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HomeMy WebLinkAboutElectric Board - Minutes - 10/17/2007I 1---- Fort Collins Utilities Electric Board Minutes Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Electric Board Chairperson City Council Liaison John Morris, 377-8221 Wade Troxell Electric Board Vice Chairperson Staff Liaison Dan Bihn, 218-1962 DeEtta Carr, 221-6702 Roll Call Board Present Chairperson John Morris, Dan Bihn, John Graham, John Harris and Jeff Lebesch Absent Tom Bamish and Steve Wolley Staff Present Bill Bray, Terri Bryant, DeEtta Carr, Joyce Grenz, Jim Hibbard, Bob Micek and Tom Rock Visitor Eric Sutherland Meetine Convened Chairperson John Morris called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m. Citizen Participation Eric Sutherland saw a news release by Platte River Power Authority where they had donated 425 compact fluorescent light bulbs to Latimer Food Bank. This coincides with a lot of objectives embodied in the goals of the Electric Board. When lower income members of the community are helped to save energy, they become more immune to the possibility of rate hikes. Mr. Sutherland feels much could be accomplished if Platte River Power Authority and Fort Collins Utilities invested locally in renewable energy products and that there would be an economic return if investing was done locally. Mr. Sutherland hopes the Electric Board will continue to investigate the best way to use money to stimulate and promote climate change solutions. Minutes of September 19, 2007 Board Member John Graham motioned to approve the minutes from the September 19, 2007, meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Electric Board Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Page 2 Finalize 2008 Work Plan Chairperson John Morris stated that the Work Plan for 2008 needs to be finished. Last year the Electric Board discussed lumping items together with the main headings are: Electric Energy Supply; Conservation and Public Education; Legislative and Finance; Liaison; and Other. The Electric Energy Supply heading would include annual review and update to City Council to include: demand side management, alternative energy resources, rate structures, undergrounding and system reliability. The Electric Board would like to see more benchmarking with other communities (per capita) to compare how the Fort Collins Utilities is doing. Under the heading of Conservation and Public Education, the Electric Board would like to have more public education take place in 2008. The Electric Board can recommend that more public education take place regarding energy conservation and renewable programs already in place through Fort Collins Utilities. This could happen in partnership with other entities such as the Discovery Science Center, CSU Continuing Education and Poudre School District. The Electric Board would like updates from Fort Collins Utilities on what programs are available now. The Board feels this is an inexpensive way to educate the public. The Legislative and Finance heading has items the Electric Board would like to review including a mid -year update on the 2008-2009 Budget. A review of the current rate structure and consideration of options to help promote conservation also would be helpful. The Board would like to monitor progress of the Green-e certification program. Under the Liaison heading, the Electric Board seeks to improve communications with the Council Liaison and City Council. The Electric Board City Council Liaison, Wade Troxell, would like to have a key message to take to Council each month. The Board would like to have a leadership role in proposing policies that relate to the electric utility and to be able to communicate these policies effectively. An annual update from Platte River Power Authority would also be helpful. The heading Other includes an update on power line broadband, wireless and telecommunications issues. The Board would like to monitor progress of the Western Governor's Association Activities. Monitoring the progress of the Energy Supply Committee also would be very helpful. The 2008 Work Plan was due by the end of November. Legislative Policy and Agenda — Review and Comment The City of Fort Collins Legislative Policy Agenda identifies issues of importance to the City of Fort Collins. The agenda expresses policies and positions on issues that affect the quality of life and the governance of our community. This agenda is offered to our legislators as a guideline when considering legislation that impacts Fort Collins. -2- Electric Board Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Page 3 The Legislative Review Committee is a representative group of Council members that review proposed legislation and express City policy in reaction to legislation. Legislation that cannot be compared to City policy as identified in the Legislative Policy and Agenda, is referred back to the full Council for consideration before a position is taken. There are 24 main topics covered in the Legislative Policy and Agenda. Council Members presently serving on the Legislative Review Committee include Mayor Doug Hutchinson, Ben Manvel and Kelly Ohlson. Staff Liaisons support the Legislative Review Committee by contributing expertise in various areas of municipal service. The City works closely with the Colorado Municipal League on all legislative items. There are more activities occurring at the end of 2007 than year-end 2006 including the Governor's Energy Office. These activities really impact the Electric Board. The Legislative Policy and Agenda serves as a guideline when issues occur in Fort Collins. Routine Updates PRPA — Dan Bihn: Met in October the week after the Electric Board meeting. Climate Task Force — Jeff Lebesch: The Climate Task Force extended its schedule a few months into 2008. They are struggling with a substantial gap between the emission goal and list of items that are being proposed to meet the goal. Energy Supply Sub -Committee - Dan Bihn & Jeff Lebesch: No new update. Capitol News — Steve Wolley: Report at next meeting. Future Agenda Items Chairperson John Morris will send out the revised 2008 Work Plan with accomplishments and recommendations for 2008. The Electric Board should have the information from the latest Satisfaction Survey at the December 5 meeting. Utilities General Director interviews will be held December I 1 and 12. Adiournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m. \ � Joyce Grez, 1 tric Board Secret -3-