2.3. ERMUSR 05-14-2019 ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
UTILITIES COMMISSION
HELD AT UTILITIES CONFERENCE ROOM
April 9,2019
Members Present: Chair John Dietz,Vice Chair Al Nadeau, Commissioners Paul Bell,
Mary Stewart,and Matt Westgaard
ERMU Staff Present: Troy Adams,General Manager;
Theresa Slominski, Finance & Office Manager;
Tom Sagstetter, Conservation & Key Accounts Manager;
Michelle Canterbury, Executive Administrative Manager;
Tom Geiser,Assistant Electric Superintendent
Others Present: Peter Beck,Attorney
1.0 CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The special meeting of the Utilities Commission was called to order at 2:30 p.m. by Chair Dietz.
2.0 ANNUAL COMMISSIONER ORIENTATION
Mr.Adams provided an overview of the Annual Commissioner Orientation and the agenda
items to be covered.
Ms. Canterbury provided updated copies of the governance policies that had changed since
the last orientation.She also presented updates and additions to the Commission Reference
Guide on the following:
• 2019 Governance Agenda
• 2019 ERMU Organizational Chart
• Utilities Commission Member Listing
• 2019 Utilities Commission Meeting Schedule
• 2019 Upcoming Events
• Travel Expense Guidelines for Commissioners
The Commission reviewed the Open Meeting Law, meetings conducted by interactive
television, and guidelines for electronic communications between members of the
commission.
Attorney Beck provided an overview on the Conflicts of Interest Policy and the procedure for
contracting with ERMU Commissioners and/or employees.As the Utilities Board now has five
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Special Meeting Minutes
April 9, 2019
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members, it was noted that the sample resolution form should be updated to include two
additional spots to record the roll call votes. Ms. Canterbury stated that the sample Resolution,
along with the Affidavit of Official Interest of Claim would be updated and brought back for
Commission approval.
Mr.Adams provided an overview on the principles of policy driven governance and the role
and responsibilities of the ERMU Commission members. He noted that the first ever Annual
Commission Performance Self Evaluation is scheduled to take place at the July 12 Commission
meeting,and reached out to the Commission to see how they would like to conduct the
evaluation.There was discussion.The Commission reached consensus to conduct the survey
via Survey Monkey, similar to the General Manager Performance evaluation and directed staff
to come up with some questions for the evaluation.The results of the survey will be reviewed
at the July 12 regular Commission meeting.
There was discussion on Policy G.2a Commission—City Council Relationship and Roles. Mr.
Adams pointed out that although we are governed autonomously by the Commission, ERMU is
still part of the City of Elk River's city government. He stressed the importance of an alignment
of goals and good communication between the Commission and City Council.There was
discussion on how often the Commission should be meeting jointly with the City Council,and
the timing of those meetings.As a joint meeting has not occurred in quite some time, and
ERMU policy provides for a meeting at least once every three years, Commissioner Westgaard
volunteered to coordinate a date for the joint meeting for some time this year or next.
3.0 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chair Dietz adjourned the special meeting of the Utilities
Commission at 3:28 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Michelle Canterbury.
John J. Dietz, ERMU Commission Chair
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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April 9, 2019
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