Minutes of the Special Workshop Meeting of the Board January 23, 2013

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE

IRONHOUSE SANITARY DISTRICT

January 23, 2013

The Ironhouse Sanitary District (ISD) Board of Directors met in Special Session to hold a Solar Project Workshop on Wednesday, January 23, 2013.

The place of meeting was the Ironhouse Sanitary District Office at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley, California.  The meeting was called to order by President Lauritzen at 6:01 p.m.

 1.      Call to Order  

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Randy Pope

Roll Call:

Members present:               David Contreras, David Huerta, Chris Lauritzen, Michael Painter, and Doug Scheer

Members absent:                none

Staff/Consultants present:     Tom Williams, General Manager

Jenny Skrel, District Engineer

Susan Walde, District Secretary

Roni Gehlke, Consultant

Interested parties present:     Randy Pope, Oakley City Council

                                      Susan Morgan, Oakley, CA

 2.      Public Comment – There were no comments from the public in attendance.

 3.      SOLAR PROJECT WORKSHOP

Ms. Jenny Skrel set up a conference call with special council member Ms. Sophie Adkins to help review and discuss the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).  Ms. Skrel reviewed the proposed solar project involving the installation of a 1.15 mega-watt ground mounted system to service the Water Recycling Facility.  The system will include 3916 dual axis tracking solar panels.  The proposed system is anticipated to save $84,805 in electrical fees the first year of operation and $6.14 million over the 25 year power purchase agreement.  The administration and maintenance buildings solar system will be a 59 kilo-watt carport mounted system and will include 204 fixed solar panels.  The proposed system is anticipated to save $9,724 in electrical charges in the first year and $547,700 over the 25 year power purchase agreement period.  Ms. Skrel reviewed the CEQA and mitigated Negative Declaration proposed to be completed by the project proponent, with ISD serving as the lead agency and ultimately adopting the completed document. 

Ms. Skrel noted that in March of 2012 ISD held two public workshop meetings on solar power alternatives to reduce PG&E bills and, after receiving public input ISD went forward with a PPA to save money for the District.

Ms. Skrel gave a power point presentation covering why we are exploring Solar Options, the advantages to Solar and a detail of the Solar Project Time Line.  Ms. Skrel and Ms. Adkins reviewed the highlights and contents of the Power Purchase Agreement.

President Lauritzen opened questions to the Board on the PPA to discuss with Attorney Ms. Sophie Adkins.  The Board discussed the agreement items with staff and the attorney.

Mr. Randy Pope stated that he is in support of the Solar Project and thinks it is a very good program for the District. 

President Lauritzen stated that the District is looking forward at future costs and making efforts to stabilize the rates.

4.       Adjournment

President Lauritzen adjourned the Workshop meeting at 7:07 p.m. to Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. for the next regular meeting in the Ironhouse Sanitary District offices at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley, California.