HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 Monthly Activity Report Agenda Item # 12
Public Utility District i
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Peter Holzmeister
Date: February 16, 2001
Monthly Activity Report
1. Donner Lake water issue: Donner Lake water is the issue that consumed most of my time
during the past month. The assessment district ballots were were delivered to the post office on
Friday, February 16, 2001. There were many time consumimg details involved in the mailing
that needed to be handled properly. We now wait the forty-five days to learn the decision of
Donner Lake property owners.
I have worked with staff of the CPUC to keep them informed as to the status of our evaluation of
provideing water service to Donner Lake. I have also worked with Dennis DeCuir regarding an
offer to Del Oro to purchase Donner Lake water system facilities.
I have also been meeting with the Donner Lake citizens committee to keep them informed of our
progress.
2. Martis Valley safe yield study: I have been following the progress of the safe yield study
being prepared by Nimbus Engineering. There is a great deal of interest and concern on the
part of developers to know the safe yield number. We are close to presenting a report to the
Board
3. LAFCo: Nevada County LAFCo met and gave conditionaly approved activation to our latent
communications power. I have worked out a list of due diligence issues that need to be
evaluated before we can make a final decision. Alan Harry is working on the list and will bring
items to you for discussion and decision.
4. Land for Martis Valley well: I met with Craig Woods and the Board of Directors of Tahoe
Truckee Sanitation Agency to acquire property for development of the new Martis Valley well.
We have a final deal with them and the well driller is about to begin work.
5. Labor i Management Steering Committee: I continue to meet with the IBEW Business
Representative and a committee of District employees to discuss matters of concern to them.
The meetngs remain positive. We are resolving matters that have the potential to become
problems. I think our working relationship is quite good, given the natural tendency for
mangement and labor to see the world from different perspectives.
III II
Public Utility District
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Ed Taylor, Water Superintendent
Date: 02/16/2001
ACTIVITY REPORT FOR JANUARY
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 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:
Three leaks were repaired
One fire hydrants were repaired or replaced.
USA marking for construction projects.
Continued the maintenance program on pumps and motors.
Competed work on Facility Fee calculations for water.
Worked with Nimbus Engineering designing new well.
Worked on agreements for well site and pipeline locations
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Agenda Item #TRUCKEE
D•Public Utility District 1
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Stephen Hollabaugh —Assistant General Manager
Date: February 15, 2001
Monthly Activity Report
Power Supply Issues:
I have been working the Power Supply Issue from two angles. One is to take full advantage of
our 2001 contract and positions with Idaho Power. This entails our transmission point of receipt.
If we move our primary point of receipt from Midpoint (Idaho) to Gonder (Utah) we may be able
to take advantage of the price differential between the two points. The Utah point tracks the
Southwest trading hubs at Palo Verde while the Idaho point tracks the North West. There is
currently a good difference between these two Electric Power Trading locations due to the lack
of hydropower in the Northwest this year.
1 also have requested to change our primary point of receipt to Utah permanently starting in
2002. 1 am trying to obtain, with UAMPS help, resources in the Utah area that can easily be
transmitted to Sierra Pacific's Transmission Control Area through Gonder (Sierra's
Transmission tie to Utah). With transmission in place, I believe the District's best energy
resources will come from the Utah area with a little help from DAMPS. Idaho Power may be
utilized in both the short term and long term deals which may arise.
I am scheduled to be at a meeting in Salt Lake City Utah the day of the Board meeting, so I will
not be in attendance. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me.
Power Supply Expenses for 2000:
1 have calculated our Power Supply Expenses for 2000 to be approximately 4.69 million dollars,
which is about $75,000 under budget. Our cost could have been 21.77 million dollars if we were
subject to the wholesale prices during the year. That's a 17 million dollar difference.
Labor Management Steering Committee: I am meeting each month with the Labor
Management Steering Committee. Our latest meeting was February 6`" where Peter
Holzmeister, Mary Chapman, and I represented management. Randy Osborn, Mike
Connell, Patrick Waite and George Caballero represented the Union. We have been
discussing job descriptions, training and promotion procedures and future job trends at
the District. Our next meeting is scheduled for March 6`".
GIS Strategic Plan Issue: (Graphical Information System): I have attached a schedule and
update prepared by Ian Fitzgerald.
Geographic Information Systems- update by Jan Fitzgerald
Currently I have developed a schedule as follows:
Sept 2000 Create GIS Team
Oct 2000 Buy GIS Software; Create Nevada County GIS Data Consortium
Nov 2000
Dec 2000 Final Parcel Data model developed
Jan 2001 AutoCAD Land base complete (contingent on Cranmer Engineering)
Feb 2001
Mar 2001 GIS Land base fully operational
A r 2001 Water/Electric Data model customization complete
May 2001 Data Conversion
Jun 2001 Data Conversion
July 2001 Data Conversion
Aug2001 Data Conversion
Sept 2001 Full Facility Data Conversion completed; Customer Data linked to
GIS
Oct 2 001 Begin Full training of staff in GIS
Begin looking at Outage Management Options
Nov 2001 Tie in SCADA to GIS system software
Dec 2 001 Finish staff training in GIS
2002 Implement Outage Management; Incorporate 3-D Land Surface;
Develop GPS Base Stations; Introduce GIS into Field; Development
of Telco Data model and conversion of Telco facilities
As of February 15/2001 the following has been completed:
• Downtown and East Donner Lake are the only Land sections still needing to be delivered
by Cranmer Engineering
We are talking with Power Engineers of Idaho to help develop applications that will
enhance the functionality of the core GIS software
The Enterprise GIS is set up and ready for data. The GIS server was completed last
week with the components of Arclnfo, ArcSDE, Oracle 8i and Windows 2000.
• Some trigger applications have been developed that will enhance the GIS functionality.
As a note, it looks as if the end of March will be the period which the Truckee land base will be
in the GIS system and fully operational. At that time, I will request a workshop to demonstrate
the GIS system to the board. Also, the county is to schedule a second consortium meeting,
however the date has not been set.
Agenda Item #
TPublic Utility District
RUCKEE DONNER
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Scott Terrell
Date: February 15, 2001
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 Planning/District$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. I attended 4 meetings in
Sacramento from January 17-19 which covered issues such as energy services, green
power, marketing and legislation.
Conservation/DSM/Economic Development/Public Benefits
Public Benefits Program- TDPUD has received and processed about 150 Conservation
Cash Rebate program applications. The Truckee Fire Protection District and School
District will be installing high efficiency lighting in their facilities. The TTSA Board has
approved going forward with developing the specifications for four energy efficiency and
demand reduction projects. The Hospital District has purchased the highest efficiency
chiller commercially available for their facilities. TSD's energy analysis has been
completed and is currently being reviewed by TSD staff. The Kidzone project is
scheduled for Spring, 2001. The following six agencies are included in a proposal to try
to get funding from the state for peak load reduction/energy efficiency projects: TTSA,
TDPUD, Tahoe-Donner Association, DMV, Fire Protection District and School District.
Schools Energy & Water Conservation Education Program- This program is designed to teach
both energy and water conservation education to 7`" grade school children and includes actual
energy and water conservation measures the kids can install in their parent's homes. So far the
Living Wise program has been received very well. Sue Mock, SMMS teacher, is responsible for
administering this program for the School District. Staff made a presentation January 23`d to
Mrs. Mock's class and discussed utility careers, where Truckee's electricity and water
comes from, calculating energy use and energy and water conservation.
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 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. The School District is very
interested in using the GSHP technology for their new Middle School being planned. The
economics for GSHP in Truckee is becoming very strong with higher gas prices. Most
projects currently being proposed have a 5 to 10 year payback. There are currently some
residential and commercial 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 March or April.
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. 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 1 residential
energy-use analyses and/or energy survey(s) this month. Staff also responded on-site to
2 residential "high" bill complaint(s). There are currently no survey requests pending.
Communications/Public Relations/Education
Newsletter- The Winter 2000-01 newsletter is almost complete. This issue will include articles
on Electricity Industry issues and TDPUD's effort in improving Downtown electrical service.
Marketing & Media- Our current marketing efforts are at a low level as we wait for TDPUD's
direction with broadband. Recent marketing has included information 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 helped a lot of Truckee community organizations market
their events in 2000. TDPUD will continue to help organizations in 2001. The Small Business
Development Center has already requested that we stuff their workshop brochures in an
upcoming billing cycle.
Power Content Label- State law requires that all California public and private utilities supply their
customers with a Power Content Label quarterly. There is a Power Content Label currently
being stuffed by our new vendor back east.
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. A
groundbreaking ceremony will take place in February or March. The weather keeps
forcing us to keep postponing our groundbreaking efforts.
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. Staff
attended a CRMP meeting January 10.
California Municipal Utilities Association Energy Services, Marketing and Legislative
Committees- The Committee is working on projects and programs to help CMUA member
utilities prepare for deregulation. Staff attended an Energy Efficiency and Marketing
committee meeting January 18, 19 in Roseville. Staff also participated in a CMUA
Legislation committee meeting across from the Capitol.
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 scheduled for February 7.
Utility Energy Forum Planning Committee- Staff attended an Utility Energy Forum Planning meeting
January 17 in the Western Area Power Administration building. The next Conference is scheduled for
May 7-9, 2001 in Granlibakken.
Agenda Item #
MENNEIrvii uii
TRUCKEE � �
Public Utility istrict
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Kathy Neus
Date: February 15, 2001
Purchasing and Warehousing
If there has been a lull, it has already passed. With so little snow on the ground the
crews continue to work hard. We are still ordering wire and cable, repairs clamps and
other material used for routine maintenance.
Bids are being assembled for the upcoming season. Quantities and specifications for
wire and cable, transformers and a meter test bench are being put together.
Vehicle Maintenance
All of the District's vehicles are now on a maintenance schedule for services, brake
inspections and transmission oil changes. At this moment all vehicles are current. 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, trucks have been tough
to get a hold of to due the inspections.
Meter Readers
As of January 15"', the meter readers were transferred to MaryChapman's department
for compatability with billing and to fill in some gaps within her department.
Building and Grounds
The water crew is once again doing snow removal at the District office with the Support
Services Department maintaining the walkways. I am currently working on filling this
position.
Agenda Item #
i u
Public
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Alan Harry, Director of Telecommunication Services
Date: February 15, 2001
January 2001 Activity Report
During the months of January '01 1 focused my attention on three related areas:
1. Litigation:
a. TDPUD vs. USA Media Group, LLC; USA Media Group, LLC vs. TDPUD
b. FCC filing: USA Media Group, LLC
2. Nevada Local Agency Formation Commission — Public Hearing
3. Proposed Sale of District conduit
Litigation in Federal Court continues between the District and USA Media. In preparation for
numerous depositions during the month of February 2001, 1 have met frequently with District
General Counsel Steve Gross, and Special Counsel Mike Vergera.
In addition, I have worked with Steve Gross and Washington DC Counsel in the preparation
of affidavits from Joe Horvath and myself relating to USA Media Group's installation of fiber
optic cable in November 1999.
* * 4
In preparation for the District's proposal being heard by the Nevada County Local Agency
Formation Commission, Peter Holzmeister and I met with the Commission's Sub-Committee
to finalize a Resolution, which if approved by the Commission would grant the District
conditional approval to provide Broadband services. Further, District staff and consultants
met with the Commission at their 1/18/01 Public Hearing in Truckee. At that time, the
Commission heard from all parties involved the District, USA MEDIA Group, and Pacific Bell,
as well as Truckee residents. Following discussion, the Commission approved conditionally
the District's application to provide telecommunications and other means of communication.
During the month of February, my focus will be to meet the three conditions placed on the
District by the Commission.
* xx
Peter Holzmeister, Steve Hollabaugh and I have been meeting with representatives from
Sierra Pacific Communications, a subsidiary of Sierra Pacific Industries, regarding the
possible sale of District owned conduit. To date we have received confirmation that SPC will
provide the District with a letter of intent to purchase a portion of the conduit recently
installed by William's Communications. As further information becomes available, I shall
provide the Board with a complete report on our discussions.
Agenda Item #
!0 Public Utility District
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Bob Quinn, Electric Superintendent
Date: February 14, 2001
Monthly Activity Report
Electric Department crews worked on the following projects during the month of January:
The service crew installed 14 new overhead and 5 new underground electrical
services and responded to 52 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.
The line crew completed work on the Sierra Village apartment project.
The line crew installed new primary conductor into conduit placed during SW Gas
and Williams's projects. After that installation, they worked on removing old overhead
facilities in the downtown commercial row area. At the time of this report, overhead
primary facilities in the alley and along Jibboom St. have been removed with some
secondary lines remaining.
A pole and transformer was replaced at the"White House"on Donner Pass Rd. due
to a grader breaking the existing pole during snow removal operations.
Planning staff continued to meet with developers and engineers on upcoming
projects slated for spring of 2001.
On January 17', Joe Horvath became the proud father of a baby girl!
. . fll ,
. ,
Re1w
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Ed Taylor, Water Superintendent
Date: 02/16/01
Subject: ACTIVITY REPORT FOR JANUARY
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 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.
Three leaks were repaired
One fire hydrants were repaired or replaced.
USA marking for construction projects.
Continued the maintenance program on pumps and motors.
Competed work on Facility Fee calculations for water.
Worked with Nimbus Engineering designing new well.
Worked on agreements for well site and pipeline locations
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