NCUCC MEETING MINUTES

July 13, 2004

Progress Energy

Hosted By: Progress Energy

 

 

Lola Ausby called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.  She thanked Paulette Warren, Progress Energy, for hosting the meeting.  First time attendees were recognized.

 

New officers taking over today are:  Lola Ausby, Chairperson; Sandra Johnson, Vice-Chairperson; Teresa VonCannon, Secretary.

 

Lola thanked Bill Deal, City of Charlotte, for serving as last year’s president.

 

Minutes are posted at NCUCC.org for those interested in viewing previous month’s minutes.

 

George Glenn gave the following treasurer’s report.  The account balance for the North Carolina Utilities Coordinating Committee is $8,048.78 as of June 30, 2004.  All known invoices associated with the NC/SC UCC Conference 2004 have been presented and paid.  To date, monies for the sale of the shirts has been received from Armstrong Glen in the amount of $375.00, leaving outstanding approximately $600.00.  There are no outstanding checks on this account as of today. 

 

Bill Deal will call Palmetto Damage Prevention Service (PDPS) for payment of the approximately $600 for the bulk of the shirts purchased for the conference.

 

Lola thanked everyone who helped make the 2004 NC/SC UCC Conference in Wilmington a success.

 

Remaining meetings will be held every other month at 10:00 a.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of the month.  The September meeting is tentatively scheduled for the Duke Power office in Hickory.  Sandra Johnson will confirm.  The May 2005 meeting will be the NC/SC UCC Conference to be hosted by SCUCC in Charleston.  Lola asked everyone to consider a meeting site for the joint meeting in May 2006 to be hosted by the NCUCC committee.  Previous meetings in addition to Wilmington have been Asheville, Wrightsville Beach and Atlantic Beach.

 

Teresa VonCannon read a letter from George Glenn stating he was stepping down as Treasurer but would continue to be active as his schedule permits.  George’s service to this committee is greatly appreciated.

 

Adrian Flowers, speaking on behalf of the nominating committee, recommended Steve Nichols, Telics, be appointed as Treasurer on an ongoing basis until such time as he is unable to perform in this capacity.  David Jackson, Piedmont Natural Gas, made the motion to accept the recommendation and Sandra Johnson, PSNC Energy, seconded.  The motion carried. George Glenn and Steve Nichols will work together to prepare written measures and procedures for the activities of the Treasurer.

 

A Homeowner’s brochure was distributed to all attendees.  The NCOCC has received a request from the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department for 1,000 brochures.  A discussion was held on purchasing more brochures and the maximum number to be given to one organization.  NCOCC paid for the initial order.  NCUCC will provide the funds for future orders.  Steve Nichols and Jenny Stamey will research the cost of printing additional ones.  Sandra Johnson will follow-up with the City of Raleigh to clarify why so many are needed and to let them know they can reproduce the brochure.  A request was made to add local UCC information to the brochure.  At the NCOCC Board Meeting to be held later this week, George Glenn will present the request and get the Board members feedback before any additional information is added.  The purpose of the brochure is to educate the public on under ground facilities and the process of calling the NCOCC.  The matter of purchasing more brochures and the maximum number to be given to one organization was tabled until the next meeting.

 

Lola asked that suggestions for programs at upcoming meetings be emailed to her.  The program for this meeting will be on joint trenching.

 

Adrian Flowers, NCDOT, discussed the Design Build Program being used by the State for roadway projects.  More projects will be included in this program next year.  The purpose of the program is to expedite delivery of the project to the public.  The Legislature has recently authorized a maximum of 25 projects per year under this program.

 

Adrian also stated $800 million is to be spent over a two-year period for the Moving Ahead Projects.  This program was started last fall.  The projects in Asheville have progressed very well.

 

The State has received complaints from the North Carolina Manufacturing Home Association about the clearance of lines across streets.  DOT requires 18’ clearance.  If anyone knows of violations in their area, please inform Adrian.

 

Mark Price, Utility Coordination Consultants, asked that careful analysis be performed when utilities give estimates for moving their facilities.  The cost of moving a utility for a recent project he was involved with cost twice the original estimate.

 

Amy Marino, NCOCC, reported total tickets of 638,629, a 10.9% increase over last year; and 3,424,680 transmissions, a 5.7% increase over last year.  The NCOCC Board Meeting will be held at Jefferson Landing, July 15 & 16, 2004.  Amy invited attendees at the September meeting being held in Hickory to visit the Conover NCOCC Office after that meeting.

 

Paulette Warren commented that Progress Energy is in the process of a reorganization in the Energy Delivery area (Distribution and Transmission).  Progress Energy is developing a joint trenching program.

 

David Jackson, Piedmont Natural Gas, Winston Salem, is having problems with contractors boring and refusing to spot lines.

 

Tim Saunders, BellSouth, reported they are trying to control total damages.  BellSouth’s contract with CWA ends August 2, 2004.  Contract negotiations are now being held.  Let him know if anyone arrives on a jobsite and the BellSouth lines are not located.

 

Jenny Stamey said BellSouth looked for favorable rulings from the FCC on parities.   She also stated BellSouth management is supporting the One North Carolina Fund Amendment that helps fund economic development incentives and felt other organizations might want to do the same.

 

George Glenn reported a law has been passed for 3-digit dialing for nation wide one call centers.  “811” has been proposed but some telecommunications companies are not in favor.

 

David Jackson reported Piedmont Natural Gas is opting to dispute the Railroad permitting process in court rather than agreeing to new permitting fees. 

 

Tim Saunders suggested adding gas pipeline companies to the agenda.  After discussion it was agreed to add gas pipeline companies and delete railroads from the agenda due to their lack of participation in attending meetings.

 

Sandra Johnson from the Wake County UCC reported they are holding safety tailgate meetings in the field for contractors who damage facilities.  They recently held a two-hour field meeting with Progress Energy.  They will offer to forego charging for damages one time in return for allowing a tailgate safety meeting.  NCOCC has provided biscuits for these meetings.  Their Awareness Breakfast will be held in October.

 

Tim Saunders, Charlotte-Mecklenburg UCC, reported they recently held a Contractor Awareness Lunch.  Piedmont Natural Gas gave a safety demonstration.  Pike Electric also gave a demonstration.

 

Carroll Woody, Asheville UCC, stated they have a good group and get a lot accomplished.  Their Awareness Breakfast will be held in October.

 

David Jackson said the Forsythe County UCC is developing an emergency call-out list.  They are also working to get contractors to attend their meetings and are using the names from the damages list to contact these companies.

 

Mark Hannah from the Haywood UCC stated they meet every other month since they do not have a lot going on in that area.  This has seemed to help attendance.  Their Awareness Breakfast will be held in October.

 

Lola Ausby said the North Hampton UCC is also having their Awareness Breakfast in October and are working on their emergency call-out list.

 

Sandra Johnson said the damages in Wake County have been reduced significantly due to their distributing an emergency call-out list.

 

Steve Hedden, Biltmore Farms, reported a 900-acre development, The Ramble, is being constructed in Asheville.  They are trying to preserve the landscape.  A meeting with utilities has already been held.  He said communication and everyone working together is the key to keeping a project on track and successful.

 

Donald Gower from Progress Energy gave an informative program on their “2004 Joint Trench Initiative” with BellSouth and Time Warner.

 

Progress Energy provided lunch and the meeting adjourned.

 

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Teresa VonCannon

Secretary, NCUCC

Piedmont Natural Gas

501 N. Main Street

Salisbury, NC 28144

(704) 638-3556 ext. 2662

Teresa.VonCannon@piedmontng.com