05-19-1998 ERMU MIN ELK RIVER MUNCIPAL UTILITIES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ELK RIVER UTILITIES COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES OFFICE
MAY 19, 1998
Members Present: President, George Zabee; John Dietz, Trustee
Members Absent: James Tralle, Vice Chairman
Staff Present: Bryan Adams, General Manager; Glenn Sundeen, Line Superintendent;
Robert McCartney, Water Superintendent; Patricia Hemza, Office Manager
Others Present: Wade Lovelette, Line Foreman; Mark Fuchs, Lead Lineman
1. Call meeting to order at 4:00 P.M.,May 19, 1998
2. Consider Utilities Agenda
John Dietz moved to approve the Utilities Agenda as presented, with the exception
of Item 5.1, to be tabled until the June 9, 1998 meeting. The item is to Review and
consider 1998/1999 Employee Wage &Benefit Requests. George Zabee seconded
the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
3. *Consider Consent Agenda
John Dietz moved to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
4-14-98 Minutes
5-11-98 Joint City/Utility Meeting Minutes
April Check Register
Financials
5.2 Review and award contract to construct Well#6
Bids for the construction of Well #6 were received at 2:00 P.M., Friday,
May 15, 1998. Results were presented to the Commission and discussed.
John Dietz moved to accept the low bid from Alberg Water Services for the
construction of Well#6, in the amount of$136,541.00. George Zabee seconded
the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
5.3 Update Landfill Gas Generation Project and Otsego Substation Agreement
Bryan Adams advised the Commission of the receipt of a proposed power purchase
agreement from Power Strategies concerning the landfill gas generation project. The
agreement is presently being reviewed by Ron Black.
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Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
May 19, 1998
The final draft agreement between UPA/Wright-Hennepin/ERMU, concerning
shared substation rights at the Otsego substation will be presented at the next
ERMU meeting. The reasons for the agreement were discussed.
5.4 Up-date Power Quality Program
Bryan Adams presented devices manufactured by Leviton, through Border States
for surge protection, along with brochures we can use to promote the products.
Questions were asked and responded to concerning the operation of the devices,
the reasons for the use and the marketing of them.
George Zabee moved to offer the Power Quality and Surge Protection Program to
our customers, and to order the brochures as presented. John Dietz seconded the
motion. Motion carried 2-0.
5.5 Review Sprinkling Restrictions
The present Water Sprinkling Restriction was discussed regarding the necessity and
reasons for the ban. Bryan Adams advised the Commission of the number of calls by
ERMU customers. Most calls are from customers who understand the reasons for the
restrictions,but are upset because it is not enforced. It was emphasized that this is a
voluntary program, and emphasis is on education. Bryan Adams suggests that we
design a door hanger to put on violator's homes to remind them of the restrictions.
Staff also recommends that the sprinkling hours be changed to 10:00 A.M., rather than
the present 8:00 A.M. This would give customers two more hours in the morning to
water, yet still accomplish the desire to reduce peak day pumpage.
John Dietz moved to extend the sprinkling hours from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.
George Zabee seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
5.6 Items from Joint City-Utility meeting on 5-11-98
The Agenda from the joint meeting was discussed, with detail to Items 6 and 7.
George Zabee moved to continue the current policy of transferring to the City,
3% of the gross Elk River Electric Sales. John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion
carried 2-0.
The Utility contribution to Watermain Lateral Projects was discussed. It is generally
felt by Staff and the Commission that we should be funding some of these projects.
It was noted that the extensions are not only to service customers applying for
service,but also to loop watermains to improve water quality and improve fire flow.
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Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
May 19, 1998
John Dietz moved to use Municipal Utility funds to finance the remainder of costs,
not covered by assessments, for the construction of watermain for the Orono Lake
Development. George Zabee seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
6.1 Review and adopt side lot easement requirement
The Water Department has a requirement to loop watermains, to ensure good water
water quality and increase fire flow. Many new developments utilize cul-de-sacs,
requiring the looped water mains to be located in side lot easements. Current set-
back requirements are 5' feet from property line on garage side and 10' feet from
property line on house side. These requirements do not allow enough distance
between the water main and the house if a main should break. The result would be
substantial damage to the house or structure.
George Zabee moved to adopt a 40' easement, to ensure that no structure would be
built closer than 20' from the water main. John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion
carried 2-0.
Staff is directed to write a memo to City Council advising the change.
6.2 Review Inspection Report for Freeport Water Tower
The report of inspection of the Freeport Water Tower by KLM Engineering, Inc.
was reviewed and discussed. Time frames for repairs and maintenance to the
Tower were analyzed. Bryan Adams advised that it would take approximately ten
weeks to do the job, with these repairs lasting approximately fifteen years.
Specifications will be written this fall, for work to be done in the spring of 1999.
John Dietz moved to receive and file the inspection report. George Zabee seconded
the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
Further discussion took place regarding the need for inspection of the Gary Street
Tower.
Other Business
John Dietz questioned the necessity of starting the re-locating of poles on School Street
before the City has the easements from the School District. Staff is directed to check
with the City and the City Engineer before moving poles.
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Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utility Commission
May 19, 1998
Glenn Sundeen reported on the storm damage that occurred Friday evening, May 15,
1998. He reported that all services were on by 5:00 A.M., May 16, 1998, and that after a
brief rest, our line crews reported to AEC to assist in their efforts to restore power.
Glenn noted the eagerness with which our linemen responded to the outage.
John Dietz moved to adjourn the May 19, 1998 meeting of the Elk River Utilities
Commission. George Zabee seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
The May 19, 1998 meeting of the Elk River Utilities Commission adjourned at 5:35 P.M.
The next regular scheduled meeting of the Elk River Utilities Commission will be on
June 9, 1998 at 4:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
'C=;: ' ,e ‘Tt
Patricia Hemza
Office Manager