2.2. ERMUSR 07/09/2019 ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
UTILITIES COMMISSION
HELD AT UTILITIES CONFERENCE ROOM
June 11,2019
Members Present: Chair John Dietz, Commissioners Paul Bell, Mary Stewart,
and Matt Westgaard
Members Absent: Al Nadeau,Vice Chair
ERMU Staff Present: Tom Geiser,Assistant Electric Superintendent;
Jennie Nelson,Customer Service Manager
Mike Tietz,Technical Services Superintendent;
Dave Ninow,Water Superintendent;
Michelle Canterbury, Executive Administrative Manager;
Tony Mauren, Communications&Administrative Coordinator
Others Present: None
1.0 GOVERNANCE
1.1 Call Meeting to Order
The regular meeting of the Utilities Commission was called to order at 3:30 p.m. by Chair Dietz.
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
1.3 Consider the Agenda
There were no additions or corrections to the agenda.
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Bell to approve the
June 11,2019,agenda. Motion carried 4-0.
1.4 MN Rural Water Association/MN Department of Health Source Water Protection Award
Mr. Ninow provided background on the Minnesota Rural Water Association/Minnesota
Department of Health (MRWA/MDH)Source Water Protection Award. He announced that
ERMU is once again being recognized for its exceptional efforts to protect our community's
drinking water. As a finalist for the 2019 Source Water Protection Award from MRWA/MDH,
ERMU received a certificate of recognition signed by Governor Tim Walz.
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1.5 Recognition of Employee Promotion
Mr. Geiser introduced Mitch Girtz and announced that he had been internally promoted
to the Lead Lineworker position. The Commission congratulated Mr. Girtz on his
promotion.
1.6 Introduction of New Employees
Mr. Geiser introduced Matt Zipp as the new Apprentice Lineworker. Mr. Ninow
introduced Eric Jean as the new Water Operator.The Commission welcomed the new
employees.
2.0 CONSENT AGENDA(Approved By One Motion)
Moved by Commissioner Bell and seconded by Commissioner Stewart to approve the
Consent Agenda as follows:
2.1 May 2019 Check Register
2.2 May 14,2019 Regular Meeting Minutes
2.3 May 14,2019 Closed Meeting Minutes
2.4 Summary of General Manager Performance Review
Motion carried 4-0.
3.0 OPEN FORUM
No one appeared for open forum.
4.0 POLICY&COMPLIANCE
There was nothing presented for policy&compliance.
5.0 BUSINESS ACTION
5.1 Financial Report—April 2019
The April 2019 financial report was presented.
Moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Westgaard to receive
the April 2019 Financial Report. Motion carried 4-0.
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6.0 BUSINESS DISCUSSION
6.1 Staff Updates
Mr.Geiser added that Independent School District(ISD)#728 had reached out to ERMU
regarding their Career and Technical Education (CTE) program,which offers internships to high
school seniors as an opportunity to learn a variety of employable and technical skills through
paid internships. ISD#728 has received interest from students wanting to pursue a career in
the electric industry and a partnership between ISD#728 and ERMU would help to facilitate
this type of internship. Mr.Geiser shared the timing of when the internship would take place
and the funding for the position.There was discussion.As the Commission was receptive to
the partnership and offering an internship opportunity, staff will look into further details,
including insurance and legal liabilities.
Commissioner Stewart asked if the power pole that had been hit on Highway 10 yesterday was
one of ours. Mr.Geiser responded that it was,and provided further details on the event which
caused an outage and shut down part of the highway.
Mr. Ninow provided an update on the status of Well#6 and the repairs that were taking place
to get it up and running. Chair Dietz shared with the Commission that he had received a call on
Memorial Day weekend from some concerned homeowners regarding the high level of Lake
Orono.The on-call water operator was dispatched to assess the situation, resulting in opening
one of the gates to lower the water level. Chair Dietz stated that the residents this affected
were very appreciative of the quick response,especially due to it being on a holiday weekend.
There was discussion on the best phone number to call for an after-hours emergency situation
such as this.
Ms. Slominski had noted in her staff report that the bill presentation changes were complete
and would be effective with bills going out in June. Chair Dietz inquired as to whether we had
received any feedback from our customers on the change. Ms. Nelson responded that we had
not.
Ms. Canterbury added that Minnesota Municipal Power Agency(MMPA)will be holding their
annual meeting and dinner on Tuesday,July 23,2019, at the Chaska Event Center in Chaska.
Any Commissioners wanting to attend should RSVP by July 1.
Ms. Canterbury highlighted from her staff report the annual commissioner self-evaluation that
will be conducted during the July 9 commission meeting,and provided further details on the
survey and the timeline for receiving and completing it.
6.2 Future Planning
Chair Dietz announced the following:
a. Regular Commission Meeting—July 9, 2019
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6.3 Other Business
There was no other business.
7.0 ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Stewart to adjourn the
regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission at 3:42 p.m.Motion carried
4-0.
Minutes prepared by Michelle Canterbury.
John J. Dietz, ERMU Commission Chair
Tina Allard,City Clerk
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