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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-174 Truckee Donner Public Utility District (916) 87-3896 FAX 1916) 567-11 P9 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 PM, Wednesday, September 17, 1997 TDPUD Board Room 1. Call to order 2, Roll call Board of Directors Joseph R, Aquera J. Ronald Hernia Robert A. Janes james A. Maass Patricia S. Sutton General Manager Peter L. Holzmeister 3. Public Input - 7: 00 PM (or as soon thereafter as possible)This is time set aside for the public to address the Board on any matter not on the agenda. Testimony related to any agendized matter should be addressed at the time that item is considered. ACTION ITEMS 4. Consideration of continuing the emergency action relating to repair of the Tahoe Donner substation transformer. 0 WORKSHOP ITEMS 5. Discussion of the wholesale power contract with Idaho Power Company: a. Status of power deliveries b. Discussion of pricing opportunities c. Status of billings d. Status of FERC dockets 6. Discussion of District organization and policies for managing power supply issues 7. Discussion of monthly staff reports ADJOURNMENT NOTE: The complete packet of material relating to the agenda is available for review at the PUD office and at the Truckee .Library Posted an ailed 4Septe r 12, 1997 Susan M. Craig, Deputy District Cl Post Office Box 309 40 11570 Donner Pass Road 6 Truckee, C iitor `sa 96160 1. TROA: The Truckee River Operating Agreement negotiations have taken an interesting turn. The California negotiators have agreed to convert the Truckee River Basin water allocation from a gross diversion basis to a depletion basis. Under certain methods of calculating depletion this change could be good for us. Under other methods it could be bad. The uncertainty regarding method of calculation is what causes us concern. The California negotiators made this change without consulting with the local water Interests, and that causes us further concern. We are now trying to reverse the damage that may have been done. 2. NCPA: The pace of activity at NCPA is picking up as we get closer to the January 1 deregulation date. There are several groups meeting regularly that our District is participating in. I am meeting once each month with the managers of the NCPA members to help steer NCPA . through the new world. At one recent meeting, which lasted for two days, we played a computer simulation of the new market to learn how power and energy will be priced and how the industry will react to changing prices. It was interesting to see the mergers, alliances and changes in generation mix in the industry. 3. Governance study: The managers of the Truckee local agencies have reached agreement on the scope of phase one of a local governance study. I will send you a detailed description of the "report card" study in a memo during the next two weeks, and we will discuss it at our next workshop. 4. Power supply: We are continuing to work with Idaho Power to bring our wholesale power needs through the SPPCo system. We are working daily with Bob McDiarmid on the FERC cases. We are realizing the savings we had hoped to, but until FERC resolves the matter in a final order those savings are at risk. We will provide the Board with a complete report on these matters during the workshop of September 17. 5. Electric industry deregulation According to AB 1890 and the CPUC implementation order, California's electric utility industry is supposed to provide open access by January 1, 1998. That is just three months away. By that date the power exchange and the independent system operator would need to be operating and a billing system capable of handling the complex power transactions would need to be in place. As of right now it does not appear possible to be ready in three months. Our District is actively participating in three groups dealing with these issues. a) CMUA Board of Governors: l am serving on the CMUA Board of Governors. We are submitting comments to FERC responding to the filing of the ISOiPX implementation. b) Customer Information and Billing Systems: Mary Chapman is active in this group and we are participating in formulation of an RFP to have the necessary billing system created c) Public education: Scott Terrell is active in the statewide public information program. We hope to get material from this group effort to share with our customers so they are able to understand the new industry and take full advantage of the opportunities that will be available to them. PLHIsmc • 0 Ll The water department staff completed the Job Descriptions By Objectives as a team project. The staff will focus on completion of standardized training, Department Standards, scheduling and planning. Water department staff attended drives safety training class. The water production for the month of August was a new record for the District. The production 10 for August was 183,000,000 gallons. The previous high production month was July of 1997. WATER QUALITY: The routine daily water quality sampling and testing program was completed as required. All of the tests were good and well within drinking water duality standards. Staff notified by letter all customers with Backflow Prevention devices of the annual inspection and certification requirements. MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS, & NEW CONSTRUCTION: The Distribution Crew continues to focus on leaks and service upgrades. Staff repaired eighteen water main leaks in the month of August Twenty-eight new service connections were installed in August. Four water services were upgraded this month. Two hundred thirty seven USA locates were complete during the month. SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE: Cleaned and painted Sierra Meadows Booster Station, Martis Woods Booster Station and Ponderosa Palisades Hydro Station. Rebuilt roadway to Hirschdale Treatment Plant. Rebuilt valves at the Hillside Pressure Deducing Stations. Performed scheduled maintenance at system facilities. PLANNING: March 89-80 Properties This is a multi -use commercial project that will provide warehouse, retail, and track maintenance facilities for the local concrete company. Additionally there will be six mini storage units. Construction of the water system improvements was completed and tested satisfactorily. .Aspen Apartments This is a 32 unit apartment complex being constru40 cted in the Donner Trails Subdivision. This project is complete and finaled. Zurich Adlerhaus Chalets This is a 4 unit multi -residential project in Tahoe Donner. Project is under design review. • 4 11 Truckee Donner Public Utility District Business Office Planning Services (916) 7- 9 (916) 587-3944 FAX (16) 587-5056 Staff Report for August Support Service§_.. Kathy Neus to , ) Building and Grounds Maintenance Board of Direotary Joseph R, Aguera J. R maid Hemg oben A. Jones James A. Maass Patricia S. Sutton General Manager Peter L. Hoy zmeister 1. The west wall has been sand blasted and the patching has begun. The skim coat should be completed by Friday, September 12. A week after that the color coat will be applied. 2. The painting bid was awarded to Pomponio Painting. The contractor hopes to begin painting the week of September 15. Vehicle Maintenance 1. There were numerous BIT inspections and seven services on pickups and Jimmys. There were quite a few front end alignments also. Purchasing and Warehousing 1. Things seem to be slow right at this time, but we are all wondering when the storm will hit. We are starting to enter that time of year when contractors start scrambling. Meter Readers 1. The meter readers are current in their readings. There were 9430 meters read, 281 service reports completed and 152 48HR/1013 notices delivered. To this date (for 1997 only) 2109 OMR meters have been installed. 2. The meter readers have been doing the annual seal check, this is when the meter readers inspect the District's property. The meter readers are three quarters of the way through the project. Post Office Box 309 0 11570 Donner Pass Road 0 Truckee, , California 96160 STAFF REPORT To; From: Subject: September 11, 1997 Board of Directors Bob Quinn, Electric Superintendent August Activity Report AGENDA ITEM The following projects l tasks were worked on by the staff of the Electric Department during the month of August. For the School District's new modular buildings, facilities were installed. At some point during September more work on this project will be required. A primary underground line extension, north-east of Olympic Heights, with transformer and service was completed. Crews continued work on upgrading Truckee Circuit #5. Again, this is a critical circuit as it is our major tie to the east side of Tahoe Donner. This project was budgeted. As a result of new construction, several transformers were replaced with larger units to accommodate the increased load. During August, 38 overhead and 12 underground services were installed. 235 underground locates (USA's) were completed. l attended a meeting of the G. O.95 / 128 Committee in San Diego. This group of representatives from all the utilities in the state meet quarterly to review any proposed changes to California's safety rules and regulations. I also attended a meeting of the Electrical Superintendents and Supervisors Committee in Roseville. Meetings were held in my office and in the field with CalTrans, Westar, and Pac Bell, regarding the proposed bypass. CalTrans is requiring our engineering and plans be completed within the month and our facilities relocated by next November. We currently have a plan for relocation but actual costs and engineering still needs to be completed. Costs for the project will be budgeted. Several meetings were held with Southwest Gas regarding their immediate and future plans in the town. We were notified they planned to complete facilities in the downtown area this year. With very short notice, we are proceeding to place substructure in the alley behind commercial row utilizing a joint trench. On August 94th, a squirrel caused our Martis substation to trip off line. The outage lasted for approximately one hour and fifteen minutes while crews investigated the cause. After the culprit was found on top of one of the station's regulators, the power was restored. • TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT PLANNING DIRECTOR ACTIVITIES AUGUST, 1997 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 Business Customer Key Accounts Program- Staff is preparing to meet with at least two key account customers each week beginning in October. TDPUD Competition Plan- Staff is preparing a report about how TDPUD can respond to customer's needs and wants in light of deregulation. Using the phone survey research, Staff has begun to identify some key areas of interest. The proposal will include a variety of energy service programs we can offer our customers, TDPUD Building GSHP Proposal - Davis Energy Group has completed a study to determine the cost-effectiveness of installing GSHPs into the TDPUD building for heating and cooling. Staff will present this information at a future Board meeting. Deregulation Education- I will be attending various courses, seminars, workshops and 10 meetings to help me keep up with deregulation activities. I am currently attending meetings coordinated by the Southern California Public Power Authority, Dan Waters, to develop a statewide media and marketing program for customer -owned utilities. ConservationfDSM/Economic Development/Public Goods Value -Added Customer Programs & Services- Staff will draft a proposal of some possible energy and water service programs we may want to consider offering our customers beginning next year. Ground Source Heat Pump Bulk Purchase & Installation Program- So far about twelve TDPUD customers have signed contracts to install GSHPs for their homes before this Winter. Before we are through, we expect about twenty-five TDPUD customers will sign contracts and have the work done this Summer and next. California GSHP Training Grant/Match-funded Activities- The Geothermal Resources Association is doing an excellent job in implementing the requirements of the grant. Energy Surveys/High Bill Assistance- Staff completed 0 commercial and 2 residential energy survey(s) this month. Staff also responded on -site to 1 "high" bill complaints. Public Goods- Through AB1890, TDPUD and all other customer -owned utilities in the State of California are required to spend 2.85% of gross electric sales on public benefit type programs. Staff will have a proposal ready for the Board's review at budget time. Through this program, TDPUD can respond to the SB1601 low-income weatheri ation State mandate. Communications/Public Relations/Education Deregulation Awareness Campaign- Staff attended a meeting August fi in Ontario with other utility communication representatives to continue to formulate a Statewide marketing and media campaign to counter the affects of the $80 million IOUfPUC "deregulation awareness" education and information plan. Newsletter- The next newsletter issue will probably focus on deregulation issues. Since we are in the midst of figuring out our level of participation in the Statewide marketing and media plan and how we may benefit from it we have put the next issue of the newsletter temporarily on hold. Utility Marketing Study- Staff completed a survey on its current "marketing" activities to be compared against other utilities preparing for deregulation. TDPUD expects to receive results from this effort in September. TDPUD New Customer Brochure- Creative Concepts has developed a proposal to revise and update our current TDPUD new customer brochure. The new issue will probably be done later this year when we have a better understanding where we stand with deregulation and our relationship with NCPA and ENRON. Water Information Piece- Staff is currently working with the marketing team to develop a TDPUD water information piece that will educate our customers on the value/high quality of TDPUD water and the need to use it wisely. Water conservation information and efforts 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. Marketing & Media Plan- A final draft media plan has been developed. The plan describes what will be communicated and through what media. The plan is designed to educate TDPUD customers about TDPUD and such issues as deregulation, etc. This plan is currently on -hold until we figure out TDPUD's involvement in the Statewide marketing and customer education effort. Business & Energy Efficiency Partnership- The Truckee Donner PUD/Chamber Partnership project is designed to encourage local groups, clubs and individuals to tour the energy and water -efficient Chamber facility. TDPUD Staff is available for guided tours. This Summer Staff will be promoting the use of the Chamber facility to TDPUD customers for energy and water information and conservation education. North Tahoe Home Expo 97- Truckee Donner PUD is participating again this year in the North Tahoe Home Expo, September 20, 21. Until we figure out where we are going with deregulation it will benefit us to invest some time on regional activities. Our co-sponsorship cost for this show has been greatly reduced. Truckee Solar (& Geothermal) Home Tour- TDPUD, the Town of Truckee and the Northern California and National Solar Energy Associations are co -sponsoring a tour of six Truckee solar and geothermal heat pump heated homes October 18. The Town has offered the Truckee Trolley and a mini -van for transporting about 26 participants. Community/Statewide Involvement Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee- Working with other businesses in reviewing the following activities: the Downtown Specific Plan, Business Questionnaire, Doing Business in Truckee Guide, etc. Staff attended the August 12 and 22 meetings. The Committee has compiled comments on the Downtown Specific Plan. Tahoe -Truckee Leadership Class- Staff has been attending monthly regional leadership class meetings since May. This program was developed by the Tahoe -Truckee Regional Economic Coalition. Town of Truckee Air Quality Management Plan Advisory Committee- The Committee is currently evaluating different options for mitigating the PM 2.5110 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. 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 scheduled for October 6, 7. CEC California Ground Source Heat Pump Collaborative- Staff participates in quarterly meetings of the California Energy Commission's GSHP Collaborative. The Collabora- tive was formed to oversee the development and promotion of the GSHP industry in CA Utility Energy Forum Planning Committee- The next UEF meeting will be held in Granlibakken May, 1998. Employee Safety/Training Safety Committee- The TDPUD Safety Committee met August 28. The Safety Committee meetings generally involve discussions about the status of safety items listed in this report as well as recent employee accidents and property damage. Healthy Meals- This continues to be a popular program with employees. The menus for August 6 and 27th included: Turkey & Cheese Wraps, Antipasto Salad, Coeur A La Creme, Faux Crab Sandwiches, Carmelized Onion & Roasted Garlic Mushroom Soup and Caramel 40 Praline Bars(see attached recipes and nutritional analyses). 1 Truckee Donner Public Utility District Business Office Planning Services (916) 7-3 9 (916) 7-394 _ (1) 7- 0 6 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES: August - September, 1997 STAFF REPORT Submitted by Mary Chapman, September 12, 1997,a� CUSTOMER SERVICE: Boas of Dreetor7 joseph; R. € guera s. Ronald Hemig Robert A. Jones James A. Maass Ratr�da S. Sutton General rlapaga; Peter L €-iolzTieis ter Customer service activity is still very busy. We processed many service transfer, connects and disconnects requests. We are already getting lists from the property rental agents to process ski lease transfers. Where did summer go? There have also been a lot of USA line location requests that have come in. There has been the typical end of summer surge in applications for new services which has kept the staff very busy. The staff processed 145 requests for new service through August, 1996 and a total for the year of 205. They have processed 145 requests through August, 1997. 0 BILLING: Billing is current. As of yet, I do not have quotes from Orcom for the cost of providing an unbundled bill. Since it will be available in the year 2000 version of the Classic billing system, it may not be too much. Wednesday we saw a demo of the Orcom Mirror Pond billing system. It was very impressive. Orcom will be providing us with an upgrade price in the near future. Representatives from the City of Roseville Electric Department and NCPA were also present for the demo. The NCPA/SCPPA group's target date to go out to bid on a new customer information system (Phase II) is September 25, 1997. ACCOUNTING: Accounts payable and payroll are current. We are currently working on financial reports for the month of August, 1997. OTHER: Orcom has been doing an analysis of the District's hardware and software systems to see what would be required to upgrade the various programs to the year 2000 versions. The total quote is $16,475 plus out-of-pocket expenses. Fortunately, their analysis shows that these upgrades Post Office Box 309 11570 Don nor Pass Road 4 Truckee, , California 9616 will not require any hardware upgrades. We have already upgraded to the most current version of the IBM OS1400 operating system in preparation for the other upgrades. We are also on the year 2000 versions of payroll, general ledger and budget. Joan Antonucci, Rosana Matlock and I are taking a Windows NT operating system class in Reno at Truckee Meadows Community College. It is a full semester class. Coupled with the two-day Windows NT class that we took and the books that we have been reading, we should be prepared to administer a Windows NT network when we install one at the District. I hope to bring this item to the Board at the October 1, 1997 meeting. I am planning to attend a conference sponsored by NRECA from October 6th to the 10th. The subject is "Unbundling Distribution Activities and Costs". It is described as a workshop for implementing an unbundling accounting system. At the end of the conference, I hope to have a better understanding of the affects that deregulation will have on our accounting and budgeting systems and what changes may be required. 0897MOLY.RPT