HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Town Board Study Session 2023-07-11
July 11, 2023
5:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Board Room
4:45 p.m. Dinner
No public comment will be heard
This study session will be streamed live and available on the
Town YouTube page at www.estes.org/videos
5:00 p.m. Solar Policy Overview.
(AMI Coordinator Clark)
5:30 p.m. Proposition 123 Introduction – Affordable Housing. (Deputy Town Administrator Damweber, Director Garner & Housing
Authority Director Moulton)
6:15 p.m. Town Board Representative on the Housing Authority Board.
(Town Administrator Machalek)
6:35 p.m. Trustee & Administrator Comments & Questions.
6:40 p.m. Future Study Session Agenda Items.
(Board Discussion)
6:45 p.m. Adjourn for Town Board Meeting.
Informal discussion among Trustees concerning agenda items or other Town matters may occur before this
meeting at approximately 4:45 p.m.
AGENDA
TOWN BOARD
STUDY SESSION
POWER & COMMUNICATIONS Report
To: Honorable Mayor Koenig
Board of Trustees
Through: Town Administrator Machalek
From: Sarah Clark, AMI Coordinator
Joe Lockhart, Line Superintendent
Reuben Bergsten, Utilities Department Director
Date: July 3, 2023
RE: Solar Policy Overview
Purpose of Study Session Item:
Provide the Town Board (TB) with an overview of the Town’s Solar Policy and
operational procedures (i.e., Customer Generation Interconnection and Net Metering
Policy). This includes reviewing the current official information available to the public,
the interconnection process, net metering, and the results and impacts of customer
generation.
Town Board Direction Requested:
No direction needed
Present Situation:
Customers can interconnect privately owned, behind-the-meter solar and wind
generation and be credited for their excess generation.
Typically, the customer’s contractor submits an interconnection application for review
and approval before system installation. The review process ensures we have system
capacity and the necessary information for tracking and reporting on customer
generation. Customers who generate more energy from their system than they use from
the distribution grid on a monthly basis are credited for that energy on their utility bills.
Town staff utilizes smart grid data and analytics to assess proposed customer
generation systems and monitor the impacts on distribution system infrastructure.
Advantages:
In line with state law
Disadvantages:
N/A
Finance/Resource Impact:
There are some financial impacts from retail net metering resulting from crediting
customers at a higher rate than our wholesale electric costs. Some staff time is required
to review applications for new systems, while significant staff time is required for
processing monthly utility bills for net-metered customers.
Level of Public Interest
Public interest in this topic is moderate, with more interest from groups concerned with
sustainability and climate change.
Attachments:
1. Solar Policy Overview presentation
2. Customer solar installation quick facts
3. Net meter customer bill read tutorial
Solar Policy
Overview
Town Board Study Session – July 11, 2023
What this presentation isn’t
-the elephant in the room
Future/non-carbon
energy transition
planning
Policy development
System engineering or
analysis
1
2
ATTACHMENT 1
Current Framework - Policy
Customers are welcome to install and
interconnect private generation and storage
(solar/wind/batteries) i.e. we offer net-
metering but do not subsidize their purchase
Retail net-metered (1:1 kWh credit) for
excess generation calculated monthly (this
follows the State’s PUC regulation,
paragraph 3664. Net Metering)
Current Framework - Information
Town’s info sources
Solar Installation Quick Facts Sheet
Solar Power page on the Town website
Direct contact with staff – phone, email,
in-person
Outside info
Door-to-door/cold call sales
Installers
Web advertising/social media
3
4
Current Framework – System Install
Process:
Interconnection application,
review, and approval
Building and electrical permits
System installation and
electrical inspection
Post-installation P&C staff site
inspection
Utility account update
Interconnection agreement
finalized and customer given
permission to operate (turn their
system on)
Results/Impacts – Distribution Grid
System impact:
No (adverse) impact has
been observed at either the
transformer or feeder scale
Monitoring with Tantalus
Transformer Analytics
We have 214 customer
locations with systems
installed; nameplate
capacity 1,702 kW
(estimated)
5
6
Results/Impacts – Personnel
Staff impact:
Interconnection application review is manual
Automated integrations would be difficult since our
electric service area spans four separate building and
electrical permitting authorities (Town of Estes Park, CO
State; Larimer and Boulder Counties)
Net-meter monthly billing is hands-on and time
intensive
Dictated by system infrastructure, Town policy and
the current billing system’s constraints
Thank you!
Additional questions?
7
8
Solar Installation Quick Facts
For Estes Park Power & Communications (EPPC) Customers
Commercial and Residential
Solar Photovoltaic systems
A Solar Photovoltaic (PV) electric system can
provide clean energy with no fuel costs. These
systems convert sunlight directly into electricity,
saving money and energy. They are easy to
maintain and produce no noise or pollution. With
solar energy, a property owner can reduce electric
utility bills, increase the property's value, and
reduce the carbon footprint to help protect the
environment.
Evaluate and upgrade energy efficiency
Before considering a Solar PV electric system, it is
crucial to evaluate a building’s energy efficiency.
Maximizing energy efficiency first ensures that the
electricity produced by the Solar PV system is not
lost through leaky ductwork, inadequate insulation,
or an inefficient heating and cooling system. For
assistance with energy-efficiency upgrades, visit
efficiencyworks.org.
Determine system size
PV systems interconnected to the Estes Park
electric system are limited in size to 10 kW (DC) for
residential installations and 25 kW (DC) for
commercial installation – or a system capable of
producing up to 120% of the last 12 month’s
consumption – whichever is larger. For more
information and assistance, contact the EPPC AMI
Coordinator at solarpower@estes.org or 970-577-
3627.
Understand billing and credits
Net metering is the process of accounting for the
flow of electricity between a customer’s solar PV
system and the electric grid. The monthly electric
bill for a customer with a Solar PV or battery
system consists of the following:
1. (Always) A base Customer Charge that
offsets EPPC’s overhead cost of ensuring
electric service is available at all times, even
if there is no consumption from the grid.
This charge offset’s the utility’s costs,
including customer service, billing, and
meter reading.
2. (Sometimes) If more solar electricity is
produced than used by the building, the
excess is sent to the electric grid, and the
customer will receive a credit.
3. (Sometimes) If less solar electricity was
produced than used by the building, the
customer would be charged for the
electricity supplemented by the grid.
View electric rates at estes.org/electrictrates.
ATTACHMENT 2
Solar Installation Quick Facts
For Estes Park Power & Communications (EPPC) Customers
Commercial and Residential
Steps in the process of installing solar
1. The customer submits an Interconnection
Agreement application to EPPC to assess
the proposed system's impact. Solar
installation contractors can help customers
complete the application. Solar installers
must be licensed in the building’s jurisdiction.
2. The customer must receive building and
electrical permits for the Solar PV system.
Within Estes Park town limits:
estes.org/building
In unincorporated Larimer County:
larimer.gov/building
In Boulder County:
bouldercounty.org/property-and-
land/land-use/building
3. Once approved by EPPC and having
acquired permits, the customer can proceed
with the installation of the system.
4. The customer must have the installed
system approved by the appropriate
electrical inspector.
5. EPPC will inspect the system and work with
the customer to finalize the net metering
agreement.
6. EPPC will grant the customer permission to
operate the new system.
Funding options for customers
1. The Colorado Energy Office offers a
residential loan program. The RENU
program makes home energy upgrades
easy and affordable by offering low-cost,
long-term financing for energy efficiency
and renewable energy improvements. Learn
more at cocleanenergyfund.com/renu.
2. The Colorado Commercial Property
Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program
enables owners of eligible commercial and
industrial buildings to finance up to 100% of
energy efficiency, renewable energy, and
water conservation improvements. Learn
more at copace.com/.
3. Colorado Department of Local Affairs grants
funding for energy efficiency upgrades to
downtown businesses through the Main
Street: Open for Business program. Learn
more at cdola.colorado.gov/open-for-
business.
4. Search for incentives for renewables and
efficiency at dsireusa.org.
How to read your net metered electric bill
Meters
On your utility bill,you will see two meters listed for your electric service,the physical electric meter
that tracks the electricity delivered to you and received from your system and a BANK meter which
tracks accrued excess electricity generated by your system.Both are measured in kilowatt hours or kWh.
Reads current and previous
The electric meter readings Current Reading and Previous Reading shown on the bill are the net
reading,the difference between the power delivered to you and the power the utility received from
your system.
Usage
The usage is the difference between net reading on the current billing read date and the previous billing
read date.The usage shown may be positive,meaning that we delivered more power to you than we
received,or negative,meaning that we received more power than we delivered.
Excess generation BANK meter
The BANK meter is how we track excess energy production from one billing cycle to another through the
year.This means that,just as your electric usage is metered and billed on a monthly basis,the electricity
we receive from your solar system is also metered and credited on a monthly basis.If the system
cumulatively produces more power than the house uses over the billing period,the excess will show up
on the utility bill in kWh on that month's bill.Conversely,if you use more power over the course of a
billing period than your solar system produced,there will be no credit to show on your utility bill.
The amount of electricity that you receive credit for will likely not match the stated production of your
system’s monitoring device.Electricity is only sent back to the grid when your system is generating more
electricity than what your home or business is using at the time.If your home or business is using all of
the electricity your system is generating,there is nothing to send back to the grid.
Unfortunately,our billing system does not have a way to show all of the received power,only what is in
excess of delivered power on a monthly basis.
ATTACHMENT 3
How to read your net metered electric bill
The BANK meter will continue to accrue kWh for as long as the system continues to produce more
power than is delivered.Once you begin to use more power than your system produces,your BANK will
begin to be charged for that usage at a one to one kWh rate.Once the BANK is drawn back down to 0,
you will be charged for usage at your regular kWh rate.
Bill calculations
Your electric utility bill is comprised of a number of different charges.Each charge is based on your
electric rate and service location.
Customer charge The is the base fee charged to all electric customers,regardless of usage,and is
determined by your electric rate.The customer charge is intended to ensure that all customers are
equitably contributing to the operations and maintenance costs of the electric utility,regardless of
electric usage.
Usage This is the calculated retail cost per kWh;it is determined by your electric rate.
Wholesale Power Cost This is the calculated wholesale cost per kWh;it is determined annually by
Platte River Power Authority and is set across all of the electric rates.
Where applicable,there are also city and state taxes and water utility charges.
Only electric usage is off set by the accrued kWh tracked by the BANK meter.The customer charge,and
applicable city and state taxes,and water charges will still be charged on your monthly utility bill.
How to read your net metered electric bill
Smart net meters
Where possible,we’ve installed smart meters for net metered customers.The smart meter itself tracks
delivered and received power,but at this time we do not have a way to share that data with customers.
Here are some examples of monthly net smart meter reads from services with solar systems.The blue
bars show delivered power,the green bars show received power,and the gray center bar shows the
daily net.
Smaller systems winter:
Smaller systems summer:
Larger systems winter:
Large systems summer:
EPHA and ToEP Staff
July 11, 2023
Proposition 123 Overview
Overview
State Affordable Housing Fund
$151.8M FY22-23
$311M FY23-24
Affordable Housing
Support Fund
DOH
($124.4M/40%)
Affordable Housing
Support Fund
OEDIT/CHFA
($186.6M/60%)
●At the general election in 2022, voters approved proposition
123, which created new affordable housing programs funded
with income tax revenue that the state is permitted to retain
and spend as a voter-approved revenue change.
●Opt in is REQUIRED before funds may be applied
for.
Decision Points &
Deadlines
●Local jurisdictions must establish an
affordable housing baseline
○Cumulative over 3-year period, meaning
9% total for 3-year period
○Qualify at time of permitting
●Commit to increase baseline of affordable
housing by 3% each year
○Cumulative 9% by December 31, 2026
●Local jurisdictions must establish a Fast
Track Development Approval process
○90-day review period for affordable
housing projects.
○NOT REQUIRED until 11/1/2026 funding
period
○Capacity building funds available.
Decision Points &
Deadlines continued
●Deadlines for municipalities and counties:
○Initial commitment 11/1/2023
■Subsequent 3-year cycle also
by November 1st
■Window open 5/1/2023
■Funds available 7/1/2023
●Required first to develop baseline of
affordable housing:
○American Community Survey (ASC)
○Comprehensive Housing
Affordability Strategy (CHAS)
○DOH method -last resort
Affordable Housing
Baseline
●Required first to develop baseline of
affordable housing:
○American Community Survey (ASC)
○Comprehensive Housing
Affordability Strategy (CHAS)
○DOH method -last resort
●TOEP and EPHA have requested
technical assistance.
Establish
Baseline
AMI Decision /
Petition
Submit
Commitment
Additional AMI
information if
Required
●Baseline Options
○ACS
■Baseline = 514
■3-year commitment estimate = 47
■Annulalized commitment estimate
= 16
○Neighboring Jurisdiction
■Baseline = 535
■3-year commitment estimate = 49
■Annulalized commitment estimate
= 17
●Strong local tool to ease burden of
developing attainable housing options.
●Feasible for Community Development
as part of the code rewrite
●Not a large change from current
standard approval timelines of 3-4
months.
Fast Track Process
Development
●Discussion and Questions:
○Does the Town Board
desire to opt into
participation in Prop 123?
○Questions?
○Concerns?
Discussion,
Questions, and
Direction
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S
OFFICE
Report
To: Honorable Mayor Koenig
Board of Trustees
From: Town Administrator Machalek
Date: July 11, 2023
RE: Town Board Representative on the Housing Authority Board
Purpose of Study Session Item:
Consider options for Town Board representation on the Estes Park Housing Authority
(EPHA) Board of Commissioners.
Town Board Direction Requested:
Staff requests Town Board direction on which representation option(s) the Board would
like to consider for action.
Present Situation:
Under state statute, the Board of Trustees sets the membership and terms of the EPHA
Board of Commissioners. The Town Board approved the expansion of the EPHA Board
of Commissioners to seven (7) members in 2022. Since that time, the Town Board has
indicated a desire to evaluate options for Town Board representation on the Housing
Authority Board of Commissioners. EPHA is currently working to fill one vacancy on its
Board of Commissioners.
Proposal
There are at least three representation options that the Town Board may consider:
•Appoint a member of the Town Board as a Liaison to the EPHA Board of
Commissioners. The duties of a Board Liaison are detailed in Policy Governance
Policy 1.7 (attached). An example of this type of representation is the Town
Board’s Liaison appointment to the Sister Cities organization.
•Appoint a member of the Town Board as an EPHA Commissioner. Examples of
this type of representation include the Town Board’s appointments to the Board
of Visit Estes Park, the Estes Park Economic Development Corporation, and the
Colorado Association of Ski Towns (CAST).
•No change. Cooperative efforts with EPHA would continue through current and
future intergovernmental agreements, with regular reporting and communication.
Finance/Resource Impact:
N/A
Level of Public Interest
Low
Attachments
• Policy Governance Policy 1.7
20
POLICY TYPE: GOVERNANCE PROCESS
POLICY 1.7 POLICY TITLE: BOARD LIAISON ROLES
REV 4/15/ 15
Trustees may serve as the official liaison of the Board to Town committees. The Board of
Trustees may appoint an individual Trustee to serve as the official liaison to other community
groups.
1.7.1 Appointment - The Mayor may nominate trustees to serve as a Board Liaison. The Mayor
shall present the nomination of any such appointments to the Board for approval at a
regular town board meeting. The Mayor will make every effort to distribute special
assignments equitably among the members of the Board.
1.7.2 Term – A Trustee shall serve as the Town Board Liaison solely at the pleasure of the
Town Board, with no specific term limit.
1.7.3 Duties of a Liaison
1.7.3.1 Communicate with the committee when Board of Trustees communication is
needed and to serve as the primary two-way communication channel
between the Town Board and the committee or community group.
1.7.3.2 Review applications, interview candidates and make recommendations to the
Town Board for final approval.
1.7.3.3 Serve as the primary Trustees’ contact for the committee or community
group.
1.7.3.4 Attend assigned committee or community group meetings when requested or
whenever appropriate, in the opinion of the Trustee liaison. Trustee liaisons
are not expected to attend every meeting of the committee or group.
1.7.3.5 The liaison is not a member of the committee and when in attendance at a
meeting is there as an observer for the Board of Trustees and a resource for
the committee. Participation in board discussions should be minimal and
restricted to clarification of Town Board positions or collection of information
to bring back to the full Town Board.
ATTACHMENT 1
July 25, 2023
•Development Potential on Town-Owned
Properties (Dry Gulch and Stanley
Avenue)
August 8, 2023
•Efficiency Works Programs Overview
•FEMA Flood Map Update
August 22, 2023
•Planning Fee Schedule
September 12, 2023
•Distributed Energy Resources Strategy
Overview
November 14, 2023
•Distributed Energy Resources
Integration Planning
Items Approved – Unscheduled:
•Bed & Breakfast Code Update
•Governing Policies Updates
•Stanley Park Master Plan
Implementation
•Downtown Loop Updates as Necessary
•Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
(SWEEP)
Items for Town Board Consideration:
•Visit Estes Park Operating Plan
Future Town Board Study Session Agenda Items
July 11, 2023