Here’s a roundup of actions taken by the Lassen Municipal Utility District Board of Directors at the Dec. 30, 2025 meeting.
Directors Fred Nagel and Charity Moore were absent.
The board unanimously rejected a damage claim from Sean Heard, calling the damage caused during a recent windstorm “an act of God.” Heard filed the claim Nov. 6 and the LMUD staff rejected the claim Nov. 12. Heard appealed that decision to the LMUD board.
According to Heard’s claim, the power line to his house was attached to a tree. The tree broke during the windstorm, brought down the power line and damaged the power mast at his house. Heard reported the repairs cost $1,665. Heard questioned whether having a powerline attached to a tree met industry standards.
LMUD General Counsel Eugene Chittock said historically the board has not approved such claims, but he said it was the board’s decision to make.
Electrical Operations Manager Cort Cortez said the power mast and the electrical box are the owner’s property.
Cortez said he hated the term “act of God,” and added that LMUD pays claims involving LMUD negligence “all the time.”
General Manager Nick Dominguez acknowledged attaching a powerline to a tree is not an industry standard practice today, He said such practices are “grandfathered in” regarding LMUD’s liability.
Cortez said LMUD installed a pole at the location and reattached the powerline.
The board approved the minutes of its Nov. 20 special meeting by a 2-0-1 vote. Director Hagata abstained because he did not attend the meeting.
The board unanimously approved updating Policy No. 3081 — Service Contract. The change adds an inflation adjustment to purchases made by the district. The current amount is $25,000.
The board unanimously approved Resolution No. 2025-08 updating the financial assurance cost estimate to Lassen County for the removal of the Hayden Hill powerline.
The board unanimously approved $105,800 for change orders for the installation, testing and commission of two of the transformers at the Skedaddle Substation.
The board unanimously approved Dominguez’s expenditure of $69,200 for the installation, testing and commission of the phase shifting transformer at his discretion due to issues with the transformer that was damaged during storage prior to delivery.
Due to scheduling conflicts with staff, the board unanimously approved new meeting dates — 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 (January meeting); 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3 (February meeting); and 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31 (March meeting).
The board met in closed session for a conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation — LMUD v. William Butler et al, and a conference with legal counsel regarding a potential exposure to litigation.
Source: Lassen News
