Operations update: hiring, new locator and progress on 1100 West and 2800 West projects

Power operations staff told the board they plan to recruit a full-time electrical engineer and expect to post the position; staff said the hire is considered "very much needed." The department also said a new locator will start Monday and that training of existing staff will assist the transition.

On distribution work, staff reported the 1100 West project is roughly two-thirds complete for pole setting and that terminations and final wire pulls will follow once an easement and the final dead-end pole are in place. Staff said they need an easement from a property owner to set the last pole and that the work will be completed in sections, with the 2300–3000 West segment to be finished quickly as part of a capacity project.

The 2800 West job was described as the next top priority; staff said they have selected a driller via bid, expect the driller to begin in the coming weeks if site preparations allow, and will request a purchase order for foundations. Staff emphasized crews are small (a two-person line crew plus service crews) and work is often interrupted by other priorities.

Staff also reminded board members about an upcoming member conference (Salt Lake) and gave travel coordination instructions, including reimbursing flights for spouses when attendees book them together and submitting receipts.

Ending: Staff said operations will proceed on 1100 West as easements and scheduling permit, start the new locator on Monday, and pursue the foundation work on 2800 West pending driller scheduling. No board action was requested.