HomeMy WebLinkAboutElectric Board - Minutes - 04/23/2003Fort Cottit4s Utilities Motile Board Minutes
Wednesday, April 23, 2003
City Council Liaison Electric Board Chairman Electric Board Vice Chairman
Eric Hamrick Alison Mason 493-1295 Jeff Lebesch 221-0543
Staff Liaison Secretary
DeEtta Carr 221-6702 Heather Anderson 221-6700
Roll Call:
Board Present
Chairperson -Alison Mason, Vice Chairperson Jeff Lebesch, Tracy Babst-Wiedenbrug, Dan Bihn,
Barbara Rutstein, and Linda Stewart
Board Absent
Lisa Skolds
Staff Present
Patty Bigner, Bill Bray, DeEtta Carr, Eric Dahlgren, Tom Rock, Suzanne Jarboe -Simpson,
Dennis Sumner, John Phelan, Mike Smith, Wendy Williams
Guests
Curtis Mildner — Market Decisions
Richard Smart
Meeting Opened
Chairperson Alison Mason called the meeting to order at 5:16 p.m.
Recognition of Richard Smart for Years of Service
Alison presented Richard Smart with a recognition certificate and card signed by the Electric
Board members for his years of service on the Board. Mike Smith also presented him with a gift
certificate and thanked him for the past eleven years on the Electric Board.
Approval of Minutes
Board member Barbara Rutstein moved to approve the minutes of September 2002, October
2002, November 2002, and February 2003. Board member Tracy Babst-Wiedenbrug seconded,
and the motion passed unanimously.
Electric Board Meeting Minutes
April 23, 2003
Page 2
Market Research Presentation -Market Decisions
Curtis Mildner, president of Market Decisions, a firm the Utilities hired to complete our
customer service survey for residential and commercial customers, gave a presentation to the
Board. The purpose of the survey was to benchmark customer service ratings from a survey in
1999 and address issues relating to the supply of water and electricity.
An exceptionally high percent of the sample pool actually participated in the survey. Generally,
commercial participation rates are about 18 percent. The 30 percent speaks highly of the
relationship of Utilities with the community.
The ratings overall were very high. Customers responded strongly in favor for slowing the
growth rate in Fort Collins and with a high support for efficiency, conservation and renewables,
although many of those surveyed didn't know much about renewables. The survey also showed
the respondents are very much against coal powered plants.
Some of the positives from the survey were:
❖ The current survey showed an increase in awareness of other services the Utilities
provided from the 1999 survey.
❖ Reasonable price was at a B+ (The scale was A-F, with A being highest)
❖ From the taste of the water to the over all grade, people were very pleased with the
service they were getting.
❖ Customer service interaction was rated B+ or higher.
Two of the suggestions the consultant gave as ways to improve were the opportunity for the
Utilities to actively promote conservation programs and to communicate with customers through
feedback cards after services are provided.
The Board requested hard copies of the report.
Election of Officers
Board member Linda Stewart motioned to re-elect Alison Mason as Electric Board Chairperson
and Board member Tracy Babst-Wiedenbrug seconded the motion. Board member Barbara
Rutstein motioned to re-elect Jeff Lebesch as Electric Board Vice -Chairman and Board member
Linda Stewart seconded the motion. Both motions passed unanimously.
Update on Energy Supply Policy
Mike Smith updated the Board on the Energy Supply Policy stating that the only change made by
City Council was adjusting the renewable portfolio from 10 to 15 percent.
The next step of the policy is the first draft of the Strategic Plan in May. This draft will be an
opportunity for the Board to list ways on achieving the 15 percent requested by City Council.
Mike stated he would get a copy to the Board before their next meeting if possible.
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Electric Board Meeting Minutes
April 23, 2003
Page 3
Other Items:
Bill Bray informed the Board of the following proposed Municipal Code changes that will be
sent to City Council in June:
• Modify sections 26-411 & 26-412 of the Municipal Code to exempt non -City transmission
(those passing through but not serving within the city) facilities currently within City limits or
annexed into the City from franchise requirements. Any new facilities proposed would still
be subject to franchise requirements.
• Modify section 26-444 of the Municipal Code to extend the time frame for system transfers
from 90 days to two years. Also, include a provision for issuing a revocable permit for
instances that need to be extended beyond two years.
These changes would only affect Xcel Energy & Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association
(PVREA). This would not affect telecommunications lines.
Adiournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
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DeEtta Carr, Electric Board Liaison
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