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January 10, 2002
Minutes

  1. Call to order: Mark Miller called the meeting to order at 10:02.

    Present, constituting a quorum were William Cain, Tony Cucina, Charles Connolly, Allan Gorsuch, Robin Landgraf, Gary McCabe, Fay Miller, Mark Miller, Milton Nagel, John Pfister, and Sandy Smith.

    Also present were David Downes and Michael Spears.

  2. Agenda: Additions to Agenda: 1.) Energy Window Contract 2.) FY2003 Budget Issues

    Approved with the additions noted above.

  3. Approval of Minutes: Motion - Fay, 2nd by Sandy, carried unanimously.
  4. Western Shore Participation - MABE - having a meeting w/ Western Shore Counties
    • Reviewed letter from MABE.
    • Note: David Downes has not been retained by other consortium(s).
    • Allan is considering asking other counties to participate w/ ESMEC Energy Trust.
    • MABE may be looking at this as another revenue source.
    • ESMEC, through its application process, can accept or reject any entity.
    • Fay suggested that other ESMEC Energy trustees attend the MABE Meeting.
  5. Revised Fee Schedule - only change is to insert language about the 5% assessment for the operating costs of the trust. The assessment is to be paid from all participants who benefit from participation. Allan explained that future "savings" will be based on the bid savings over the increased standard rate from the local provider. Mark Miller sees the savings as a tool for marketing/education purposes. Gary McCabe is concerned that the 5% assessment is too low.

    Motion to approve - Gary McCabe, 2nd Bill Cain. Michael Spears asked for clarification on #2 and #3 of the fee policy, and such were changed to reflect the new wording. Fay made motion to approve amended fee policy, second by Sandy carried unanimously.

  6. FY2002 Budget- Allan distributed the finance report, explained the revenue sources. Allan also proposed the FY2002 Revised operating budget. David Downes has agreed that if a budget shortfall occurs near year end, he will hold over any billings to FY2003.

    Fay motioned, Milton 2nd , carried unanimously.

  7. Budget Issues - Will be re-visited at the end of the meeting
  8. Marketing - Allan distributed flyers and various newspaper articles to show that some news is getting out. It was suggested we all step-up our in-county marketing efforts.

    Gary mentioned we all need to bring up the Energy Trust when we are doing our respective budget presentations. Also suggested was that a report be made to the local Boards.

  9. RFP Update - Energy Window's contract will be put off until the budget was settled, however, David Downes would like to have them as an available option during the spring rebids and new participants bidding. New participants local data has been received but not verified by Downes. The market has not been favorable over the last 45 days due to PJM Congestion charges related to Conectiv maintenance issues and lines being dropped from service. Gary asked for an e-mail update to all participants as to the RFP process. Allan asked David to prepare a simple update and it will be included as an attachment with all future agenda. The data collection process needs refinement and Downes & Associates was asked to provide a cost to provide those services to the trust.

    Meeting closed for lunch at 11:55
    Meeting reopened at 12:25

  10. FY2003 Budget issues
    Allan distributed a proposed FY2003 budget for discussion only. It was suggested we keep ESMEC Director as the manager of the trust. David Downes was asked to leave during the budget discussion. This item was presented for information only. Mark raised issue that including the Application and Participant fees for new enrollees, indicating they should not be included in the budget, as the expenditures are not reflected. Mike Spears asked for the fee policy to be revised (See above V for action). No reserve of fund balance is proposed.