HomeMy WebLinkAbout15 Meeting Minutes Agenda Item-# 15
Public Utility District
MINUTES
To: Board of Directors
From: Barbara Cahill
Date: April 21, 2010
Minutes for the Meeting Dates
Approval of Minutes for March 17 and April 7, 2010
3
REGULAR MEETING
March 17, 2010
In accordance with District Code Section 2.08.010, the TDPUD minutes are action
only minutes. All Board meetings are recorded on audio tapes which are preserved
perpetually and made available for listening to any interested party upon their
request.
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District
was called to order at 6:00 PM in the TDPUD Board room by President Bender.
ROLL CALL: Directors Joe Aguera, Jeff Bender, Ron Hemig, John Hillstrom and Tony
Laliotis were present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Tony Laliotis led the Board and public in the Pledge of Allegiance.
EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Mary Chapman, Neil Kaufman, Kathy Neus, Nancy Waters,
Steven Poncelet, Michael Holley and Barbara Cahill
CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Steve Gross
OTHERS PRESENT: Juanita Schneider, Babette Hauesen, and Dan Warren
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC INPUT
There was no public input.
DIRECTOR UPDATE
Welcome to Tony Laliotis, the new Director.
President Bender wished a Happy Birthday to his son Mark.
President Bender stated that prior to the Actions Items; he would like to move Item
Numbers 16 and 17 Closed Session before the Action Items.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION - GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 54957 (E) - GENERAL MANAGER'S PERFORMANCE PLAN REVIEW
CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9,
SUBDIVISION (B), POTENTIAL LITIGATION, ONE CASE
1 Minutes: March 17, 2010
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
Report from Closed Session
There was no reportable action.
ACTION ITEMS
CONSIDERATION OF COMPENSATING RIVERVIEW TOWNHOMES FOR ROAD
IMPROVEMENT EXPENSES This item involves compensating Riverview Town-
homes for the cost of bringing a portion of Riverview Drive up to Town standards.
Director Hemig recused himself from the dais as he has an ongoing relationship with the
developer of Riverview Townhomes.
Director Hillstrom moved, and Director Laliotis seconded, that the Board deny the request
from Riverview Townhomes for compensation in the amount requested; and offer to pay
Riverview Townhomes $500 for road improvements.
ROLL CALL: Director Hemig, recused; All other Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED
CONSIDERATION OF THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT FOR THE DISTRICT PIPELINE
REPLACEMENT PROJECT - 2010 - CONTRACT A This involves awarding a contract
for District Pipeline Replacement Project-2010-Contract A.
Director Hillstrom moved, and Director Hemig seconded, that the Board allow withdrawal
of the bid from Martin General Engineering; award the District Pipeline Replacement —
2010 — Contract A to Lorang Brothers in the amount of $1,664,446 plus a 10 percent
change order allowance for an amount not to exceed $1,830,890; and authorize the
transfer of up to $1,611,073 from 2006 COP funds to the Water Department General Fund,
up to $171,350 from Water Department Facility Fees and up to $37,959 from the Sewer
Assessment District 2 (SAD) restricted fund to cover the cost of the project.
ROLL CALL: All Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED
CONSIDERATION OF THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO PERFORM GEOTECHNIC-
AL TESTING SERVICES FOR THE 2010 CONSTRUCTION SEASON This item
involves the award of a Task Order to Perform Geotechnical Testing Services for the
2010 Construction Season.
Director Aguera moved, and Director Hillstrom seconded, that the Board award a contract
for Geotechnical Testing Services to Holdredge & Kull in an amount not exceed $80,256;
and authorize the transfer of up to $76,752 from 2006 COP funds to the Water Department
General Fund and up to $3,504 from Electric Rates to the Water Department General
Fund to cover the cost of the contract.
ROLL CALL: All Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED
2 Minutes: March 17, 2010
CONSIDERATION OF THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO PERFORM ENVIRONMEN-
TAL CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE 2010 CONSTRUCTION SEASON This item
involves the award of Task Order to Perform Environmental Consulting Services for
the 2010 Construction Season.
Director Laliotis moved, and Director Hemig seconded, that the Board award a contract for
Environmental Consulting Services to Inland Ecosystems in an amount not exceed
$45,220; and authorize the transfer of up to $27,740 from COP funds to the Water
Department General Fund, up to $2,280 from Electric Department General Fund to the
Water Department General Fund and up to $15,200 from Electric Department Facility Fees
to the Water Department General Fund to cover the cost of the contract.
ROLL CALL: All Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED
CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION TO ENGAGE BANKRUPTCY COUNSEL TO
REPRESENT THE DISTRICT IN THE EAST WEST RESORT DEVELOPMENT V, L.P.,
L.L.L.P., CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY FILING This agenda item involves authoriza-
tion to enter into engagement agreements with bankruptcy counsel to represent the
District's interests in the East West Resort Development V Chapter 11 bankruptcy
filing.
Director Laliotis moved, and Director Hemig seconded, that the Board engage the legal
services of McDonough Holland & Allen PC, and Pepper Hamilton LLP to represent
Truckee Donner Public Utility District in the East West Resort Development V Chapter 11
Bankruptcy filing. ROLL CALL: All Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED
CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE GENERAL MANAGER'S
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT This item concerns an Ordinance extending the
General Manager's Employment Agreement.
Director Hemig moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board approve an
ordinance extending the General Manager's Employment Agreement.
ROLL CALL: Director Laliotis, abstain; All other Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED
Director Hemig excused himself from the Board meeting.
WORKSHOP
DISCUSSION OF THE PROGRESS IN ENERGY SAVINGS THIS ITEM CONCERNS
THE VERIFIED RESULTS OF THE DISTRICT'S FY09 ENERGY EFFICIENCY PRO-
GRAMS. This item concerns the verified results of the District's FY09 energy effi-
ciency programs.
Steven Poncelet gave a presentation:
• The District continues to make significant investments in the Conservation Depart-
ment
o Increased funding
o New programs
3 Minutes: March 17, 2010
o Maximize return on investment
• The District/NCPA is required to report results of public benefit and energy efficien-
cy spending:
o SB1037/AB2021 reporting requirements
o Evaluation, Measurement, & Verification (EM&V)
o FY09 actual results and FY10 projected results
• On-going process to evaluate programs:
o FY09 EM&V Report completed and results reported to the California Energy
Commission (CEC)
- NCPA consolidated reporting with California Municipal Utilities Association
(CMUA)
- Completed EM&V study within 3-months of year-end
o FY09 program results and cost-effectiveness very strong!
- District spent -4% of retail sales on public benefit and energy efficiency pro-
grams
- Reduced energy usage in first year of almost 2.5%
Net annual savings of 3,575 MWh, lifetime savings 34,528 MWh
- Utility cost to customer-1.9 cents/kWh
- Near top in California for percent energy savings and cost-effectiveness
- Yearly results compound
• Maximizing the benefit of District's investment in conservation and energy efficiency
o District Total Resource Cost (cost-effectiveness measurement) is 5.06
- 7t" highest out of 39 Publicly Owned Utilities (POU's)
- Range 7.63 to 0.02
o Track cost-effectiveness of existing programs
o Evaluate new programs and investments for both energy savings and cost effec-
tiveness
o Maximize return on investment for District customers
There was no public input.
Board discussion:
• How and why would a utility's Total Resource Cost be as low as .02
• When do you think the PUD will run out of benefit opportunities
• Should we push lighting for two more years
• What was the stat for the Total Resource Cost for the previous year
• The PUD's ranking of 7 for the Total Resource Cost is pretty good- what were we
ranked last year
• Good report- thank you
ROUTINE BUSINESS
TREASURER REPORT: FEBRUARY, 2010
Approval of the report: Director Aguera moved, and Director Hillstrom seconded, that the
Board approve the treasurer's report for the month ended February 28, 2010.
ROLL CALL: Director Hemig, absent; All other Directors, aye. SO MOVED.
4 Minutes: March 17, 2010
Approval of disbursements: Director Aguera moved, and Director Hillstrom seconded,
that the Board approve the February 2010 disbursements report.
ROLL CALL: Director Hemig, absent; All other Directors, aye. SO MOVED.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 17, MARCH 3 AND MARCH 9, 2010
Director Hillstrom moved, and Director Hemig seconded, that the Board approve the mi-
nutes of February 17, March 3 and March 9, 2010. ROLL CALL: Director Hemig, absent;
Director Laliotis, abstain; All other Directors, aye. SO MOVED
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:23 PM.
TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
Jeff Bender, President
Prepared by
Barbara Cahill, Deputy District Clerk
5 Minutes: March 17, 2010
REGULAR MEETING
April 7, 2010
In accordance with District Code Section 2.08.010, the TDPUD minutes are action only
minutes. All Board meetings are recorded on audio tapes which are preserved perpetual-
ly and made available for listening to any interested party upon their request.
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District was
called to order at 6:00 PM in the TDPUD Board room by Vice President Hillstrom.
ROLL CALL: Directors Joe Aguera, Jeff Bender, Ron Hemig, John Hillstrom and Tony Laliotis
were present. Director Jeff Bender was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Stephen Hollabaugh led the Board and public in the Pledge of Allegiance.
EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Mary Chapman, Kathy Neus, Rosana Matlock, Steven Poncelet, Ste-
phen Hollabaugh and Barbara Cahill
CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Shawn Koorn
OTHERS PRESENT: Juanita Schneider, Josh Susman, and Carolyn Dee
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Stephen Hollabaugh asked to remove Agenda Item No. 7B, Consideration of Agreements with
CaIPECO and SPPC, Reliability Agreement
PUBLIC INPUT
Josh Susman wanted to comment on agenda item number 12 from the March 17 Board meeting
regarding the General Manager Employment Agreement.
"I find your actions vague and misrepresented as listed on the agenda, as well as manipulation
of the agenda, as well as the Board's manipulation of the public process an outrageous affront
to the ratepayers of this District. By your actions, you denied the rate payer the ability for input
you so strongly suggest you desire. You dismissed responding to a local respected organization
known as CATT whereby in their letter they requested an opportunity to have the Board consid-
er and respond to their inquiries prior to their action. And by railroading through the approval of
Mr. Holley's contract without any of the aforementioned consideration. You, in the opinion of
many of the ratepayers of the District, demonstrate a complete lack of responsibility and public
process and a further weakening of the public trust by your failing to provide fiscal responsibility
to the voters that elected you. $11,000 raise plus retirement and bonus, over $20,000 plus
retirement, and generous reimbursement in this calendar year alone. As more of your rate
payers become aware of this, I am confident the outrage will grow. In approving this contract,
you all, all except for you, Mr. Laliotis- wise move on your part, appeared to be reading from a
paper with talking points, possibly one handed to you by Director Hemig when you came back
from Closed Session as evidenced by watching the meeting. You all cited similar reasons in
1 Minutes: April 7, 2010
validating your actions toward Mr. Holley this jackpot salary with a boondoggle contract during
this time of unprecedented economic decline. Stability you site in the 5 year contract was not
discussed in your budget; your budget discussed only an increase to only $193,000. Nor has it
been discussed to be sustainable. The District sited having Mr. Holley stay as the reason for this
contract. By increasing severance from 3 months to 12, 1 believe it is Mr. Holley's incentive to
leave the District. Consistency. Director Bender cited this contract is consistent with other labor
groups. Some of these same groups recently agreed to a wage and benefit freeze to help us all
get through these tough times. Mr. Holley's contract does not allow him to be treated materially
different from these other groups. When the District makes up salary and benefits to this group,
I expect Mr. Holley will be entitled by this contract to get another raise as well. Performance.
Mr. Holley has stepped up to fill the Water Manager position- good for him. That showed fore-
sight by the Board to hire a GM that has water certifications and has shown that we really don't
need a redundant Water Manager. As Mr. Holley's contract states, he will work full time for the
Truckee Donner PUD including some duties of the Water Manager during his work hours from
8 to 5 Monday through Friday. His contract gives him an annual bonus for doing these duties.
Incredible. What really has happened is that the rate payer's elected trusted Board has given
any one of us the equivalent of winning the lottery. This contract states that he is an "at will"
employee of the Truckee Donner PUD. Then the Board can terminate his contract with or with-
out cause, yet the Board hastily approved this contract by Ordinance. Ordinance defined as a
regulatory act of law. Rather than by motion, Mr. Holley's employment is a contract at of law.
With all the bonuses, reimbursement, vacation, sick days, administration days, contributions to
retirement, the increase to 12 months' severance, and more, one has to ask and CATT tried to
and I ask, did the District's attorney read this contract, or did only Mr. Holley's. Now when
Mr. Holley does leave with his 12 month severance package, his replacement manager will have
the same contract established by law. In a statement by Director Bender, only one member of
the public was present during the hearing on the 17th. Is this the public process you all truly
believe which is that which the people who elected you expected or deserve? If you think so,
then shame on all of you. If you think this contract is fair to the rate payers you represent, then
shame on you. For Mr. Holley negotiating this contract and accepting in the face of the rate pay-
ers, shame on him. Mr. Holley in his bill stuffier last month wrote and I quote: "Today more than
ever, companies need to do more with less, and the District will continue to look at ways to trim
its budget." I am sure the Grand Jury of Nevada County will find interest in some of the recent
actions of this Board, including the overall budget of the Truckee Donner PUD and its public
process. In addition, I am confident that those who voted to approve this contract, you will hear
from the voters during the next elections. So what can you do now? What can you do now? This
ordinance does not take affect for 30 days. As a Board, I believe and others do too, that you
have no other alternative than to counter and hold a special meeting before the 30 day dead-
line and rescind this ordinance and rehear it with an open and transparent public process you
denied the first time. Mr. Holley's contract could still be reapproved with or without modification
by motion even in time for his July bonus if still applicable. We all thank CATT for bringing this to
our attention in spite of its dismissal by the Board. I think this Board owes it to the community to
consider the request because I believe this community will not let this rest. Thank you."
Director Hemig responded that it sounds like Mr. Susman is setting his platform for running for
the TDPUD board because in all the time he has known him, he has not ever heard him this
trumped up over anything. Somebody has helped Josh prepare in a way that Director Hemig
has never seen.
2 Minutes: April 7, 2010
Mr. Susman responded to Director Hemig: "I take offense to that. I believe there were pages
passed around this dais that were perhaps not penned by some of the people. I assure you that
I penned this document myself based on the information of the Board and what I observed on
the television and the process I observed after 12 years in a public office on the Town Council.
I have never seen such a more blatant manipulation of the public process as you last meeting
on the 17t" when you adjourned to a 2 hour closed session, came back after only 40 minutes,
changed the crawler to only 5 minutes, and approved this with no public process. It was stated
by you, Mr. Hemig, that you only raise rates here at the PUD when you have to. Well increasing
a contract to this magnitude in this economy suggests to me, Director Hemig, that this Board
may be having to raise rates. Am I candidate for the PUD? I am not stating I am a candidate for
the PUD, but I am saying this Board needs to be responsive to the rate payers of this communi-
ty. And if this Board is not responsive, then we need candidates that will be responsive."
Director Hemig responded: "There was nothing passed around between Board members in
terms of talking points written by himself or anyone else. This is a major affront to our process; I
recall that we had a number of conversations with the General Manager. And that culminated
into a public session. In the public session, no one came to this meeting, including CATT who
had written the letter. There was an opportunity to take input. There was none. We had the letter
from GATT. The letter from CATT said two things: we don't understand all of this; we would like
to understand it so we don't want you to go forward with the process. My opinion on that is that
we should explain things to you; but understanding something at the eleventh hour of a long
process, does not mean you stop the process. Nobody from CATT or any other agency came
here. Regarding the situation itself, let me ask you, Josh, if Tony Lashbrook said he was not
going to replace the public works position at the Town because that person happens to be leav-
ing, says he will take that on, do you think that maybe the Town manager might deserve some
nod of compensation for that kind of attitude and approach. In other words, I will take a
$200,000 position and I will not fill it and I will work harder. And in return, perhaps I deserve
some kind of pay for that effort."
Josh stated Mr. Holley is still working the same number of hours in a week. So whether Mr.
Holley is entitled to that bonus or not is not the issue, the issue is the public process that he is
challenging relative to what this community deserves.
Juanita Schneider stated she was at the March 17 Board meeting and was concerned that there
were no other people here for what the item was on the agenda. There was no one here to give
any input.
DIRECTOR UPDATE
Director Hemig reported that he participated in a teleconference meeting for the Municipal Utili-
ties Financing Association (MUFA) on March 24. There was a discussion on the contemplation
of a gas project, gas suppliers, and UAMPS joint venture member's performance. There is no
prospect of a pre-paid gas project at this point. Director Hemig has been observing commercials
about Proposition 16 which relates to Municipalities and Electric Utilities borrowing money. He
would like this item to come before the Board to understand it fully, but does not think it has a
direct connection to us. Director Hemig also wanted to comment on the Google Fiber article.
There is also more that the PUD has done as to the Broadband initiative; more than just the
3 Minutes: April 7, 2010
infrastructure. The PUD evolved into a business plan to provide a gold standard Broadband
Triple Play service, which we could dust off. The PUD has a lot to bring to the table.
Vice President Hillstrom said he read recently that natural gas futures have spiked.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Director Laliotis asked that item No. 8, "Award of a Contract to Perform Conservation Marketing"
be removed from the Consent Calendar.
CONSIDERATION OF AGREEMENTS WITH CALPECO AND SPPC
A) FRINGE AREA AGREEMENT
B) RELIABILITY AGREEMENT Item pulled from agenda
This item involves additional agreements with CalPECO and SPPC for the Fringe Area
Agreement and Reliability Agreement.
Director Laliotis moved, and Director Hemig seconded, that the Board approve the consent ca-
lendar. ROLL CALL: Director Bender, absent; All other Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED
ACTION ITEMS
CONSIDERATION OF THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO PERFORM CONSERVATION
MARKETING SERVICES This item involves awarding a contract for marketing services.
Director Laliotis moved, and Director Aguera seconded, that the Board award a contract for
conservation program marketing services to Switchback Public Relations + Marketing for an
amount not to exceed $66,667 for a term of 20-months.
ROLL CALL: Director Bender, absent; All other Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED
CONSIDERATION OF VOTING FOR A LAFCO SPECIAL DISTRICT MEMBER This item
involves casting a ballot for the election of a Special District Member of the Nevada
County Local Agency Formation Commission.
Director Laliotis moved, and Director Hemig seconded, that the Board authorize the Board Vice
President to mark the attached ballot in favor of Jeff Bender as directed by the TDPUD Board of
Directors for the election of a Special District Member of the Nevada County Local Agency
Formation Committee
ROLL CALL: Director Bender, absent; All other Directors aye, by voice vote. SO MOVED
WORKSHOPS
DISCUSSION OF A POWER SALES CONTRACT FOR THE DAMPS WIND PROJECT AT
HORSE BUTTE This item involves an update on the status of the UAMPS wind project
at Horse Butte in Idaho.
Steven Hollabaugh gave a presentation:
• Background / History
4 Minutes: April 7, 2010
o Truckee Donner PUD is a participant in the Horse Butte Wind Project located in Idaho
o A workshop was given to the Board on November 4, 2009
• Project Status - Cost Estimate
o Internal Model — Base Case Scenario
■ Traditional 100% Debt Muni Financing at year 0.
■ Currently about $80-81 Wh, Conservative assumptions
■ Does NOT incorporate offsetting REC's ($5-7 MWh, minimum)
o Citi Model (Prepay structure)
■ Currently about $71/MWh, same conservative assumptions are inherited from the
Internal Model
■ Does not assume the net affect of any REC's
o Project Costs are based on V100 model
■ V100 model refers to 100 meter blades that work better in lower winds and are
the newest more efficient technology
• UAMPS has filed the Conditional Use permit application and anticipates approval by
mid-May
• Environmental schedule is moving forward and a full biological report will be completed in
the summer of 2010
• UAMPS has submitted the transmission Interconnection System Impact Study
Agreement with BPA and anticipated the results by early May 2010
• UAMPS is currently evaluating turbine vendors
• UAMPS intends to recommend a Balance of Plant Contractor to the committee in April
• Power Sales Contract expected within the next two months
o The recitals set the table for the rest of the Power Sales Contract and describe
UAMPS undertaking the project through the Development Agreement and Power
Purchase Agreement
o UAMPS sells the projects capacity and energy to participants including financing
through bonds 11
o Citibank has proposed a transaction structure that enable the project to capture
federal tax credits and cash grants
o Power Sales Contract has 36 sections that are outlined in the staff report
• Fiscal Impact: The cost for power produced from this plant could range from $71/MWh to
$81/MWh
There was no public input.
Board discussion:
• Why after six years would UAMPS exercise a purchase option for the fair market value-
what would the cost to the members be?
• What do they expect for entitlement shares
• Wind power plant rates could be close to $100 MWh
• What is the estimated anticipated power the PUD could get from the project
• So there is a 100 MWh potential and also a potential to expand
• When will this project near completion- 2011 or 2012?
• How does the power get here?
• Is the cost high on this type of renewable?
• What other renewable resources are we looking at?
5 Minutes: April 7, 2010
• Does the $71/MWh cost mean delivered power?
• Could the load factor be better than 30%
DISCUSSION OF PRELIMINARY ELECTRIC RATE-STUDY DATA ANALYSIS This item
involves a discussion of a preliminary electric rate-study data analysis.
Consultant Shawn Koorn of HDR gave a presentation:
• Overview of the Rate Restructuring Process
o Restructure residential rates to meet Board's goals and objectives (what is important)
o Lifeline rate
o Revenue neutral rate design
o Provide alternative rate structures for review
o Develop final rate recommendation
o Review of the commercial rate structures
• Residential Customer Overview
o Two residential classes of service
■ Permanent resident
■ Non-permanent resident
o Different usage patterns and rate schedules
o Approximately 4,700 permanent accounts
o Approximately 7,000 non-permanent accounts
o Maintain current customer classes
o Further refinement of customer class/status may be necessary
• Summary of Average Customer Usage
o Varies by season
■ Lower in the summer
■ Higher in the winter
o On average most customer use less than 1,000 kWh per month
o Low use customers use on average less than 500 kWh per month
• Electric Rate Structure Overview
o Typical electric rate structures
■ Uniform rate
■ Seasonal
■ Increasing block rate (varying number of blocks)
■ Time of use
■ Decreasing block rate
■ Low Income
o Defining block sizes
■ Lifeline use
■ Other block sizing
o Development of Alternative Residential Electric Rate Structures
o Key assumptions
■ Revenue neutral
■ Does not include any estimated conservation
o Developed three alternatives
■ Apply to both permanent and non-permanent customers
6 Minutes: April 7, 2010
o Alternative 1
■ Two tier rate structure— lifeline rate and all above
o Alternative 2
■ Three tier rate structure — lifeline rate, average customer usage, all above
o Alternative 3
■ Two tier structure — lifeline rate varies by season, all above
• Present Residential Electric Rate Structure
o Permanent Residential
■ Customer charge $6.76/ Month
■ Energy Charge —All use $0.132/kWh
o Non-Permanent Residential
■ Customer charge $6.76/ Month
■ Energy Charge —All use $0.151/kWh
• Alternative 1- Two Tier Increasing Block Rate Structure
o Permanent Residential
■ Customer charge $6.76/ Month
■ Energy Charge —Tier 1: 0 to 500 $0.117/kWh; Tier 2 over 501 $0.151/kWh
o Non-Permanent Residential
■ Customer charge $6.76/ Month
■ Energy Charge —All use $0.151/kWh
• Alternative 2 —Three Tier Increasing Block Rate Structure
o Permanent Residential
■ Customer charge $6.76/ Month
■ Energy Charge — Tier 1, 0 to 500 $0.113/kWh; Tier 2, 501 to 1,000 $0.148/kWh;
Tier 3, over 1,001 $0.167/kWh
o Non-Permanent Residential
■ Customer charge $6.76/ Month
■ Energy Charge — Tier 1, 0 to 1,000 $0.148/kWh; Tier 2 501 over 1,000
$0.167/kWh
• Alternative 3 —Two Tier Increasing Block Seasonal Rate Structure
o Permanent Residential
■ Customer charge $6.76/ Month
■ Energy Charge Winter—Tier 1, 0 to 600 $0.117/kWh; Tier 2, over 601 $0.151/kWh
■ Energy Charge Summer — Tier 1, 0 to 400 $0.117/kWh; Tier 2, over 401
$0.151/kWh
o Non-Permanent Residential
■ Customer charge $6.76/ Month
■ Energy Charge —All Use $0.151/kWh
• Summary of the Residential Electric Rate Structure Alternatives
o Developed three alternative residential rate structures for review
o Rate structures are revenue neutral
■ Collect approximately the same level of revenue
■ Impacts by customer will vary
0 1,000 kWh is approximate breakeven point
o Tier sizes can be adjusted to meet the Board's goals and objectives
■ Pricing will change as block sizes are adjusted
o Input from Board will change the final alternatives
7 Minutes: April 7, 2010
• Next Steps
o Develop final residential rate alternatives
o Review of the commercial customer rate schedules
■ Appear to meet current industry practices
o Present final rate alternatives to the Board
■ Including any proposed changes to the commercial rate structure
There was no public input.
Board discussion:
• How would conservation change the rate structure?
Did you use only 2009 data?
• 2010 budget Electric Revenue- was conservation revenue taken into consideration?
• With a lifeline rate, 75% will benefit and the burden will remain on 25%
• Concern that higher rate spread out too far to high use customers- will they bring their
usage down
• Introduce some form of conservation on high users
• Seasonal alternative seems over the top- too complicated for accounting- not enough
value- against- did not use seasonal rates for water
• Low income versus low usage- what is the difference- is one approach different than the
other
• What are the impacts of conservation
• Timing/timeline- do not change rates right now- wait until have a new power contract in a
year; then work through thoughts- then can see costs and review rates
• Oppose an electric rate increase- rate change could affect customers
• Need to match a rate increase with the two-year budget cycle
• Concern three tiers are too far apart and revenue could decrease from less usage
• With a lower first tier, it will be weird to give a discount to 70% of the customers and an
increase to 30% of the customers
• Seems more reasonable to go to tiers when there is a rate increase
• There are really only two alternatives- the only difference between alternative 1 and 3 is
the seasonal rate
• Agree with the timing, it is better to wait until we have a new purchase power agreement
to see with the costs will be
• A low income rate would require a means test
• Not inclined to do a seasonal rate
• Can't make a decision on a low income rate if billing changes are costly
• Want more information about a low income rate
• Is there a public system set up to determine what type of discount and how it is applied
• Is there a common problem on who fits into the category-seems like a third party would
decide who qualifies
• Telephone and gas have low income rates
• Need to look at TDPUD rates as they were evaluated 15 years ago- are we in the
ballpark of industry norms
• Like to see a low income rate- no way to know the number of customers that would
qualify for a low income rate- so hard to model
8 Minutes: April 7, 2010
• When Board first brought up doing an electric rate study, low income was what wanted to
do
• A first tier of 500 kWh will not encourage people to use less- do not want a surprise
discount- they will be getting a better deal
• There seem to be consequences to offer everyone the Tier 1 rate and not just have a 0 to
500 kWh rate for low income
• Using the Tier 1 rate will have a larger impact on upper rate people- a cost shifting
• A lifeline rate of 0 to 500 kWh should apply to those who qualify rather than a bunch of
people getting a surprise discount on their bill
• What does a time of use rate mean
• Come back with more details about a low income rate
UPDATE ON THE "TRASHION SHOW" ASSEMBLIES AND THE GREEN CHALLENGE
This item involves an update on two conservation programs: Green Schools and the
Truckee Green Challenge
Steven Poncelet gave a presentation:
• Staff presented FY10 conservation programs to Board at February 3rd workshop
o Green Schools/"Trashion Shows" & Truckee Green Challenge were two important
new programs
• Green Schools/"Trashion Show" at Donner Trails, Glenshire Elementary, Truckee
Elementary, & Alder Creek Middle School
o Collaborative effort: District, Tahoe Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD), Sierra
Watershed Education Partnership (SWEP), and Truckee High School Envirolution
Club
o Integrated into Envirolution Club's "Trashion Show" general assemblies
o Distributed nearly 1,800 conservation kits
■ >20,000 CFL's, >3,000 LED night lights and nearly 1,800 each of shower heads,
sink aerators, shower timers, etc.
■ VERY cost-effective measure delivery
■ Brought District's conservation opportunities to many new homes
o Response from kids, staff, parents, and the community overwhelmingly positive
o Truckee High School Envirolution Club members distributed the conservation kits and
educated the kids
o Peer-to-peer education on our programs is invaluable
o Significant media coverage & community `buzz' about the program & conservation kits
o The Envirolution Club members should be commended for their innovation, courage,
and leadership
• Truckee Green Challenge entry period closed April 1st
o Collaborative effort between the District and the Sierra Sun
o Web-based energy competition with prizes for business, home, and school children
(elementary, middle, and high schools) winners
o Promoted by the Sierra Sun, District marketing (press release, KTKE adds, bill stuffer,
newsletter, etc.), and in the "Trashion Shows", and hosted on their web site
o One goal of the Green Schools conservation kits was to jump-start the Truckee Green
Challenge with the kids
o Contest was highly visible
9 Minutes: April 7, 2010
0 11 people participated
o Voting period ends April 15th
o Winners announced locally & at April 24th Earth Day "Trashion Show" Squaw Valley
o Future of this program will need to be evaluated
• Consider directing staff to bring back to the Board a resolution commending members of
the Truckee High School Envirolution Club for their leadership in educating our communi-
ty on the benefits of conservation and striving for a sustainable future
There was no public input.
Board discussion:
• Successful program- great kits that were handed out
• Program touched a lot of people- are other programs hitting this many people
• Impressed- a lot of bang for the buck
• Good educational component to the children
• Neat concept of top down and bottom up
• Direct staff to bring resolution before the Board to commend the Envirolution Club
• Are there other Green challenge models available to get better participation
• The message is "simple is better"
• Drive people to do more energy savings
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:06 PM.
TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
Jeff Bender, President
Prepared by
Barbara Cahill, Deputy District Clerk
10 Minutes: April 7, 2010