07-09-1996 ERMU MIN REGULAR MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
MUNICIPAL UTILITIES COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL
UTILITIES OFFICE
JULY 9, 1996
Members Present : President James Tralle, Vice Chairman John
Dietz, Trustee George Zabee
Others Present : Terry Maurer, MSA Consulting Engineer; Glenn
Sundeen, Line Superintendent; Robert McCartney, Water
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 Tralle.
2 . Consider Utilities Agenda
Mr. Dietz moved to approve the 7-9-96 Agenda. Mr. Zabee
seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0 .
3 . Consider Consent Agenda
Mr. Dietz moved to approve the Consent Agenda as follows :
3 . 6-11-96 Minutes -- approved
16 . Check Register -- approved
4 . Looping of water mains
Mr. Maurer and Mr. McCartney presented information on
the looping of water mains and the need for a policy.
Mr. Zabee moved to adopt a policy: All watermains shall be
looped or, in the case of phasing of developments, that
provisions be made to loop them in the future. Mr. Dietz
seconded the motion.
Motion caried 3-0 .
5 . Northwest area facilities
Mr. Maurer presented a plan for the timing of a well,
elevated tower, and water treatment facility in the
northwest area of the City. He recommended a preliminary
study to identify potential sights for the well, tower, and
treatment facility.
Regular meeting Elk River Utilities Commission
July 9, 1996
Page 2
Mr. Zabee moved to retain MSA, Consulting Engineers to
do the preliminary study for the Northwest Area Facilities
for $2, 000 . 00 to $2, 500 . 00 . Mr. Dietz seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0 .
6 . Condition of the East Sub-Station
Mr. Sundeen reported on the problems with the sub-station
and that the conditions are now critical .
Mr. Zabee moved to convert 1 megawatt more of 2400 and
disconnect this sub from the system; the project to
replace budget item 96-32 . Mr. Dietz seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0 .
7 . Condition of the Cooper diesel engine
Mr. Sundeen advised the Commission of the costs involved
to repair the Cooper diesel engine at the power plant .
An estimate of $200, 000 . 00 has been obtained for the
overhaul of the engine. Discussion on the pros and cons
of repairing the engine followed.
Mr. Zabee moved to leave the engine down until a later
date when a full study of all options has been done.
Mr. Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0 .
8 . Request for donation for Heritage Days
Mr. Dietz moved to donate connection and disconnection of
a temporary service, and the energy usage involved. Mr.
Zabee seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0 .
9 . Request from E.R. Police Dept for donation
A request from the E.R. Police Dept . for a donation in
connection with their sponsorship of a National Night
Out in Elk River was discussed.
Mr. Zabee moved to offer a drawing in each neighborhood
for 50's off parts and labor of a basic security system.
Mr. Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0 .
10 . Request from Joe Pallansch for increase in payment
for services
Mr. Pallansch' s services to the Utilities were
discussed, and it was agreed that as a consultant,
he has been a large asset .
Regular meeting Elk River Utilities Commission
July 9, 1996
Page 3
Mr. Zabee moved to increase payment for Mr. Pallansch' s
services at $ . 75 per hour. Mr. Dietz seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0 .
11 . Quote from Inspec, Inc. for office bldcr roof services
A quote was presented from Inspec, Inc. for Site
Verification, Construction Documents, Structual Evaluation,
and Construction Obervation/Testing.
Mr. Dietz moved to contract with Inspec, Inc. for their
services and to coordinate with the City for bids and
services . Mr. Zabee seconded the motion. Motion
carried 3-0 .
12 . Update on water employee position
Mr. McCartney updated the Commission on the status
of the Water Operator position.
Mr. Zabee moved to hire Scott Neilson at the Hire
Step of $12 . 04 per hour. Mr. Tralle seconded the
motion. Motion carried 2-1, with Mr. Dietz voting
nae.
13 . Update on office position
Mrs . Hemza updated the Commission on the status of
the Office Clerk/PR/AP position. Applications have
been reviewed, and interviews have taken place.
Mr. Zabee moved to hire Karen Smude at $9 .35 per hour.
Mr. Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0 .
14 . Vacation Accruals
A report from Gary Groen, Abdo, Abdo and Eick was
presented, in which they recommended a strict policy
for vacation carryovers. A plan to eliminate excess
accruals was also dealt with.
Mr. Dietz moved to adopt a policy stating: Unused
vacation carryover will be limited to the time earned
in a one year period as of each employees employment
date. Mr. Zabee seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Regular meeting Elk River Utilities Commission
July 9, 1996
Page 4
Mr. Dietz moved that excess vaction pay be paid or used
over a 3-5 year period at the option of each individual
employee, vacation used not to affect the Utility' s
ability to operate effectively, the 3-5 year phase out
to begin January 1, 1997 . Mr. Zabee seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0 .
15 . Financials
April and May, 1996 financials were presented and
discussed.
Mr. Zabee moved to receive the financials as presented.
Mr. Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0 .
17 . Other business
Mr. Dietz presented a request from the City of Elk
River for hook-up to the water system as a donation.
Mr. Zabee moved to donate water hook-up to the City of Elk
River. Mr. Dietz seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0 .
Mrs. Hemza advised the Commission that requests for
customer lists are becoming more numerous in the office.
Since the lists are public information, we are obligated
to comply, but we can charge our cost of providing those
lists.
Mr. Zabee moved to charge $20 . 00 for customer lists . Mr.
Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0 .
Reviewal of the search for General Manager and the time-
table was discussed.
The next scheduled meeting of the Elk River Utilities Commission
will be August 13, 1996 .
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 :35 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Cru f ja)
Patricia Hemza
Office Manager