2.3. ERMUSR 12-17-2019Special Meeting of the Elk River City Council
and Elk River Municipal Utilities
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, November 18, 2019
Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Garrett Christianson, Nate
Ovall, Matt Westgaard, Jennifer Wagner, ERMU Commissioners Paul
Bell, Allan Nadeau, and Mary Stewart
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Staff: City Administrator Calvin Portner and City Clerk Tina
ERMU Staff: General Manager Troy Adams, Administrations
Director Theresa Slominski, Operations Director Mark Fuchs, Water
Superintendent Dave Ninow, Technical Services Superintendent
Mike Tietz, Conservation and Key Accounts Manager Tom
Sagstetter, Executive Administrative Manager Michelle Canterbury,
Electric Superintendent Tom Geiser, Customer Service Manager
Jennie Nelson, Finance Manager Melissa Karpinski, Communications
and Administrative Coordinator Tony Mauren
1. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council
and the Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) meeting was called to order at 6:08
p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3.1 ERMU Overview
Mr. Portner welcomed everyone.
Mr. Adams presented the staff report. He reviewed the history and purpose of
ERMU, service territory, staff organization, engagement touch points with the city,
recent and future initiatives, and future facility expansion.
3.2 ERMU PILOT and Other Donations to the City Policy Review
Mr. Adams presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz questioned the amount of the other donations provided to the city.
Mr. Adams stated approximately $200,000.
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November 18, 2019
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3.3 Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) Wind Turbine Siting
Options
Mr. Adams presented the staff report. He discussed items to consider when installing
a wind turbine, such as location, noise, lighting, marketing, and education. He stated
he is looking for feedback for sites in Elk River, such as city hall or Highway 10.
Mr. Adams noted the wind turbine is a marketing tool and not expected to produce a
lot of energy and will not make money. He stated it is small in scale and would
represent we are for a green future.
Commissioner Stewart stated it would be an educational tool as well.
The Council/Commission discussed the following site options:
ERMU field plant
Youth Athletic Complex
North Star Business Park
Twin Lakes Parkway
Councilmember Wagner questioned the project cost.
Mr. Adams stated everything would be owned and paid by Minnesota Municipal
Power Association (MMPA). He noted MMPA would be responsible for
maintenance and decommissioning.
Consensus of both boards is to host the windmill if a site could be selected. Council
stated they are not interested in the city hall site.
3.4 Ordinance Amendment: Transfer Administrative Authority of
PPZ/Backflow Prevention Program to ERMU
Mr. Adams presented the staff report.
Mayor Dietz questioned if Council could pass regulatory authority to ERMU.
Attorney Beck stated the regulatory scheme is a gray area. He outlined how the
plumbing codes are typically handled by the city which includes ensuring the initial
installation. State law requires annual inspections, and the reporting on of
compliance. The city does not perform those services, which are done by certified
private inspectors. He stated the plumbing code talks about the water authority
undertaking follow-up compliance. He stated there is adequate authority for ERMU
to do the compliance, noting the area already doing it, but to would be good to
formally designate it.
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November 18, 2019
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Commissioner Nadeau questioned why this would move to ERMU noting this is
part of the building code and the city already has a plumbing inspector. He
questioned if ERMU would have to hire a plumbing inspector.
Mr. Portner stated the city completes the initial inspection when a permit is pulled.
He stated the law now requires annual inspections which are usually handled by
outside contractors. He stated ERMU is already overseeing the program.
Mr. Adams explained the current process and confirmed a certified plumber is not
needed.
Attorney Beck stated the city would be codifying existing practices so if there are any
issues they can show where authority lies.
Mr. Portner further noted most cities own their water systems, but Elk River is
different because ERMU owns it.
It is consensus of both boards to move forward with an ordinance amendment.
Mayor Dietz discussed how ERMU and the city work very well together compared
to other communities. He outlined the tremendous spirit of cooperation between
both groups. He discussed the benefits of a public utility and having local control of
rate setting. He discussed how rates in Minnesota are higher than the national
average but ERMU had a 5% decrease last year and no change this year.
4 Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the joint meeting at 6:53
p.m.
___________________
John J. Dietz, Mayor
___________________
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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