HomeMy WebLinkAboutElectric Board - Minutes - 09/15/1999Minutes to be approved by the Board at the October 20, 1999 meeting
FORT COLLINS ELECTRIC BOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting September 15, 1999'at 5 p.m. _
Council Liaison: Scott Mason Staff Liaison: Heather Hoxen - 221-6700 (W)
Chairperson: Jim Welch Phone: 498-8947 (W/H)
Vice Chair: Richard Smart Phone: 221-4474 (H)
A regular meeting of the Fort Collins Electric Board was held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September
15,1999, in the Utilities Training Room at 700 Wood Street, Fort Collins, Colorado.
BOARD PRESENT:
Bill Brayden, Joseph Di Rocco, Jeff Eighmy, Virginia Purvis, Richard Smart and Jim Welch
BOARD ABSENT:
Barbara Rutstein
COUNCIL LIAISON:
Scott Mason
STAFF PRESENT:
Dave Agee, Ellen Alward, Gary Schroeder, Eric Dahlgren, Bob Kost, Mike Smith, Dennis Sumner,
Doug Swartz, Shannon Turner and Wendy Williams
OBSERVER:
Lu Fisk, League of Women Voters
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Board Member Eighmy made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 18 meeting. Board
Member DiRocco seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, and the minutes from the
August 18 meeting were approved.
BUDGET DISCUSSION OF UTILITY DISCRETIONARY ITEMS:
Wendy Williams provided Board Members with an overview of the activities of the Energy Services
group, which includes a wide array of programs. Since the merger, the group has focused primarily on
continuing existing programs and responding to immediate demands. Plans for the future include re-
evaluating and prioritizing potential & existing programs.
Doug Swartz then gave a summary of the current energy services programs. He categorized the
programs as being either "proactive outreach or customer response."
Board Members asked which energy services programs staff feels have been the most successful.
Wendy mentioned the Harmony Library project, an example of how commercial builders can design
and incorporate energy improvement to their buildings. The library is projected to use much less
energy than a conventionally built building by utilizing daylight and other conservation methods to
reduce energy consumption. The new downtown City office building is using a similar design approach
and taking advantage of the Utilities' design assistance program.
There was a general feeling among Board Members that the library's design is successful because of its
accessibility by the public, and they questioned whether we could publicize the Utilities' contribution in
the building design. A kiosk will be located in the lobby, which will run an informational website on a
computer donated by Hewlett-Packard. It will elaborate on the design process including contributions
made by the Utilities' design assistance program and how the library differs from conventional
buildings.
There was a question on whether the strategic plan would include a recommendation for additional
staffing to assist the energy services team. Wendy responded that a team called Community
Connections will be working with R.W.Beck to assess customer needs and interest in new programs.
This will be used to determine whether additional staffing and budgeting is needed.
Doug mentioned energy action teams, a program with the Poudre School District, where staff helped
teachers and students be more aware of how to save energy in their schools. Fifteen schools have
energy action teams resulting in significant savings for the School District.
Wendy discussed the key accounts program, in which staff works with our largest commercial
customers to address their utility concerns. Feedback from key account customers suggests the model
is working well. The Utilities will be investigating expanding the program to include our medium size
commercial customers.
There was a question about the success of the commercial design assistance program. The Utilities
shares the cost of additional consultant fees to enhance the building function, while saving significant
amounts of energy. The client then pays for the actual construction of the structure. Doug explained
that the program has had limited success so far due to tight design and construction schedules. Board
Members commended staff for their effort in promoting design assistance programs.
There were some questions regarding the Utilities customer outreach. Mike mentioned the key account
program and the Utilities' public information and education efforts. Board Members noted their full
support of energy services programs and asked what they could do to help promote the design
assistance program. Mike mentioned there are two items on the Council Policy Agenda concerning
energy code and wind power, which staff will be discussing further with the Board.
MOTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF UTILITIES 2000-2001 BUDGET AND PROPOSED RATE
SCHEDULE REVISION:
Utilities staff requested a memo from the Electric Board recommending approval of the 2000-2001
budget and the rate schedule revision to City Council. Board Member Eighmy made a motion to
approve the 2000-200 1 budget, seconded by Board Member Smart. The motion passed unanimously.
ELECTRIC BOARD 2000 WORK PLAN:
Board Members requested feedback from Council Liaison Scott Mason regarding the 2000 Work Plan.
Scott commended Board Members for their past efforts and would like a continued focus on
deregulation issues. After the report of the Electrical Deregulation Study Panel is finalized, the Board
could review it and make a recommendation to City Council.
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Board Members discussed changes to the 2000 Work Plan. A line item was added to monitor, review
and comment on the Cities for Climate Protection.
2000 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA:
Dennis Sumner provided Board Members with an overview of the 2000 Legislative Agenda. There was
some discussion regarding net teetering. Dennis explained he is soliciting comments from the Electric
Board and Water Board, which he will take back to the Legislative Review Committee. The Utilities
portion will be the document presented to City Council in October.
Board Members decided to leave the Legislative Agenda the same and address net teetering in the
future as needed. Board Member Eighmy motioned to approve the 2000 Legislative Agenda. Board
Member Purvis seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
OVERVIEW OF THE 1999 WORK PLAN:
Board Members reviewed the 1999 Work Plan. It was concluded that the Chairperson would contact
Scott Mason, Council Liaison, to get year 2000 goals from Council. This feedback will serve as the
` basis for discussion of the 2000 Work Plan.
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INFORMATION SHARING, REQUESTS AND NEW AGENDA ITEMS:
Council Member Scott Mason requested a motion from the Board regarding whether they would
support purchasing a portion of the City's electricity load from a wind turbine. He noted the purchase
of wind power would be included in the 2000-2001 budget. Board Member DiRocco made a motion to
recommend the City purchase the equivalent of one wind turbine's energy output. Chairperson Welch
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Council Member Mason requested that the Board
draft a memo to Council expressing their support.
There was some discussion concerning Renewable Energy Production Incentive (REPI) credits and the
$50,000 subsidy these credits provide to the Wind Program. Staff mentioned REPI credits are subject
to annual renewal by the Federal Government and are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain.
Council Member Scott Mason encouraged Board Members to write a memo to Council requesting
Council's action to encourage adequate REPI funding in the future.
Adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Shannon L. Turner & Heather Hoxeng
Board Liaisons