04-14-1988 ERMU MIN UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
April 14 , 1988
Thursday 7:00 P.M.
Present Were: Douglas Dill President
James Tralle Vice Chairman
George Zabee Trustee
Bill Birrenkott General Manager
Others Present: Pat Klaers
Glenn Sundeen
Wade Lovelette
Mike Monsrud
1 ) The meeting was called to order at 7 : 00 P.M. By President
Dill .
2) The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as presented
and distributed.
3) The General Manager presented a report and survey prepared by
Staff regarding customer service policies of other municipals in
the state.
Motion by Mr . Zabee seconded by Mr . Tralle to:
1 . Eliminate the present "red tagging" policy;
2 . Allow customers 20 days from the date of the bill before the
penalty charge is assessed;
3. Re-word the present "Courtesy Notice" to "Delinquency Notice"
informing the customer that no further advice will be issued
before electricity is cut off;
4 . Change the residential rental deposit required to $75.00 for
non-electric heat and $150 for electricity heated facilities;
5. Allow renters to apply for a deposit refund if no delinquency
notices have been issued for 1 year of consecutive service;
6 . Change the reconnect fee for cut-off customers to $20 during
working hours and $50 for non-working hours ;
7. Staff to implement all changes as soon as possible and as
conditions allow on computer system.
The motion carried.
4) Pat Klaers, City Administrator presented the utilities with an
update of City plans and problems. Motion by Mr. Tralle,
seconded by Mr . Zabee to include the electricity charge for
semaphores in the "Street Light donation" to the City and raise
the cap to $50,000 effective immediately. Motion carried.
5) The City Administrator reported that a feasibility study
has been commissioned for the area between the two rivers , west
of the city concerning water, sewer, and storm sewer. The cost
is expected to be around $36,000 and if the project is not
completed, the utilities should be liable for 1/3 of the cost.
The determination will be made in approximately 3 years . Motion
by Mr. Tralle seconded by Mr . Zabee to accept this possible
liability. Motion carried .
6) The General Manager reported that he has discovered a possible
energy diversion. The commission suggested that we proceed
cautiously under the advice of an attorney.
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING - Continued
April 14, 1988
7) Wade Lovelette and Mike Monsrud presented to the commission a
list of suggested modifications to the existing agreement with
the outside workers. A meeting was set for Thursday, April 21st
at 7 : 30 P.M. to discuss this subject further.
8) The next regularly scheduled Commission Meeting was set for May
5, 1988 at 7 : 30 P.M.
9) The General Manager presented to the Commission a report
summarizing the results of the study of the power supply
proposals form the various agencies. Motion by Mr . Zabee
seconded by Mr. Tralle to authorize the General Manager to
conclude the negotiations with United Power Association and have
a contract signed as soon as possible. The motion carried.
10) Glenn Sundeen reported on the operating conditions and efforts of
the utilities including; Elk Hills conversion, Rons Market
conversion, Main Street project and underground construction
conditions. He also reported on the results of the bids on the
new brush chipper .
11) The General Manager reviewed the financial results of operations
for the month of February and March.
12 ) Motion by Mr . Tralle, seconded by Mr . Zabee to adjourn. Motion
carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M.
"=""1/41-K:=1Y7- 4.--..S;LO
Bill Birrenkott
General Manager
THE FOLLOWING BILLS WERE APPROVED:
ACI Computer Service $ 200 .00
Wade G Lovelette 64. 78
Bank of Elk River 403 .50
Blue Cross & Blue Shield 3 ,929 .78
Builders Sound & Security System 1,648 .00
Carlsons Lake State Equip Co 226. 83
Coast to Coast 66.06
Commissioner of Revenue 1, 921.28
Computer Satisfaction 136 .66
Dunham Associates 323. 00
Elk River Champion Auto 106 .90
Elk River County Market 45 .57
Elk River Printing 3.00
Elk River Tire & Auto 215.64
EPL Inc 11,536 .65
Graybar Electric 2, 150.27
Hetricks Standard 15.48
International Business Machine 111.00
Midwest Utility Equipment Inc 41.66
MII Life Inc 43. 80
Minnesota Benefit Assn 14 .75
Northland Electric 92 .23
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING - Continued
April 14, 1988
Northwestern Bell Telephone 115.80
PERA Life 27 . 00
PERA 1,594 .87
Road Machinery & Supplies Co 1 ,415.65
Rons Country Foods 44 . 82
State Capitol Credit Union 110 .00
Steffen & Munstenteiger PA 135 .00
T & R Electric 2 ,340 .00
United Power Association 216 ,674 .49
Wesco 2,020.60
Business Records Corporation 3 ,700 .00
National Electric Inc 47. 50
Wadena T I 50 .00
Career Track 22 .95
Dept of Labor & Industry CED 35 .00
Minn Env Quality Board 345.83
Podany' s 299.90
Sherman & Reilly Inc 3 ,149. 31
Granite Electronics Inc 136 .90
Goodin Company 3 . 90
Absolute 180 .00
East Tonka Sanitation 336.00
First Nat ' l Bank of Elk River 3,872 .01
Postmaster 356. 32
Postmaster 12 .00
Beaudry Oil Co 839 .00
Hastings Fiber Glass Prod Inc 1,538.86