MOUNTAIN PARKS ELECTRIC, INC.

Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors

Granby, Colorado

January 9, 2020

8:00 A.M.

 

Attendance

Present: Jeff Hauck, Justin Fosha, Kristen Taddonio, Carl Trick, Mark Volt, Liz McIntyre by telephone, Mark Johnston, Scott Simmons, Rich Trostel, Stacie Dellamano, Jessica Rahn, Joe Palmer, Rob Taylor, Michelle Kloss, and Levi Williamson. Carl Trick entered the meeting at 8:23 a.m.

 

Call to Order

President Jeff Hauck called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.

 

Determination of Quorum

A quorum was declared.

 

Minutes

The Board reviewed minutes from the December 12, 2019 meeting. The board noted that the minutes should be revised to add Rob Taylor to the staff present at the meeting.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve the minutes as revised.

 

Attorney Summary Fees Report

The Board reviewed Attorney Williamson’s fees summary report for December 2019.

 

Manager’s Report

The General Manager’s Report as prepared by Mark Johnston was reviewed. Johnston asked if the Board would like him to move forward with a community solar project under Tri-State’s new Policy 119.  The consensus of the Board was to move forward with the project. 

 

Public Comment

Miles Miller addressed the Board regarding MPEI’s recent change to the net-metering rules.  He believes that it will disincentivize installation of rooftop solar. 

Carl Trick entered the meeting. 

Miller left the meeting.  The Board discussed the net-metering rules.  The Board will continue to review the net-metering rules as they review cost of service studies and consider rate changes. 

 

Manager’s Report Continued

General Manager Johnston reported on his attendance at the NRECA regional meeting.  Johnston recommends holding town hall meetings throughout MPEI’s territory.  The Board agreed with the plan. 

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to appoint Liz McIntyre as MPEI’s delegate to the Western United Annual Meeting.

 

Discussion/Action Item A: Policy B-5 Budget and Monetary Asset Management

The Board reviewed Policy B-5. 

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve Policy B-5 Budget and Monetary Asset Management as presented.

 

Discussion/Action Item B: Policy B-6 Local Vendor Preference

The Board reviewed Policy B-6. 

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve Policy B-6 Local Vendor Preference as presented.

 

Discussion/Action Item G: Mountain Parks Educational Fund

Rob Taylor recommended establishing the Tom Sifers College Scholarship.  He recommended a $4,000 scholarship, $2,500 the first year and $1,500 for the second year.  MPEI would award one scholarship per school district.  Students attending vocational schools would be eligible. 

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to establish the Tom Sifers scholarship as presented.

Taylor recommended funding the MPEI essay contest trip out of the Educational Fund. 

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to fund the essay contest trip out of the Educational Fund.

President Hauck recessed the meeting at 9:20 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:30 a.m.

 

Tri-State Announcement

The Board attended Tri-State’s telephonic announcement regarding the closing of the Escalante and Craig power plants.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to go into executive session for confidential discussion regarding MPEI’s 401(k) plan, health insurance, and power supply issues, with the following in attendance: All directors present at the meeting, Mark Johnston, Jessica Rahn, Michelle Kloss and Attorney Williamson.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried come out of executive session.

 

Discussion/Action Item C: Policy D-8 Contested Director Elections

The Board reviewed revised Policy D-8. 

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve Policy D-8 Contested Director Elections as presented.

 

Discussion/Action Item E: Mission Statement and Vision Statement

General Manager Johnston presented proposed revisions to MPEI’s mission. 

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve option #4 as MPEI’s Mission Statement.

General Manager Johnston presented proposed Vision Statements. 

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve options #2 and #3, combined.

 

Discussion/Action Item F: Consents to Amend MPSI Articles of Incorporation

Attorney Williamson presented a Consent of Shareholder approving the amendment of the Mountain Parks Services, Inc. Articles of Incorporation, deleting Article V. Section H. 

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve the consent as presented.

 

Engineering Report

The Engineering Report as prepared by Simmons was reviewed.  Simmons reported on the solar projects and his discussions with Vantage Point regarding project management of the fiber backbone project.

President Hauck recessed the meeting at 11:58 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 12:40 p.m. 

 

Operations & Safety Report

The Operations and Safety Report as prepared by Trostel was reviewed.  Trostel reported on the AMI system and personnel matters. 

There were no lost-time accidents.  Trostel reported on near misses. 

MOTION:  It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to accept the Safety Report as presented.

 

Finance Report

The Finance Report as prepared by Dellamano was reviewed.  Dellamano reported on the status of the NISC software conversion.  She presented financials through November. 

 

Information Technology Report

The Information Technology Report as prepared by Joe Palmer was reviewed.  He reported on a data breach at a local business. 

 

Human Resources and Administration Report

The Human Resources and Administration Report as prepared by Jessica Rahn was reviewed. Rahn reported on personnel matters and the performance management program.  Rahn will implement the performance management program in 2020. 

 

Member Relations and Communications Report

The Member Relations and Communications Report as prepared by Rob Taylor was reviewed.  He reported on three MPEI pilot projects: Air source heat pumps, water heater control, and smart thermostats.  Taylor reported that MPEI’s contribution to the purchase of one electric school bus will be $80,000.    

 

Bills for Payment

The Board reviewed the list of cash disbursements for December 2019.

 

Board Open Forum & Associated Board Reports

Carl Trick reported on his attendance at the regular meeting of the board of directors of Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.  Tri-State will provide funding for member co-ops to install EV charging stations. 

Liz McIntyre reported on Green Power Committee matters.  The Committee is discussing small community solar projects of approximately 100kW.  The MPEI Board would rather pursue a larger community solar project through Tri-State’s Policy 119. 

Kristen Taddonio will speak at the February meeting of the Colorado Solar & Storage Association. 

General Manager Johnston and President Hauck reported on their attendance at the meeting of the Tri-State Contract Committee.  The Committee hired a consultant to help calculate the buy-out figure. 

 

Discussion/Action Item F: Consents to Amend MPSI Articles of Incorporation

Attorney Williamson presented a consent of Shareholder regarding the MPSI solar project. 

MOTION:  It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve the consent as presented.

 

Old Business

None.

 

New Business

None.

 

The Meeting adjourned at 2:08 p.m.