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HomeMy WebLinkAbout022513 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING OF FEBRUARY 25, 2013.: CALL TO ORDER The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session the 25th day of February 2013 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David King called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Robert Gray, David King, Kris Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, Deborah Stinson, and Mark Welch. Staff members present were City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, and Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders. PUGET SOUND ENERGY AND PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT PRESENTATION ON ELECTRIC POWER TRANSITION TIMELINE Nina Odell (Director of the Jefferson Transition Team from Puget Sound Energy) introduced Doug Gantenbein (local Port Townsend resident heading up customer communications), Tim Caldwell (local PSE Manager), Gordy Falkner (PSE superintendent managing the transition), Chris Thompson (transition of non-hard assets). Ms. Odell gave a briefing on the background of PSE service to Jefferson County and on the PUD and PSE transaction and transition timeline. She talked about the transition planning and customer communications plans, including a Changing Hands Customer Guide to be mailed to customers. Ms. Odell reviewed the list of key issues on which they are working toward the final transition to the Jefferson County PUD No. 1 on March 31. Final billing statements would be sent March 10, new billing account numbers would be issued, the local PSE customer service office would close at the end of the day March 29, and the PUD has purchased the PSE Four Corners facility. She assured Council that they have been working with the PUD to ensure a smooth transition. Jim Parker, Manager of Jefferson County PUD No. 1, introduced PUD Commissioners Barney Burke, Wayne King, and consultant Don McDaniel. After recognizing the efforts of PSE to assist the PUD, he reviewed the history of the citizen initiative that brought about the transition. He noted that the PUD did not push the initiative, but did support making an effort to keep the same rates, programs and services. Continuing to obtain power from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), the PUD Board adopted the PSE rate structure (showing rate, base fee, and consumption fee) starting at Tier 2 and then moving to Tier 1. He noted that citizens should not see any increase in bills for the next six months until the PUD gets a better idea of their expenses. They will be offering a net metering service (credit for solar panel customers) and as many PSE programs as is possible. He also explained the USDA Rural Utilities Service City Council Workshop Meeting February 25, 2013 Page 1 of 2 (RUS) funding received for this project which eliminates the need to obtain bonds. Mr. Parker reviewed the current staffing, projects, and operations. He said the PUD will be able to have low income senior and low income disabled rates similar to the way they deal with water, the guidelines of which are written into RCWs. They will also have donation program where citizens can donate to lower income individuals. Unlike PSE, the PUD is restricted from gifting public funds. They hope to have payment drop boxes around the City and have all the same on-line services as PSE. He talked about collaboration with other jurisdictions and about the need to continue work with the City on a franchise. Mr. Parker and Ms. Odell then addressed questions from Council in the following categories: PSE programs and the future policy decisions establishing programs; UTC regulatory requirements; timing for the utility rate study; setting utility rates; Bonneville's rate structure/price adjuster; the PUD budget structure; the establishment of a citizen advisory board; conservation plan; and payment of Taylor Street undergrounding utility improvements. Mr. Parker indicated that the PUD would need to get a better idea of personnel expenses before establishing programs. As for future undergrounding of utilities, the franchise agreement might be able to cover this. When concern was expressed about the timing for the rate study, Mr. Parker indicated that they have not yet gone out to contract for the rate study. There were further Council questions about the following to which Mr. Parker and Ms. Odell responded. How many people have been hired, the status of mutual aid agreements, NoaNet bandwidth transition, Department of Emergency Management coordination, contracts with Potelco for storm outages, website infrastructure for customer usage records, rate structure, rates for new developments, the likelihood of continuation of weatherization and energy assistance programs, and grant assistance. Additional discussion occurred about the timing of the rate study. There was also some concern about the lack of a detailed business plan with multi-year projections. Barney Burke stated that the PUD Board will likely suggest collecting a year's worth of operating data before embarking on a rate study. ADJOURN Mayor King announced the City is scheduled to hold a Town Meeting on Monday, March 25 to report of City revenues and expenses. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:11 pm. Attest: 7 Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Workshop Meeting February 25, 2013 Page 2 of 2