3.1.B. ERMU MINUTES 02-15-2011ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
UTILITIES COMMISSION
HELD AT UTILITIES CONFERENCE ROOM
January 11, 2011
Members Present: John Dietz, President; Daryl Thompson, Trustee
ERMU Staff Present: Troy Adams, Director of Operations;
Theresa Slominski, Finance Director/Office Manager;
Mark Fuchs, Line Superintendent; David Berg, Water Superintendent;
Wade Lovelette, Technical Services Superintendent;
Judy McSpadden, Recording Clerk
City Staff Present: Lori Johnson, City Administrator
Others Present: Peter Beck, Attorney from Gray Plant Mooty Law Firm
1.1 Call meeting to order January 11, 2011
John Dietz called the January 11, 2011 meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
2.1 Consider Utilities Agenda
Daryl Thompson moved to approve the January 11, 2011 Utilities Agenda. John Dietz
seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
3.1 Consider Consent Agenda
John Dietz had questions, staff responded.
Daryl Thompson moved to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
a. December Check Register
b. December 14, 2010 Minutes
c. Financial Reports
d. Designate First National Bank official depository for 2011
e. Designate Elk River Star News official newspaper for 2011
John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
4.1 Review of City Ordinance'78-51 WATER USE RESTRICTIONS and Elk River
Municipal Utilities' 2009 RESOLUTION IMPOSING WATER USE RESTRICTIONS
WITHIN THE CITY OF ELK RIVER
There was a brief discussion of the water use restrictions in place. Due to having only two
commissioners at this time, consensus was to table this issue until another commissioner has been
appointed.
Page 2
Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
January 11, 2011
5.1 Review 2011 Tariffs
At the December 14, 2010 ERMU Commission meeting, the 2011 Budget was approved. The
updated tariff sheets were presented for approval.
Daryl Thompson moved to accept the new tariff rates effective January 1, 2011. John Dietz
seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
5.2 Review 2010 Annual Electric Reliability Report
Minnesota Rules Chapter 7826 Public Utilities Commission Electric Utility Standards cover
safety, reliability, service, and reporting requirements. Even though municipal utilities are exempt
from this, the ERMU Commission adopted a number of parts of this chapter as a Distribution
Reliability Standard policy requiring annual reporting on system reliability.
In 2010, ERMU was presented with a System Innovation Award from MMUA. The award was
presented to ERMU "in recognition for its leadership and innovation in customer service, energy
efficiency, renewable energy or technology use, which has improved service to its community and
enhanced public power's prestige". One of the reasons ERMU received this award is because of its
excellent electric system reliability. Even with the weather issues during 2010, ERMU's reliability
index numbers are excellent.
5.3 Review and Consider 4`h Ouarter Write -Offs
Fourth quarter write-offs totaling $26,488.84 were reviewed. Discussion followed regarding the
Deposit Policy and the Cold Weather Rule. Troy Adams stated ERMU should have a Cold Weather
Appeal Process Policy with the appeal board to consist of the Director of Operations, Office Manager,
and Collections Specialist. John Dietz asked what that would imply. Troy Adams said ERMU
basically already follows the steps but does not have a written policy in effect. Peter Beck
recommended approving the policy and to ratify it at the next ERMU Commission meeting.
Daryl Thompson moved to approve the fourth quarter write-offs for 2010 and to approve the
Appeal Process Policy to be ratified at the next ERMU Commission meeting. John Dietz
seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
6.1 Staff Updates
Troy Adams discussed the upcoming APPA 2011 Legislative Rally in Washington, DC. In the
past, a Commissioner also attended the rally. Daryl Thompson and John Dietz said they were both
unable to go but to check with the newly appointed commissioner prior to having another staff
member attend.
Page 3
Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
January 11, 2011
David Berg discussed a water shut-off issue at a condominium complex. The water shut-off
valves are located in the condominium and not in the meter room, so access to the shut-off valve can
be difficult if the home is locked. This happened recently and the police were called to break in so the
water could be shut-off as the pipes ruptured due to there being no heat in the vacant unit. The owner
of the condominium complex asked if ERMU would help pay to have the shut-off valves moved to
the meter room. Consensus of the Commission was this was an ownership issue and not the
responsibility of the water department.
Commission had questions for staff on tree trimming, job duties of the locators, snow plowing,
meter readers, and maintenance of the signal systems and street lighting. Staff responded.
6.2 Set Date for Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission will be
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 3:30 p.m.
6.3 Adjourn Regular Meeting
Daryl Thompson moved to adjourn the regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal
Utilities Commission meeting at 4:30 p.m. John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
Minutes prepared by Judy McSpadden.
John J. Dietz
President, ERMU Commission
Tina Allard
City Clerk