KMGA Board Recertification Underway

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It’s that time again!  One-half of KMGA’s Board of Directors must be recertified.  If you have Board members whose terms expire August 31st, you should have received an email from us with instructions for recertification.  For your convenience, we have placed copies of your current Board Certificates in ShareFile, which can be accessed at https://kansasmunicipalenergyagency.sharefile.com.  Once you Log In (let us know if you don’t already have a User Name and Password), go to Shared Folders/Cities/Your City/Board Certificates.  And, remember to add this item to your Council/Commission agendas.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Joni Shadonix at (913) 660-0238 or shadonix@kmea.com

KMEA Bids A Fond Farewell To Bret Bauer

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City of Holton

(Pictured from left to right) Mike Elliot, Craig Figge, Bret Bauer, Scott Fredrickson, and Kerwin McKee

 

Yesterday, Bret Bauer celebrated his last day as City Manager of the City of Holton in style by hosting the monthly EMP3 meeting at the Holton Power Plant …and Grill (for a day).  Craig, Andrew, Anthony, Corey, Mike, Ira, and the rest of the crew professionally balanced starting and running multiple generators with grilling Holton’s famous steaks and brats for an enjoyable lunch for the group.  Bret has served dutifully in his role at Holton for over five years.  He has been actively engaged in the Agency from day one, at times serving as a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, and the chair of the Finance Committee.

It was appropriate that part of Bret’s last day was spent with the EMP3 group, as he played an instrumental role in the formation of the Project, which started in 2013.  He served stints as EMP3 chair and vice-chair.  Fittingly, Bret is off to a city whose motto is ‘We Shoot Straight With You’, Gun Barrel City, Texas.  Chosen from thirty-five initial candidates (per Council minutes), he jumps right into the frying pan on the first day of Summer and will become City Manager of Gun Barrel, a city of 5,700 people which is approximately 60 miles southeast of Dallas, on Monday, June 20th.  KMEA thanks Bret for his vocal advocacy and support for public power, EMP3, and the Agency.  Please join us in wishing Bret the best of luck.

 

Visits to our Member Cities

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City of Sharon Springs

This week staff visited a few of KMEA’S Member Cities on the Northwest and Northcentral part of Kansas. Among the cities visited were the City of Sharon Springs, City of Colby, City of Stockton, City of Osborne and the City of Beloit.

At the City of Sharon Springs staff visited the Power Plant and met with Brad Hatfield, Patsy Miller, and Kriss Wahlmeier. Staff met with Tyson McGreer at the Colby. At the City of Stockton, staff met with Jeff Scott, Kim Thomas, Keith Schlaegel, and Cory Carlson and also visited the City’s Power Plant. Staff visited the Power Plant and met with Scott Nuzum at the City of Osborne. The last stop was at the City of Beloit where staff met with Manny Milbers, Ron Sporleder, and Jay Newton and visited the City’s Power Plant.

As always,  we appreciate our members for taking the time out of their busy schedule to meet with us.

 

Natural Gas Prices Moving Higher

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Natural gas

Since the first of the month natural gas prices have been on the increase.  Southern Star Central daily index posted price for June 8th was $2.135 per MMBtu, up twenty-three cents from the posted price of $1.905 on June 1st.  Enable Gas Transmission daily index is also on the rise as prices are up 17.5 cents since the first of the month.

Why are we seeing a jump in prices?

Even though natural gas storage levels remain elevated, the supply glut is slowing compared to analysts’ expectations. The first week of April, inventories were 63% above the 5-year average.  The first week of June that surplus shrank to 35% above the 5-year average.

US natural gas production is declining and is expected to fall about 1 Bcf/d day-on-day according to Bentek.  Natural gas rig count fell by five for the week ending June 3rd.  The rig count has dropped 63 percent year-over-year.

Forecasters are predicting a very warm summer, which will increase natural gas fired electric generation.  NOAA is projecting a 70% chance for LA Nina to hit by fall, meaning a much cooler winter season.

A tighter supply-demand balance can provide a boost to prompt month prices as they continue to hover at a sustained level not seen since the end of January.  Experts in the industry are projecting gas prices could reach the $3.00 mark by year end.

Visit to the Cities of Ellinwood and Hoisington

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Barney Kruse, Darren Delzeit, Shane Anderec, and Kilowatt

On Tuesday, June 7th, KMGA staff traveled to the City of Ellinwood where we met with Jim McMullen.  Jim provided a tour of the City’s power plant facility as well as some history of the plant.  The next stop was Hoisington where we met with Barney Kruse, Darren Delzeit and Shane Andereck.  Darren and Shane are new to the city as they began their duties the end of April.  Barney and “Kilowatt” (the plant watch dog) provided a walk-through of Hoisington’s power plant.

The City of Russell was next to meet with Duane Banks and attend the city commission work session.  During the work session, information about KMGA was presented and discussed for the opportunity of KMGA providing natural gas to the city for their generation facility.

Thanks to everyone for their hospitality and taking time to meet with Staff.

City of Ellinwood's Power Plant

City of Ellinwood’s Power Plant

Career Opportunity

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KMEA is currently looking to fill the Manager of Member Services position.
This position is responsible for managing the member services and communications aspects of the business of the Agency, one of the most important elements of our Agency.
Click HERE for more information.

The City of Anthony joins EMP2

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On Wednesday, KMEA Staff visited the City of Anthony to provide “onboarding” to familiarize the City with invoicing, the MCG dashboard, and other details to prepare the City of Anthony to receive power from KMEA.

On June 1st, the City of Anthony will officially start receiving power from KMEA and at the same time become the newest member of the EMP2 group.

The City of Anthony is located in the Harper County with a population of 2,269. The City distributes power to approximately 1,580 customers inside the City limits and approximately 400 rural customers.

We all welcome the City of Anthony to EMP2 and thank Amber Kummer, Larry Berry, Sherri Miller, and Carol Anderson for taking the time out of their busy schedule for meeting with KMEA Staff.

 

KMEA Introduces Glance

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Visiting Spearville

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  On Thursday, May 5th, KMGA staff visited the City of Spearville.  Staff met with Tammy Konrade, city clerk, Rakel Halling, clerk assistant, and Mayor Kevin Heeke. Staff reviewed historical monthly and daily measurement data.  Additional information and services provided by KMGA, such as calculating rates, system line losses, reviewing city ordinances, and reporting data to […]

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Board Meetings

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KMEA and KMGA Board of Directors meetings were held on Wednesday, May 4th in Wichita, KS in

conjunction with KMU Conference.  There were 22 KMGA Cities represented during the KMGA Board meeting and 39 KMEA Cities during the KMEA Board meeting.

The preliminary 2017 Budget was reviewed for both KMEA and KMGA.

New elections were made for the officers and at- large positions for both KMGA and KMEA Executive Committees.

J.R. Hatfield from the City of Halstead was nominated KMGA President, Randy Frazer from the City of Moundridge was nominated KMGA Vice President, and Laura Hill from Kechi was nominated KMGA Secretary/Treasurer. Gary Emry from the City of Hesston and Gus Collins from the City of Winfield were nominated for the at-large positions on the KMGA Executive Committee.

Duane Banks from the City of Russell was nominated KMEA President, Mike Muirhead from the City of Garden City was nominated KMEA Vice President, and Bob Mills from the City of Garnett was nominated KMEA Secretary/Treasurer. Dennis Tharp from the City of Ottawa, Ira Harrison from the City of Holton and Jonathan Mitchell from the City of Hoisington were nominated for the at-large positions on the KMEA Executive Committee.

Bob Mills from the City of Garnett was nominated as KMEA Representative on the Joint Board.

We appreciate KMEA and KMGA Board of Directors for attending the meeting and serving on the Board and also all of the officers and at-large members of the Executive Committees for their time and dedication.