MOUNTAIN PARKS ELECTRIC, INC.
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Granby, Colorado
January 11, 2024
8:00 A.M.
Attendance
Present: Liz McIntyre, Mark Volt, Ryan Zorn, Justin Fosha, Ty Wattenberg, Cray Healy, Michael Sjobakken, Virginia Harman, Adam Paulson, Angie Wallace, Emily Meek, Joe Palmer, Aaron Street, Susan Hunter, Jodi King, and Attorney Bryson Fredregill attended in person.
Call to Order
President Liz McIntyre called the meeting to order at 8:01 a.m.
Determination of Quorum
A quorum was declared.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to revise the Agenda by moving the scheduled executive session to follow consideration of the Consent Agenda and to add Ratification of Policy B-5 Budget & Monetary Asset Management for consideration under Old Business.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda contained the following items:
Minutes of December 14, 2023, Meeting of Board of Directors
Bills for Payment
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Attorney Report
Attorney Bryson Fredregill referred to his summary written report. He did not have anything else to report. There were no questions for Attorney Bryson Fredregill.
Director Mark Volt entered the meeting.
Manager’s Report
Manager Harman referred to her written report. Harman introduced Engineering Manager Sue Henderson. Harman and the board discussed the value of MPEI’s participation in the Western Power Players. There were no questions for Manager Harman.
Executive Session
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to go into executive session at 8:12 a.m. to discuss power supply, employee matters, and legal matters. All directors present at the meeting were present for the entire executive session. Manager Harman was present for the portions of such executive session where Power Supply and legal matters were discussed. Attorney Fredregill was present for the portions of such executive session where employee matters and legal matters were discussed. Emily Meek was present for the portion of such executive session where power supply was discussed.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to exit executive session.
Action Items
Policy D4
Virginia Harman presented proposed changes to policy D4. Discussion took place and the board proposed to further revise the presented policy so that participation of directors in the MPEI health insurance plan is at the participating director’s expense.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve Policy D4 with the additional revision. Ty Wattenberg voted against the motion.
RESP Documents
Attorney Bryson Fredregill presented the RESP letter of credit and loan documents. He also presented a Certificate of Resolutions and Incumbency for the Letter of Credit Agreement and a Secretary’s Certificate for the RESP loan documents. Fredregill answered questions.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to adopt each resolution as presented in the Certificate of Resolutions and Incumbency and Secretary’s Certificate.
New Business
Strategic Plan Update
Virginia Harman discussed the status of the Strategic Plan and progress that has been made. Harman provided updates on objectives related to power supply and long-term financial forecasting. All other objectives are fully on track.
Bylaw Changes
Attorney Bryson Fredregill discussed the process for amending MPEI Bylaws and potential revisions to Bylaw provisions providing for the determination of election winners. The board discussed options, including plurality, rank choice, and majority election mechanisms. Proposed revisions will be presented at the February Regular Meeting of the MPEI Board of Directors.
Tariff Content & Structure
Jodi King and Virginia Haman presented the proposed changes to the format of MPEI’s Tariffs. The board directed staff to proceed with the proposed re-formatting to be presented for approval at a future meeting.
Operations and Engineering Report
Adam Paulson presented the Operations and Engineering Report. Paulson reported on development of a pilot program that allows third party electricians to participate in the installation of MPEI conduit provided such electricians have received qualifying training from MPEI. He presented Tariff 305.01 and the proposed removal of Simple Service from the tariff. The board directed staff to provide the required notice of the proposed change to Tariff 305.01 and to present the revised tariff for approval at the February Regular Meeting of the MPEI Board of Directors.
Finance Report
Emily Meek presented the Finance Report. Meek reported that, as of November 2023, MPEI’s margins are approximately 24% below budget. Meek reported that material deliveries are currently unpredictable affecting some jobs. Radon mitigation will continue in the next month. Meek also updated the board on debt facility draws and new loan progress.
Cray Healy exited the meeting.
President McIntyre recessed the meeting at 11:30 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 12:10 p.m.
Information Technology (IT) Report
Joe Palmer presented the IT Report. Palmer reported that the fiber from Kremmling to Walden has been delayed due to delayed supply shipments.
Human Resources, Safety, and Administration Report
Angie Wallace presented the Human Resources and Administration Report. She provided an update on staffing and filling open positions. She presented the Safety Report. There were no lost time accidents in December.
Member Relations and Communications Report
Aaron Street presented the Member Relations and Communications Report. Street presented the Scholarship Program with a proposed three-category structure. Street reported that January is the first month for our newsletter, Plugged In. He reported that the 5th Quarter event had a good turnout and presented the Winter Survey and Member Comments results.
Board Open Forum, Association Reports, and Upcoming Events
Mark Volt reported that he will be attending the Western United board meeting on January 24 and will talk to them about supply chain issues.
Ty Wattenberg was approached about MPEI’s participation in a geothermal project grant. MPEI is not participating in such grant and declined to provide a letter of support for the applicants. Wattenberg reported that he had been asked if MPEI would attend the JOLT meeting. Wattenberg expressed an interest in MPEI attending the meeting.
Virginia Harman will be attending the NRECA Power Exchange in March. The board discussed the candidates for Colorado’s representative to NRECA.
Old Business
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to ratify Policy B5 as presented.
Emergency Business
No emergency business.
The meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m.