HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GTEU_01.16.2025Minutes of the
Electric Utility Advisory Board
City of Georgetown., Texas
Thursday., January 16, 2025
The Georgetown Electric Utility Advisory Board met on Thursday, January 16, 2025 , at 3:00 PM at
GMC-Williamson Conference Room 300-1 Industrial Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626.
The City of Georgetown is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If
you require assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the
ADA, reasonable assistance, adaptations, or accommodations will be provided upon request. Please
contact the City Secretary's Office, at least three (3) days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at
(512) 930-3652 or City Hall at 808 Martin Luther King, Jr Street for additional information; TTY users
route through Relay Texas at 711.
The following • were in attendance:
Present were: Sammy R Jones, Mike Triggs, Benjamin H Butler, Laura Klein Plunkett
Public Wishing to Address an Advisory Board
Please fill out a speaker registration form which can be
found on the table at the entrance to the mee ng room. Clearly print your name and the letter of the
item on which you wish to speak and present it to the Board Liaison prior to the start of the meeting.
You will be called forward to speak when the Board considers that item. Only persons who have
delivered the speaker form prior to the meeting being called to order may speak. Speakers will be
allowed up to three minutes to speak. If you wish to speak for six minutes, it is permissible to use
another requestor's granted me to speak. No • than six minutes for a • may be granted.
The requestor granting me to another speaker must also submit a form and be present at the meeting
Ohambie- the acienda, A request must be received by the Advisory Board or
Commission Liaison prior to the day the agenda for this meeting is posted. Each speaker will be giver
three minutes to address the Board or Commission members. No action can be taken at this meeting.
Call to Order
Comments from the Chair
Announcements
Action from Executive Session
Kress Carson, the Supervisor of Electric Utility Business Operations, announced that the Electric
Advisory Utility Board is in search of one more board member and is currently accepting applications.
Additionally, Daniel Bethapudi, the General Manager of Electric Utility, introduced two new team
members: Jackson Daly, who will take on the role of Chief Business Officer for Electric Utility, and
Michael Simpson, the Energy Market Portfolio Analyst.
Regular Session
1.A Approval of Minutes
Consideration and approval of the November 21, 2024, Minutes -- Reni§ Bywater-Barajas, Board
Liaison
Moved by Laura Klein Plunkett; seconded by Sammy R Jones to Approve the November 21, 2024,
minutes.
Motion Approved: 4- 0
Voting For: Sammy R Jones, Mike Triggs, Benjamin H Butler, Laura Klein Plunkett
Voting Against: None
1.13 Electric Monthly Operating Report
Discussion regarding the Electric Monthly Operations Report-- Daniel Bethapudi, General Manager of
Electric Utility
Cherie Hernandez, Customer Billing Manager, presented the Customer Service Report.
Board Member, Sammy Jones, raised a question regarding the changes in customer statistics
for October and November 2024, wondering if the variation was due to a reclassification. Ms.
Cherie Hernandez confirmed that the fluctuation in the numbers is related to billed services
during that month and the different billing dates.
Board Member, Laura Klein Plunket, inquired about the review of collection agency data and
the public accessibility of information to aid in bill planning, highlighting the challenges of
finding it online.
Mr. Daniel Bethapudi proposed that more written information be included with customer bill
In reply, Ms. Hernandez assured that she would explore potential changes to the billing
correspondence to make information more accessible and provide updates on this matter a
the next meeting.
Mike Westbrook, Electric Operations Manager, presented the Electric Operations Report. No
questions from the board.
Danny Potter, Electric Safety Program Manager, presented the Safety and Employee Development
Report.
Board Vice Chair, Benjamin Butler, inquired about the minimum number of hours needed for
safety training.
Mr. Danny Potter explained that this requirement is based on the safety guidelines for electri
lineman apprentices set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Mr. Butler further asked whether all staff members receive safety training and the frequency
this training. I
1,T,lr. Potter confirmed that all employees participate in monthly safety meetings where the
receive training. i
Nathan Parras, Assistant Finance Director, presented the Quarterly Financial Report. No questions
were asked from the board.
Board Member, Sammy Jones, inquired about the potential construction of additional data
centers in ERCOT, which is being developed to support growth. He also expressed concerns
about whether the industry is effectively addressing generation challenges.
In response, Daniel Bethapudi, the Electric Utility General Manager, confirmed that there has
been • discussion surrounding growth and •• generation. He shared • into
the ongoing conversations, emphasizing the commitment to ensuring that generation issues
•• • adversely affect the city.
Board Vice Chair, Benjamin Butler, inquired about any potential limitations on transmission
lines • the city.
2. Executive Session
In compliance with the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, Vernon's Codes,
Annotated, the items listed below will be discussed in closed session and are subject to • in the
• session.
0.13 Cyber Security Update
Sec. 551.089 Deliberation Regarding Security Devices or Security Audits
Adjournment
Moved by Sammy R Jones; seconded by Laura Klein Plunkett to Adjourn meeting at 3:57 p.m.
Motion Approved: 4 - 0
Voting For: Sammy R Jones, Mike Triggs, Benjamin H Butler, Laura Klein Plunkett
Voting Against: None
These minutes were approved at the meeting of
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Chair
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