Speaker set for All-Employee Training... See Page 7

Inside Page 2 OMPA Board Report - August Storming Page 3 passes General Manager’s Report - What new EPA rules mean The Capitol NERC Page 5 audit From the Board Chair - The role of electors Municipal Power Page 6 Authority (OMPA) Lineman’s Corner - successfully navi- Part two of OSHA updates gated a significant regulatory test with Page 10 completion of the North American Legislative Update - Electric Reliabil- An interesting summer ity Corporation (NERC) Standards OMPA MEMBER CITIES Altus, Blackwell, Comanche, Copan, audit on July 23. Duncan, Edmond, Eldorado, The audit, Fairview, Frederick, Geary, Goltry, performed by the Granite, Hominy, Kingfisher, La- verne, Lexington, Mangum, Manitou, Annual electors meeting has a legislative feel Southwest Power Marlow, Newkirk, Okeene, Olustee, Pool Regional Enti- Orlando, Pawhuska, Perry, Ponca his year’s at 1:30 p.m. in the ty (SPP RE), was City, Pond Creek, Prague, Purcell, Annual Oklahoma House Ryan, Spiro, Tecumseh, Tonkawa, T conducted to de- Walters, Watonga, Waynoka, Wetum- Electors’ Meeting of Representatives termine if OMPA ka, Wynnewood, Yale. for the Oklahoma Chambers, 2300 N. was in compli-

A member of the American Public Municipal Power Lincoln Blvd. Those ance with seven Power Association, Municipal Authority will be a attending are also standards and 15 Electric Systems of Oklahoma and lesson in politics, as invited to visit the associated require- Southwestern Power Resources Association. the event will be held Board of Directors ments created by at the State Capitol and meeting earlier that NERC. It was the Outlet is published by OMPA for our Lamb first such audit for Members will include a welcome day, at 9:30 a.m., at 2701 West I-35 Frontage Road by Lt. Governor Todd the OMPA offices in OMPA since 2008. Post Office Box 1960 Lamb, as well as a presentation Edmond. Audits are not Edmond, Oklahoma 73083-1960 about the state political process. Lamb, who was elected Lt. typically done on Phone: 405-359-2500 every standard, Fax: 405-359-1071 Five OMPA board members Governor in 2010, is an Enid as this would be www.ompa.com also will stand for election or native who played football at burdensome on re-election during the gathering, Louisiana Tech University and OMPA is a wholesale power company both the entity and owned by 39 municipal electric which begins with lunch at 12:30 earned degrees from Oklahoma utilities. OMPA provides economies p.m. on Thursday, September State University and the Continued on of scale in power generation and Page 9 related services to support communi- 11. The meeting agenda starts Continued on Page 4 ty-owned electric utilities. The mem- bers of OMPA serve approximately 250,000 Oklahomans. 425 copies printed at a cost of $843.46. September 2014 - Vol. 30 No. 9 Page 2

Gray Honored For Service OML annual conference scheduled for September The Oklahoma Municipal League’s (OML) annual Conference & Exposition will be Sept. 23-25 at the Cox Convention Center in . This year’s theme is “Partnering For the Future: Success Through Collaboration”. The event will include exhibit hall activities, education sessions, networking opportunities, a golf tournament and an awards ceremony. The Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority will also team up with Grand River Dam Authority and Municipal Electric Systems of Oklahoma to present a public power booth at the conference. Elizabeth Gray, left, was honored at the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority’s August board meeting for her years of service to the board. Formerly the city manager at Altus, For more information about the Gray has accepted a position as city manager at Sand Springs, meaning she will no longer event, contact OML by phone at 405- be an OMPA board member. An election for her seat will take place on Sept. 11. Presenting 528-7515 or 800-324-6651, or go online Gray with the honor, at right, is OMPA Board Chairman Charles Lamb. to oml.org. Board Report Highlights From August 2014 Board of Directors Meeting

• Approved CUP Awards for Altus, Duncan and Marlow. • Approved three month extension to the Loaned Transformer Agreement with Altus Municipal Authority. • Confirmed and ratified change orders on Charles D. Lamb Energy Center. • Tim Blodgett of Hometown Connections provided a presentation and responded to Board questions about Hometown Connections. • Approved a Loan Agreement with the Okeene Public Works Authority for Industrial Customer service. • Reviewed preliminary numbers for the 2015 OMPA Budget and Rate work. • Received the report on the NERC Audit recently conducted, in which there were no findings.

The next Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Sept. 11 at 9:30 a.m. in the OMPA Board Room in Edmond. Page 3

EPA’s new greenhouse rules City and what they mean for OMPA assume most of you • Comments due – 10/16/2014 Ihave heard something General • Rule is final – 6/1/2015 Updates in the news regarding the Manager’s • State plans due – 6/30/2016 Environmental Protection • Emission reductions start – Newkirk Agency’s plans to reduce Report 2020 City picks new carbon dioxide emissions • Achieve final reduction targets assistant city manager from power plants. You are – 2030 (By Scott Cloud, Newkirk also probably wondering Again, this was meant to be Herald Journal) – The City of what this all means for a high-level overview, as there Newkirk hired Jeremy Fraizer OMPA and the cost of are many details one couldn’t fit as assistant city manager, electricity. This is not an in an Outlet article. starting with the city Aug.4. easy answer, and there are So, what does this mean Frazier has a Masters in 2-day-long seminars you can for OMPA and our member Business Administration from attend on this subject, but I cities? Frankly, at this time, it is the University of Central will attempt to boil it down just too early to know for sure. Oklahoma and was working to a few paragraphs and shed David W. Osburn (Besides the obvious that it will with the City of Newkirk as some light on it. increase costs.) OMPA owns a Retirement Plan Adminis- To get started, let me power plants in four different trator. provide some basic information about the states. Therefore, we have to wait and see “We are excited to have proposed rule. EPA publicized the rule as what Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Jeremy on board,” City reducing CO2 emissions by 30 percent Arkansas are going to do. Manager Jason Orr told the from 2005 levels by 2030. Once you dig We now operate in a day-ahead energy commissioners at an August into the rule, you will find that it can be market in the Southwest Power Pool, in meeting. “He’s excited to get much more than 30 percent for some states which they make the economic dispatch started.” Frazier’s duties include and that it is actually from 2012 levels, decisions. They will play a role in how code enforcement, as well as and that the majority of the reductions this gets implemented. Of course, it will working with city crews on have to take place by 2020. It requires be challenged in the courts, so we will various projects, in addition to each state to develop their state-specific wait and see if any of those are successful. assisting Orr in various duties. implementation plan by June 30, 2016. To date, the courts have given a lot of “He’ll be busy,” Orr said. States can use various approaches to deference to EPA and upheld its rulings. “Just a reminder, his title is meet the requirements from unit-by-unit As you can imagine, this is something assistant city manager, but he reductions, energy efficiency measures, we will follow very closely. OMPA staff won’t be an administrator all increased use of renewable energy, or will work with others in trying to analyze the time. He’ll be busy doing coordinated cap-and-trade programs the impact this may have on our fleet and, a lot of different things out in with other states. The proposed rule does ultimately, our costs. If this rule stands, it the field.” exempt generating units that produce less will put a heavy burden on the natural gas Orr asked the commis- than 33 percent of their rated output. This fleet and infrastructure. Gas will become sioners to create the position exempts most simple-cycle peaking units, an ever-increasing percentage of our to assist young people who such as OMPA’s new Charles D. Lamb generation. want to get into public admin- Energy Center and Ponca City Unit #4. We are somewhat fortunate in that istration. The projected emission reductions for OMPA has developed a very diverse The position became avail- Oklahoma is 36 percent, Arkansas (Turk) power supply portfolio, with gas, wind, able when Richard Hinthorn 45 percent, Texas (Oklaunion and Pirkey) hydro, and biomass supplementing our made the move from Public 39 percent, and Louisiana (Dolet Hills) 40 coal. While we will certainly feel some Works to the city’s Fire De- partment. percent. impact from this, it won’t be as bad as The following is a quick showing of those utilities with more coal in their mix. the timing related to this rule. Expect to hear more on this in the future, Continued on Page 5 • Rule published – 6/2/2014 as this rule progresses. Page 4

Annual Electors Meeting: Continued from Page 1

Oklahoma City University School of the Oklahoma In addition to Law. After a position in Governor Frank Municipal League. those four, Mary Keating’s administration, he served as He also served on Rupp from Perry a Special Agent with the United States the International also will stand for Secret Service, before being appointed to City/County election to fill the the national Joint Terrorism Task Force Management remainder of a term in 2001. Association that will expire Lamb was elected to the Oklahoma Executive Board and in 2016. She has Senate in 2004, re-elected in 2008, and was a 2010 recipient Johnston been Perry City then became Republican Majority Floor of the Ray Duffy Manager since Veltema Leader in 2009. Personal Service November of 2012, Aside from Lamb’s opening Award, presented having served with remarks, the meeting will include a by Municipal Stillwater, including report from OMPA Board Chair Charles Electric Systems of as assistant city Lamb, as well as OMPA General Oklahoma. manager, for 35 Manager David Osburn. Bobby Stem, Swinerton years. She was from government relations firm Capitol was selected to fill selected to fill a Gains, also will deliver a presentation a vacancy on the vacancy on the titled, “Legislative Process and Politics”. board in August of OMPA board in All four current board members 2013. She has been Swinerton December, 2013. Rupp up for another three-year term have the Mayor of Geary Another board indicated a willingness to continue to since November of 2012, having served vacancy is expected to be filled on Sept. serve. That includes Jim Greff from as vice mayor previously and on the city 11, due to the departure of Altus City Prague, who was confirmed by the board council since 2003. Manager Elizabeth Gray, who resigned to fill a vacancy in August. Veltema is an original board to accept a similar position with the City Others up for election are Robert member, having joined in 1981. He of Sand Springs. Due to OMPA by-laws, Johnston from Frederick, Leslie was elected as Vice Chair in 1989 and the five largest member cities – of which Swinerton from Geary and Buddy continues to serve in that capacity. Altus is one – get an automatic seat Veltema from Walters. Having retired from his position as on the board. The representative from Johnston joined the board in 2004, Walters City Manager after nearly Altus is expected to be recommended and is currently the board Secretary. three decades, he was inducted into the at September’s board meeting, before He has been Frederick City Manager Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and being voted on at the Annual Elector’s since 1993, and is a past president of Town Officials in 2006. Meeting later that day. Jim Greff selected to fill vacancy on OMPA board Jim Greff of Prague has been Superintendent, “I feel that my working knowledge of recommended to fill a vacant spot Public Works all phases of city operations has helped on the Oklahoma Municipal Power Director and me in my transition to city manager, Authority’s (OMPA) Board of Assistant City and I feel that my insights can be an Directors. The recommendation was Manager with the asset to the OMPA Board, as well. I made by the Nominations Committee city. appreciate the opportunity to serve our and confirmed by the Board of “My wife, member cities.” Directors at its Aug. 14 meeting. It will Betty, and I moved Greff currently serves on several be voted on at the 2014 Annual Electors to Prague in 1981 Greff regional boards, including the Lincoln Meeting on Sept. 11 at the Oklahoma to raise our family County E-911 Trust Authority, Central State Capitol. in a small-town Oklahoma Regional Transportation Greff has worked for the City of atmosphere. I started working for the Planning Organization, Route 66 Prague for 33 years, spending the last City of Prague later that year,” said Community Partners and the Central seven as City Manager. Previously, Greff, who also has served 25 years Oklahoma Economic Development he served as Water and Wastewater with Prague’s volunteer fire department. District Board of Directors. Page 5

The role and importance City of the OMPA electors Updates uring the by the Election Committee From The DLegislative on Sept. 1, 1981. They have Continued from Page 3 Committee meetings the last Board been amended a number of couple of years, there has times since (by-laws of OMPA Edmond been significant discussion Chair adopted 9/1/81, amended about the importance of 9/8/83, 9/14/88, 10/4/95, Employees recognized the electors and possible 8/18/96, 9/9/01 and 9/13/12). by OML opportunities to expand They have always included (The Daily Oklahoman) – on that role. As we learn the paragraph, 3.5. Policy Oklahoma Municipal League about lobbying and the Regarding Allocation of Board recognized seven Edmond employees who have com- importance of relationships Seats. Five positions on the pleted 25 years of service in with state and federal board should be reserved for municipal government. They legislators, it makes sense the elector representing each of received certificates, lapel pins that those in our member the five largest eligible public and their names recorded in a cities who know and have Charles Lamb agencies, determined by dollar bound book displayed at the hometown contact with volume of the Authority’s league office. They are Gerald these elected officials can power purchases based on the Dixon and Bruce Leehan, be a valuable resource. They have more preceding fiscal year. both of the police department; personal connection and opportunities to This section was amended in 2012 Anthony Wilson, Jeff Zelnicek communicate who and what Oklahoma to say should, versus shall. It was the and Michael Smith, all of the Municipal Power Authority means to first time in my review of the documents fire department; John Ham- their electric utilities and their citizens. that the term elector was used. One man, information technology, I did a little research on the history elector per member city. We understand and Nathan Gaines, engineer- of the role of the elector. The state that these valuable electors represent ing. statute that sets out the basic form for those cities that agreed to the long-term OMPA governance is found in Title 11 contracts and became members. Altus Cities and Towns (the same place where A couple of years ago we were able all our city governance structure options to incorporate the same electronic voting Buckley temporarily takes reside). Chapter 1 is the Oklahoma process that we use in the monthly board over for Gray Municipal Code, Article XXIV meetings to record votes for the electors (Jason Angus, Altus Times) Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority at the annual meeting. I have always felt – The Altus City Council Act. this was more appropriate to insure that appointed new Assistant City In this enabling legislation there the official electors did the voting on Manager Greg Buckley as are numerous specific references to issues affecting OMPA. Acting City Manager during the Election Committee. Remember The newest effort to enhance the a special meeting on Thurs- this was a prelude to the working importance and the value of the electors day, July 24. He will fill in organization. One of the requirements is that OMPA will hold the 2014 Annual during the interim, until the City Council hires a new City was developing a set of by-laws. There Meeting at the State Capitol. Manager. were some required components that The idea is to help electors feel During the meeting, had to be decided on by the Election comfortable and get more familiar with Council voted and declared a Committee, like the size of the board (at the Capitol Building and how valuable vacancy in the position of City least seven, but no more than eleven) and they are to OMPA. Manager, effective Aug. 15, other requirements like open meetings, There will be more to come about due to the resignation of City posting requirements, etc. this effort and I sincerely hope to see all Manager Elizabeth Gray, who The initial by-laws were adopted the OMPA Electors there. Continued on Page 7 Page 6 OSHA updates rules for arc flash protection

his month continues the Tdiscussion of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s new safety rules for electrical distribution, transmission and generation workers. While the new rules were published in April 2014, implementation must occur no later than April 1, 2015. Since Fall Protection and Minimum Approach Distances have already been discussed, this will be about Job Briefings and Arc Flash Protection. OSHA is requiring Job Briefings before starting work. These briefings apply to employees and contractors who Photo courtesy of safeelectricity.org will be working on electrical equipment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established required clothing in an Topics must include things like: attempt to combat consequences of arc flash. 1. Existing conditions – Where maximum fault current; and what is the they need, such as insulated gloves and are the grounds; where are the sources minimum approach distance? fire retardant clothing? of electrical feed, such as substations 3. Working conditions – Is This leads us to Arc Flash and back feed; are there any enclosed anybody else working on this circuit Protection. spaces/trenches; and what is the voltage and if so, where; is there any bad Arc flash can occur in substations, the crew will be working around? weather moving into town; does distribution lines and meter bases. Fire 2. Design conditions – What is the everybody have the safety equipment retardant clothing is required by OSHA if the incident heat energy is above 2.0 Cal/Cm2. Head and face protection is needed if the heat energy is above 9.0 Cal/Cm2. While there are several methods that can be used, one way of determining the heat energy for various phase-to-ground faults based on phase- to-phase voltages and fault current is shown at left. It’s in Appendix E of OSHA 1910.269. Please remember we’re dealing with 60 Hz electricity (60 cycles/ second), so a 30-cycle maximum clearing cycle is half a second. These new regulations are part of the Final Rule to OSHA updates for 1926 Subpart V (construction) and 1910.269 (general industry.) Page 7

‘People Whisperer’ to lead City All-Employee Training series Frank Keck, the self-proclaimed “People Whisperer”, Updates will conduct All-Employee Training in 10 member cities throughout October and November. Continued from Page 5 A certified speaking professional, Keck has specialized in helping guide performance improvement through accepted a position as City leadership training, team building and other seminars for Manager of Sand Springs. Buckley has served in mu- more than 15 years. nicipal government for more He and his wife, Rachel, founded Excellarant, Inc., than 23 years in both small which uses humor to encourage audiences to become more and large communities from focused in their lives. Included among Excellarant’s clients are Oklahoma, Illinois, and Penn- Coca-Cola, Samsung, the U.S. Army, NASA and the St. sylvania. He was Assistant Louis Cardinals. City Manager in Lawton for 5 Some of the topics used during the seminars years and most recently was include those meant to increase productivity, the City Manager for Musk- achieve optimal work performance, build a ogee for 5 years. He has his successful culture within an organization, Bachelors and Masters degrees improve behaviors and conduct training in Public Administration. that sticks. “I like the community,” The theme for this year’s Buckley said. “It’s a good training is, “Everything Is Clearer community and we’re looking With a Different Pair of Glasses: to do good things. Elizabeth Utilizing Perspective for Greater exiting is sad for the commu- Impact”. nity, but it’s a good opportuni- Keck, who began speaking ty for her to move on profes- professionally in 1990, has a Bachelor’s of sionally. She’s done a lot of Science in Communications from Southern good things to set the stage for whoever comes in as the next Illinois University and has won numerous manager to really continue to business awards and other accolades Frank Keck build Altus, the community throughout his career. and organization. I’m looking forward to be able to follow All-Employee Training those positive steps.” Location Date Location Date Marlow Ponca City Oct. 15 a.m. Purcell Nov. 5 a.m. Second transformer added to utility Perry Oct. 15 p.m. Edmond Nov. 5 p.m. (Duncan Banner) – To provide relief for the City of Marlow’s lone transformer, a Ponca City Oct. 16 a.m. Northwest, TBD Nov. 18 a.m. second transformer has been added. Pawhuska Oct. 16 p.m. Northwest, TBD Nov. 18 p.m. The second transformer arrived Friday, transported Edmond Nov. 4 a.m. Altus Nov. 19 a.m./p.m. by truck and transplanted by crane. The transformer came Tecumseh Nov. 4 p.m. Duncan Nov. 20 a.m./p.m. Continued on Page 9 Page 8

Lineworkers Rodeo Is Back Training and competition to take place in Stillwater on Oct. 1-2

Registration is now open competitor meetings are member from the City of compete against their peers for participants, judges and being planned along with an Stillwater. “We know this ro- and add to the investments volunteers for the 2014 evening event. Partners in deo will be a great event for they are already making in MESO Lineworkers Rodeo, public power will be on hand public power professionals to safety.” to be held in October in to exhibit various products at Stillwater. a meet-and-greet dinner. “We have a great group The competition will from many cities planning begin early in the morning this year’s rodeo and MESO’s of day two — Thursday, Oct. safety training and EXPO,” 2. The MESO rodeo consists said Michelle Gumaer, of seven different events, and Energy Services Manager the planning committee is for the City of Edmond and certain that lineworkers at the 2014 MESO Lineworkers any skill level can compete. Rodeo Planning Committee Unique to MESO Line- Chairperson. workers Rodeo are mutu- “Registration is now open al-aid-related events. The to anyone wanting to partic- benefit is local crews get to ipate in the rodeo or help by work with and compete with judging or volunteering. It professionals from other takes a large group of people cities. the day of the event to make They may be working it all work.” side-by-side with these same Day one events — lineworkers after a natural Wednesday, October 1 — disaster when mutual aid res- will begin early afternoon toration efforts are underway. with a MESO-sponsored “Our team from Stillwater educational seminar on the is working hard to prepare “new” OSHA updates to 1926 for the 2014 MESO Line- Subpart V (construction) and workers Rodeo,” said Vernon 1910.269 (general industry) Hall, Stillwater’s Electric Standards. Following the Distribution Superintendent Linemen race to finish a project during a recent Lineworkers Rodeo. training session, judges and and lead planning committee This year’s event will be Oct. 1-2.

Registration The registration fee to Registration pack- attend the 2014 MESO ets have been mailed Lineworkers Rodeo out and information is in Stillwater is $79 for available at the MESO either training or compe- website at meso.org. To tition, or $149 for both request more informa- training and competi- tion, email Deborah tion. Miner at deborah@meso. org. A crowd gathers for a competition during a past rodeo in Edmond. Lineworkers will square off against each other in Stillwater this time. Page 9

Granite CUP Presentation City Updates The City of Granite was re-certified in Oklaho- Continued from Page 7 ma Municipal Power Authority’s (OMPA) from Southwest Electric, Competitive Utility where it had been stored for Program and received the past 18 months. a $20,000 check at its The goal of adding the sec- July 13 City Council meeting. Pictured, ond transformer is to prevent from left, are Clerk complete dependence on one Laquita Paty, Mayor transformer. Tony Scarborough “It gives us flexibility to and OMPA Director maintain and repair our trans- of Member Services formers,” Marlow City Admin- Drake Rice. istrator Jason McPherson said. “We’ve had one transformer fore v e r.” McPherson said the project has been in the works for years, even pre-dating his time with the city. He said the need NERC audit: Continued from Page 1 came to light in late January 2010, when Marlow suffered a prolonged power outage the auditors. Rather, entities submit quar- ed submission of Reliability Standard Audit during an ice storm. terly, annual and periodic self-certifications Worksheets, surveys, evidence and attesta- With the addition of the indicating their compliance status. tions, in addition to other requests made by transformer, McPherson The SPP RE audit team findings resulted SPP RE. hopes the city will avoid an- in ten “No findings of non-compliance” and The audit team did have a few rec- other lengthy outage. five “Not Applicable” determinations. ommendations related to OMPA’s under “We’re getting to the point Some of the standards reviewed during frequency relay testing program. It was where people won’t have to the audit included: indicated the frequency – measured in hertz worry about extended outag- • CIP-002 Critical Cyber Asset Identifi- – tolerance range for testing is currently too es,” he said. cation wide and should be decreased. The City of Marlow has • CIP-003 Security Management Con- In addition, auditors suggested incor- four currents, all of which op- trols porating tests for each of the components erate on the solo transformer. • MOD-004 Capacity Benefit Margin of the under frequency relays, and recom- With the addition of the new • PRC-004 Analysis & Mitigation of mended verifying test and maintenance transformer, each will run two Transmission & Generation Protection Sys- data, prior to submittal to SPP RE. OMPA currents. tem Misoperations will implement all of the suggestions in the If one goes down, the other • PRC-005 Transmission & Generation near future. The next scheduled date for transformer will run all four Protection System Maintenance & Testing under frequency relay testing and associated currents without interruption • PRC-008 Under frequency Load Shed- equipment is in 2017. to Marlow power customers. ding Equipment Maintenance Programs OMPA’s next task will be to develop McPherson said having • PRC-023 Transmission Relay Load- compliance procedures and internal controls both running two currents ability for NERC standards related to the Generator will reduce the possibility of A year prior to the audit, OMPA staff Owner and Generator Operator functions, overloading a single trans- had prepared by way of evidence reviews, which will become applicable to OMPA training sessions and meetings. upon completion of the Charles D. Lamb Continued on Page 11 The weeks leading up to the audit includ- Energy Center. Page 10 Summer was mild, election season was hot his year has been Legislative candidates from Edmond, Republican candidates. This is what Tfull of surprises. south Oklahoma City, Del everyone expected. Had I guessed, I would Update City and Shawnee. But something is happening that have said the summer None of the no one could have predicted in the would be hot and this congressional candidates governor’s race. It seems that the year’s Oklahoma elections who ran for Lankford’s Democratic candidate, Joe Dorman, would be mild. I was wrong open seat in the primary is picking up support from more and on both accounts. election received 50 more Oklahomans. Recent approval Sen. Tom Coburn’s percent of the votes rating polls show current Governor early resignation cast, so four candidates in the high 40s and announcement really moved on to the runoff Representative Dorman in the low shook things up in election, which was held 40s. Because of my earlier flawed Congress and at the state August 26. Former state predictions, I wouldn’t dare to even House. Following the Randy Elliott Sen. Steve Russell and guess the outcome of the race for Coburn announcement, Commissioner of the governor, but I do feel safe saying that Congressman James Oklahoma Corporation it will at least be an interesting race to Lankford decided to run for the open Commission Patrice Douglas faced watch. seat, which meant we would have an off in the Republican runoff, and Tom Rest assured, no matter who wins open seat in the 5th Congressional Guild and state Sen. Al McAffrey the many elections that are being District. T.W. Shannon decided to faced off in the Democratic runoff. held around the state, the Oklahoma resign from Speaker of the Oklahoma The winners of the Republican and Municipal Power Authority is already House of Representatives in order to Democratic runoff elections will face preparing an aggressive outreach run for Lankford’s open congressional Independent candidates Buddy Ray, program to educate the new members seat, which meant we had new house Tom Boggs and Robert Murphy in the of the legislature. We have a great leadership. general election on November 4. Most story to tell, and look forward to Lankford’s open seat pulled of the real “races” are between the telling it.

Character First Recognition

Sarah Sorick, right, was honored with a Character First recogni- tion during the August employ- ee meeting at the Oklahoma Municipal Authority headquar- ters in Edmond. Sorick, an administrative assistant with OMPA, was recognized for the trait of “creativity”. Presenting the honor, at left, is Drake Rice, Director of Member Services. Page 11

Subcommittee chooses vendor City for joint billing software After much review, discussion and Updates calculations, the Billing and Metering Subcommittee and the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority staff have determined that Continued from Page 9 Caselle will be the vendor for a new project former, which was the concern involving joint billing software for OMPA of Oklahoma Municipal Power members. Authority and Public Service The goal of the joint billing project, will then charge each participating city a Company of Oklahoma. which began after the Energy Services monthly fee based on the modules chosen With the installation of the Committee created a Subcommittee in June and spread out over the seven years. new transformer, McPherson of 2013, is to find billing software that can The numbers quoted to each city said the city is only 60 to 75 days away from having the handle readings from automated meters, are based on three modules: utility project completed, which will be able to bill time-of-use rates and still be management, cash receipting and online affordable for smaller cities. include hooking up the trans- payments. The quoted monthly cost also former to be used. After choosing Caselle as the vendor includes other fees – like training or The transformer is a for the project, the subcommittee had looked consulting – that will be shared among portion of a $1.6 million at four operational options with Caselle: participating cities. infrastructure project for the • OMPA hosting/OMPA frontline Other modules available include city. The city has increased support general ledger/budgeting, a GL Excel residential customer rates 1 to • OMPA hosting/Caselle frontline add-in, payroll/direct deposit, accounts 3 percent over the course of support payable, electronic reading interface, several months to pay for the • Caselle hosting/OMPA frontline utility service orders, online/electronic project. support payments, asset management, materials • Caselle hosting/Caselle frontline management, cemetery management and Edmond support court management. Of course, there will be Master Plan for development The subcommittee decided the best an additional cost for each software module gets a nod option would be to go with the lowest and the recurring annual costs and training (James Coburn, The cost, which was Caselle both hosting and associated with the module. Edmond Sun) – The 2014 providing frontline support. OMPA staff For a city with 500 customers and up to Downtown Master Plan Study will attend training and be available for three work stations operating concurrently, was accepted by a 3-0 vote by backup support. the cost to the city will be approximately the Edmond City Council. OMPA is now ready to offer the $850 per month for seven years. Again, this Fort Worth-based consult- program to member cities and find out who price is based on three modules and four ing group Freese and Nichols is interested in participating. For now, the cities participating. The costs will decrease presented their final update to costs that will be quoted are based on four if more cities participate. the 1998 Downtown Master cities signing up. OMPA is also prepared to To get more exact figures on cost, Plan. The city hired the group pay the up-front costs associated with the contact Roger Farrer or Palma Lough at a cost of $300,000 to make recommendations for future software modules that the city chooses, and in Energy Services. OMPA staff also is development of Broadway in then future costs (recurring maintenance) available to discuss options and costs at city the central business district. for those modules for seven years. OMPA council meetings. The Urban Board proposed changes to the study in July to Substation Training In Prague enhance parking downtown, said Bob Schiermeyer, city Substation Level 1 and 2 training for city councils and staff of member cities has planner. By accepting the con- been tentatively scheduled for Sept. 23-25 in Prague. Those who are interested in par- tent of the report, the coun- ticipating or need more information on the training should contact Alex Mucha with cil will consider all options the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority at 405-359-2500 or [email protected]. individually. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID EDMOND OK PERMIT NO. 298

News From Your Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority PO BOX 1960, Edmond, Oklahoma 73083-1960

Chair Charles Lamb, Edmond

Vice Chair (Chairman Emeritus) Buddy Veltema, Walters

Secretary Robert Johnston, Frederick

Treasurer John Ramey, Okeene

Members Dale Bunn, Purcell Jim Frieda, Duncan Homer Nicholson, Ponca City Elizabeth Gray, Altus Mary Rupp, Perry Leslie Swinerton, Geary Jim Greff, Prague

James C. Joseph, State Bond Advisor, Ex-officio Member

OMPA Web Address: www.ompa.com OMPA E-Mail Address: [email protected] 24-Hour Emergency…..1-405-340-8313 Non-Emergency (from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday - Friday)…..1-405-359-2500