6.1. ERMUSR 08-13-2013 I am working on compiling ERMU system load data for MMPA for our inclusion in their
integrated resource plan which is required to be submitted to the Minnesota Public Utilities
Commission(MPUC).
As mentioned at a previous Commission meeting, I've been asked to make a presentation to the
MPUC. I have begun working on a presentation that will highlight our diesel power plant and
our ability to disconnect from the grid, black start, and provide emergency power to critical
facility in the event of a natural disaster or transmission outage. The presentation will be made
on September 27, 2013.
Attached is a July 27`" article from the Star Tribune on stray voltage. I have also attached the
MMUA Year In Review.
Jennie Nelson, our new Executive Administrative Assistant, has already become an
indispensable resource for our management team. She has provided great work load relief by
taking on high level administration projects including spearheading much needed updating for
department procedure documentation, marketing materials, and policy book updates. She has
also taken on the task of contract management and has been working with field staff to ensure
that we have billing integrity for all the low voltage companies that have attached to ERMU
power poles. I am very thankful to the Commission for believing in my vision and approving the
creation of this new position. And I'm very appreciative of the hard work, initiative, and effort
that Jennie has put towards this opportunity. Please join me in thanking Jennie hitting the
ground running and doing a great job.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Map of the North Substation
• Star Tribune article: "Stray Voltage phenomenon pits Minnesota farmers, utilities"
• MMUA Year In Review
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Elk River �..
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:
August 13, 2013 6.1
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
DISCUSSION:
Last month June was not finalized and so updated numbers for the credit card transaction volume
were not provided. In June we had 2,069 credit card payment transactions for a cost of$4,655.25
compared to 2,019 credit card payment transactions in May. In July we had 2,197 credit card
payment transactions for a cost of$4,943.25.
Last month ACH sign-up incentive was approved with a one-time $10 credit on the bill for
signing up. Staff has requested that we look at a smaller on-going credit and offer a$5 incentive
every time someone new signs up for paying via ACH, versus offer the one-time $10 incentive to
sign-up within a certain window. This would allow us to ask new customers as they sign-up for
service and get them on the program right away rather than having them change over at a later
date. This could still apply to customers who do decide to change over at a later date.
As the committee researches software, it was quickly realized that the initial investment will be
sizeable, and the ongoing support cost will be much greater than we currently budget. The
software we are most strongly considering is called NISC and is attractive because of its total
integration of other applications traditionally outsourced with various third party vendors (such
as credit card processing, customer-based web interfaces, mapping, outage management, bill
processing, phone call messaging, and many, many more.) With NISC, having all of these
integrated services would result in cost savings in other areas. NISC is coming September 4th and
5`h to provide an onsite demonstration of their software and its offerings to staff.
We have some anniversaries in the office to recognize. Michelle Anderson and Lorrie Franz
have been with us for five years. Please join me in congratulating them on their work
anniversaries and thank them for the work they have done.
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Our workers compensation modifier will be at 1.0 this renewal, effective 10/1/2013 to 10/1/2014,
compared to a 1.02 the previous term. This means we will not be paying a 2%premium for our
insurance. Hopefully, we can continue the downward trend and receive a discount in the future
if our modifier is below 1.0. The past few years our modifier had slowly been increasing from a
discount position to a premium position so this is a great improvement to see.
Quarterly inventory cycle counts were completed in July with great success. Each of the
departments of Electric, Water, and Security continue to improve on organization and processes
to tweak the overall management of inventory levels. Electric was 99.96% accurate, Water was
98.67%accurate, and Security was 96.01% accurate.
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Elk River
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Mark Fuchs—Line Superintendent
John Dietz—Chair
Al Nadeau—Vice Chair
Daryl Thompson—Trustee
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
August 13, 2013 6.1
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
DISCUSSION:
• Had 12 new services.
• Continue working on Riverview Heights rebuild. We are removing rear lot overhead wire
and installing front lot underground.
• Continue working on changing out rusty junction boxes.
• Continue working on changing out fuse pads. This has been an ongoing project that had
to be done because of our high fault current.
• Working on replacing street light poles and lights on Railroad Drive where the road work
is being done. We are going to install LED light fixtures.
• One of the three phase transformers at the nursing home on Evans Avenue had to be
changed out after it faulted. This was not planned and was done after normal working
hours.
/may PeWEeEe er
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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:
Date: August 13, 2013 6.1
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
DISCUSSION:
• The Locating department had a total of 460 locate tickets in July; 11 of them being
emergency tickets, seven cancelations, 13 meets, 399 normal, 26 updated tickets
and four boundary surveys.
• In July, the Security Systems Department had a total of 93 phone contacts, 16
systems quoted, 10 system sales made, 14 installs completed, 30 service calls and
16 personal visits (a very good month).
• 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 also monitor power quality to customers with voltage
complaints, which often times turns out to be a problem on their side of the meter.
• The power plant staff did the monthly run of the engines. The engines ran good
with no problems. We are training two more staff in running the engines to build
our pool of staff to call in case we would have to run after hours.
• Continue collecting data with the GPS for our ArcView maps.
• Steve and Jeff continue directional boring on the Riverview Heights rebuild
project.
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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:
August 13, 2013 6.1
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
DISCUSSION:
The Freeport water tower is finished. The weather was a problem throughout the whole process. Either it
was too humid, raining, windy or just too hot;the painters struggled with having good consistent days in a
row.After washing, sanitizing, and taking two water samples from the tower, it will go back online.
Pete and Angela have finished servicing and exercising about 130 water hydrants along with several other
tasks that have come up.
Bolton and Menk have been working with Eric to find about 800 gate valves that have not had the GPS
coordinates mapped. This will make it easier for the whole department to find valves in case of a water
break and will make the maps much more accurate.
New water main was installed on 185`h Ave., 3rd Street and some side streets. This is now completed.
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Elk River
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:
August 13, 2013 6.1
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
DISCUSSION:
• Worked with the Energy City Commission to develop an educational marketing piece
that highlights energy efficient technology and processes that will help educate builders
and developers of residential homes. This will also benefit home owners and architects
that are doing home construction or remodeling. (Copy of brochure is attached)
• The rain barrel program has ended for 2013. ERMU customers bought 24 barrels and 10
cisterns. Next year ERMU will offer only the barrel style and work with the supplier to
have them all on hand when the program starts in late April or early May. ERMU will
have 30 to 40 available for ERMU customers.
• Worked with Ralphie's Victory Lane and the Elk River EDA on an Energy Efficient Micro Loan
for the new lighting and signs that will be installed at the convince store in the coming months.
• Working with Waste Management and the City of Elk River to construct protective barriers for
the landfill gas collection facilities near the parking lot and road at the generation facility.
• Working with ISD 728 on chiller and variable frequency drive rebates for new systems
being installed at Parker Elementary School.
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