ERMUSR MISC ISSUES 04-13-2004 Elk River
Municipal Utilities
322 King Avenue phone:763.441.2020
Elk River,MN 55330 Fax:763.441.8099
April 6, 2004
To: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
Jerry Takie
James Tralle
John Dietz
From: Bryan Adams
Subject: Miscellaneous Issues
Enclosed is the packet for Tuesday, April 13, 2004 commission meeting at 4:00 p.m.
This will be our last meeting at our 322 King Ave. facility. The May meeting will be at
our new administration building at City Hall. Attached is the brochure we discussed last
month that will be used as a bill stuffer in this months bills informing our customers of
our move.
The Chamber of Commerce business expo was a real success. Attached is a picture of
our booth showing the line to get the compact fluorescent bulbs. Also attached is the
survey we used and the survey results.
Attached is a letter from the Minnesota Department of Commerce to Minnesota Public
Utilities Commission recommending that LFG generation be considered as renewable
energy resource. This will increase the value of this facility particularly as more
generation is added.
Again this year the Elk River Municipal Utilities participated in the School District
Education to Employment Math Mentor Project coordinated by Louise Kuester. This
program entails 6 graders visiting the workplace and seeing how math is used in our
environment. Our employees enjoy telling our story and these kids benefit from this
program.
The projected population growth in the northwest corridor between Maple Grove and St.
Cloud presents some concern on water resources and water supply issues. Attached is a
letter dated March 16, 2004 from Metropolitan Council inviting participation in this work
group which will address water supply issues. I will be participating in this work group
unless this commission desires otherwise.
As a final point of information, attached is an information sheet from Monticello Water
Department. They are experiencing the same issues as we are.
ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
UTILITIES COMMISSION
April 13,2004
Members Present: James Tralle,Vice Chair; Trustee,John Dietz 4,04)
Members Absent: Jerry Talde,President ,c'w�Y°
Staff Present: Bryan Adams, General Manager; Glenn Sundeen, Line Superintendent; David Berg,
Water Superintendent; Patricia Hemza, Office Manager
Other Employees Present: Wade Lovelette, Mark Fuchs, Trevor Gwiazdon
Other Present: Pat Klaers,City Adminisliator; Lori Johnson, City Finance Director; Max Richter, Richter
Consulting Services
1. Call meeting to order April 13,2004
Vice President James Tralle called the April 13,2004 meeting to order.
2. Consider Utilities Agenda
John Dietz moved to approve the Agenda for the April 13,2004,as presented. James Tralle seconded the
motion. Motion carried 2-0.
3. Consider Consent Agenda
John Dietz moved to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
March Check Register
March 9,2004 Minutes
Financials
James Tralle seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
5.1 Staff Up-dates
Glenn Sundeen informed the Commission on the new services installed in the month of March along with
the updates of the current projects,and the finishing touches needed to the underground electrical services
installed through the winter months that will need finishing touches.
David Berg reported that Well#3 maintenance is complete and should be on line within the week,and
Well#8 raw water line is scheduled for a pressure test. He also reported there were 47 electric, and 32 water
meters installed in the month of February along with 4 new security systems sold. He then informed the
Commission on a new security system that has a two way monitoring system with a motion detector that will
verify movement. If no movement is detected and they receive no response from within the home, dispatch
will contact help.
Bryan Adams talked about the"Water Follies"book that was sent to the Commissioners which covers
water rights and various case studies. He also talked about the future electrical changes needed in Wright
County along Hwy 101,but will need the plans for the Hwy 101 project before any decisions are made. He
then updated the Commission on the upcoming move and that everything seemed to be on schedule.
Page 2
Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
April 13, 2004
5.2 Review MMUA Bond Pool Concept
Max Richter of Richter Consulting Services,representing MMUA,discussed the Midwest Consortium of
Municipal Utilities(MCMU)bond pool program and the benefits of becoming a member and utilizing the bond
pool. Discussion followed with questions and concerns regarding the affect on the City's current A2 rating if
joining this program. Lori Johnson asked for the By Laws, Articles of Incorporation, and Bond Resolutions of
the program so she could review them. This issue will be discussed further at the next meeting.
6.1 Review Wage Request from ERMU Employees
Bryan Adams reviewed the salary and benefit surveys,along with the request for rest time for employees
that work after midnight. Discussion followed with John Dietz questioning how often the after midnight work
happens. The response from employees was maybe 6—8 times a year. Wade Lovelette added that another
reason for the rest time was because of CDL requirements. James Tralle asked Pat Klaers if the police
department or city staff have anything in their contract regarding the rest time. Pat Klaers said there was not.
Bryan conveyed the thoughts of Jerry Talde about rest time,for GRE has had the provision for some time.
This will be discussed further at the next commission meeting.
6.2 Review Safety Program Evaluation
The 2003 Safety evaluation for the City and Utilities was discussed.
James Tralle moved to accept and file as permanent record the safety review for 2003. John Dietz seconded the
motion. Motion carried 2-0.
6.3 Review Boston-Concord Water& Sewer Connection Issue
John Dietz informed the commission and staff about the properties along Boston Street and Concord Street
and the assessment amount for the Water& Sewer connections. Some of the residents feel they were over
assessed. The City is looking at a refund or incentive for hooking up to sewer and water. Discussion followed
regarding this.
James Tralle moved to participate with the City in resolving the Boston—Concord Water& Sewer connection
issue. John Dietz seconded the motion.
More discussion followed with Bryan Adams advising the Commission that Jerry Talde was in favor of helping
out.
James Tralle then rescinded his motion.
After the City has made a final determination,the resolution will be brought back to the Utilities Commission
for further consideration. No action taken.
Page 3
Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
April 13, 2004
6.4 Review and Consider Bid Tabulation for Dodge/Elk Hills Feeder
Bryan Adams presented the Commission with the bid results for the Dodge/Elk Hills Feeder project. The
lowest responsive bidder was Underground Piercing.
John Dietz moved to accept the lowest responsive bidder,Underground Piercing. James Tralle seconded the
motion. Motion carried 2-0.
6.5 Review and Consider Bid Tabulation for Substation West Feeder
The bid tabulation for the Substation West Feeder was reviewed,with Bryan Adams asking for
authorization to award to the lowest bidder,MP NexLevel,LLC.
James Tralle moved to accept the bid from MP NexLevel,LLC. John Dietz seconded the motion.
Motion carried 2-0.
Other Business
There was no other business.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission will be May 11,
2004,at the new Utilities office located at 13069 Orono Parkway.
Vice President James Tralle adjourned the regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
at 5:30 p.m.
Qspec ubmitted,
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Judy McSpad`
Recording Clerk
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Elk River —
Municipal Utilities
32"King Avenue phone: 763.441.2020
Elk River,MN 55330 Fax:-63A41 8099
March 29, 2004
To: Bryan Adams
From: Vance
Subject: 2004 Expo Survey Results
The subject surveys are a useful marketing tool in the following ways:
1. They are a good educational tool in that they provide a visual method of informing the
public about the various programs offered by ERMU. They prompt people to ask
questions about our programs, and they give us a way of evaluating the effectiveness of the
methods we use to reach the public with program information.
2. They also give us a way of measuring public attitude about our programs/policies.
These are the results of a cursory overview of the 2004 results:
1. We received 396 out of a possible 400 surveys. Eight of those were disqualified because
the info was illegible or missing.
2. Out of the total 388, 167 (43%) were filled out by ERMU customers (almost identical
with last year). Thirty three percent were completed by customers of Connexus Energy,
and the remaining 24 %were filled out by customers of Wright-Hennepin Electric, Xcel
Energy and East Central Energy.
3. Of the 167 completed by ERMU customers, 20%said they didn't know about our
Conservation programs, but 62%knew about them and found out from utility brochures.
Thirteen percent found out about our conservation programs from the Expo, 4%from the
Star News, and 1% found out about our programs from a mix of sources such as HVAC
contractors, store displays, and neighbors. It looks like our brochures are working!
4. Our"Wait Till Eight"voluntary curtailment program results were a surprise since we've
not done much to promote it over the last year. Thirty percent said they heard about that
program last year(retention was good)! Another 31% were unaware of the program, and
37% said they found out about the program today. Two percent were blank. When asked
about the importance of the concept, 58%ranked it 8, 9, or 10 (very important) and a
majority of those indicated a willingness to take action when weather conditions dictate.
5. Thirty three percent didn't know that ERMU offered security and medical alert services.
6. Ninety one percent said they thought the sprinkling ban was a good idea, but the 9%that
disagreed were not supportive based on the comments they added!
7. Forty seven percent said they knew we had a Wind Power Program. That's somewhat
lower than expected but probably influenced by the fact that it has been several months
since we mailed or advertised info about the program to our customers.
The survey continues to be an important educational and program evaluation tool and I
recommend we continue to use it and the Expo to further our efforts to inform our customers.
To Receive Your Free Compact Fluorescent Two-Pack From
Please Answer The Following Questions. Elk River
Municipal Utilities
Name
Electric Utility: Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU)
Connexus Energy (Anoka Electric)
X-Cel Energy (NSP)
Wright-Hennepin Coop Electric Assn
Other(please list)
1. How did you fmd out about ERMU's Rebate Program that pays $30 to $800 to
customers for purchasing ENERGY STAR rated appliances? Star News
Utility Brochure, Expo, Dealer, Didn't know!
2. How did you find out about ERMU's Rebate Program which pays $5 toward
purchase of compact fluorescent lamps for its customers? Star News,
Utility Brochure, Expo, Store Clerk, Didn't know!
3. How did you fmd out that ERMU pays its customers up to $65 to have their air
conditioners tuned up? Star News, Utility Brochure, Expo,
Air conditioning contractor, Didn't know!
4. Did you know that ERMU pays its customers $30 per year for them to
participate in the Cycled AC Program? Yes, No
5. ERMU asks its customers to reduce use of electricity on hot,humid summer
days. This voluntary Program is called "Dial Up Five @ 5" and "Wait Till 8".
Were you aware of this Program? Yes, as of today, Yes, heard about
it last year, Was not aware of it!
6. On a scale of 1 to 10, (10 being most important),how important do you think it is
to participate in a program like "Wait Till 8"? 1, 2,3,4, 5,6,7,8, 9, 10 (circle).
Would you be willing to set your air conditioning thermostat up 5 degrees whenever
the temperature reaches 90F and the dewpoint exceeds 70F? Yes, No.
7. Do you think ERMU's odd/even summer sprinkling ban is a good idea?
Yes, No.
8. Were you aware that ERMU offers a full line of security monitoring services and
medical alert services? Yes, No
9. Do you know that for just a couple extra dollars per month,you can purchase WIND
POWER from your local utility? Yes, No
10. In Nov 2002, Elk River Municipal Utilities dedicated its Landfill Gas Electric
Generating Plant. Did you know that 15% of Elk River electricity now comes
from that plant? Yes, No. Were you also aware that the
Environmental Learning Center is a part of that plant? Yes, No
TOURS ARE BEING OFFERED TOMORROW (March 29) AT 3 AND 6 PM AND
TUESDAY (March 30) AT 7 PM! PLEASE ASK FOR THE SIGN UP SHEET!
MINNESOTA
DEPARTMENT OF
COMMERCE 85 7th Place East, Suite 500
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2198
651.296.4026 FAX 651.297.1959 TTY 651.297.3067
March 9, 2004
Burl W. Haar
Executive Secretary
MN Public Utilities Commission
121 7th Place East, Suite 350
St. Paul,Minnesota 55101-2147
RE: Docket No. E999/CI-03-869
Dear Dr. Haar-.
The question has been raised about the necessity for legislative action regarding the
inclusion of landfill gas under the definition of"biomass"for the Renewable Energy
Objective(REO)per Minn. Stat. 216B.1691, subd. 1(1). The Department offers these
brief comments in response to this question.
In our initial comments, the Department of Commerce intended to comment on the
inclusion of landfill gas as an eligible energy technology,but that provision was
inadvertently left out of our comments and will be addressed in our reply comments. It is
our position that landfill gas should be included as "biomass"under Minn. Stat. Section
216B.1691, subd. 1, clause(1). That clause specifies that biomass includes an energy
recovery facility used to capture the heat value of mixed municipal solid waste or refuse-
derived fuel from mixed municipal solid waste as a primary fuel. An electric generation
unit that uses landfill gas as a primary fuel is just such an energy recovery facility. The
output from the unit should be counted toward the REO,provided other necessary
conditions established by the REO statute, or by the Commission, are met.
Sincerely,
.047 M. WHITE
Man. : , Energy Planning and Advocacy
MMW/cw
c: Representative Duke Powell
REO Service List
Market Assurance: 1.800.657.3602 Licensing: 1.800.657.3978
Energy Information: 1.800.657.3710 Unclaimed Property: 1.800.925.5668
www.commerce.state.mn.us An Equal Opportunity Employer
It Metropolitan Council
Building communities that work
•
Environmental Services
March 16, 2004
Bryan Adams
Utility Superintendent
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Pkwy
Elk River, MN 55330-5600
Re: Northwest Metro Water Supply Work Group Kickoff Meeting
Dear Mr. Adams;
The Metropolitan Council (Council) in cooperation with the North Metro Mayors Association
would like to invite you to participate in a work group being formed to address water supplies in
the Northwest Metro area. The work group will be informal and will be made up of
representatives of the local communities, counties, the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Health and other interested parties.
The purpose of the group will be to address resource and administrative issues related to
supplying the growing population with a sustainable water source. It is anticipated that the group
will meet on a quarterly basis.
The group will be modeled after the highly successful Southwest Metro Groundwater Work
Group (SMGWG) which has been in existence since 1997. That group has worked together to
address several issues related to the impact of groundwater withdrawals on surface water
features, water appropriation and well permitting, well interference and inter-community
cooperation. The group recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement which in essence
committed the parties to continue working together to supply the area with sufficient water
supplies while protecting natural resources.
The Northwest Metro Area does not have the sensitive rare calcareous fen and corresponding
water appropriation permit issues that spurred the creation of the SMGWG. However, it is
important that the area address the significant growth forecasted and the lack of access to the
highly prolific Prairie du Chien-Jordan Aquifer. The work group will serve as a forum for
discussion and exchange of information.
The formation of this work group is part of a pilot project under Governor Pawlenty's Water
Initiative. The pilot project has many aspects which address water supply planning in the Metro
to St. Cloud corridor. They include connection of the Minneapolis and St. Paul Waterworks,
revision of the emergency and conservation plan guidelines, developing a framework for water
supply management, assessment of resources in the I-94 growth corridor and formation of the
Northwest Metro Water Supply Work Group.
www.metrocouncil.org Metro Info Line 602-1888
230 East Fifth Street • St. Paul. Minnesota 55101-1626 • (651)602-1005 • Fax 602-1138 • TTY 291-0904
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Northwest Metro Water Supply Work Group Kickoff Meeting
March 16, 2004
Page 2
The Council and Minnesota Geological Survey have begun to assess the available groundwater.
resources in the area. Through this analysis and with the cooperation of the communities in the
area and other interested parties in the work group, future water demands can be met without
adverse impacts. The Council will conduct a detailed water resource assessment of the area
including groundwater modeling. It is hoped that the participating communities will provide
water use, water level and other pertinent data to assist this effort.
It is envisioned that the work group would be made up of those most familiar with the water
supply systems and water resources management. Please pass this invitation to the appropriate
person(s) in your community, agency, or organization.
The location, time and directions for the meeting are enclosed. I hope you will come and discuss
planning for water supplies in the Northwest Metro Area on April V. If you have any questions
or would like additional information, please contact me at (651)602-1066 or
christopher.elvrum@metc.state.mn.us.
Sincerely,
Christopher D. Elvrum
Environmental Planner
cc: Roger Scherer, Metropolitan Council District 1
Tony Pistilli, Metropolitan Council District 2
Natalie Hass Steffen, Metropolitan Council District 9
William Moore, Metropolitan Council Environmental Services
Keith Buttleman, Metropolitan Council Environmental Services
Robin Caufman, Metropolitan Council Sector Representative
Ann Braden, Metropolitan Council Sector Representative
Enclosure
Page 10 City of Monticello
I :::-Ar From the Well
2003 was an eventful year for the Monticello Water Department. We pumped over 570 million gallons of
water, the most water the City has ever pumped! This amount was up 27% from 2002. So where did all that
water go? The following table breaks it down for us:
I DESCRIPTION CONNECTIONS MILLION GALLONS GALLONS/DAY/
PUMPED CONNECTION(Average)
RESIDENTIAL 3356 353.453 288
COMMERCIAL 215 64.091 816
INDUSTRIAL I 54.730 149,945
OTHERS* 50 43.355 2,375
UNACCOUNTED 55.213
TOTAL PUMPED 570.842
* Note: Others include parks and other City operated sprinkler systems.
Unaccounted includes city water main flushing twice per year, filling and flushing all new water mains,
road construction compaction, street sweeping, as well as water for the fire department. Furthermore, sewer
cleaning is included in the Unaccounted column; the City cleans between 10 to 15 miles of sewer per year
using a jet truck and up to 200 psi of pressure.
In January of 2004, the City of Monticello added Well No. 5. This well pumps 1800 gallons per minutes.
This well is a welcome addition to the City and will allow us to keep up with current demands.
Irrigation and water conservation are issues that concern all of us. The aquifers which supply our water are
monitored by the DNR for level and quality. If we work together, both water level and quality will remain
high. The best time of day to water lawns and gardens is in the early morning. Less water is needed because
more is being absorbed by the plant and soil, making less available for evaporation. Grass can also get
burned by watering during afternoon hours. The sun reflects off the water droplets causing the droplets to
act like magnifying glasses and burn the blades of grass. Some turf diseases are created by evening
watering. Both molds and fungus grow well in turf that is damp for long periods of time and, therefore,
thrive in lawns watered late in the day. A 4 a.m. start is best for most residential systems. If you have
trouble setting your irrigation clock, call one of the local businesses that handle the equipment and most
will help you over the phone. If the watering is done by hose, there are remote systems that can be installed '
on the faucet outside your home. The remote systems have timers built in that can be set to go off every
other day and at the time you wish to water. This will allow you to sleep and not to have to get up early to
water. The city water system is heavily used between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on week days. By watering early in
the morning you will help Monticello's water tower efficiency.
By: Matt Theisen. Water & Sewer Superintendent
1