Board Members present: Susie Smith, Jeff Osanka, Mike Dyer, Sandra Bishop, and Dorothy Anderson.
Others present: Randy Berggren, Tom Buckhouse, Marty Douglass, Chuck Dalton, Ken Beeson, Garry Kunkel, Mark Fosnaugh, Roseanna McArthur, Manda Bednarczyk, John Mitchell, Mike Whitting, Dave Koski, Frank LaRoache, Kris Middlewood, Jean Meyers, Mick Sanders, Dick Varner, Scott Spettel, Gordon Galbraith, Libby Henry, Cathy Bloom, EWEB Line Technicians; and Krista Hince of the EWEB staff; members of the public; and Kim Kunkel, Minutes Recorder.
President Smith called the meeting to order.
AGENDA CHECK
President Smith determined there was consensus to approve the agenda, as written.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Commissioner Bishop announced the upcoming NAACP dinner. Mr. Berggren noted that tickets to the dinner were available for interested Board members.
Commissioner Bishop inquired as to the status of the Glenwood transfer of jurisdiction. Mr. Berggren stated that jurisdiction will likely be transferred to Springfield. He said EWEB is currently discussing the future of its facilities in Glenwood.
Referring to an October 28 incident involving an EWEB contract tree trimming crew and Whiteaker neighborhood resident, Commissioner Bishop said she has received calls from constituents who are inquiring as to whether it is EWEB's policy to request a strong police presence in response to a simple misunderstanding. Commissioner Bishop said she has assured concerned constituents that this was an isolated incident and that while the request that police stand by and monitor the situation was appropriate, the arrival and involvement of four police units was not. Commissioner Bishop expressed interest in engaging in a discussion with the officers who responded to the incident.
Commissioner Bishop reported that she has received complaints regarding EWEB's billing cycle. Constituents have reported that their bills are due within a matter of days after they are received. Mr. Berggren said the appropriate staff member has been notified of those concerns and the matter is being investigated.
MINUTES
The Commissioners reviewed the minutes of the October 14, 1998, Work Session and Special Board Meeting.
Referring to paragraph 5 on page 4 of the Regular Board Meeting minutes, Commissioner Anderson requested that the acronym "NIMS" be replaced with "NMFS."
Referring to paragraph 3 on page 1 of the Regular Board Meeting minutes, Commissioner Bishop requested that sentence 1 be amended to read "Commissioner Bishop reported that she attended a joint Oregon Legislative Committee meeting regarding electric restructuring that was recently held in Salem."
Referring to paragraph 4 on page 5 of the Regular Board Meeting minutes, Vice President Osanka requested that sentence 1 be amended to read "In the interest of fulfilling EWEB's responsibility of due diligence, Vice President Osanka requested a Board review of opposing information, or information that reflects a different viewpoint than that presented by the NWEC."
Vice President Osanka moved, seconded by Commissioner Bishop, to approve the minutes of the October 14, 1998 Work Session and Special Board Meeting, as amended. The motion passed, 4:0; with Commissioner Dyer abstaining.
CORRESPONDENCE
General Manager Randy Berggren reviewed a number of information items, some of which were contained in the meeting agenda packet, including
Mr. Berggren reviewed draft agenda for the November 17, 1998, Work Session and Special Board Meeting.
PUBLIC INPUT
Rob Dotson, representing EWEB's Electric Crafts division, explained that a large number of Electric Crafts employees were present at the meeting in an effort to show their continued support of maintaining the 65th percentile market position. He stated that Electric Crafts representatives recently met with Mr. Berggren and Mr. Kunkel, and staff has requested time to respond to the Electric Crafts employees' proposal. Mr. Dotson offered to address any questions the Board might have.
President Smith determined that Board Members had no questions for Mr. Dotson at that time.
NORTHWEST REGIONAL COUNCIL
Eric Bloch, the newest member of the Northwest Regional Council, presented a brief overview of his professional background and experience, noting that he has been a member of the council since June, 1998. He said the purpose of this presentation was to provide an opportunity for dialogue between himself and the Board concerning fish and power issues. He said he would present the general themes of Governor Kitzhaber's approach to these related issues.
Mr. Bloch stated that the Governor and his staff think that the number of representative "voices," in the Columbia River basin complicate the task of developing a coherent strategy by which to address issues of fish and wildlife in a manner that is both economially feasible and culturally and socially sensitive. Mr. Bloch stated that given his past work with the Governor's office regarding Salmon litigation and his work with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, he could serve as a liaison between the many entities that are interested in these issues. He said it appears that some progress is being made in that people are reportedly more comfortable regarding the State's response to fish and power issues. Mr. Bloch stated that these efforts serve as an example to other entities in the region of the benefits of organizing, collaborating, and speaking in a collective voice.
With regard to fish-related issues, Mr. Bloch stated that the council is in the process of trying to develop a comprehensive plan, based upon new science, that balances economics and takes into consideration the cultural and social implications of actions set forth in the plan. Mr. Bloch said the Governor is advocating for a deliberative and open process that will promote an understanding of the potential implications of a variety of options. He stated that such a process will provide information necessary to conduct an informed debate and make accountable choices.
Mr. Bloch said that a process to achieve the Governor's objectives was recently initiated by the council and involves Federal agencies, indian tribes, members of public power, environmental groups, and others. He said the process is called the Multi-Species Framework. Mr. Bloch said the framework attempts to achieve the objectives by
Mr. Bloch said the council is encouraging all entities in the basin to create their own policy alternatives related to Columbia River basin fish and wildlife related goals. Furthermore, he said the Council would like entities to identify operations and management constraints related to the basin, and develop a description of the various management measures they propose to take with regard to harvest, hatchery, habitat restoration, and hydroelectric operation. Mr. Bloch stated that a framework workshop is scheduled for November 17-19 in Portland.
Mr. Bloch stated that the difference between this effort and those of the past is that the framework requests that entities determine their own goals, appropriate level of fish and wildlife recovery, and means by which those goals and the identified level of recovery can take place. He said the plans proposed by the entities can then be placed against the requirements contained in such agreements as the Endangered Species Act and indian treaty rights to assess their conformity, and thereby validate or invalidate the recovery plans submitted by institutions.
Mr. Bloch stated that an additional process, known as both the Three Sovereigns Process and the Columbia River Basin Forum, involves a myriad of policy reprentatives from four states, the Federal government, indian tribes, and the public at-large. He said the purpose of the forum is allow for a regional discussion of various issues relative to the basin, particularly the 1999 decision regarding whether to partially dismantle four lower snake river dams.
With regard to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) subscription process, Mr. Bloch stated that he read many of the comments submitted by EWEB regarding the process and it is clear that EWEB is committed, without question, to renewables and conservation. He said EWEB is a leader in the region, if not the nation, in terms of its conservation efforts.
In closing, Mr. Bloch invited the Board to utilize him as a resource.
Noting that the time allotted to this agenda item had expired, President Smith inquired as to whether the Board wished to continue the discussion. The Board agreed to continue the discussion for 15 minutes.
Mr. Berggren suggested that the 1999 Trojan Project Budget agenda item be deferred to the November 17 Board Meeting.
Vice President Osanka stated that his primary concern with regard to the preceding presentation was that his perception has been that although Northwest Power Planning Council members are appointed by the Governor, they act in the best interest of the State rather than in the interest of the Governor. Vice President Osanka said Mr. Bloch's approach to his role as a Council member seems to be different, in that he appears to be acting in the best interest of the Governor. Mr. Bloch responded that he views his role as a blend of pragmatism and statutory responsibility. He said that because he is appointed by the Governor and serves at the Governor's pleasure, he feels compelled to give a great deal of deference to the Governor. Mr. Bloch noted that the Northwest Power Act requires that he perform certain functions and obey prescribed standards.
Commissioner Bishop inquired as to the timing of the Multi-Species Framework and asked who are the reticent players in the discussion. In addition, Commissioner Bishop inquired as to whether the tribes are collaborating on this issue. With regard to tribal collaboration, Mr. Bloch stated that the 13 Federally recognized tribes in the Columbia River basin are collaborating and have elected four representatives to participate in the framework if and when the forum comes together. Mr. Bloch stated that he was not aware of any reticent players. With regard to the time frame of the framework, Mr. Bloch stated that the National Marine and Fisheries Service has indicated that a preliminary decision will be made mid- to late-spring of 1999.
President Smith said she was skeptical due to her past experience of observing the battle between public purposes and power. She said there has been a long-standing struggle to keep the discussion on the table. She said the community of interest that wants to get the conservation issue off the table is large and has ample resources; however, the public purposes community is smaller and has fewer resources, and therefore, has a difficult time keeping the issue on the table. President Smith said she was curious about how the Council will police this process in terms of keeping the issue on the table, given the imbalance of power that will be wielded. Mr. Bloch responded that everyone involved must police the process. He said he was committed to keeping a watchful eye. Mr. Bloch noted that a project manager and assistant have been hired, and their full-time efforts will maximize the chance that this process will succeed.
President Smith said periodic updates to the Board concerning this process would be helpful.
(President Smith left the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Vice President Osanka facilitated the remainder of the meeting)
Vice President Osanka determined there was Board consensus to defer the Universal Service Plan agenda item to the November 17, 1998, Work Session.
RESOLUTION FOR DEBT FINANCING ON WIND AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
EWEB Assistant Treasurer Cathy Bloom distributed and reviewed copies of the Supplemental Bond Resolution for the Wyoming Wind and Telecommunications Project Financing. She requested that the Board approve the resolution, authorizing the issuance and sale of two revenue bonds series:
Commissioner Dyer moved, seconded by Commissioner Bishop, to approve the Supplemental Bond Resolution for up to $15 million for the Wyoming Wind Project, and up to $15 million for the Telecommunications Projects financing. The motion passed unanimously.
1999 TROJAN PROJECT BUDGET
Referring to a memorandum included in the meeting agenda packet, Energy Resources Projects Manager Ken Beeson requested Board approval of the 1999 Trojan Operating Budget.
Commissioner Dyer moved, seconded by Commissioner Bishop, to approve the proposed 1999 Trojan Project Budget. The motion passed unanimously.
Vice President Osanka requested that staff evaluate whether year-2000 issues are applicable to this. Mr. Beeson stated that PGE is looking into that possibility.
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.