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HomeMy WebLinkAboutElectric Board - Minutes - 06/10/1996Council Liaison: Alan Apt Staff Liaison: Delynn Coldiron Chairperson: Mark Fidrych Phone: 490-7240 (W) 223-7140 (H) Vice Chair: Jeff Eighmy Phone: 491-5784 (W) 223-9487 (H) A special meeting of the Fort Collins Electric Board was held on Monday, June 10, 1996, in the Light and Power Training Room, at 700 Wood Street, Ft. Collins. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Bill Brayden, Jeff Eighmy, Mark Fidrych, Len Loomans, Barbara Rutstein, Richard Smart and Jim Welch BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Ellen Alward, Delynn Coldiron, Suzanne Jarboe -Simpson, Tom Rock, Rich Shannon, Gwyn Strand, Dennis Sumner, and Steve VanderMeer OTHERS PRESENT: None BOARD LIAISONS: Council Liaison -- Alan Apt Staff Liaison -- Delynn Coldiron 1. GOVERNANCE: Chairperson Fidrych thanked Board Members for making the extra effort to be at this special meeting. He offered some background information on his memo and the package of information that was included in Board packets. The information contains a somewhat different proposal than was discussed by the Board in May. Chairperson Fidrych wanted to be sure -1- that he had full support of the Board for the new proposal prior to presenting it to City Council on June 25th and to the Charter Review Committee on July 1 st. Chairperson Fidrych had some hesitations about making a presentation to Council without having the Board's full support. It became quite evident from the May meeting that it was somewhat premature to develop a recommendation. There were still a lot of unanswered questions/concems, and there is future work that has to be done with the Charter Review Committee, etc. There seemed to be a lot of options, but not a real recommendation. Because of this, Chairperson Fidrych suggested that the revised proposal be presented to Council as work in progress, instead of as a recommendation. Board Members reviewed the new proposal in detail. Option 1 would place Charter language on the ballot that would create an independent governing board for the Utility. Option 2 modifies the Charter to enable the City Council to create an independent governing board and delegate the stated authority at a time when Council deems it is appropriate. It also sets out that Council should identify a separate process for working with the City Manager, the Utility, and the Electric Board to ensure that the Council is committing adequate time to understand the changes taking place in the industry. Both options would include definitions for the structure, levels of duties, responsibilities, etc., of the independent governing board. There was some concern on Option 2 that Council should not be required to hold separate, regularly scheduled meetings for utility issues. Board Members agreed to strike the last sentence of the second paragraph of Option 2. There was some discussion on Attachment E. On item 2, there are no term limits listed. Board Members suggested terms of four years, with a maximum of three consecutive terms. Item 2 will be revised accordingly. Chairperson Fidrych reviewed the context of his presentation to Council. Board Member Eighmy made a motion that Chairperson Fidrych move forward with the new proposal and make a presentation to Council based on that information at the June 25 Council Study Session. Board Member Smart seconded the motion. The Motion passed unanimously. Board Members also suggested that the information set out in the "worst fears" and "sample issues" would be helpful to Council, and should be included in the package of information that is forwarded to them prior to the study session., Chairperson Fidrych anticipates giving the same presentation to the Charter Review Committee scheduled for July 1. He will share with the Charter Review Committee any direction that is received from Council during the June 25 study session. Board Members discussed their meeting scheduled for June 26th. It was decided to reschedule this meeting to June 25th and meet immediately after the Council Study Session in the City Manager's conference room. -2- 2. REVIEW JULY/AUGUST MEETING SCHEDULE: Board Members discussed their July/August meeting schedule: June 10 -- Special Electric Board Meeting June 25 -- City Council Study Session June 26 -- Electric Board Meeting July 1 -- Charter Review Committee Meeting July 7-10 -- Potential Travel Date July 15 -- Optional Charter Review Committee Meeting July 17 -- Electric Board Aug. 5-16 -- Potential Travel Date Aug. 19 -- Charter Review Committee Aug. 21 -- Electric Board Meeting It was decided that the June 26th meeting would be rescheduled to June 25th, after the Council Study Session. It was decided that the July 15th Electric Board meeting would be canceled. Updates for DSM, renewables and budget will be moved to the August agenda. It was decided that staff should make travel arrangements to Florida for July 7 - 10. It was decided to leave the rest of the schedule in tact until we have more direction. 3. OTHER BUSINESS: It was mentioned that WAPA selected a consultant from R.W. Beck, who has been working with several utilities in California, for a panel discussion. He focused on some of the things that we have been addressing for the last six months and might have some good insight for us. Staff will follow up on this. 4. AGENDA: June 25th: Follow-up on Council Study Session Preparation for Charter Review Committee Presentation August 21st: DSM Update Wind Update Budget Update -3- ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. 'DelyrtdColdiron, Board Secretary IM