Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

MARCH 17, 2021 REGULAR CALLED MEETING Electric Board APPROVED MINUTES The Electric Board convened in a Regular Called Board Meeting on March 17, 2021 via Web Ex Video Conference at 10:07 am. Board Members in Attendance: Gabe Flores, Delwin Goss, Mark Weaver, Ben Brenneman, Rogelio Wallace and David Johnson Members Not in Attendance: Nicole Stasek, Derek LaRue, David Adamson, Randy Pomikahl and Michael King Staff in Attendance: Rick Arzola (DSD), Eric Zimmerman (DSD), Mitchell Tolbert (DSD) and Todd Wilcox (DSD), Marty Starrett (DSD) and Jordan Word(DSD) 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: There was no registration of citizens to speak at this Electrical Board. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes from the November 17, 2020 regular called meeting was approved as written after modifications were made to Item 4B per Board member Weaver. Board member Johnson made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Board member Goss second the motion, motion passed 6-0. 2 DISCUSSION a. Criteria Manual Update- Commercial Electrical Supervisor Marty Starrett updated board members that DSD Staff met with Austin Energy back on Jan 21st. In that meeting AE discussed some new post design criteria manual changes. Here are some of those changes even though awaiting feedback from DSD:  On underground, would require either rigid or scheduled 80 but added a change where you can use scheduled 40 if it was concreting casing.  Fees for affordable housing waivers- A.E line extension fees.  Conductor clearances on overhead multiplex lines for buildings.  Added code changes to NEC 230.85 and 230.71- Emergency disconnects and 6 handle rule removal but later removed it from the code language and just put references to those codes.  Made edits to their temporary figures to show main breakers in panels based on the NEC article 230.71 but DSD suggested since edits are being made to remove grounding details.  DSD also suggested to add grounding to represent City of Austin electrical code for grounding electrode conductor requirements. AE accepted this.  DSD also requested for removal the previously inspected homebuilders loop being allowed to be connected without a permit or inspections to be removed from the Criteria Manual. AE agreed to that removal.  Discussion on creating a new flowcharts for design and construction for electrical utilities. As far as the point of attachment (service), staff felt that AE was putting this on the back burner for later. b. Inspection Update on 2020 Code- Marty Starrett provided that the number 1 item that inspections has faced is the main requirements on T-Poles. In that the 6 handle rule has been removed from temporary loops. Staff alerted contractors on this new rule and explained to them that inspectors would start enforcing it on Nov 1. Also DSD staff Tolbert also added a few items to the inspection update, car charging stations- citizens are complaining about permits and inspections. Staff has been informing that these stations carry a large load therefor requiring permits. And temp resistant receptacles in commercial public areas but DSD Staff Starrett said that the interpretation committee is still working on the common area locations. c. Tentative Interim Agreement- Board member Johnson updated the board that the TIA failed at the ballot of the standard council by a half a vote. But did receive another TIA with similar language but more in detail and will they try again. More information on this one is still to come at next month’s meeting. But still having issues with these high efficiency units still causing tripping with the GFCI’s. d. DSD Permit Program- DSD Mitchell Tolbert informed board members that they have not reached any levels with the express permit program as we are awaiting staff return to the Planning Development Center (PDC). An early try out of the program will occur but it will be limited to internal office only when full staff returns. With that information, board member Johnson expressed his concerns that contractors and homeowners are in dire help and need City Staff to begin reintegration, so that permits and help will undue the delays that are occurring today. Staff Tolbert provided an email so that citizens can reach out for help- tradereviewer@austintexas.gov. e. COVID Update- Staff presented to the board the last email that was distributed by City Manager Spencer Cronk to City staff that City Integration initial plans would begin its phase one on April 2. Currently staff is unaware on who with Development Service Department is Phase One. Staff will inform the board on who is exactly Phase one when it is announced. f. Electrical Attendance Report- DSD staff presented to the board a spreadsheet of last year attendance report, identifying members of the board who have been reported to the clerk office as consistently absent. Staff is awaiting to hear back on the fate of one of two individuals as the other was extended another term by their council member. 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 1. Discussion and Action- Election of Officers 2. Discussion- Update on Design Criteria Manual 3. Discussion- Update on Tentative Interim Agreement 4. Discussion- Inspection update on the 2020 Code 5. Discussion- DSD Permit Program 6. Discussion- Solar Systems Zoning for Apartments 7. Discussion- COVID update 5. ADJOURN: Board member Johnson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Vice Chair Goss seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0. Meeting was adjourned at 10:47 am.