3. Public Participation Hearings

Approximately 160 persons attended the two public participation hearings on April 3. Commissioner Duque and Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Walker presided. A total of 29 ratepayers spoke, all but one of them critical of the management of the water company. Nearly all urged that the Commission take steps to encourage transfer of the water company to the Utility District. Many complained of what they believed to be lack of maintenance of the water system since it was acquired eight years ago by Del Oro. Truckee Mayor Don McCormack said the city was "embarrassed" that it had to greet visitors with a notice that they must boil water before use in several sections of the community.

Robert Fortino, president of Del Oro and Donner, addressed both public hearings, seeking to explain why the water system had failed and what the company hoped to do to correct it. A representative of ORA distributed copies of a report recounting its investigation and its recommendation that loan authority be granted, subject to strict accountability, so that repair and replacement of the water system could take place promptly.