01-11-2005 ERMU MIN ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
UTILITIES COMMISSION
January 11,2005
Members Present: Jerry Talde,President;James Tralle,Vice Chair
Absent: John Dietz,Trustee
Staff Present: Bryan Adams, General Manager;David Berg,Water Superintendent;
Patricia Hemza, Office Manager
1. Call meeting to order January 11,2005
President Jerry Takle called the January 11,2005 meeting to order.
2. Consider Utilities Agenda
James Tralle moved to approve the January 11,2005 Utilities Agenda. Jerry Takle seconded
the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
3. Consider Consent Agenda
At this time the financials were handed out. Pat Hemza reviewed them with the
Commissioners. James Tralle moved to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
Designate First National Bank official depository for 2005
Designate Elk River Star News official newspaper for 2005
December Check Register
December 14,2004 Minutes
Financial Reports
Jerry Takle seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
5.1 Staff Up-dates
Bryan Adams reported work will start on the 4th engine at the Landfill and the possibility of
updating the air permit for the LFG Generation facility in Elk River Municipal Utilities name
instead of Elk River Landfill to limit public confusion. Elk River Landfill is already updating the
landfill air permit. This will be looked into further before proceeding. CIP fund that was
approved last month for Sherburne County was presented to the Sherburne County Board.
Glenn Sundeen advised the Commissioners that the primary underground distribution in new
developments was discontinued the beginning of the month due to the extreme depth of the frost.
Secondary services will still be installed as needed. Next week crews will start tree trimming.
David Berg notified the Commission on the maintenance of the wells,the calibrating of the
irrigation meters,and future irrigation meters will be 1-1/2"turbo meters. Seven security systems
were sold in December.
5.2 Review Electric Outage Report
Bryan Adams reviewed the electric outage report for 2004. There were a few major
accidents with vehicle versus pole that lead to extended outages,and more tree trimming needs to
be done to avoid additional outages. The SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI,and ASAI ratios were
reviewed. Overall the Elk River Municipal Utilities continue to do a great job from an electric
reliability prospective. No action needed.
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Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
January 11,2005
6.1 Review& Consider 2004 Write-offs
Pat Hemza went over the list of suggested write-offs. She added that some of the write-offs
were from 2003.
James Tralle moved to accept the write-offs for 2004 at$32,635.55. Jerry Takle seconded
the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
6.2 Review& Consider 2005 Wire Bids
The Commission was presented with the spread sheet of the 2005 Wire Bids with
recommendations from staff. The 500 KCMIL Cable and the 1-1/2"flexible conduit will be
purchased at a fixed cost basis,with the remaining wire to be purchased by the escalated price.
Cost of material purchased is approximately$389,615 +/-escalation.
James Tralle moved to accept the recommendations of staff for the purchase of the 2005
Wire bids. Jerry Takle seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
6.3 Review& Consider Cable Plow Purchase
Bryan Adams relayed to the Commission the need for a new cable plow. We currently have
two that are worn out. Staff recommends trading in both cable plows for one new one. Staff
presented proposals for Case equipment and Vermeer equipment both from State of Minnesota
contracts. Staff recommends the Case 960,it has the same controls as the Case 560 we are
currently using. James Tralle questioned if trading in both older machines would affect job
performance. Glenn Sundeen responded that we currently subcontract out cable installation in
developments and he did not see any conflicts.
James Tralle moved to approve the purchase of a new Case 960 cable plow and trailer with
the trade-in of the two Vermeers. Jerry Takle seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
6.4 Review&Consider Pick-up Bids
The bid tabulation for the pick-ups were distributed by Bryan Adams. Glenn Sundeen asked
the Commission if electric windows could be added,and by consensus the Commission so
authorized. The two lowest bidders were Rochester Ford and Dodge of Burnsville both from
State contracts. Staff recommended purchasing Ford because they were the lowest bid with the
desired options. Elk River Ford bid is higher than the Rochester Ford bid. The Commission was
asked if we would want to accept the bid from Elk River Ford and support local business.
James Tralle moved to accept the bid from Elk River Ford for two 3/4 ton extended cab pick-
ups. Jerry Takle seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
6.5 Review & Consider Water Department Capital Project
The 2005 water budget contains a number of capital items staff desires to implement. The
first is a trailer mounted air compressor with hammer. This would be used for maintenance
purposes. The second item is to initiate an aquifer storage recovery study. By treating the water
during off peak(October thru March)and injecting this water back into the aquifer we can delay
building another water treatment facility. The third item is to purchase a plotter,hardware,and
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Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
January 11,2005
software for GPS (global positioning system)to locate water street valves and curb stops to store
in a GIS (geographic information system)system.
James Tralle moved to approve purchase of a trailer mounted air compressor with hammer.
Jerry Takle seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
James Tralle moved to proceed with the first phase of the ASR study. Jerry Takle seconded
the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
James Tralle moved to approve the purchase of the material needed for the GIP/GPS system.
Jerry Takle seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
6.6 Review Electric Utility Issues
Bryan Adams reviewed the two articles from"CapX2020 Interim Report"and APPA's
"Restructuring at the Crossroads". They address the future issues of the electrical industry.
Other Business
There was no other business.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission will be
Tuesday, February 8,2005.
President Jerry Takle adjourned the regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities
Commission at 5:00 p.m.
'e .-ctfully submitte..
Judy McS•.dden \ \
Recording Clerk