08-12-1997 ERMU MIN REGULAR MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
MUNICIPAL UTILITIES COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES OFFICES
AUGUST 12, 1997
Members Present: President, John Dietz; Vice Chairman, George Zabee; Trustee, James
Tralle
Staff Present: Bryan Adams, General Manager; Glenn Sundeen, Line Superintendent;
Patricia Hemza, Office Manager
Others Present: Pat Klaers, City Manager
1. Call meeting to order at 3:30 P.M.August 12, 1997
2. Consider Utilities Agenda
Mr. Tralle moved to approve the 8-12-97 Agenda. Mr. Zabee seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
3. *Consider Consent Agenda
Mr. Tralle moved to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
3. 7-9-97 Minutes
4. Check Register
5.1 Review 2' Quarter Financial Reports
Financial reports, including Summary Balance Sheet, Income Statements, Statements
of Cash Flow, Donated Electricity, Purchased Power, Comparative Sales, Customers
billed and detailed line item statements were presented and discussed. Several new
reports have been given to the Commission, and Staff asked the question if the
Commission was satisfied with format and content. It was the consensus that
the reports were very adequate, and to receive all reports monthly, and to receive
quarterly reports as a separate line item on the Agenda.
Mr. Tralle moved to receive and file the quarterly financial statements. Mr. Zabee
seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
5.2 Up-date Westwood Water Services Connection Policy
Bryan Adams reviewed the Westwood Water Services Connection Policy,with
supporting Minutes of previous meetings as well as information from the records of
the City Clerk of the City of Elk River. To reiterate: All Westwood residential
buildings with one or two residential units shall not be required to connect to the water
Regular meeting of the Elk River Utilities Commission August 12, 1997
Page 2
utility unless and until the City Council determines on a case by case basis that
connection to the water utility is necessary to protect the public health, safety and
and welfare or to otherwise comply with applicable law.
5.3 Up-date Letter of Intent for Electric Generation with landfill methane gas
Bryan Adams discussed the proposal letter, dated 7-28-97, between Elk River
Municipal Utilities and Power Strategies Energy,which initiates discussions to
construct an electric generation facility at the Elk River Landfill. Commission was
advised that the proposal was reviewed by Ron Black, Attorney and is currently being
reviewed by AEC and UPA.
5.4 Up-date on Issue of Electric Deregulation
Bryan Adams presented the Commission with several informational articles
concerning Electric Deregulation. A video titled, "Power Switch"was viewed.
5.5 Review and consider Employee Recognition Policy
Staff was asked to recommend an annual employee recognition policy. Several
options were presented, along with comparisons to the City and other companies.
Mr. Tralle moved to adopt a policy similar to the City of Elk River, recognizing the
5-10-20-retirement anniversary dates of employment, with a coffee cup & lapel pin
for 5 years, a pin with stone for 10 years, and on the 20th year and upon retirement to
personalize the item appropriate to the employee's interests. Mr. Zabee seconded the
motion. Motion carried 3-0.
5.6 Up-date July 1, 1997 Storm
Commission was up-dated on the lessons learned in the response to the storm damage
incurred on July 1, 1997. Because of what was learned in the emergency,the Utilities
have improved and up-dated emergency procedures. It was noted that lack of visible
house numbering hindered Utilities crews in finding problem addresses. Elk River
Utilities incurred costs in excess of$21,000.00 due to the storm. Sherburne County is
applying for monies from FEMA to help cover the cost of damage.
5.7 Up-date Highland Road Water Bond
Bryan Adams up-dated the Commission on the progress of the Highland Road water
main project, which is now physically complete. The remaining portion of this water
main project through Cottages of Elk River Development will be completed by their
Regular meeting of the Elk River Utilities Commission August 12, 1997
Page 3
contractor within the next two weeks. Upon final completion of the project
this month, the two booster stations at Lafayette Woods and Nordic Woods will not
be required and will be used for stand-by only.
A chart displaying cash requirements for Debt Service was scrutinized and discussion
of WAC charges took place. ,
Mr. Tralle moved to adopt a lateral fee of$3,000.00 per lot for immediate customers
on Highland Road and Proctor Avenue for charges and payable when the lot connects
to the main plus the current WAC charges in effect at the time the application is made.
Mr. Zabee seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
6.1 Review and consider ERMU Mission Statement
Staff questioned Commission as to their interest in the possibility of adopting a
Mission Statement to focus upon goals and future plans. Commission discussed the
policy and reviewed the presented possibilities. It was decided at this time to not
pursue the Mission Statement.
6.2 Review Disconnection Notice Policy
Commission and staff reviewed our current timing regarding billing, delinquency
statements and timing of disconnects. It was decided at this time that the constraints
of our present policies are timely and satisfactory.
6.3 Review request for Street Lights
A petition for a street light at the Northeast quadrant of intersection 193`d Avenue and
Highland Road was presented, along with a request from Tom Zerwas on behalf of the
Lighting Committee for additional street lights.
Mr. Tralle moved to approve the seven lights presented, as well as approximately
3 additional lights on Jackson Avenue between School St. and Hwy 169, as well as
the 2 lights on 182nd Avenue at Denver and Fresno, and to take over the street light at
187`h Avenue and Albany Avenue. Mr. Zabee seconded the motion. Motion carried
3-0. Attached: List of approved lights.
Mr. Tralle, in response to the petition, moved to restore the location of the pole
to its original position. Mr. Zabee seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
6.4 Review need for Part-time Office Position
Regular meeting of the Elk River Utilities Commission August 12, 1997
Page 4
The need for a permanent, flexible part-time position in the Office was discussed,
with supporting information supplied by Staff.
Mr. Zabee moved to authorize Staff to first post the Position Opening, then advertise
for the hiring of a permanent part-time office person. Mr. Tralle seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
6.5 SAC & WAC Calculation Formula
The City Council has recently approved a new method of calculating SAC units
for restaurant uses within a specified geographic boundary. Commission discussed
the merits of the calculation.
Mr. Tralle moved to support the City in their approval of the SAC calculation,
from 8 seats per unit to 22 seats per unit, for restaurants only, and to change the WAC
calculation for a specified geographic boundary: Main Street(both sides) from the
Parrish Avenue bridge to Lowell Avenue; Jackson Avenue (both sides) from
Highway 10 to Main Street; and King Avenue (both sides) from Highway 10 to Main
Street. Mr. Zabee seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Other Business
Mr. Dietz questioned our policy in the straightening of a transformer on private
property. Glenn Sundeen indicated that it is done by the Utilities.
Bryan Adams advised the Commission on the success of the Open House at the Plant
in honor of our 50`h Anniversary,which was held in conjunction with Heritage Days.
Mr. Zabee requested that Staff return to a future Commission meeting with
information regarding Security Systems.
The next scheduled meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities will be September 9,
1997 at 3:30 P.M.
With no further business to be discussed, Mr. Tralle moved to adjourn. Mr. Zabee
seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
The meeting of the Elk River Utilities Commission adjourned at 5:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
(1---;? :ce,
aJ
Patricia Hemza
Office Manager