FMPA Weekly | Nov. 12, 2018 | Member Edition

FMPA Weekly

 

A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members

 

Nov. 12, 2018

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LAST WEEK

 

Winter Park Power Supply

Winter Park selected FMPA’s All-Requirements Project to provide 10 MW of base-load power in 2019 and approximately 70 MW of partial-requirements power in 2020 through 2027. One of FMPA’s goals for fiscal 2019 is to sell excess power to help reduce costs for the All-Requirements Project cities. Winter Park residents will benefit from low rates provided by competition in the wholesale power market. The power purchase agreement is scheduled to be considered by the Winter Park City Commission on Monday and by FMPA’s Executive Committee on Thursday. Contact: Chris Gowder

 

Annual Transmission Studies

Carl Turner travelled to Fort Pierce and Ocala last week to discuss the annual transmission study that FMPA conducts for All-Requirements Project members plus Lake Worth. He travels to Leesburg on Tuesday, Kissimmee and Lake Worth on Wednesday, and Jacksonville Beach on Thursday.

 

Executive Search Consultant RFP

FMPA received five proposals last Friday in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an Executive Search Consultant to assist in hiring FMPA’s next Chief Operating Officer. Staff will review the submissions. The full RFP is available for download on FMPA.com. Contact: Sharon Adams

 

Pooled Loan Project RFP

The deadline to respond to the request for proposals (RFP) for a direct pay letter of credit or a variable or fixed rate direct placement bank loan for the Pooled Loan Project was extended last week. Proposals are now due Nov. 28. The full RFP is available for download on FMPA.com. Contact: Linda Howard

 

Public Power Communications Award

FMPA won an award in the Excellence in Public Power Communications Awards, a national competition sponsored by the American Public Power Association. Winners were announced last week at the association’s annual Customer Connections Conference in Orlando. In the video category for utilities with gross revenues of $400 million or more, FMPA received an Award of Excellence for its video on Hurricane Irma power restoration in Key West. Other award recipients from Florida included Beaches Energy Services, Florida Municipal Electric Association, Keys Energy Services, Kissimmee Utility Authority, Lakeland Electric and Orlando Utilities Commission. Contact: Mark McCain

 

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THIS WEEK

 

Winter Park City Commission

Jacob Williams, Chris Gowder and Dan O’Hagan will attend the Winter Park City Commission meeting on Monday when the commission will consider approval of a power supply agreement between the city and FMPA.

 

Great American Teach-In

Linda Howard is taking part in the Great American Teach-In on Wednesday. Volunteers share information with students about their careers, experiences and community involvement. Linda will visit Carver Middle School in Orlando.

 

APPA Cybersecurity Summit

Carol Chinn, Konrad Lisiewicz and Carter Manucy attend the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Cybersecurity Summit in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Carter will speak on APPA’s Cybersecurity Scorecard. Other topics at the summit include cyber challenges, active defense, penetration testing, threat alerts and more.

 

Meter Tech Roundtable

FMPA holds a Meter Tech Roundtable in Bartow on Tuesday at 10 a.m. The meeting provides an opportunity for meter maintenance staff to discuss operating practices, equipment, tools, safety, training and more. Contact: Cairo Vanegas

 

Treasure Coast Energy Center Tour

FMPA and Fort Pierce Utilities Authority host a tour of Treasure Coast Energy Center in Fort Pierce on Wednesday at 1 p.m. Unit 1 is undergoing a planned maintenance outage, so this is an opportunity to see more of the unit. Lunch will be served at noon for those who RSVP’d. Contact: Jacob Williams

 

Electric Utility Forecaster’s Forum

Navid Nowakhtar attends the Electric Utility Forecaster’s Forum on Wednesday and Thursday in Orlando. Navid will give a presentation titled, “Electric Vehicles Market View – A Municipal Perspective.”

 

Audit and Risk Oversight Committee

The Audit and Risk Oversight Committee meets Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in the Board room. The committee will hear six information items: 1) risk management policy reviews, 2) credit card audit review, 3) operational technology assessment update, 4) annual corporate IT report, 5) St. Lucie Capital Appreciation Bonds quarterly update, and 6) committee structure discussion. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Liyuan Woerner

 

Board of Directors

FMPA’s Board of Directors meets Thursday at 9 a.m. in the Board room, or immediately after the Audit and Risk Oversight Committee. The Board will hear three information items: 1) employee handbook procedures changes, 2) St. Lucie debt defeasance timeline, and 3) Pooled Loan Project update. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams

 

Executive Committee

The ARP Executive Committee meets Thursday in the Board room at 9:30 a.m., or immediately following the Board of Directors. The committee will consider approval of the Winter Park power purchase agreement. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams

 

Member City Visit

Cairo Vanegas travels to Clewiston on Friday for a member city visit. He will meet with utility staff and staff from Orlando Utilities Commission to discuss a potential joint project.

 

Special Dates

Congratulations to Ryan Dumas, who celebrates eight years with FMPA on Thursday, Nov. 15.

 

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COMING UP

 

Wire and Cable Bid

FMPA is preparing to issue a bid for wire and cable, and members are invited to participate. The bid will include FEMA-required language and a price fluctuation mechanism that allows members to take advantage of market-price reductions throughout the life of the agreement. Interested members should contact Sharon Samuels by Nov. 21 to participate.

 

Purchasing Roundtable

FMPA’s Purchasing Roundtable will meet Dec. 6 at the Orlando office. The roundtable will provide utility staff members interested in procurement with an opportunity to discuss work procedures, policies, practices and industry changes. Registration is free, and lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels

 

December Governing Board Meetings

FMPA’s governing boards will meet Dec. 13 in Orlando beginning with the Audit and Risk Oversight Committee (AROC) at 8:30 a.m. The Board of Directors will meet at 9 a.m., or immediately following AROC. The Executive Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m., or immediately following the Board. Contact: Jacob Williams

 

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INDUSTRY NEWS

 

PSC Approves Utility Plan to Finance Storm Repairs for Customers

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) last Monday approved a proposal from Florida Public Utilities Co.’s (FPUC) to provide interest-free loans to customers who need to repair their electrical systems to receive power. FPUC estimates that approximately 9% of its customers in Calhoun, Jackson and Liberty counties cannot be reconnected due to damage on the customer’s side of the meter. FPUC will advance up to $1,500 interest-free for a licensed and bonded electrician’s materials and labor. FPUC plans to bill customers the amount it paid for the electrician’s services plus a $20 administrative fee over a 12-month period. The program will cover the replacement and repair of ground wire and rod, meter boxes, riser conduits, service stacks, attachment hardware and the weather head. FPUC will also help customers obtain electrician services so power can be restored sooner.

 

Lafayette Deal Withdrawn, Rejected

The private company seeking to manage the public power utility in Lafayette, Louisiana, withdrew its proposal last Monday just before the City-Parish Council rejected it. NextGEN Utility Systems, a spinoff of the Bernhard Capital Partners private equity firm, had proposed to pay the city for Lafayette Utilities System (LUS) but not take over the assets. NextGEN proposed to earn a fee and operate the utility with rates controlled by the city. This proposal was touted as part of a broader strategy to take over public power systems across the southeast U.S. The council approved a resolution opposing any sale, lease or third-party management of LUS.

 

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FMPA Weekly is published by FMPA for employees and governing boards of FMPA member utilities. Questions or comments about this newsletter may be directed to Jeff Grainger or Lisa Rienhardt in FMPA’s Public Relations Department.

 

Want more background on the names and terms used in this newsletter? Check out FMPA’s Glossary, which features some of the most frequently mentioned committees, companies, places and terms, or contact the person named in each FMPA story to learn more.

 

Have a question, comment or story idea for the newsletter? FMPA welcomes your feedback at any time. Contact: Jeff Grainger or Lisa Rienhardt

 

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Florida Municipal Power Agency
8553 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819-9002
Tel 407 355-7767
Fax 407 355-5794
www.fmpa.com

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