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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Light and Power Committee 1993-10-07(n RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Light and Power Committee October 7,1993 Committee:Trustees Hix and Dekker Attending:All Also Attending:Administrator Kiaphake,Light &Power Director Matzke,Clerk O’Connor Absent:None Trustee Hix called the meeting to order at 10:00 A.M. U.S.WEST REPORT ON CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM FOR ESTES PARK AREA. Phil Vasquez,Engineering Manager and Edie Ortega,District Operations Manager/U.S.West,appeared before the Committee at the request of the Public Works Committee to review the construction program for the Estes Park area.Mr.Vasquez presented fact sheets,as follows: Pending Service Requests: new service 36 additional service 28 regrade service 126 Of those requesting new service,32 will be completed by the end of the year.Mr.Vasquez confirmed that customers without service are given highest priority.Those requesting regrades of their service are multi—party customers requesting private lines. Completed Service Requests: new service 95 additional service 23 regrade service 36 Capital spending for 1993 and proposed for 1994 were also reviewed. Boundaries for the Estes Park area include oniy those customers with a 586-exchange.Engineering is now being performed to determine the construction required for the four remaining customers desiring service.Ms.Ortega stated that U.S.West recently installed a new switch in Estes Park;a major Service Improvement Plan is underway an integral part of which is the rural upgrades within the state;investments continue to be made in Estes Park;and the area geography provides a challenge for service installation.Regarding installation information provided to the customer,it is at times difficult to pin point a time-frame for installation.This situation is unacceptable both to the company and the customer,and U.S.West admittedly could improve in this area.Ed Heinz,Engineer/U.S.West confirmed that 1993 construction projects include Dry Gulch,Carriage Hills and miscellaneous small projects in the Estes Park exchange area.Mr. Heinz also reviewed proposed capital projects for 1994.Pertaining to growth,Ms.Ortega confirmed that growth throughout the country, not just in Estes Park,has far exceeded forecasts.The Committee expressed their appreciation to the U.S.West representatives and recommends U.S.West return March 10,1994 with a progress report. 1993 ELECTRIC RATE STUDY -PRESENTATION. N.E.Kiburz and Associates prepared said electric study for the purpose of updating the Town’s retail rates established in 1991 to incorporate PRPA’s wholesale rate change,and it is “revenue neutral.”The study recommends:(1)a decrease for the residential,small commercial and municipal energy rates;(2)a small increase in the winter season demand and energy charges for BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Light and Power Committee -October 7,1993 -Page 2 the residential demand rate;(3)significant reduction in the summer season demand charge;(4)for the large commercial rate —a slight increase in the energy charge and a decrease in the demand charge;and (5)elimination of the minimum demand ratchet for most large commercial customers,reserving the right to impose a 60% minimum demand charge by season for a customer that peaks only in a month coincident with PRPA’s seasonal peak load.Staff reported that Town Attorney White has not completed his review to ensure that the Outdoor Area Lighting Rate conforms to TABOR. Mr.Kiburz thoroughly reviewed the methodology utilized to prepare the rate study and subsequent rate classifications.The study confirmed that it is now appropriate to include weekends and certain holidays in the off peak period for the time of day rate. This category reflects a slight increase in the on—peak energy charge and a slight decrease in the off—peak energy charge for the residential time of day rate.A small increase in the on—peak energy charge is recommended for the large commercial time of day rate.The off-peak demand charge for both time of day rates would be eliminated.New rates include the Outdoor Area Lighting Rate, Residential Time of Day Energy Rate and a Small Commercial Time of Day Energy Rate.The Purchase Power Rider,which allows the Town to pass through wholesale rate changes to all rate classes,will now be based upon the PRPA rate in effect since April,1993.The amount of the purchase power rider will be zero until the wholesale rate from PRPA changes. The Committee recommends the rate changes included in the 1993 Electric Rate Study be forwarded to the Town Board for consideration at a public hearing on November 23,1993. PROSPECT MOUNTAIN LEASE AGREEMENT -PRESENTATION. Director Matzke presented the proposed lease agreement between the National Park Service and Robert and Nell Heron allowing the Town to construct and maintain its radio facilities on Prospect Mountain.The previous agreement,which expired at the end of 1992,included a 5—year term,covered an unspecified number of transmitters,and cost the Town $1,000/year.The proposed agreement lists the Towns existing facilities,calls for additional rent if the Town installs facilities in addition to those listed, the rent for the first year is $2,400 with annual increases indexed to the Denver CPI,and includes a 5—year term with an option to renew for two additional 5—year terms.The agreement provides the Town a long—term location to operate its radio equipment.The Police,Water and Fire Departments will pay $600.00/each and the remaining $600.00 will be divided among the balance of the Town departments.Staff confirmed that the lease would remain in force should the property be sold and that Town Attorney White has not completed his review to ensure the Agreement conforms to TABOR. The Committee recommends approval of the lease as presented. REPORTS. The Committee reviewed the August financial report and associated graphs. Project Updates.The Meter Department recently began a current transformer metering test program.A current transformer accurately passes a fraction of the customer’s total load through the electric meter.For this reason,a multiplier is applied to the meter readings at these locations to determine the actual consumption.The Department presently serves ±7,200 customers of which 103 have multipliers.The vast majority of these accounts are commercial customers.After testing five current transformer installations,Meter Department personnel discovered errors in the C C RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Light and Power Committee -October 7,1993 -Page 3 billing multiplier for three of those accounts.Two customers were being overbilled and one customer was being underbilled.The customers that were overbilled have received a refund and the remaining customer will not be “back billed.”These three multipliers have been corrected and the remaining 98 verified.Due to the recent amendment to the Open Records Law,identification of the three accounts was not provided.The testing program will continue. The hand-held meter reading equipment has been implemented.Meter Department personnel received three days of on—site training and the system was activated on Friday,October 1.Personnel efficiency should be realized in the Finance Department as the previous paper meter book system will be eliminated and meter reads will no longer be keyed-in by hand. The Prospect Mountain extension has been completed and additional dormitories have been connected at the Honda School. There being no further business,Trustee Hix adjourned the meeting at 11:28 A.M. Vickie O’Connor,CMC,Town Clerk Fe 0CT121993 f C I