7.1. SR 07-19-2004MEMORANDUM
Item
#7.1.
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Mayor and City Council
Pat Klaers, City/~lJninistrator
July 19, 2004 ~~
SUBJECT: Utilities Commission Update
Councilmember John Dietz is the City Council representative on the Elk River Municipal Utilities
Commission. At the July 19, 2004 City Council meeting, John is scheduled to provide the Council
with an update on Utilities activities. Attached is the draft minutes from the July 6, 2004 Utilities
Commission meeting.
S: I CouncillPatl Updates I Utilities. doc
ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
UTILITIES COMMISSION
July 6, 2004
Members Present: Jerry Takle, President; James Tralle, Vice Chair; John Dietz, Trustee
Staff Present: Bryan Adams, General Manager; Glenn Sundeen, Line Superintendent; David Berg,
Water Superintendent; Patricia Hemza, Office Manager
1. Call meeting to order July 6~ 2004
President Jerry Takle called the July 6, 2004 meeting to order.
2. Consider Utilities Agenda
James Tralle moved to approve the Agenda for the July 6, 2004, as presented. John Dietz seconded the
motion. Motion carried 3-0.
3. Consider Consent Agenda
James Tralle moved to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
June Check Register
June 8, 2004 Minutes
Financials
John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
5.1 Staff Up-dates
Glenn Sundeen informed the Commission that 36 new services were installed in the month of June along
with the updates of the current projects.
David Berg reported four million gallons of water a day were being pumped from the system. The parts for
the new well will be installed next week. Staff has been installing the transducers at the wells in preparation of
the installation for the new SCADA system.
Patricia Hemza updated the Commission on staff compiling a flow chart for office duties and procedures,
wh/ch will help in streamlining some of the tasks. The end of July we will be switching our billing system to
Windows.
5.2 Review Jackson Street Water Tower Antenna Lease
Bryan Adams informed the Commission that the company leasing the Jackson Street water tower from us
has requested to terminate the lease. The line of sight technology was not working for them. The termination
provisions of the agreement will be followed. Staff will continue to look for other interested parties to lease the
tower.
5.3 Review Financial Information
Bryan Adams asked the Commissioners if the information presented in the financials are adequate and is
the information in a satisfactory form. Commission indicated the sales and meter information could be
presented in graph form instead of spread sheets. The Commission felt this would be more beneficial to them
to see the trends with these graphs.
It was the consensus of the Commission to include graphs in future financials.
Page 2
Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
July 6, 2004
5.4 Review MMUA Bond Pool Comparisons
Bryan Adams told the commission that the MMUA bond pool is progressing but the process is taking to
long for the first bond letting, therefore it is advisable to utilize the City to purchase the necessary bonds.
Recommendation for this year is to utilize the City's funding but in following years, the MMUA Bond Pool
would be considered. No further action necessary.
6.1 Review Electric Meter Accuracy
The Commission was informed of a metering problem that affected one of our customers. Discussion
followed regarding the reason and solution. Commission asked Bryan Adams to meet ~vith the customer to see
how this could be resolved and remm to the Commission with a solution.
Education
Bryan Adams updated the Commission on the 2004 APPA Annual Meeting he attended in the end of June.
Deregulation is still a possibility but will probably not pass tiffs year. Security issues continue to be a concern
for the electric transmission system along with confidentiality and security of our computer system. The
reliability of electrical service to customers was also discussed as far as outages and the time it takes to repair.
Elk River far exceeds the expectations of the overall average.
Other Business
John Dietz asked if we were informed yet of who is responsible for the repair of the Hwy 10 lighting. Staffhas
not heard of anything to date. Water hook-ups for customer who have it available and haven't hooked up was
discussed. Commission desired staff to continue to pursue water customers to hook-up to the water system
after expiration of time frame established by city council. Jerry Takle questioned the confidentiality of the
customer data base. He was informed that our internal network system containing customer data base is not
linked to the intemet.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission will be
August 10, 2004.
President Jerry Talde adjourned the regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission at
4:50 p.m.
(~R-espe~fu I 1 y s u b mJ~d,
Recording Clerk