February 11, 2000

9:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m., The Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St., Room 226, Madison, WI

Phyllis Dubé, Executive Board Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.  Present were:  Michael Armiak, Ted Beck, Ave M. Bie, Barry Ashenfelter (for Brian Burke), Mary Wright (for Lee Cullen), Phyllis Dubé, Karen Matteoni (for Lynn Hobbie), Mary Joanis, Robert Jones, Tom Kilkenny, Dan Matson, Terry Nicolai (arrived late), Richard Olson, Neal Siikarla, Ken Sprain, Rodney Stevenson, Susan Stratton, and Robert Wortinger.

1.      Introduction, Welcome to New Board Members and Agenda Review

Phyllis Dubé welcomed Ted Beck to his first Board meeting and Robert Wortinger from Kiesling Associates who replaced Mike Theis.

No adjustments or additions were made to the agenda.

Susan Stratton noted a correction to the Board materials for Agenda Item 6.  The chart titled:  Upcoming Planned Programs for Fiscal Year 2000-2001, should be 1999-2000.

2.      November Board Meeting Minutes 

Minutes were approved after motion by Tom Kilkenny and second from Dan Matson.

3.      Charter Revisions

There was some discussion over Section 2.2E on the timing to elect the Chairperson for the Executive Board.  Susan Stratton proposed to change the election date to the first meeting of the year in which a term ends.

After discussion, Dan Matson made a motion with second from Ken Sprain to approve the Charter.  The new Charter language was approved including all marked changes and Susan Stratton’s change in election of the Chair.

Now that the Executive Board has approved the Charter, Susan Stratton will distribute the Charter to members for their vote.

4.      Scholarship Program (information sharing)

Susan Stratton explained how the Scholarship Program works and stated her hopes for its future.  All Board members were given a copy of the questionnaire that each scholarship recipient filled out.  The program has allowed many government officials to attend programs that they otherwise could not afford.  Dan Matson asked how someone applies for a scholarship.  Susan reviewed the process.

5.   Finance Report (information sharing)

Susan Stratton reviewed the Institute’s financial situation.  The Institute currently has $96,000 in its account but must raise approximately $35,000 to break even for the fiscal year.  Susan reviewed the list of programs the Institute has scheduled from January to July 2000 and the projected net revenue each program will provide. 

Mary Joanis asked Susan Stratton if she had a proposal on where the Institute plans to be fiscally next year.  She asked if Susan could provide that to the Board.  Susan agreed to provide information on fiscal projections to the Board.

6.      Program Report (information sharing and input)

Susan Stratton reviewed planned programs for the rest of the current fiscal year.  Several courses need input from Committees, including the Gas Issues session and the Roundtable sessions.  Several new program ideas were discussed as follows:

Electric Restructuring--to explain FERC, State, NERC jurisdiction to current and new market entrants (suggested by Mike Stuart).

Market Based Tariffs--to review several possibilities for the electric industry to allow large industrial customers to adjust their usage according to market price incentives.

Universal Service Rules--to get the word out about the Wisconsin Universal Service rules for telecommunications services through information seminars that might be repeated in several locations.  Milwaukee, Green Bay and Stevens Point were suggested.  Funding from USF may be a possibility.  The rules have been sent back to the PSC and will then return to the Legislature.  The whole process would be done in 30-40 days.

Public Benefits Seminar--to get the word out about how public benefits for electric customers, providers, and contractors will be distributed.  Susan Stratton should contact John Marx to determine when the public benefits rules will be completed.  A multi-city series may also be appropriate for this seminar.  Funding may also be available from the Public Benefit fund for such a seminar.

Joint Universal Service and Public Benefits Seminars--to bring the messages from both seminars to the same audiences around the state.  If the timing works for both, it may be appropriate to schedule these jointly.  In addition to presentations, several organizations may set up information booths as a way to provide additional detailed information to attendees.   Suggestions for booths included DOA, PSC, utilities, etc.  Also, a booth should be staffed to help consumers understand where to go with utility problems.

The Board liked the joint seminar idea if the timing was appropriate.  Susan Stratton will explore all options.

7.   Committee Reports

Committee chairs reported on their committee’s status:

      Electric Program Advisory Committee – Susan Stratton.  Susan reported and confirmed the members of this committee.

      Executive Committee – Phyllis Dubé.  Nothing to report.

      Membership Committee – no current chair. 

      Natural Gas Program Advisory Committee – Tom Kilkenny.  Nothing to report.  They will meet before the end of the month to plan a roundtable seminar.

      Nomination Committee – Dan Matson.  Dan explained why it exists and stated it completed its function.

      Telecommunications Program Advisory Committee – Dan Matson.  They met on February 1 to review and fine-tune the Basic Course in Telecommunication being held on April 10-12.  Dan reviewed the program for the Board.

Ken Sprain voted to approve statements of purpose, role, and scope for each committee.  The motion was carried and passed.

Ken Armiak raised a question regarding election of new Board members whose term ends in June 2000 by the next Board meeting in September.  The Board decided to elect new Board members for the term beginning July 2000 by paper ballot.

8.      Fluno Center for Executive Education (information sharing - no decision)

Ted Beck, Assistant Dean for Executive Education, gave a presentation and invited everyone to tour the Fluno Center after the annual meeting.

9.      Next Board Meeting

Phyllis proposed the Board have two meetings a year.  The Board agreed to a schedule of two meetings per year with an Executive Committee meeting to be scheduled in May or June to review the proposed fiscal year budget and programs.  The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 15, 2000 at the Fluno Center.  Rod Stevenson complimented Susan Stratton for her work at the Institute. 

10.   Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.  The reception for the annual meeting began immediately after in the Lee Lounge on the first floor of The Pyle Center.