MOUNTAIN PARKS ELECTRIC, INC.

Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors

Kremmling, Colorado

October 10, 2024

8:00 A.M.

Attendance

Present: Liz McIntyre, Ty Wattenberg, Mark Volt, Cray Healy, Justin Fosha, Ryan Zorn, Mike Sjobakken, Virginia Harman, Angie Wallace, Aaron Street, Sue Henderson, Emily Meek, Jodi King, and Attorney Levi Williamson attended in person. Joe Palmer and Adam Paulson were not present.

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

Andy Radzavich, Middle Park Medical Foundation, presented an update on the Wellness Center in Kremmling.

CONSENT AGENDA

The Consent Agenda contained the following items:

Minutes of September 12, 2024, Meeting of the Board of Directors

Minutes of September 23, 2024, Special Meeting of the Board of Directors

Bills for Payment

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve the Consent Agenda as discussed.

Operations Report

Virginia Harman answered questions about the Operations Report. Sue Henderson mentioned that Grand County is no longer in the red zone for wildfire activity and that MPEI will be leaving the system on “one shot” due to the dry conditions.

Engineering Report

Sue Henderson presented the Engineering Report. Henderson highlighted a meeting with the Town of Winter Park to discuss future planning. The NITSA and NOAA agreements have been signed without a system impact study. Henderson further reported that MPE continues to work with WAPA on agreements. In addition, the recent pre-bid Department of Homeland Security projects meeting was well attended.

Finance Report

Emily Meek presented the Finance Report. Meek reported the budget continues to track favorably and that total labor costs are on budget. Meek continued to report that the capital budget is on track and cash position is strong and remains steady.

Information Technology (IT) Report

Two IT training videos were presented.

Human Resources, Safety, and Administration Report

Angie Wallace referred to her written report.

Member Relations and Communications Report

Aaron Street presented the Member Relations and Communications Report. Street reported on community attendance and member engagement at the Coffee with Your Co-op events and that the final two events are coming up. Street also reported on the success of the 5th Quarter event in Kremmling. An MPE quick facts card was shared with the Board and staff members.

Attorney Report

Attorney Levi Williamson referred to his written report.

Manager’s Report

Manager Harman referred to her written report. Harman reported that she will be continuing to  focus on Power Supply and budget.

Action Items

Establish Annual Meeting Date & Location

Aaron Street presented the Annual Meeting dates and location. Discussion took place.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to establish April 26, 2025, as the Annual Meeting date at Middle Park High School.

New Business

Guzman Energy Visit Follow Up

President McIntyre presented the Guzman Energy visit follow up. Discussion took place.

Mike Sjobakken joined the meeting.

Proposed 2025 Rate Increase

Emily Meek introduced Ben Bratrud, Power System Engineering (PSE). Ben presented the Cost-of-Service Study on the proposed 2025 rate increase to the board and answered questions. Discussion took place.

Ben Bratrud exited the meeting.

President McIntyre recessed the meeting at 9:39 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:53 a.m.

2025 Budget

Emily Meek presented the proposed 2025 operation and maintenance budget and the capital budget. Discussion took place.

Action Items

CTP Loan Authorization

Virginia Harman presented the CTP Loan Authorization authorizing Virginia Harman and Emily Meek to sign loan documents with CoBank. Discussion took place.     

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to authorize Virginia Harman and Emily Meek to proceed with CTP loan authorization and execution of documents with CoBank.

RS Plan Resolution

Virginia Harman presented the RS Plan Resolution. Discussion took place and recommendations were made. The resolution was revised to not allow single cash payouts. 

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve the RS Plan Resolution as revised.

Wheeling Tariff

The Wheeling tariff was tabled until the November board meeting.

Policy B-3 Financial Management

Emily Meek presented revised Policy B-3 and discussed changes required to meet bank covenants. Discussion took place. The policy was further revised. 

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve Policy B-3 as amended.

New Business

President McIntyre recessed the meeting at 11:56 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 12:03 p.m.

Board Evaluations

President McIntyre introduced Mitch Majeski, Peak Solutions. Mitch presented the Board Evaluations. Discussion took place.

Mitch Majeski exited the meeting.

President McIntyre recessed the meeting at 12:21 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 12:46 p.m.

Executive Session

MOTION:  It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to go into Executive Session regarding power supply, employee matters, and legal matters. All directors were present for the entirety of the executive session. Viriginia Harman and Attorney Levi Williamson were present for all of the executive session except for employee matters. Sue Henderson and Emily Meek were present for a portion of the executive session regarding power supply.  Attorneys Chris Bohling and Lauren Perkins were present by video conference for a portion of the power supply discussion.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to exit executive session.

The Board reviewed a resolution approving the Withdrawal Agreement and related transaction documents related to MPE’s withdrawal from Tri-State. 

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve the resolution as presented.  Director Wattenberg voted no. 

Board Open Forum, Committee Reports, Association Reports, and Upcoming Events

No committee meetings took place.

No committee meetings were scheduled.

Old Business

At the special meeting of the Board of Directors held on September 23, 2024, the Board approved a resolution approving the execution of a contract for the purchase and sale of facilities from Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association, Inc. 

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to ratify the action taken at the September 23, 2024, meeting of the Board of Directors, authorizing execution of the purchase and sale agreement with Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association, Inc.

Mountain Park Services

No business.

Virginia Harman and attorney Levi Williamson left the meeting. 

Executive Session

MOTION:  It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to go into Executive Session regarding personnel matters. All directors were present for the entirety of the executive session.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to exit executive session.

No action was taken after executive session.

The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.

The meeting was reconvened at 3:20 p.m. with Liz McIntyre, Mark Volt, Mike Sjobakken, Ryan Zorn, and Cray Healy present.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to select Virginia Harman as the NRECA delegate.

The meeting adjourned at 3:23 p.m.