HomeMy WebLinkAboutElectric Board - Minutes - 06/16/1999C«Ks
Council Liaison: Scott Mason Staff Liaison: Shannon Turner - 221-6700 (W)
Chairperson: Len Loomans Phone: 2240385 (W/H)
Vice Chair: Tim Welch Phone: 498-8947 (W /H)
A regular meeting of the Fort Collins Electric Board was held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16,
1999 in the Utilities Training Room at 700 Wood Street, Fort Collins, Colorado.
BOARD PRESENT:
Jeff Eighmy, Len Loomans, Barbara Rutstein, Richard Smart and Jim Welch
BOARD ABSENT:
Bill Brayden and Mark Fidrych
STAFF PRESENT'
Lori Clements -Grote, Eric Dahlgren, Mike Smith, Shannon Turner and Wendy Williams
OBSERVER:
Lu Fisk of the League of Women Voters
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Changes to the May 19, 1999 minutes were proposed. Board Member Loomans made a motion
to approve the minutes as amended. Board Member Eighmy seconded the motion. The motion
passed unanimously, and the minutes from the May 19, 1999 meeting were approved.
CITIES FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION RECOMMENDATION:
An update was provided on City Council's discussion about the Cities for Climate Protection
(CCP) draft plan. At the Council Study Session it was noted that three Council members were
opposed to the plan, three were in favor with one member absent. The Cities for Climate
Protection Committee is planning to revise the draft plan and present it to Council again in
July. Members were concerned that the plan not be watered down to the point it only includes
action items that would happen without the plan. Council appears to be primarily interested in
actions that reduce carbon dioxide as a side benefit.
It was noted that the City is currently carrying out many measures to reduce carbon dioxide.
The plan recognizes this and includes several potential items, the most expensive of which are
related to Transportation.
Board Members felt it was important to express their support for all the measures. Board
Member Rutstein agreed to draft a letter providing the Electric Board's position on the CCP.
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Board Member Eighmy made a motion to endorse the original CCP draft plan. Chairperson
Loomans seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
OVERVIEW OF MEETING WITH MAYOR RAY MARTINEZ:
Board Members Loomans and Welch recently met with Mayor Martinez to discuss Board
interaction with PRPA. They discussed how communications might be improved between the
City of Fort Collins and PRPA and expressed a desire for direct representation on issues
pertinent to the City of Fort Collins. As a member of the PRPA Board, Mayor Martinez related
he would strongly support the Electric Board's interests. He invited Board Members to
communicate their issues and concerns via e-mail. There was a suggestion to share the PRPA
Board agenda with the Electric Board prior to the meetings, and Mike Smith agreed to e-mail
the PRPA Board agenda to Electric Board Members.
Mayor Martinez also offered to attend Electric Board meetings, if a pertinent subject arises.
Board Members felt this would provide an opportunity to improve communications with
Council.
STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE:
Mike Smith provided Board Members with an update on the Strategic Plan. Phase One is
complete, and the assessment provided to the Board. In Phase Two the Utility will be looking
at customer connections, organizational agility, business processes (financial and customer
services area) and relationships with regional organizations. There are also many internal
issues, which will be addressed in the areas of communication and conflict resolution.
There was some discussion regarding whether the plan would address future marketing efforts.
Marketing falls under the customer connections portion of the plan. Staff is impressed with
RW Beck's marketing representative, and we may use some of her ideas in the future. Staff
noted the Strategic Plan addresses marketing in many areas, and Utilities shows a low rating.
The ratings are low even when compared to private sector utilities. It was felt that the Utilities
would probably rate higher if compared with other public entities.
Some Board Members felt we should not focus our efforts on marketing because deregulation
may not effect the Utilities. Mike explained that while as a distribution company we may never
have to face deregulation (only PRPA will be deregulated), Fort Collins is a joint owner in
PRPA, and as such we need to remain competitive and provide low cost energy.
Survey results show residential customers are most likely to remain our customers in the event
of deregulation. During meetings with Key Accounts, we learned that commercial customers
will buy from the lowest -priced provider. Because of the risk of losing commercial customers
we are being proactive in working closely with these customers. The prospect of combining
marketing efforts with the other four cities was discussed.
PRPA and the four member cities are cooperatively hosting quarterly meetings with Key
Account Customers, each about a different topic. The Cities of Loveland and Estes Park appear
to have less interest in joint marketing efforts than Longmont and Fort Collins. Fort Collins,
Longmont and PRPA recently joined together to purchase and operate a new billing system.
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OTHER BUSINESS: •
Two Board Members, Len Loomans and Mark Fidrych, will be leaving the Electric Board.
Joseph Di Rocco and Virginia Purvis were appointed to the Board effective July 1, 1999 with
terms expiring June 30, 2003. Board Member Rutstein was reappointed to the Board. Vice
Chairperson Welch would be acting Chairperson until elections in August. Board Member
Welch noted he would be not be present at the July meeting, and it was agreed that Board
Member Eighmy would chair the July meeting.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Adjourned 8:45 p.m.
hannon L. Turner, Board Liaison
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