MOUNTAIN PARKS ELECTRIC, INC.
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Granby, Colorado
June 11, 2020
8:00 A.M.
Attendance
Present: Jeff Hauck, Carl Trick, Richard Zieff, and Mark Johnston in person. Mark Volt, Liz McIntyre, Kristen Taddonio, Justin Fosha, Scott Simmons, Rich Trostel, Stacie Dellamano, Rob Taylor, Jessica Rahn, Joe Palmer, Bethany Fichter, Michelle Kloss and Levi Williamson via Zoom Meetings.
Call to Order
President Jeff Hauck called the meeting to order at 8:01 a.m.
Determination of Quorum
A quorum was declared.
Public Comment
General Manager Johnston stated that there were no requests from the public to speak and that if the public would like to comment that there would be instructions on how to leave public comments on our website.
Minutes
The Board reviewed minutes from the May 14, 2020 meeting. Director Taddonio asked that it be noted that FERC was misspelled and Director McIntyre corrected Dr. Selenke’s name.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve the minutes as presented with the modifications above.
Attorney Summary Fees Report
The Board reviewed Attorney Williamson’s summary fees report. Attorney Williamson reported that he will work with Manager Dellamano regarding budget prior to next budget cycle for more accurate estimations. Attorney Williamson reported that in general legal work for Coop’s is up this year around the state.
Manager’s Report
The General Manager’s Report as prepared by Mark Johnston was reviewed. Johnston reported that Mountain Parks Electric’s Virtual Town Hall will start today at 4 p.m. and would be streamed on YouTube.com. He also reported that Mountain Parks Electric will be postponing the Solar Care’s project due to financials from the land owner and not having the ability to be put on the County Board agenda in time for the special use permit to be able to break ground in 2020. Staff will continue working on getting the permits and will plan on going forward in 2021. Johnston discussed staff working along with Attorney Williamson on requirements for members to be able to check out Mountain Parks Electric’s Tesla. It was discussed that there would be a check out process and certain times that the Tesla would be located at our satellite offices. Mountain Parks Electric is still looking at Safety Coordinator Candidates as our current Safety Coordinator is retiring in July.
Staff is still working on RESP documents for loan calculations and will be spending cushion of credit towards higher interest loan payments to free up dollars for signing the RUS document to stay under debt limit.
Solar United Neighbors approached board members as well as Johnston regarding a group buy of solar in Grand and Jackson Counties. This program will work with electrify everything funding and are available to sign people up who want solar in a group package to drive down costs and help people get a good solar program. They would like Mountain Parks Electric to partner with them.
Wireless Research Center would like to partner with Mountain Parks Electric on our Fiber Background project.
Wind storm in Winter Park caused several trees not in the right of way upcoming possible legislation could expand right of way.
Discussion/Action Item A: B-17 Information and Cyber Security Policy
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve this policy as is.
Discussion/Action Item B: Walden Level 3 Charger
Proposed installing a level 3 charger at Mountain Parks Electric in Walden. There is a possibility of receiving a grant from the state in the amount of $35,000 to help with the cost. Proposal by Director McIntyre to have staff work on the grant with McIntyre’s help as the grant proposal is due Monday June 15.
Engineering Report
The engineering report as prepared by Simmons was reviewed.
Operations & Safety Report
The Operations and Safety Report as prepared by Trostel was reviewed. Trostel reported that the McKenzie Transformer isn’t firing correctly and may end up needing to be replaced.
Trostel reported no lost time accidents on the safety report. There was one near miss due to mis-communication. Trostel has been implementing weekly safety meetings through Zoom which has helped with cohesion between the outposts and the Granby groups.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve the Safety Report as presented.
Finance Report
The Finance Report as prepared by Dellamano was reviewed. Dellamano presented that our Finances look good. Mountain Parks Electric has decided not to do a PPP loan but may consider other programs available through the Cares Act Program. Dellamano also reported that the lobby is still closed to the public, however is working towards bringing staff back at full capacity.
Information Technology Report
The Information Technology Report as prepared by Joe Palmer was reviewed. Palmer reported metering issues and working with the system engineer to look at the equipment to make adjustments and recalculations as metering is less reliable than Mountain Parks Electric would like it. Palmer is also working on compliance requirements in regards to HIPAA.
Human Resources and Administration Report
The Human Resources and Administration Report as prepared by Jessica Rahn was reviewed. Rahn reported that Mountain Parks Electric doesn’t have a Military time off policy and presented three options with option C being her recommendation. Board agreed that option C was the best option giving 40 hours annually of Military PTO with the option of using regular PTO for any additional time off.
Member Relations and Communications Report
The Member Relations and Communications Report as prepared by Rob Taylor was reviewed. Taylor reported that we have 22 people that have signed up for Time of Use rates. The Virtual Town Hall is set to air at 4:00 p.m. starting with a power point slide show with the actual presentation starting at 4:05 p.m. The Virtual Town Hall was advertised throughout social media as well as all of the local newspapers.
Bills for Payment
The Board reviewed the list of cash disbursements for May 2020.
Board Open Forum
Director Zieff reported that Western United had a virtual meeting and reports having record months. Western United is expanding their yards in Colorado so they can have more things available.
Director Trick reported that Tri-State has cancelled their annual meeting. Trick also reported on a large transformer made in China that showed evidence of being tampered with when examined. The contract committee will have one more meeting after COVID. IT was also reported that Tri-State had a 6% revenue reduction that was offset by reduced operating expenses.
Board discussed the duty of Mountain Parks Electric to disclose if a COVID case happens within its’ staff. General Manager Johnston stated that we are quarantining employees if there has been known potential exposure to COVID for 14 days of until negative test results are received. If there is a COVID case within staff Rocky Mountain Catastrophe would be hired to disinfect the building. Mountain Parks is paying staff for their time to go get tested if there has been exposure.
Director McIntyre reported that since Solar Cares has been postponed until next year Green Power will have more time to figure out the details to work together on this.
Director Taddonio asked if the board would consider aligning the Board Agenda with the strategic plan. General Manager Johnston reported that staff would be presenting strategic plan proposal to board in July at which time board and staff could discuss alignment of agenda.
Department of Energy Organization REAP allows for electric cooperatives to apply for grants for solar to receive up to $500,000 if accepted however they don’t award until the summer which would be too late for our proposed solar project since the plan is to break ground before summer and they don’t honor projects that have already been started.
Director Hauck reported that CREA will shorten their annual meeting. Hauck will look into available classes for directors.
Old Business
Thermometers have been dispersed and Mountain Parks Electric purchased extra for board members and employees to purchase. There are approximately 12 left to sell at $20 each.
New Business
No new business reported
Executive Session
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to go into executive session for confidential discussion regarding FERC, Fiber Network, Request regarding Winter Park Property and legal advice regarding ongoing litigation matter with the following in attendance: All directors present at the meeting, Mark Johnston, Jessica Rahn, Rich Trostel, Joe Palmer, Stacie Dellamano, Scott Simmons, Michelle Kloss and Attorney Williamson. It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to come out of executive session.