Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 10, 2025 ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 10, 2025 The Electric Utility Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Monday, March 10, 2025, at Austin Energy Headquarters, 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723. Vice Chair Kaiba White called the Electric Utility Commission meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Commissioner Kaiba White, Vice Chair; Commissioner Lauren Bellomy; Commissioner Al Braden; Commissioner Chris Kirksey; Commissioner Joshua Rhodes. Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Commissioner Dave Tuttle, Chair; Commissioner Raul Alvarez; Commissioner Jonathon Blackburn; Commissioner Cyrus Reed. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Electric Utility Commission Regular Meeting on February 10, 2025. The motion approving the minutes of the Regular Electric Utility Commission meeting of February 13, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Kirksey’s motion, Chair Rhodes’ second on an 8-0 vote, with Commissioner Tuttle off the dais and Commissioners Akande and Benavides absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON RECOMMENDATIONS 2. Recommend approval authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for an electric utility depreciation rate study for Austin Energy with NewGen Strategies and Solutions, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $175,000. Funding: $175,000 is available in Austin Energy’s Operating Budget. The motion to recommend approval authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for an electric utility depreciation rate study for Austin Energy, was recommended on Commissioner Reed’s motion, Commissioner Braden’s second on a 9-0 vote, with Commissioners Akande and Benavides absent. 3. Recommend approval authorizing an amendment to a contract for continued Veritas- Netbackup products and services for Austin Energy with TEQSYS, Inc., to increase the amount by $1,500,000 for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $8,800,000.  ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 10, 2025 Funding: $1,500,000 is available in Austin Energy’s Operating Budget. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. The motion to recommend approval authorizing an amendment to a contract for continued Veritas-Netbackup products and services for Austin Energy, was recommended on Commissioner Reed’s motion, Commissioner Braden’s second on a 9- 0 vote, with Commissioners Akande and Benavides absent. 4. Recommend approval authorizing a contract for comprehensive management of Austin Energy’s IBM software portfolio for Austin Energy with CDW, LLC d/b/a Sirius Computer Solutions, LLC, CDW Government, for an initial term of three years with up to two one-year extension options, in an amount not to exceed $27,065,000. Funding: $2,656,500 is available in Austin Energy’s Operating Budget. The motion to recommend approval authorizing a contract for comprehensive management of Austin Energy’s IBM software portfolio for Austin Energy, was recommended on Commissioner Reed’s motion, Commissioner Braden’s second on a 9- 0 vote, with Commissioners Akande and Benavides absent. 5. Recommend approval authorizing a contract for service updates and repairs at District Cooling Plant #2 for Austin Energy with Texas Airsystems, LLC d/b/a Texas Airsystems, in an amount not to exceed $3,209,924. Funding: $3,209,924 is available in Austin Energy’s Operating Budget. The motion to recommend approval authorizing a contract for service updates and repairs at District Cooling Plant #2 for Austin Energy, was recommended on Commissioner Bellomy motion, Commissioner Tuttle’s second on an 8-0-1 vote, with Commissioner Kirksey recusing and Commissioners Akande and Benavides absent. 6. Recommend approval authorizing amendments to two contracts for continued overhead distribution electrical services for Austin Energy with Linetec Services, LLC, and Renegade Group, LLC, to increase the amounts by $18,000,000 for revised total contract amounts not to exceed $54,000,000, divided between the contractors. Funding: $18,000,000 is available in Austin Energy’s Capital Budget. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. The motion to recommend approval authorizing amendments to two contracts for continued overhead distribution electrical services for Austin Energy, was recommended on Commissioner Reed’s motion, Commissioner Braden’s second on a 9- 0 vote, with Commissioners Akande and Benavides absent. 7. Recommend approval authorizing negotiation and execution of all documents and instruments necessary or desirable to acquire a Permanent Electric Transmission and Distribution Easement consisting of approximately 0.0932 acres (4,058 square feet) of land, out of the William Cannon League Survey No.19, Abstract No.6, Travis County, Texas, being a portion of the remainder of Lots 1B and 2B, Mrs. Rosa J. Spillmann Estate, a subdivision recorded October 15, 1956, in Book 8, Page 15, Plat Records, Travis County, Texas, said Lot 1B (Tract 1) and said Lot 2B (Tract 2) conveyed to IMP South Congress LLC by Special Warranty Deed dated August 20, 2021 as recorded in Document No. 2021188813 Official Public Records, Travis County, Texas, located at 8103 South Interstate Highway 35, Austin, Texas 78744 from IMP South Congress LLC, in an amount not to  ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 10, 2025 exceed $144,910, including closing costs. Funding: $144,910 is available in the Austin Energy Capital Budget. The motion to recommend approval authorizing negotiation and execution of all documents and instruments necessary or desirable to acquire a Permanent Electric Transmission and Distribution Easement consisting of approximately 0.0932 acres (4,058 square feet) of land, was recommended on Commissioner Reed’s motion, Commissioner Braden’s second on a 9-0 vote, with Commissioners Akande and Benavides absent. 8. Recommend approval of a resolution authorizing the filing of eminent domain proceedings and payment to acquire the property interests needed for the Cap Ex South, CKT987&1031 Structure Relocation 2021 Project for the public use of relocating various structures along the existing circuits 926, 927, 987, and 988 requiring relocation to accommodate the Texas Department of Transportation expansion of Interstate Highway 35 (I-35) as part of its I-35 Capital Express program, requiring the acquisition of a Permanent Electric Transmission and Distribution Easement, consisting of approximately 0.3067 acres (13,358 square feet), an Access Easement, consisting of approximately 0.0979 acres (4,266 square feet), and a Temporary Construction Easement, consisting of approximately 0.0132 acres (575 square feet) of land out of the Santiago Del Valle survey, Abstract No.24, Travis County, Texas, being a portion of the remainder of Lot 4B, resubdivision of Lot 4, Block “A” South Bend Subdivision, a subdivision of recorded September 2, 2003 in Document No. 200300231, Official Public Records, Travis County, Texas, currently appraised at $863,894 subject to an increase in value based on updated appraisals or a Special Commissioner’s award. The owner of the needed property is Dario P. Gonzalez. The property is located at 8625 S. Interstate Hwy. 35, Austin, TX 78745. The general route of the project is along Interstate 35 from State Highway 71 south to State Highway 45. Funding: $863,894 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Energy. The motion to recommend approval of a resolution authorizing the filing of eminent domain proceedings and payment to acquire the property interests needed for the Cap Ex South, CKT987&1031 Structure Relocation 2021 Project, was recommended on Commissioner Reed’s motion, Commissioner Braden’s second on a 9-0 vote, with Commissioners Akande and Benavides absent. 9. Recommend approval of a resolution authorizing the filing of eminent domain proceedings and payment to acquire the property interests needed for the Cap Ex South, CKT987 & 1031 Structure Relocation 2021 Project for the public use of relocating various structures along the existing circuits 926, 927, 987, and 988 requiring relocation to accommodate the Texas Department of Transportation expansion of Interstate Highway 35 (I-35) as part of its I-35 Capital Express program, requiring the acquisition of a Permanent Electric Transmission and Distribution Easement, consisting of approximately 0.168 acres (7,319 square feet) of land being a portion of Lot 23, Block “A”, Circle “S” Ridge Section 1, a Subdivision recorded in Book 4, Page 285 Plat Records of Travis County, Texas, currently appraised at $1,026,386 subject to an increase in value based on updated appraisals or a Special Commissioner’s award. The owner of the needed property is Long Real Estate Holdings, LLC. The property is located at 7008 South Interstate Highway 35, Austin, Texas 78745. The general route of the project is along Interstate 35 from State Highway 71 south to State Highway 45. Funding: $1,026,386 is available in Capital Budget of Austin Energy. The motion to recommend approval of a resolution authorizing the filing of eminent domain proceedings and payment to acquire the property interests needed for the Cap  ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 10, 2025 Ex South, CKT987 & 1031 Structure Relocation 2021 Project, was recommended on Commissioner Reed’s motion, Commissioner Braden’s second on a 9-0 vote, with Commissioners Akande and Benavides absent. 10. Recommend approval of a resolution authorizing the filing of eminent domain proceedings and payment to acquire the property interests needed for the Cap Ex South, CKT987 & 1031 Structure Relocation 2021 Project for the public use of relocating various structures along the existing circuits 926, 927, 987, and 988 requiring relocation to accommodate the Texas Department of Transportation expansion of Interstate Highway 35 (I-35) as part of its I-35 Capital Express program, requiring the acquisition of a Permanent Electric Transmission and Distribution Easement, consisting of approximately 0.584 acres (25,438 square feet, including part 1 of 2,562 square feet and part 2 of 22,876 square feet), an Access Easement, consisting of approximately 0.1272 acres (5,540 square feet), and a Temporary Construction Easement, consisting of approximately 0.1591 acres (6,928 square feet, including part 1 of 329 square feet, part 2 of 3,874 square feet, and part 3 of 2,725 square feet) of land out of the Santiago Del Valle survey, Abstract No. 24, Travis County, Texas, being a portion of the remainder of Lot 4A, Block “A”, resubdivision of Lot 4, Block “A” South Bend Subdivision, a subdivision of recorded September 2, 2003 in Document No. 200300231, Official Public Records, Travis County, Texas , currently appraised at $1,462,131 subject to an increase in value based on updated appraisals or a Special Commissioner’s award. The owner of the needed property is Home Depot, U.S.A., Inc. The property is located at 124 E. Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78744. The general route of the project is along Interstate 35 from State Highway 71 south to State Highway 45. Funding: $1,462,131 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Energy. The motion to recommend approval of a resolution authorizing the filing of eminent domain proceedings and payment to acquire the property interests needed for the Cap Ex South, CKT987 & 1031 Structure Relocation 2021 Project, was recommended on Commissioner Reed’s motion, Commissioner Braden’s second on a 9-0 vote, with Commissioners Akande and Benavides absent. 11. Recommend approval authorizing an increase in authority to the previously approved interlocal agreement for construction projects involving jointly owned transmission infrastructure project between Austin Energy and the Lower Colorado River Authority and the Lower Colorado River Authority Transmission Services Corporation from an amount not to exceed $24,000,000 to an amount not to exceed $52,000,000. Funding: $52,000,000 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Energy. The motion to recommend approval authorizing an increase in authority to the previously approved interlocal agreement for construction projects involving jointly owned transmission infrastructure project between Austin Energy and the Lower Colorado River Authority and the Lower Colorado River Authority Transmission Services Corporation, was recommended on Commissioner Reed’s motion, Commissioner Braden’s second on a 9-0 vote, with Commissioners Akande and Benavides absent. 12. Recommend approval authorizing execution of a contract for tire repair and replacement services for Austin Energy with T & W Tire, LLC D/B/A T & W Tire, for an initial term of 12 months with up to two extension options in an amount not to exceed $350,000. Funding:  ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 10, 2025 $80,000 is available in the Austin Energy Operating Budget. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. The motion to recommend approval authorizing execution of a contract for tire repair and replacement services for Austin Energy, was recommended on Commissioner Reed’s motion, Commissioner Braden’s second on a 9-0 vote, with Commissioners Akande and Benavides absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 13. Staff briefing on Austin Energy’s Solar Program Portfolio by Tim Harvey, Manager of Customer Renewable Solutions. The Staff briefing was presented by Tim Harvey, Manager of Customer Renewable Solutions. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 14. Discussion and action on the Electric Utility Commission’s priorities for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget. (Sponsors: White, Reed) The commission discussed the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Priorities. The motion to recommend the Electric Utility Commission’s priorities for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget with amendments was approved on Commissioner Reed’s motion, Vice Chair White’s second on a 9-0 vote with Commissioners Akande and Benavides absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair White adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m. without objection. The meeting minutes were approved at the April 14, 2025 meeting on Commissioner Braden’s motion, Commissioner Bellomy’s second on an 8-0 vote with Commissioner Benavides off the dais and Commissioners Alvarez and Rhodes absent.