6.1. ERMUSR 09-11-2012Elk River
Municipal Utilities
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:
FROM:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
Troy Adams, P.E. — General Manager
John Dietz — Chair
Daryl Thompson — Vice Chair
Al Nadeau — Trustee
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
September 11, 2012
6.1
SUBJECT:
Staff Updates — General Manager
DISCUSSION:
On August 28, 2012, I attended a Dam Safety Workshop in St. Cloud, MN. The workshop was
geared towards owners and operators. The Elk River Dam is one of 23 dams in Minnesota
regulated by the State and is classified as High Hazard (Class I). A dam may be classified as
high hazard if there is the potential for any loss of life or serious hazards, or damage to health,
main highways, high -value industrial or commercial properties, major public utilities, or serious
direct or indirect economic loss to the public. The workshop was very informative and allowed
me to introduce myself to the State regulators. The 2013 budget will include the expense of
updating our Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
Attached is a letter from the International Visitor Leadership Program Manager with the
Minnesota International Center thanking the City of Elk River and "Energy City" for hospitality
and tours.
R$ Page lofl P A A E R E I B t
Reliable Public `�IAiURE
Power Pm Ider Powrnro To Srxvr
Elk River
Municipal U
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
c�
TO:
FROM:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
Troy Adams, P.E. — General Manager
John Dietz — Chair
Daryl Thompson — Vice Chair
Al Nadeau — Trustee
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
September 11, 2012
6.1
SUBJECT:
Staff Updates — General Manager
DISCUSSION:
On August 28, 2012, I attended a Dam Safety Workshop in St. Cloud, MN. The workshop was
geared towards owners and operators. The Elk River Dam is one of 23 dams in Minnesota
regulated by the State and is classified as High Hazard (Class I). A dam may be classified as
high hazard if there is the potential for any loss of life or serious hazards, or damage to health,
main highways, high -value industrial or commercial properties, major public utilities, or serious
direct or indirect economic loss to the public. The workshop was very informative and allowed
me to introduce myself to the State regulators. The 2013 budget will include the expense of
updating our Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
Attached is a letter from the International Visitor Leadership Program Manager with the
Minnesota International Center thanking the City of Elk River and "Energy City" for hospitality
and tours.
lA P 0 1 E a E I
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Reliable PLOW
Power Provider P o w r, r o T o 5 r. v r
August 17, 2012
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, Minnesota 55330
Alinnrsola Inlemilliunul Cenrtn'
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-11 6Lal Burr Road
To Whom It May Concern: Ali nnrapoli.v. ,111 iSJS;
Alum, 612
I am writing to thank your city representatives, in particular the staff and administrators in the Fn r: 61_.621.1, 1
Environmental Division, for their ongoing excellence in hosting international visitors it lrlr.,ni"Clabr.,a_
examining the "Energy City" technologies and initiatives in Elk River. CHAIR
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I manage a program at the Minnesota International Center (Minneapolis) in which emerging
leaders from around the world are invited to the U.S. for short-term visits as guests of the State
PAST CHAIR
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Department's International Visitor Leadership Program. They come on all subjects
TREASURER
(government, education, arts, law, science, etc.) and over the course of three weeks visit
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various cities to meet with their professional counterparts. We receive more than 500 visitors
DIRECTORS
each year in Minnesota, and arrange their local program based on themes and requests
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provided by the State Department.
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Several times a year, I receive visitors in Minnesota to examine renewable energy and energy
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security initiatives at the state and local level. Over the last several ears, the City f Elk
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River's Environmental Division has been an outstanding resource for these visitors, arranging
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personal tours to various sites including he Environmental Learning Center, Elk River
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Municipal Utilities Landfill Gas Electric Generating Plant, Haubenschild Fauns, Resource
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Processing Plant, and Elk River Energy Recovery Station.
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Visitors from across the globe, including Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, have
visited Elk River to see first -hand the cutting -edge energy initiatives in your city. The
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feedback from these visits is categorically enthusiastic, and the State Department continues to
send us energy- focused groups, often specifically because of the "Energy City" tours.
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Specific feedback has been effusive, such as: "The visitors were totally thrilled by our
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program today in Elk River."; and "Vance Zehringer was the perfect guide for these site visits,
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as he has spent his whole career in energy conservation and alternative energy. He took
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enormous pride in Elk River as "Energy City” and was also genuinely interested in the
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visitor's perceptions and in his work in Cambodia. All -in -all it was a memorable day, nd the
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visitor really appreciated getting out into a more rural area and the hands -on attention."
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Clearly, the hospitality and professional expertise that has been shared with these emerging
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international energy leaders has made Elk River a highly sought -after destination. We hope
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that these exchanges are seen as mutually beneficial, and that they not only bring international
Ex OFFICIO DIRECTORS
attention to Elk River, but allow your local representatives to also understand energy practices
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and policies elsewhere in the world,
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The IVLP program is based on "citizen diplomacy ", and your city has been an exemplary
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model of this philosophy. We appreciate the hospitality you have extended to these visitors in
HONORARY DIRECTORS
recent years, and hope that we can continue this partnership well into the future.
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Sincerely,
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Emil crone blvrir
Daniel Getahun
Aal)iom, V.
International Visitor Leadership Program Manager
PRESIDENT
Minnesota International Center
Tel: 612.625.6159 (direct)
Email: d1_'etdhun rruoln.edu
Elk River
Municipal Utilities
13069 Orono Parkway
P.O. Box 430
Elk River, MN 55330
(763) 441 -2020
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:
FROM:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
Theresa Slominski — Finance Director
John Dietz, Chair
Daryl Thompson, Vice Chair
Allan Nadeau, Trustee
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
September 11, 2012
6.1
SUBJECT:
Staff Updates
DISCUSSION:
We had 1698 credit card payment transactions in August, compared to 1718 in July. The fee for August
should be $3,820.50.
In response to last month's request for information on credit card usage fees, I have provided some
additional information. We started taking credit cards (and were charging a convenience fee) in July
2010 and processed just over 200 transactions. In April 2011 we moved to the absorbed fee of $2.25 per
transaction and grew to approximately 800 transactions. Since that time we have grown 112% to
approximately 1,700 transactions as listed above. The fees have increased as well from $1,820 to $3,870,
but fees as a percent of dollars collected has gone down from 2.8% down to 1.5 %. Last year we collected
$1,122,675.77 and year -to -date for 2012 we have collected $1,443,061.51 via credit cards. Credit cards
are approximately 9% of the total dollars collected and 16% of the customers. The majority of payments
are checks; approximately 64% of the dollars collected and 44% of the customers. Two graphs are
included, one comparing the credit card transaction fees with the dollars collected, and one breaking out
the payments by type.
We received approximately 350 responses from our customer service survey, which is about a 4% cross
section. The majority of the responses were positive, rating us performing or extremely performing the
category item (respecting, communicating, knowledgeable, etc.) There were a few very negative ones
that identified a specific issue or gripe and requested a response, which in these cases we contacted the
individuals. We are still compiling all of the customer responses but have already identified some
communication subjects (penalties and rates) that we can address moving forward either in the newsletter
or articles in other publications.
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Elk River
Municipal Utilities
13069 Orono Parkway
P.O. Box 430
Elk River, MN 55330
(763) 441 -2020
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:
FROM:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
David Berg — Water Superintendent
John Dietz, Chair
Daryl Thompson, Vice Chair
Allan Nadeau, Trustee
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
September 11, 2012
6.1
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
DISCUSSION:
Per the Tower Attachment Lease Agreement, Sprint requested to do some work on the water
tower at Well 5. After they did some welding on the tank, they needed to hire a company to do
some repair work to the paint as it had burned off. The company that Sprint hired to do the
repairs also cleans water towers. The tower was in dire need of a cleaning, but it was not in the
budget to be done until 2013. The company gave an offer to clean the tower for $4,500, which
was about $2,000 less than any bid we would have received next year so we hired them to do it.
Please see the attached pictures of the tower prior to the cleaning.
P0NEOE0 1 Y
INATUR�
Reliable Public
Power Provider P O w F R E D r o s F R v F
Elk River
Municipal Utilities
13069 Orono Parkway
P.O. Box 430
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:
September 11, 2012
6.1
SUBJECT:
Staff Updates
DISCUSSION:
• Finished converting feeder 23 out of the power plant from 2400 volts to 7200 volts.
• Started rebuilding Quinn Avenue and 6ch Street by Cretex.
• Had four new house services.
• Continue working on 8ch and Irving rebuild.
• Had to switch out and bypass the feeders on Station 14 bank 3 and Station 14 bank 4
substations so we could get the SCADA installed. When we do this we also test the
controller and recloser. We found one recloser not working properly and had to remove it
to get repaired.
• Fixed three street lights that had damage to the concrete bases. We are trying galvanized
metal screws in bases that we can install with our digger truck.
• Completed installing underground on Co. Rd. 33 west of Co. Rd.]. Xcel Energy
contacted me with a clearance issue between their transmission line and our overhead
distribution line.
• Started rebuilding O'Day and O'Brian Avenue in Otsego.
• Had the street lights painted on Freeport Avenue by Cub.
• When we go through the underground system in the winter, we find things that need to be
fixed so we are working on some underground maintenance.
No. P ERER10 01 I`�iATURE
Power Provider P O W E 0. f O T O S E R V E
Elk River =:
Municipal Utilities
13069 Orono Parkway
P.O. Box 430
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
Allan Nadeau, Trustee
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
September 11, 2012
6.1
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
• The Locating department had a total of 331 locate tickets for the month of August, 13 of them
being meets and five being emergency tickets.
• In August, the Security Systems Department had a total of 82 phone contacts, 10 new systems
quoted, 14 system sales made, 15 installs completed, 24 service calls made and 10 personal
visits.
• The Meter shop continues installation of SCADA to all substations. All the fiber and control
wires have been pulled in to substations 14 -3 and 14 -4. GRE is to make all the final terminations
of the cable.
• Meter Technicians continue with the meter reading, power bill and off -peak issues.
MErP0111RII I
INATURE
Reliable Public
Power Provider P O W E R E D To S e n v e
• The power plant staff did the monthly run of the generators (all went well). They eliminated a
couple of steps in start-up because of the retirement of the last 2400/4160 volt feeder on
ERMU's system.
Steve and Jeff continue to help out the line crews by operating the bore rig for installing
underground cable.
® Far EaEI I
Reliable Public NATURE �
Power Provider P O W E R E D To S E R V E
Elk River
Municipal Utilities
13069 Orono Parkway
P.O. Box 430
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
Al Nadeau — Trustee
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
September 11, 2012
6.1
SUBJECT:
Staff Updates
DISCUSSION:
• Working with large commercial accounts on energy efficiency rebates for chillers,
lighting, variable frequency drives, air handlers, and cooling towers.
• Responded to many high consumption and bill questions from residential customers.
• Gathering information on new technologies as part of the Elk River Landfill gas plant
expansion.
• Organizing 10 -year anniversary celebration for landfill gas to electric plant and the
Environmental Learning Center
• Received 8 Project Conserve applications for phase IV.
• Worked with EDA on the first micro loan for energy efficiency.
• Working with legal counsel and ERMU staff on a letter to send to commercial electric
customers with persistently delinquent accounts.
Ell ` �Ai
ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES EDUCATION I SEMINAR REPORT
DATE
EMPLOYEE NAME
TITLE OF EDUCATION/ SEMINAR
8/20/2012
Lovelette
2012 Upper Midwest Metering Association Summer Meeting
ORGANIZATION SPONSORING EDUCATION SEMINAR
DATES ATTENDED August 8th thru 10th 2012
LOCATION Brainard, MN
UMMA
WHY DID EMPLOYEE CHOOSE TO ATTEND They had some interesting topics on their agenda.
WHAT INFORMATION WAS LEARNED BY ATTENDING UMMA is formulating a multistate approved
Metering Apprentice program This would be a four year on- the -job program much like the apprentice
lineman program with 8,000 hrs of on the job training and workbooks.
We also learned about the extended range current transformers from two different distributors.
Durham Metering had metering equipment on display in an equipment trailer.
Landis & Gyr had a presentation on grid stream RF AMI and Distribution Automation.
Connexus Energy presented on Metering Safety stemming from an arc flash accident on their system in
Silent Power presented on their product: solar powered stored energy (locally owned and manufactured).
WAS INFORMATION CONVEYED TO SUPERVISOR AND CO- WORKERS AND TO WHO
Yes. Some of it to the entire
SIGNATURE