HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-01-17 Agenda Packet - Board (6) TDPUD STAFF REPORT
Date: January 13, 2000
To: Board of Directors
From: Peter L. Holzmeister
i
Subject: Monthly report
AGENDA # S
1. Governance study: I have spent considerable time during the past month completing the
draft governance study, The other local District's are now presenting the draft to their boards for
review and comment. We are close to that point when we need Bob Rauch to facilitate a joint
meeting of Truckee's local agencies, so the community becomes aware of the study.
2. Organizing for 2000: I have spent time reviewing the notes from the strategic plan
workshop help back in August to make sure we are focused on our strategic issues and action
plan. During the rest of January I will be meeting with the management staff to make sure we
have a common understanding of the District's strategic direction
3. NCPA: I have been working with NCPA staff and the managers of NCPA member agencies
to prepare for NCPA's strategic plan workshop, which is scheduled for next week in Rancho
Cordova.
4. CMUA: I attended the CMUA legislative briefing workshop in Sacramento. CMUA has a
busy legislative agenda, mostly concerned with California ISO issues. We are not directly
involved in the ISO debates, but we need to stay tuned to it in case our district ends up
governed by the ISO.
I will be attending the CMUA Board of Governors meeting in Burbank on Friday, January 14.
The annual CMUA conference is in Monterey from March 21 through 24. We can help you
register if you plan to attend.
5. Union negotiations: There is a temporary lull in our meetings with the union over the terms
of a new MOU. IBEW has reassigned Bob Choate, the business representative for our
employees. We will now wait for a replacement to be designated.
6. Telecommunications: I continue to work closely with Alan Harry on a variety of
telecommunications issues. The sierra Sun has taken an interest in the issue and I spend time
answering questions posed by Abbey Hutchinson. I am hearing many comments from the
community, as you probably are also.
TDPUD STAFF REPORT
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Alan Harry, Director of Telecommunications Services
SUBJECT., Staff Activity Report; November& December 1999 �
DATE: January 14, 2000
AGENDA #
During the months of November& December`99 your Telecommunications Division focused its attention on five related
areas:
1. Williams/Fibercom trenching project;
2. TDPUD Telecommunications Business Plan;
3. Telecommunications Customer Survey;
4. District"Pole Attachment"agreements; and
5. Legal Action - USA Media
During the months of November & December, the Williams/Fibercom trenching project moved smoothly through the
Districts service area, completing the majority of the sixteen (16) mile project. District staff and Navigant (a.k.a. RMI)
consultants inspected all work to ensure District electric and telecommunications conduits were installed properly.
Staff brought the District's completed Telecommunications Business Plan to the Board in November for review and
discussion. Following Board direction staff submitted the plan to Nevada LAFCo as part of the District's request for latent
power activation. It is expected that the District will be before Nevada LAFCo in March.
In December, at the direction of the Board, District staff issued an RFP for the survey of electric customers so as to gather
information regarding current and projected use of telecommunication services,and their opinion on the District providing
such services. It is expected that this survey will be completed by late February.
Staff has begun the process of revising the District's pole attachment agreements with Pacific Bell and USA Media. A
report to the Board recommending revisions to existing agreements will be agendized for your February '00 workshop.
Beginning in late November, '99, staff observed the installation of fiber-optic cable on District poles by USA Media,without
first making application to do so as required by the District's pole license agreement. After receiving no response from
an initial letter requesting that USA Media cease work until the application process was followed, legal action ensued and
is ongoing.
RECOMMENDATION:
No Board action required.
TDPUD Monthly Activity Report
January 14, 2000
To: Board of Directors I
From: Stephen Holiabaugh— Power Supply Engine L
Subject: Monthly staff report—January 2000
AGENDA S
Most of my time has been spent preparing an application to Western Area Power
Administration for the 2005 Resource Pool allocation. If the District receives an
allocation, it will be a long term contract(20 years) for capacity and energy at below
market prices into the future.
• Western Area Power Administration 2004 Marketing Plan: In our letter and application
for the resource pool, we brought up that the district has in the past had an allocation from
Westem in the past but was not able to receive the power because of transmission. We
pointed out that a lot had changed since the allocation was withdrawn and was requesting a
new allocation from Westem. I will keep watching this to see if we can receive an economic
power allocation from Westem in the future.
• USA Media Pole Attachments: I have been helping Alan Harry and Peter with the pole
attachment issue. This issue has come to the forefront lately.
GIS Strategic Plan issue: (Graphical Information System)
• I have put together a mapping conversion data packet for CADP. CADP will evaluate our
data and give us an estimate for conversion. i am also helping with the Fiber Backbone
project as to the field data collection needed for this project. I hope to use a lot of this data
with our future mapping system. Recently I have also been working with the Water
Department and Cranmer Engineering to acquire aerial photos for many parts of the District.
The aerial photos will help correct our base maps so that future mapping will be easier and
GPS will work with our basemaps.
• Power Scheduling: I work closely with NCPA to ensure that our daily power schedules to
Idaho Power and Sierra Pacific is done correctly. NCPA has been doing a good job with the
pre-scheduling and real-time scheduling for the District.
• The Alturas transmission line has been energized. This allows us to serve our full load from
Idaho per our settlement at FERC with Sierra. The commercial rating for the Alturas line is
in a battle at FERC between some California utilities such as San Diego vs. Sierra Pacific
and BPA. The District has filed a vanilla intervention to protect our interest if this goes to
hearing at FERC. FERC has set this matter to a settlement hearing. We are keeping up on
this subject.
TDPVD Monthly Activity Report
January 14, 2000
To: Board of Directors
From: Kathy Neus, Support Services Manager
Subject: Monthly staff report for December 1999
Agenda # b'
METER READERS
• With the winter months, most things were slow. The meter readers are continuing to
spend time combining and re-sequencing routes which allows them to have more routes
down-loaded on the hand held devices for reading.
• The water department has begun to install OMR water meters. Itron has yet to send
the roll call needed for the meter readers to read the meters via radio wave.
The meter readers read 10,868 meters, investigated three low usage reports,
completed 448 service orders and delivered 133 48hr/1013 notices.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
The District is still without an in house mechanic. Glen Wagner has been coming in two
days a week and keeping us up and running. There were twenty-eight repairs ranging
from taillights to complete brake jobs. There were ten services or BIT inspections
completed for the month.
PURCHASING AND WAREHOUSING
The planners have Sue working on acquiring material for up-coming summer projects.
Material needs to be ordered now for underground projects. It seems that with the
Y2K scare companies depleted manufacturers supplies and the delivery dates are being
pushed out towards twenty weeks for material.
Sue has also been spending time working with CADP on getting the bugs out of the new
purchasing, warehousing and transportation conversions.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
The grounds and equipment are ready and waiting for the snow. No major repairs, light
bulbs here and there and an occasional ballast. Jim Wilson replaced a broken wall
heater in the mechanic's office.
STAFF REPORT
January 14,2000
To: Board of Directors
From: Bob Quinn, Electric Superintendent
Subject: December `99 Activity Report
AGENDA ITEM
December is generally a month with limited construction activity due to holidays and weather.
However, storms were limited this past December and crews were able to work on several
projects. Electric Department crews worked on the following projects during the month:
The service crew installed 26 overhead and 15 underground new electrical services and
responded to 14 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.
The District's electricians continued work in the commercial row alley converting panels
to the new underground system. Additionally, considerable time was spent in the
District's water facilities.
The line crew completed the installation of facilities for the Grossman development
project on Skislope in Tahoe Donner.
The line crew installed primary facilities at the new golf course (Truckee Falls
development). This first stage was done to accommodate construction of the
maintenance facility on site. The remaining portions of the project will be completed this
spring.
The line crew continued work on the Hwy 267 Bypass project.
Facilities were installed to provide service to multi family units across from the Tahoe
Donner fire station.
TDPUD Monthly Activity Report
January 1 Z 1999
To: Board of Directors
From: Scott Terrell, Planning Director
Subject: December 1999 Activity Report
Agenda #(!9
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 will be in touch with KA customers this year regarding their wants and
needs and feelings (opinions) about TDPUD. Staff is waiting to contact KA customers until the
outcome of TDPUD's plans regarding telecommunications is known. Staff can then discuss
telecommunications needs during these meetings.
TDPUD Building GSHP Proposal—Staff would like to re-visit this project idea with the Board in the
near future. The building occupants and visitors could use air conditioning during the hot summer
days. This project is on-hold pending the outcome of the District's Strategic Planning process.
Deregulation Education- I am attending various courses, seminars, workshops and meetings to
help me keep up with deregulation and "competition" activities.
ConservationfDSM/Economic Development/Public Benefits
Public Benefits Program-TDPUD has received and processed about forty applications for the
Conservation Cash Rebate programs. The Board approved two new cash rebate programs
to include clothes washers and refrigerators. Energy Masters has completed the
Comprehensive Energy Analysis for TTSA. Staff and EMI are meeting with TTSA staff
January 14 to discuss the report. The CEA is also complete for the Hospital District.
Hospital staff is currently reviewing and considering which recommendations to pursue.
The School District is currently having a CEA Lighting Analysis performed for the Truckee
School facilities. Staff and EMI have been asked to perform an energy-efficient lighting
analysis for the Truckee DMV. The lighting survey is scheduled for January 14. Atlantis
Energy is planning to install the Solar PV system for Sierra High School before Spring.
Schools Energy & Water Conservation Education Program- This program is being designed for
teachers to teach both energy and water conservation education and will include actual energy and
water conservation measures the children can use in their parent's homes. The program is
planned to target sixth grade science teachers and students.TDPUD staff is hoping to begin
implementing this program with Americorps assistance beginning in February.
TDPUD Programs & Services- Staff is currently collecting information and ideas about some
possible future programs and services for TDPUD customers. Staff will be researching whole-
house surge protection and "fiber-optic" building security systems for the benefit of our customers.
Staff will meet with the District's Telecommunications Director to discuss ideas.
Ground Source Heat Pump Bulk Purchase & Installation Program- Staff is currently looking into
new ideas on how to educate and promote this technology to our customers. Staff met with a
developer to discuss the possibility of using GSHP in a 46 unit"economy unit" complex that
is being proposed to be built near the Mountain Home Center.
Business & Energy Efficiency Partnership- The Truckee Donner PUD/Sierra College Partnership
project is designed to encourage local groups, clubs and individuals to tour the energy and
water-efficient Sierra College facility. TDPUD uses the grounds as a demonstration of low-water
using plant types and water conserving irrigation systems. TDPUD Staff is available for guided
tours.
Energy Surveys/High Bill Assistance- Staff completed 0 commercial and 2 residential energy-
use analyses and/or energy survey(s) this month. Staff also responded on-site to 1
residential "high" bill complaints. There are currently no survey requests pending. Staff
occasionally assists customers with appliance usage questions by hooking up a portable
energy meter to them. This only works for plug-in appliances and is useful in helping
customers determine a specific appliance's monthly energy use and cost. The District has
now ordered a new device that will be used to monitor "hard-wired" appliances so that we
can monitor appliances like water heaters and ground source heat pumps.
Communications/Public Relations/Education
Marketing & Media- Our current marketing efforts focus on community conservation cash rebate
programs, low electric rates & high power reliability and TDPUD's efforts in promoting
environmental- clean air, high water quality and the local economy. We are now promoting the new
TDPUD Water Bottle in our existing Water Quality commercial. The revised commercial began
running in November. TDPUD in conjunction with the Town of Truckee are co-sponsoring the airing
of Storm-related Emergency Preparedness information. There are four 30 second clips that will run
through January 2000. They focus on what to carry with you when your driving in bad weather and
what you should have in your home as far as emergency supplies including dos and don'ts. The
videos were produced for the American Red Cross and the Weather Channel. The Board has
requested that staff provide a summary of TDPUD marketing activities during 1999. This will
occur at the January, 2000 Board workshop meeting.
Marketing Support (Local non-profit)- TDPUD is helping Sierra College SBDC promote their
business workshops through a brochure being stuffed in with TDPUD electric and water
bills during January. TDPUD is getting excellent exposure for the Conservation Cash rebate
programs in this brochure. A full panel was used as a program announcement and
application.
Power Content Label- State law requires that all California public and private utilities supply their
customers with a Power Content Label quarterly. The final 1999 quarterly stuffer went out from
mid-November to mid-December along with the newsletter.
Water Bottle- The new TDPUD water bottle is getting a lot of attention. There have been
requests for bottles to take to meetings and other events. If you have a meeting or event you
would like to take water bottles to give me a call.
Web Site- The TDPUD web site, www.tdpud.org, is on-line. Please take a few minutes to
browse the site and provide staff with feedback. We will continue to work on the web site to
make it more 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. There is currently an energy conservation game on our web site. A water
conservation game is currently being developed for the site.
Newsletter-The Fall newsletter was distributed from mid-November to mid-December along
with the Power Content Label. A few of the articles in this newsletter include:
Telecommunications, Generator Survey, Web Site Promotion, Emergency Preparedness, No
signs on Poles, etc.
Electricity Display- Sierra Nevada Children's Museum recently asked TDPUD to help them
develop an electricity and water display for the kids at the museum. Staff is currently
working with Americorps and museum staff to design the displays.
Community/Statewide Involvement
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. CMUA recently sent us an application for their 2000 Energy Awards Program. Staff
has submitted one application for the awards program titled "Community Energy and Water
Conservation Technology Demonstration Program". This program involves the energy and
water efficiency demonstration at the old Chamber build ing(Business & Energy Efficiency
Partnership), the Recreation District Activity Center, Community Center, Vet's Hall and
future approved and planned projects with other Special Districts.
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. Staff has
also agreed to participate on the Association for Efficient Environmental Energy Systems
Board, formerly the Geothermal Energy Association and also to be their Membership
Chairperson.
Utility Energy Forum Planning Committee-The next Conference is scheduled for May 17-19,
2000 in Granlibakken, Lake Tahoe area. The next UEF meeting is scheduled for January
25 in Roseville.
530 587 5244
Jan 13 00 04: 26p Jim and Mancd Maass 530-587-5244 p. 3
January 13, 2000
Memo to: Board of Directors, Peter Holzmeister, Alan Harry
From: Jim Maass
Subject: Cable TV Competition
As I have said during recent public meetings, competition is what drives the American
economy, and that competition in providing Cable TV would benefit the Truckee
consumers with lower prices.
If you recall, several meetings ago I asked the USA Media Regional Manager why the
cable prices in Verdi were lower than those in Truckee. He did not answer that question.
So,I asked Alan to do some quick research regarding cable TV rates in Verdi,Kings
Beach and in Truckee. Attached are his findings with some"reservations". It certainly
appears that the competition factor affects rates in Verdi compared to the Truckee rates.
This is just another component in all the information we as board members should have
as we decide whether or not to go into the cable TV business.
530 597 5244
Jan 13 00 04: 25p Jim and Nancy Maass 530-587-5244 p. 2
OS
USA Media Att cable U.dIry.a ird yl ble J
Truckee NORn Snore VertlgMo is:
VerQVMogal ` � j (V/
c oSS P¢r mOfiM WhTY 3'1, $$, 32.05 `�( t'f �^Vxy"
VKUUKAMMINU
CBS 2 2
NBC 2
PBs 1
WB
UPN t
ABC 2 2
FOX 2 2
Independent t i i i
PPV l neakProgramming
Prevammiew
ng t t
Local Programming t } 1 1
Government Programming t }
Government Programming 1 1
TBS
CSPAN
OvC
FOX
Fox Family Channel 1 1 t 1
Univision
Discovery
Th.Weather channel
EWN
MTV
USA
AMC
COY Spartt Bay Area
CNN
Heatlgna News 1 t t t
FX
Nickelodeon Chan } 1 1 1
Animal Planet t t 1 t
Animal Planet t 1
N T
TNTT
BET
Lifetime
ESPN
ESPN2
Cartoon NetWo(k t } 1
TNN t
Great American Country t t 1
Home B Garden N f t
SCIFI } 1
GEMS
GalanMon t t
International ChannN i f
TV Food Network i t
MSNBC
CNSC
The Learning Channel 1
Comedy Central t 1 t t
Fit TV 1
leased Access t 1
Product Informed"Network t 1
Home Shopping Network t 1
V
TV
FO i
Land 1
FOG News i 1 1 1
N Guide 1 t
Odyssey 1
Pa.N 1
Outdoor Life Network 1
Town Disney 1 i
ITOTAL CHANNELS as 1 61 41 51
NOS.matmform.hon was comptetad fr.,mome,d..', USA Media f✓tprOVltl ing Info rm of cn When teGues(ed to dll so by'Jishict 5tatf
'•Note that best per month is newt know to be accurate due to USA Metlla Matt being unable W q,e Cisirh staff amphmg put a'9alipark"amount