FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Feb. 18, 2019
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LAST WEEK
Audit and Risk Oversight Committee
The Audit and Risk Oversight Committee met last Thursday and approved a recommendation to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee regarding the Finance Committee structure and risk management policies. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Liyuan Woerner
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors met last Thursday and approved: 1) a resolution of appreciation for Kissimmee Utility Authority General Manager Jim Welsh, 2) Finance Committee structure and risk management policies, 3) pooled loan project, 4) removal of trustee, paying agency and registrar for Stanton, Stanton II, St. Lucie and Tri-City projects and appointment of successor, and 5) compliance requirements for U.S. Stay regulations. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee met last Thursday and approved: 1) Finance Committee structure and risk management policies, 2) compliance requirements for U.S. Stay regulations, 3) termination of swaps related to ARP Series 2008C bonds in conjunction with the use of Vero Beach proceeds and the results of the 2019A RFP. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Tallahassee Board Representative
The city of Tallahassee appointed David Byrne, assistant general manager of the electric utility, as its alternate representative to FMPA’s Board of Directors. General Manager Rob McGarrah will continue to serve as the city’s primary representative.
Certified Treasury Professional Exam
Congratulations to Sena Mitchell and Rich Popp, who obtained the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation. The CTP is one of the most recognized designations in the treasury field. To earn the certification, both had to meet specific work and education requirements and pass an exam based on the Essentials of Treasury Management.
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THIS WEEK
The Exchange at UCF’s College of Business
Linda Howard will speak at the University of Central Florida’s College of Business on Monday. She will take part in The Exchange speaker series by Grant Thornton. Her presentation will include information about her career and success, the power industry, gaining new skills and succeeding long-term. It will give students a glimpse into business topics and careers, while connecting with thought leaders.
Member City Visits
Ian Beason and Chris Schaeffer travel to Cane Island Power Park on Monday to discuss the Cane Island Unit 1 relay upgrade, while Carl Turner travels to Ocala to discuss a new transmission line and long-term planning. Cairo Vanegas visits Bushnell on Monday to discuss the DEED Project. On Tuesday, Brandon McCormick travels to Bartow for a peer review and Mike McCleary visits New Smyrna Beach. Jacob Williams visits Cane Island on Thursday for a new employee orientation and plant tour, while Mike McCleary travels to Starke.
FM Global Site Visits
Tim Jackson and David Schumann travel to Treasure Coast Energy Center on Tuesday for an annual inspection with representatives from FM Global, FMPA’s insurance provider. They will visit Cane Island on Wednesday.
FCG and FRCC Board of Directors
Jacob Williams, Carol Chinn and Susan Schumann travel to Tampa on Wednesday for the FCG and FRCC Board of Directors meetings.
PURC Conference
Jacob Williams and Susan Schumann travel to Gainesville on Wednesday afternoon for the Public Utility Research Center’s (PURC) annual conference. Jacob will participate on a panel of utility executives discussing business model challenges and opportunities.Jacob will share thoughts on innovation from the perspective of municipal electric utilities.
Wood Poles Bid
A Request for Proposals (RFP) for wood poles will be issued this week. Several large utilities are participating in the bid. The bid includes FEMA-required language and a price-fluctuation mechanism allowing participants to take advantage of market-price reductions during the life of the agreement. Contact: Sharon Samuels
All-Requirements Project Weekly Load Statistics
The weekly update of the All-Requirements Project historical load graph has been posted on the Portal. The graph is updated through Feb. 17. Contact: Jim Arntz
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COMING UP
Lake-Sumter State College Relay Tech Job Fair
FMPA plans to attend a job fair for relay technicians at Lake-Sumter State College in Leesburg on March 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is an opportunity to meet students enrolled in the relay technician program and share career opportunities at FMPA member utilities. If any FMPA member cities are recruiting for relay technicians or are interested in participating in the job fair, contact Cairo Vanegas.
Human Resources Roundtable
FMPA will host a Human Resources Roundtable on March 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at FMPA’s Orlando office. The roundtable provides a forum for participants to discuss human resources topics, including benefits, recruiting, retention, training, policies and more. The roundtable is open to any FMPA utility staff member who has an interest in human resources topics. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels
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INDUSTRY NEWS
KUA Appoints Brian Horton as President and General Manager
The Kissimmee Utility Authority Board of Directors appointed Brian Horton as the utility’s president and general manager/CEO effective April 1. Horton will succeed Jim Welsh, who retires March 31 after 36 years of service. Horton joined the utility in 2015 as vice president of system compliance and operations. In 2016, he was appointed vice president of engineering and operations where he currently serves. Horton has more than 18 years of engineering, operations and regulatory experience in the electric utility industry. Prior to joining KUA, he was a member of the senior management team for the city of Tallahassee’s electric utility.
Florida House, Senate Committees Approve Different Fracking Bans
Competing bills to prevent an oil-drilling technique known as fracking were approved last Wednesday by committees of the Florida House and Senate. The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee unanimously backed a fracking-ban bill (SB 314) sponsored by committee Chairman Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, a measure favored by environmentalists. Meanwhile, the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee approved by a 9-6 vote its version (PCB ANRS 19-01), a bill criticized by environmental groups. Both measures are opposed by the Florida Petroleum Council. In years past, Florida lawmakers have considered proposed fracking bans, but the measures never passed the full House and Senate. Florida has long had oil drilling in parts of the Panhandle and Southwest Florida, but the drilling activity has not used the fracking technique. The committee’s primary backer is Gainesville-based Infinite Energy.
Political Committee Has Spent $1.1 Million to Date on Deregulation Proposal
A political committee backing a proposed constitutional amendment that would deregulate Florida’s electric utility industry spent more than $562,000 in January as it continues to collect petition signatures, a newly filed finance report shows. According to a report from the News Service of Florida, Citizens for Energy Choices spent $562,103, bringing its total spending to $1.1 million since early October. Most of the spending in January went to petition-related activities. The committee’s proposal, which seeks to qualify for the November 2020 ballot, would allow customers to choose electricity providers and limit the role of investor-owned utilities to constructing, operating and repairing transmission and distribution systems.
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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 Carolyn Dingley 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: Carolyn Dingley
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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
Community Power. Statewide Strength. ®
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