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HomeMy WebLinkAboutElectric Board - Minutes - 09/16/19929 • Minutes to be approved by the Board at the October 14, 1992 meeting. FORT COLLINS ELECTRIC BOARD MEETING MINUTES September 16, 1992, 5:00 - 6:30 P.M. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: John Allum, Dane Brandt, Mark Fidrych, William Orendorff, Barbara Rutstein, Richard Smart and Larry Walsh. BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: Don Botteron, Allen Boushee, Delynn Coldiron, Ron King, Bob Kost, Bob Nastan, and Dennis Sumner. BOARD LIAISONS: Council Liaison -- Gerry Horak Staff Liaison -- Don Botteron CALL TO ORDER: Barbara Rutstein called the meeting to order. AGENDA: 1) Approval of Minutes 2) EMF 3) Citizen Outreach Program Discussion 4) Election of Officers 5) Other Business 6) Critique Meeting/Next Meeting's Agenda DISCUSSION TOPICS: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A Motion was made by Board Member Allum to approve the Minutes. Board Member Walsh seconded the Motion. The Motion carried unanimously and the Minutes from the August 19, 1992 meeting were approved. 2. EMF: A. Report on the results of the video broadcast: Dennis Sumner reported to the Board that the EMF video aired five times during the first week in September. The Utility did not receive any calls concerning this video. Board Members liked the idea of continuing to show the video on a limited basis. It was suggested that the video be shown at one fixed time and one varied time each week, and that a schedule of when the video would be aired be added to the City newsletter that comes out with utility bills. Additional showings should be considered when there is a perceived need to do this -- when EMF issues come to the forefront. B. Options for developing a Utility position statement on EMF: Bob Nastan initiated discussion regarding the draft Council Agenda Item Summary on EMF which was previously forwarded to the Board. Although Council has not asked for a resolution on EMF, this is an area where the Board can be proactive. EMF is an item on the Electric Board Work Plan and Board Members liked the idea of taking the lead in this area, but had some reservations about endorsing an EMF policy. Because of the lack of scientific data proving there are health risks and other problems associated with EMF, Board Members felt uncomfortable endorsing an unsubstantiated policy. "Prudent avoidance" was discussed and, likewise, there was some concern with using this as a basis of a policy and/or statement because there is no data supporting that too much/too little EMF presents a health risk. Board Members came to a consensus that it makes sense to develop and endorse a statement (not policy) on EMF based on the known facts as a first step. Bob Nastan will draft a statement on EMF and have it available for next month's meeting. 3. Citizen Outreach Program Discussion: A. Cost of Services/progress on rates: Don Botteron mentioned that we are about three days away from having the percentage information available for distribution to rate classes. Important deadlines: October 7, 1992: Rate ordinance must be submitted. October 15, 1992: Information submitted on the 7th goes to Council and media. October 20, 1992: First reading of ordinance. November 17, 1992: Final reading of ordinance. Ordinance can be implemented within ten days after final reading. There was some discussion about rate class percentages. Board Members were concerned that Council would want the information being submitted endorsed by the Board, and the Board would not have had a chance to see this information until after it had been submitted. Board Members suggested that a special meeting be held so they had a chance to view the information prior to its submittal. -2- Board Members came to a consensus to change the October meeting to the 14th, one day prior to the information going to Council and the media. It was also suggested that October 6th be scheduled as a tentative meeting if staff feels this is necessary. Don handed out a memo which was sent to the Mayor and City Council Members and Steven C. Burkett, City Manager, from Rich Shannon, regarding Utility Rates. Don mentioned that during the Council budget worksession, there were several questions asked regarding Utility rates. This memo was in response to those questions. B. Citizen Outreach: Dennis Sumner offered some preliminary ideas for disseminating rate information to the public: 1. There is a senior fashion show scheduled for November 13. There will be a program in the middle of the fashion show which could include rate information and will give tips on what people can do to help control their rates. 2. Arrange for a news release which highlights the information being submitted to Council. The potential problem with this is that the media decides whether or not the information is newsworthy. The material may not be forwarded to the public. 3. Rate information can be included the City News bill stuffer. 4. Rate information could be included in the Environmental Series programs held at the Library. A Board Member suggested that the rate information be included in the newspaper. Another suggestion was to hold a public open house to inform citizens of the rate changes. Board Members supported ideas 1, 2 and 3 above. In lieu of 4, they suggested holding an informal open house for the public, at the Library, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., sometime between October 20 and November 17. It is their intent that there be information graphically displayed, that reports be available, and that a few staff members be present to help answer questions. Some of the information they suggested would be helpful is: A. Information on rates over the last 10 years; B. Comparison chart to other electric utilities; C. Information on the effects of purchase power pass -through; D. Outage figures (demonstrates quality of service attributable to the Undergrounding Program); Staff will coordinate scheduling with the Library and work out additional details of the open house. -3- 4. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Board Members were very happy with the way things were going with the current officers. Board Member Allum made a motion that the current officers continue in office. Board Member Orendorff seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously -- Barbara Rutstein will continue as Chairperson; Dane Brandt will continue as Vice -Chairperson. 5. OTHER BUSINESS: Amendment 1 (Taxpayers. Bill of Rights/TABOR): There was some discussion on issues related to Amendment 1. It is undetermined if the Amendment will apply to the Utility. Should it pass and be determined applicable to Light & Power, impacts on future rate adjustments and expenditures will be examined. As currently structured, the Amendment imposes restrictions that would make it impossible for the Utility to operate under certain circumstances. Board Members discussed whether or not it was appropriate for them pass a resolution opposing this Amendment and whether or not they could write a letter to the Editor since they are not City employees and would not use City stationery, postage, etc. They asked staff to check with the City Attorney's office to get legal advice on what actions would be appropriate for the Board. Staff will get an opinion from legal counsel and Board Members will decide what actions, if any, they will take at next meeting. Boards & Commissions Workshop Don Botteron handed out a memo from Rita Knoll Harris regarding Work Plans. Also attached was an electronic message regarding the Boards and Commission workshop scheduled for September 30. CRITIQUE MEETING/NEXT MEETING'S AGENDA: Bruce Amendment Resolution Citizen Outreach: - Open House Rates: - Cost of Service Information EMF Statement Preliminary Work Plan for 1993 ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m. p i elynr R. Coldiron, Board Secretary -4-