LMUD board holds closed session conference with legal counsel regarding a possible civil rights claim by former general manager at Tuesday’s meeting
Pat Holley, former LMUD general manager. File photoWith a whopping 21 items on the agenda, the Lassen Municipal Utility District Board of Directors meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25 at 65 S. Roop St.
Closed session includes a conference with legal counsel regarding significant exposure to litigation in three matters — two possible cases against the local agency and a potential civil rights claim by former general manager Pat Holley, who resigned his position at the publicly owned utility district June 28.
According to a June 28 statement from LMUD, “Pat Holley has resigned from his position as general manager of Lassen MUD in order to spend time with family and pursue other career opportunities. Mr. Holley’s last day as GM will be July 5, 2023.”
In response to readers’ concerns, Lassen News filed a California Public Records Act request for information on a possible severance package for Holley. According to LMUD’s response, “Any severance package is still in draft and is not available through a Public Records Act request.” Lassen News filed a second CPRA request seeking information on the possible severance package when it is ready for public disclosure.
According to Holley’s contract with LMUD, “Holley may terminate this agreement upon 60 days written notice of resignation presented to the president of the board. In such case, Holley shall not be entitled to any further compensation for the unexpired term of this agreement beyond the termination date set forth in Holley’s Notice of Resignation, nor shall Holley be entitled to any benefits or other programs which are not yet vested at the time of the effective date of such resignation.”
According to LMUD, Holley did not submit a Notice of Resignation and “thanked the board for the opportunity to serve the district.”
Other items on the agenda
The board will approve its agenda; hear public comment; consider a proposal for executive search for a new district manager through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association; and hear staff, board member, general manager, electric operations manager, business manager and financial manager reports.
The board also will consider allowing the electric operations manager and the business manager to act jointly as interim general manager until a new general manager is hired; consider adoption of a resolution regarding the feasibility of energy storage technologies; consider a power engineer’s proposal for the Skedaddle transmission line design; a review of distributed generation/net energy metering rates (discussion only); update signer on LMUD’s bank accounts; consider a proposal to remove and dispose of poles at the Whaleback Fire site, and report of action taken in closed session.
The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22.
