HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-04-01 Min - Board TDPUD STAFF REPORT
�.. May 13, 1996
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Peter L. Holzmelster, General Manager
SUBJECT: Monthly Manager's Report
AGENDA # 9
Truckee River Operating Agreement: There is not much new to report regarding the negotiation
of the Truckee river Operating Agreement. The various parties are moving closer together on well
language but we are not yet settled. I am continuing to attend meetings and I have involved
Hydro-Search staff in providing expertise.
IBEW., I have made some progress with the union on a few matters but much still needs to be
done before we have agreement on a new MOU. We will meet again on May 30 and 31.
NCPA strategic plan: I am continuing to participate on the NCPA strategic plan committee.
Since Truckee Donner PUD has not yet been as active in NCPA services as other NCPA
members, my participation is primarily a learning experience.
SPPCo1WWP merger. It appears that we have been able to reach agreement with SPPCo and
WWP regarding some merger issues but it is also clear that other issues will need to be tried at
the hearing. The hearing is scheduled for late June in Washington and I am not sure if any of our
staff will need to testify. l will try to keep you informed although the picture changes rapidly
Water Superintendent recruitment: I am in the process of advertising for a Water
Superintendent. Meanwhile I am becoming involved in day-by-day water crew activities so that
when Dave Rully leaves I will be able to provide some leadership to their activities during the
busy summer.
PLH/smc
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STAFF REPORT
May 10, 1996
To: Board of Directors
From: Bob Quinn, Electric Superintendent .
Subject: April Activity Report
AGENDA ITEM y'
April was a productive month for the Electric Department. Dews were able to continue
maintenance on our overhead facilities (tightening hardware, danger tree removal, etc.) as well
as corrrpleting a budgeted project that began two years ago.
The re-conductoring of Truckee Orcuit#4 began in 1994 utilizing Harker& Harmer crews. At
that time, the line was rebuilt from Gateway to the old veteran's building downtown. During
April of this year, our crews completed the project from the veteran's building to our Truckee
substation. This project strengthened our ties between Truckee, Tahoe Donner, and Mattis
substations and will allow switching between those stations without exceeding the current
carrying capacity of the conductor.
Steve Hollabaugh and 1 visited Durango, Colorado, and Redding, California to investigate on-
line SCADA systems of the manufacturer being considered by the District. Please reference
the attached staff recommendation for purchase of the SCADA system.
The NVUPPA Engineering and Operations conference was held in Reno which permitted
several members of staff to attend who would not normally attend due to travel and time
constraints.
The District's electrician, Jim VWlson, worked on the following water facilities:
Booster pump motor at Sk Lodge Pump station
Pump #1 Donner View
Wring connections at Prosser Height K/e/1
Southside Pump #4
Pump #4 at Airport Kb//
Mqt with contractors and engineers at the Hirschdale filtration project
Additionally, Jim tested and calibrated 96 of the ERT retrofitted meters and assisted the meter
readers in changing out the 350+meters in Glenshire to the AMR meters
Our service crew completed 19 service orders, 82 USA's, and continued sampling
transformers on the system for PCBs.
Planning for development projects is escalating and Ron and Steve have been meeting with
developers daily. This year's construction season, Mile not as hectic as last year, prorrises
to be busy.
1
EM U
TO. B616 Q inn, 'Electric Superintendent
FIZDM: Stephen Holtabaugh, District Electrical Engineer
SUBJECT: Apnl Purchased Energy Report
DATE: May '#fl 9.996
Bob,
During April, the District saved$8,475.16 by buying energy from NCPA. The year
to date savings is $36,176.
Below is a brief outline of the energy the District purchased from NCPA for the 1996
Months through April and Year to Date. In April, the transmission system was
constrained. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Energy Purchase Data:
Month Total Energy NCPA Energy %NCPA of Total
Purchased(KWH) (KWH) Energy
January 10,898,453 1,739,354 16.0
February 10,472,054 Z504,021 23.9
March 10,707,783 1,538,389 14.4
April 8,949,224 1,516,976 16.9
Total Year to Date 1 41,027,514 7,298,740 17.8
Energy Cost Data:
Month Sierra Pac. Sierra Pac. NCPA Savings to Total
Energy Energy Energy Bill District Charge ($)
Charge Credit for Energy
(KWH)
January $300,252 $-34,004 $26,632 $ 7,373 $292,880
February $288,505 $48,954 $37,881 $11,073 $277,432
March $294,999 $-31,053 $21,798 $ 9,255 $285,744
April $246,551 $-29,657 $21,181 $ 8,475 $238,075
Year to $1,130,308 $ -143,668 $107,492 $36,176 $2,163,207
Date
Truckee Donner Public Utility District Board of Directors
Joseph R.Aguera
J. Ronald Hemig
Business Office Planning Services Robert A.Jones
(916)587-3896 (916)587-3944 FAX(916) 587-5056 James A. Maass
Patricia S.Sutton
General Manager
Peter L. Holzmeister
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES: April, 1996 STAFF REPORT
Submitted by Mary Chapman, May 9, 1996 r
CUSTOMER SERVICE:
The customer service staff has been very busy processing service disconnect and transfer
requests. Requests for new services are increasing. We are receiving approximately five new
applications per day.
BILLING:
Billing is current. The billing staff has sent out the first batch of bills with the postal bar coding
printed on them.
On May 20, an ORCOM staff member will be here to upgrade our Itron software. We have
already received the upgraded handheld meter reading devices. The new software will allow us
to begin reading the new ERT meters by radio wave. We are all looking forward to this upgrade.
ACCOUNTING:
Accounts payable and payroll are current. We have just completed the March financial reports
and will begin the April closing process next week. We hope to provide the Board with the April
reports at the next meeting.
OTHER:
I have reviewed the COP refunding documents and the draft official statement and provided the
updated customer and operating statistical information.
0496MOLY.RPT
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.. TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
PLANNING DIRECTOR ACTIVITIES
APRIL, 1996
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 or activity is completed it is reported, then deleted from this report.
Strategic Planning/District $Savings
Business Customer Communications- Staff is developing a Key Account
Management Program proposal designed to foster a positive, open line of
communication with our largest customers and determine how they feel about
TDPUD's service and how they see working with TDPUD in the future. After
completion and approval of the proposal, discussions with our largest customers
will take place, planned for Spring and Summer.
Business Competition Assistance- TDPUD co-sponsored a seminar April 16 in the
TDPUD Board Room titled Sharpening Your Competitive Edge. The workshop
conducted by Kent Burnes was designed to assist Truckee area businesses with
becoming more competitive and increasing their bottom line.
TDPUD Competition Plan- Staff is preparing a report about the different utility issues
we are currently being challenged by. The report will include a discussion of the
different approaches TDPUD can take to meet these challenges as well as an
analysis and recommendations to respond to competition. This comprehensive report
is being postponed until the evaluation results of the GSHP pilot, the large Business
Customer meetings and other competition related projects and issues are available.
Energy/Water Showcase Program- HDR Engineering, Inc. has prepared and
submitted a report to TDPUD Staff that identifies cost-saving energy-efficiency
water system improvement options available to TDPUD. TDPUD Staff can now
review this document and decide which options to implement based on their cost-
effectiveness to the District.
Conservation/DSM/Economic Development
Ground Source Heat Pump Pilot Site Activity- Nine GSHP pilot site units are currently
in operation. A tenth site is being planned for completion by mid-June in Glenshire.
This will culminate the pilot site installations. The California Energy Commission and
TDPUD was contacted by "This Old House" show to see if the Richardson House
project was available for filming. 'This Old House" chose to film an actual installation
in Sacramento and a sulfur springs fed GSHP system near Portola.
GSHP Pilot Project Funding Assistance- The $181,000 Truckee Donner PUD/SMUD
CEC GSHP pilot monitoring and evaluation project is near implementation. Davis
1..,1 Energy Group was selected to conduct the GSHP pilot research expected to begin by
July, 1996. The grant-funded research activities will be completed by April of 1997.
CFIA Demonstration Project- Staff has been in contact with Professor Samuel Sami
of Moneton University in Canada regarding his testing of a Combined Cycle Fully
Integrated Air/Air Heat Pump(CFIA). Tests so far have shown that it has comparable
performance benefits of GSHPs without the cost of a ground loop. Staff has
developed a CFIA mini-pilot draft proposal and a draft confidentiality agreement.
These documents are currently being reviewed.
GSHP/Water Heater Promotion- Staff is working toward getting the Truckee GSHP
pilot monitoring program in place so that we will have data available to perform an
analysis of the benefits and costs of using GSHPs in Truckee. The results of this
study will be used to determine GSHP's role in TDPUD's Strategic Plan. A proposal
is currently being developed to promote the benefits of high efficiency electric
water heating to TDPUD customers.
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.
Business & Energy Efficiency Partnership- The incorporation of energy and water
efficiency measures are expected to be retrofitted into the Chamber building by
Summer, 1995. Currently about 75% of these measures are installed. Silvertip and
Rare Earth Landscaping contractors are currently implementing the low-water use
landscape plan. The front page of the next Chamber newsletter will feature the
�..• Chamber landscape activity. Staff is currently working on a self-guided tour brochure
of energy and water efficiency measures for the Chamber building. An Open House
for the new Chamber facility and the Business & Energy Efficiency Partnership is
being planned for October 8, 1996.
Communications/Public Relations/Education
Newsletter- The Spring Current Issues newsletter has been completed and will
begin distribution to TDPUD customers April-end.
Critical Issues Communication- Staff has met with communications consultant John
Basset with A.D. Marketing to assist TDPUD in identifying the critical issues TDPUD
needs to communicate to it's customers. John has provided staff with a draft public
information proposal.
Truckee Home Show- TDPUD will be participating this year in Truckee's Home and
Building Show May 25, 26. In addition, TDPUD will be a co-sponsor of this event
along with Southwest Gas and Sierra-Pacific Power Company. In addition to
receiving recognition as a co-sponsor through displays ads, etc., TDPUD has
received an excellent booth location(double-size) near the front entrance. TDPUD
Staff will tend the display as well as assist Home Show Staff with the event. TDPUD
Home Show Staff will be handing out refrigerator magnets with TDPUD's general
�.. information phone number on it.
TDPUD Display System- The TDPUD Display System has arrived. Work is in
progress to develop the system's displays. The system we selected is portable so
that it can be used in the Truckee Home Show.
Truckee Almanac Display Ad- Susan Craig developed a TDPUD display ad for the
Sierra Sun Truckee Almanac. The Almanac is currently being distributed.
Community Calendar- TDPUD Staff has met with Tahoe-Truckee USD representatives
to discuss the development of a community calendar. School District Staff initiated
this concept and will administer the project. There will be an emphasis in the 1996-97
issue on school projects, primarily funded through Bond Measure(s).
Community/Statewide Involvement
Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee- Working with other
businesses in reviewing: the Downtown Specific Plan, an Incubator/Business Park
Feasibility Study, ect. Staff attended the April 2 EDC meeting.
Tahoe-Forest Hospital Healthly City Committee- Working with other agencies and
community groups in the development of a Healthly City Plan for Truckee. Staff
attended the April 26 meeting. A survey has been developed to determine what
other area groups are working on related to "healthy city" issues.
r...- Town of Truckee Air Quality Management Plan Advisory Committee- Staff is currently
working with other interested parties and agency representatives in reviewing a draft
report on Truckee's AQMP prepared by the Northern-Sierra AQMD in conjunction with
the Town of Truckee. Staff attended the April 9 and 23 Advisory Committee
meetings. The end result of the Committee's efforts will be to recommend mitigation
efforts to reduce PM 10(particulate matter <10 microns) in Truckee. The two main
causes of PM 10 in Truckee are dust and burned particulate matter from wood
burning.
Northern California Power Agency Member Services Task Force- The April NCPA
Member Services Task Force meeting was cancelled.
California Municipal Utilities Association Committee on Energy Efficiency- Working
with other public utilities statewide and a consultant on a Model Energy Services/
Competition Program Guidebook. This document will contain the various strategies
utilities are using to respond to a changing, more competitive electric utility
environment. Staff received a final draft of the document mid-April for review
and comment Programs are designed to increase customer satisfaction and result in
customer retention. The Guidebook is expected to be completed by June, 1996.
1
�. CEC California Ground Source Heat Pump Collaborative- Staff participates in
quarterly meetings of the California Energy Commission's GSHP Collaborative. The
Collaborative was formed to oversee the development and promotion of the GSHP
industry in California. The Geothermal Resources Association out of Davis, CA
has applied for about $500,000 of grant assistance to implement a statewide
GSHP contractor training program. The GRA has asked TDPUD to participate as a
co-applicant for $160,000 from the CEC Geothermal Funding program. If TDPUD
agrees, local contractors will receive extremely low-cost GSHP training. The
focus of the proposal is to strengthen the infrastructure of the GSHP industry in
California by developing GSHP training for HVAC, plumbing, drilling, excavating and
other contractors.
Utility Energy Forum Planning Committee- Staff has assisted other electric utility
representatives in the planning of the 15th annual Utility Energy Forum meeting
scheduled for May 1-3 in Granlibakken, North Lake Tahoe. The theme of this year's
conference is on Partnerships. The Conference speakers in the area include: Staff
on TDPUD's partnership programs including the GSHP pilot project; Truckee
Chamber Executive Director on the Business and Energy Efficiency Partnership
and Truckee economic development; and a TRB Bank representative on working
with the local utilky(TDPUD) to provide low-interest loans for efficiency projects(i.e.
GSHP pilot participants).
Employee Safety/Training
Safety Committee- The TDPUD Safety Committee met April 19.
Wellness Program/Healthy Meals- This continues to be a popular program with
TDPUD employees. We had a "healthy" lunch on April 3.
Wellness Program/Health Education- Staff has been working with Tahoe-Forest
Hospital Staff to develop a fitness "course" in the TDPUD building using mostly
existing facilities. Many exercises do not require special equipment- a chair,
wall, floor or step may suffice. A stair-stepper has been donated and signs have
been made for each "station". A treadmill and exercise bike are currently being
purchased. Scott ordered a subscription to the monthly Top Health Wellness
newsletter.
Fitness Training- Nancy Swayzee, consultant for Tahoe-Forest Hospital, will be
conducting "fitness" workshops designed to minimize or avoid employee back
injuries. The workshops will include training in the proper use of the exercise
equipment.
Fire Extinguisher Class- Poole will conduct a fire extinguisher workshop for TDPUD
employees May 22. The Truckee Fire Protection District loaned TDPUD a video
11%W training tape.
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TDPUD STAFF REPORT
May 13, 1996
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Kathy Neus, Support Services Manager
SUBJECT: April Staff Report
AGENDA # 9
Vehicles
Tom is finishing up the specifications on the Electric Department's knuckle boom truck and hopes
to have bids out the last part of this week or first part of next week.
Tom has had a relatively slow month-four BITS on trailers and only two for vehicles. Most of the
repair orders that were generated were to remove studded snow tires and put new tires on
vehicles.
Purchasing and warehousing
�.,.. Joe's busy with bids going out on vehicles, wire%able and transformers.
Meter reading
The Meter Readers are staying current. The OrCom conversion for the AMR takes place this
month.
Steve Wallace has been installing ERTs (encoder receiver transmitters) in meters that were
purchased previously. These meters will be AMR-ready when installed in the field.
The Meter Readers and line crew have been installing AMR meters whenever a meter is
connected and/or disconnected.
Building and grounds maintenance
Quotes for landscape maintenance have started to come in. 1 hope to have someone by the end
of the week.
1've been working on negotiations, landscape maintenance and getting ready for the inventory
conversion next month.
KN/smc