MOUNTAIN PARKS ELECTRIC, INC.
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Granby, Colorado
October 12, 2023
8:00 A.M.
Attendance
Present: Liz McIntyre, Mark Volt, Michael Sjobakken, Ryan Zorn, Justin Fosha, Ty Wattenberg, Virginia Harman, Adam Paulson, Angie Wallace, Emily Meek, Joe Palmer, Aaron Street, Jodi King, and Attorney Levi Williamson attended in person.
Call to Order
President Liz McIntyre called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
Determination of Quorum
A quorum was declared.
Public Comment
Daniela Gosselova, Granby resident, addressed the board regarding her concerns about work done by MPEI on her property. She is not satisfied with how MPEI restored the vegetation.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda contained the following items:
Minutes of September 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
The Board reviewed the Attorney Summary Fees Report as prepared by Attorney Levi Williamson. There were no questions for Attorney Levi Williamson.
Manager’s Report
Manager Harman referred to her written report. Harman did not have anything else to report. There were no questions for Manager Harman.
Board Open Forum and Association Reports
Mark Volt reported that WUE is still experiencing long lead times on transformers.
There was no meeting for the CREA Board of Directors.
Virginia Harman, Liz McIntyre, and Ryan Zorn plan on attending the CREA Energy Innovation Summit October 28 – 30, 2023.
Justin Fosha reported on attending the 5th Quarter at MPHS sponsored by MPEI.
Action Items
2023 CARE program funding
The Board reviewed and approved funding the 2023 CARE program at the February 2023 MPEI Board meeting. This expenditure was not included in the 2023 budget. Manager Harman recommended fulfilling the 2023 commitment out of unclaimed capital credits and approving the same payment in 2024.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve payment of the 2023 CARE program from unclaimed capital credits.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve payment to CARE in 2024 in the same amount as 2023, contingent on CARE reporting to MPEI how funds are spent, and contingent on CARE receiving matching funds.
2024 Annual Meeting date, time, location
Aaron Street presented to the board optional date and location options for the 2024 Annual meeting.
Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Middle Park High School Auditorium
Saturday, May 11, 2024 at the Middle Park High School Gymnasium
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to conduct the 2024 Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Middle Park High School Auditorium.
New Business
Compensation Study Report
The Compensation Study report was presented by Ingrid Skrehart with Employer’s Council via teleconference. She discussed the process of strategic review, job matching, data analysis, and structure evaluation to come to a recommended compensation plan moving forward for the co-op. Discussion ensued amongst board and staff members. Skrehart left the meeting.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to go into executive session for legal advice regarding confidentiality of cooperative information with the following present: all directors and staff present at the meeting and attorney Williamson.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to exit executive session.
The Board did not take action while in executive session.
President McIntyre recessed the meeting at 10:10 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 10:24 a.m.
2024 Operating Budget
Emily Meek presented the draft 2024 Operating Budget and discussed best practices, key assumptions and approaches used to formulate the budget. All managers were involved in developing the budget. Additional questions from the board should be sent to President Liz McIntyre prior to next month’s meeting. No action was taken.
2024 Capital Budget
Emily Meek presented the draft 2024 Capital Budget for facilities, parking lot, fleet and infrastructure. Additional questions from the board should be sent to President Liz McIntyre prior to next month’s meeting. No action was taken at this time.
President McIntyre recessed the meeting at 12:12 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 12:37 p.m.
2024 Capital Budget Continued
Emily Meek and Adam Paulson presented the draft construction work plan budget for 2024.
Cost of Service Study
Emily Meek reported that the Cost of Service Study will be presented at next month’s Board meeting.
Electrify Everything
Virginia Harman presented changes to the Electrify Everything program. The board discussed these changes with staff.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve changes in the Electrify Everything program as presented and to suspend the Electrify Everything program until staff determines it should be renewed.
Operations and Engineering Report
Adam Paulson presented the Operations and Engineering Report. MPE has agreed to allow Grand County Sheriff’s Department to place 15 cameras on MPE poles from Winter Park to Kremmling. Employees have been working hard to get as many projects done as possible before winter hits. MPEI will hire a mowing contractor to clear some right-of-way on MPEI’s double circuit line in the Fraser Valley in October.
Finance Report
Emily Meek presented the Finance Report. Meek reported that, as of August 2023, MPEI’s margins are approximately 63% off budget. Most of the difference is in revenue and cost of power. Meek reviewed MPEI’s key financial ratios.
Information Technology (IT) Report
Joe Palmer presented the IT Report. Palmer reported that the San Toy Tower was repaired September 25 and 26. There is a delay in the installation of the two-way repeater at Bull Mountain due to delayed delivery of needed parts to complete the job. Palmer reported on a cyber event that happened at a previous MPEI provider. Palmer is monitoring this event.
Human Resources, Safety, and Administration Report
Angie Wallace presented the Human Resources and Administration Report. She reported on the progress of filling open positions. She invited the directors to the October all-employee meeting. There were no lost time accidents in September.
Member Relations and Communications Report
Aaron Street presented the Member Relations and Communications Report. Street reported that Summer Survey Results are available for review. He also shared upcoming Coffee with Your Co-Op events. General Manager Harman pointed out the upcoming donation request deadline of October 19, to remind anyone to put requests in prior to that date.
Old Business
There was no old business to discuss.
Executive Session
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to go into executive session for confidential discussion regarding member energy usage, power supply update, fiber update, New Era update, employee matters, and member comments. All directors present at the meeting and attorney Williamson were present for the entire executive session. Virginia Harman was present except during a portion of the session regarding employee matters. Joe Palmer was present for the discussion regarding member usage.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to exit executive session.
The Board did not take action during executive session.
Emergency Business
No emergency business.