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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09/10/2001 SPECIAL MEETING UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE PA WORKS*. AND CABLE TV ACCESS COMMITTEE Port Angeles, Washington September 10, 2001 I. Call to Order: Chairman Reed called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. II. Roll Call: Members Present: Chairman Reed, Larry Williams, Mayor Doyle, Orville Campbell, Allen Bentley Members Absent: None Staff Present: Michael Quirm, Craig Knutson, Yvonne Ziomkowski, Tim Smith, Becky Upton, Ken Ridout, Scott McLain, Gary Kenworthy, Doyle McGinley, Larry Dunbar, Steve Sperr, Bob Kajfasz, Cate Rinehart Others Present: Richard Li ~ Metropolitan Communications Consultant Ole Langaard - Carlson Group Angie Sanchez - Economic and Engineering Services Doug Harrison - Clallam PUD Bob Jensen- Capacity Provisioning/Angeles Communications Dennis Bragg Jim Haguewood Karen Rogers Penny Thornton Lois Danks III. Approval of Minutes: Chairman Reed asked if there were any changes or additions to the agenda. Chairman Reed asked if there were any additions or corrections to the meeting minutes of August 13, 2001. None were given. Councilman Williams moved to approve the minutes. Mayor Doyle seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. IV. Discussion Items: A. Cable Television and Telecommunications Needs and Interests Report Larry Dunbar, Power Resources Manager, gave a brief background before introducing Richard Li of Metropolitan Communications Consultants. Mr. Li advised that according to the public survey the cable operator was substantially in compliance and the quality was reasonable. Adverse remarks included UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE September 10, 2001 programming, rates and customer relations. It was explained that the cable operator had requested the City expedite the renewal of its franchise prior to completion of an upgrade of their cable television network. A discussion followed with concerns expressed regarding a fast track compromise and the possibility of hidden costs being passed on to the customer. Chairman Reed requested the opinion of PA Works! and the Cable TV Access Committee. Both committees supported the staff recommendation. Mayor Doyle moved to recommend the City Council accept the Cable Television and Telecommunications Needs and Interests Report, and authorize staff to request a formal proposal from the cable operator to reasonably meet future cable-related needs and interests as identified in the report. Allen Bentley seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. B. Fiber Optic Project Status Report $ Larry Dunbar, Power Resoumes Manager, advised the City had received interest from Qwest, Northland Cable, Capacity Provisioning and the Clallam County PUD with twenty-two priority sites. Mr. Li added that the fiber design was 65% complete but a postponement until November was suggested to allow time for proposals to reach the City. A short discussion followed with staff advising another special joint meeting would be scheduled for November 13th. Allen Bentley moved to recommend that City Council delay the fiber optic pilot project schedule to allow additional time to prepare and negotiate proposals. Councilman Campbell seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. C. Electric Rate Increases Scott McLain, Deputy Director of Power Systems, explained the 46% raise in wholesale power rates included increased taxes due to higher rates, labor cost increases and capital expenditures. Angie Sanchez of Economic and Engineering Services was introduced and gave an detailed presentation of the revenue requirements and rate design. Yvorme Ziomkowski, Finance Director, reviewed information on the low income senior and low income disabled discounts. A brief discussion followed. Mayor Doyle moved to advise Council to leave the discounts as they stand. Allen Bentley seconded the motion. Craig Knutson, City Attorney advised the committee to include the finding as part of the rate presentation at the next Council meeting. Chairman Reed directed staff to do so. Councilman Campbell moved to recommend to City Council utilization of the rate stabilization fund to set rate increases to all customer classes, except Industrial Transmission, that average 19.5%, and that the Industrial Transmission Customer's rate reflect the actual wholesale power costs plus the existing charge. Councilman Williams seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. D. High Zone Reservoir and PUD Intertie Costs Gary Kenworthy, Deputy Director of Engineering, pointed out the water system high zone which also supplies the PUD is deficient in current and projected storage capacity. A new 2.5 million gallon reservoir and intertie pipeline is proposed with a cost share of 69% to the City and 31% to the PUD. The reservoir 2 UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE September 10, 2001 is planned to be located near Ennis Creek at the same elevation as the Mill Creek reservoir. There was a brief discussion. Councilman Campbell moved to direct staff to continue discussions with the PUD and return to the UAC with a draft inter local agreement for cost sharing in property acquisitions, design, and construction of the new high zone reservoir, intertie pipeline, and appurtenant facilities. Mayor Doyle seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. E. Pilot Testing of Water Source Filtration Options Steve Sperr, Utility Engineer reviewed the GWI status summary, progress, evaluation of filtration alternatives, and cost estimates. Pall's Septra CB, a cartridge filtration process, has been chosen to be tested for a year. A discussion followed. Councilman Campbell moved to recommend that City Council concur with CIt2M Hill and the Public Works and Utilities staff's decision to pilot test the Septra CB filtration process in order to determine if it is the best municipal facility to be installed if the Elwha dams are not removed. An additional recommendation was made to allow the Public Works and Utilities Director to negotiate with the Department of Health a Pilot Testing Protocal that may or may not include testing of membrane filtration in addition to the Septra CB. Mayor Doyle seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. F. MagnaDrive Proposal, Sewer Pump Station No. 4 Doyle McGinley, Superintendent of Water/Wastewater Collection, advised that in an effort to reduce electrical consumption, maintenance and repair costs staff was investigating potential savings by converting power couplings. An energy analysis from Bonneville Power Administration is pending. Mr. McGinley indicated that a more in depth report would be given at a later date. There was a brief discussion. No action taken. Information only. G. Amendment to Purchase of Conservation Agreement Larry Dunbar, Power Resources Manager, disclosed that BPA had offered the City an amendment which would include a revision for record keeping and the addition of a commercial and industrial program. This program could provide commercial and industrial customers incentives for measures in addition to lighting projects. Customers seeking this incentive would prepare a project proposal to be submitted to BPA. A brief discussion followed. Allen Bentley moved to recommend City Council accept revision 1 of project 1 and the addition of project 2 under the Purchase of Conservation Agreement with the Bonneville Power Administration. Councilman Williams seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. H. Compact Fluorescent Lamp Coupon Agreement Amendment Larry Dunbar, Power Resources Manager, conveyed that BPA had offered the City an expansion to the 3 UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE September 10, 2001 compact fluorescent agreement to include torchiere floor lamps. A $15 coupon is planned to be inserted into the November utility bills redeemable through December 31st. A brief discussion followed with the note that these lamps significantly reduce fire hazard risk. Councilman Williams moved to recommend City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the amendment to the ENERGY STAR Labeled Compact Fluorescent Lamp Coupon Agreement. Allen Bentley seconded, which carried unanimously. L Community Conservation Challenge/ENERGYSTAR Brand Awareness Lan-y Dunbar, Power Resources Manager, explained BPA is sponsoring a program called the Community Conservation Challenge. Customers sign and return a pledge card which obligates them to save energy. Cards are entered into a contest with the chance to win an energy-efficient hybrid car. Mr. Dunbar also pointed out the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance was sponsoring an ENERGY STAR brand awareness campaign to increase consumer awareness of the savings benefitted by purchasing qualified products. There was a short discussion. No action taken. Information only. V.. Late Items: Morse Creek Update Scott McLain, Deputy Director of Power Systems, gave a brief overview which included information on the hydraulic permit, that changes in the lease have not been received, and the analysis on the sale was in progress. No action taken. Information only. VII. Ne~ct Meeting: The next meeting will be held October 8, 2001 at 3:00 p.m VIII. ~ldjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Cate Rinehart, Administrative Assistant 4