10-06-1992 ERMU MIN -.C./ 'A('
ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
322 King Avenue
Elk River, Minnesota 55330
Phone (612) 441-2020
UTILITIES COMMISSION MINUTES
Amended 11/10/92 October 6, 1992
4: 00 P.M.
Present Were: George Zabee President
James Tralle Vice Chairman
James Simpson Trustee
Others present: Bill Birrenkott General Manager
Glenn Sundeen
Bob McCartney
Russ Anderson
Pat Klaers
Eleanor Todahl
1) The meeting was called to order at 4: 00 P.M. by President Zabee.
2) Motion by Mr. Simpson seconded by Mr. Tralle to approve the
agenda. The motion carried.
3) Motion by Mr. Tralle, seconded by Mr. Simpson to approve the
minutes of the previous meeting as distributed. The motion
carried.
4) A request from the City of Elk River was discussed. The request
was for help funding a proposed new fire truck. Russ Anderson,
Fire Chief, presented the Commissioners with several options
considered for the truck along with the costs associated with each
of the options. Pat Klaers, City Administrator, stated that the
City could handle the costs of the first $90, 000 but they would
need help with rest of it. Motion by Mr. Simpson, seconded by Mr.
Tralle to have the Utilities fund any amount over $90, 000 to a
maximum of $30, 000 cost to the Utilities. The motion carried.
5) Eleanor Todahi, concerned resident of the Westwood area, expressed
concern that the promised street lights had not been yet installed
in her area. The Commissioners assured her that the street lights
would be installed in the Westwood area before the end of 1992 .
6) A request from* City Councilman, Roger Holmgren, was presented to
the Commissioners. Councilman Holmgren has requested the
Utilities to consider the feasability of taking over the
responsibility of billing the garbage service presently done by
City staff. The General Manager informed the Commissioners that
the present computer system could handle the task without
problems. However, many other tasks would have to be considered.
The potential benefits, difficulties, and confusions were then
discussed. It was the feelings of the Commissioners that this
could be accomplished should the City come to them with a formal
request.
7) Pat Hemza, Office Manager, discussed our present billing practices
and concerns with the Commissioners. It was expressed that in
order to improve communication with our customers and allow more
information on the bill submitted to the customers that we should
consider changing our present post card bill to a larger envelope
bill. Motion by Mr. Tralle, seconded by Mr. Simpson, to authorize
staff to proceed with the planning process and convert to an
envelope bill as soon as practical. The motion carried.
8) Motion by Mr. Zabee, seconded by Mr. Simpson, to authorize the
hiring of an additional part time office staff person. The motion
carried.
9) Water connection fees were discussed. Motion by Mr. Tralle,
seconded by Mr. Simpson, to adopt the formula used by the
Metropolitan Waste Control Commission to determine the number of
residential unit equivalents assigned to commercial
establishments, apartments and schools. This number is to be used
to determine the cost of a water connection fee based on the cost
of connection for a single residential unit. The Motion carried.
10) Motion by Mr. Simpson, seconded by Mr. Tralle to raise the water
connection fee for a residential unit or a residential unit
equivalent to $700 effective 1/1/93 . Any existing customer who
has water service available to them at this time, with the
exception of Hillside Estates, can pay the connection fee before
1/1/93 regardless of whether they physically connect before that
date at the old rate. The motion carried.
11) Motion by Mr. Tralle to establish Fire Protection Connection Fees
for those establishments connecting to our water mains for the
purpose of inside fire protection sprinkling systems. The water
usage will be unmetered and the fees will be as follows:
4" & 6" Fire Protection Line $1, 000
8" Fire Protection Line $1, 500
10" Fire Protection Line $2 , 000
12" and above $3 , 000
The motion was seconded by Mr. Simpson and approved unanimously.
12) The General Manager updated the Commissioners on the status of the
Utility mapping system.
14) Motion by Mr. Simpson seconded by Mr. Tralle to charge seasonal
customers with large transformers installed a minimum monthly bill
of 25 cents per installed KVA for the months they are disconnected
from our service. The motion carried.
15) The General Manager reported that today we acquired the first
customers from Anoka Electric Cooperative and that planning is
taking place for the acquisition of the remaining customers
described in the first year plan.
16) The General Manager reviewed the September financial statements
with the Commissioners.
17) The Line Superintendent reported on the status of construction
projects and other operating conditions.
18) Bob McCartney, Water Superintendent, reviewed the status of the
mandated lead and copper tests with the Commissioners. He
reported that no samples were over the recommended limits.
19) The General Manager presented President Zabee with the Star City
Spirit Award which was presented by the Elk River Chamber of
Commerce for the efforts in improving the downtown area.
20) Motion by Mr. Simpson seconded by Mr. Zabee to adjourn. The
motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6: 25 P.M.
Bill Birrenkott
General Manager