MOUNTAIN PARKS ELECTRIC, INC.

Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors

Granby, Colorado

December 10th , 2020

8:00 A.M.

 

Attendance

Present: Scott Simmons, Jeff Hauck, Carl Trick, Richard Zieff, Mark Volt, Liz McIntyre, Kristen Taddonio, Justin Fosha, Mark Johnston, Stacie Dellamano, Rob Taylor, Jessica Rahn, Michelle Kloss and Levi Williamson via Zoom Meetings.

Call to Order

President Jeff Hauck called the meeting to order at 8:02 a.m.

Determination of Quorum

A quorum was declared.

Public Comment

There was no public comment.

Minutes

Minutes were reviewed by the board, it was discussed that Rich Trostel was not present at the board meeting and that Mark presented the safety report. Clarification also requested for FERC filings context in that the concern was if the contract termination payment wasn’t used.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve the minutes with above amendment   

Attorney Summary Fees Report

The Board reviewed Attorney Williamson’s summary fees report.   There were no questions or comments for open session.

Manager’s Report

General Manager Johnston reported that Mountain Parks Electric thrived this year coming through the fire in good shape and credits this to Mountain Parks Electric Staff and Board.

Discussion has ensued regarding Mountain Parks Electric’s annual meeting. Since it is unlikely that there will be a possibility of having an in person meeting, Manager Taylor has set up a drive in meeting at the Kremmling Fairgrounds where we will be able to do breakfast and in person voting at a low cost by broadcasting through a local radio network.

Johnston reported that he participated in the Tri-State CEO call where they reported margins are up and they have approved releasing capital credits. Tri-State is also working on possible rate reduction.

Mountain Parks Electric is still interviewing for the Safety Coordinator position and hopes to have someone hired in the next several weeks as well as for the Warehouse Inventory Control Manager and starting the interview process for Operations Manager.

Mountain Parks is continuing with COVID protocols in place. Limiting exposure to members and not likely to open front office until restrictions lessen.

Johnston is expecting a letter of interest from a fiber partner by the end of the month and reported that Mountain Parks Electric is going forward regardless.

Johnston is expecting to see something back regarding the lease for Community Solar in the next couple of weeks. The town of Fraser is looking to do a solar project as well and may want to piggy back with us with the contractor.

The second settlement session is schedule for February 22nd for FERC.

Employee assistance fund is available for anyone affected by the fire whose primary residence is in Grand County.  CREA also has an employee assistance fund available with requests due by the end of the year.  This fund may also be able to help members.

Johnston also reported meeting with Federated regarding the insurance coverage during the fire. Anything not in the substation or building is not covered. Mountain Parks Electric is filing anyway regardless to be able to qualify for FEMA coverage. Johnston is looking at other agencies to see if Mountain Parks can get better coverage in addition to or in lieu of Federated to see if more things can get covered.

It was also requested to table item G, H, I, and J until the next board meeting.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to table these items until January.

Discussion/Action Item A: Ethics and Government Class

Director McIntyre presented that this class went over roles that directors play, record management, fraud detection, criminal conduct. Discussed directors all taking this class or developing this type of class for 2021.

Discussion/Action Item B: D-1 Directors Duties and Standards of Conduct 

D-1 presented with suggested redlines

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded and carried to approved D-1 as presented

Discussion/Action Item C:  D-2 Functions and Duties of the Board of Directors

D-2 presented to the board with options regarding drug and alcohol policy. Discussion ensued recommending striking section C.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded and carried to approve this policy with the above recommendation as well as correcting manufacturer to manufacturers in section III.

Discussion/Action Item D: D-3 Conflicts of Interest

It was discussed that Section III needed revision regarding officials recusing themselves.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded and carried to table this item until January.

Discussion/Action Item E: D-4 Directors Attendance at Meetings

Directors discussed increasing president’s pay to $750 for a full day and $375 for a half day of work. Discussed how virtual meeting should be handled for non-Mountain Parks meetings. Directors decided that they should be pre-approved by President prior to attending trainings as well as report to other board members classes that they have taken. Per Diem sheets need to be filled out by director and signed either digitally or hard copy by both requesting director and president. 

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded and carried to table this item until January for revision.

Discussion/ Action Item F. 990 Tax Form Discussion for Public Posting on Website

Staff has no objections to posting this.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded and carried to approve this being posted on the website.

Discussion/ Action Item K: DOE Grant

Taddonio and Taylor will look at this again. Due date is coming up soon.

Discussion/ Action Item L: Tariff Section 204.11

Directors requested that the pricing documents are able to be accessed through email or mailed to members when requested through a button on our website.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded and carried to approve this policy as presented.

Engineering Report

The engineering report as prepared by Manager Scott Simmons was reviewed.  Simmons reported that they are still working on fire restoration based on priority.

Mountain Parks Electric has a signed contract for fiber backbone.  Phase II will be requested soon after. Need to wait to get CDOT permits once the weather is better. Manager Simmons will provide board maps of fiber project.

Operations & Safety Report

The Operations and Safety Report presented by Johnston. Johnston reported that line crews and fleet are being overseen by Simmons Metering group has been moved to IT.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve the Safety Report as presented.

Finance Report

Manager Dellamano reported staffing issues due to COVID and thanked Kathi Crawford for stepping in and helping out. Reported that due to billing cycle changes comparisons will be changing. There is still some catch up billing due to the fires as well as some uncertainty on approximately 60 meters. Mountain Parks Electric received FFCRA funds in the amount of $117,000.

Charitable Trust met and dispersed $10,000 to Grand Foundation, $5000 of which to wildfire and $5000 to COVID efforts.  $5000 to Mountain Family Center and $3000 to each school district.

Information Technology Report

The Information Technology Report as prepared by Manager Joe Palmer was reviewed.  Manager Palmer posted solar portal stats link in chat.  Reported that metering is still having issues finding places that don’t have service due to the fire.

Human Resources and Administration Report

The Human Resources and Administration Report as prepared by Manager Rahn was reviewed. Rahn will discuss telecommunication policy and retention and recruitment in January.

Member Relations and Communications Report

The Member Relations and Communications Report as prepared by Manager Taylor was reviewed. Taylor reported that the west grand electric bus has been assembled and should be delivered in December or January.

Tri-State has discontinued their scholarship program for 2022.

Bills for Payment

The Board reviewed the list of cash disbursements for November 2020.

Board Open Forum

Green Power: Director McIntyre reported members may request more than one rebate due to the fires.

Western United: Director Zieff reported things are still going well and next meeting will be the end of January.

Tri-State: Director Trick reported Tri-State is closing all of its coal plants to coordinate with renewables. Six cooperatives expressed interest in partial requirements.  Tri-State is no longer going to pay our member fees at Basin, we will have to pay these ourselves. La Plata is having conversations with Tri-State about providing renewable power for them. An executive summary is being worked on for filings.

CREA: Director Hauck reposted on wildfire mitigation meeting that had been held. Three legislatures looking at creating a bill patterned after Utah’s. There will be a full board meeting Monday to discuss legislation to see if cooperatives want to move forward with supporting this legislation. Need 2/3 vote to approve.

Tri-State Special Membership meeting. Director Zieff reported that it appeared as though decisions were made prior to the meeting. Zieff recommends to Tri-State that more discussion should happen prior to vote.

Old Business

No Old Business Reported

New Business

Director Taddonio requested Thank you’s be sent from the board to cooperatives that sent mutual aid to Mountain Parks Electric during the Fire.

Executive Session

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to go into executive session for confidential discussion regarding personnel matters and Legal matters. All directors except Director Fosha, General Manager Johnston and Attorney Williamson attended the executive session.  It was properly moved, seconded and carried to come out of executive session.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to authorize General Manager Johnston to engage in the Tri-State CTP FERC docket settlement proceedings and to authorize Johnston to take a position in those proceedings on behalf of MPEI. Director Carl Trick abstained from the vote. 

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to hold the 2021 MPEI Annual Members Meeting on June 12 at the Kremmling Fairgrounds. 

 

Meeting adjourned at 3:29 p.m.