part of expenditures of capital projects should be made by the July Board meeting. Any excess funds can be invested in TD/CD per Board direction at that time.
Motion to approve by Linda Fountain. Seconded by Ted Leach. Voted and passed.
2. Filling Board Vacancy
The relevant item from the By-Laws was presented to the Board. Additional discussion will be done during Executive Session.
Motion to adjourn by Linda Fountain. Seconded by Ted Leach. Voted and passed.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:42 PM
