Board
Meeting
September 24, 2002
The
September meeting of the board of directors of Salem Electric
was called to order by President Bonesteele. Board members
present were Bonesteele, Dyer, Anderson, Beach, Berger, Ennor,
Horn, and Leadership Youth Representative, Francis Tapia.
Motion was made by Horn, seconded by
Anderson and carried unanimously to approve the meeting
agenda.
The Consent Calendar was approved
with the exception of the Statement of Operations, which was
removed at the request of board member Dyer. Dyer questioned
staff why the administrative expense account was above budget
for year-to-date. Staff reported that the budget over the year
has variables that create overages and shortages, but they
expect it to be under budget at year end. On a motion from
Anderson and a second from Ennor, the Statement of Operations
was approved.
Operations Manager Roger Kuhlman
reported on events concerning the Last Mile Electric
Cooperative. That organization is narrowing down potential
sites for wind projects. The projects are expected to produce
50 to 150 megawatts and could be online as soon as December
2003. General Manager Bob Speckman said that it is important
to practice due diligence with regard to information gathering
prior to becoming involved with any projects. Staff is
currently looking into a potential replacement for our BPA
Environmentally-Preferred Power Contract that ends in October
2003.
Jack Belleque, Administrative
Services Manager, reported on the employees’ retirement
program and the education that Merrill Lynch provides to the
staff on a frequent basis.
Speckman reported on his activities
with the Northwest Requirements Utilities and the Governmental
Affairs Committee of the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative
Association (ORECA). Horn reported on her appointment to the
ORECA board; the next meeting is scheduled for November 21,
2002.
Speckman briefly discussed the budget process and that the
preliminary budget will be presented at the October meeting.
Board members will have the opportunity to ask questions and
seek clarifications at the October meeting, and then during
the November meeting the budget is normally approved.
Reporting on the current retail
electricity rates, Speckman noted that the Bonneville Power
Administration is raising its wholesale rates; however, staff
recommended that, because the increase was small, Salem
Electric not raise its rates. Horn made a motion, which was
seconded by Anderson, to approve the staff recommendation not
to change the rates at this time. The motion carried
unanimously.
Staff asked for board approval to
authorize payment of capital credits from 1981 and 1982
amounting to approximately $1.2 million. Motion was made by
Anderson and seconded by Dyer to approve the revolvement.
After discussion the motion carried unanimously.
The
board adjourned at 8:50 pm.
Jeff Anderson
Secretary/Treasurer
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