MOUNTAIN PARKS ELECTRIC, INC.

Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors Granby Colorado

October 14th, 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, Rob Taylor, Donn Finn, Jessica Rahn, Stacie Dellamano Scott Simmons and Levi Williamson all via ZOOM.

Call to Order

President Jeff Hauck called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m.

Determination of Quorum

A quorum was declared.

Minutes

Rural Energy for America grant information should be moved up as it does not cover fiber in Manager’s report. EV chargers are at the Winter Park Resort, not at the Town of Winter Park.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve minutes from September with the above changes.

Attorney Summary Fees Report

Attorney Williamson didn’t have anything for open session, no questions were asked by the board.

Public Comment

No public comment

Manager’s Report

  • COVID Update. Restriction have not changed, masks are required to be worn at all times in the office.  Management considered lessening restrictions however four employees have been in COVID quarantine protocols in the last two weeks.
  • Vasquez property buyer has been conducting due diligence.  No issues have been raised, so it appears the property is moving towards closing in mid-November. Will update the Board on an issue with a neighboring parcel in executive session
  • ADB (fiber backbone contractor) contract has been executed. Still waiting on staking sheets to execute Make Ready contract (Altitude).  Expect to resolve issues in the next couple weeks.
  • CREA meeting had several good presentations.
  • Tri-State CEO meeting provided: FERC update, discussion of new member committee to discuss rate design (formula vs fixed). Several members requested Tri-State FERC cost incurred to date, Duane indicated the total is part of legal strategy so therefore will not be provided. More can be discussed in executive session.

Safety Report

The Safety Report as prepared by Safety Coordinator Lee was reviewed.  Management reviewed incident involving a third party contractor that caused damage to MPE forklift.  No injuries related to the incident and contractor has agreed to pay cost of repairs.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve safety report.

Discussion/Action Item A: Set Annual Meeting Date and Time

May 14th at 9:15 suggested. MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve suggested annual meeting date and time.

Discussion/Action Item B: Budget

This item was moved to Executive session to allow for detailed discussion of budget.

Discussion/Action Item C: A-3 Mountain Parks Services

Attorney Williamson suggested changes in policy. MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve suggested changes as presented.

Discussion/Action Item D: A-4 Policy Formation and Approval

Attorney Williamson suggested changes in policy. MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve suggested changes as presented.

Discussion/Action Item E: Employee Benefits

This item was moved to Executive session to allow for detailed discussion regarding GPA and NRECA proposals.

Discussion/Action Item F: Review and Approval of Fiber Construction Project (ADB)

Discussion of amendment to ADB contract.  Discussed scope of Phase I, to include extension of work through Byers Canyon. MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve suggested amendment.

Next contract for phase II will be put out to bid in 2022. Mountain Parks Electric will go through the process with RUS, so phase II should be starting in early 2022.

Discussion/Action Item G: Education Fund Proposals

  1. Child Care Opportunity Partnership Options.

Manager Rahn presented three opportunities suggested by Grand Beginnings director Katy Hale.

  • Tuition Assistance
  • Emergency Fund For Child Care Providers
  • Preventative Health Screenings

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve $30,000 in tuition assistance, $7500 for emergency fund for this year and $8000 ongoing annually for early childhood vision and hearing screenings.

  1. EV Fleet Grant

Chris Michalowski presented possible MPE support for fleet conversion to electric vehicles.  Proposal would create grants to assist local businesses and governmental entities to purchases of electric fleet vehicles. Board directed Michalowski to create proposal for this grant possibility.

Engineering Report

Amount of FEMA reimbursement for the Highway 125 project is unknown at this time. Staff continue to work with FEMA on this and other projects.  Forest Service has indicated they will not allow the rebuild of above ground lines for portions of this project, so staff are preparing to underground the project.  FEMA mitigation funds could offset some of the cost of undergrounding. 

Operations Report

Grand County has lifted fire restrictions.  Mountain Parks Electric has removed the “one shot” setting on the system.

Finance Report

There is a flaw in the system for a manually read meter. Adjustments will be made on report regarding this.  Directors requested financials for Peak by customer class now that we have a year of data.

IT Report

MPE has begun implementing multi factor authentication. 

Human Resources and Administration Report

Managers Rahn, Dellamano and Simmons will be going to housing meetings in Granby.  Builder in Hot Sulphur contacted Mountain Parks about possibly partnering on duplexes.

Member Relations and Communications Report

Pink Hard Hat Campaign at City Market was a success.

Bills for Payment

No questions.

Old Business

None reported.

New Business

None reported.

Emergency Business: Resolution of Vasquez Road

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve resolution.

Green Power

Still discussing exploring community solar options. Looking at ideas for subscriptions. Manager Dellamano is also looking at modeling options after San Miguel and Holy Cross as well as a round table discussion with a group of experts.

Director Taddonio discussed her capital credits class and would like to schedule time at a board meeting to discuss what Mountain Parks Electric does to determine capital credits as well as look at other options for these.

Tri-State

Set their schedules for next year for eight in-person Board meetings and four virtual meetings.

Reported on micro-grid at red feather lakes, and what support Tri-State had in this.

Xcel started a committee to look into new RTO.

Looking for General Manager and one board member or two board members to sit on a formulary rate committee, send Director Hauck an email to sit on this committee.

Western United

Margins are high. Discussing lowering prices instead of getting money back as patronage credits. Western United is having trouble getting transformers from Earmco, may not be able to continue to get them from them.

CREA

Proposed budget includes a 12% increase for Mountain Parks Electric mainly due to Colorado Country Life Magazine. Management team is looking at ways to mitigate this increase. Price sheet is coming from CREA this week, may look at drop shipping.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to go into executive session to discuss housing recommendation, 401K, personnel matters, employee benefits, budget, Tri-State, Winter Park Property, member questions, legal advice for Colorado statutory requirements, and a new litigation matter.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to exit executive session.

After exiting executive session and prior to the close of the meeting:

MOTION:  It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to accept resolution to authorizing amendment of NRECA 401K plan; adoption agreement and 401K addendum.

MOTION:  It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve staff recommendations regarding employee benefits

Adjourned at 3:49 p.m.