6.1.a. ERMUSR 07-12-2016 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:
July 12, 2016 6.l a
SUBJECT:
Staff Updates—General Manager
DISCUSSION:
• The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency(MMPA)met on June 28,
2016 in Shakopee,Minnesota.
Construction is moving ahead on MMPA's 46 MW Shakopee Energy Park project. The project
continues to be on schedule for a Q2 2017 in-service date. The Board approved bond financing
for the project at the meeting.
The Board reviewed the business plan for an Agency-owned distributed generation facility in
Chaska,Minnesota.
The Agency's Energy Education program celebrated more than 10,000 Minnesota fourth-graders
having participated in the program. In 2016,the Agency expanded the program to include hands-
on activities from the Science Museum of Minnesota. The program aligns with Minnesota's
fourth grade science standards and focuses on how energy is generated,transmitted,and used.
The annual meeting and dinner will be held in Anoka on July 26.
• The Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association(MMUA)Executive Leadership Development
Program Committee sent out the Request For Proposal for contracted program manager of the
new Executive Leadership Development Program. Proposals are due July 22 with the selection
being made no later than September 30. The intention is still to present a program overview to the
membership at the MMUA Summer Conference and have an inaugural class in early 2017. Just a
reminder,the Summer Conference is scheduled for August 15-17 and will be held at Cragun's
Resort in Brainerd,MN.
• Tom Sagstetter and I attended the Elk River Chamber of Commerce Legislative Wrap Up on June
17. State Speaker of the House Kurt Daudt was the keynote speaker. State Representative Nick
Zerwas and United States Congressman Tom Emmer were both in attendance and answered
questions.
• On July 2 ERPD issued a citation for trespassing on private property at the ERMU Field Service
Facility.
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• Midwest Municipal Transmission Group(MMTG)held a teleconference meeting of the
membership flowed by a meeting of the board of directors on June 22. The meetings offered an
opportunity to update the membership on the financials and new transmission ownership
opportunities.
But the main purpose for the meetings was to fill vacant leadership roles. Joel Logan of Iowa
Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU), a board member also filling the executive board
position of Treasurer,had left IAMU for a new job.Also,Wes Hompe the General Manager of
Willmar Municipal Utilities(WMU)and current MMTG Chair had just announced his upcoming
retirement in July.Troy DeJoode from IAMU and Chris Carlson of WMU were both elected to
the board. Chris Carlson was then elected to fill the vacant Secretary/Treasurer role which will
put her in succession to be MMTG Chair.Past Chair Mike Litterer of Waverly Light&Power
was elected to fill the vacant Chair role.
• The City held their annual plan holders meeting to review the Emergency Action Plan for the Elk
River Dam. Because ERMU is the Dam Operator,Eric Volk,Michelle Canterbury,and I attended
the meeting. The day-to-day responsibilities of Dam Operator are assigned to the Water
Department and Eric Volk.
• On June 15,Peter Beck gave notice of his retirement from the position of Elk River Municipal
Utilities Attorney. Peter served the City of Elk River for over 35 years,most of that time as the
City Attorney, and as Elk River Municipal Utilities Attorney for the past eight years.Peter has
not set an effective date,and has been kind enough to offer to remain as long as the Board would
like as we transition to a new Attorney. Attached is his notice of retirement.
ATTACHMENT:
• General Counsel Notice of Retirement—June 15,2016
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BECK LAW OFFICE
Peter K Beck
4746 Sheridan Ave.S. Attorney at Law 612-991-1350
Minneapolis,MN 55410 peter t peterbecklaw.com
June 15,2016
Chair John Dietz
Commissioner Daryl Thompson
Commissioner Al Nadeau
Elk River Municipal Utilities
13069 Orono Parkway
Elk River,MN 55330
Re: Retirement
Dear Chair Dietz and Commissioners:
This letter is to announce my retirement from the position of Elk River Municipal
Utilities Attorney. It has been my privilege to serve the City of Elk River for over 35 years,most
of that time as the City Attorney, and as Elk River Municipal Utilities Attorney for the past
8 years. However, having turned 65 earlier this year, I have decided that it is time to slow down
a bit. I will be practicing law for the foreseeable future, but not at the level of intensity and
availability that ERMU deserves and needs.
I am not setting an effective date and will remain as long as the Board would like as you
determine how to proceed with the transition to a new Attorney.
I want to thank the current Commissioners and their predecessors over the past 8 years
for the opportunity to serve ERMU in this capacity. I have enjoyed (almost) every minute of it
and will always have a special place in my heart for Elk River and ERMU.
Very truly yours,
PETER K. BECK ATTORNEY AT LAW PLLC
By: vZ"""-`"r
Rete Beck
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cc: Troy Adams,General Manager
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