HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnergy Board - Minutes - 09/01/2016Energy Board Minutes
September 01, 2016
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Fort Collins Energy Board Minutes
Thursday, September 01, 2016
Energy Board Chairperson City Council Liaison
Pete O’Neill, 970-223-8703 Ross Cunniff, 970-420-7398
Energy Board Vice Chairperson Staff Liaison
Nick Michell, 970-215-9235 Tim McCollough, 970-305-1069
Roll Call
Board Present: Chairperson Pete O’Neill, Vice Chairperson Nick Michell, Board Members
Stacey Baumgarn, Phil Friedman, Alan Braslau, Lori Nitzel and Margaret Moore
Board Absent: Greg Behm, Mohit Chhabra
Board Late Arrivals: Margaret Moore, Lori Nitzel, Stacey Baumgarn
Staff Present:
Kevin Gertig, Lisa Rosintoski, Tim McCollough, Janet McTague, John Phelan, Cyril Vidergar
Platte River Power Authority (PRPA):
Paul Davis
Members of the Public:
Rick Coen
Meeting Convened
Chairperson Pete O’Neill called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Announcements and Agenda Changes
Kevin Gertig’s presentation will be prior to reviewing and approving minutes from the Aug. 4
Energy Board Meeting while awaiting a quorum to arrive.
Public Comment
None
Staff Report
Kevin Gertig, Utilities Executive Director
Mr. Gertig distributed copies of a news release on Craig Station’s Unit 1, scheduled to retire by
December 31, 2025. Craig Station, which is owned by Tri-State and PacifiCorp, is Colorado's
second largest coal-fired power plant, and Unit 1 is being retired in lieu of installing new
emissions controls.
Topics:
Refresher on Utilities Priorities
Energy Board Minutes
September 01, 2016
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Progress on Key 2016 Objectives
Q&A
1. Safest workplace in America
a. Status: On Track
2. Continued implementation of Climate Action Plan, aka Road to 2020
a. Status: Encountering Obstacles
3. Continued adoption of Strategic Asset Management Plan and Principles
a. Status: On Track
4. Continue to plan for water future and draught management
a. Status: Ongoing over the next 10 years and is an continuing dynamic process
5. Develop a defensible 2017/2018 Utilities Budget
a. Status: On Track
Rate increases will need to be implemented to support upgrading an aging system. Utilities rate
ordinance is scheduled for November adoption by City Council.
Q&A:
Q: Vice Chairman Michell asked both how and if the safety and performance are mandated on
contractors.
A: Mr. Gertig responded that contractors will pay for contractor caused outages. Utilities offers
contractors education and systems of continuous improvement.
A: Ms. McTague said most contracts have safety expectations and financial responsibilities
outlined. All contractors have to follow Utilities protocol.
Q: Board Member Friedman asked if there are systems in place for financial measurement of the
DER (Distributed Energy Resources) with PRPA.
A: Mr. McCollough said he would provide the board with a “solar potential” report by the end
of the year, reporting both commercial and residential potential usage.
Q: Board Member Braslau referred to the press release passed out at the beginning of Mr.
Gertig’s presentation and asked how the closing of the Craig Station will affect the generation
shortage.
A: Mr. Gertig said that there are many options and are being reviewed by PRPA, Utilities, and
City Council.
Q: Vice Chairman Michell asked how much of Craig Station Unit 1 and Unit 3 are owned by
PRPA.
A: Mr. Davis (PRPA) responded that PRPA owns 18% of Units 1 and 2 at Craig Station.
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September 01, 2016
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(Attachments available upon request)
Approval of August 4, 2016 Board Meeting Minutes
Amendments to the August 4, 2016 minutes were made by the Board Members and the minutes
were accepted as amended.
Staff Report (continued)
John Phelan, Energy Services Manager
Topic:
How historic homes and buildings are being treated in Energy Efficiency Programs in response
to an inquiry from Board Member Braslau.
There are many things to consider when addressing historic homes or buildings and energy
efficiency.
Health and safety, consider things like old wiring.
Building science, such as storm windows.
Energy efficiency upgrades, easy to focus on windows, but avoid compromising the
historical appearance of the building.
Embodied energy, the idea of demolishing a building versus retrofitting an existing
building.
Staff Report (continued)
Tim McCollough, Light and Power Operations Manager
Received unanimous support from Board members to move the Energy Board Meetings to the
second (2
nd
) Thursday of every month beginning with the meeting January 12, 2017.
Utilities City Code
(Attachments available upon request)
Lisa Rosintoski, Utilities Customer Connections Manager
Tim McCollough, Light and Power Operations Manager
Ms. Rosintoski reported that going forward; Utilities City Code will be updated twice a year as a
part of routine maintenance. Utilities staff has created a process to routinely review code
language every six months in congruence with the planning calendar and with the assistance of
the City Attorney.
Mr. McCollough reported that minor clean up language is needed on the Light and Power
Operations side of Utilities as well. The language update clarifies that anything bigger than a
duplex will be considered commercial service instead of the previous multi-family dwelling
designation.
Mr. McCollough said that the proposed changes are routine and non-controversial.
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September 01, 2016
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Board Member Braslau asked if changing the designation from “multi-family dwelling” to a
“commercial” designation would result in a rate increase for those properties.
Mr. McCollough said they have done some studies and those properties whose designation will
change could see up to a 50% increase in development fees.
Mr. McCollough requested the Board to consider making a decision to support the proposed
changes in the City Utilities Code when staff takes them to City Council.
Vice Chairman Michell moved that the Energy Board recommend City Council approve the
two sets of proposed revisions in City Code; Customer Connections changes in Chapter 26
Article 12 and Electric Utility Code Changes in Chapter 26 Article 6.
Board Member Moore seconded the motion.
Vote on the Motion: It passed unanimously, 7-0.
Draft 2017 Work Plan (Discussion/Decision)
Chairperson O’Neill utilized the 2016 Work Plan as a model for an initial rough draft of the 2017
Work Plan to provide a skeleton for the Board to revise.
Chairperson O’Neill stated that the Energy Board Work Plan is to be finalized by November 30
according to the charter, but all other Board’s work plans have to be submitted by September 30,
according to the Boards and Commissions manual. He suggested being aggressive and trying to
get the Energy Board Work Plan done by September 30.
Mr. Vidergar asked the Board to make recommendations considering the following:
Energy Policy for the City
See that goals line up with the City Energy Policy and Climate Action Plan
Ensure Council is made aware of any new information throughout the Work Plan
discussion
Board Member Baumgarn suggested waiting to finalize Energy Board Work Plan until
November so that it will be more oriented to goals and objectives and align with the outcomes
approved by the City budgets and the outcome of the November elections.
Chairperson O’Neill suggested that the plan be changed from activities to objectives that would
tie with specific actions.
Board Member Moore asked the Utilities Executives what priorities the Board should consider
when designing the work plan. Mr. Gertig said asset management and strategic planning over a
multi-year period would be his priority. Mr. McCollough said the staff’s direction is set
primarily by Council’s prerogatives and priorities.
Board Member Braslau suggested that Chairperson O’Neill reach out to Council Liaison Ross
Cunniff prior to the next Work Plan session to get Council input.
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September 01, 2016
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Chairperson O’Neill asked that all Board Members send him suggestions, copying all other
Board Members. Mr. McCollough will assemble the suggestions into a document that would be
available to review and revise at next Work Plan meeting.
Vice Chairperson Michell suggested three main concerns are considered when writing the 2017
Work Plan: the City Council 2016 Strategic Plan, the Fort Collins Energy Policy, and the
Climate Action Plan/Road to 2020. Mr. McCollough will confirm that all three documents are
available on the Share-point.
Board Member Reports
Vice Chairperson Michell suggested the Board should visit Rawhide.
Mr. Davis said a tour of Rawhide could be arranged, and they could hold their meeting there.
Mr. McCollough suggested this tour be at the end of the year or in the first quarter of 2017.
The Rawhide Flats Solar Facility Ribbon Cutting is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 29.
Joint Board Meeting with the Loveland Utilities Commission is October 27 in Fort Collins.
New Business
None
Future Agenda Review
Mr. O’Neill requested an introduction to the new Smart Grid Manager.
It was also suggested that Broadband topic be brought back to the Energy Board.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Submitted by Tamara O’Dell, Temporary Administrative Clerk, Fort Collins Utilities
Approved by the Board on October 6, 2016.
________________________________ ______________
Christie Fredrickson for Tamara O’Dell Date
10/7/2016