03-12-1996 ERMU MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL
UTILITIES COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK
RIVER MUNCIPAL UTILITIES OFFICE
TUESDAY, MARCH 12 , 1996
Members Present : James A. Tralle, President
John Dietz, Vice Chairman
George Zabee, Trustee
Others Present : Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Lori Johnson,
Assistant City Administrator; Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning
Administrator; Glenn Sundeen, Line Superintendent; Patricia
Hemza, Office Manager
1 . Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the
Elk River Utilities Commission was called to order at
4 : 00 P.M. by President James Tralle .
2 . Consider Agenda
Mr. Dietz moved to approve the 3-12-96 Agenda. Mr. Zabee
seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0 .
3 . Consider Consent Agenda
Mr. Dietz moved to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
3 . 2-13 minutes -- approved
12 . Check Register -- approved.
Mr. Zabee seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0 .
4 . Voluntary Assessment for National EMF research for 1996
After discussion of the pros and cons the EMF project, with
reservations from Mr. Zabee, Mr. Dietz moved to approve
payment of the voluntary assessment. Mr. Zabee seconded the
motion. The motion carried 3-0 .
5 . Comp Worth
Glenn Sundeen expressed his concerns with the booklets
supplied to us by the City. Lori Johnson responded with her
observations . Mr. Zabee has volunteered to take part in the
Comp Worth Committee . Mr. Dietz moved to order booklets
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March 12, 1996
Page 2
through MMUA, to be used in conjunction with the booklets
that the Utilities now has. Mr. Zabee seconded the motion.
The motion caried 3-0.
6 . Set a meeting date with Dan Green of the First National
Agency to discuss property insurance .
Lori Johnson advised the Commission that a meeting has
been scheduled for March 26, 1996, with Dan Green at the
City Offices and that Utilities Department Heads would be
welcome to attend the meeting to discuss policies . Mr.
Sundeen was directed to report back to the Commission with
his observations .
7 . Rate Study
Glenn Sundeen reported on R.W. Beck' s proposal for a rate
study. Mr. Tralle would also like to receive a proposal
from Dahlen Berg & Company. When those are received the
Utilities Commission will consider them, the offer from
UPA, and the City of Anoka' s rate study. Discussion
continued of wheeling charges, the possibility of the
addition of a big-rate user, the possible need for a sub-
station for the west-end.
8 . Preliminary preparation for wage/benefits negotiations
Staff has been directed by Commission to look at out-state
Utilities of the same size, as well as the metro, and
local Utilities that have been used in the past . It was
decided to include the clerical staff in the June 1, 1996
negotiations .
9 . Procedures for underground wire specifications
and bid awards
Glenn Sundeen reported on bids . Mr. Zabee will act as
liaison between Mr. Sundeen and the Utilities Commission.
Further discussion will be held at the March 26, 1996
Special Meeting of the Elk River Utilities Commission.
10 . Evaluation of bids for digger truck
Glenn Sundeen presented bids from Altec and Simon-Telelect
for the digger-derrick truck and chassis . Mr. Sundeen
pointed out the differences in the way the companies
submitted their bid. Capacities, out-rigger spread, and
total gross weight were considered. The Federal Excise Tax
was included in the bid from Simon-Telelect and omitted from
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March 12, 1996
Page 3
the bid from Altec. Mr. Dietz moved to accept the bid from
Altec in the amount of $139, 050 .00 . Mr. Zabee seconded
the motion. The motion carried 3-0 .
11 . Territory acquisition issues
Glenn Sundeen discussed the proposed change in territory
acquisition in regard to demarcation lines and changes in
the franchise agreement . Mr. Zabee moved to not enter into
the change in demarcation lines or the franchise agreement.
Mr. Dietz seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0 .
13 . Other business
Steve Rohlf appeared to discuss the possible involvement
by the Utilities, in regard to the Minnesota Environmental
Initiative' s "Energy Alley" project . Mr. Zabee moved to
support the City of Elk River becoming the Substainable
City Showcase for this project. Mr. Dietz seconded the
motion. Motion carried 3-0 .
Mr. Tralle advised the Utilities Commission that he
accepted the resignation of William M. Birrenkott, General
Manager on Saturday, March 9, 1996 . The resignation was
recognized by the Elk River Utilities Commission on
March 12, 1996 .
The position of General Manager was discussed, along with
the possibility of hiring an Interim General Manager.
Mr. Dietz moved to give Mr. Tralle permission to contact
Tony Rudde, UPA, for names of possible Interim Managers.
Mr. Zabee seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0 .
Mr. Zabee moved to contact Briemeyer Group, Inc. for a bid
on job searches for General Manager and to contact at least
one other company for the same process. Mr. Dietz
seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0 .
Pat Klaers advised the Commission on the progress of the
Ice Arena, with discussion following regarding electric
and water charges . Mr. Zabee moved to forgive all
electric and water charges for the construction project.
Mr. Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
14 . Adjournment
Mr. Zabee moved to adjourn. Mr. Dietz seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0 .
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March 12, 1996
Page 4
The meeting of the Elk River Utilities Commission
adjourned at 6 : 10 P.M.
Respectfuly submitted,
Patricia Hemza
Office Manager