Friday, May 22, 2020
May 26, 2020 Regular EPB Meeting
11:00 AM | 
Posted by
Billy Ray |
This month we will meet exclusively via teleconference, with no members physically present and with no physical access available to the public. To provide access in compliance with all applicable laws and rulings, the meeting will be televised on EPB Cable6, and on Facebook (on the Glasgow EPB page at https://www.facebook.com/glasgowepb/)and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyGfIohxwECtiY9M28IX6EQ). This meets the newest requirements for open meetings during the Covid-19 State Emergency.
TENTATIVE AGENDA, 6:00 PM, On EPB Cable 6 and EPB You Tube Channel
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND ANY ADDITIONS
2. CONSIDER MINUTES OF APRIL 28, 2020 MEETING
3. DISCUSS EPB COVID-19 RESPONSE AND RESULTS
4. CONSIDER POLICY ON EPB NON-PAY DISCONNECT FORBEARANCE
A. ORDER FROM GOVERNOR
B. BUDGET IMPACT PROJECTIONS
5. CONSIDER CABLE TELEVISION RENEWALS
6. CONSIDER CABLE TELEVISION RATE CHANGE
7. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
A. APRIL METRICS AND FINANCIAL METRICS REVIEW
B. JUNE FCA
C. CPD LEDGER
D. TVA COVID RELIEF GRANT
E. OPEN MEETING LAW COMPLAINTS
8. OLD/NEW BUSINESS
9. ADJOURN
MEMORANDUM
TO: Members of Glasgow Electric Plant Board
FROM: William J. Ray, PE
DATE: 5/21/2020
SUBJECT: May Board Meeting Information
May Main Topics
Ø EPB Operations in Covid-19 Environment and Temporary Changes
Ø Consideration of Continued Forbearance on Non-Payment Disconnects
Ø Cable Television Contract Renewals
Ø Cable Television Annual Rate Adjustment
Action Items
📷
June 1 FCA
Ø The June 2020 TVA FCA will increase to 1.427 cents per kWh. This is a very small increase in the FCA. COVID influenced April sales, combined with mild weather, resulted in far less fuel being used to produce power. In fact, TVA’s April fuel costs were the lowest on record, since the creation of the FCA. Abundant hydroelectric generation also impacted the fuel cost positively.
Ø On June 1, the energy component of our retail rates will adjust to reflect this increase passed on by TVA.
Covid-19 and Glasgow EPB
Ø Service disconnections for non-payment have been discontinued pending Board direction on same. We have also temporarily waived the fee for call-in credit card payments. When the Board considers these matters, you will be asked to give us directions on how long this temporary policy should last. The matter became more complicated last week when Governor Beshear issued a new order, which forbids utilities (and mentions municipal utilities, like ours, specifically) from resuming normal non-payment disconnects until after he lifts his Emergency Declaration for the state. Obviously, for a non-profit like EPB, the additional losses will have to be borne by all customers. This matter also has federal sovereignty implications, since the Governor is usurping TVA’s regulatory role. This matter is very complicated.
Ø We closed the EPB lobby to the public on Wednesday, March 18. At the same time, we announced the cessation of services to broadband wiring inside customer premises. As the Governor is slowly allowing certain activities to return to normal, we are studying how we can begin to relax our policy of not entering customer homes, with proper PPE and procedures. This is a tough call, as so many of our customers are now huddled into their homes, and totally dependent on the broadband services we provide.
Ø While TVA is giving us considerable latitude on how long this disconnect forbearance should last, they are determined for us to ultimately collect on all balances owed. Further, as mentioned above, they are carefully considering how long to cooperate with the Governor’s directive, before they take action to re-establish themselves as the sole LPC regulator.
Ø “Social distancing” steps have already been taken by the EPB team along with additional cleaning of the EPB office. Personal protective equipment has been provided to EPB team members who interact directly with the public. The team is working shifts, and some are working at home, such that contact with each other is also limited.
Ø We look forward to reversing these steps and moving back toward our normal operations when officials advise us of the safety of that action.
When to End Non-Payment Disconnects Forbearance
Ø Since the last meeting we’ve gotten some important experience with the financial impact of our temporary forbearance on non-payment disconnects of electric power and broadband services.
Ø At the meeting I will give you a lot of information about what has happened over the last two months. We will discuss actual performance versus the projections we made in previous meetings. We will also furnish you with external data on unemployment and the benefits coming to our customers who are impacted by this pandemic. Though you have seen these projections before, we will update them with new data and new projections, based on the recent order from the Governor.
Ø In order to provide better projections, the Superintendent will present projections based on assumptions as to when the Board might choose to end forbearance on non-payment disconnects, and when that forbearance termination might be allowed by the State. These assumptions are necessary, in order to provide realistic projections, but the decision on ending forbearance will continue to be totally up to the Board.
Cable Television Issues
Ø The Programming Committee has recently operated via email polling on a few matters, instead of bringing them together for a real meeting.
Ø The following networks: AXS, Turner Networks (several of these), and Stingray (the digital music product) had contracts which expired recently. The committee evaluated the products and the renewal offers (which will be explained in detail at the meeting) and recommended that the Board accept the renewal offers for all of these services.
Ø There is also the matter of our annual cable products rate adjustment. This has historically been an annual adjustment, effective July 1, which is essential to offset the annual increases in the cost of programming, passed along to us by the satellite services AND the local broadcast stations in Bowling Green.
Ø We will have detailed exhibits at the meeting for you to review, as well as a set of recommended rate changes.
Reports
Ø April Metrics and Financial Review
Ø June FCA
Ø CPD Charge Reserve Fund Status
- kW demand markup was implemented two years ago, to cover TVA wholesale cost for missed peak predictions
- Updated calculations will be presented at the meeting. We are beginning a new year of this reporting, and so far, the fund is in acceptable shape due to overall accuracy of peak predictions.
Ø TVA COVID Relief Grant
- TVA quickly approved the $10,000 matching grant, which was allocated for Glasgow EPB. As predicted, they accepted our $4500/month commitment, which the Board had previously authorized, as our matching amount, so no new money came from EPB. The check for $10,000 has already been delivered to Community Relief.
Ø Open Meetings Complaints
- After the alleged “Special Called Meeting” occurred on May 5, two Open Meetings Law Complaints were lodged against EPB. One was submitted by Joseph Trigg and the other came from Brennan Crain, with WCLU Radio. Copies of both complaints are included with this narrative. These complaints require the Board Chairman to respond within three days. The responses are also attached. You must note the relief sought by both complaints, and that Chairman Taylor has agreed to that relief. For the most part, the complaints are both formed as violations of SB 150. At the meeting, you may want Ronnie Hampton to review SB 150, and the restrictions it places on board meetings, and board agendas, during the present Emergency Declaration.
Conclusion
Please let me know if you have any questions before the meeting, and prepare for a different meeting experience using Zoom.
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