HomeMy WebLinkAbout14 Montly Report Agenda Item # /%
TRUCKEE DONNER
11
--'jLTubU1ic Utility District
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Peter Holzmeister
Date: March 16, 2001
Subject: Monthly report
1. Donner Lake water system: the vast majority of my time is being spent dealing with
Donner Lake water issues. I receive about ten telephone calls per day, abut five a-mails
per day, and three or four letter per day, all of which I need to respond to. I have not yet
heard from a single person who is opposed to having TDPUD provide water at Donner
Lake.
I am working with Dennis DeCuir to slowly negotiate with Bob Fortino for acquisition of
the system. I continue to work with the property owners committee in their efforts to
keep Del Oro from gaining access to money through the CPUC. This issue is eassily
taking three fourths of my time
2. Glenshsire Mutual Water Company: I am beginning to put together ideas and a
program for the possible acquisition of Glenshire water system. This project is in its
infancy, but it could soon need much of my attention.
3. Labor Management Steering Committee: I have been working through a series of
small labor issues that come up in my meetings with the labor management steering
committee. Most recently we have been talking about possible staff changes involved in
our serving water at Donner Lake and Glenshire
4. Ground water basin yield study: I have been meeting with staff from Nimbus
Engineering to understand the new thinking about ground water basin yields. This will
be a discussion item on the agenda for March 21.
5. District financial picture: I have been working with the management team to keep
focused on the district financial picture. We are pursuing several business opportunities.
At the same time we have developers coming to us for service, and we are entering into
a radically new wholesale power arrangement. The combination of these factors
provides us with great business opportunities, and with financial challenges. This matter
will be discussed more fully at the March 21 meeting.
6. Strategic plan: I have been working with the management team to make sure we
accomplish the strategic plan issues that were identified in the Bob Rauch workshop.
We review them each Monday morning so guarantee that they are not ignored. I think
when we conduct our next strategic plan workshop you will be surprised at how much is
being accomplished.
Agenda Item #'TR
� . � i sl��NNER
blic Utility District
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Kathy Neus, Support Services Manager
Date: March 13,2001
Monthly Activity Report
Purchasing and Warehousing
The new construction season has begun. What moments there were to collect
our breaths and gear up for the upcoming season has come and gone. Wire and
cable for new projects has begun to arrive, the same for transformers.
I had a discussion with the Town of Truckee about the old Breeze Cross property
located behind the District building. The property is zoned PF, public facility.
The Town wants nothing to do with the temporary storage yard since what we
plan to do falls within the zoning requirements. The Town's concern is that there
is no access from Glen Rd and that the yard is kept somewhat clean and orderly.
Vehicle Maintenance
Chris continues to have the District's vehicles and equipment current in its
preventative maintenance schedule. Chris has been working closely with Glen
Wagner and the mobile staff of Altec when any boom repairs and maintenance is
required.
Chris is currently working with the water department on the utility bodies for the
three new service trucks.
Building and Grounds
The only work being done right now due to shortage of staff is any maintenance
as required. The position was posted in house with one applicant applying. The
testing for the position is to be March 13, 2001 with the hope of filling the position
within a week of the test.
1 �l
IIIII III !CKEE I I e
NNER
Public Utility District
Staff Report
To: Board of Directors
From: Alan Harry, Director of Telecommunication Services
Subject: Staff Activity Report; February 101
Date: March 16, 2001
During the month of February '01 1 focused my attention on five related areas:
1. Litigation:
2. Meetings with interested CLECs and ISPs
3. Williams Communications Fiber Project
4. Nevada Co. LAFCo
5. Communications
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.
Due to the untimely death of USA's lead counsel, Richard Harmon, all depositions and filings have been
continued until late March—early April 2001
In order to insure that future broadband partners are known, staff has begun the process of meeting with,
and receiving "letters of intent' from local and regional Internet Service Providers, ISPs, and licensed
Competitive Local Exchange Carriers, (CLECs). I anticipate to have"letters of intent' signed and delivered
to the Board in April.
As you are aware, Peter Holzmeister, Steve Holabaugh 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. We have
recently received updated as-built drawings of Wlliams's project. Steve Holabaugh and are scheduled to
review these dots and meet with both Williams and Sierra Pacific Communications to begin finalizing the
project. As further information becomes available, I shall provide the Board with a complete report on our
discussions.
As you recall, Nevada County LAFCo set three conditions for the District to meet before issuing the District
a certificate to provide broadband services. These conditions are; the preparation and submittal of a Master
Services Element for the new business unit, the submittal of a Risk Mitigation Plan for the Districts
broadband project, and the submittal of agreements with the Town of Truckee and Placer County for the
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provision of broadband services in the District's service area. As of this date each of these items are under
way. I anticipate bringing each of these items to the Board at your May 2n4 meeting for discussion and
possible action.
I have recently been interviewed by the staff of the Northwoods Magazine, a local publication with
distribution in Truckee. The article, covering the Districts proposal to provide broadband services to
Truckee residents,will hit the streets in late March.
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JJ
Public Utility District
Monthly Activity Report
To: Board of Directors
From: Stephen Hollabaugh—Assistant General Manager
Date: March 16, 2001
Power Supply Issues:
As you know, we have completed a deal with Idaho Power for capacity and energy from
2002 through 2009. The cost of this energy is 7.2 cents per kWh. I will continue to work
with Idaho to make the best use of this position. I am still working with Sierra Pacific Power
Company to change our primary point of receipt for transmission service. If we are able to
do this in 2001, 1 hope to enhance our 2001 power supply position.
Power Supply Expenses for 2001:
Attached is a monthly and year-to-date budget and actual expenditures for the 2001 power
supply.
Labor Management Steering Committee: I am meeting each month with the Labor
Management Steering Committee. Our latest meeting was March 14�h 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.
GIS Strategic Plan Issue: (Graphical Information System): I have attached a schedule and
update prepared by Ian Fitzgerald.
Geographic Information Systems— Update by Ian 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 20 00 Final Parcel Data model developed
Jan 20 11 AutoCAD Land base complete(contingent on Cranmer Engineering)
Feb 2001
Mar 2001 GIS Land base fully operational
Apr 2001 Water/Electric Data model customization complete
May 2001 Data Conversion
•Page 1
Jun 2001 Data Conversion
July 2001 Data Conversion
Aug 2001 Data Conversion
Sept 2001 Full Facility Data Conversion completed;Customer Data linked to GIS
Oct 2001 Begin Full training of staff in GIS
Begin looking at Outage Management Options
Nov 2001 Tie in SCADA to GIS system software
Dec 2001 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 April 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.
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Truckee Donner Power Supply Summary for 2001
February February Year to Date Year To Date
Budget Actual Budget Actual
Load
KW Demand 27,462 26,968 56,905 53,540
KW Scheduled Demand 28,000 23,000 58,000 48,000
KWH Energy 12,334,717 12,217,200 25,738,096 25,704,837
Power Supply Costs
Idaho Power- Demand $42,000 $34,500 $87,000 $72,000
Idaho Power- Energy $461,565 $450,012.92 $963,120 $955,257.76
Total Idaho Costs $503,565 $484,512.92 $1,050,120 $1,027,257.76
Transmission Costs
Sierra Pacific $58,958.00 $53,593.56 $117,916,00 $102,995.23
Scheduling Costs
NCPA $2,500.00 $2,500.00 $5,000.00 $5,000.00
Total Cost $565,023.10 $540,606.48 $1,173,035.57 $1,135,252.99
$/Mwh Average Cost 45.81 45.43 45.59 45.34
�2J
DONNER
Public Utility District
Staff Report
To: Board of Directors
From: Alan Harry, Director of Telecommunication Services
Subject: Response to memo regarding Roger Terneuzen's March 7'
letter to the District Board of Directors
Date: March 16, 2001
On March 7, 2001, the District Board of Directors received a letter from USA Media's
Roger Terneuzin regarding the state of broadband overbuilders in the United States.
Within his letter Mr. Terneuzin referenced our current litigation, and the conduct of our
legal counsel.
At the request of District General Counsel Steve Gross, District Special Counsel Michael
Vergera transmitted a letter to USA's counsel requesting a response to one of Mr.
Temeuzin's comments. That being the portion of the letter that reads: "Personally, I think it
is dreadful your representatives would ponder the loss of a colleague as a moment of
weakness or vulnerability."
Yesterday Mr. Vergera received a response to his letter from Megan Tootell, partner and
widow of USA's deceased counsel, Richard Harmon.
I have attached a copy of this letter for your review in which Ms. Tootell states that she is
aware that our counsel's relationship with her firm has been professional and cordial.
Again it would seem that Mr. Temeuzin has made unsubstantiated statements in order to
"stir the pot".
Both Steve Gross and I will be in attendance during your March 21 "closed session" to
answer any questions that you may have regarding this matter.
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-1 1 a 14 FM HARMON & 1TOOTELL FAX NO, 9252839898 N". 02
HARM ON & TOOTELL
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
OnC SAnsONE OT RCCT,QUITE Joao 3060 MT.0UeL0 SQULIKVARO,SUITC4549 dbo
LA/AVCTTC,CAurpe Nln O�s40
SAN PHnNLOCO,CALIFOONIA B4104
TELEPHONE:1 Od 91 2 N J-BB 9 9
TCLCPIIONE:(aISI 9s,. v1f
CAGLIMILC:('J25Y E83-aBiO
FACSIMILC:I416)8[41-A660
C.NAIE;Hryn1011'T00yll®pnfdlp/.nee
March 15, 2001
Via hacsimile & 1" Class Mail
Michael L. Vcrgara,Esq.
Somach, Simmons & Dunn
400 Capitol Mall, Suite 1900
Sacramctuo, CA 95814
Fax No.: (916) 446-8199
Re: USA Media Group, LLC v. Truckee-Donner Public Utility Dlstri(I
U.S.D.C. Case No. CTV. S-9 -2315 DFL JFM
Dear Mr. Vergara:
I am in receipt of your letter dated March 14, 2001, referring to a March 7, 2001, letter
written by Roger Temeu=n addressed to the TDPUD's Board of Directors. 1 understand that
you take objection to a portion of that letter that reads: "Personally,I think it is dreadful your
representatives would ponder the loss of a colleague as a moment of weakness or vulnerability"
Mr. Temeuien's letter was addressed to the Board of Directors so it is unclear to nnc that any
reference to you was intended. As you know,my husband and partner Richard D. Harmon died
in February and all of us are still quite upset about his death.
Joel has assured me that your relationship with our firm has been mutually cordial, and I
hope that we can continue the courtesy and cooperation of our professional relationship.
Sincerely yours,
11ARMON &TOOTELL
,4W yt.,
Megan Tootell
MThrtip
Agenda Item #
� Public Utility District
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Mary Chapman
Date: March 16, 2001
Subject: Staff Report
Customer Service:
The customer services staff is beginning to catch their breath from the billing conversion.
Unfortunately, we had to do the conversion at one of the busiest times of the year. Needless to
say, we have had to do a lot of catch-up work. The staff is working their way throught the
learning curve. We have found that there are areas that we need to work on to streamline their
efforts such as 1) Re-design of service orders and 2) A customer screen that has most of the
information on it that our staff needs in order to respond to customer questions. Right now, they
have to go to several screens to get the information; this slows them down considerably.
New Construction:
New construction activity has been slow but steady. This has allowed us to catch up on some
of the work that piled up during the conversion. We expect that the activity will pick up
considerably in the next month or so.
Accounting:
Accounts payable and payroll are current. We are still working on getting ready for the auditors.
They will be here a week from Monday. As soon as we are done with the auditors, we will
finalize the December financials; we will then work on preparing the financials for January,
February and March. There is still so much to do and not enough time.
Billing:
Billing is current. We love not having to stuff and mail the bills anymore. Actually, because of
all of the extra work we have had to do over the last four and one-half months (actually almost
two years) I don't know where we would have gotten the time to stuff and mail the bills. We are
still dealing with minor conversion problems. It always takes time to tweek a new system and
get everything right. Please, if I ever mention the idea of another conversion, someone should
shoot me. I can't tell you enough how great the staff has been as we have worked so hard to
get through this.
Insurance:
It is time to update our insurance records. Our renewal date is May 1, 2001. Two
representatives will be here from AON to present the renewal information on April 18, 2001.
Martis Valley Well:
In February, the Board authorized staff to make transfers from the water Facilities Fees funds to
the water department general fund as we paid bills relating to the construction of the Martis
Valley Well. Attached is a spreadsheet showing all of the bills that have been paid since that
authorization. At the same time we issue the check to pay the invoices, we do a journal entry to
transfer the funds.
Write-Offs:
Attached is the write-off list for accounts that were more than six months past due as of
12/31/00. 1 have also updated the Write-Off Analysis for the periods of 1990 — 2000. Mark
continues to work hard to follow the District's collection policies. He has been very successful at
keeping the write-off percentage very low.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE 2001 WRITE-OFFS
Accounts Six Months Old as of 12/31/00
�dw � � tDev Writ`A"ff a
5800360023 Boullon, Barry M - 64.55
6454860022 Anziano,Tony 17.40
5800950022 Busby, Daniel 9.85
5860250022 Buttrey, Mathew 12.53
5250210023 Cal Nevada Tire 569.53
5250230023 Company Store 1073.93
5821850022 Chidester, Mike 20.72
6015150022 Griffin, Stanley 324.97
3061560022 Heller,Adam 95.80
5841600022 Hinckley, Jack 386.31
5801000022 Locarnini,Alison 23.28
2042190022 Mauro, Michelle 96.72
4800660023 Miller, Ralph 204.63
5100610023 Mora, Jesus 29.78
4551040021 Morton, Kathy 77.69
7080380021 Reppond, Brandon L 47,79
5881920023 Rushing,Trina 47.23
5202040024 Schell,Alwin 10.41
4400460023 Seaborg, Nikki 160.17
2062170022 Smith,Jason 75.01
3100210023 Tye, Kurt 97.06
5101000023 Sanchez, Ricardo 135.42
3101060023 Wall,John 577.11
TOTAL 4157.89
TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
Write-Off Analysis 1990 -2000
Accounts closed in: 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
Write-off amount:
$ 3,356 3,939 (133) (345) (57) (48)
$ 3,125 3,873 (65) (465) (49) (169)
$ 4,079 4,601 (56) (110) (230) (64) (62)
$ 3,611 3,752 (64) (37) (40)
$ 4,931 5,102 (116) (55)
$ 5,380 5,750 (59) (69) (213) (29)
$ 7,338 7,946 (317) (24) (173) (84)
$ 3,816 4,080 (171) (61) (32)
$ 7,542 8,113 (420) (17) (22) (97) (15)
$ 3,036 3,711 (660)
See Note $17,592 18,279 (353) (150) (161) (22)
$ 1,622 1,806 (45) (139)
$ 3,867 3,766 304 (79) (72) (47)
$ 4,127 4,495 (121) (113)
$ 6,089 6,209 196 (33)
$ 2,041 2,132 (20)
$ 8,944 5,704 2,878
$ 6,266 6,567 (90)
$ 1,401 1,951
$ 4,317 4,659
Write-offs by year $3,939 $8,474 $8,600 $12,596 $11,444 $21,033 $4,160 $10,590 $7,263 $9,203 $6,440
Billings(in millions) $13.254 $12,367 $12.010 $12.271 $12.104 $11,449 $10.868 $10.491 $9.605 $8.991 $8.552
See Note
0.03% 0.07% 0.07% 0.10% 0.09% 0.18% 0.04% 0.10% 0.08% 0.10% 0.08%
Note: This write-off amount includes$9,733.37 for the Senior Citizens Center. The owner of the project declared bankruptcy. The write-off percentage would have
been.11%(.0011)without these accounts.
Recap: 2000
Write-offs for period $4,157.89
Less recoveries (801.49)
Net Bad Debts $3,356.40
(032000 Write Off Spreadsheet.xls)