HomeMy WebLinkAboutElectric Board - Minutes - 08/04/2010Fort Collins Utilities Electric Board Minutes
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Electric Board Chairperson City Council Liaison
John Morris, 377-8221 Lisa Poppaw, 223-4136
Electric Board Vice Chairperson Staff Liaison
Steve Yurash, 226-4248 Brian Janonis, 221-6702
Roll Call
Board Present Chairperson John Morris, Vice Chairperson Steve Yurash, Board
Members John Harris, Tom Barnish, and Dan Bihn
Board Absent Board Members John Graham and Steve Wolley
Staff Present Steve Catanach, Patty Bigner, Lori Clernents-Grote, Tom Rock, and Robin
Pierce
Guests Rick Coen
Meeting Convened
Chairperson Morris called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m.
Public Comment
None
Approval of July 7, 2010, Minutes
Vice Chairperson Yurash motioned to approve the minutes from the July 7, 2010,
meeting. Board Member Harris seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Platte River Intergovernmental Agreement Extension
Utilities Customer and Employee Relations Manager Patty Bigner requested a Board
recommendation related to an extension of the term of an Intergovernmental Agreement
(IGA) between the Cities of Fort Collins and Longmont and Platte River Power Authority
(Platte River). The IGA governs the operation of a joint Customer Information System
(CIS) by Platte River for the two cities. An extension of one year is requested to resolve
items related to the Utilities Privacy Policy and the Red Flag Rules of the Fair and
Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act. Lori Clements-Grote is the Privacy Officer
for Utilities.
Board Members Barnish and Harris abstained from voting on this item since both are
employed by Platte River.
Ms. Clements-Grote noted that Fort Collins Utilities first learned of the FACT Act rules a
year and a half ago. Implementation deadlines have been modified by the federal
government multiple times as utilities across the country come to terms with how to
Electric Board Meeting Minutes
July 7, 2010
address and implement the requirements. Utilities are especially impacted because Litility
hills may he used to establish identity. Fort Collins Utilities has actively worked to
establish procedures to support implementation of the requirements on behalf of our
customers, including the formation of a Privacy Committee.
Board Member Bihn has heard of interest in the community in the ability to benchmark
rental properties for energy efficiency, yet it’s not currently possible to link usage data to
a particular customer or premise. This information may he of particular interest to
parents shopping for housing options for their university students. It would be good to
explore how to make energy efficiency investments marketable for our customers.
Motion: Board Member Bihn moved the Electric Board recommends to City
Council that the Council approve by resolution an amendment to the CIS
Agreement with Platte River and Longmont extending the term of the current
agreement to August 26, 2011. Vice Chairperson Yurash seconded the motion.
Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously.
2011-2012 Budget Update
Light and Power Manager Steve Catanach referred to an earlier budget presentation
provided by former Utilities Finance and Budget Manager, Bill Freeman. The work of
the results teams is complete through two roLmnds. and the Budget Lead Team has been
going through the entire budget offer by offer. Deliberations will be completed on
Friday, July 9, when the budget will be packaged by the City Clerk and forwarded to
Council. The second reading (and adoption) of the budget is November 2.
Staff will bring the budget to the hoard for discussion and recommendation at the
September meeting. Items recommended for funding and those that are not will be
identified. The board will also hear results of the Light and Power Cost of Service study,
which helps shape rates for various customer classes, and participate in a rates discussion.
Energy Policy Annual Report
The board discussed the 2009 Energy Policy Annual Report which was included in the
meeting packet as an informational item. Energy Services Manager John Phelan will
present on the report at a future meeting. Board members expressed the following
thoughts:
- More pilot programs rather than a blanket 1 .5 percent.
- Continuing data beyond the initial push of programs; customers always most
enthusiastic at the beginning and commitment can drop away.
Routine Updates
PRPA (Vice Chairperson Yarns/i): The most recent board minutes were just released
today. Mr. Catanach reported there were rate discussions and a very good presentation
on boiler leaks and remedies at the last hoard meeting.
Capitol Nemm’s (Board Member Wollev): No report was given.
Green Building Program (Board Member Graham): No report was given.
Staff Reports
Electric Board Meeting Minutes 2
July 7, 2010
Mr. Catanach reported on a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) declaratory
order related to a California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) ruling where a Feed In
Tariffs (FIT) price was mandated for combined heat and power. FERC stepped in and
said it was within their regulatory jurisdiction. A premium may not be mandated on
generation costs unless an exception is granted from FERC. This is likely to affect small
FITs. Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA)-mandated utilities were only to
buy at avoided costs.
Enspiria Solutions has been hired to be our technical consultant/project manager for the
smart grid project. They come highly recommended and have experience with several
other smart grid implementations. Mr. Catanach will provide exact numbers in
September and will bring Enspiria staff in to give the board a presentation in October.
One of the most significant aspects will be the Customer Information System (CIS).
Enspiria has worked with another client who is 6-9 months ahead of our project and can
bring valuable experience to help us avoid pitfalls.
Other
Business
Vice Chairperson Yurash spoke with someone who was working on a biochemical fuel
operation and noted the beetle kill issue in the mountains.
Future
Agenda Items
None
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. following a motion to adjourn by Board Member
Bihn.
Submitted by Robin Pierce, Executive Administrative Assistant (Board Secretary)
Fort Collins Utilities
Approved by the Board on
O(DbVr
, 2010
Signed
10/7
ho
Board Secretary Date
Electric Board Meeting Minutes 3
July 7,2010