3.0 ERMUSR 04-08-2003 ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
UTILITIES COMMISSION
March 18, 2003
Members Present: James Tralle, President; John Dietz, Vice Chair; Jerry Takle
Staff Present: Bryan Adams, General Manager; Glenn Sundeen, Line Superintendent; David Berg, Water
Superintendent; Patricia Hemza, Office Manager
Others Present: Lori Johnson, Bob Pearson, City of Elk River
1. Call meeting to order March 18, 2003
James Tralle welcomed Jerry Takle to the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission.
2. Consider Utilities Agenda
John Dietz moved to approve the Utilities Agenda for March 18, 2003. Jerry Takle seconded the
motion. Motion carried 3-0.
2a. Election of Officers for 2003
James Tralle moved to appoint John Dietz, President; Jerry Takle, Vice Chair; and James Tralle,
T'
'e. John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. John Dietz took over as presiding President.
3. Consider Consent Agenda
James Tralle moved to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
February, 2003 Check Register
February 18, 2003 Minutes
Financials
Jerry Takle seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
6.1 Review DNR Water Appropriations Permit
Bryan Adams reviewed the DNR Ground Water Appropriation, including correspondence to DNR
requesting an increase in withdraw rate from 4500 gpm to 6500 gpm. The DNR response to the increase in
withdraw rate was approved to 5500 gpm. Special attention is to be given to Condition #11, which requires
public water suppliers serving more than 1,000 people to implement demand reduction measurees prior to
requesting new wells, or increases in the authorized water volume. Bryan Adams advised the Commission
that the sprinkling ban, and the two tier rate for water consumption satisfies the condition. The possibility of
requiring moisture contact sensors to be installed on automatic sprinkling systems was discussed. James
Tralle suggested that the sprinkling ban be addressed to all water customers at the onset of the summer
season.
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Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
March 18, 2003
6.2 Review Payment Penalty
Section 11 of the "Meter Deposits and Related Services Policies regarding Penalties for delinquent
accounts was reviewed. It has been the position of the Commission that the penalty should not apply to
churches. The churches, with one exception, have historically made their payments in a timely matter. The
consensus of the Commission is to allow no more special treatment of the church in question, with no
exemptions of the penalty allowed.
6.3 Review & Consider Phone System
Staff has recommended to the Commission that a new phone system be purchased to accommodate the
new plant, as well as enhance the present system in the administrative offices. The recommended phone
system would have the capability to be moved to the new administration building, when it is finished.
Lori Johnson, and Bob Pearson, City of Elk River appeared to discuss the bids the City has received for a
new phone system for City Hall. The Staff at the City is in the process of reviewing bids, and has not yet
reached a recommendation. The bids were structured to include the Utilities in the City Hall phone system.
Bryan Adams again noted that his concerns are with reliability, as well as vulnerability issues. He can,
however, see that there are advantages in sharing. Lori Johnson stated that reliability is as important to the
City, as it is to the Utilities. James Tralle asked Bob Pearson what he would consider any down side
problems with the proposed system, and Bob responded that he could not think of any. John Dietz is in
favor of only one system for both City and Utilities to enable immediate transferring capabilities between the
offices. John Dietz added that he feels with the proper structuring of the system reliability is not an issue.
James Tralle stated that his concerns are that fail-safe systems will be in place. Management of the system
was discussed. Lori Johnson said only two people would have access to the system. It was suggested that
the City complete the evaluation, select the system, and finalize the architecture of the phone system, and
then return to the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission.
John Dietz requested Lori Johnson and Bob Pearson be present at the April meeting to further discuss the
recommendations for the phone system, and they replied affirmatively.
6.1 Well Water Meters
The accuracy of the water meters at the water production facility has become a concern with staff.
Differences between water produced, and water sold, even with normal exceptions, is considered to be too
great. Staff explained metering accuracy with flow meters, versus other meters with magnet flow or sonic
type meters with Teflon coated walls to minimize the build up of manganese. Staff is recommending
replacement of meters located in facilities 2,3, and 6. John Dietz asked if the replacement of the meters is a
budget item for 2003, and Staff responded that it is not, but reserves could be used.
James Tralle moved to authorize purchase of replacement meters for facilities 2,3, and 6. Jerry Takle
seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
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P +lar meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
b. _ch 18, 2003
6.2 Review Cycled Air Program Rate
Great River Energy revised the cycled air conditioning program from reduced energy rate to a
fixed $6/month rebate for the three summer months, in 2000. The ERMU also changed the retail rate to
reflect the fixed $6.00 rebate for our 5 month summer period for the new customers. There are presently
approximately 160 customers on the old reduced energy rate, and approximately 140 customers on the new
fixed rebate program. The benefit of having one rate, would result in a more easily administered program,
and eliminate the need to read and maintain the off peak meter.
Jerry Takie moved to retire the reduced energy rate, and adopt the $6.00 per month rebate for the five
summer months. James Tralle seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Other Business
Bryan Adams reported on the LFG plant tour on March 26, 2003, to be taken by 360 students from an
elementary school in St. Cloud. He indicated that he, and Vance Zehringer would be the tour guides.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission will be
April 8, 2003.
President Dietz adjourned the regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission at
5:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Hemza
Office Manager