MOUNTAIN PARKS ELECTRIC, INC.
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors Granby, Colorado
August 12th, 2021
8:00 A.M.
Attendance
Present:, Jeff Hauck, Carl Trick, Richard Zieff, Mark Volt, Liz McIntyre, Kristen Taddonio, Justin Fosha, Mark Johnston, Joe Palmer, Michelle Kloss in person, Rob Taylor, Donn Finn, Jessica Rahn, Stacie Dellamano Scott Simmons and Levi Williamson via Zoom Meetings.
Call to Order
President Jeff Hauck called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.
Determination of Quorum
A quorum was declared.
Minutes
Minutes were reviewed by the board. MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve minutes from July.
Attorney Summary Fees Report
Attorney Williamson didn’t have anything for open session, no questions were asked by the board.
Public Comment
Meara McQuain and Maria Sullian from Headwaters Trails Alliance presented ideas for the Mountain Parks Electric property that is listed for sale. Would like to make an offer with the Town of Winter Park and Friends of Vasquez, however they have been waiting for grants to open up for them to be able to do so. General Manager Johnston stated that he would speak with them after the town met the following Tuesday and they were encouraged to go through the process.
Manager’s Report
- Community Solar - After lengthy discussion regarding project pricing, ISI provided a revised proposal that lower the overall cost. Mountain Parks has requested that ISI provide production assurances for the project and ISI is working to develop those production level assurances. It is unlikely that any construction will start in 2021.
- Fiber Backbone – Mountain Parks signed a contract for system make ready work necessary to build the backbone. Make ready work is scheduled to begin the week of August 23rd. The fiber construction is scheduled to begin in early September and should take 5 to 6 weeks to complete. Mountain Parks is working with Conexon and ADB to amend the existing fiber contract to eliminate the need for additional RUS approval. Mountain Parks has agreed to purchase the project materials to take advantage of lower pricing through Conexon’s business relationships. ADB has indicated they are ready to begin construction to meet the September dates.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to authorize General Manager Johnston to execute the make ready contract.
- GM discussed the status of the sale of Vasquez Road property. Board action items include authorization to finalize the sale.
- GM discussed the need to terminate the existing power supply Exclusivity Agreement due to entity organizational changes. This will be discussed in more detail during the executive session
- GM attended the CREA Managers meeting held in Castle Rock. He reported on meeting discussions including, CREA’s legislative agenda, workforce development proposal, and proposed cooperative messaging.
- Mountain Parks’ All Employee BBQ is for 5:30 tonight. All board members are invited to attend.
- Chet Robben’s retirement party will be at Noon on Tuesday in the fleet garage. All board members are invited to attend.
- GM provided information the Co-Banks Nominating Committee slate of candidates for their Board. Mountain Parks will have an action item at the September meeting to select the candidates. This is time sensitive matter, the ballot must be cast three days after next board meeting
Safety Report
The Safety Report as prepared by Safety Coordinator Lee was reviewed. Discussion ensued regarding what is done when there is a near miss. Tuesday safety meetings as well as Manager Simmons looking at jobs to see if there is a safer way to be doing things. MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve safety report.
Discussion/Action Item A: Consider Assignment and Assumption of Solar Lease
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve Assignment and Assumption of solar lease as well as consent to Assignment of Solar Lease.
Discussion/Action Item B: Consider Consent to Assignment of Solar Lease
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve Assignment and Assumption of solar lease as well as consent to Assignment of Solar Lease
Discussion/Action Item C: Ratify Underground Contract
See below
Discussion/Action Item D: Ratify Tri-State Delegate
See below
Discussion/Action Item E: Ratify Green Power Representative
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to ratify Items C, D and E.
Discussion/Action Item F: Consider Resolution to Sell Vasquez Road Property
A change of buyer required a new resolution. If the buyer changes again, a new resolution will be necessary.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve resolution to sell Vasquez Road Property.
Discussion/Action Item G: Techserve Contract
Techserve has already started work on the project. Mountain Parks will have access to information provided by Techserve going forward.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve Techserve Contract.
Discussion/Action Item H: Fiber Make Ready Ammended Construction Contract
This will be brought to the next board meeting. No contract has been executed at this time.
Discussion/Action Item I: True Up for Net Metering
As it is set up credit offsets service availability charge which potentially saves members more money than if the true up date is changed. This will be looked at again when doing a rate study as well as the entire policy.
Discussion/Action Item K: Walden Board Meeting
Scheduled board meeting for September 16th. The Walden office does have the required audio visual equipment to provide a Zoom option, it will be necessary for managers and directors to attend in person. The ribbon cutting for the Walden solar array will be on the same date.
Engineering Report
125 underground cable has been day lighted during the mudslides. The more it gets buried by the mudslides the better it is for Mountain Parks Electric. Started installing trip savers. This will segregate what we have on one shot. Engineering is proactively looking at transformers. Remote disconnect meters are helping reduce the number of trucks going out. Thank you to Leah McClain for spearheading the NISC efforts.
Operations Report
Nuance outages will decrease once Grand County is out of stage two fire restrictions. Poudre Valley visit went well.
Finance Report
There is overlap between general and small service rates. Engineering is having to make judgment calls on how new large homes are classified, trying to make this more clearly defined. Margins look like they are up. Tri-State allocation may change or go away completely.
IT Report
Formula rate allows changes to take affect more quickly. Two factor identification to hopefully be rolled out by the end of the month. IT will need more personnel.
Human Resources and Administration Report
Manager Simmons will be point person for housing.
Member Relations and Communications Report
National night out coming up, will be serving hot dogs. After Middle Park Fair and Rodeo the Tesla has had 38 test drives with several others interested. Lots of interest in the F150. Solar log on the website is off visually which is being worked on. Fifth quarters are being planned with the first two being outside, looking at options for the October dates.
Bills for Payment
No questions.
Discussion/Action Item J: Interns
Four interns presented regarding their internship at Mountain Parks Electric
Meritt Crum, Apprentice Lineman Intern, Granby
David Honeycutt, Apprentice Lineman Intern, Walden
Dylan Cormican, IT Intern, Granby
Maddie Taylor, Accounting Intern, Granby
Board Open Forum
Western United
No new news
Tri-State
Annual meeting was good, bylaws were passed. They are sending a letter for Mountain Parks Electric to sign regarding stranded assets.
Green Power
Steve Myer is end of his three year term and will be done in November. Trying to get more people to contribute larger amounts.
CREA
Two people are retiring, and they are looking at restructuring their legislative department.
Old Business
None reported
New Business
Would like to relook at an EV charger in Walden.
Emergency Business
None reported. MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to recess Mountain Parks Electric Meeting and go into Mountain Parks Electric Services Meeting.
12:01 Mountain Parks Electric Meeting called to order again.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to go into executive session to discuss housing recommendation, alternative power supply, employee engagement survey results, large member revenue and legal matters.
After exiting executive session and prior to the close of the meeting:
“MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to authorize the General Manager to develop employee housing units under the terms discussed in executive session.”