Oregon Joint Use Association Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Prepared for and Presented to Oregon Public Utility Commissioners July 2013 Workshop Presented on behalf of OJUA by President Tom McGowan 1
History In November 1999 a task force was established by the Oregon Public Utility Commission at the direction of the Oregon Legislature to address issues pertaining to utility poles. The task force submitted proposed rules for determining appropriate sanctions for unauthorized attachments and criteria for certifying compliance with laws regulating pole attachments. The Oregon Joint Use Association (OJUA) was formed based on the initial work from the task force. 2
Regulatory Mandate OAR 860-028-0200 directs pole owners and pole occupants to establish a Joint Use Association The Association shall elect a Board to include representatives of pole owners, pole occupants, government entities The Board shall act as an advisor to the Commission regarding adoption, amendment, or repeal of administrative rules governing pole owners and occupants Assist pole owner and pole occupant disputes The Oregon Joint Use Association is one of the nation’s few comprehensive legislatively created industry workgroups 3
OJUA Board of Directors Tom McGowan CenturyLink President Janet Ebright PGE Vice President Terry Blanc Tillamook PUD Treasurer Scott Wheeler Comcast Secretary Stuart Sloan Consumers Power Inc. Immediate Past President Sam Ackley Hunter Communications CLEC representative Doug Morton City of St Helens Small City representative Richard Gray City of Portland Large Municipal representative Gary Lee Charter Communications Cable representative Mark Beaudry Beaver Creek Telephone Cooperative representative Jeff Kent PacifiCorp Large Utility representative Scott Rosenbalm McMinnville Water & Light Municipal Electric representative The OJUA Board represents over 55 member companies and organizations including some from outside of Oregon. 4
OJUA Core Services Serve as advocate and advisor on joint use issues to industry and government Create a cooperative and collaborative environment for all pole facility owners and users Provide accessible, quality, and affordable training Provide an avenue for conflict resolution within the industry Recommend and adopt industry standards and methodologies in the areas of best construction practices, facility identification, and inspection/correction practices Provide management and oversight of the association to ensure its financial stability Promote and expand membership Review and make recommendations on proposed legislation 5
Governance Six active committees 1) Executive Committee – Oversees and manages the Association Chair - Janet Ebright (PGE) 2) Standards Committee – Makes recommendations regarding joint use standards Chair - Gary Payne (CenturyLink) Current Focus – NESC Grandfathering Matrix – Steetlights Past Recommendations and Products – NESC Violation Coding – Aerial Clearance tri-fold Reference Guide 3) Conflict Resolution Committee – Offers objective non-binding peer recommendations related to member and non-member disputes Chair – Jeff Kent (PacifiCorp) No disputes in progress 6
Governance 4) Publicity and Education Committee – Develops and provides oversight of training programs to meet the needs of pole owners and users. Chair – Jerry Donovan (PGE) Currently reviewing feedback from the April Spring Training event which welcomed over 200 attendees with 45% as first time attendance this year from many states as well as Canada 5) Legislative Committee – Reviews legislative proposals of interest to joint pole facility owners and users Chair – Richard Gray (City of Portland) 6) Inspection/Correction Efficiency Committee – Newly formed committee to explore the misalignment of inspection schedules and differing inspection criteria which results in increased administrative burden & reduces operational efficiency without commensurately increasing safety Target date for work product is October 2013 Co Chairs – Janet Ebright (PGE) and Gary Lee (Charter Comm) 7
OJUA Meeting Schedule Full Board, 10 am – noon, 3 rd Thursday (unless otherwise noted) P & E Committee, 10 am – noon, 1 st Thursday (unless noted — call OJUA office for location) March 21, Comcast – Nimbus Ave, Beaverton January 10 February 7 June 13, Northern Wasco PUD, The Dalles March 7 April 4 September 19, TBD May 2 June 10 December 19, Salem, OJUA Office July 11 August 1 September 5 October 3 November 14 December 5 Inspection/Correction Efficiency, 9:00 am June 24 July 24 August 19 Standards Committee, 10 am – noon, 3 rd Wednesday (alternate months unless noted) Executive Committee, 9 am – 11 am, 2 nd Wed. (by invitation only) January 16 March 20 May 15 July 17 January 9 September 18 November TBD February 13 March (no meeting) Spring Training Event April 10- P&E Chair invited April 24 and 25, Embassy Suites – Portland, OR May 8- Standards Chair invited Annual Meeting June (no meeting) October 10 and 11, 7 th Hallmark Resort – Newport July 10- P&E Chair invited August 14- S tandards Chair invited) September (no meeting) October 11 – Hallmark Inn, Newport November 13 December (no meeting) 8
Financial The OJUA is a self-sustaining , non-profit association. Main Income Source . The Oregon Joint Use Associations main source of income is generated both by annual membership dues and two events, the Spring Training Event and the Annual Meeting Main Expenses The Oregon Joint Use Associations primary expenses are related to event expenses and support staff Last independent financial review was conducted by Antico Forbes for the period 2009- 2010-2011 9
Purpose and Mission Expand awareness and collaboration on joint use issues Develop and recommend solutions on ever changing joint use issues to industry and government Promote education and training To be a self sustaining non-profit organization To provide a mechanism and structure for the industry to vet out joint use issues Maintain open communication between the Oregon PUC Commissioners and the OJUA in all future rulemaking considerations, discussions and changes Build trust between pole owners and pole users emphasizing; – Fair, reasonable, and consistent standards – Standardized communications and processes – Managed costs – Clear compliance definition – Safe and efficient use of the right of way 10
The OJUA was intricately involved with the AR 506 and AR 510 rulemaking process and devoted countless hours to crafting proposals which were aligned with the OJUA’s mission. Many of OJUA’s proposals were adopted by the Oregon PUC and are reflected in the current pole attachment and safety rules Maintain open communication between the Oregon PUC Commissioners and the OJUA in all future rulemaking considerations, discussions and changes The membership of the OJUA collectively agree that the current pole attachment and safety rules adopted five years ago represent a brokered compromise between pole owners and users and that the rules are promoting productive working relationships within the industry as intended 11
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