City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
Water and Light Advisory Board  
701 E Broadway  
Conference Room  
1A/1B  
Wednesday, February 14, 2024  
8:00 AM  
Regular  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
Mr. Coffin called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.  
Staff: Sarah Talbert, Assistant Director Utilities- Rates and Fiscal Planning; David  
Sorrell, Utilities Director; Erin Keys, Acting Assistant Director- Electric; Todd  
McVicker, Acting Utility Services Manager; Matt Nestor, Public Information  
Specialist; David Storvick, Engineering Manager; Steve Hunt, Assistant Director-  
Water; Ron Wyble, Power Production Superintendent; Shawn Carrico, Engineering  
Supervisor; Madison Jones-Smith, Administration Technician I  
Council Members: Betsy Peters  
Public: Jim Windsor, Mike Murphy, Mark Haim, Carolyn Amparan, Dick Parker  
5 - Thomas Jensen, David Switzer, Gregg Coffin, Philip Fracica and Amanda Jacobs  
Present:  
II. INTRODUCTIONS  
A round robin was done for introductions.  
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Ms. Amanda Jacobs made a motion to approve the agenda as submitted with a  
second by Mr. David Switzer. Motion passed unanimously.  
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
The January 10, 2024 meeting minutes were approved with changes with a  
motion by Mr. Tom Jensen and a second by Mr. Phillip Fracica. Motion passed  
unanimously.  
Attachments: Meeting Minutes Draft 01 10 24  
V. FINANCIAL REPORTS as available  
a) Monthly Financial Reports  
Ms. Talbert discussed the month-to-date electric and water operating revenues. She  
stated the operating revenues for electric and water were higher in December of 2023  
compared to 2022. She mentioned that this was due to the base charge increase that  
was put into effect. The month to date operating expenses for electric and water were  
also higher due to staff raises that had been granted. She also stated that the water  
expenses increased in the winter due to multiple water main breaks. She stated as well  
that the year-to-date revenues and expenses for each utility were also up compared to  
December 2022. Ms. Talbert discussed the water and electric budgets compared to  
actuals. She stated the operating revenues for water were about 25 percent of the  
forecasted amount and the operating expenses were 20 percent. The electric  
operating revenues were 2 percent of the forecasted amount whereas the operating  
expenses were 18 percent. She stated billed usage for water was up compared to  
years prior and electric billed usage was slightly lower.  
Attachments: Electric Statements-December 2023  
Water Statements-December 2023  
Summary Change in Billed usage for Water and Electric  
VI. DIRECTOR'S REPORTS  
a) FY 2025 Board Budget Request  
Ms. Talbert provided the budgets for the Water and Light Advisory Board (WLAB)  
for food and travel/training planning. Ms. Talbert asked if the board felt these were  
useful and if the amounts were sufficient. Both Mr. Switzer and Mr. Coffin said the  
amounts were good and these budgets were good to have.  
Attachments: WLAB Budget Request  
b) Quarterly Utility Disconnections  
Ms. Talbert shared the number of delinquent utility accounts. She stated the amount of  
active accounts with the City of Columbia was sixty-seven thousand two hundred and  
seventy (67,270). The amount of delinquent accounts as of January 31st, both  
residential and commercial, was three thousand one hundred and seventy-two (3,172)  
which accounts for 4.72 percent. She stated the amount of accounts pending  
disconnect as of January 31st, both residential and commercial, was one thousand  
two hundred and twenty-three (1,223) which accounts for 1.82 percent. Ms. Talbert  
also discussed the amount of money came from the different pledging organizations for  
utility assistance. She mentioned the Health Department’s contributions towards utility  
assistance.  
Attachments: Pending disconnects for WLAB  
c) Quarterly Power Cost Adjustment Report  
Ms. Talbert discussed the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) Report. She stated that the  
actual expenses were higher than the forecasted values. She also stated that the  
energy sold was lower than what was forecasted. Ms. Talbert also discussed the  
PCA Customer Impact and what that might look like on a customer’s bill.  
Attachments: PCA Board Report -December 2023  
d) 4th Quarter Renewable Energy Report  
Ms. Talbert provided the 4th quarter renewable energy report. She stated that the  
values were fiscal year Two Thousand Twenty-Three (2023) and they were  
compared to fiscal year Two Thousand Twenty-Two (2022.) She noted the different  
percentages as well as the different categories within the report. She then opened the  
floor for questions of which there were none.  
Attachments: 4th quarter renewable energy report  
e) 1st Quarter CIP Progress Report  
Ms. Talbert provided and discussed the CIP progress reports. She briefly explained  
the breakdown of all of the funds provided for each of the different projects within the  
city. She then opened the floor up for questions about the different projects of which  
there were none.  
Attachments: 1st Quarter Electric CIP Report  
1st Quarter Water CIP Report  
Water and Electric CIP balances 12-31-23  
f) Quarterly FY 2018 Water Ballot Project Update  
Ms. Talbert stated that multiple projects within the water ballot were approved and  
currently out for bids. Those projects being: a water treatment plant, the southeast  
pump, and the West Ash pumping station. She stated that the construction bids for all  
three projects were due on February 23rd. She also stated that the Southwest Water  
Tower project was actively looking for property for the water tower and once that  
was acquired, the project could move forward with the design. She also discussed  
that the well platforms project had a design contract that was in negotiations.  
Attachments: WaterBondProjStatus 20240202  
g) Council Item Updates  
Ms. Talbert discussed the council items updates. She stated Council Bill 322-23  
Amending the FY 2024 Annual Budget for the first quarter appropriation of funds  
was approved. She stated Council Bill 10-24 authorizing a deed of water utility  
easement and related agreements with the Eugenia B. Rogers Trust, the Rogers  
Family Trust, and the Rogers Joint Revocable Trust was also approved. Ms. Talbert  
said the WLAB Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report was also presented to Council. She  
stated Resolution R22-24 authorizing an agreement for professional engineering  
services with Crockett Engineering Consultants for water meter survey and  
investigation to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Act Lead and Copper  
Rule Revision was discussed.  
Attachments: Council Item Updates - January 2024  
h) Water Quality Update  
Ms. Talbert briefly discussed the water quality update. She mentioned they had  
received a lot of compliments on the water quality. She also mentioned the multiple  
pumping stations and how she believed they were working well.  
VII. CHAIRMAN'S REPORTS  
a) Review Renewable Ordinance  
At the last meeting, the renewable energy ordinance was presented and ideas were  
discussed on how to rework the ordinance based on a request from Council. Mr.  
Switzer stated there was other utilities around the country that had similar goals, but  
their wording was zero emissions for Carbon Free as opposed to 100 percent  
renewable. He mentioned most places had a date of when they wanted to reach those  
goals with most being 2045 or further. He stated the WLAB should look into  
potentially changing the goal deadline of the ordinance. He also stated that the  
wording should account for annual goals like 45 percent renewable by a certain year.  
Mr. Jensen expressed concerns over the costs for this project and brought up  
Georgetown, Texas and the financial struggles they dealt with because of a similar  
goal. He also stated that he believed there should be a way for the WLAB to listen to  
the citizens input on the subject and go from there. Mr. Coffin stated he believed the  
WLAB should only come up with a list of suggestions and not rewrite the ordinance  
entirely. Some of the suggestions that were discussed involved changing the wording  
to make the ordinance go by fiscal year instead of calendar year which would make it  
less confusing. There was also a suggestion about having a way to factor in  
circumstances out of the Board’s control that could push back the deadlines.  
Attachments: 2023 Renewable Energy Plan FINAL  
City Renewable Energy Ordinance  
Staff Challenges & Recommendation with Renewable Ordinance  
WLAB - Renewable Ordinance Review  
b) Rolling Calendar  
Ms. Talbert discussed the rolling calendar and asked for any recommendations. She  
mentioned that at the meeting in March, Mr. Manny Teodoro would be joining the  
WLAB meeting via Zoom to give the rate affordability metrics presentation. Mr.  
Switzer also stated he would like to continue the renewable energy conversation and  
Ms. Talbert stated she could add it to the agenda. Mr. Coffin asked Ms. Carolyn  
Amparan if she would like to come and speak on behalf of the Sierra Club at a future  
meeting regarding the renewable energy topic and she accepted. Ms. Talbert also  
stated the tour of the Water Treatment Plant was scheduled for May 9th.  
Attachments: WL Rolling Agenda February  
VIII. PUBLIC EMAIL COMMENTS  
Ms. Talbert provided some emails from Mr. Dick Parker as well as Ms. Carolyn  
Amparan. Mr. Parker discussed some potential changes to the renewable energy  
ordinance that were discussed within the 100 percent Renewable by 2030 group. He  
stated that he wanted the ordinance to be aligned with the Fiscal Year rather than the  
Calendar year. He felt that the WLAB should be aware of these changes produced  
by the 100 percent by 2030 group and added that Ms. Amparan could also speak on  
their behalf. Ms. Amparan sent in an email on behalf of the Sierra Club. She brought  
to the WLAB the Sierra Club’s revisions to the renewable energy ordinance. She  
stated that the Sierra Club supported moving the reporting timeline to the fiscal year  
as opposed to the calendar year making the report available annually after December  
1st. She also stated that the definition of renewable energy needed to align with what  
the National Sierra Club defined it as. Ms. Amparan stated that the Sierra Club was  
also in favor of pushing back the target date for 100 percent renewables. She stated  
the Club recommended that the target date for 100 percent be pushed back to 2035  
due to grid congestion and other issues that were currently affecting the price of  
renewables. She also stated that the Club and herself were worried about the sense of  
urgency from the WLAB and felt the process needed to be sped up.  
Attachments: WLABPublic Water And Light Advisory Board - Parker 1-29-24  
WLABPublic Water And Light Advisory Board - Parker 2-7-24  
IX. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, MEMBERS AND STAFF  
Mr. Mark Haim addressed the WLAB regarding the renewables conversation. He  
stated he was concerned by the lack of urgency from the WLAB regarding this matter  
and that there was no acknowledgement of the existential crisis that has been caused  
by climate change. He asked the WLAB what it would take to get some sense of  
urgency. He also stated that Columbia needed to be a leader for other Municipalities  
in regards to the renewable plan.  
Mr. Jim Windsor discussed the well issue and if the lead detection had something to  
do with the wetlands. He also discussed the fact that the current renewable energy  
plan and how the estimated usage by customers was recognized as far of the lost  
revenue was still not counted in the cost. Mr. Windsor noted the Transmission Line  
and how it has been a year since Council had directed action on the interconnection  
with Ameren. He said to his knowledge, nothing had yet been brought back to  
Council.  
X. NEXT MEETING DATE  
March 13, 2024  
XI. ADJOURNMENT  
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 A.M. on a motion by Mr. Tom Jensen with a  
second by Mr. David Switzer. Motion passed unanimously.  
To submit questions or comments to the Water & Light Advisory Board, please email  
wlabpublic@como.gov.  
All media inquiries should be submitted to Matt Nestor at Matthew.Nestor@como.gov.  
Members of the public may attend any open meeting. For requests for accommodations related to  
disability, please call 573-874-CITY (573-874-2489) or email CITY@CoMo.gov. In order to assist staff in  
making the appropriate arrangements for your accommodation, please make your request as far in  
advance of the posted meeting date as possible.  
USB DRIVES PROHIBITED: Due to cybersecurity concerns, flash drives and other media devices  
are no longer permitted for delivering files or presentation materials. A speaker who desires to  
display a presentation must upload the presentation, in advance, to the city network using an  
upload portal. To upload your files and learn more, visit CoMo.gov/upload. (Effective Jan. 1,  
2023)