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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-07 Min - BoardREGULAR MEETING MINUTES February 7, 2018 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the TDPUD Board room by President Laliotis, 2. ROLL CALL Directors: Jeff Bender, Joe Aguera, and Vice President Paul Warmerdam, and President Tony Laliotis. Absent: Director Ellis EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Regina Wise, Steve Hollabaugh, Joe Horvath, Jim Wilson, Ian Fitz- gerald, Steven Poncelet, Kim Harris, Lisa Hall, Regina Wise, Michael Holley, and Shanna Kuhlemier. CONSULTANTS PRESENT —Steve Gross, District Counsel OTHERS PRESENT —There were 11 members of the public including Jeff Loux, Matt Ledna, Jeff Couwenhoven, John Beyer, John Sorensen, Jeff Middlebrook, Ward and Heidi Sproat, Deirdre Henderson, Erin de Lafontaine, and Don and Lois Ermak. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Director Bender led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA —none 5. PUBLIC INPUT President Laliotis called for public comment. Seeing none, Vice President Laliotis closed public comment. 6. DIRECTOR UPDATE —none CONSENT CALENDAR 7. Consideration of Reimbursement to the Town of Truckee for Water Utility Work Associated with Multiple Paving Projects (Minute Order 2018-01). • Authorize the General Manager to remit payment to the Town of Truckee for invoice #2018-00000030 in the amount of $16,854.71 and invoice #2018-00000037 in the amount of $29,345,59, for a total amount of $46,200.30. 8. Consideration to an Amendment to VMWare Contract (Minute Order 2018-02). • Authorize the General Manager to amend the annual licensing contract for VMware En- terprise Plus from CDW-G in an amount not to exceed $53,466 plus sales tax in a form acceptable by general counsel. 1 February 7, 2018 ).Consideration of a Contract with Moss Adams for a Single Audit for FY17 FEMA Reimburse- ment (Minute Order 2018-03). • Authorize the Board's President to execute a contract with Moss Adams for Single Audit Services, in an amount not to exceed $12,000 plus incidentals. 10. Consideration to Reject all Bids for the District's 2018 Paving Maintenance Project (Minute Order 2018-04). • Reject all bids received for the Paving Maintenance Contract 2018. 11. Consideration of a Sole Source Procurement for Water Meter Box Lids. 1) Adopt a resolution finding that the sole source purchase of plastic meter box lids from DFW Plastics is necessary to maintain functionality of the District's AMR system. 2) Authorize the purchase of plastic meter box lids as necessary in an amount not to exceed $40,000 per calendar year. Vice President Laliotis called for public comment, there were none. Director Bender moved, and Vice President Warmerdam seconded, that the Board approve the consent calendar. The motion passed unanimously (4-0), by a roll call vote. President Ellis was absent. WORKSHOPS 12. Discussion of Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP) Regarding Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Project. Stephen Hollabaugh introduced Doug Hunter from UAMPS and Chris Colbert from NuScale Power, all three provided a presentation which is available upon request. General Manager Holley stated concerns that staff will be monitoring prior to any long term commitment. • Long term disposition of refuse and waste, and • Costs of build out. The District will require some guarantees for the rate payers and the Board. These items will need addressing prior to staff making a recommendation to the Board for approval. Also, stated that he wanted proof the Federal Government has state of the art refuse related to nuclear waste. Mr. Hunter stated the Federal government is responsible for storage of refuse. This project can determine where every piece of energy is retained for more comfort regarding storage, however, the Fed's dispose of the refuse. Director topics included (see video for full discussion and answers): • Discussions on the containment. • Nuclear Chemicals and penetration of the wall. • Breaches in the pool and reactors mixing. • The testing of the reactors are rigorous. • Breaches and the aquifer. • Other reactors in the United States. 2 February 7, 2018 • Off -ramps in the project and keeping cost down. • If the District participates, 2026 will be the commission date. Steve Gross, District Counsel explained the nuances in the contract as it relates to withdrawing, obligations, off -ramps, Department of Energy's responsibility, and the decommissioning. Steve Hollabaugh explained, currently the District is fully resourced to meet load. However, contracts are due to end in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The District has an opportunity to replace a piece of the portfolio with a carbon free resource for base load. This is not a large piece, but it is an economic hedge against carbon. President Laliotis called for public comment. Ward Sprout, Truckee resident: • Provided the Board some of his background. Retired, CEO of a power plant, and knows the NuScale product and employees. Worked for the largest generator of nuclear power in the country. • Also, he built power projects; including a small modular reactor plant in South Africa. • Impressed with technology and safety of NuScale. Simple design and advantageous. • Concern over risk due to price, and first of kind technology. • Offered assistance to the District with vast knowledge. John Sorensen, Truckee resident: • Involved in activism projects, including proposition 13 several years ago related to nu- clear power. • Waste is the number one issue, and finds the outcome of the Federal Government doing the refuse, irresponsible. • Doesn't want to use a solution that will create waste for 1,000 years. • Request independent risk analysis on the project. • Some institutions have discontinued these projects due to investors. How can NuScale do this? Erin de Lafontaine, Truckee resident: • Co -Leader ofTruckee renewable coalition. • Explained renewable definition per the Truckee coalition. • California Energy Commission does not consider nuclear a renewable energy, per the code. Why would the PUD invest in a technology which will not increase the portfolio? • The resolution that passed last year, provided the authority to Town Council to approve projects. Would the PUD be willing to bring this in front of Council for approval of this project? • The PUD has an excellent renewable portfolios, one of the best in California. Supports building that record. Deirdre Henderson, Truckee resident: • Co -Leader of 100%Truckee renewable coalition. Suggested the resolution to the Town Council, for approval. • Working through that process, the coalition became aware of the PUD's record for re- newable portfolio. One of the best records in California. 3 February 7, 2018 • This is a first of its kind project, not tested. We are small utility district, why would we take part in this and prove the technology before making the investment? • Asked, several commutators have suggested that NuScale claims special safety fea- tures of the SMR technology, will ask the Regulatory Commission reduce some safety and security requirements, is that true? • How does the District interpret that two companies working with the DOE, with funding assistance have dropped out, does that raise red flags on the investment feasibility? Director Bender stated his appreciation to the public for attending and commenting on the item. This a long term project, and important to know what the public desires for energy. Stated there are a lot of off -ramps on the project. Hears the concerns about waste. Board Discussion Included: • NuScale addressed the safety question from Ms. Henderson (see video). Steve Hollabaugh at the Board's request explained the base load. Not all carbon free products meet the CEC's definition of renewable. An example is the Veyo Heat Recovery Project, which is zero water and zero carbon. The CEC needs to add technology to the definition, which they haven't done since defining. The District needs stable and reliable energy in the base load. The District prefers carbon free, and low cost. Cost is a huge factor in any resource. • Other carbon free resources include; solar with storage (cost issues with this). • Heat recovery, using compressor heat from a gas line. Another one is being investk gated. • Build out of the wind farm, integrate in with the system with other resources to diversify. • Under California law natural gas is clean energy, but not the renewable resource like heat recovery which is inconsistent with the industry. • This project amounts to 4% of our load. Board Discussion included: • If the District does not participate in this project, and the other projects fall off the port- folio. Where are the shortfalls. That will push conservation, or higher rates. We are look- ing at other resources, to fill the void. • Looking at longer range power contracts for cleaner energy. (Staff will bring the portfolio back to the Board for a more in depth conversation in relation to our portfolio). • The District is committed to meeting and exceeding our goals for renewable, carbon free, reliability, at the lowest rates. • The risks with this project is low, staff takes risk seriously. • Discussions on failed plants and why that happened. Board requested the panel address a few questions related to the audience's comments and questions. President Laliotis called for a recess at 8:05 p.m. President Laliotis reconvened at 8:15 p.m. 13. Review the District's Needs for an Arc Flash Hazard Analysis Jim Wilson provided a presentation which is available upon request. President Laliotis called for public comment, there were none. 4 February 7, 2018 Board Consensus was to move forward with the bid and analysis. 14. Electric Meter Replacement Project — Consideration of Policy Changes. Joe Horvath provided a presentation which is available upon request. President Laliotis called for public comment, there were none. Director Comments: • Directed staff to move forward with code changes relating to the AMI project. • Directed staff not to not include an "opt out option, as is consistent with District code. ROUTINE BUSINESS 14. Treasurers Report: December 31, 2017 and January 31, 2018. a) Approval of the Treasurer's report of fund balances as of November 30, 2017 and December 31, 2017. President Laliotis called for public comment, there were none. Director Bender moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve the Treasurer's Report. The motion passed unanimously (4-0). Director Ellis was absent. b) Approval of disbursements for December 2017 and January 2018. President Laliotis called for public comment, there were none. Director Aguera moved, and Director Bender seconded, that the Board approve staff recom- mendation. The motion passed unanimously (4-0), by a roll call vote. Director Ellis was absent. 15. Approval of Minutes December 6, 2017. President Laliotis called for public comment, there were none. Director Augera moved, and Vice President Warmerdam seconded, that the Board approve the minutes. The motion passed unanimously (4-0), by a roll call vote. Director Ellis was ab- sent. CLOSED SESSION — 8:32 p.m. 16. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957, Public Employee Perfor- mance Evaluation — General Manager's Performance Plan Review. No Reportable Action. 17 Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2), Exposure to Litiga- tion, one case. No Reportable Action. Director Bender recused himself for a potential conflict and left the meeting. 5 February 7, 2018 ADJOURNMENT = 9:45 p.m. Vice President Warmerdam moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m. The motion passed unanimously (4-0). Director Ellis was absent. There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. to the next scheduled meeting of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District on March 7, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT Tony Laliotis, Prepared by, Shanna D, Kul ident i lemier, CMC,"District Clerk 6 February 7, 2018