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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Light and Power Committee 1999-11-18Th RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ILight and Power Committee November 18,1999 Committee:Chairman Hix,Trustees Barker and Jeffrey Attending:Chairman Hix,Trustee Jeffrey Absent:Trustee Barker Also Attending:Town Administrator Widmer,Light and Power Director Matzke,Deputy Town Clerk van Deutekom Chairman Hix called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Light &Power Revenue Bonds Parameters Ordinance —Request Approval Finance Officer Vavra reported that over the past several months the Town has been in the process of preparing to sell revenue bonds to fund approximately $3 million for the relocation of theJ...akEstes Substation and other projects.The 15-year revenue bonds have annual maturities;and preliminary assessment by Standard &Poor’s rating analyst indicated a bond rating in the A range.Finance Officer Vavra stated that the Parameters Ordinance will set a maximum interest rate (6%)that the Town will pay and is necessary to proceed with the sale of the bonds in December. Diane Barrett,Holme Roberts &Owen stated that the Town Board is the governing body of the Enterprise Fund and she explained the draft ordinance presented.The Committee recommends approval of Parameters Ordinance as presented.Finance Officer Vavra confirmed that following completion of the rating process and review by the bond insurer and marketing underwriter,the finalized Ordinance will be presented at the November 23rd Town Board meeting.The Town anticipates marketing the bonds the week of December 6th and presenting a supplemental resolution at the December 14th Town Board meeting with the final details of the bond issue. 1999 Automatic Meter Reading Report Gary O’Connor,Sr.Meter Specialist presented the 1999 Automatic Meter and Off-site Meter Reading report.O’Connor reported that there are no negative aspects to the new system thus far and the time saved in meter reading has been significant.Additional benefits include safety, customer privacy,staff size/stability,accuracy,tamper detection,and cost effectiveness. Chairman Hix expressed the Committee’s appreciation for the presentation and commended staff for their efforts. Kiowa Ridge Underground Request Director Matzke reported that the Light and Power Department has an existing three phase overhead power line 200’west of the Highway 7 right-of-way that passes through the proposed Kiowa Ridge Subdivision.The developer has proposed a three way cost sharing agreement between the Light and Power Department,the developer,and the Estes Valley Land Trust to place a portion of the line underground.The estimated cost to remove approximately 1900’of three phase overhead power line and replace the line underground along the streets of the new subdivision is $66,000.The Light and Power Department portion would not exceed $22,000 This expense would probably not occur until summer 2000.This is a non-budgeted expense, but the 2000 budget could be supplemented to include this item.This project presents an opportunity to bury an existing major overhead line adjacent to a scenic highway and a primary gateway to Estes Park.The Committee recommends funding of one third of the undergrounding project for an amount not to exceed $22,000,subject to equal participation by the developer and the Estes Valley Land Trust.Additionally,this action should not be interpreted as a precedent for all future development.Future requests would be BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Light and Power Committee,November 18,1999 —Page 2 submitted to the Town Board for consideration on their own merits.Financial participation by groups such as the Estes Valley Land Trust would play an important role in determining the Town’s participation. 1999 Christmas Decorations Stanley Village Christmas Lighting Request —The developer withdrew the request.No Committee action taken. Twinkle Light Maintenance —Director Matzke reported that starting with the 1995-96 season,the twinkle lights in the downtown area were left on from January 1st through February 14th,but the lights were not maintained at the Town Board’s request.By February,many of the trees were no longer lit and the numerous light strings were falling to the ground.When the Christmas decoration installation contract was bid,a line item was requested for maintaining the twinkle lights after January The 1999 budget for Christmas decorations is $65,000.TA Enterprises was awarded the contract and they bid $900 for maintenance costs during the above mentioned period.The Committee recommends that the Christmas Decoration installation contract with TA Enterprises be amended to $42,100 to include $900 for twinkle light maintenance costs as described above. Rocky Mountain National Park Right-of-Way Permit Agreement —Request Approval. Continued to the December meeting. Rocky Mountain National Park Trenching Agreement —Request Approval. Director Matzke reported that the Town recently signed a modification to the Utility Construction Contract with Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).This modification includes improvements to the McGraw Ranch and service to the Sprague Lake Campground area at a cost not to exceed $214,000.This work will require installation of approximately 1,600’of primary trench and conduit (including 560’of horizontal boring)in the McGraw Ranch cabin area and approximately 6,000’of primary trench and conduit (including 225’of horizontal boring)from Glacier Basin Campground to Sprague Lake Campground.After requesting bids from three contractors,the Light and Power Department negotiated a bid of $131,754 with Aztec Cable and Communications to install the primary trench and conduit as described.This is a non- budgeted expense that will be fully reimbursed by RMNP as provided by the recently modified Utility Contract.If necessary,the 1999 Light and Power Capital budget can be supplemented to provide funding for this project.The Committee recommends that the trenching contract for Sprague Lake Campground and McGraw Ranch be awarded to Aztec Cable and Communications at a cost not to exceed $131,754 that will be reimbursed by RMNP. REPORTS Platte River Power Authority (PRPA)Report:Director Matzke reported that the gas pipeline routing study was approved and easements are being acquired for the pipeline.A public hearing was held for the proposed 2000 budget that is scheduled for approval in December. Two additional wind turbines were budgeted for 2000 and Estes Park has requested one quarter of the output from one of the wind turbines.Estes Park will offer wind power as an energy option to its customers in 100-kWh blocks.The cost will be $2.50 per block/per month and is in addition to the amount of the standard electric bill. Financial Report:The October income statements and graphs were reviewed. 0 0 BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Light and Power Committee,November 18,1999 —Page 3 Joint Use Pole Audit —Final Report:Director Matzke presented a summary of the joint use pole audit that included pole rental billing,clearance problems,and maintenance needed.A total of 5,519 joint use poles were identified.U.S.West utilizes 1,867 poles and Cable TV utilizes 2,915.This represents a billing decrease for U.S.West and increase for Cable TV.The net decrease in billing for the Town is approximately $600 per year.The total cost of the audit was $45,531.75. Project Updates:None There being no further business,Chairman Hix adjourned the meeting at 9:15 a.m. Rebecca van Deutekom,Deputy Town Clerk APPROVED [NOV 23 1999 j TOWN OF ESTES PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES