HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-17 Min - Board REGULAR MEETING
September 17, 1997
In accordance with District Code Section 2 08 010 the TDPUD minutes are action oniv
minutes AH Board meetings are recorded on audio tapes which are preserved perpetually
and made available for listening to any interested party upon their request
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was
called to order at 7:10 PM in the TDPUD Board Room by President Hemig.
ROLL CALL: Directors Ron Hemig, Bob Jones and Patricia Sutton were present; Director Maass
was expected; Director Aguera was unable to attend.
EMPLOYEES PRESENT., Mary Chapman, Steve Hollabaugh, Peter Holzmeister, Bob Quinn and
Ed Taylor.
CONSULTANTS PRESENT. Attorney Steve Gross.
OTHERS PRESENT. Sherry Mays of the Sierra Sun.
PUBLIC INPUT- There was no public input.
CONSIDERATION OF CONTINUING THE EMERGENCY ACTION RELATING TO REPAIR OF
THE TAHOE DONNER SUBSTATION TRANSFORMER
This item was postponed until Director Maass arrives as it requires a 415 vote of the Board to
continue the emergency action.
DISCUSSION OF THE WHOLESALE POWER CONTRACT WITH IDAHO POWER COMPANY-
STATUS OF POWER DELIVERIES-DISCUSSION OF PRICING OPPORTUNITIES- STATUS
OF BILLINGS - STATUS OF FERC DOCKETS
Director Sutton raised a concern that she may be unable to participate in the discussion because
she has declared a conflict of interest regarding the District's dealings with SPPCo. If the workshop
will deal with SPPCo, she needs to step down. If she steps down, there will be only two Directors
left to discuss the matter which is less than a quorum.
It was decided that items 5a and 5b involve no dispute with SPPCo so Director Sutton can
participate. By the time the Board gets to discussion of 5c and 5d, Director Maass is expected to
be present and Director Sutton can step down. There will still be a quorum.
Steve Hollabaugh made a presentation showing that the District is receiving all of its power from
Idaho Power Company and expects to do so through the first quarter of 1998. His presentation
showed that the TDPUD is saving between $116,000 and $160,000 per month compared to the
old contract with SPPCo.
Steve Hollabaugh and Peter Holzmeister made presentations describing the Mid-Columbia Index
as the basis of the District's wholesale power price and options we have to reduce our price risk.
There was discussion of the need for a policy giving staff some limited authority to purchase
financial instruments to fix the price during certain time periods.
9117197 Page i
Director Maass arrived at this point in the meeting, approximately 8:45 PM.
Director Sutton stepped down from participation in this discussion and took a seat in the audience.
Steve Hollabaugh described the status of billings for power deliveries. He described amounts paid
to Idaho Power and SPPCo. He described that the District will not be using the escrow account
which was previously approved by the Board.
Peter Holzmeister described the status of several FERC dockets and two matters currently before
the California PUC.
CONSIDERATION OF CONTINUING THE EMERGENCY ACTION RELATING TO REPAIR OF
THE TAHOE DONNER SUBSTATION TRANSFORMER
Motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed by roll call vote to continue the emergency
action relating to repair of the Tahoe Donner substation transformer.
DISCUSSION OF DISTRICT ORGANIZATION AND POLICIES FOR MANAGING POWER
SUPPLYISSUES
Manager Holzmeister described the need for a Power Resource Engineer position at the District.
He reviewed a draft job description and the tasks that this new engineering position would perform.
He described the distribution engineering tasks that are being ignored because of the work load
imposed on our current engineer. The Board was receptive to the idea and staff was asked to place
this matter on the next agenda for action.
DISCUSSION OF MONTHLY STAFF REPORTS
Director Sutton asked about the status of celebrating the 70 year anniversary of the District, a
power outage effecting Teichert, and an article appearing in the Sierra Sun regarding water quality
at Donner Creek well.
Director Hemig asked the General Manager to begin to think about how to return some of the
power cost savings to the District customers. He stated that the Board should begin to discuss this
matter. Director Maass said that a credit, similar to the fuel adjustment charge that we once used,
could be a way to provide rate relief on an interim basis while we wait for FERC to reach a final
decision on our dispute.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 PM.
TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC T LITY DISTRICT
J. Ro H ig, Prt
• Susan M. Craig, Deputy Distri6i Clerk
smc
9/17/97 Page 2