05-16-1995 ERMU MIN ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
322 King Avenue
Elk River, Minnesota 55330
Phone (612) 441-2020
UTILITIES COMMISSION MINUTES
May 16, 1995
4 :00 P.M.
Present Were: George Zabee President
James Tralle Vice Chairman
John Dietz Trustee
Others Present: Bill Birrenkott General Manager
Bob McCartney Water Superintendent
Glenn Sundeen Line Superintendent
Paul Erich Olson, Theilen
Terry Maurer Maier, Stewart
Irwin Stobbe D & E Homes
Wade Lovelette Lead Lineman
Mike Thiry Lead Lineman
Mark Fuchs Lead Lineman
1) The meeting was called to order at 4 :00 P.M. by President
Zabee.
2 ) Motion by Mr. Tralle, seconded by Mr. Dietz to approve the
agenda as amended. The Motion carried.
3) Motion by Mr. Tralle, seconded by Mr. Dietz to approve the
minutes of the previous meeting as distributed. The motion
carried.
4 ) Irwin Stobbe a local homebuilder, Complained about the cost to
install underground to clear an overhead line from a house he
was building. Motion by Mr. Tralle seconded by Mr. Dietz to
do the work requested without charging equipment hours to bring
the total cost of the project to $1403.02. The motion carried.
5) John Busonick, who had requested time from the Commission
failed to show up.
6) Paul Erich of Olson, Theilen and Associates, presented and
reviewed the 1994 audited financial statements. Motion by Mr.
Tralle, seconded by Mr. Dietz to receive and file the 1994
audit. The Motion carried.
7 ) Terry Maurer of MSA presented a summarization of the bids
received on the Hillside Water Treatment Plant. Motion by Mr.
Tralle, seconded by Mr. Dietz to award the construction of the
Water Treatment Plant to the low bid of Richmar Construction,
Inc. in the amount of $416,400. The Motion Carried.
8) Wade Lovelette, Mike Thiry, and Mark Fuchs, representing the
outside workers presented the Commissioners with proposals
concerning wages and working conditions. The wage and benefits
Survey conducted by Management was discussed. Motion by Mr.
Dietz, seconded by Mr. Tralle, to increase wages by 3% and
modify the vacation policy and clothing furnished as presented.
After some discussion, Mr. Tralle withdrew his second and Mr.
Dietz withdrew his motion. Motion by Mr. Tralle, seconded by
Mr. Zabbe to increase the wages by 3 .74% as per the average
wage survey and modify the vacation and clothing policy as
attached. The motion carried 2 - 1. Mr. Dietz opposed.
9) The General Manager presented the Commissioners from the Youth
Hockey organization to purchase tickets for an upcoming circus.
The Commissioners decided to take no action at this time.
10) The Line Superintendent reviewed the status of construction
projects and other operating conditions.
11) The General Manager reviewed the April financial statements
with the Commissioners.
12 ) Motion by Mr. Tralle, seconded by Mr. Dietz, to approve the
check register.
13) The General Manager reported that someone was putting together
proposals to move the old courthouse to Becker. He reported
that the utilities had prepared two estimates of the moving
costs.
14 ) The General Manger presented an estimate to place the line
along Hiway 10 underground. Staff was directed to obtain other
estimates for other scenarios.
15 ) The next meeting was set for Tuesday, June 13, 1995 at 4 : 00
P.M. at the Utilities office.
10) Motion by Mr. Tralle, seconded by Mr. Dietz to adjourn. The
motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:50 P.M.
Bill Birrenkott
General Manager
1995 PROPOSED VACATION SCHEDULE REVISION
IN AN EFFORT TO BRING PART OF OUR VACATION SCHEDULE CLOSER
TO THE METRO AVERAGE, WE WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THE
FOLLOWING:
PRESENT PROPOSED
AFTER 11 YEARS 15 DAYS 16 DAYS
AFTER 12 YEARS 15 DAYS 17 DAYS
AFTER 13 YEARS 15 DAYS 18 DAYS
AFTER 14 YEARS 15 DAYS 19 DAYS
1995 REQUIRED CLOTHING POLICY
AS IT STANDS THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH EACH OUTSIDE
EMPLOYEE :
2 NOMEX IIIA WORK SHIRTS PER YEAR.
AND WILL REPLACE AS NEEDED:
NOMEX IIIA LINED BIB OVERALLS
NOMEX IIIA LINED PARKA AND HOOD
NOMEX IIIA LINED BOMBER JACKET
OUR CURRENTLY FROZEN 1994 POLICY INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING
ADDITIONAL ITEMS:
LINEMANS CLIMBING BOOTS
SUMMER WORK BOOTS OR SHOES
RUBBER BOOTS
RUBBER OVERSHOES
INSULATED WINTER BOOTS
COVERALLS (USED FOR MAINTENANCE ON TRUCKS)
WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THESE ITEMS REINSTATED ON THE
REQUIRED CLOTHING POLICY, UNDER THE SAME GUIDELINES:
1. WORN OUT ITEM TO BE TURNED IN.
2. E.R.M.U. TO ISSUE A CHECK TO THE SUPPLIER.
M St May 16, 1995
File: 235-009-30
Mr. Bill Birrenkott
CONSULTING ENGINEERS General Manager
Elk River Municipal Utilities
1326 Energy Park Drive 322 King Avenue
St.Paul,MN 55108 Elk River, MN 55330
612-644-4389 RE: WATER TREATMENT PLANT NO. 5/NORTHEAST AREA
1-800-888-2923 CONSTRUCTION BIDS
Fax:612-644-9446
Dear Mr. Birrenkott:
We have tabulated the bids received on April 25, 1995, for construction of the northeast
area water treatment plant. There were a total of 5 bids. The following table lists the
bidders and their total bid:
1. Richmar Construction, Inc. $416,400.00
2. Moorehead Construction, Inc. $489,669.00
3. Sheehy Construction, Inc. $494,300.00
CIVIL ENGINEERING. 4. Barbaroosa & Sons, Inc. $497,000.00
ENVIRONMENTAL 5. American General, Inc. $582,900.00
MUNICIPAL
PLANNING The construction of this water treatment plant is very similar in nature to the water
SOLID WASTE treatment plant recently completed on Gary Street. It is a pressurized filter system with a
STRUCTURAL pond for discharge of the backwash water. The low bidder, Richmar Construction, Inc.
SURVEYING was the Contractor for the Gary Street project. The Gary Street project was originally bid
TRAFFIC approximately 2 years at $477,110.00. Change order #1 was prepared at the time of the
TRANSPORTATION bid award, which changed the design to a pond for backwash water, lowering the total price
to $384,365.00. In comparing that project to this low bid, it appears that the single largest
ELECTRICAL/MECHANICAL increase is due to the cost of the concrete building. There has been approximately a 17%
ENGINEERING: increase in the cost of this type of product in the last 2 years. The remainder of the items
HVAC included in the project would reflect normal increases over the 2 year period.
POWER DISTRIBUTION
SCADA Based on Richmar's performance on the Gary Street water treatment plant, we are prepared
SYSTEM CONTROLS to recommend award to them as the lowest responsible bidder in the amount of
$416,400.00. If you have any questions regarding this project, I will be in attendance at
your Tuesday, May 16, 1995, Utilities Commission meeting.
Sincerely,
MSA, CONSULTING ENGINEERS
OFFICES IN: 1. )1*-ar �.�
MINNEAPOLIS Terry J. Maurer, P.E.
PRIOR LAKE TJM:pd
ST.PAUL
WASECA 009-1604.may