6.1A. ERMUSR 10-13-15 Elk River
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Troy Adams, P.E.—General Manager
John Dietz—Chair
Al Nadeau—Vice Chair
Daryl Thompson—Trustee
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
October 13,2015 6.1a
SUBJECT:
Staff Updates—General Manager
DISCUSSION:
• The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency(MMPA)met on
September 22, 2015 in Shakopee,Minnesota. At the meeting, the Board was informed
that the City of Chaska, Minnesota, an MMPA member, priced its refunding bonds
related to the Minnesota River Station. The refunded generated present value savings of
$3.3 million, which will be split equally between the City of Chaska and MMPA.
The Board also received updates on the distributed generation project in Shakopee,
Minnesota, and the solar project in Buffalo, Minnesota.
• On October 7 the Midwest Municipal Transmission Group (MMTG)had their annual
meeting Mason City, Iowa. The membership approved the financial report and proposed
dues structure change. The change in dues structure shifts collecting for zonal dues to
general dues. The membership nominated and elected board members for those sits that
had become open.
The MMTG board held a meeting following the annual membership meeting. The board
nominated and elected officers. Wes Hompe, the General Manager of Willmar Municipal
Utilities, was elected 2016 MMTG Chair. The board also approved a memorandum of
understating with CMMPA to engage in transmission investment discussions on
MMTG's behalf.
• The Field Engineer position included in the 2015 budget continues to be on hold due to
the heavy workload associated with this time of year. We will look to post the position
yet this year.
• Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association board approved action for a subcommittee to
develop the business plan and scope for a Leadership Development Program. I am on that
committee along with Jack Kegel—MMUA Executive Director, Jerry Williams—
Rochester Public Utilities Commissioner, and Mark Fritch—Owatonna Public Utilities
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General Manager. The committee will present deliverables to the MMUA board for
approval with a desired MMUA Summer Conference roll out. The core mission for the
program is: "A leadership development program to enhance the competencies necessary
to excel as organizational leaders."
• Elk River Rotary kicks of the 2015-2016 Students Taking a Renewed Interest in the
Value of Education(STRIVE) Program with the Elk River High School on October 13.
The program pairs Rotarians with seniors in jeopardy of not graduating with their class.
This mentorship program takes place at the ERHS during first period approximately a
dozen times throughout the school year. Each mentorship session provides development
on life skills that should help the senior to not only raise their GPA and graduate,but
become successful in life. This will be my second year as a Rotarian mentor in this
program.
• On October 5,the city council issued a proclamation declaring October 4-10 as Public
Power Week.
• With the potential expansion in membership of the utilities commission,Michelle
Canterbury and I have started working on the governance manual and policy book
revisions that had been presented to the commission in the past.
• I attended the October 5 council workshop for their budget discussion. The budget will
include a water trunk fund transfer of$300,000 for the 2016 Well#9 Filter Plant
addition. Tim Simon and Justin Femrite have been working Eric Volk and me over the
past few years on the project planning and water/wastewater trunk fund areas. This has
been a good process that has helped us to coordinate efforts.
ATTACHMENT:
• Proclamation designating October 4-10 as Public Power Week
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City or Proclamation
Elk
River Designating October 4-10, 2015
As Public Power Week
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River,MN 55330
WHEREAS, the residents of Elk River place high value on local control over community
services and therefore have chosen to operate a community-owned,locally-
controlled,not-for-profit electric utility and as consumers and owners of our
electric utility have a direct say in utility operations and policies;and
WHEREAS, Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) provides our homes,businesses,
farms, social services,and local government agencies with safe,reliable,
efficient, and cost-effective electricity employing sound business practices
designed to ensure the best possible service at not-for-profit rates;and
WHEREAS, ERMU is a valuable community asset that contributes substantially to the
well-being of local citizens through energy efficiency,customer service,
environmental protection,economic development,and safety awareness;and
WHEREAS, ERMU will work to continue lower cost, safe,reliable electricity and water
services to community homes and businesses just as it has since the utility
was created.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I,John J. Dietz,Mayor of Elk River,
do hereby proclaim the week of October 4-10,2015,as Public Power Week to honor ERMU
for its contributions to the community and to make its consumer-owners,policy makers,and
employees more aware of its contributions to their well-being.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that our community joins hands with more than 2,000
other public power systems in the United States in this celebration of public power.
J.! J.Dietz, ' f yor
ATTEST:
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Tina Allard, City Clerk
Phone:7 6 3.63 5.100 0 ' P O W E R E D 8 Y
Fax:763.635.1090 A1LJRE
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