STPUD board member, employee at odds

By Kathryn Reed

South Tahoe Public Utility District board members are expected to be given a report at their next meeting about an investigation into whether board President Dale Rise created a hostile work environment for an employee.

At the Oct. 6 board meeting Charlie Solt, employee rep with Local No. 39, said during public comment the worker is requesting the board take appropriate action. What that action might or could be was not discussed.

Dale Rise

Solt said the matter stems from a July altercation.

Richard Solbrig, STPUD executive director, said, “We’ve done a thorough investigation. We have a preliminary report. We are waiting the recommendation from our labor attorney.”

Solbrig said the board at its Oct. 20 meeting should be given a copy of the executive summary for review.

The employee’s name has not been made public.

After the meeting Rise told Lake Tahoe News he received a letter Oct. 5 clearing him of the hostile work environment charge, but said he would not make the letter available until the board discusses the matter later this month.

Before speaking with LTN, Rise consulted with Solbrig and STPUD attorney Gary Kvistad about what he could say.

“I broke a policy issue. I’m not supposed to talk policy with employees,” Rise said.

Rise was at the sewer and water district on business for his construction business when the alleged incident occurred. He wasn’t there as a board member.

Although Kenny Curtzwiler spoke at Thursday’s meeting – saying how the investigation was one-sided and that he was part of the complaint – Rise told LTN that in fact Curtzwiler was not at the district office when the alleged incident occurred and therefore was not an eyewitness as he made it sound when he addressed the board.