MOUNTAIN PARKS ELECTRIC, INC.

Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors

Granby, Colorado

September 10, 2020

8:00 A.M.

 

Attendance

Present: Scott Simmons, Jeff Hauck, Carl Trick, and Richard Zieff in person. Mark Volt, Liz McIntyre, Kristen Taddonio, Justin Fosha, Mark Johnston, Rich Trostel, Stacie Dellamano, Rob Taylor, Michelle Kloss and Levi Williamson via Zoom Meetings.

Call to Order

President Jeff Hauck called the meeting to order at 8:02 a.m.

Determination of Quorum

A quorum was declared.

Public Comment

Jacob Schlesinger and Dan Waymire entered the meeting to discuss Electrify Everything loan policies in regard to personal loan. Dan and Jacob exited the meeting at 8:19 a.m.

Minutes

The Board reviewed minutes from the August 10th meeting. Scott Simmons was present in the meeting so needed to be added to the minutes

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve the minutes as presented with the modification above.

Attorney Summary Fees Report

The Board reviewed Attorney Williamson’s summary fees report.   Attorney Williamson reported he would have updates in executive session.

Manager’s Report

The General Manager’s Report as prepared by Mark Johnston was reviewed. 

Discussion/Action Item A: NRECA Voting Delegate Ratification

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded and approved to ratify Richard Zieff as voting delegate with General Manager Johnston as his back up.

Discussion/Action Item B: Grand County Christian Academy Grant Request

Grand County Christian Academy requested money for chrome books for their teachers.

MOTION:  There was a motion to approve the money for chrome books but no second.

Discussion/Action Item C: East Grand School District Grant

East Grand School District requested money for new filters for their schools. It was mentioned that Mountain Parks Electric may want to reach out to the other school districts to see if they needed help with this as well as the early childcare providers.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve this request with Director Trick voting no.

Discussion/Action Item D: Electric Vehicle for Member Usage

General Manager Johnston discussed Temporary Loan agreement and test drive waiver and release. Mountain Parks Electric Board agreed that Mountain Parks Electric Staff could come up with a policy based on these agreements.

Discussion/Action Item E: Vegetation Management Plan

Manager Trostel discussed Mountain Parks Electric vegetation plan. Currently Mountain Parks Electric contracts with Asplundh for tree removal. Mountain Parks Electric is waiting for news from the state regarding grants available for wildfire mitigation.

Discussion/Action Item F: C-5 Rebate Program Policy

Rebate program policy was presented and reviewed by the board.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve this request and to make it public.

Discussion/Action Item G: C-6 Use of MPEI Community Room

Community room policy was presented and reviewed by the board.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve this request and to make it public.

Discussion/Action Item H: Scholarship Request for Past East Grand Student

Manager Trostel presented a scholarship application for Apprentice Scott Crawford. Trostel discussed costs associated with lineman school and potential for Crawford to apprentice again for Mountain Parks Electric once he is done with school. Mountain Parks Board of Directors discussed awarding a $7000 scholarship now, a $7000 scholarship when he accepts the apprenticeship position, and $7000 after his first year as an apprentice at Mountain Parks after completing his classroom work with satisfactory progress and good standing with the company.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to award these scholarship amounts.

Discussion/ Action Item I: Walden Level 3 Charger

Neither gas station in Walden is interested in housing the level three charger.  It was decided that more work needs to be done on this. We have at least six more months to use these funds.

Discussion/ Action Item J: CoBank Sharing Success Program

CO Bank sharing success program has upped their loan program to $10,000 with matching funds for non-profits.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to apply for $10,000.

Discussion/ Action Item K: Solar United Neighbors Colorado Request

Solar United Neighbors requested $2000 towards administrative costs for their cooperative. It was discussed that if Mountain Parks Electric awarded these funds they may have to consider doing so for any solar company. No motion was brought forward, Director McIntyre and Director Taddonio abstained due to conflict of interest.      

Engineering Report

The engineering report as prepared by Manager Scott Simmons was reviewed.  Simmons reported that bidding has ensued for fiber project. Material delivery will determine when the fiber project will get started. Simmons is hoping that phase one can get started early next summer.

Operations & Safety Report

The Operations and Safety Report as prepared by Manager Rich Trostel was reviewed.  Trostel reported a possible public contact. Investigation is ongoing. Trostel reported on the Williams Fork fire there are a few burns on some equipment.

Trostel reported no lost time accidents on the safety report.

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to approve the Safety Report as presented.

Finance Report

The Finance Report as prepared by Manager Stacie Dellamano was reviewed.  Dellamano reported continued loss in sales and also less power cost and overhead. Mountain Parks Electric is returning $1.7 million back to its’ members in capital credits. Dellamano reported over communicating billing date changes to Mountain Parks Members. Mountain Parks Electric is working on acquiring data through our meter data management system to be able to determine demand charges.

Information Technology Report

The Information Technology Report as prepared by Manager Joe Palmer was reviewed.  

Human Resources and Administration Report

The Human Resources and Administration Report as prepared by Manager Jessica Rahn was reviewed. Reviewing 2021 Budget for Employee Benefit and compensation plan.  There are no rate changes for Life Insurance or Long Term Disability.

Member Relations and Communications Report

The Member Relations and Communications Report as prepared by Manager Rob Taylor was reviewed. Taylor reported that there have been 42 application for Electrify Everything. Five contracts have been signed and four down payments have been received.

Bills for Payment

The Board reviewed the list of cash disbursements for August 2020.

Board Open Forum

Green Power: Director McIntyre reported that 2020 has been the largest year yet for Green power.  They have already processed 18 rebates.

Western United: Director Zieff reported meeting was held in Utah. Reported that sales were down.

Tri-State: Director Trick reported Tri-State is hoping to announce a rate reduction by the end of the year. Tri-State is also reporting that they are down 100 employees due to closures.

CREA: Director Hauck reported that there will be a webinar September 14th and to sign up through CREA.

Old Business

No Old Business Reported

New Business

Kinsa Thermometers have been distributed through the schools and will be reported to the board how they were distributed.

Executive Session

MOTION: It was properly moved, seconded, and carried to go into executive session for confidential discussion regarding personnel matters, Legal matters and confidential member information. All directors, Manager Rahn, General Manager Johnston and Attorney Williamson attended the executive session.  It was properly moved, seconded and carried to come out of executive session.

The meeting adjourned at 2:31 p.m.