Loading...
2.2 ERMU MINUTES 04-09-2013ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE UTILITIES COMMISSION HELD AT UTILITIES CONFERENCE ROOM March 19, 2013 Members Present: John Dietz, Chair; Al Nadeau, Vice Chair; Daryl Thompson, Trustee ERMU Staff Present: Troy Adams, General Manager; Theresa Slominski, Finance and Office Manager; Mark Fuchs, Line Superintendent; David Berg, Water Superintendent; Wade Lovelette, Technical Services Superintendent; Tom Sagstetter, Conservation & Key Accounts Manager; Jennie Nelson, Executive Administrative Assistant Others Present: Cal Portner, City Administrator 1.0 CALL MEETING TO ORDER John Dietz called the March 19, 2013 meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. 1.1 Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 1.2 Oath of Office & Election of 2013 Utilities Commission Officers John Dietz stated his Oath of Office as a Utilities Commissioner. When a new commissioner starts or an existing commissioner starts a new term, the officer positions can change by election. The three commissioners discussed the different officer positions. Daryl Thompson made a motion to elect Al Nadeau as Vice -Chair. John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Al Nadeau made a motion to elect Daryl Thompson as Trustee. John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. AI Nadeau made a motion to elect John Dietz as Chair. Daryl Thompson seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. 2.0 CONSENT AGENDA (Approved By One Motion) John Dietz had questions about fmancials, staff responded. Daryl Thompson moved to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: 2.1 February Check Register Page 1 Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission March 19, 2013 2.2 February 12, 2013 Regular Meeting Minutes 2.3 Financial Statements 2.4 Diesel Power Plant Capacity Agreement Amendment with Great River Energy 2.5 Resolution for Insurance Agent of Record Al Nadeau seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. 3.0 OPEN MIC No one appeared for open mic. 4.0 OLD BUSINESS There was no old business. 5.0 NEW BUSINESS 5.1 2012 Annual Report to the Utilities Commission Troy Adams presented the Commissioners with the 2012 Annual Report booklet. Each manager gave a rundown of their department's accomplishments. 5.2 Freeport Water Tower Rehabilitation Bids Included in the 2013 budget is a capital project to paint the Freeport Water Tower. In January, the Commission awarded the rehabilitation project management and engineering services bid to Badger State Inspection, LLC/WSB & Associates, Inc. Badger State and WSB worked with staff to develop the rehabilitation construction documents and the bid opening was March 15. The lowest bidder was Odland Protective Coatings. Because of the cold weather, the spring start date that was bid on might not be realistic. Troy Adams was going to talk with Odland and see if there is flexibility with the start date. If not, ERMU would have to look at using the second lowest bidder and painting in the fall. Al Nadeau motioned to award the Freeport Water Tower Rehabilitation Bid for $625,000 to Odland Protective Coatings pending start date flexibility. Daryl Thompson seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. 5.3 Electric Cable Bids The underground electric cable required for the 2013 capital construction projects and maintenance has been determined and the bid opening for that wire was March 18. Page 2 Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission March 19, 2013 Daryl Thompson motioned to award the Wire Cable bid to Wesco, the lowest responsive bidder, for $154,019.65 Al Nadeau seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. 5.4 69KV Substation Transformer Bids The 2013 budget included an upgrade to the North Substation in the electrical capital improvement projects. An upgrade to the North Substation has been on the electric distribution capital projects forecast for the past 5 years. Because of the other projects having higher priority and then the downturn in the economy and load growth, this upgrade has been postponed. In 2012, the summer load on the North Substation exceeded the operational threshold standards and load was transferred to be served from other substations for the remainder of the summer. This upgrade project turned into a top priority for 2013. The lowest bidder for a 69KV Substation Transformer was MC Sales. Discussion followed. Daryl Thompson made a motion to award the 69KV Substation Transformer to MC Sales for $591,950. Al Nadeau seconded the motion. Motion approved 3-0. 5.5 2013 Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association Leflislative Conference Troy Adams and Theresa Slominski attended the 2013 Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association Legislative Conference February 13-15. Formed in 1931, Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA) has a mission to "unite and serve as a common voice for municipal utilities and to provide them with the support they need to be able to improve service to their customers and community." Although MMUA provides a "common voice" as a joint action agency representing our concerns and advocating for our needs on the legislative front, they cannot do it alone. It has become increasingly more important to provide local support in the form of a united aggregated group as well. The main topic at this meeting was the current legislative Bill on solar energy. The Bill would require municipals to compensate solar energy at a retail rate. Discussion followed about the impact this bill would have on customers and businesses. 5.6 2013 Minnesota Rural Water Association Water & Wastewater Technical Conference Minnesota Rural Water Association (MRWA) is a non-profit association governed by a board of directors comprised of representatives from member water systems. The association's goals and objectives are to assist communities in providing quality water supply and proper wastewater treatment to rural areas. Page 3 Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission March 19, 2013 On March 5-7, the 29`x' Annual MRWA Water and Wastewater Technical Conference was held in St. Cloud, MN. This conference included training tracks for water, wastewater, groundwater, and management. Troy Adams, Angela Hauge, and Eric Volk attended this conference. Discussion followed. 5.7 2013 American Public Power Association Leeislative Rally Troy Adams and Al Nadeau attended the 2013 American Public Power Association Legislative Rally March 11-13 in Washington D.C. This is an opportunity to take the stories from Main Street Elk River and Minnesota directly to our elected officials with the aggregate support of municipal public power. During this rally's Legislative and Resolutions Committee, ERMU has the opportunity to vote on APPA's policy on legislation, regulation, and other federal issues. The main topics at this year's rally were tax-exempt financing and captive rail. Discussion followed on the impact these issues would have on our customers and businesses. Troy Adams stressed how important it is for municipal utilities to be at these events lobbying for our customers. 6.0 OTHER BUSINESS John Dietz requested an analysis of advertising to be reported back to the Commission. He requested to have security advertising shown separately from the other advertising. 6.1 Staff Updates Tom Sagstetter verbally added to his staff update by updating the Commission on the Landfill to Gas plant expansion. Recent conversations about the expansion have been very positive. Everyone involved is on board with getting as much electricity as possible from the gas engines. Waste Management is concerned that the Environmental Protection Agency will limit how much garbage intake there can be therefore there will be fewer gasses, but nothing has been decided yet. 6.2 Set Date for Next Meeting The next regularly scheduled Commission meeting will be on April 9, 2013. The Commission recessed the regular meeting at 4:29 p.m 6.3 Closing of Meeting: "Meeting to be closed pursuant to MN Statute 13D.05, Subd. 3(c)(3) to develop or consider offers or counteroffers for the purchase or sale of real or personal property." a. Call Closed Session to Order b. Discussion Page 4 Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission March 19, 2013 c. Adiourn Closed Session 6.4 Adiourn Regular Meeting Daryl Thompson moved to adjourn the regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission at 4:35 p.m. Al Nadeau seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Minutes prepared by Jennie Nelson. John J. Dietz Chair, ERMU Commission Tina Allard City Clerk Page 5 Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission March 19, 2013 :� F