6.1d ERMUSR 06-11-2019Elk River
Municipal Utilities
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
ERMU Commission Mike Tietz —Technical Services Superintendent
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
June 11, 2019 6.1d
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
• In May, the locating department had a total of 636 locate tickets consisting of nine
emergency tickets, 13 cancellations, 526 normal tickets, and 58 updated tickets. This is a
47% increase in volume from the previous month. CenturyLink is starting to perform
locates again which has had a significant impact on the construction season. The
Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety is investigating the complaints which are in violation
of Minnesota Statute 216D. Violations can carry penalties up to $1,000 for each
violation, per day of violation.
Electrical Technicians continue updating the power bill, substation checks,
disconnects/reconnects, dealing with customer meter and off-peak issues. Staff finished
disconnecting all residential A/C controllers. On May 30, the monthly run of Engines 1,
2, 3 & 4 was performed. Engines 1 & 2 were unable to be run as it appears they are
experiencing a fuel delivery problem that staff is further investigating.
Mapping department continues to update points and attributes for all of our systems
assets within the ESRI ArcView GIS system. Staff has been busy creating various web
maps that enable workers to use GIS to find errors in data and verify against what is in
the field. Also, the water department recently utilized one of these web maps to quickly
document issues during their annual hydrant flushing. Another web map is being used
for documenting the oil testing and inspection of primary switchgear throughout the
system.
We met with Infinity Wireless on May 15 to discuss our future wireless communications
needs. We also discussed the new hands -free law that goes into effect August 1. Staff is
evaluating a couple different Bluetooth hands -free devices.
Connexus Energy utilized their feeder at North Substation from May 1— May 3. They
also utilized their line recloser tie point located on the east end of our system along
Highway 10 from May 22 — May 23 in response to an immediate need to shut down
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their Daytonport substation. Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) has adjusted
their usages for our May power bill.
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