Happy New Year from Kirkwood Meadows PUD!

In This Issue:

Watch for ballots in the mail. Get your friends to vote!

Official ballots go out by US mail later this month or early February.  If you care about the future of fire and emergency services in Kirkwood, it’s important that you vote, and that you talk about this with friends and neighbors to encourage them to vote. Ballots go out to every homeowner and commercial property owner. 

You likely know by now that we’ve negotiated with Alpine County to staff at least one full-time firefighter/EMT in Kirkwood at all times and all year long in a model that will integrate our existing voluntary firefighters.  We’ve settled on a methodology to assess property owners with a fair share of the cost. We've held public meetings and sent out a survey that showed the specific annual cost to be assessed to each owner. That survey showed strong support for the proposal: 69 percent of respondents said yes. But it’s important to note that most commercial property owners, whose votes weigh heavier in proportion, declined to respond, and therefore the strong support represents only 29 percent of the vote. Details are in the November newsletter here. 

If every residential customer votes, and 69 percent support the proposal with the actual ballots, then it passes, regardless of the Commercial vote.  If large numbers of residential customers neglect to vote, or vote in opposition to the proposal, then the outcome is uncertain. 

That means it will be essential that you vote, and that you get your friends and neighbors to vote.  

Ballots will be mailed out late January or early February via US mail to same address at which you receive your Kirkwood property tax bill.

 

Are the Spur or Pass closed on the day you planned to drive to Kirkwood?  Did an unexpected meeting pop up delaying your vacation?  Emergency at home causing you to leave Kirkwood early?  We understand that circumstances can change!

If you have set your residency for snow removal, but your schedule has changed, please log into your KMPUD User Account and adjust your arrival and/or departure times in the Manage Snow Removal section. These lists are distributed to our Operators daily, so we need to ensure that the residency list is accurate, and our operators are focused accordingly.

KMPUD regularly monitors water use in conjunction with residency dates to ensure the highest level of accuracy for snow removal.  If we note that you are not using water (with the threshold at 2 cubic feet per day) for an extended period of time, your residency will be adjusted accordingly, and you will be notified.

Please do your best to assist us with an efficient, fair snow removal system!

If you have any inquires or concerns about the Snow Removal service offered to your HOA, including driveway snow removal in applicable associations, please contact your HOA Snow Removal Contact. They have kindly offered their assistance to address your questions and to pass concerns on to KMPUD as needed to ensure prompt response. 

If you have a driveway and your HOA contracts for snow removal services for driveways, you are eligible to register for Snow Removal Residency.

While accessing your KMPUD User Account and navigating to Manage Snow Removal, please ensure you make note of your HOA Snow Removal Contacts, both Primary and Secondary. It's beneficial to keep their names, phone numbers, and emails readily available.

1.  PURPOSE AND RELIABILITY OF THE PROPANE PIPELINE

The propane pipeline system in Kirkwood is owned, operated, and maintained by the Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District (District).  The pipeline system is designed to distribute propane to the customers, which is commonly used for heating and cooking.  The District’s pipeline system runs underground from a bulk distribution plant on Loop Road and extends to connected properties. 

The District’s responsibility is limited to its transmission pipelines and facilities. Meters are maintained by the District, while meter protection is the responsibility of the property owner. 

2.  OVERVIEW OF THE HAZARDS OF THE PIPELINE AND PREVENTION MEASURES USED

Propane can leak from pipeline facilities damaged due to corrosion, outside force, natural events, or equipment failure, etc.  Because propane is a flammable commodity, propane leaks, under certain circumstances, have the potential to cause harm.

The District’s propane system is leak-surveyed every five years.  All hazardous leaks are repaired.  All main valves are inspected annually to ensure they are operable.  The propane system is patrolled on a routine basis to ensure that hazardous conditions such as atmospheric corrosion, improper care of discontinued services and exterior customer lines, inadequate support of meters and pipeline components, etc. are noted and corrected.  Potentially hazardous conditions on customer-owned lines and equipment are referred to the property owners for correction, when discovered.  There is a cathodic protection system that protects the steel pipe in the system from corroding, and this system is also monitored regularly to ensure its effectiveness.  District-owned steel pipe is limited to the liquid lines at the bulk distribution plant on Loop Road.

3.  INFORMATION ABOUT DAMAGE PREVENTION

The propane pipeline system is susceptible to damage due to outside forces such as those caused by excavation, vehicular traffic, or excessive loads placed on meter assemblies.  The main source of excessive loads on meters in the Kirkwood Community is snow and ice.  Snow and ice buildup on customer-owned above ground equipment, such as risers, pipes, regulators, and valves can cause excessive loads on these components which can lead to dangerous leaks or equipment failures.  Please take measures to protect your propane service and keep the meter, meter enclosure, and all associated equipment clear of snow and ice at all times.  It is important to ensure that snow is removed regularly from roofs or decks above the propane service to avoid the potential for the roof or deck to collapse and damage propane equipment.

The greatest risk to underground propane pipelines is damage caused during excavation.  Even a minor impact with the pipeline could cause a dent or damage to its coating, resulting in a leak.  Notify the District and other utilities before you dig by calling USA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA at 811/1-800-227-2600. 

In addition, restricted access to main valves and meter set assemblies could result in severe consequences in the event of an emergency. Do not park vehicles near propane meters or pipelines that are not protected by barriers.  Do not remove meter support or place heavy items on top of meter set assemblies. Do not allow snow and ice to build up on or around meter set assemblies or meter sheds.

Please notify the District of propane meters that are vulnerable to vehicular damage or in need of supports.  Residents should also notify the District of any other potential hazards they notice. 

4.  HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO A LEAK

Odor:  Propane is colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-toxic.  An additive (Mercaptan) in the propane gives it a distinctive odor (similar to rotting eggs or sulfur).

Vegetation:  Propane leaking from an underground pipeline can destroy vegetation by starving the roots of air and water.  An unusual dry patch of vegetation, within an otherwise green area, could indicate a below ground propane leak.

Sound:  A blowing or hissing sound could indicate the presence of a propane leak.

Fungus-like growth:  Propane leaks in valve boxes, manholes, etc. may develop a fungus-like growth that is white in color.  

In the event of a suspected leak, do not light items such as matches or cigarettes, or use any device that may generate a spark such as electrical switches, telephones (cell and land line phones), doorbells, automobiles or other engines, etc.  Extinguish all flames, evacuate the building to a safe distance, and turn off propane if feasible.  To report a propane leak, call 209-258-4444, or after hours 209-296-8668 and inform appropriate qualified personnel of the situation and the location of the leak.  Do not make the phone call from the area where the propane leak is present. 

5.  HOW TO GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information, contact the District at 209-258-4444. 

As you might know, the KMPUD website serves as a resource that details the District's operations and provides access to crucial utility information. With a registered KMPUD User Account, you'll gain access to a range of services and features designed to keep you updated about your account and Kirkwood. The benefits include:

+ Choose to add your name to the Kirkwood Directory (this is optional and available to residents only).

+ Access, download, or print your utility statements and compare monthly billing.

+ Choose to receive your statement via mail, email, or both options.

+ Subscribe to receive the monthly Newsletter, Community Notices, and notifications for Board of Directors and Committee meetings.

+ Get notified about KMPUD Urgent Alerts through text, voice, or email (a valid mobile phone number is required for the text option).

+ Receive an email confirmation when your payment is successfully processed.

+ Manage your Snow Removal arrival and departure dates, if applicable.

At its January 2 monthly meeting, the KMPUD board’s most important discussions and decisions were:   

- Plans for the Prop 218-compliant ballot process for the proposed agreement to have Alpine County Fire Department provide 24/7 service in Kirkwood.  Ballots mail out late January. See above.

- Upcoming changes to electric rates — The board has formed a temporary advisory committee with Bob Epstein, Chris Tucher and Staff leadership to propose a new electric rate structure (fixed monthly base rate and variable per-kilowatt hour usage rate).  We typically do a rate study every five years, and the last big change in rate structure was 2021.  Several community members provided written and verbal comments at the meeting, and this will be an important agenda item each month until we finalize new rates this summer.

- The big project to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant is finished — on schedule and under budget. We are restructuring the roughly $7M debt financing to more favorable, federally-subsidized rates. We are looking to respond to community questions about the noise from new ventilation fans.

- Every month we review operational and financial metrics.

- Next board meeting: Friday February 6, 2pm in KMPUD building, or on Zoom.  Details and agenda are on the website

Kirkwood is your District and your input and participation are valuable. Click here to view the Community Calendar of upcoming Board and Committee meetings. We encourage your participation at our meetings. Click here to learn about the agenda. And click here to access past Board of Directors meetings. 

Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District

209-258-4444 / info@kmpud.com / www.kmpud.com