HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 Establih citizen committees Agenda Item #
TRUCKEE DONNER
DistrictPublic Utility
Workshop
To: Board of Directors
From: Peter Holzmeister
Date: February 1, 2007
Subject: Establishment of citizen committees
Why this matter is before the Board: The Board has been talking about
establishing two citizen committees to help evaluate policy in the areas of
conservation and power supply. This workshop is a continuation of that
discussion.
History: During the recent lengthy discussion of securing a contract to meet the
District's base load power needs, a great deal of public interest developed. A
variety of opinions and ideas were suggested to the Board. The Board began to
discuss the possibility of inviting broad-based public input through the formation
of two committees, one to evaluate conservation options and the other to
evaluate power supply options. One workshop was conducted a few meetings
ago at which there was discussion of how to structure the suggested committees.
This is a continuation of that earlier workshop.
New information: I took some time to consult with respected professionals in
the public utility arena. I spoke with Bob Rauch, a consultant the District has
used in the past to help us deal with strategic planning processes. I also spoke
with Eldon Cotton, a consultant with NCPA who has many years of experience in
public sector policy development. The attached outline is a result of my
conversations with both men. I send this outline to the Board to help you begin
to think of how committees might be established, what their duty could be, and
how they might operate in an orderly manner.
Recommendation: This is a workshop. No formal action is needed.
Ideas Regarding Formation of Citizen Committees
Citizen committees can be very good if organized properly
Citizen committees can be a disaster if organized poorly
TDPUD Board appoints the committee
• If the committee is small, like 5 or 9 people, one strong personality controls it
• Have a committee of 20 or 25
• A large committee is more reflective of the type of people in the entire community.
• Get business, professional, retired, young, etc
• Advertise for member interest
• You want people with an open mind, not people with an agenda
When people send in letters of interest, send them a questionnaire.
• How long lived in Truckee,
• Profession or job,
• Why interest in committee,
• What nights you are available, etc.
Then choose committee to achieve balance and wide community representation.
• Board members should not be on the committee.
• The committee is to report to the Board,
• One or two directors should attend the meetings to get a feel for what is happening
Committee needs information
• Have a curriculum prepared that covers the first five or six meetings.
• What do the committee members need to know to consider power supply options or
conservation program options.
• Have a presenter attend the meeting to give the class.
• After the last presentation, the next meeting is to lay out the options.
• There is a theme and agenda for each meeting
• Each meeting is facilitated.
• After each presentation the group breaks into groups of 5 to discuss what they heard
• Flip charts are maintained and a record is kept of the discussion.
• Each group reports back to the entire committee
After the informational meetings are completed, options are explored and discussed at the
next meeting or two.
After the options are laid out, have the committee members rate the options — usually one
or two options rise to the top
At second to last meeting, the committee drafts the final report.
At the last meeting, the draft final report is edited and approved by the committee
The report is submitted to the TDPUD Board as a recommendation
Citizen Committee
Logistics
Meet early evening - 5:OOPM to 7:30PM
Provide dinner
They get home early
or
Meet 7:OOPM To 9:OOPM —
Refreshments
They have worked all day and are tired so conclude by 9:OOPM
Each member gets a three-ring binder
• First page is the resolution of the Board establishing the committee and its purpose.
• Second page is his or her letter of appointment
• Third page is list of member and phone numbers
• Fourth page is name and number of staff or consultants assigned to committee
• Bring book to each meeting.
Every meeting there is an agenda. It goes in the book.
Each presenter provides an outline of his/her presentation — power point or whatever.
Goes in the book
Begin each meeting with a report on what happened at the last meeting, then the presenter
goes, then the table discussions, then the table reports.
Have two meetings a month. Each week is too much.
Once a month, they forget between meetings.
TDPUD Board establishes a few important principles to be considered by the committee in
conducting its work.
Example of principles for a power supply committee:
1. Cost is an important factor because it translates into rates paid by the District's
customers. There is a strong preference for cost-based rates when purchasing
wholesale power.
2. Overall power supply must be reliable, firm.
3. Power supply must satisfy the District's Renewable Portfolio Standard.
Examples of principles for a conservation committee:
1. The plan needs to satisfy the requirements of the public benefits program.
2. The plan needs to give special attention to assisting low income persons
3. The plan must deal with the issue of irrigation water practices.
2 Citizen Committee