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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Light and Power Committee 1984-03-010 0 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Light and Power Committee March 1,1984 Committee:Chairman Houston,Trustees Graves and Wood Attending:Chairman Houston,Trustee Wood Also Attending:Mayor Tregent,Town Administrator Hill,Light and Power Director Dekker,Finance Officer Duncan,Clerk Jensen Absent:Trustee Graves NCR CASH REGISTER PURCHASE: Finance Officer Duncan requested authorization to purchase an NCR Cash Register for the business office as budgeted for in the 1984 budget at a cost of $10,672.The cash register is really three pieces of equipment in one —a microcomputer,CRT terminal and cash register.The information programmed into the Cash Register during the day would be transferred to the new 9300 computer. The Committee recommends approval of the purchase.The Business Office will attempt to sell the old register. REQUEST TO HIRE TWO EMPLOYEES: Director Dekker requested authorization to hire two new employees for the Light and Power Department —a groundman and a lineman. Director Dekker stated he did not feel the department would have a difficult time finding a groundman as t.hey did have a lot of applications on file.However,he expressed concern about the Town’s ability to hire a lineman because the Town pays about 9% less than the average salary for surrounding municipalities and approximately 17%less than the average for private utility com panies.Director Dekker stated that the new groundman initially will work on the Elkhorn Avenue street light project.The Committee recommends approval of the request to hire the two new employees. DEMAND BILLING ADJUSTMENT: Director Dekker reported that he had checked with surrounding municipalities on demand billing adjustments for malfunctioning demand controllers.Longmont is the only community that has a demand billing rate that they are using consistently,with no set procedure for adjustments.Director Dekker requested permission to give a 20%reduction to customers who have malfunctioning equipment,provided they can supply a letter from the manufacturer stating that the unit was defective.The Committee recommends approval of the request. Director Dekker is working with Camp St.Malo on negotiating their past due amount. PARKING LOT NO.1 -ELECTRICAL OUTLETS: The Light and Power Committee reviewed the request from the Rocky Mountain Dulcimer Society asking the Town to install electrical outlets to Parking Lot No.1.Director Dekker stated that the cost to install six outlets on both the north and south ends of the lot would be $1,190.00.After a lengthy discussion,the Committee recommends the $1,190.00 capital expenditure be taken out of the General Fund,and that each group using Parking Lot No.1 be charged $120.00 to recapture the capital expenditure outlay. fl a RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Light and Power Committee -March 1,1984 -Page 2 SERVICE BUILDING STATUS: Director Dekker stated that because of landfill problems,it costs the Town approximately $10,000.00 per year to maintain the present Light and Power Department Shop.The Light and Power Department explored the possibility of moving the shop to another location,or building on another site.An appraisal of a parcel of land in the vicinity of the existing shop indicates $1.15 per square foot as a reasonable market value for that property.Two lots have been offered to the Town in that area —one just under one acre and one over an acre.Each is priced at $45,000 to $46,000.Cost to build would run close to $300,000.00,including land.Interest on the money would be approximately $27,000.00 per year,which would exceed the maintenance costs.Director Dekker stated that it would not be practical to buy property and put up a building at this time.The Committee recommends Director Dekker not pursue the land purchase at this time and the problems at the shop be corrected. RATES,RULES AND REGULATIONS REVIEW: Director Dekker stated the Town should be looking at revising our Rules and Regulations and implementing a hearing process. Director Dekker requested authorization to do some preliminary work on what would be involved in revising the regulations and get a cost estimate for the revision.The Committee recommends approval of the request. Director Dekker reported that Platte River Power Authority will probably be lowering its wholesale rates to municipalities in the near future,which would allow us to pass on a rate reduction to our customers. REPORTS: The Town is still waiting to hear from the National Park Service regarding replacement of the Fall River Hydro Plant.The appli cation to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to build a hydro plant at the Olympus Dam is about 80%complete and should be filed soon.If the Town is unable to rebuild the Fall River Plant,Director Dekker stated the Town should be considering some things that need to he done in our old system,such as installing a load control system,a power transformer at Mary’s Lake,sodium conversion on street lights,etc. The capacitor study is nearing completion and the capacitors will be in place this spring. The new street lights on East Elkhorn Avenue are being installed, at an approximate cost of $70,000.00. In a letter dated February 7,1984,the Western Area Power Administration reported they had reviewed the conservation programs submitted by Platte River Power Authority and each of its member cities.Estes Park met,and exceeded,the requirements of Western’s conservation program. The PCB testing is going well.The Town has sent 51 samples to National Electric Testing Laboratory and we will get a report back in the next few days. Billing complaints have dropped off now that people have a better understanding of demand rates. Disconnects for non—payment are up slightly.We are averaging approximately 50 per month. 0 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Light and Power Committee -March 1,1984 -Page 3 The Meter Readers are attending school at CSU.They receive technical information and are learning about energy diversion tactics. Platte River Power Authority is looking for a new manager now that Al Hamilton is going to retire.They hope to have someone by the middle of June.The dedication ceremony for Rawhide Power Plant is scheduled for June 23,1984.PRPA is having problems with Burlington Northern Railroad regarding high coal hauling charges. There being no further business,the meeting adjourned. Ann E.Jensen-7 Town Clerk/,/ I Of Thd.iEES e-..%_%,%e..t’t