spring 2015 - Plumas-Eureka Community Services District

Plumas Eureka Community Services District
Plumas Pipelines
Summer Issue
June 2015
“Plumas Eureka Community Services District
Proudly Providing Services to Plumas Eureka since July 1993”
Hello to all!
Two very important issues are the focus for us now that summer is approaching.
First, the Governor has declared a drought emergency in California. Plumas
Eureka CSD is required to cut back our water use by 25% compared to the same
months use in 2013. In response to the declaration, on March 11, 2015, the
PECSD Board of Directors raised our water conservation status to “STAGE 2 –
WATER ALERT”. Please refer to page two for the appropriate guidelines to follow.
Your cooperation to achieve the 25% reduction in water use is greatly appreciated.
Second, the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water,
has agreed to a project that will remove the amount of arsenic in our drinking water below the Federal
Standard. We have exceeded the 10 µg/L (micrograms per liter) standard for several years and now have
a project to move forward with. We will be meeting with Stantec Engineering to hammer out all the details
in the next few months. We’re planning to make some improvements to our existing drinking water wells
and have an arsenic removal system on-line by November 2016. Progress on the project will be
discussed at Board meetings which are held on the second Wednesday of each month.
It’s going to be a very busy summer for us, however, we’re never too busy to share information with you.
Just give us a call or visit us in the office. We’d love to see you.
Be safe and have a wonderful summer!
Frank Motzkus, General Manager, PECSD
Inside this Issue
Stage 2 - Water Alert…………..………. P. 2
Message from the Chief ……………… P. 3
Fire Wise Community……..…….….…. P. 4
Message from Heather Kotrc ……….. P. 4
Plumas Pines Golf Resort News ……. P. 5
PEPS News…..…….….…..…………….. P. 6
PEEHA News..…….……….……………. P. 7
Plumas Pines Realty News………….. P. 7
Benefit Raffle for PE Fire Dept. ……… P. 8
Graeagle Vacation RentalsPlumas Pines Vacation Rentals….. P. 8
Graeagle Real Estate………………….. P. 8
This & That..……….……….…………… P. 9
Contact Us:
Toll Free: (877) 377-1953
CSD Phone: (530) 836-1953 or 530-836-1908
Fire Dept. Business Phone: (530) 836-0523
Fax: (530) 836-2963
Email: [email protected]
Website: pecsd.org
Address: 200 Lundy Lane
Blairsden, CA 96103
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday
“This institution is an equal opportunity provider”
Plumas Pipelines
Page 2
Summer Issue 2015
Plumas Eureka Community Services District
Water Conservation
Stage 2 – Water Alert Declaration
On Wednesday, March 11, 2015 the Board of Directors raised our
water conservation status to a STAGE 2 – WATER ALERT.
We ask for your cooperation in following the Stage 2 Water Alert
guidelines below:
1. No washing down of driveways, parking lots or other similar areas with
PECSD potable water.
2. Residences, businesses and properties with addresses ending in odd numbers will
water on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
3. Residences, businesses and properties with addresses ending in even numbers will
water only on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
4. No watering will occur on Sunday.
5. Lawn and landscape watering shall not take place between 8:00AM and
8:00PM.
6. PECSD potable water shall not be used for dust control.
7. No filling of swimming pools, ponds or reservoirs over 200 cubic feet with
PECSD potable water except by special permission from the District.
8. PECSD will contact customers failing to comply with conservation efforts and stress
compliance.
• Infrequent hand watering will be allowed to sustain landscaping.
Water is a precious resource. Please do your part to conserve.
Thank you,
Plumas Eureka CSD
“This institution is an equal opportunity provider.”
Plumas Pipelines
Page 3
Summer Issue 2015
Plumas Eureka FD - Recruiting for Volunteers
Did you know that roughly 69% of the over 1.1 million firefighters in America are volunteer? Volunteer
firefighters are typically found in communities with a population of less than 10,000, and almost always are
the only firefighters in communities with a population of 2,500 or less. This is the case in Plumas Eureka,
Graeagle, and almost all of the communities in Plumas County.
This is mainly due to both the cost of providing full-time
firefighters and the reality that the volume of
emergencies is typically less in smaller communities.
The less frequent need, usually under 400 emergency
calls a year, means that good service can be provided
by volunteers at a reasonable cost. Typically about
80% of the emergency calls in most fire departments
now are for emergency medical aid, with the remaining
being a mix of fires, rescues such as motor vehicle
accidents, and misc. calls.
Plumas Eureka’s FD averages about 55-60 calls a
year, including “mutual aid” support to our neighboring
departments. Depending on the type of call, we may respond jointly with Graeagle FD. We have worked
closely together since 2007, including conducting weekly joint training programs and fulfilling an automatic
aid agreement. Responding together depends on the type of call – generally we handle our own medical
aid calls, but back each other up in case of staffing being unavailable.
Currently we have eight active volunteer firefighters, with funding for up to twelve. We ask that new
members be in good physical shape, with no medical conditions that would preclude what can at times be
physically challenging work. We provide a robust training program, and full safety and protective clothing
and equipment. Pagers and two-way radios are issued to each member, and we simply ask for response
when you are in town and able.
After application and acceptance as a new volunteer, members are required to attend weekly evening
training sessions held on Wednesdays with Graeagle. We ask for a minimum 50% attendance rate each
year in order to stay competent with skills. The Quincy Fire Academy is held annually, and new firefighters
are required to complete this training over five Saturdays in April and May.
In addition, a basic level of emergency medical training and certification is required in California for all
firefighters, now called First Responder. Completing additional training to be an Emergency Medical
Technician I is highly encouraged also. PEFD pays for all training materials and costs, and small stipends
are provided for training and emergency call responses.
Please join us in welcoming new Volunteer Firefighters John Sea, Jeff Train, and Jenni McGuire to PEFD
in 2015! If you are interested in joining our crew to help your community, please contact Chief Tom Forster
at his home number (530) 836-1086, or PECSD Administrative Manager Heather Kotrc M-F, 8-4 at (530)
836-1953 and an application will be provided. Tom’s e-mail is [email protected].
Tom Forster, Fire Chief
Plumas Eureka Fire Department
Plumas Pipelines
Page 4
Summer Issue 2015
Firewise Community
We are pleased to announce that our community is on
the path to be recognized as a “Firewise Community.”
The Firewise Communities program is a key component of Fire
Adapted Communities – a collaborative system seeking to reduce
wildfire risk and increase safety and survivability. The program is
sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA),
and is co-sponsored by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture
(Forest Service) and Interior, and the National Association of State
Foresters.
This collaboration is meant to connect community members with those who play a role in wildfire education
and prevention. The program teaches interested community members about adapting to living with wildfire, and
encourages neighbors to work together and take action to prevent losses.
The Firewise website is: www.firewise.org. Look forward to more local information on this effort soon.
Tom Forster, Fire Chief
Plumas Eureka Fire Department
Hi all!
Let me start by introducing myself. I am Heather Kotrc, the new Administrative Manager
for Plumas Eureka Community Services District. My predecessor, Teresa Cunningham,
has retired after twenty dedicated years with the District. From what I have seen I have
big shoes to fill. She will be missed.
I would love to tell you about some of the changes happening. General Manager, Frank
Motzkus, and I remodeled the front office. I welcome you to come in, introduce yourself
and take a look see! Also, PECSD has switched accounting programs as of January 1st
of this year, and I am requesting any updated contact information from you. You can
update your account via phone call, email or write it on your next invoice.
Also, our website at pecsd.org has been reconstructed. Please check us out as it always has useful links
and the latest news in the District.
Working here has been amazing; with my co-workers, Board Members and the smiling community.
I would love to meet you, so please do not hesitate to give me a call or come in for a quick visit.
Thanks!
Heather Kotrc
Administrative Manager
Plumas Pipelines
Page 5
Summer Issue 2015
I am so fortunate to be able to raise two fantastic boys and an amazing little girl with my
beautiful wife in such a peaceful and caring community. I am also very fortunate to work at a
place I love, with the best staff in the business, for owners who are wonderful people, and
customers that are excited to be here. As I always say, “25 years at the club and not a day of
work yet”.
A big thanks to Mark Callahan, our Golf Course Superintendent, and his staff for continuing to
take the golf course to another level. I didn’t think it was possible to improve upon last year,
but they already have this year. The golf course is in perfect shape. Great Job Mark!
We are all extremely fortunate to have Sean Conry, our Executive Chef, and his culinary team at Longboards Bar &
Grill. Sean and his staff have made dining at Longboards a truly amazing experience. I would put Sean’s team
against any restaurant team in the business anywhere in the world…they are that good!
I would also like to say a big thank you to Karen Beck in our accounting department who retired early this year. Karen
gave us over a decade of fantastic service as the head of our accounting department. Her vast knowledge of
“everything numbers” kept all departments here sailing smoothly. I would like to welcome our new head of
accounting, Cindy Williams, who comes to us from Quincy, California. Cindy graduated from California State
University, Stanislaus and brings a wide array of accounting experience including service for the U.S. Air force and
accounting for a winery, a county, a superior court, a hospital, and now several golf resorts. I am looking forward to
working with Cindy for many years to come.
Stacey Howell, our snack bar manager, has put together an amazing team who is ready and waiting for your next
breakfast or lunch order. Wow, what should I have today…oh, the breakfast burrito is so good, or maybe a bagel
sandwich, or chicken panini, or chicken Caesar wrap, or maybe another notch on my belt!
I would also like to welcome back our amazing housekeeping manager, Sandra, and her staff of Maribel and Lidia.
They work all through the night to make sure that our restaurant, golf shop, snack bar, restrooms, and all other areas
of our facility are neat and clean. I can’t thank them enough for all their hard work.
My amazing golf staff completes the team here at Plumas Pines and is the reason that I can say that I have not had a
day of work yet. As many may already know Judy and Kyle announced their retirement from the Plumas Pines team
to pursue new opportunities. While I was very sad to lose two long-time friends and fellow staff members, I was also
very excited for them and very grateful for the many years of great work and great times that we had together. I wish
them the best of luck and look forward to seeing them here on the course very soon. Speaking of great times in the
golf shop, I am pumped to be working side by side with 3 seasoned veterans who, combined, have over 39 years of
Plumas Pines Golf Shop experience, 1st Assistant Professional, James Shipp, and golf shop staff members Janet
Grijalva, Renee’ Walker, and Matt Williams. The best staff in the business!
I am also just as excited to introduce our two newest golf staff members, Assistant Golf
Professionals Eriq Brown and Tyler Hensley. Eriq is originally from New York, a
graduate of Drake University with a BA in History and Rhetoric, a graduate of the Golf
Academy of America, and comes to us from the Bridges Golf Club At Rancho Santa Fe
in San Diego, California. Tyler is originally from Indiana, attended the University of
Southern Indiana and Ivy Tech Community College, a graduate of the Professional
Golfers Career College in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and comes to us from Maple
Creek Country Club in Cumberland, Indiana. Both Eriq and Tyler are very
knowledgeable golf professionals who have fit right in to the Plumas Pines team and
into our wonderful community.
Left to right Tyler Hensley,
Eriq (“Q”) Brown
It is completely my pleasure to call Plumas Eureka Estates and Plumas Pines Golf Resort my home! I look forward to
seeing everyone soon.
Brandon M. Bowling, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.plumaspinesgolf.com
Plumas Pines Golf Resort
402 Poplar Valley Road
Graeagle, CA 96103
Phone: (530) 836-1420
Plumas Pipelines
Page 6
Summer Issue 2015
PEPS is happy to announce a very successful 2015 Membership Drive. To date, we have 389 members. We
would especially like to thank many of you who made donations in addition to your annual membership fee of
$10 for a single member and $20 for more than one in a household!
For those of you new to the area, PEPS stands for Plumas-Eureka Preservation Society, a non-profit
organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the physical environment and beauty of our community.
You can already see the garden angels weeding and raking in the Enduring Freedom Garden on Poplar Valley
Road, the Ponderosa Garden where Lundy Lane meets Ponderosa Drive, the Plumas Eureka Firehouse Garden
and the Plumas Pines golf course welcome sign at the corner of Poplar Valley Road and Cottonwood Drive. In
early June and throughout the summer more colorful flowers will be planted in our gardens and at each
community mailbox location. Thanks to “a few good men” PEPS has re-roofed the bus stop shelters and will be
repairing some fencing in our Enduring Freedom Garden. Thank you Larry Walker, John Ludden and Bill
Grijalva.
As a fund-raising project, PEPS members created a beautiful cookbook, entitled
PLUMAS COOKS! The cookbook features many of our local restaurants and chefs,
chef's recipes, area history, family recipes, a map to PEPS garden projects in Plumas
Eureka Estates, helpful tips and more. The cost is $20, and the proceeds will help
fund our many community projects and gardens. Books can also be purchased by
contacting any PEPS member or by calling Sharon Munsen at (530) 836-4751, Janet
Grijalva at (530) 836-1062 or Cheryl Shewmake at (530) 836-4164. If mailed to you, a
minimal shipping charge will be added.
PINE NEEDLE PICK UP This year was our 12th year sponsoring the Pine Needle
Pick Up Program. On Saturday, May 30th our crews picked up piles of pine needles
and pine cones from registered residents in the Plumas Eureka area. This worthy
once a year project helps prevent wildfires and air pollution in addition to beautifying Plumas Eureka Estates. Be
sure to visit our website at www.plumaspeps.org for more information about next year’s Pines Needle Pick Up
Program.
SOROPTIMIST CLUB GARDEN TOUR Saturday, June 27, 2015
PEPS is pleased to announce our gardens will be included on the Quincy and Eastern Plumas Garden Tour.
The Soroptimist Club will be providing information soon for tickets to the tour. That day will be a great
opportunity for you to visit our gardens, purchase our healthy plants–”tried and true” and buy a PEPS cookbook
at two of our garden locations–Enduring Freedom Garden and Ponderosa Garden.
“SOUP'S ON” DINNER October 15, 2015
PEPS will again sponsor our community “Soup's On Dinner” at Longboards Bar & Grill. Join us this year for an
enjoyable evening with your friends and neighbors.
PLUMAS EUREKA FIREHOUSE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING, Saturday, November 28, 2015
Each Christmas season, we decorate the Plumas Eureka Firehouse Memorial Garden with colorful LED lights.
On this special night, we invite the community to help us kick off the holiday season by a visit from Santa,
caroling, hot cocoa and a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Firehouse.
If you would like to join PEPS, please contact any PEPS member or call Janet Grijalva at (530) 836-1062. We
look forward to meeting you. For more information about PEPS, please visit our website at
www.plumaspeps.org.
“We Put Plumas in Bloom!”
Plumas Pipelines
Page 7
Summer Issue 2015
The 2015 PEEHA membership drive was very successful! For those of you who are new to the
community, my name is Bill Grijalva, the current President of the Plumas Eureka Estates Homeowners
Association (PEEHA). Our Board members are Randy McDonald, Vice President, Bill Carrera,
Treasurer, Melinda Bennett, Secretary, Woody Barry, Michael Peters and Jamie Strotman. PEEHA is a
non-profit organization and represents the property owners in units one through five of the Plumas
Eureka Estates subdivision. Our membership is also open to all property owners in the Plumas Eureka
area. We address specific homeowner issues, complaints and host an annual dinner meeting for our members in the
late summer.
This year, the annual dinner meeting is slated for Saturday, August 15, 2015, at Longboards Bar and Grill. Due to the
limited seating of this popular event, we will only be able to accommodate the first 100 members who respond to our
invitation which will be sent out in the first part of July. Members are entitled to two free dinners and may invite guests
for $20 each which must be paid in advance with your reservation. This year’s dinner will consist of BBQ ribs and
chicken plus all the trimmings. Our featured guest speaker will be Frank Motzkus, General Manager of the PECSD
who will address issues regarding water conservation and the progress of the arsenic treatment situation. Some of the
community concerns that PEEHA has addressed in the past have been speed control issues and minor neighborhood
complaints. The Board encourages all homeowners in the Plumas Eureka area to observe the current Stage 2 Water
Alert Declaration. For more information about our community’s water restrictions, visit the PECSD website at
www.pecsd.org or call the PECSD office at (530) 836-1953.
We encourage you to join PEEHA not only for the social aspect of this organization but to encourage
awareness of issues that may affect our community. If you would like to become a member of PEEHA, contact me at
(530) 836-1062.
Bill Grijalva, President PEEHA
We are pleased to announce that Marsha Shepard and Melinda Bennett have joined the Plumas Pines Realty
Team! They join our current team-–Mark Smith, Broker/Owner, Chris Nicholson, Realtor®/Associate, Ellen
Cantrell, Owner/Vacation Rental Manager and Wyatt Smith, I.T. Specialist. Visit us at www.plumaspinesrealty.com
for your real estate needs and www.plumaspines.com for vacation rental information.
Marsha Shepard/ BRE#01099098
Phone: (916) 599-2369
Email: [email protected]
Marsha obtained her real estate license in 1990. She has been living and working in Plumas
County since 1993. Marsha has an extensive background in sales and marketing. She loves
working with people and takes the time to get to know her clients while developing lasting
relationships. She has dedicated her time to community involvement/fund raising and knows how
to get things done.
Melinda Bennett/ BRE#01296302
Phone: (916) 798-6432
Email: [email protected]
Melinda was licensed in 2000. She worked in escrow services for 25 years before moving to
Plumas Pines and partnering with Marsha. Her background in title and escrow has proven to be
invaluable in the complex and changing real estate market. Her knowledge of contracts and
documents together with her attention to detail ensure each transaction goes smoothly. She is a
member of 3 local Boards and enjoys helping with community events.
Our mission is to provide personalized customer service to our clients and manage each transaction so that we
meet and exceed expectations throughout the entire real estate process. Although Marsha and Melinda are new to
Plumas Pines Realty, they are not new to the area. Both Marsha and Melinda are full-time residents of Plumas
Pines.
Mark Smith, Broker/Owner Plumas Pines Real Estate & Vacation Rentals
Plumas Pipelines
Page 8
Summer Issue 2015
WIN… 3 Night Stay in a 2 Bedroom/2 Bath Villa at Plumas Pines Golf Resort
for up to 4 People w/ a Round of Golf for 4, including Cart!*
*Package valid thru 2016 Season! Golf M-F after 11 a.m. excluding Holidays
Purchase a ticket for yourself, family member, friend or as a gift and support our fire department. All proceeds
go to the Plumas Eureka Fire Department Auxiliary which benefits our Plumas Eureka Fire Department.
Graeagle Vacation Rentals - Plumas Pines Vacation Rentals (Kerry Bowling, Carol
Joyce and Erin Klemesrud) and Plumas Pines Golf Resort (Cleary Family and Bandon
Bowling) have again donated a 3 night stay in a Villa on Plumas Pines Golf Course
and 4 rounds of golf with cart at Plumas Pines Golf Course. Tickets will be on
sale in June and drawing will be held Labor Day Weekend at the Pancake Breakfast,
Saturday, September 5, 2015. Tickets are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00.
Tickets can be purchased at Plumas Pines Golf Resort (402 Poplar Valley Road), Graeagle Vacation Rentals Plumas Pines Vacation Rentals (26 Poplar Valley Road) at the entrance to Plumas Plumas Eureka Estates Plumas Pines, Plumas Eureka Community Services District Office (200 Lundy Lane) or from Plumas Eureka
Auxiliary Members.
Kerry Bowling, Carol Joyce and Erin Klemesrud at Graeagle Vacation Rentals - Plumas Pines Vacation
Rentals want to remind everyone "that the high fire season is approaching so let's help our local fire
department. Last year almost $3,000 was raised. Let's do better this year."
Kate VanKol has joined the offices of Graeagle Vacation Rentals - Plumas Pines Vacation Rentals and Graeagle
Real Estate at 26 Poplar Valley Road at the entrance to Plumas Eureka Estates in Plumas Pines. Many know Kate
from Bank of America in Portola. Kate's friendliness, phone skills, professional knowledge and attitude are a great
addition to the company. Kate joins Kerry Bowling, Carol Joyce and Erin Klemesrud.
Graeagle Vacation Rentals - Plumas Pines Vacation rentals has been managing rentals in Plumas Eureka Estates Plumas Pines since 1980 when they created the areas first rental program.
To book a Vacation Rental or refer a friend to the area, contact Kate or the rental staff at (530) 836-2500, email
[email protected] or stop in our office at 26 Poplar Valley Road.
Jason Klemesrud has joined Graeagle Real Estate 26 Poplar Valley Road at the entrance to
Plumas Eureka Estates in Plumas Pines. Jason, a full time Plumas Pines resident, has
been in the area since 1988 and a licensed real estate agent since 2004. Jason was previously golf course
superintendent at a couple of the local golf courses. He is also an excellent craftsman having remodeled several
homes in the area. Jason's knowledge of golf and construction are great assets to his real estate sales skills. In his
spare time he coaches basketball and baseball teams for his 3 daughters.
Jason partners with the sales department consisting of Tom Joyce, real estate broker and Kerry Bowling,
real estate agent.
Plumas Pipelines
Page 9
Summer Issue 2015
PLUMAS EUREKA COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT
MISSION STATEMENT
To effectively and efficiently provide community services needed or desired by the residents/eligible voters
of the District and authorized under California Government Code 616000.
Plumas Eureka Community Services District
Stage 2 - Water Alert Declaration
Effective March 11, 2015
Details on Page 2
Visit Our Newly Designed Website at www.pecsd.org
DON’T FORGET….PROJECT SANTA CLAUS!
PECSD is a proud sponsor of the “Eastern Plumas Christmas Angel Project”
formerly known as “Project Santa Claus”. During the Christmas season, we collect
your donations of unwrapped, new toys for this project. Just bring them to the PECSD
office at 200 Lundy Lane.
Plumas Eureka CSD would like your ideas and articles. We try and publish the “Plumas Pipelines” twice a
year. If there are particular subjects you would like to have discussed in this newsletter just let us know.
Also, if you have some information you would like everyone to know about send that to us too! This newsletter
is about Plumas Eureka and the more the better! Send your information/request to [email protected]
Plumas Eureka Community Services District
200 Lundy Lane
Blairsden, CA 96103
“Proudly Providing Services to Plumas Eureka
Since July 1993”