Your PUD
News Release
PUD employees detail computer system decisions
Chelan County PUD
News Release
1/24/2005
Several PUD employees Monday provided documentation to commissioners and rebutted statements in a recent newspaper article concerning the impact of Oracle’s takeover of PeopleSoft.
TJ Farrell, a financial supervisor who worked on the PeopleSoft project, said she asked in July 2003 for financial protection from potential impacts of a takeover. PeopleSoft responded that the offer was available only to new customers. The PUD had purchased the software in Sept. 2002.
She said the risk of a potential takeover was assessed during the selection process. Farrell also pointed out the involvement of many Information Technology employees in the planning and selection process, as well as the final decision, documented by the minutes of that meeting. When selection team members were split between Oracle and PeopleSoft, the core team, which included Farrell and IT employees, cast the deciding vote for PeopleSoft based on which system provided the most value for the District overall.
Farrell said the new computer system is performing well. Accountants were able to close the books on 2004 quickly, figures for the District’s outside auditors will be ready on time, paychecks are being issued and the billing system was transferred with no disruption, she said.
Ken Smith, an IT supervisor, said his employees are affected by statements they know are untrue in the stories. Some are considering leaving, he said, reading from several e-mails.
The PUD is just finishing installation of PeopleSoft software for the Finance, Human Resources, customer billing and purchasing departments.
Greg Larsen, technology director, recapped project spending, saying the contract was intentionally written without contingency so that commissioners would be informed when more spending was required. The cost for software, hardware and installation was first forecast at $10.5 million. Final costs are expected to be about $16 million.
Following the presentation, PUD commissioners discussed how to move forward. Commissioner Ann Congdon said it would be worth $30,000 to hire an independent auditor to convince people the project was done right. Commissioner Norm Gutzwiler said he’d like more time to discuss the details of a possible audit before moving ahead. A motion calling for an independent audit, stalled on a split vote – Congdon and Werner Janssen in favor and Gutzwiler and Gary Montague opposed. Board President Bob Boyd did note vote.
Study shows not enough wind in Chelan County for commercial wind turbines
Monitors at three sites in Chelan County failed to find winds strong enough to generate electricity commercially. Global Energy Concepts of Kirkland was hired in April 2003 at a cost not to exceed $70,000 for a two-year study of potential wind energy sites. Data gathering ended in November 2004 after early results showed average wind speeds of 10 to 12 mph. An average of nearly 17 mph is needed for viable commercial generation. The consultant also found that the long history of weather data from Pangborn Memorial Airport was consistent with the early findings, providing another good source of information. Monitors were placed on poles more than 100 feet high at sites northwest of Entiat, southwest of Malaga and on Jumpoff Ridge.
The District will continue with its SNAP (Sustainable Natural Alternative Power) program for residential customers interested in producing wind and solar power on a small scale. There are three SNAP wind producers in the county.
PUD employee expected home from Iraq
Bill Kunsman, a PUD warehouseman and National Guardsman, is expected back from Iraq in February. Kunsman was called to active duty in November 2003 and has been in Iraq since February 2004. He is a gunner on an armored Humvee. Tim Larson, Kunsman’s supervisor, outlined how PUD employees have supported the family while Kunsman has been gone, including the donation of personal leave valued at $6,000. Once his returns, he’ll still be on duty with his Fort Lewis-based unit for several weeks. It is hoped Kunsman will be back to work at the PUD by June 1.
In other business, commissioners:
- Received an update on the PUD response to the Sunday night fire at the Keyes Fibre plant north of Wenatchee. PUD Water Department employees acted quickly to make sure the system could keep up with the demand for nearly 7,000 gallons of water a minute that was poured on the blaze by firefighters. The fire also burned the fence at the nearby Olds Station Substation and caused other equipment damage. As a result of the fire, a number of customers were without power in the Olds Station area until late Sunday night. Power was restored to the Keyes plant Monday night. Dave Johnson, Water/Wastewater director, noted building the 1-million-gallon Crestview reservoir in 2003 guaranteed enough water for fighting such a large fire.
- Heard from Carol Wardell, general counsel, that the Yakama Indian Nation has sued federal officials over approval of Habitat Conservation Plans for the Columbia River dams operated by Chelan and Douglas County PUDs. The PUD was notified of the lawsuit against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Jan. 20. Wardell said the PUD is confident the record that was established during the approval process will show the strong public benefit of the landmark plans. The District will participate in the proceedings before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
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The next regular meeting of the PUD commission is at 1 p. m. on Jan. 31, 2005, in the boardroom of the Headquarters Building, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave.
Most PUD commission meetings are recorded and a link to the audio is available on the PUD’s home page at www.chelanpud.org.
Kimberlee Craig
Public Information Officer
661-4320, direct line
679-6858, cell
kimc@chelanpud.org