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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-12-20 Agenda Packet - Board (9) Agenda Item # Not listed ONNER u 'blic Utility « Memorandum To: Board of Directors From: Peter L. Holzmeister Date: December 15, 2000 Monthly Activity Report Donner Lake water system: I spent time during the past month helping Lowell & Associates prepare the assessment district engineer's report. I have provided information regarding cost to rebuild the Donner Lake system and the projected cost to acquire the system. I am also providing information on unbuildable vacant lots. The report is very close to complete I have also been working with Dennis DeCuir to complete the fair market appraisal for acquisition of the system. I met with the Donner Lake customer committee set up by the Donner Lake Property Owners Association. We have been reviewing the draft assessment district ballot language and a cover letter to accompany the ballot. Budget: I worked on budget revisions and budget presentations. Electric industry issues: I spent time this month writing a letter to our customers describing the repeal of the 11% rate discount and how the condition of the electric utility industry in the western United States is beginning to impact Truckee in a small way. I spent time describing the electric industry to staff at the Sierra Sun so they would have a good background as they try to explain to Truckee what is happening. Telecommunications: I spent time preparing a response to the data request from Nevada LAFCo. We should be sending that report to SR next week. Awards banquet: I spent time preparing for the annual awards banquet. Board meeting preparation: As usual, I spent time preparing some complex Board meeting agendas and packets. Labor Management Steering Committee: I met with the Labor management Steering Committee to discuss matters of mutual interest, to keep lines of communication open and to solve problems that inevitably come up in the work environment. Agenda item # r TRUCKEE •Public Utility ONNER istrict Memorandum To: Board of Directors From: Stephen Hollabaugh, Power Supply Engineer/Assistant Manager Date: December 15, 2000 Monthly Activity Report Power Supply issues I am sure that the Board has heard of the power shortages in California that have been in the news. The District is not affected by these reliability problems. I have been investigating many future power sources to stabilize the future power supply of the District. When I have something ready for the Board to discuss for the Board, I will bring it to the board. Factors of the West Coast Power Crisis The West Coast Power market has gone crazy the last few weeks. Some utility industry officials have taken to calling the power crisis "The Perfect Storm" after the book and recent movie of the same title. In that case, a confluence of weather conditions created the Atlantic Ocean storm like none in memory. In the power business, several factors among them a cold dry fall and winter in the Northwest; California's disastrous experiment with deregulation; lack of new investment in generating plants have combined to force prices to record even unbelievable, highs. UAMPS Membership I am still working with UAMPS in search of a possible long-term power supply. UAMPS has been very helpful in understanding the mechanics of the transmission and generation options. GIS Strategic Plan Issue(Graphical Information System) The GIS Arc Info software has been purchased along with Oracle database software. The land base data-model has been developed and completed by ]an. Ian is continuing to complete the modified GPS land base. The District has had several inquiries about this data. We will continue to capture facility data from the field throughout the winter. Labor Management Steering Committee I am meeting each month with the Labor Management Steering Committee. Peter Holzmeister, Mary Chapman, and I represent management. Mike Connell, Rosana Matlock, Patrick Waite and George Caballero. We have been discussing job descriptions, training and promotion procedures and future job trends at the District. Agenda Item # TRUCKEu :� DONNER Public Utility District Memorandum To: Board of Directors From: Bob Quinn, Electric Superintendent Date: December 15, 2000 Monthly Activity Report Electric Department crews worked on the following projects during the month of November The service crew installed 21 new overhead and 13 new underground electrical services and responded to 48 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 meter technician/electrician continued working on the commercial meter audit program. The District's electricians continued working with the water department at numerous water department facilities. Work was completed on the commercial row meter panels enabling the line crew to begin removal of overhead facilities in the area. The line crew completed work on the SPPCo 60KV under build. This spring, an underground crossing of the 267 Bypass will be completed tying this project and the Featherstone development project together resulting in a distribution loop that will give the District the ability to transfer load from one substation to another as well as from one circuit within a station to another circuit within the same station. Department staff continued working with the GIS coordinator in mapping and gathering information for input into the GIS system. Planning staff continued work on pole attachment requests and new developments. Agenda Item # u ,UCKEE DONNER Public Utility • Memorandum To: Board of Directors From: Alan Harry, Director of Telecommunication Services Date: December 15, 2000 Monthly Activity Report During the months of November'00 I focused my attention on four related areas: 1. Communication: Broadband Technology education 2. Vectren Communications Services; Design, Plans & Specifications and Construction Management & AON Financial Services 4. Litigation: TDPUD vs. USA Media Group, LLC; USA Media Group; LLC vs. TDPUD 5. Nevada Local Agency Formation Commission In order to ensure that misconceptions regarding the District's proposed telecomm / broadband plan are put to rest in a timely fashion, staff continues to speak to District customers, local businesses & service groups regarding the concept of providing broadbanditelecommunication services within the Truckee Community. Per Board Direction I have met with Vectren staff to prepare a "scope of services" for the design, preparation of plans & specifications and construction management of the District's proposed broadband infrastructure. A report relating to this work will be coming to the Board during the month of January. Per Board direction I have met with AON Financial Services staff in order to prepare a more detailed understanding of the proposed "risk mitigation' measure for the District's proposed broadband infrastructure. I will be bringing a report to the Board, including a letter of intent from AON, relating to the risk mitigation plan in January. Litigation continues between the District and USA Media. Pursuant to our meeting with the Nevada County Local Agency Formation Commission, and questions posed by Nevada LAFCo Executive SR Jones, General Manager Peter Holzmeister and I have been preparing a document to be submitted to the Commission prior to their January meeting. As issues arise pertaining to our progress with Nevada LAFCo I will prepare reports for the Board's review. I M so Memorandum To: Board of Directors From: Ed Taylor, Water Superintendent Date: 12/15/00 Subject: ACTIVITY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER WATER QUALITY We have monitored the Hirschdale Treatment Plant on a daily basis, and the aesthetic quality of the water has been excellent all month. Performed preventative maintenance. Water samples were taken each week during the month. Routine daily rounds were made, taking chlorine residuals throughout the system. The monthly bacteriological report for November was sent to the Department of Health Services. The District has met the State's drinking water standards for the month. SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE Eight leaks were repaired Nine fire hydrants were repaired or replaced. USA marking for construction projects. New customer connections were installed. Continued the fall maintenance program on pumps and motors. Continued work on Master Plan for water. Worked with Nimbus Engineering on new well locations. • Page 1 Agenda Item # �TRUCKEE DONNER Public Utility District Memorandum To: Board of Directors From: Kathy Neus, Support Services Manager Date: December 14, 2000 Purchasing and Warehousing It seems as if a brief moment of peace has finally come. Even though winter hasn't officially arrived yet, the crews are winding up jobs and not as much material is going out the door. This brief moment allows Sue the chance to take care of some paperwork that has been on hold. Sam Re has been able to get the warehouse back in shape and reorganized. Sam and Sue have also been working on inventoery cycle counts and have just about completed the inventory. Vehicle Maintenance Chris Brouwers brings a lot of skills to the District. Chris recently installed a utility bed on the electrician's new service truck, did all the wiring and completed the job in less time than if the work was done out of house. All of the District's vehicles are now on a maintenance schedule for services, brake inspections and transmission oil changes. Chris and Glen are also handling all of the BIT inspections for the District. This has been a tough year for the mechanics; with the crews working so hard, it's been tough to put the trucks out of service to do inspections. Meter Readers The challenge for the meter readers is the new computer conversion. They are now working through the new system. A few problems have occurred; nothing that would stop them from reading meters, but enough to slow them down. With OMR they are able to catch up. Building and Grounds All the snow stakes are up and the water department has begun their early morning plowing schedule. Agenda Item # TRUCKEEUt DistrictPublic Utility Memorandum To: Board of Directors From: Scott Terrell, Planning Director Date: December 1, 2000 Monthly Activity Report 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 PlanninglDistrict$Savings Key Accounts Program- Staff will be in touch with KA customers regarding their wants and needs and feelings (opinions) about TDPUD. Staff is waiting to contact KA customers until the outcome of TDPUD's telecommunications plans are known. Many Key Account Customers are currently being contacted regarding their interest in participating in a Truckee proposal for the State of California's summer peak load reduction grant program. TDPUD Building GSHP Proposal- Staff would like to re-visit this project idea with the Board in the near future. This project is on-hold pending the District's Strategic Planning process outcome. Deregulation Education- I am attending various courses, seminars, workshops and meetings to help me keep up with deregulation and "competition" activities. Conservation/DSMJEconomic Development/Public Benefits Public Benefits Program- TDPUD has received and processed about 130 Conservation Cash Rebate program applications. The School District Staff is looking into various funding mechanisms to implement EMI's cost-effective lighting recommendations. EMI at School District's Staff request has converted two classrooms into lighting efficiency demonstrations. TTSA staff has reviewed EMI's recommendations with their Board. Their Board approved going forward with developing the specifications for four projects. The Hospital District has purchased the highest efficiency chiller commercially available for their facilities. The Truckee Fire Protection District has received approval from their Board for energy efficiency upgrades to their Fire Station facilities. TSD's energy analysis has been completed and is currently being reviewed by TSD staff. A contractor has been selected to oversee the GSHP installation for the Kidzone project. EMI and TDPUD staff has recently performed energy surveys for the Town of Truckee, Nevada County Building, TDPUD, Glenshire Mutual Water Agency, Placer County Water Agency, Tahoe-Donner Association facilities. About 15 agencies including those mentioned may be included in the State's Peak Load Reduction program. Schools Energy & Water Conservation Education Program- This program is designed to teach both energy and water conservation education and includes actual energy and water conservation measures the children can install in their parent's homes. So far the Living Wise program has been received very well. Sue Mock, SMMS teacher, has asked TDPUD to provide them with 175 more kits for the 2000-2001 school year. Staff gave a presentation November 28 on power and water resources as well as energy and water efficiency to about 25 SMMS students. A similar presentation was given to a Cub Scout Troop November 14. TDPUD Programs & Services- Staff is currently collecting information and ideas about some possible future programs and services for TDPUD customers. Staff is researching whole-house surge protection and "fiber-optic" building security systems for the benefit of our customers. Alan and Scott met with a representative from Energy Solutions Network to discuss a $5M grant to research some broadband/internet applications with substantial potential benefit to users. 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 is currently planning to offer a few GSHP seminars. Staff has been contacted by several developers, architects and building engineers, etc. due to their interest in possibly pursuing GSHPs for projects they will be building. There are currently some residential projects being considered for GSHP as well as some already under construction. GSHP Pilot Project, Phase 2- The completion of the funding agreement with the California Energy Commission is taking time. Davis Energy Group will again be the engineering group responsible for the major logistics of the project. They are currently very busy and may also push the start of the project back a few months. SMUD and TDPUD are ready to go when these issues are resolved. We hope to begin January or February. 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 Siena 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. The TTUSD School District is planning to use this facility in conjunction with the Living Wise kits. 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 complaint(s). 'There are currently no survey requests pending. Solar Home Tour- There were about 30 local persons who participated in the solar home tour visiting 8 homes which included such features as solar, geothermal heat pump, energy conservation and water- efficient landscaping on October 14. The event was a great success judged by very positive comments written on tour evaluations. There have been some suggestions that a Wintertime solar and other technologies tour be offered. Communications/Public Relations/Education Newsletter- The Winter 2000 newsletter is currently being worked on. This issue will include articles on TDPUD's fitness for Deregulation, Donner Lake, Billing Change, etc. A late December/January newsletter release is being planned. Marketing & Media- Our current marketing efforts focus on community conservation cash rebate programs, TDPUD's Web Site, low electric rates & high power reliability and TDPUD's efforts in promoting environmental- clean air, high water quality and the local economy. Community Event Marketing- TDPUD has provided marketing support for the following activities this year: Small Business Development Center workshops, Town Census, Truckee Spring 2000 Home Show, Chamber of Commerce Windows on History event, Truckee-Donner Historical Society Social/Presentation, Sierra Nevada Children's Museum Circus benefit/fundraiser, Truckee-Tahoe Airport Air Affair, School District promotion of Student Excellence in Education, Nevada County Fair Truckee Donner Day, Kidzone project, Railroad Days and the Truckee Town Portrait. Power Content Label- State law requires that all California public and private utilities supply their customers with a Power Content Label quarterly. The next label will go out the first quarter of next year. 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. Kidzone Project- Staff has been working with a group of organizations in Town to develop the Kidzone project. This is a 3,500 square-foot facility planned to be used as a play and educational center for young children. It will also be the new home for the Sierra Nevada Children's Museum. This new facility is planned to be located next to the Recreation District's Activity Center. Kidzone participants are partnering with TDPUD due to TDPUD Board's approval to partially fund the ground source heat pump hydronic heating system installation. Staff recently met with Sierra Air to review their proposal and design for the Kidzone GSHP heating system. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place December 5. Community Garden Brochure- Staff has agreed to participate in the development of a brochure that describes Truckee's garden projects that are available to the community. The brochure will include the garden at the SBDC building created to showcase low water using plants and water- efficient irrigation systems. Other gardens to be featured include: Sierra Herb garden, TTHS and Regional Park's native vegetation gardens, project Mana's food for the hungry garden and the proposed Historical Society victory garden. Community/Statewide Involvement Community Involvement- There are many community-related activities staff is involved with as described throughout this entire report. Staff has concentrated more on helping with and participating in activities than serving on committees. Committees are often time-consuming and involve members in many activities unrelated to their expertise and ability to contribute efficiently. Truckee River Watershed Coordinated Resource Management & Planning- Staff is currently serving on this committee to see how TDPUD fits into their overall effort. There are opportunities to work cooperatively with this group that may be mutually beneficial to both organizations. Many Truckee area watershed remediation projects are being considered by this group. 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 committee meeting is scheduled for January 18, 19. Staff has been participating in Legislative Committee conference call meetings. Association for Efficient Environmental Energy Systems- 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. The next quarterly meeting is being considered for February. Utility Energy Forum Planning Committee- The next Conference is scheduled for May 7-9, 2001 in Granlibakken.