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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Light and Power Committee 1983-03-03C BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.,DENVER R E C 0 R D 0 F P R 0 C E E D I N G S ‘Light and Power Committee March 3,1983 Committee:Chairperson Houston,Trustees Graves and Wood Attending:All Also Attending:Mayor Tregent,Town Administrator Hill,Light and Power Director Dekker,Finance Officer Duncan,Town Attorney White CABLE TELEVISION: In a letter dated January 12,1983,Mr.Jack Yeckel of Foothills Communications requested a cable TV permit to build within the Town of Estes Park.Town Attorney Greg White stated that it is his opinion that the Town should review an application if submitted by Foothills Communication for a second proposed system for the Town.Attorney White referred to his letter dated February 23, 1983,where he states that in a recent Supreme Court decision, municipal corporations do not have blanket immunity from any anti trust suits filed against a municipal corporation,and the denial of the right to file an application to Foothills Communications would subject the Town to a possible lawsuit based upon a violation of the Sherman Anti-trust Act in that the Town restricted competition. Attorney White stated that we should follow the same procedure as with the Estes Park Cable TV application,and if a permit is issued,it cannot contain any competitive advantage to the new applicant.A lengthy discussion followed.Town Attorney White advised that it may not be in the best interest of Estes Park to have two competing cable television systems,but in making those kinds of findings,the Town would need to have an expert in the cablevision field advise them.He also stated that the Town insurance does not cover anti—trust lawsuits.The Committee recommends that the Town Attorney and Town Staff begin the application review process with Mr.Yeckel’s attorney. In a letter dated February 2,1983,Mr.Wayne Unze,President of Estes Park Cable TV Company,requested a reduction in pole rental rates from the current $4.00 per pole/per year to $1.90 per pole/ per year.Director Dekker stated that the bill sent to Estes Park Cable TV in January has not been paid.This covers the period from January through June,1983.Director Dekker also suggested that the pole rate remain as it is pending the outcome of House Bill 1218 concerning pole rentals.The Committee recommends the pole rental rate remain at $4.00 per pole/per year. NEW BASE STATION: Director Dekker requested a new base station be put up on Prospect Mountain using solid-state circuitry.The present station is ten- years old,uses tubes,and is hard to maintain.When the power goes out,we lose contact with our people in the field.The base station could be brought down here where it would be more easily accessible for maintenance and the Town would then have two good base stations.The approximate cost is $2,200.00.Director Dekker stated that if the other departments would share the cost,(with the Fire and Police Departments sharing one—quarter),it would cost each department approximately $500.00.The Committee recommends that the new base station be installed and the other departments share in the cost of installation. GLEN HAVEN FIRE DEPARTMENT RADIO FREQUENCY: The Glen Haven Volunteer Fire Department was given our old radio receivers for receiving fire calls.They would like a letter from 0 0 BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.,DENVER R E C 0 R D 0 F P R 0 C E E D I N G S The Light and Power Committee -March 3,1983 -Page 2 the Town stating that we don’t object to their using that radio frequency.It is still Glen Haven’s responsibility to go through the State and Federal Agencies to get their licenses.The Committee recommends that the Town send a letter to Glen Haven stating that we have no objection to their using our old radio frequency if and when the Town has a new frequency and no longer is on the old frequency. REQUEST TO REPLACE METER READER VEHICLE: Director Dekker requested an opportunity to get bids on a new meter reader vehicle.The policy has been to replace these vehicles after five years of service and the present vehicle is six years old.The Committee recommends that the Light and Power Department take bids on a new meter reading vehicle. LIGHT AND POWER CUSTOMER DEPOSITS: Finance Officer Duncan reported that the last customer deposit increase was in January,1981.He also stated that the finance office is having problems relative to the residential electric accounts and if we leave the deposit structure as it is,we will be facing a larger percentage of bad debts.Director Dekker stated that if we do not increase the deposit more than the three—month estimated usage,we do not have to file with the P.U.C.A lengthy discussion followed.The Committee recommends that the electric deposits be increased on new accounts as follows: Residential Service $75.00 Deposit All—Electric Residential Service $185.00 Deposit REQUEST TO REVIEW MUNICIPAL BUILDING EMERGENCY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Director Dekker reported that we have had problems with breakers tripping in the municipal building because of the extra equipment that has been added in the building.Director Dekker requested that Kohler be called in to review our emergency electrical system to see if we need a larger generator or if we can do some changing out.The approximate cost is $500.00 for the review.The Committee recommends approval of this request. REPORTS: The half—ton truck came in last week.The old truck went to Stanley Park. The Cascade Dam and Hydro Plant study is underway.Director Dekker gave a brief overview on the project and stated that the approximate costs associated with replacement would be somewhere between $1.5 and $1.7 million. Director Dekker reported on the local regulation legislation which has been to several of the House Committees.It has been referred to the House Finance Committee to see if it will have any adverse effect on the State finances,and it will go to the House floor from there,and on to the Senate.The energy diversion legislation has not received any opposition and it should pass. The street lights in Beaver Point have all been installed except those needing Highway Department approval. The pole audit has turned into a long,drawn out process because of several interruptions. The capacitor study is underway. 0 0 BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.,DENVER R E C 0 R D 0 F P R 0 C E E D I N G S Light and Power Committee -March 3,1983 -Page 3 The Platte River Power Authority Series H Bonds closing will be in New York on the 24th of March,1983.The Series H refunding will save Platte River approximately $42 million.Rawhide Power Plant is still on schedule and it should be going full steam in April,1984. There being no further business,the meeting adjourned. Ann E.Jens ,Town Clerk APPROVEW MAR 8 1983 S Tu;4 u ESffS PARK OF Ti3TEES —