HomeMy WebLinkAboutElectric Board - Minutes - 06/25/1996Council Liaison: Alan Apt II Staff Liaison: Delynn Coldiron
Chairperson: Mark Fidrych Phone: 490-7240 (W) 223-7140 (H)
A regular meeting of the Fort Collins Electric Board was held on Tuesday, June 25, 1996,
following the City Council Work Session, in the City Manager's Conference Room, at 300
LaPorte Avenue, Ft. Collins.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mark Fidrych, Len Loomans, Barbara Rutstein, Richard Smart and Jim Welch
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Bill Brayden and Jeff Eighmy
STAFF PRESENT:
Delynn Coldiron, Suzanne Jarboe -Simpson, Bob Kost and Rich Shannon
OTHERS PRESENT:
Paul Eckman
BOARD LIAISONS:
Council Liaison -- Alan Apt
Staff Liaison -- Delynn Coldiron
FOLLOW UP DISCUSSION ON COUNCIL WORK SESSION ON GOVERNANCE:
Board Members debriefed on the Council Work Session. They were very complimentary
of staffs presentation, and thought that the information presented accurately reflected the
discussions that have been held during the past few months.
Council Members voted unanimously on Option 2 which allows Council to appoint an
independent governing board at some point in the future. They mentioned that they did
not have sufficient information to convince them that a change in governance is needed at
this time. Option 2 preserves Council's right to make a change to Light and Power's
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governance structure in response to the changing utility environment, once they determine
this change would be in the best interest of the City.
Board Members discussed increasing communication/information sharing efforts with
Council Members. Continued research should provide us with the information needed to
address most of Council's concerns. Board Members Eighmy, Rutstein, Smart and Welch
will be traveling to three utilities in Florida who have independent governing boards to get
some first-hand knowledge on the pros and cons of this form of governance. Board
Members will provide Council and other Electric Board members with an update once
they return. There was some discussion on traveling to at least one or two other
locations. Board Members will discuss this once the Florida trip has been completed to
see if this would be beneficial. It was also suggested that we consider contacting the
consultant that has been working with a number of California utilities on deregulation
issues, and have him come to Colorado in lieu of traveling. Chairperson Fidrych will
contact him to get a better understanding of his depth of information. He will report back
to Board Members at the August meeting.
Merging with Platte River to form one large utility, and the role of Platte River, are issues
that repeatedly come up. Board Members are considering inviting Mayor Azari to a future
Board meeting to get a perspective from a City representative on the Platte River Board
on some of these lingering issues. Board Members will discuss this at a future date.
Board Members discussed a work plan for the next two to three months. Board Members
plan to move forward with the meetings that are scheduled with the Charter Review
Committee for July 1, 1996 and August 19, 1996. Four of the Board Members will travel
to the three utilities in Florida. Additional trips will be scheduled, if necessary. The
consultant who is working with the California utilities will be contacted to see if he can
provide Board Members with any useful information. By September, we should know if
Council plans to support Option 2. If so, work will be done to assure that this item is
included on the November ballot. If Council chooses not to support Option 2, Board
Members will focus on the top two or three issues facing the utility, and will aggressively
pursue those issues within the current governance structure.
2. CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTATION
Board Members agreed that the same presentation given to Council should be given to the
Charter Review Committee. The meeting is scheduled for July 1, 1996, in the CIC Room
at City Hall, at 7:00 p.m. All Board Members were invited to attend.
4. OTHER BUSINESS:
Chairperson Fidrych and Rich Shannon provided Board members with a brief update from
the APPA National Conference.
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AGENDA:
Budget
Governance:
- Charter Review Process
Energy Services
- Quarterly Report
- Green Resource
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Dely Coldiron, Board Secretary
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