HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-27-22 Board of Water and Light
Approved by the Board of Commissioners 11-15-22
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
LANSING BOARD OF WATER AND LIGHT
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September 27, 2022
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The Board of Commissioners met at the Lansing Board of Water and Light (BWL) Headquarters-REO Town
Depot located at 1201 S. Washington Ave., Lansing, MI, at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
Chairperson Semone James called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
The Corporate Secretary, LaVella J. Todd, called the roll.
Present: Commissioners Semone James, Dusty Horwitt, DeShon Leek, Tony Mullen, David Price, Tracy
Thomas, and Sandra Zerkle. Non-Voting Commissioners present: Larry Merrill (Delta Township), and
Maggie Sanders (Lansing Township)
Absent: Commissioners Beth Graham and Douglas Jester (East Lansing)
Corporate Secretary Todd declared a quorum.
Commissioner Leek led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Commissioner Price, Seconded by Commissioner Horwitt, to approve the Regular Board
Meeting minutes of July 26, 2022.
Action: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS
There were no public comments on agenda items.
COMMUNICATIONS
Electronic mail received from Elaine Fischhoff regarding LBWL Rules of Procedure - Referred to
Management. Received and Placed on File
Electronic mail received from Carla Jones regarding Power Outage - Referred to Management. Received
and Placed on File
Electronic mail received from Elizabeth Calvert regarding Senior Citizen Utility Rate Fee - Referred to
Management. Received and Placed on File
Electronic mail received from Amelia Woodruff regarding Utility Bill - Referred to Management.
Received and Placed on File
Electronic mail received from Joel Christy regarding Utility Bill - Referred to Management. Received and
Placed on File
Electronic mail received from Lisa Parker regarding Outside LED Lighting - Referred to Management.
Received and Placed on File
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Vice-Chairperson Sandra Zerkle presented the Committee of the Whole Report:
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Meeting Minutes
September 13, 2022
The Committee of the Whole of the Lansing Board of Water and Light (BWL) met at the BWL Headquarters-
REO Town Depot located at 1201 S. Washington Ave., Lansing, MI, on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.
Committee of the Whole Chairperson Sandra Zerkle called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and asked
the Corporate Secretary to call the roll.
Present: Commissioners Sandra Zerkle, Beth Graham, Dusty Horwitt, Semone James, DeShon Leek, Tony
Mullen, and Tracy Thomas; and Non-Voting Members: Larry Merrill (Delta Township).
Absent: Commissioners David Price; and Non-Voting Members: Douglas Jester (East Lansing) and Maggie
Sanders (Lansing Township)
The Corporate Secretary declared a quorum.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Beth Graham, Seconded by Commissioner Tracy Thomas, to approve the
Committee of the Whole meeting minutes of July 12, 2022.
Action: Motion Carried.
LBWL’s Rules of Procedure
Chairperson Zerkle and Attorney Mark Matus shared the City Council’s request for minor changes to the
LBWL’s Rules of Procedure in section 10.2 AGENDA FOR REGULAR MEETINGS, Preparation of Agenda, and
section 19.2.3 MISCELLANEOUS, News Media Regulations. In addition, Commissioner Merrill stated
section 2.1 NOTICE OF MEETINGS, Publication of Dates, does not need to be amended but needs some
care by the Corporate Secretary to post the Annual Board Meeting Schedule 10-days prior to January 1st
to be consistent with the provisions of the Open Meetings Act.
Motion by Commissioner Beth Graham, Seconded by Commissioner Beth Graham, Seconded by
Commission Tracy Thomas, to approve the minor changes to the LBWL’s Rules of Procedure and return
them to the City Council.
LBWL’s Rules of Procedure – Edited Version
Chairperson Zerkle introduced the agenda item. Commissioner Tony Mullen shared concerns with this
agenda item being presented and questioned the relevance of discussing the item any further in that the
Board has already reviewed the Rules of Procedure this year and some of the changes being suggested in
the edited version were already voted down. Secondly, Commissioner Mullen cautioned the Board to
make sure discussions are presented according to the Open Meetings Act as opposed to “round-robins”
as Board action is supposed to be executed through resolutions. He also shared concerns regarding the
time spent on answering questions on environmental matters. Commissioner Horwitt stated that because
he was not in attendance during the Board’s previous discussion on the Rules of Procedure, he wanted to
discuss the proposed changes in the edited version as suggestions, either now, or in the future.
Motion by Commissioner Semone James, Seconded by Commissioner Dusty Horwitt, to discuss the
LBWL’s Rules of Procedure – Edited Version.
Commissioner Horwitt gave an overview of the suggested changes indicated in the LBWL’s Rules of
Procedure – Edited Version. Additional comments were presented by Attorney Mark Mattus regarding
the grammatical changes shared by Commissioner Horwitt. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the
suggested grammatical changes to the Rules of Procedure – Edited Version.
Commissioner Leek requested a call to question.
Roll Call Vote for call to question:
Yeas: Commissioners Sandra Zerkle, Beth Graham, Semone James, DeShon Leek, Tony Mullen, Tracy
Thomas, Dusty Horwitt
Nays: None.
Vote to end discussion on item 3. LBWL’s Rules of Procedure – Edited Version passes.
Healthcare Review / PUBLIC ACT (PA) 152 Resolution
Michael Flowers, Human Resources Executive Director and Tracy Strudwick, Human Resources Manager,
provided an overview of the Healthcare Review/PUBLIC ACT (PA) 152 and Resolution. Brief discussion
followed.
Motion by Commissioner Beth Graham, Seconded by Commissioner Tracy Thomas, to forward the
Healthcare Review / PA 152 Resolution to the full board for consideration.
Action: Motion Carried
Response to Public Environmental Questions Resolution
Motion to accept Response to Public Environmental Questions Resolution by Commissioner Semone
James, Seconded by Commissioner Horwitt, to the full board for consideration.
Roll Call Vote for Motion:
Yeas: Commissioners Beth Graham, Semone James, DeShon Leek, Tracy Thomas, Dusty Horwitt, Semone
James, Sandra Zerkle
Nays: Commissioner Tony Mullen
Response to Public Environmental Questions Resolution passes.
Other
Parking space changes – no discussion.
Environmental questions – referenced in above.
Motion by Commissioner Semone James, Seconded by Commissioner Beth Graham, to excuse
Commissioners Douglas Jester, David Price and Maggie Sanders from tonight’s meeting.
Action: Motion Carried
Reflection
Commissioner Thomas requested reflection upon and well wishes for Commissioner David Price and his
spouse considering his recent surgery.
Adjourn
Chairperson Zerkle adjourned the meeting at 6:26p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Sandra Zerkle, Chairperson
Committee of the Whole
Finance Committee Chairperson Dusty Horwitt presented the Finance Committee Report:
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
September 13, 2022
The Finance Committee of the Board of Water and Light (BWL) met at the BWL Headquarters – REO Town
Depot, located at 1201 S. Washington Ave., Lansing, MI on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.
Finance Committee Chairperson Dusty Horwitt called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. and asked the
Corporate Secretary to call the roll.
Present: Commissioners Dusty Horwitt, Semone James, and Sandra Zerkle. Also, present: Commissioners
Beth Graham, Tony Mullen, and Tracy Thomas; and Non-Voting Commissioners: Larry Merrill (Delta
Township)
Absent: Commissioners David Price, Douglas Jester (East Lansing) and Maggie Sanders (Lansing Township)
The Corporate Secretary declared a quorum.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Commissioner James, Seconded by Commissioner Zerkle, to approve the Finance Committee
Meeting minutes of July 12, 2022.
Action: Motion Carried.
Baker Tilly External Audit Report and Resolution
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Heather Shawa provided background information on the annual external
audit report. Ms. Shawa introduced external auditor Aaron Worthman, Partner and CPA at Baker Tilly
Virchow Krause, LLP. Mr. Worthman presented and highlighted the external audit report which included
an audit overview, observations and recommendations, and required communications to governing body.
Mr. Worthman reported that there were no deficiencies in internal controls and that the BWL and all three
pension plans received unmodified audit opinions.
A Commissioner and external auditor question and answer discussion session followed.
Motion by Commissioner Semone James, Seconded by Commissioner Sandra Zerkle, to forward the
Resolution for the FY2022 Audited Financial Statements to the full Board for consideration.
Action: Motion Carried.
July YTD Financial Summary
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Heather Shawa gave a review of the July 2022 Year-to-date Financial
Summary. CFO Shawa reported the following: revenues were budgeted at $35.8 million and are at $40.3
million; operating expenditures were budgeted at $34.3 million and $37.4 million was spent; Net Income
was budgeted at $1.5 million, and it is now at $3 million.
Rate Change Update
CFO Shawa reported that the rate change notice was published on September 2, 2022, and the rate
schedules were sent to the City of Lansing on August 5, 2022, for the Public Hearing to be held on
September 20, 2022. The resolution for Board approval of the rate changes will be considered at the
Board Meeting on September 27, 2022. Recommended changes will not include a demand charge for
residential customers but will include a time of use of rate. Residential customers will also receive a
discounted rate for the first 2 CCF of water. CFO Shawa stated that customers will be provided
information on how the time of use rate will be beneficial to them and the rate change transition.
Retirement Plan Committee (RPC) Update
Accounting, Finance and Planning Director, Scott Taylor gave the Retirement Plan Committee (RPC)
update presentation. The investment activity updates included the DB and VEBA investment manager
changes of replacing Loomis, Sayles & Company and Vanguard Russell 1000 Value with Northern Trust
S&P 500 Index Fund, VEBA portfolio rebalancing due to AEW and Blackstone real asset holdings
outperforming other asset classes, and Defined Contribution 401(a) and Deferred Compensation 457(b)
Plans fund and fund share class changes. Administrative activity updates included no reimbursements
being made from the VEBA Trust due to a shortfall in investment returns and communication will be
made to participants regarding documentation needed for deductions and tax reporting.
Internal Audit Department Update
Internal Auditor Frank Macciocca presented the Internal Audit department update and requested
approval of the FY2023 Internal Audit Plan.
Commissioner Zerkle asked whether the energy contract for the Battery cell venture would be audited
and what part of shutting down the Erickson plant would be audited. Mr. Macciocca responded that the
process and steps for the Battery cell venture and the shutdown of the plant would be audited in order
to examine how to improve and streamline the entire process.
Motion by Commissioner James, Seconded by Commissioner Zerkle, to forward the Resolution for the
FY2023 Internal Audit Plan to the full Board for consideration.
Action: Motion Carried.
Other
Motion by Chairperson Dusty Horwitt, Seconded by Commissioner Sandra Zerkle, to excuse
Commissioners David Price, Douglas Jester and Maggie Sanders from tonight’s meeting.
Action: Motion Carried
Adjourn
Chairperson Dusty Horwitt adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Dusty Horwitt, Chairperson
Finance Committee
MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATIONS
There were no Manager’s Recommendations.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Motion by Chairperson Semone James, Seconded by Commissioner Sandra Zerkle to appoint
Commissioner Tracy Thomas as the fourth member of the Executive Committee for FY 2022-2023.
Action: Motion Carried.
Chairperson James acknowledged Commissioner Dusty Horwitt as the Chairperson of the Finance
Committee for FY 2022-2023 and Commissioner Beth Graham as the Chairperson of the Human Resources
Committee for FY 2022-2023.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION 2022-09-01
LBWL Rules of Procedure Amendments
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5-105 of the Lansing City Charter the BWL’s Board of Commissioners
developed and adopted Administrative Rules of Procedure, which have been approved by Lansing City
Council from time to time, which Rules establish how the Board conducts business to fulfill its governance
and policymaking responsibilities for the operation of the BWL; and
WHEREAS, the Board last updated their Rules of Procedure with technical changes to provide clarity, as
well as several substantive amendments, on March 22, 2022 and thereafter submitted them to City
Council for approval; and
WHEREAS, following a July 25, 2022 City Council Committee of the Whole meeting, the City Council
President sent a July 28, 2022 letter requesting the BWL Board of Commissioners to consider further
adjustments to the proposed Rules; and
WHEREAS, the Board considered amendments to its Rules at its Committee of the Whole meeting on
September 13, 2022, and approved the amendments at its regular Board meeting on September 27, 2022.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Rules of Procedure are amended as set forth in Attachment A
and the Corporate Secretary may now submit the revised Rules to the Lansing City Clerk and the City
Council.
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Motion by Commissioner Horwitt, Seconded by Commissioner Price, to approve the Amendments to the
LBWL Rules of Procedure with friendly amendment and to send the Amended Rules of Procedure to the
City of Lansing.
Commissioner Price proposed a friendly amendment to the resolution to address the grammatical
corrections as there are no substantive change to the Rules of Procedure.
Action: Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION 2022-09-02
PA 152 Health Care Premium Sharing
WHEREAS, Governor Rick Snyder, on September 27, 2011, signed legislation known as the “Public Funded
Health Insurance Contribution Act”, Public Act 152 of 2011 (the “Act”) limiting the amount public
employers may pay for government employee medical benefits, and;
WHEREAS, the Act took effect January 1, 2012 and applies to all public employers including the Lansing
Board of Water & Light, and;
WHEREAS, the Act contains three options for complying with the requirements of the Act;
WHEREAS, the three options are as follows:
1) Section 3 - “Hard Caps” Option - limits a public employer’s total annual health care costs for
employees based on coverage levels, as defined in the Act;
2) Section 4 - “80%/20%” Option - limits a public employer’s share of total annual health care costs
to not more than 80%. This option requires an annual majority vote of the governing body;
3) Section 8 - “Exemption” Option - a local unit of government, as defined in the Act, may exempt
itself from the requirements of the Act by an annual 2/3 vote of the governing body;
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners desires to maintain premium sharing at 20% for all active
employees for medical benefits effective January 1, 2023 through December 31,2023;
RESOLVE that the Board of Commissioners by a majority vote has decided to adopt the 80%/20% option
as its choice of compliance under the Act;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Commissioners of the Lansing Board of Water & Light
elects to comply with the requirements of 2011 Public Act 152, the Publicly Funded Health Insurance
Contribution Act, by adopting the 80%/20% option for the medical benefit plan coverage year January
1, 2023 through December 31,2023.
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Motion by Commissioner Zerkle, Seconded by Commissioner Price, to approve the PA 152 Health Care
Premium Sharing Resolution.
Action: Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION 2022-09-03
Commissioner Questions Pertaining to Environmental Matters
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) desire to establish a
process when they have received questions from the public or have their own questions pertaining to
environmental matters at the BWL that they would like the General Manager or staff to have time to
prepare for in advance of presenting responses at a Board or Committee meeting.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, when Commissioners have received questions from the public or have
their own questions pertaining to environmental matters at the BWL that they would like the General
Manager or staff to have time to prepare for in advance of presenting responses at a Board or Committee
meeting, the Commissioner(s) shall submit the question(s) directly to the General Manager and the
Corporate Secretary. The questions should be submitted with sufficient time for review and analysis by
the General Manager and sufficient time for the questions to be included in the meeting packet prepared
by the Corporate Secretary so that they can be addressed under the “other” portion of the meeting
agenda. This does not preclude Commissioners from asking any question they deem necessary or
appropriate at a meeting but is instead intended to provide advance notice to all Commissioners of such
questions that have been presented in advance of a meeting.
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Motion by Commissioner Zerkle, Seconded by Commissioner Horwitt, to approve the Resolution for the
Commissioner Questions Pertaining to Environmental Matters.
Yeas: Commissioners Semone James, Dusty Horwitt, Semone James, DeShon Leek, David Price, Tracy
Thomas and Sandra Zerkle.
Nays: Commissioner Tony Mullen.
Action: Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION 2022-09-04
Fiscal Year 2022 Audited Financial Statements
of the Enterprise Fund and Pension Fiduciary Funds
RESOLVED, that the fiscal year 2022 Audited Financial Statements of the Board of Water and Light have
been reviewed and are hereby accepted as presented.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Corporate Secretary is hereby directed to file a copy of the fiscal year 2022
Audited Financial Statements of the Board of Water and Light with the City of Lansing no later than
October 2022.
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Motion by Commissioner Horwitt, Seconded by Commissioner Mullen, to approve the Resolution for the
acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2022 Audited Financial Statements of the Enterprise Fund and Pension
Fiduciary Funds.
Action: Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION 2022-09-05
Internal Audit Plan for FY 2023
RESOLVED, That the Board of Commissioners hereby approves the Internal Audit Plan for FY 2023.
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Motion by Commissioner Horwitt, Seconded by Commissioner Mullen, to accept the Internal Audit Plan
for FY 2023.
Action: Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION 2022-09-06
2022-2023 Rate Increases for Electric, Water, Steam and Chilled Water
WHEREAS, just and reasonable rates shall be established that enable the Lansing Board of Water & Light
(BWL) to meet its mission of serving the Greater Lansing area by providing safe, reliable and affordable
utility services; and
WHEREAS, BWL management has evaluated the rates for each utility relative to its mission, its Rate
Making Principles and its financial plan and recommends the following changes to the rates for each
utility:
I. Electric (Attachment A):
BWL management recommends an overall increase of 2.05%, comprised of varying
individual rate class increases, to electric billings on November 1, 2022, and November 1,
2023; and
BWL management recommends the following specific changes to the electric rates:
a) introduction of a Residential Off-Peak Savers Time-of-Use tariff;
b) the closing of the Residential Senior Citizen Rate 21;
c) a new rate structure of Small, Midsize, Large, and Extra Large commercial and
industrial classes;
d) additional rate offerings for commercial & industrial customers including Time-of-
Use, Commercial Electric Vehicle Charging Station, High Load Factor, Market Based
Economic Development and a Standby Rate for Dispatchable Generators; and
e) new electric riders including the Low Income Energy Assistance Fund Surcharge
established through Public Act 95 of 2013, Renewable Energy Distributed
Generation Rider that replaces the Renewable Energy Net Metering Rider and the
Rate Transition Credit Rider.
II. Water (Attachment B):
BWL management recommends an overall increase of 9.5%, comprised of varying
individual rate class increases, to water billings on November 1, 2022, and November 1,
2023; and
BWL management also recommends the introduction of a tiered rate structure for
Residential Water Service that provides a discounted first 2 CCFs (1,500 gallons) of water
per month, and separate Residential and Commercial Lawn Sprinkling Water Service tariffs;
and
BWL management also recommends the implementation of a Water Environmental Charge
Rider to recover the costs and expenses incurred from environmental remediation and
mitigation activities that are required as a matter of agreement, order, decree, or law.
III. Steam (Attachment C):
BWL management recommends a 9.95% increase in steam billings on November 1, 2022,
and November 1, 2023; and
BWL management also recommends the removal of the Amine Treatment Adjustment from
the General Steam Service Rate 1, Contract Steam Service Rate 3 and Residential Steam
Service Rate 5 tariffs.
IV. Chilled Water (Attachment D):
BWL management recommends a 4.0% increase to chilled water billings on November 1,
2022, and November 1, 2023; and
BWL management also recommends the introduction of a Chilled Water Fuel Cost
Adjustment Rider to recover the costs of fuel used in the production of chilled water.
WHEREAS, notice of the proposed rate increases was communicated to all customers by public notice
on September 2, 2022, and a public hearing was held on September 20, 2022, to receive comments on
the proposed increases; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners has considered the comments of the public as well as
recommendations made by BWL management.
THEREFORE, it is:
RESOLVED, that the electric, water, steam, and chilled water rate schedules, detailed in Attachments A –
D, be adopted and made effective for electric, water, steam, and chilled water utility services on
November 1, 2022, and November 1, 2023.
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Motion by Commissioner Thomas, Seconded by Commissioner Mullen, to adopt the 2022 – 2023 Rate
Increases for Electric, Water, Steam and Chilled Water.
Roll Call Vote:
Yeas: Commissioners Semone James, Dusty Horwitt, DeShon Leek, Tony Mullen, David Price, Tracy
Thomas, Sandra Zerkle
Nays: None
Action: Motion Carried.
MANAGER’S REMARKS
General Manager Dick Peffley provided the following information:
1. The area around Eckert Station is being cleaned up and being made aesthetically pleasing and safe
as it will be open for the foreseeable future. The cooling towers will be taken down first, followed
by removal of the conveyor belts that run up to the building, and removal of an onsite water silo.
2. EGLE published its draft for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for which LBWL submitted an
application and LBWL ranked third on its priority list. It appears that LBWL will be approved for
$32.2 million; $12.2 million of which will be at the low interest of 1.875%; and $20 million will be
in principal forgiveness. The finalization of the funding sources will be completed in October by
EGLE.
3. Delta Energy Park (DEP) was recognized for world class safety by the National Maintenance
Agreement at the Policy Committee meeting. Scheck Mechanical received the award for zero
injuries on the DEP site.
4. Engineering News Record (ENR) Midwest awarded Delta Energy Park with the Best Project,
Energy/Industrial in its Best Projects competition. The Best Overall Project notification will be sent
in December.
5. Careers in Energy Week is October 17, 2022 to October 21, 2022. BWL is hosting high school
students on October 17th and middle school students on October 21st.
COMMISSIONERS’ REMARKS
Commissioner Zerkle commented that questions and answers to environmental matters were included in
the packet and asked GM Peffley to provide information on the success of the different agencies that
participated in the resource fairs. GM Peffley responded that approximately 90% of the people attending
were assisted and the success of the two resource fairs was gauged by the smiling faces of the customers
that were assisted by approximately a dozen community agencies.
Commissioner Thomas congratulated Commissioner Beth Graham on the appointment as Human
Resources Committee Chairperson. He also commented on the improvement toward the application for
the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
EXCUSED ABSENCE
Motion by Commissioner Zerkle, Seconded by Commissioner Mullen, to excuse Commissioner Graham
and Commissioner Jester from tonight’s meeting.
Action: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson James adjourned the meeting at 5:50 p.m.
LaVella J. Todd, Corporate Secretary
Preliminary Minutes filed (electronically) with Lansing City Clerk 10-04-22
Approved by the Board of Commissioners: 11-15-22
Official Minutes filed (electronically) with Lansing City Clerk: 11-16 -22