|
Board Meeting
June 25, 2002
The
meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Bonesteele, with all
members present. There were no interested members in attendance.
The meeting agenda and consent calendar were approved, with the exception of
items 4.D, 4.E, and 4.F.
General Manager Bob Speckman said there would be a
walkthrough of the Financial Reports, Operations Report, and Member Services
Report for the benefit of the new directors.
Helen Findley provided a brief background of the
heating assistance program. Salem Electric served 1,000 households at a total
cost of $180,033. She noted the assistance program reached its one million
dollar mark since inception. The board commended Findley on the fine job she
does administering the heating assistance program, as well as for her work in
the senior community.
Engineering and Operations Manager Roger Kuhlman reported that Salem Electric
received the OSHA Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP)
award for the third consecutive year. He stated that only 74 employers in the
state were recognized this year.
Information Items:
Administrative Services Manager Jack Belleque reported on the Oregon Rural
Electric Cooperative Association’s (ORECA) accounting and finance meeting held
at Salem Electric.
Kuhlman provided an update on the Last Mile Electric
Cooperative (LMEC) meeting, which he and Director Jim Dyer attended. The LMEC
is trying to get some proposals on wind power projects which collectively will
generate about 50 megawatts.
Member Services Manager Terry Kelly, following up on a
prior board request, updated the board on the possibility of creating Salem
Electric scholarships for students in the service territory. Board input was
taken as to the design of the program. Staff will investigate alternatives and
bring this back to the board for consideration at a future meeting.
Speckman called attention to the community service
award Salem Electric received from the Salem Economic Development Corporation.
He also mentioned that Administrative Assistant Cindy Lenker was installed as
the West Salem Rotary Club President this past week.
Dyer reported on his trip to Washington D.C. to attend
the National Rural Electric Cooperative Legislative Conference. He said
Anderson and Bonesteele made the trip too and felt it was an invaluable
experience.
Ennor reported on his attendance at the annual meeting
of the Northwest Public Power Association. He commented that he learned more
about the industry in two days there than he had over the past several months
on the board.
Horn reported her activities on the ORECA Ways and
Means Committee. She told the board that the statewide association would be
voting on the establishment of a 16-member board at the mid-year meeting.
Action Items:
The board approved a motion to join Northwest Power Works, a coalition of
regional public power utilities and others that opposes the formation of a
Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) which is being pushed by the Federal
Energy Regulation Commission.
The Board approved a resolution restating Salem
Electric’s 401(k) plan, bringing it into compliance with recent federal tax
laws.
President Bonesteele appointed board members to
represent Salem Electric in several trade and industry related associations.
New Business:
The board discussed attendance at trade association seminars and, after much
discussion, it was agreed that members report back to the board on their
attendance.
The meeting adjourned at 9:33 pm.
Jeff Anderson
Secretary/Treasurer
|
What is For the Sake of the
Salmon? I asked that very question when Salem Electric was first approached by
Bill Bradbury, the Executive Director of For the Sake of the Salmon in 1999. He
suggested Salem Electric be the first utility in Oregon to participate in this
multi-state adventure.
The idea was to ask Salem Electric members to consider
a voluntary contribution of five dollars a month to be collected by the utility
and used for local watershed enhancements. After much discussion, the board
approved the program. Members could sign on, and the monies collected would go
through For the Sake of the Salmon for grants to local watershed councils and
projects that assist local efforts.
Why is it important for us to participate in such a
program? First let’s start with the macro picture. While nearly 100% of the
power that Salem Electric purchases from the Bonneville Power Administration
(BPA) is renewable, over 80% of that power comes from the regional hydro
system. This system, while providing affordable energy, has caused some fish
survival rates to decline over
time. Through For the Sake of the Salmon we have an opportunity to rebuild and
enhance local salmon habitat.
One recent project at Baskett Slough Creek added and
restored 60 acres to wetlands. The creek is a tributary of the Rickreall Creek
that flows into the Willamette River near the Eola Inn on Hwy 22.
Future Watershed Council projects under consideration
include Glenn and Gibson Creek Watershed Councils in West Salem.
Salem Electric currently leads the region in the
highest percentage of members participating in the program, with over $11,000
received to date. I have been told that a larger utility that shares our
service territory boundary is close to taking this honor away.
What can we do? Sign up for the For the Sake of the
Salmon program, make a monthly contribution, and join a local watershed council
in your area.
We are up to the challenge!
Jeff Anderson
Secretary/Treasurer
|