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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Reports Strategic Plan for the District June 17, 1998 A. The Situation 1. What's going on around us: • Truckee is growing fairly fast (2.5%{year) • More affluent people in the area • More older people, retirees • More ethnic diversity • A choice: area can become a"smart community"or a "ghost town" meaning, become more knowledge-based, more electronic based, more ready for change- or economically die. 2. Our businesses: Businesses we are in: • Water supply and distribution • Electric power distribution • Power supplier (aggregator) Businesses we can be in: • Offer other products and services related to water and power • Wholesale water to other water purveyors 3. Business environment Water: • Highly regulated, especially water quality • Customers care about water quality • Water supply management- basin control for supply and quality • Flat rate vs. meters + I..AI=Co (and city) are taking actions, or supporting the shrinkage of our sphere of influence • Encouraging consolidations and mergers, alternative local government and/or structures. • Small utilities (water) in our service area • Conservation =the BMPs (mandated) • Water system expansion, based on growth -where are the funds Page 1 • Peak average water day in summer is growing - need bigger pipes? y9( • Fireflow- increasing requirements Power: • Deregulation of the power industry = customer choice and access to other competitive suppliers for lower cost • Merging of utilities products - packaging several services together Customers want: • Low price Reliable service • Convenience • Customer friendly service + Quick fix of outages Note: customers are confused about deregulation Sierra Pacific Power Co. • A problem supplier • We have the lowest rates 4. Competition + Sierra Pacific-wants to take over • Southwest Gas - an alternative energy resource • Power marketers • Other water purveyors (PCWA) • Town of Truckee PG&E • LAFCos as "competitor" = can impact our business 5. Strengths and weaknesses Strengths: • District been here a long time - respected, accepted • Low rates, good financial position • Good staff • No stranded investment • Good electric distribution system • Good quality water Weaknesses: • Water rates = moderate to high Page 2 • Tahoe Donner water system = a disaster • High water system debt • Short construction/maintenance season -weather damage B. Strategic Choices Choice 1 - do nothing (do what we're doing now, business as usual) • Others may take our business • Some other entity will decide the District's future Choice 2 -do less (eliminate or transfer functions) • Sell off functions • Give them up to others Choice 3-do more • Expand your service area • Add functions • "Sell" new products and services -for example; Home security Smoke alarms Internet provider Satellite dishes Bottled water In-home treatment systems Technical services, maintenance, meter reading Fiber optics C. The Vision-When the Board has had a chance to reflect on the situation of the District and its opportunities to choose a course A future vision of the District (what the District will do and what the District will become) Boardistaff discussion 1. Can we legally provide the various products and services that have been mentioned? 2. Should we compete with private industry? 3. We want to grow...but city wants to prevent us from doing so...but there are ways to show that we are more efficient and effective than the city and avoid takeover. 4. We want to continue to be the best and lowest cost provider of services- must become "lean and mean"-we must increase our scale, our size, to be competitive. 5. But, if we become even better, we may become an even more tempting target for city. Page 3 6. We must become bigger, more aggressive and more productive or we will fall backward - a good defense is a good offense. 7. Utilities must be ready to change or perish. 8. Identify key differences between public agencies and private companies and proceed from a better understanding of the differences. 9. Identify our strengths as a public agency (for example, no profit factors, no taxes) and exploit them. We should readily be able to compete successfully with private enterprise - hour to hour comparisons. 10. Vital parameter: reliability at lowest cost- aggregation opportunities abound - consider partnering with private companies to provide service. 11. Be the "lead dog"with respect to Sierra Pacific instead of the other way. 12. Don't wait until 2002 - it may hit us sooner if legislature has its way. 13. other local special districts are concerned about city takeover- but they tend to be more reactive than we are. Can we provide leadership to bring us closer to other districts? Pressure of takeover is diminished at the moment. Interest in consolidation is low. 14. Can we develop mutual relationships among the districts which bring us closer together and hence stronger as a group? Some programs are already in place. 15. In reality, the town is a sort of"special district" to provide a few local services that were previously provided poorly by the county. 16. What other things can we do to out-maneuver and defeat the takeover potential? 17. Note: we have three potential annexations on the table in Placer County. 18.Annexation of ground water basin in Placer County? How to avoid being "boxed in"from groundwater in that area. 19. We believe we are gradually improving public perception of District as an independent and effective service provider. 20. Growing understanding by public that our rates are low. 21. Get the town out of this building - it creates an undesirable confusion in people's minds...and we need the space. 22. Let's go! We have the money- let's expand. 23, Build on our core strengths where we are experienced and have a track record -water and power- before we proceed to more remote and innovative activities. 24. Let's not be afraid to be innovative and different and get the recognition for it. 25. Local focus-we're your neighbor. An effective story. D. The strategic planning process 1. Assess your business as it stands today. Page 4 Focus on water • Rate ourselves on performance, for example: service system, financial, quality, costs, customer rates, deficiencies, quality, produces low ratings, which are issues (what is broke? Also, what is not broke can be made even better. • Rate ourselves on performance, for example: service, system, financial, quality, costs, Having identified the issues, we must decide that we're going to do about the issues. Requires a plan of action. Action plan: • What we're going to do • When are we going to do it • Who is going to do it • How- resources, $, people, time, etc. 2. Assess the future - This is for the business as it stands today. Must also be done for issues coming down the road. You must also prepare a plan of action. 3. Assemble a strategic plan of actions. Action Plan 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Water a) (D b) —► n C) d) Power a) b) c) �—► d) Administrative a) b) c) d) 4. Where do we go from here? Hold one or two more facilitated meetings to: • Better define the vision. • Define some opportunities for the District to grow, expand its activities, etc. • Begin the detailed assessment process. Page 5 . . .............. REGULAR MEETING June 17, 1998 In accordance with District Code Section 2.08.010 the TDPUD minutes are action only minutes. All Board meetin s are recorded on audio tapes which are preserved perpetually and made available for listening to any iinterestvd_party upon their re uest. The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was called to order at approximately 7:00 PM in the TDPUD Board Room by President Maass. ROLL CALL: Directors Joe Aguera, Ron Hemig, Bob Jones, Patricia Sutton and James Maass were present. EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Steve Hollabaugh, Peter Holzmeister, Joe Horvath, Kathy Neus, Bob Quinn, Ed Taylor and Scott Terrell. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Consulting Engineer Keith Knibb and District Counsel, Steve Gross. OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Rausch, facilitator for the strategic planning workshop. PUBLIC INPUT There was no public input. CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION REGARDING PREPARATION OF A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE DISTRICT Please see attached. REVIEW OF MONTHLY STAFF REPORTS Staff reports were provided to the Board for review. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT JaAes A. Maass, Pres' nt Prepared by-2,, " ' - Susan M. Craig, Deputy District Clerk smc 617198 Page 1 TDPUD S TA FF REPORT June 12, 1998 To: Board of Directors From: Peter L. Holzmeister Subject: Monthly staff report AGENDA # 5 During the past month I have been working on the following items: 7. NCPA - I have been spending considerable time dealing with NCPA issues during the past month. General Manager selection committee: Jim Maass and I serve on the General Manager selection committee. The process has moved along quickly, which means we spent considerable time in a short period reviewing resumes and conducting interviews. This effort is winding down. Utility director meetings: The managers of the NCPA members meet twice each month to help bring the organization into the deregulated market. Once the new General Manager is on board I expect my involvement to reduce to one day per month. White paper draft. I am chairing a task force preparing a policy defining the admission of new members to NCPA. Deregulation of the industry is opening business opportunities for NCPA to serve new types of agencies. 2. Strategic planning - I have spent considerable time preparing for the strategic plan workshop. I have had conversations with Bob Rauch, Keith Knibb, Keith Sauers and District staff. I have reviewed literature to keep clear on the planning process and content. Our workshop should be productive and enjoyable. 3. Employee training for electric industry deregulation - I am continuing to work with Debora McDermed on a training program for our employees. We met with the management staff to present them the results of the employee interviews and get their input_ We will next contact customers and Directors for input and then proceed with development of the employee training program. 4. Customer development agreement issues -At this time of year, when development again picks up, I sometimes get involved in specific developments. I have been working with Ed Taylor on extension of water service to the proposed Thompson residence and to the proposed Express Holiday Inn. 5. union issues: Even though the District has a multi year MOU with IBEW, there are times when issues come up that require a management-labor meeting. We are proposing a restructuring of the water crew, so we need to hear if IBEW will have any concerns. Also, Wayne Cummings is relocating to Hawaii, creating a vacancy in our substation operation capability. We plan to discuss with the union ideas we have regarding restructuring the substation duties. 6. Vacation - My sisters daughter is getting married in Connecticut on June 27, 1998. 1 would like to attend the wedding, since it will be a family reunion. And once I am back in New England f would like to schedule a vacation. 1 plan to relax and see the sights. 1 plan to fly east on Thursday, June 25 and return on Saturday July 11. 1 will be back in the office on Monday July 13. 1 will designate Mary Chapman to serve as Acting General Manager in my absence. 1 will have my cell phone and lap top computer with me so ! can easily access my phone messages, my files, and District staff each day and they can get in touch with me. TDPUD STAFF REPORT June 12, 1998 :To: Board of Directors From: Kathy Neus, Support Services Manager Subject: Monthly staff report AGENDA # 5 VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 1. With the weather there really hasn't been much going on. The crews are working hard; it looks like the preseason tune-ups have really helped. 2. There were ten repairs, six BIT inspections, six service inspections and a few miscellaneous repairs completed for the month. METER READERS 1. The summer meter change-out is in full swing. The meter readers have changed-out 1,125 meters so far this season. The annual seal check is also in full swing. Both projects are expected to be completed by November. 2, The Meter Readers are current in their readings. There were 10,260 meters read, 579 service reports completed and 151 48hr/1013 notices delivered. PURCHASING AND WAREHOUSING 1. Bid material that was ordered is beginning to arrive. The summer ordering is in full swing. Staff is busy but it doesn't seem quite so hectic. 2. Staff has ordered material for both the electric and water departments for the downtown alley project BUILDING AND GROUNDS 1. An outside contractor is maintaining the landscaping. There hasn't been much happening due to weather conditions. l have been working with Kerry Barnes of Victory Woodworks for a possible Board Room remodel. I have a concept that 1 will share with the Board on Wednesday night. I have been going out for quotes on some carpet maintenance for spot cleaning. This is temporary until the meter change-out program is completed, then Steve Wallace will be available to work in the building. I attended an AWWA workshop on safety in Las Vegas that covered all forays of safety.. Nevada County Environmental Health did their annual walk through. All looks good but it is time to update the business plan. Bi-state Petroleum recently merged with Western Energetix. The logistics of getting new fuel cards, distributing the cards and making sure the cards work was a tough job but things worked out. . . ................................ STAFF REPORT p., June 12, 1998 To; Board of Directors From: Stephen Hollabaugh, acting Electric Superintendent Subject: May `98 Electric Department-Activity Report AGENDA ITEM Electric Department crews worked on the following projects during the month of May: The service crew installed 20 overhead and 11 underground new electrical services and responded to 113 requests for underground facility locates (USA's). Crews continued to replace or add additional transformers to transformers that were overloaded because of new construction and growth. Repairs to the 2"�unit from Tahoe Donner substation have been completed in Westminster, Ca. The transformer returned to service in Tahoe Donner Substation on May 7, 1998. The line crew worked in the downtown alley installing underground conduits for future underground facilities. Ron Reynolds has been working closely with TSD and our Water Department coordinating the work in the downtown alley. The crews also installed a shoe-fly in started to re-conductoring the remaining part of Truckee #5 circuit, The crews also replaced undersized anchors in preparation of this work. Joe Horvath and Wayne Cummings have been working on the Truckee Substation project, that includes replacing the substation transformers, that will start in July. Joe Horvath and Ron Reynolds have been busy keeping up with the new developments that have started to arrive. Wayne Cummings will be leaving the District in late June and has accepted a job in Maui Hawaii as a lineman. May was another wet month. Our line and service crews kept busy with the increasing number of service requests despite the weather. Bob is returning to work in the first week of June part time for a couple of weeks then full time after that. TDPUD STAFF REPORT ©ate. June 1 Z 1998 To: Board of Directors From. Mary Chapman, Administrative Services Manager Subject: April—June, 1998 Monthly Staff Report AGENDA # 5 CUSTOMER SERVICE: Customer service activity has been very busy. Besides all of the seasonal activity, we are also receiving requests for deposit quotes for next ski season.. NEW CONSTRUCTION: Nancy and Mark have been very busy with requests for new construction. Now that the snow has melted, customers and crews are discovering and reporting all of the damaged water boxes and fire hydrants that occurred during last winter. BILLING: Billing is current. In my last staff report I reported that we had 930 customers on the equal payment plan. Mark said that we had an additional 279 customers sign up on the program for a total count of 1209. Mark has placed another notice on the bill regarding the electronic funds transfer. We currently have 765 customers on this program. Our billing software has now been updated to the year 2000 version. This completes the conversion of all of our Orcom software. We also have the ability to provide an unbundled bill. We will need to determine the line items that we want to include on future bills, develop costs to support those line items and revise our bill to handle the changes before we can implement the unbundled bill features. ACCOUNTING: Accounts payable and payroll are current. We are currently working on the financial reports for the month of May. 0598MOL Y.RPT TDPUD STAFF REPORT 6-1 7-98 To: Board of Directors From: Ed Taylor, Water Superintendent Subject: Water Department Monthly Activities Report for May 1998 Agenda # 5 Staff attended "Safety Day"training for confined space. Training was attended for well maintenance. WATER QUALITY: The routine daily water quality sampling and testing program was completed as required and all samples were good. MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS, & NEW CONSTRUCTION: Repaired four leaks. Upgraded six services. Ninety-seven USA locates were complete during the month. Connected fifteen new water hookups Continued work on the Southside Well#3 water supply service to the park. Continued on the replacement of the fourteen service laterals in the alley behind Commercial Row. SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE: Worked on problems with the SCADA system. Installed new pump #2 at Innsbruck Pump Station as part of the station upgrade. Installed new chlorine system at Northside. Started the Glenshire Drive well rehabilitation. Performed scheduled maintenance at system facilities. PLANNING: Back Alley Utilities Replacement Project: Staff is working with representatives of other utilities or agencies to coordinate the replacement or upgrade of all utilities in the alley behind Commercial Row. The water department will replace the service laterals, the water main is in good condition. Thompson Subdivision: This is a three-parcel subdivision. The routing of water lines and service area pressures are being reviewed. Holiday Inn Express: This is a proposed 3-story hotel that is located on the parcel previously occupied by the Wurst Stables. The potential fire flow demands for this r project required hydraulic modeling by Sauers Engineering. It appears as though significant system modifications will be required. Stonewood Condominiums: This is a 38-unit condominium project located on Palisades ©rive at Pine Cone Road. There will be 30 buildings (nine with 4 units each & 1 with 2units). A project for this parcel was previously approved. The current project is a reduced version of the previously approved project. Martis Valley Business Center:_ This is a proposed commercial project located in Placer County. I am currently reviewing the annexation issues along with you and Peter Holzmeister. Boice CountrysideOfice Building: This is a 6000 =/- square foot office building located at the intersection of Northwoods & Northwoods. Betts Manufacturing Phase ll: This is a proposed second structure that was planned for during phase 1. The project is located on River Park Place. �v- Tahoe Truckee Sunni This commercial project was approved last winter and construction of the water facilities has begun. Completion is expected in the next 6-8 weeks. Villager Nurse The proposed new nursery will require a new tap and lateral. The developers requested that the lateral be sized to accommodate a possible future meter for additional development at the Gateway Shopping Center. P' 8 ' £,S TDPUD STAFF REPORT June 1Z 1998 To: Board of Directors From: Stephen Hollabaugh- Power Supply Engineer Subject Monthly staff report- May 1998 AGENDA FERC & Transmission Issues. I have been spending the majority of my time on the FERC case with Spiegel and McDiarmid. A settlement has been signed by us and forwarded on to FERC. When FERC notices the document it will become public, at that time I will give you all the details, Electric Superintendent Day to Day Issues., I have continued to act as the Electric Superintendent in Bob's absence. The day to day operations has kept me very busy with the District projects and the new developments coming in. Power Supply Purchases: Truckee Donner PUD has been receiving the some of its energy from Idaho Power via the Midpoint interface to Sierra Pacific's transmission system. Idaho was in Valmy during the first weeks of May then got out of Valmy the second half of May. The May prices for energy from Idaho were 15.97 and 10.52 m#WKwh for On-peak and Off peak respectively. Attached is a spreadsheet that includes all of our yearly power purchases through April and part of the May bill. We are currently over budget for power supply but hope to make some of that up during the months of July, August and September. Below are the Mid-Columbia prices graphed for May. As you can see prices are going down due to the Spring hydro run off -On Peak 2L8 I&N ts.8-- % A f 6.0i. ., 3.0.1 27 V 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 1s 17 19 21 23 25 27 V 31 D-ap in May IM I--........... C'SLOADDATAZPPCOAM8\ELBILL98.XLS TRUCKEE DONNr:R PUBLIC UnUITY DISTRICT IM POWER PURCHASE COSTS BILLING CYCLE Daysimn. 31 28 31 30 31 30 31 Month JAN FEB MAR APR MAY .TUNE JULY KVV KVVH-Current -,E L oFises-KVVH 414,734 -_g "I"11K Total Load-KVVFI 12,1513,136 11,396,329 11,586,296 1- Load Scnedued-On Peak Fixed(HLH)Kwh Energy Load SchedLged-On Peak(HLH)Kwh Energy U Fl.Dlau 6'-c1-"cW Load ScheWed-Off Peak(!,LH)Kwh Energy Z"M'Xu Load Scheduled-KVV Demand L"'D Subjed to Schedule On Peak MVVH SLpect to ScheduIe Off Peak MWH a 1 Outside of Bandwidth-Under KheWe Charge(MWH) Outside of Bandwidth-Over schedule Crecfit(IVIWH) Idaho Power Co.Energy Rates Demand Charge{par Kw moth) $1,50 $1.50 $1.50 $1.50 $1.50 $1.50 $1.50 Energy Charge On Peak(H[H)(Mills/Kwh) �'4 !KZ Energy Charge Off Peak(LLH)(MiW Kwh) (Note:The energy price is the Mid-Cokimbia Moryhty Average Index Plus G.W226) $323,785,05 $119,868.06 $190,299.59 $281,051.48 _.!:0 41KO $00265 $0.0223 $00247 $0.0278 Sierra Pacific Power Company 81IIIng Demand=t71e average for M rrK>st reseent twelve month period Customer Load Ratio Share Network Integrated TranrmrssionSerAce Anrwat$38,600000 Load Read Share Regulation and Frequency Response SenAce-6.67kv Ire 1.1%*12 mo Demand S 2'3` Scheduling System Control acid Dispatch SeNre-0.12Kw Reactive 3 Vpfy and Voltage Cor"-00003(Kvafh) U, Ever-W ImDalance Sa4ect to Billing at$1 OWMVVK -$1W00 -$loom _S10000 -S10000 -5100.00 Cost to TDPUD $ _ Under Rate of 9DA of SPPCo Cost WWH CredftloTDPUD .0,Af. $44,859.31 S46,712A6 $44,254.66 $43,834.99 $0.00 $0.00 Tow V.6h $0.0042 $a 0039 $0.0043 ........... Fl "r, 2$ 00AX, $2,500M PA V 'D $25'0 4.67 4.67 4.67 4.67 4.67 4.67 4 67 0.02656 0.02656 0,02656 0,02656 0.02656 0.02666 002656 ... .. . ... ... 0 6,180,000 3,927,000 647,000 5,349,000 0 22,000 23,000 20,000 15,000 SIERRA SmAd .Gusfornet'chirga 124T00 1247.00 1247.00 1247.00 Ograand Charge 0.00 102,740.00 107,410.00 93,400.110 74,050.00 Eh4*Charg 6: 0100 164,140.80 104,301.12 17,184.32 14ZWS." Tldtif cb4t 000 268,12780 212,958 12 111,831,32 213,366.44 000 0.0w0 0.0434 0.0542 OL 1728 00399 TOTAL d�R-cx�sT, 371,144.36 437,208.32 450Al2.37 439,217.79 213,31515.44 0.00 0.00 $IKWH-currarrf average cost 0.03043 0.03967 0.04016 0.04344 #W/01 OW10i mwiol Morfty Load Factor 60.27% 63.72% 6293% 67,60% WN/W NOWKI! 4DIV0 Cumulative Power Costs W1,144,36 W8'352r68 1,258,365 05 1,697,582.85 1,91Q949.29 1,910,949.29 1,910,949.29 19918 Budgeted Monthly Total $376,44619 Z351;499 38 $354,150.40 $251,92438 $237;()74 41 $233,846,98 $311,360,35 Cumulative Budgeted Total Cost 3 376.446,19 $727,94557 $1,082,095.97 $1;334,020,35 $1,571,094 76 $1,804,941 75 $2,116.302.10 ]Budgeted Total CoaVkwh 0.0318 0.0309 0.0304 0,0259 OX1252 0.0259 0.0312 5.jo 182 77,7"',77 ' AOG SEPT OCT NOV DEC TOTALS 97,681 44.536,804 373,600.00 womm �' TDPUD STAFF REPORT June 12, 1998 e To: Board of Directors From: Scott Terrell, Planning Director Subject: Monthly staff report AGENDA # 5 Note: Since most of these projects are ongoing, Staff continues to report the basic information and highlights the activities that have occurred during the reporting month. When a project/activity is completed it is reported, then deleted from this report. Strategic Planning/District $Savings Key Accounts Program- Staff visited with 14 of TDPUD's 60 largest commercial electric users in May to bring the April/May total to 28. 1 have also mailed out a letter and notebooks to 6 of our larger customers who are too busy or are not currently interested in meeting and talking about deregulation and other utility issues at this time. The KA meetings have been very informative and will be very useful in TDPUD's planning for customer needs. TDPUD Building GSHP Proposal - It has been decided to postpone a decision regarding a TDPUD building GSHP system until the strategic plan is completed. Deregulation Education- I am attending various courses, seminars, workshops and meetings to help me keep up with deregulation and "competition" activities. I attended the Utility Energy Forum Meeting on "Earning Customer Loyalty in a Competitive Market" May 6-8 in Granlibakken. It was an excellent meeting in which I brought back a lot of useful information to further serve our customers. I will be attending APPA's Strategic Marketing & Economic Development Workshop July 20-22 in Sacramento. ConservationlDSMlEconomic Development/Public Goods Public Benefits Program- Staff presented a draft proposal to the Board in May on some possible energy and water "public benefits" programs we can begin offering our customers in 1998. We are required by State mandate to spend 2.85% of gross annual electric sales on public benefits programs. TDPUD Programs &Services- Staff is currently collecting information and ideas about some possible future programs and services for TDPUD customers. A proposal will be prepared later this year. Ground Source Heat Pump Bulk Purchase & Installation Program- So far about thirty TDPUD customers have signed contracts to install GSHPs for their homes in 1998. The GSHP construction season has begun. There is currently one drilling contractor in Truckee installing GSHP loops through this year. We are trying to bring one or two more drillers into Truckee due to the high interest level. California GSHP Training Grant Activities- The Geothermal Energy Association is doing an excellent job in implementing the requirements of the grant. GEA has been granted an extension on the grant funding to continue training for at least one additional year. Energy Surveys/High Bill Assistance- Staff completed Q commercial and 2 residential energy-use analyses and/or energy survey(s) this month. Staff also responded on- site to 3 residential "high" bill complaints. There are currently no survey requests pending. Communications/Public Relations/Education Deregulation Awareness Campaign- The Statewide deregulation marketing program is being implemented. So far I have only received positive comments on this marketing program. Marketing & Media Plan- TDPUD's "non-deregulation" marketing & media plan is now being implemented. TDPUD is converting its forms and business cards to include the new PUD logo. TDPUD now has a ballfield sign and there will be a TDPUDITDRPD "Partnership" sign on both scoreboards. We eliminated using the billboard as part of our new marketing plan. We are paying a nominal fee to sponsor two Summer Music Series concerts and a Recreation District Family Fun Night. Web Site- Susan Craig has begun developing the TDPUD web. It will be ready for use sometime in June. The TDPUD web site will be interesting and informative. Over time we plan to incorporate a lot of information like construction fees, etc. and being able to apply for service and reviewing your own billing information. Event Support- The Windows on History and Truckee Home & Building Show bill staffers were distributed in the late Aprillearly May TDPUD utility bills. The Windows on History event included the Historical Society using the PUD building for giving presentations and displaying historical artifacts Sunday evening, May 24. Truckee Home Show- TDPUD co-sponsored and had a booth at this year's Home Show held May 23, 24. The Show was very well attended and so was our booth now located at the Horne Show"exit". The exit location is better than the entrance since there are no crowds and the flow is high, yet even and manageable. There were only 2 a few questions related to deregulation, etc. Most of the questions were regarding GSHPs. Business & Energy Efficiency Partnership- The Truckee Donner PUD/Chamber of Commerce Partnership project is designed to encourage focal groups, clubs and individuals to tour the energy and water-efficient Chamber facility. TDPUD Staff is available for guided tours. Newsletter- The Spring, 1998 newsletter issue is almost complete. Articles included in the newsletter are: deregulation & CalPower, 11% bill credit, District bill information, power outages and transmission, life support, etc. The new Current Connections newsletter should be ready for distribution by late-.tune. Water Information Piece- Staff will be working with AL&Z to develop a TDPUD water information piece that will educate our customers on the value of Truckee's high quality water and the need to use it wisely. Water conservation information will be included in this piece. Water conservation practices will benefit the community by lowering water pumping costs, sewage treatment costs and the future infrastructure costs associated with these efforts. Staff will contact TTSA and TSD for their input. This project is currently on-hold. Community/Statewide Involvement Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee- Working with other businesses in reviewing the following activities: Truckee's Now Development Codes, Redevelopment, Doing Business in Truckee Guide, etc. The committee met May 5. The next meeting is scheduled for June 9. The Committee is looking into writing a grant for an Economic Development Feasibility study for Truckee with the assistance of the Sierra Business Development Corporation. Town of Truckee Air Quality Management Plan Advisory Committee- The Committee is currently evaluating different options for mitigating the PM 2.5/10 problem in Truckee. The Air Quality Management Plan is currently being drafted based on input from the Air Quality Management Plan Advisory Committee. Committee meetings are on-hold until the plan is in final draft form. Staff is hoping that some of these monies will be available to promote GSHPs and other energy-efficient and environmental technologies. Tahoe-Truckee Regional Economic Coalition Leadership Class- Staff/Alumni is assisting in organizing the Truckee-Tahoe area leadership class for 1998. California Municipal Utilities Association Energy Services and Marketing Committee- The Committee is working on projects and programs to help CMUA member utilities prepare for deregulation. The next meeting is planned for July in southern CA. 3 California GEA & Utility Ground Source Heat Pump Collaborative- Staff participates in quarterly meetings of the California Utility & GEA GSHP Collaborative, The California Collaborative was formed to oversee the development and promotion of the GSHP industry in California. GEA with the help of Collaborative participants are planning a Ground Source Heat Pump Conference in Sacramento November 11, 12. Utility Energy Forum Planning Committee- The next LIEF meeting is being held in Gran#ibakken May 12-14, 1999. The Committee will begin meeting again June 24. 4