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Energy Board Minutes
December 3, 2015
Fort Collins Utilities Energy Board Minutes
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Energy Board Chairperson City Council Liaison
Peter O’Neill, 970-288-4562 Ross Cunniff, 970-420-7398
Energy Board Vice Chairperson Staff Liaison
Phil Friedman, 970-493-2959 Lisa Rosintoski, 970-416-2432
Roll Call
Board Present: Chairperson Peter O’Neill, Vice Chairperson Philip Friedman, Board Members
Greg Behm, Peggy Plate, Nick Michell, Margaret Moore, Michael Doss and Stacey Baumgarn
Staff Present: Lisa Rosintoski, Michelle Finchum, Pablo Bauleo, John Phelan, Tim McCollough,
Randy Reuscher
Guests: Paul Davis/Platte River Power Authority, Annie Freyschlag/Drive Electric Northern
Colorado (DENC), Dale Adamy
Meeting Convened
Chairperson Peter O’Neill called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Public Comment
Dale Adamy, former member of the Air Quality Advisory Board, spoke about his concern of
how communications between the public and City boards often lead nowhere. Mr. Adamy
created a website and LLC called “Kabuski Institute, LLC.” His intent is to have a forum for the
public to document what they are attempting to convey during board meetings in the hopes that
boards will then follow-up with the public. He also mentioned he hopes to have some form of
communication from the Energy Board to put on his website to recognize consideration of his
carbon tax agenda.
Board Member Service Recognition
Peggy Plate was recognized for her five years on the Electric and Energy boards. Her
appointment ends in December 2015.
Approval of November 5, 2015 Board Meeting Minutes
Chairperson O’Neill moved to approve the November 5 minutes as amended.
Board Member Greg Behm seconded the motion.
Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously, 8-0.
Staff Reports
Determine Minutes Rotation
The Energy Board decided to have a monthly rotation starting in January with Margaret Moore
and then continue alphabetically. Board Members Greg Behm and Margaret Moore voiced
concerns about having members taking meeting minutes thus creating inconsistencies. Vice
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Energy Board Minutes
December 3, 2015
Chairperson Philip Friedman agreed and is looking to possibly change to action minutes. Mr.
Behm also suggested having a volunteer from the community as the minute taker.
Time-of-Use (TOU) Pilot Update
Randy Reuscher reported that the pilot has been approved through City Council. A September 10
open house had a dozen customers present. He also noted staff mailed out postcards and letters in
August notifying customers of the event. To date, roughly 9% of customers have opted out when
they initially expected that number to be 15-20%. He stated that customer feedback has been
minimal. There are two groups; one with basic time-of-use (peak and non-peak) and another is
peak and non-peak with a tier. Customers in both programs will be monitored.
Drive Electric Northern Colorado
Annie Freyschlag with Drive Electric Northern Colorado (DENC) and Community Engagement
Specialist Michelle Finchum gave an overview of DENC and reported on their past and future
initiatives. DENC launched in February 2013 stemming from a group in Washington, D.C.
named the Electrification Coalition. The coalition initially launched within the cities of
Loveland, Fort Collins and Colorado State University with the purpose of bringing in public
charging stations and educating businesses and the public about electric vehicles (EVs). Much of
the focus is currently on businesses and trying to encourage employees to transition to EVs. A
major program has been rolled out where about 19 city employees were given EVs to drive for a
period of time.
A board member questioned whether it’s true the City has no authority to ticket people parked in
an EV-designated parking spot without having an EV. Ms. Finchum noted that it is true, but the
City is working on changing the law.
Peak Partners Demand Response, Analysis & Results
(Attachments available upon request)
Energy Services Engineer Pablo Bauleo gave an overview and status of the Peak Partners
Program. The program’s goal is to reduce demand at peak hour and maximize financial savings.
Mr. Bauleo noted that they reached their goal in thermostat installations, but were short on the
water heater installation goal. Customer satisfaction was more than 75% according to surveys
issued to program participants.
A board member inquired whether staff requests an energy audit from program participants prior
to letting them join the program. Mr. Bauleo explained they do not, but could look into what it
would take to implement. Another board member suggested use of infrared cameras to see
problem areas of homes that need insulation.
Draft 2015 Annual Report
Chairperson Peter O’Neill requested comments from the board on any corrections that needed to
be made. Board members made a number of redline changes. Utilities Customer Connections
Manager and Staff Liaison Lisa Rosintoski noted she will distribute the redline edits for the
board to review.
Energy Policy Implementation – Subcommittee report
(Attachments available upon request)
Chairperson Peter O’Neill created a list of recommendations for the Energy Policy