6.1. ERMUSR 09-10-2013 A:4-h 111
Elk River t
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Theresa Slominski — Finance and Office Manager
John Dietz—Chair
Al Nadeau— Vice Chair
Daryl Thompson—Trustee
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
September 10, 2013 6.1
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
DISCUSSION:
We had 2,206 credit card payment transactions in August, compared to 2,197 in July. The fee for
August should be $4,963.50
The software research team has been active in exploring the NISC iVUE software as an option
for Elk River Municipal Utilities. We have had a number of conference calls and website demos,
have made reference calls, and have visited a utility in Albert Lea, MN to see the software in
action and ask questions of the users. We are having an onsite demo on September 4`h and 5th to
expose more staff to its functionality, and then assess if it truly is a good fit. If this is determined
to be the software of choice, we want to send four staff to the annual conference to be able to ask
more questions of their current users, as well as NISC team members, to best prepare for the
conversion. (We would be sending staff to this conference in place of the PMan Users Group
conference we usually attend in September.)
We received our health insurance renewal for 2014. We have had minimal increases the past four
years, at 4.5%, 0%, and 0% and even a 9.5% decrease in 2012 (see graph attached). However
this year, with some increased utilization and all of the changes in the industry, our rates are
going up 22%. (As a bit of history, we had a 20.6% increase in 2005.) Our insurance broker is
working with Blue Cross and Blue Shield to gather information for our options. I should have
that this week and then the Wage and Benefit Committee will need to meet and review this
information to bring back to the Commission.
In July, the City issued an RFP for Financial Advisory Services to commence on October 1st.
Interviews were held on Friday, August 19th with the three finalist firms: Ehlers (the current
provider), Northland Securities, and Springsted. Participating in the interviews was a committee
of Cal Portner, Tim Simon, Lorrie Ziemer, Brian Beeman, Stuart Wilson and myself. The
committee decided upon Springsted and this will be going the City Council on September 16`h.
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Elk River
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Wade Lovelette—Superintendent of Technical
John Dietz—Chair Services
Al Nadeau—Vice Chair
Daryl Thompson—Trustee
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
September 10, 2013 6.1d
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
DISCUSSION:
• The Locating department had a total of 404 locate tickets in August; three of them
being emergency tickets, 10 cancelations, 12 meets, 340 normal, 36 updated tickets
and three boundary surveys.
• In August, the Security Systems Department had a total of 80 phone contacts, five
systems quoted, seven system sales made, seven installs completed, 38 service calls
and five personal visits.
• Meter Technicians continue with the meter reading, power bill, substation checks
and off-peak issues. They continue to change out the three phase meters to radio read
meters. They are also moving the substation meters to the outside of the North
Substation meter building.
• The power plant staff did the monthly run of the engines. The engines ran good with
no problems.
• Two of our staff continues to collect data with the GPS for our ArcView maps as
time permits.
• Steve and Jeff continue directional boring on 4th St. street project.
• Michael Price attended the UMMA (Upper Minnesota Metering Association)
meeting in Duluth last month.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Thank You Letter for Night To Unite
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avers
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NIGHTtoUNITE!
August 8, 2013
Dear Elk River Utilities,
On behalf of the Elk River Police Department and the residents we serve,
please accept our sincere appreciation for your generous donation of flashlights.
Our Night to Unite would not be possible without the giving spirit of so many
like yourselves. This year's event served over 2,328 people at 30 different
neighborhood and community gatherings throughout the city. It was a
remarkable evening.
Please know that your willingness to support this yearly event plays a big part in
keeping Elk River residents and businesses safe. We could not do any of this
without your support.Thanks for all that you do.
With deepest appreciation,
Bradley It Rolfe
Chief of Police
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A4h
Elk River t
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission David Berg—Water Superintendent
John Dietz—Chair
Al Nadeau—Vice Chair
Daryl Thompson—Trustee
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
September 10, 2013 6.1
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
DISCUSSION:
Angela and Pete have been working on hydrant maintenance and helping Bolton and Menk find
water valves that have been covered with dirt or black top. We are doing this to bring our water maps up-
to-date with coordinates for all valves. Some of the valves were unable to be located as the GPS crew was
shooting points,however we will continue to work to find the coordinates.
Angela has been training Mike and Gene on GPS to assist them with the long-term mapping
project. She has also approved another customer to the SMART Irrigation Rebate.
The Freeport Water Tower painting is nearly finished. Eric deserves a lot of credit as he has put
in significant amounts of time to make sure all of the specs have been followed.
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Elk River M
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Tom Sagstetter - Conservation and Key Accounts
John Dietz—Chair Manager
Al Nadeau—Vice Chair
Daryl Thompson—Trustee
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
September 10, 2013 6.1
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
DISCUSSION:
• Attended a Conservation Improvement Program presentation at the MMUA Summer
Annual Meeting. Jessica Burdett from the Minnesota Division of Energy Resources
(MNDER) presented on the changes to CIP in the coming years. After 30 years of
conservation programs, there are many opportunities for changes. MNDER is developing
more online tools for utilities to utilize to help account for and track energy savings.
They are also updating the technical resources that assist in program development and
quantifying energy savings of programs.
• Working with Tri-County Community Action Program (Tri-CAP) to increase
participation in weatherization and energy assistance programs that they offer to income
eligible customers. Developed informational posters that will be displayed in local
businesses (currently displayed at City Hall, ERMU lobby, two locations at Sherburne
County Government Center, Cub Foods, Coborns, Goodwill, and CAER). Other locations
that will be considered include Salvation Army, Otsego City Hall, Post Office, and the
Elk River Library. The information will also be displayed on the Elk River cable
channel.
• Met with Tri-Cap to discuss ERMU's participation in the Energy Resource Fair that Tri-
Cap is sponsoring with other utilities including Xcel Energy, Center Point Energy, and
Steams County Electric Cooperative. ERMU has committed to just under$1,000 of low
income funds to sponsor the event that will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on September
25th at the St. Cloud Public Library.
• The protective barriers are in place at the landfill and it is now in compliance with the
reconunendations provided by the Elk River Fire Marshall.
• Participating in the utilities portion of the City of Elk River's Comprehensive Plan update.
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SENATOR AL FRANKEN
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July 16, 2013
Mr.Tom Sagstetter
Elk River Municipal Utilities
13069 Orono Parkway NW
Elk River,Minnesota 55330
Dear Tom,
I would like to personally thank you for hosting me on my recent visit
to Energy City in Elk River.
The time and effort you put into coordinating my visit is greatly
appreciated. I enjoyed learning more about what can be done to create cost
effective and sustainable energy. As a member of the Senate Energy
Committee, I pledge to do my part to support further innovative initiatives and
will be sure to take what I learned from you and share it with my colleagues in
the Senate.
Again,thank you for your time, and I look forward to our continued
partnership.
Sincerely, '
Al Franken
United States Senator
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SENATOR AL FRANKEN
ti
August 1,2013
City of Elk River
City Council
13065 Orono Parkway NW
Elk River MN 55330
Dear Council Members,
I would like to personally thank you for allowing your staff to take me
on a tour of the Elk River Landfill Gas to Electric Facility and the Great River
Energy Resource Recovery Project. I would also like to thank the council
members who took the time to attend the tour.
The Elk River Energy City program is very impressive. I enjoyed
learning more about what can be done to create cost effective and sustainable
energy through the various partnerships and programs that have been created.
As a member of the Senate Energy Committee,I pledge to do my part to
support further innovative initiatives and will be sure to take what I learned in
Elk River and share it with my colleagues in the Senate.
Again,thank you for your time and I look forward to our continued
partnership.
Sincerely,
Al Franken
United States Senator
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