Public Utility Commission

BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSIONERS The regular meeting of the CITY OF FARMINGTON BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSIONERS was held Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 3:00 p.m., in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall, 800 Municipal Dr., Farmington, New Mexico, in full conformity with the laws and ordinances of the Municipality. I. GENERAL 1. Commission members present: Amanda Weese James Spence Keith Johns Bill Standley Tory Larsen Vic Eicker Carol Cloer Marty Johnson Chris Hunter Jeff Parkes Commission members absent: Bill Hall City personnel present: W aterlW astewater Operations Ron Rosen PUC Secretary Amy McKinley Administrative Services Director Andy Mason Utility Business Operations Susan Nipper Customer Service Nicki Parks Electric Transmission & Distribution Rodney Romero Electric Generation Jim McNicol Electric Engineering John Armenta Legal Jay Burnham Mayor Tommy Roberts Guests: Resident Gary Rollstin 2. Chairman Weese called the meeting to order with a quorum present to conduct the business of the Commission. 3. Minutes of the August 14,2013 meeting were approved as circulated. II. BUSINESS 1. WaterlW astewater Report: Mr. Rosen offered Mr. Smaka's report as Mr. Smaka was in the field inspecting damage which occurred due to the heavy rains. Mr. Rosen reported that Apache Street was being re-paved. Mr. Rosen stated that a new water line was being installed on Court and Knollcrest. Mr. Rosen stated that initial approval has been received for the $10 million grant money from the State of New Mexico for the modifications at the wastewater treatment plant. Mr. Rosen stated the next phase of the upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant includes an upgrade to a different type of disinfection system and a second treatment unit. Mr. Rosen stated that presently the plant operates on approximately 40% of flow through an old treatment process and the remaining 60% on the new treatment process. Mr. Rosen stated the new treatment process is coming to the end of its life-cycle and will need to be taken out and serviced. Mr. Rosen stated that plan is to have the new facility up and running prior to having the new treatment process taken out and serviced. - 1­ 2. Water/Wastewater Operations Report: Mr. Rosen reported that water lake levels have been maintained at approximately 95%. Mr. Rosen stated the wastewater treatment plants remain the same. Mr. Rosen reported on the levels of TDS that exceed the state levels. 3. Major Status Report: Mr. Armenta reported on ongoing Distribution, Transmission and Substation asked if the cost of the BHPlPraxair project is paid for by Armenta stated that the location is there for Praxair's use but BHP is responsible for the cost of this project. Commissioner Johns asked if the Praxair station remain even if it is not used, or will it be demolished. Mr. Armenta stated that the station will be electrically disconnected and the property could possibly be used as a remote storage site for equipment so demolishing it is premature. Mr. Armenta reported that the new 15 mva mobile substation has been placed at the Lee Acres station and will be energized soon so the power transformer at the Lee Acres Station can be replaced. Commissioner Larsen asked about which areas the Vista Substation will feed. Mr. Armenta stated this substation will be able to feed power in four difference directions to include the Lakeview area and Dortions of Lee 4. System Operations Report: Mr. Romero reported on the activities of the system operations. Mr. Romero stated the utility is in the middle of a NERC/WECC Critical Infrastructure Protection standards audit. Mr. Romero reported that the Bluffview, Animas and Navajo plants had generation availability during the month of August. Mr. Romero presented a brief slideshow showing the recent issue of downed power poles along South Carlton Street due to wind as well as old, rotting Mountain Bell power poles, which were most likely installed in the 1960's, which helps demonstrate the need to update the utility's infrastructure. Commissioner Spence asked if there were non-destructive ways to inspect the integrity of wooden power poles. Mr. are some new available, one being able to perform of activity to determine the integrity of a pole. Chair Weese asked were many of these older Mountain Bell poles in the system. Mr. Romero stated there are a few locations where . actively working on replacing these poles. Mr. Romero also stated nature of these older poles is a safety hazard to the linemen who need to poles. 5. Rules and Regulations Update: Ms. Nipper presented the updates to the Rules and Regulations. Ms. Nipper stated the Commission would be asked to recommend to the City Council the approval of the complete set of Rules and Regulations. Ms. Nipper detailed the minor updates to the utility's Rules and Regulations. Ms. Nipper reported on the only new rule, Rule 27 Optic Strand Leasing. discussion among the Commission members, Mr. Burnham the Commission table the discussion regarding a recommendation to the City Council approval of the updated complete set of Rules and Regulations. Commissioner makes a motion to table discussion regarding a recommendation to approval of the updated complete set of Rules and Regulations. seconded the motion. The motion carried with Commissioner Cloer opposing. -2­  III. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission, upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned. The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Approved this 9th day of October, 2013. ~~~- Amanda Weese, Commission Chair -3­