MOUNTAIN PARKS ELECTRIC, INC.
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Granby, Colorado
September 14, 2023
8:00 A.M.
Attendance
Present: Liz McIntyre, Cray Healy, Mark Volt, Michael Sjobakken, Ryan Zorn, Justin Fosha, Ty Wattenberg, Virginia Harman, Adam Paulson, Angie Wallace, Emily Meek, Joe Palmer, Aaron Street, and Jodi King, attended in person. Attorney Levi Williamson attended via video conference. Scott Munn and Sara Marasso, with MA Studios, were present 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
There was no public comment.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda contained the following items:
Minutes of August 10, 2023 Meeting of Board of Directors
Minutes of August 25, 2023 Special 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.
Manager’s Report
Manager Harman presented the Manager’s Report. Harman reported on projects that she will be working on in September, including power supply and transmission, 2024 budget, 2024 legislative session, New Era grant opportunity, community projects, and the fiber transaction.
New Business
Long Range Facility Plan
Scott Munn and Sara Marasso presented a proposed Facilities Master Plan for MPEI.
Munn and Marasso left the meeting.
Sustainable Grand Update
Todd Budin, with Sustainable Grand, entered via video conference. Budin provided an update of Sustainable Grand’s programs.
Action Items
Mountain Parks Services, Inc. Annual Meeting Consent of Shareholder
Attorney Williamson presented a written consent of shareholder electing the current MPEI directors as directors of Mountain Parks Services, Inc.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve the consent as presented.
Middle Mile Project Status Update and Budget Request
Joe Palmer provided an overview and update of the MPEI fiber project. Construction is substantially complete. Palmer presented a budget analysis. MPEI has spent $7,438,044.94 of the total budgeted amount of $9,735,000.00. Staff estimates it will cost $402,000.00 to light the fiber.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to authorize staff to spend up to $402,000.00 to light MPEI’s fiber.
President McIntyre recessed the meeting at 9:50 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Operations and Engineering Report
Adam Paulson presented the Operations and Engineering Report. Supply chain issues are making it difficult to complete all-electric residential projects, but MPEI has been able to locate and purchase the transformers to keep the projects on track. There will be a planned outage the week after the September Board meeting.
Finance Report
Emily Meek presented the Finance Report. Meek reported that, as of July 2023, MPEI’s margins are approximately 58% 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 should be repaired September 25 and 26. Palmer reported on the cyber-attack on MGM.
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 August.
Member Relations and Communications Report
Aaron Street presented the Member Relations and Communications Report. Street reported that 157 people attended MPE’s member appreciation event. He also reported on the launch of MPE’s new logo, upcoming “Coffee with Your Co-op” events, and MPE’s refreshed website.
Board Open Forum and Associated Reports
Mark Volt reported on his attendance at the regular meeting of the Western United Electric Board of Directors. WUE is still experiencing long lead times on transformers.
Cray Healy reviewed the minutes of the regular meeting of the CREA Board of Directors.
Ryan Zorn reported on his attendance at the CFC financial workshop and RE+ conference.
Virginia Harman reported on her attendance at the regular meeting of the Tri-State Board of Directors.
Old Business
Upcoming Meetings
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to appoint Virginia Harman as MPE’s delegate to the NRECA Colorado meeting.
President McIntyre recessed the meeting at 11:24 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 11:36 a.m.
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to recess the meeting to hold a meeting of the Mountain Parks Services, Inc. Board of Directors.
President McIntyre reconvened the meeting at 12:22 p.m.
Executive Session
MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to go into executive session for confidential discussion regarding legislative outlook, the GM performance review process, power supply, and MPE Board governance, with the following in attendance: all directors present at the meeting, Manager Harman, and Attorney Williamson. Manager Harman left the meeting for a portion of executive session regarding her performance review. It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to exit executive session.
The Board did not take action while in executive session.
Emergency Business
No emergency business.