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6.1. ERMUSR 05-08-2012Elk River M Municipal Utilities 13069 Orono Parkway Elk River MN 55330 (763) 441-2020 UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING c~~ TO: FROM: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Troy Adams, P.E. -Utilities Director John Dietz -Chair Daryl Thompson -Vice Chair Al Nadeau -Trustee MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: Ma 8, 2012 6.1 SUBJECT: Staff U dates -Utilities Director DISCUSSION: On Apri124`h I attended the Connexus Energy Annual Meeting. This industry is truly a small world. Connexus struggles with similar business issues as does ERMU and utilities can learn a lot through observation of what works well for their competitors. Connexus is a member of Great River Energy (GRE) and receives all of their power supply from GRE. Connexus has worked to implement cost saving measures and new technologies to improve efficiencies and reduce costs as a way to keep their rate increases in control. Many of their recent initiatives aze also being implemented at ERMU. However, when approximately 75% of the operating costs aze a pass through for wholesale power generation and transmission, it becomes difficult to mitigate the wholesale power cost increases through the 25% of the budget you control. Focus on power supply costs is important. On June 6`s I will be attending the GRE Annual Meeting. From this I hope to be updated on how GRE intends to control costs and rates going forward. This is especially important as ERMU is researching alternatives to GRE for wholesale power supply. On May 1~`, the Star News toured the ERMU Landfill Gas to Electric Generation Plant located at the Elk River Landfill. The tour also included a presentation at the attached Education Training Center. Representatives from Waste Management, Sherburne County and the Sherbume County Boazd of Commissioners, ERMU, and the City of Elk River were present. The tour and presentation transitioned to discussion on plant expansion and new technologies. The landfill is now flaring off enough landfill gas to support an additional 3 engines. Also discussed was the ~t POIIAEAEOD1f Reliable Public Power Provider P o w e a e o r o S e n v e upcoming anniversary of the plant. In August, the plant will be 10 years old. This facility has served ERMU and our partners well. In 2011 this plant produced enough energy to serve approximately 2,500 homes. This is equivalent to 9% of our communities' energy needs. This is significant because this local generation is coming from a waste byproduct of the landfill that exists regardless of this project. Plus this local "green" energy doesn't need to have transmission lines built to service load like new wind farms do. Also important to this landfill gas to electric generation project was the vision of the ERMU commission to acquire electric service territory and grow with our city. If ERMU had not entered into the recently completed territory acquisition agreement with Connexus in 1991, the current landfill gas to electric generation project and our partnership with Waste Management and the County could not have happened. Although the plant is located within the City of Elk River corporate boundaries, it was actually Connexus service territory in 1991. The Environmental Pollution Agency (EPA) missed an Apri120`" deadline for review of issues related to the Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) rule that was required by a recent lawsuit. The EPA has been granted an extension, but it may be another 2 to 3 months before this is resolved. One of the issues to be addressed pertains to the classification of engines as emergency and receiving capacity credits. This would affect the market value of our engines. This delay does not work well with our recently established termination extension for our capacity credit agreement with GRE. Also, staff is researching the feasibility of converting our engines to automated "quick start" which would increase their market value but likely require the exhaust retrofit regardless of the EPA RICE rule review. On May 18`" ERMU partnered with the City of Elk River and Sherburne County and will be attending a Data Center Summit. At this event we'll have a booth for purposes for marketing towards potential data center developers and owners. PO~EAEE 11 r~Aru~~ RBliffble Public P o w t a[ 0 7 0 S e n v F Power Provider Elk River Municipal Utilities 13069 Orono Parkway Elk River MN 55330 (763) 441-2020 UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING TO: FROM: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Theresa Slominski -Finance and Office John Dietz -Chair Manager Daryl Thompson -Vice Chair Al Nadeau -Trustee MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: Ma 8, 2012 6.1 SUBJECT: Staff U dates -Finance and Office Mana er *~ISCUSSION: We had 1394 credit card payment transactions in April, compared to 1199 in Mazch. The fee for April should be $3,136.50. The increase between March and April is largely due to the spring shut offs. The cold weather rule ended April 15'x, and on April 17`" and 18`h we shut off approximately 100 people (50 each day) in order to collect payment. There were still 8 off as of the writing of this memo and those have probably skipped town and will be more difficult to collect. The past two years, we had a police officer in the entrance both days to help calm people and encourage appropriate behavior as they come in to pay their balance due so electric service can be restored. This year it was pretty uneventful and we only had an officer on-site the first day, and scaled back to a squad car parked in front of the building the second day. Having the credit card option available to pay via a computer or phone has greatly reduced the angry traffic from prior years and it seems the need for physical police staff on-site isn't as necessary. Staff certainly appreciates the police department being so willing to work with us and provide their services on these days. Much of my time this past month has been involved with reporting. There have been 3 reports to file with the Department of Energy, the MISO Attachment O report for our transmission assets and related revenue, and various surveys for government and other organizations. And, of course, the audit report was due. As stated last month, the first year is probably the most difficult and next year will be that much easier having done it once before. It did take a considerable amount of time this first year, and I am truly grateful for the help and support of other staff to make it all come together: Lorrie Franz for the Financial Statements numbers import and Notes review, Jennie Nelson for the document compilation and cover, and Judy McSpadden for assembly. It was a team effort. ~ POM'EREO IC .x ~ IFrIATURE Reliable Public Power Provider P OWE 0. E D T o S e n v e Elk River ~. Municipal Utilities 13069 Orono Parkway Elk River MN 55330 (763)441-2020 UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING TO~ FROM: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission David Berg John Dietz, Chair Water Superintendent Daryl Thompson, Vice Chair Al Nadeau, Trustee MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: Ma 8, 2012 6.1 SUBJECT: Staff U dates Discussion: On April 25, 2012 we held the MRWA Water Operation & Maintenance Training Session at the Elk River Fire Station. This is the first time that Elk River has hosted a water school/class and it went very well with about 50 attendees. We look forward to continuing these types of classes in the future. Attached is a letter from one of the sponsors thanking the City for their hospitality and preparation. ~~$ vowtnlo er Reliable Public® ~~~U~~ Power Provider F o ~~ ~ x e o t o $ i a v e MRWA V1~ater Operation & Maintenance Training Session `+ } rtr,u ecru: 7:30am Registration and Introductions Chemical Feed Equipment Learn what type of chemical feed pump you need and what to do when your chemical feed pump doesn't work. This session will teach you to understand the proper installation, operation, and maintenance of chemical feed equipment. Backflow /Cross Connection: Developing a Plan This session will cover backflow prevention and cross connections. See how to develop a plan. Learn how safe your drinking water is and if you are protected from cross connections and backflow. Clay Valves This session will cover open pipe and closed pipe flow measurements. Attendees will [earn how to monitor flows and calibrate flows in the field. High Hazard Cross Connection in Minnesota Learn about a functional cross connection control program which may incorporate regular backflow protection. See the Minnesota Department of Health's requirements and also the recommendations will be presented. 12:OOpm Lunch - (On Your Own) 1:OOpm Minnesota Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Licensing Updates Understand usage of cell phones and other electronic devices while operating municipal and commercial vehicles. A discussion of Minnesota State statutes, rules, and regulation updates for commercial vehicles will be held. Wells: The Heart of Yaur System Your well is the heart of your system. Learn the importance of taking care of your we[[ and the record keeping that should accompany it. See how important your old well records are, where they should be kept, and what they mean. Attendees will [earn when to be performing maintenance, inspections, drawdowns, and voltage checks. What's New and Exciting With Water Meters Learn the plain and simple truth about the city of Elk River's water meter upgrades and updates. This session will cover what you need to know about upgrading your system's water meters. 4:OOpm Questions & Answers, End of Day April 25, 2012 City of Elk River Elk River Fire Station #2 (Located across parking lot from Elk River City Hall) 13073 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN Course Objective: This session is designed [o give the attendee information about maintaining chemical feed equipment, understanding cross connection and baclcflow prevention, and the importance of having good records of your well's history. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about water meter updates, measuring and calibrating flow meters in the field, and learning Minnesota's rules for cell phone usage while operating a municipal vehicle. Course Instructors: This training session will be taught with the assistance of Alden Pool and Municipal Supply; Clay Valves; DSG Metering Technology; E.H. Renner & Sons, Inc.; Minnesota Department of Health; Minnesota State Patrol; and Minnesota Rural Water Association. Six Certification Hours for Full Day Attendance There is NO charge for this session. To Register For Any Training Session: Call the MRWA Office at 800-367-6792 or online at www.mrwa.com. Use the training calendar link. Page 4 THE TECHMCAL As5I5TANCE TIMES Apri125, 2012 Mayor John Dietz Dear Mayor Dietz: The Minnesota Rural Water Association would like to thank you and the Elk River City Council for allowing us to sponsor a training session on April 25, 2012, in your commruuty. There were approximately 50 people in attendance at the Water Operation & Maintenance Training Session held at the Elk River Fire Station #2. We would like to express our appreciation to city staff for all their help in preparing for this water training session. Thauks for your hospitality and for your great dedication to the water and wastewater industry! Sincerely, Kyiv~ Kedrow~k;. Kyle Kedrowksi Training Specialist 277 12th Avenue SE I Elbow Lake, MN 56531 I Ph: (800) 367-6792 I Fx: (218) 685-5272 E-mall: mrwa@mrwa.com I Web: www.MRWA.com Elk River .~ Municipal Utilities 13069 Orono Parkway Elk River MN 55330 (763)441-2020 UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING TO: FROM: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Mark Fuchs John Dietz, Chair Line Superintendent Daryl Thompson, Vice Chair Al Nadeau, Trustee MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: Ma 8, 2012 6.1 SUBJECT: Staff U dates DISCUSSION: • Finished converting Islandview Drive from 2400 volts to 7200 volts. There are some poles that need to be pulled once cable TV is off of them. • Started on converting Meadowvale Rd. from 2400 volts to 7200 volts. • Finished up tree trimming. • Had one new house service. • Continue working on changing out our overhead cutouts and fuses. With this we go through checking padmount transformers and padmount switch gear making sure nothing is leaking, the proper tags are in place, the map book matches the tags, and all the warning stickers are on the outside. • Working on some street lights poles that got hit over the winter. Installed three new street lights. • Did our quarterly cycle counts of selected inventory items. ~r3 rawteto er Reliable Public ~~~~~~ Power Provider P o w r e e o 7 o S e a ~ e Elk River Municipal Utilities 13069 Orono Parkway Elk River MN 55330 (763)441-2020 UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING TO: FROM: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Wade Lovelette-Superintendent of Technical John Dietz, Chair Services Daryl Thompson, Vice Chair Al Nadeau, Trustee MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: Ma 8, 2012 6.1 SUBJECT: Staff U dates - Su erintendent of Technical Services • The Locating department had a total of 291 locate tickets for the month of April, two of them being emergency locate tickets. • Locating staff helped the water department with hydrant flushing. They also have been flagging for the line department. • In April, the Security Systems Department had a total of 66 phone contacts, nine new systems quoted, seven system sales made, eight installs completed, 24 service calls made and ten personal visits. • The Meter shop continues changing electric and water meters, meter reading, doing the weekly and monthly substation checks and the monthly power bill. • The power plant staff did the annual urge of the generators. They had a great run with no problems. • New pickups have azrived and they are in service. • Last month Richard Wagner attended locating school in Marshall at the MMUA training Fields. His education report is included. Jeff Murray and Michael Price attended substation school in Shakopee. Their education reports are included. • Gene attended MV-RS training for meter reading. His education report is included. ~? PRNERER RP •7 I~A~'URE Reliable Public P o w e n e o r o s E a ~ r Power Provider Elk River .~: Municipal Utilities 13069 Orono Parkway Elk River MN 55330 (763) 441-2020 UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING TO: FROM: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Tom Sagstetter -Conservation and Key John Dietz -Chair Accounts Manager Daryl Thompson -Vice Chair AI Nadeau -Trustee MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: Ma 8, 2012 6.1 SUBJECT: Staff U dates DISCUSSION: • New Commercial Irrigation Conservation program information sent to the 65 irrigation only customers. • Worked with Economic Development and two property owners on possible efficiency micro loans. • Training Project Conserve Auditors to complete reports for customers. • Worked with Customer Expectations committee on survey for residential and commercial customers. • Completed Annual CIP data collection for regulatory reporting in April. ERMU met the spending requirements and savings goals for 2011. Energy Savings Goa12,031,410 kWh Spending Requirement $400,917.02 2011 Estimated Savings 2,093,217 kWh 2011 Actual Spending $414,853 ^3- Reliable Public Power Provider vowtnto er P o w r x e o T o S e a v r