6.1g ERMUSR 01-14-2020UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
ERMU Commission Michelle Canterbury Executive Administrative Manager
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
January 14, 2020 6.1g
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
The Current newsletter is the January bill insert. The winter edition focuses on topics
such as: zero percent electric rate increase in 2020, updated water rates, recycling
calendars and the Recycle Coach app, Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) Scholarship
Program, tree trimming, customer service survey results, and the Smart Energy Provider
designation. Attached is a copy of the newsletter.
Typically when we publish our quarterly Current newsletter, we intentionally focus that
months social media posts around the topics that were covered in the newsletter. In
addition to the newsletter topics, other posts in January will focus on: inspirational
reminders of the great people in our community, delivery of energy saver kits, squirrel
appreciation day, preventing frozen pipes, common energy-wasting habits, our
employee recognition event, and various public service announcements.
Our Communications Coordinator worked with NISC to come up with a more visually
appealing paperless bill message. The fresh look features our new brand, a splash of
color, eye catching graphics, and really makes our messaging pop. Attached is a before
and after of the paperless bill message, which speaks volumes to the improvement in
this communications medium.
Key staff members met on January 6 for a brainstorming session on the direction of the
2019 Annual Report. The communications department has many ideas to work with and
will soon begin the writing and design process. Staff anticipates the annual report will be
completed in time to go out in March billings.
Following the approval of the 2020 budget at the December commission meeting, plans
moved forward for the website overhaul initiative slated for 2020. Prime Advertising &
Design was selected for the project, and a discovery kick-off meeting has been
scheduled for January 16. Tony Mauren, our Communications Coordinator, and I, will be
working through a list of things to help prepare for the kick-off meeting.
______________________________________________________________________________
Page 1 of 2
175
In honor of our employees who achieved years of service milestones in 2019, we would
like to celebrate and recognize their dedicated service. ERMU employees, and the
Commission, are invited to join us for cake and ice cream on Wednesday, January 15
from 2:30 3:30 p.m. in the ERMU Office Lunchroom. A notice of quorum for the event
has been posted.
ATTACHMENTS:
Bill Insert Current Newsletter Winter Edition
Before and After of Paperless Bill Message
______________________________________________________________________________
Page 2 of 2
176
WINTER 2019/2020
THE CURRENT
ERMU HOLDS ELECTRIC RATES FOR 2020!
OUR
On December 17, the Elk River Municipal Utilities
MISSION
(ERMU) Commission approved a zero percent
electric rates increase for 2020. This means our
To provide our customers
electric customers will receive service at the
with safe, reliable, cost-
same price as in 2019, when they saw a historic
percent rate decrease from the previous year.
water utility services.
There were two major factors that allowed us
to hold our electric rates for 2020. Through the
educate our customers
competitive pricing of our wholesale power
provider, Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, and
conscientiously reducing expenditures, we were
able to meet responsible operation margins without increasing costs to our customers.
services will be provided
Public power utilities like ERMU are owned by the communities they serve. Every action we
We view working diligently to reach a percent electric rate increase in 2020 as more than
a nice thing to provide for the community; it is a part of our commitment to our customers.
Updated Water Rates
OUR
VISION
Maintaining community water systems requires ongoing care and upkeep to ensure the
2020, customers will see a 1.73
percent annual water cost increase, which results in approximately $5.00 in additional costs
those we serve.
for the entire year.
Beyond upkeep, major water department projects for 2020 include completing the
rehabilitation of the Auburn Street Water Tower, as well as the internal painting and
external spot coating repairs on the Gary Street Water Tower.
OUR
VALUES
Recycling Calendars and the Recycle Coach App
INTEGRITY
The 2020 single sort recycling calendars are now available on our website by clicking
QUALITY
on “Residential,” then “Recycling Calendars” in the QuickLinks section, or by requesting a
physical copy from ERMU.
COMMUNICATION
SAFETY
changer with the Recycle Coach app. Get collection
COMPETITIVE
day reminders and schedule changes, and learn
what is recyclable all on your smart phone! Look for
Recycle Coach in your app store.
177
ERMUMN.COM | 763.441.2020 | 13069 ORONO PARKWAY | PO BOX 430 | ELK RIVER, MN 55330-0430
WINTER 2019/2020
THE CURRENT
ERMU Scholarship Program
Attention parents! Be sure to let your
high school senior know that ERMU is
now accepting submissions for its annual
scholarship program in partnership with the
Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association
(MMUA). The Tom Bovitz Memorial
WHAT MAKES AN
Scholarship Award is open to seniors who
are customers or have a legal guardian
SMART
who is a customer of ERMU.
Students are required to submit an essay of
500 to 700 words on the theme of “Municipal
round, we will select one student to receive a $500
round, that essay will be forwarded on to MMUA judges for a chance to win an additional
committed to:
$500, $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000 through MMUA’s statewide scholarship program. A previous
ERMU scholarship recipient went on to place second in the overall competition, earning a
total of $2,000!
utilities to ERMU and themselves. For more information on the scholarship program, please
visit our website. Submissions are due by March 31, 2020.
Trimming the Trees
customer service.
around the city to trim branches near power
by minimizing instances of branches interfering
with power lines, which causes approximately
10 percent of ERMU’s outages. Falling limbs can
also take down energized power lines, creating
a dangerous situation. Ongoing maintenance of
our electric system and the environment around
CUSTOMER SERVICE
SURVEY RESULTS
it is a part of the reason ERMU has been named a
Reliable Public Power Provider from the American
Public Power Association since 2012.
This work is usually done in winter because it is easy to see the structure of the branches and
make minimal cuts once their leaves have fallen. The cold temperatures also help prevent
pleased to report a 92 percent
diseases and parasites from entering freshly cut limbs.
customer satisfaction rating.
ERMU. We have the skills and equipment to take care of it for you.
|
ERMUMN.COM 763.441.2020
178
179
2020 GOVERNANCE AGENDA
Tuesday, January 14:Tuesday, February 11:
Annual Review of Committee Charters Review Strategic Plan and 2019Annual
BusinessPlan results
Tuesday, March 10:Tuesday, April 14:
Oath of Office Audit of 2019Financial Report
Election of Officers Financial Reserves Allocations
Annual Commissioner Orientation and Review Review 2019Performance Metrics
GovernanceResponsibilitiesand Role
Tuesday, May 12:Tuesday, June 9:
Annual General Manager Performance
Evaluation and Goal Setting
Tuesday, July 14:Tuesday, August 11:
Annual Commission Performance Evaluation Annual BusinessPlanReview Proposed 2021
Travel, Training, Dues, Subscriptions, and Fees
Review and Update Strategic Plan
Budget
Tuesday, September 8:Tuesday, October 13:
Annual Business Plan Review Proposed 2021 Annual Business Plan Review Proposed 2021
Capital ProjectsBudgetExpensesBudget
Tuesday, November 10:Tuesday, December 8:
Annual Business Plan -Review Proposed 2021 Adopt 2021Official Depository,Newspaper,
Rates and Other Revenueand Regular Meeting Schedule
Adopt 2021Fee Schedule Adopt 2021 Governance Agenda
2021Stakeholder Communication Plan Adopt2021Annual Business Plan
180