Sauer takes on challenges at IWD
The Idyllwild Water District (IWD) directors met Wednesday Feb. 21, their first public meeting with their new interim General Manager (GM) Curt Sauer.
Among important actions that night was the board approving a bid for the repair of the lower administrative office building.
The district received two bids for the Lower Administrative Office project, with the lower bid, $216,000, from Garrett Woods of GNW construction, and his estimated timeline for this project is three months once work begins. Sauer called the bid reasonable, noting that it was within the ceiling approved by the board two years ago, despite increasing construction costs.
Schelly described the proposal as the minimum to bring the office up to code and return it to service, and noted that the district had done business with Woods before and been satisfied with the quality and timeliness of his work. The board approved the bid. Chief Financial Officer Hosny Shouman thanked the board that he would not have to spend another year asking for files to be run from the main office to the Courtyard office he now shares with the GM.
Ratepayer and former Director David Hunt expressed approval of Sauer’s emphasis, in his interview in last week’s Crier, on “team work and team building” as opposed to “solv(ing) problems by hiring and firing. It is the true test of leadership to be able to take a group of people with differences and build a team that works well together,” he said in a statement he also submitted to the Crier. He also was “pleased that the GM recognized the issue of septic tank seepage possibly contaminating our underground water supply.” Hunt expressed his view that the “main problem is overpopulation and massive visitation, not the need for an expanded sewer system.”
Another ratepayer expressed their hope that, as a retired person, they would be able to afford water and sewer service in the future, and that the board would pursue all possible venues for grant funding for the proposed replacement of the district’s aging Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP). They expressed the desire to see a petition drive or other movement involving “everyone from Stonewood to Mountain Center to help us approach whatever agencies, whatever elected officials …” to secure the grant funding to “make this affordable. All of these communities could not exist happily without the commercial district that is the responsibility of Idyllwild water.”
Mitch Davis, who will be sworn in as the fifth director in March, asked if the board had chosen new officers for the year, a task normally done in December. President Charles Schelly acknowledged this had not been done in December, or the two months following, and said that this would be done in March, when Davis joins the board.
This reporter brought asked about the propriety of Sauer’s hiring. The hiring of a permanent GM requires an open process with public posting of the opening. Schelly agreed that there were “wide latitude and few strictures” on the hiring of an interim GM, this type of hiring being something of an emergency measure. Legal Counsel Joe Bryne was present by Zoom and agreed with this description. Schelly declined to describe how Sauer’s name had come to the board’s attention but said “two or three” candidates were considered. Sauer came and was interviewed. “The board felt he was most qualified.” Schelly also stated that IWD would be happy to provide a copy of the interim GM’s contract.
Sauer’s report was an overview of his initial orientation after less than two weeks on the job. He said he had met with the contractors who had submitted bids on the lower administration office. He noted he had visited the district’s Foster Lake operational area and the WWTP and met all employees, as well as Idyllwild Fire Protection District (IFPD) Chief Mark LaMont, and established contact with the state Water Resources Control Board, who now have a copy of his finalized contract. On the Feb. 27, he was scheduled to meet Fern Valley Water GM Victor Jimenez and that meeting will include a contractor for ELCO, a firm that does much water line work for both districts.
Sauer also shared his “to-do list.” This includes addressing IFPD’s request for information sharing, Larry Donahoo’s request for an easement and certificate of insurance for the well IWD operates on his property, and restoring the drinking fountain in front of The Fort. The Lions Club maintained this fountain for many years that bears a plaque honoring Lion and Idyllwild Plumbing founder Charlie Kretsinger, whose family maintained it after the club dissolved. Sauer has already spoken with Fort owner Shane Stewart about this project. The fountain is expected to return to service sometime in April, with IWD providing the water service gratis.
Schelly noted he had received a phone call from LaMont, who was very pleased to know that IWD was going to be cooperating on maintain hydrants and working with IFPD in providing essential information for the Insurance Services Office ratings. They factor into the insurance rates homeowners pay, and the condition of both fire and water services play a part.
In answers to questions from the public, Schelly noted that the long-negotiated easement on Lodge Road has been paid for and is being processed by the county, as is the deal with the Idyllwild Arts Academy for the land on which the WWTP will be built.
Shouman told the board that IWD’s investment in the “California CLASS” investment fund is doing well, earning 5.5%, and he suggested moving another $100,000 into the fund. The district authorized him to shift assets out of less productive accounts and into Cal CLASS last year, with an initial deposit of $100,000 and a ceiling of $500,000. Legal counsel agreed that no further authorization was required for this move. This money is part of the Water Fund reserves.
The next meeting is 6 p.m. Wednesday, March
