6.1 ERMUSR 10-10-2023UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:FROM:
ERMU CommissionMark Hanson– General Manager
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
October 10,2023 6.1a
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
On Monday, October 2, Mike Tietz, technical services superintendent, found himself in front
of the Elk River City Council giving an excellent presentation on the purpose and status of
our Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project. The presentation was well received,
and council members were very appreciative of Mike’s time and the information provided.
Similarly, Sara Youngs, administrations director, also found herself in front of City Council
giving a presentation. Sara was asked by city staff to update the council on the results of the
energy audit conducted on the Furniture and Things Community Event Centerlast spring as
well as provide a comparative analysis of the rates for the new building versus previous
structures. Both staff and council found the presentation extremely helpful in
understanding how electrical rates are calculated and what can be done to lower them.
Staff participated in an informational call hosted by Minnesota Municipal Utilities
Association (MMUA) on the Light Up Navajo Nation project. The project is a national
volunteer effort to provide power to remote areas of the Navajo Nation. MMUA is seeking
interest in putting a contingent of lineworkers together to assist with the continued
buildout of the electrical distribution system. MMUA is looking at a 2025 spring/summer
trip similar to past hurricane recovery efforts in Florida. Staff is interested in supporting this
event and will bring it to the Commission at a later date once additional details are known.
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UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:FROM:
ERMU CommissionSara Youngs – Administrations Director
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
October 10, 2023 6.1b
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
Office walk-in traffic forSeptember consisted of 145customers, averaging37 customers per week
over the 4-week period.
ERMU disconnections for the month of September.
o Cycle 3 – 18 disconnections
o Cycle 4 – 14 disconnections and 3 red tags
o Cycle 1 – 45 disconnections
o Cycle 2 – 10 disconnections
The Cold Weather Rule went into effect on October 1, 2023, and will expire on April 30, 2024.
Currently there are five active residential solar photovoltaic projects planned or under
construction in the ERMU service territory.
Our credit and collections specialist compiled the final cycle of assessment letters and they have
been sent out. The due date for assessment payments is November 1.
Finance, inventory, IT, customer service, and administration staff attended the Member
Information Conference (MIC), National Information Solutions Cooperative’s premier learning
event. This event has been bringing together members, staff, partners, and friends for decades.
The MIC is an excellent opportunity to learn more about challenges, unveil the newest
technologies and share best practices. This year the conference was held in Denver, CO,
September 17-20. Staff that attended the MIC held a post-conference meeting to discuss
takeaways from the event outlining initiatives to review with the management team.
As a follow-up to the energy audit that was performed at the Furniture and Things Community
Event Center, staff presented Energy Management Systems’ recommendations to the Elk River
City Council.
In the last 30 days, the level two charger located downtown and the other in the parking lot in
front of ERMU offices had 34 sessions and provided customers with 528 kWh of green energy.
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UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:FROM:
ERMU Commission Melissa Karpinski –FinanceManager
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
October 10, 20236.1c
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
Continued efforts compiling 2024 budget information.
I attended National Information Solutions Cooperative’s Member Information
Conference, September 17-20 in Denver, CO. This was a great opportunity to network
andattend many useful sessionsincluding some on Mosaic, budgeting, and security.
ERMU’s Accounts Payable/Payroll Specialist, Kathy, attended the 2023 American Payroll
Association Northstar chapter’s annual statewide conference, October 5-6.
The Investmentand Reserve Committee willplanon having an annual meeting before
the November commission meeting.
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81
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
ERMU Commission Tony Mauren – Governance & Communications Manager
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
October 10, 20236.1d
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
In October, all customerswill receivethefall edition of the Current newsletter and an
informational flyer abouttheSmartHubAuto Pay Programthat was recently created by
thecommunications coordinator. Both inserts are attached.
In addition tohighlighting the billinserts, social media poststhis monthfeature a variety
of topics including multiple reminders for ERMU’s National Drive Electric Week event,
Source Water Protection Week, a commission meeting notice, as well as a notice for the
Lake Orono Dam inspection which involves a drawdownof the water level.
Communications staff also created a campaign for Public Power Week and Customer
Service Week.
Along with ERMU’s attorney, the governance & communications manager will be
attending the American Public Power Association’s Legal & Regulatory Conference in
Seattle, October 15-18. This opportunity will provide valuable information on current
issues affecting public power and municipal utilities.
ERMU hosted the National Drive Electric Week event on September 28 at the Elk River
Farmers Market. In addition to ERMU’schargingrebateand ratesinformation table,
guests registered to display their electricvehicles (EVs), and Cornerstone Auto provided
a Ford Lighteningfor test drives. This is always a terrific opportunityto connect with the
local EV community. Special thanksto Karen Wingard with the City for providing space
at the famers market,First Bank Elk River for allowing the use of their lot, and Vern
Iverson from the Energy City Commission who always does a fantastic jobengaging with
the public at events.
On September 20, the governance & communications manager participated in a regular
meeting of the Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers Association’s Records Retention
Taskforce. The group was created to formulate and recommend a standardized
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retention schedule for use by all cities in the State of Minnesota. There was helpful
discussion about the retention of emails and how to implement effective, responsible
data management in the digital space.
Staff met on September 26, to discuss the communications plan for AMI. We are
working with PRIME Advertising to create branding specifically for the campaign and
unify the information, which will be distributed over the duration of project.
ERMU will once again be participating in the Downtown Elk River Halloween event on
Friday, October 27. This was an excellent event last year and staff is looking forward to a
fun evening. This year they will be closing portions of Jackson Avenue and Main Street.
An ERMUbucket truck will be there along withother City departments and businesses.
ATTACHMENTS:
Bill Insert – The Current - Fall 2023
Bill Insert – Smart Hub Auto Pay Program
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83
FALL 2023
THE CURRENT
Public Power Week 2023
MISSION
Transparency:
Economic Development:
Low Rates:
Reliability:
Customer Service Week 2023
VISION
ERMU Commissioner
22, 2023
VALUES
INTEGRITY
QUALITY
COMMUNICATION
2023
Chair John Dietz (center), ERMU commissioners,
SAFETY
COMPETITIVE
2023
ERMUMN.COM | 763.441.2020 | 13069 ORONO PARKWAY | PO BOX 430 | ELK RIVER, MN 55330-0430
84
FALL 2023
THE CURRENT
COLD WEATHER RULE
216097
2021130
1 - April 30)?
ERMU OPEN HOUSE
SUCCESS
24
50
How can I apply for a payment arrangement?
LAKE ORONO
DAM INSPECTION
ERMU would also like customers to know that, with multiple local
4.
organizations available to provide assistance - help could be just a
phone call away:
888.765.5597
30
Sherburne County Emergency Assistance
763.765.4000
320.963.6500
Hennepin County Community Action
952.933.9639
FUN FACT:
1851
Salvation Army HeatShare
1.800.842.7279
19161980.
763.441.1020
|
WE WELCOME YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS: ERMUMN.COM 763.441.2020
85
SMARTHUB’S
AUTO PAY PROGRAM
WHAT IS SMARTHUB?
SmartHub is a web and mobile app that allows you to take control of all
aspects of your utility account. Pay your bill, set up automatic payments,
manage your use, and contact ERMU with service issues quickly and easily
online or on your mobile device.
WHAT IS SMARTHUB’S AUTO PAY PROGRAM?
SmartHub’s Auto Pay Program helps you save time, avoid service interruptions, and eliminate late fees by allowing
you to set up automatic payments using your preferred method (credit, debit, checking, or savings) while still
letting you view your itemized bill.
EASY PROGRAMCHOOSE YOURSAVE TIME &
SIGN UPPAYMENT METHODREDUCE STRESS
Existing SmartHub users Set up your preferred secure With SmartHub’s Auto Pay
can simply go to their account, payment method and let account Program, you will still be able to
select the Auto Pay Program management do the rest.view an itemized bill each month,
option, and follow the prompts, but you won’t need to take time
•Credit
while new users can create a to schedule a payment. Rest
•Debit
SmartHub account using the QR assured, your bill will be taken
•Checking
code, then follow the prompts.care of on its due date.
•Savings
New signups to SmartHub’s Auto Pay Program will receive a one-time$5.00 credit!
ERMUMN.COM | 763.441.2020 | 13069 ORONO PARKWAY | PO BOX 430 | ELK RIVER, MN 55330-0430
86
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
ERMU Commission Thomas Geiser – Operations Director
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
October 10, 20236.1e
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
Staff have been attending meetings with Sherburne County to plan for the County Road
44 project.
Working through maps for the new GIS mapping system that we plan to move froward
with in the future.
Working on 2024 Budget items.
The general manager, water superintendent, and I attended the American Water Works
Association Conference in Duluth on September 20. ERMU staff, Angela Hauge and Katy
rd
Olson, competed in the Hydrant Hysteria competition, finishing in 3place. They were
the first all-femaleteam to compete in Minnesota. Big congrats to Angela and Katy!
Staff is participating in several meetings.
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UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:FROM:
ERMU Commission Chris Sumstad– Electric Superintendent
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
October 10, 20236.1f
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
Installed 17 new residential services, which involves the connection of a secondary line
once the customer requests service.
Crews finished the installation of infrastructure at the Villas of Fillmore housing
th
development. Crews are currently working on the Miske Meadows 8 addition
development.
Crews continue to work at the County Road 44 rebuild project and the Rawlins
Street/Pascal Street underground primary wire replacement job.
Installation of three phase services were completed at the Hillside Heights apartment
and Rinker Plant (formerly Cretex). This leaves 2-3 three phase services to be installed
before freeze-up.
Mitch Girtz and Tyler Meyers attended Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association's
(MMUA) Overhead School held in Marshall, September 12-15. Scott Thorsen also
attended, serving as an instructor.
Crews are currently installing a few single phase transformers for the Highway 169
Redefineproject. These services will feed signallights, street lights, and traffic
management cameras.
Curt Arndt, inventory & procurement assistant, attended the National Information
Solutions Cooperative’s Member Information Conference in Denver, September 17-20.
Line crews, along with the substation technicianchanged out two reclosers at West
substation on feeders 73 and 81. These were two of our older reclosers. We plan for one
more recloser changeout at the Station 14 substation this fall.
Line crews along withthe substation technicianobtained field oil samples from
approximately 30 of our Cooper Switchgears. These samples are sent out for moisture
level tests.
I have been working with Angela Hauge, GIS/mapping technician, as she works on
publishing an updated version of the CAD system map.
Joe Schmidt from MMUA held safety meetings on ergonomics and safety cultureat
ERMU, September 27-28.
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UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:FROM:
ERMU Commission Mike Tietz –Technical Services Superintendent
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
October 10, 20236.1g
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
• In September, the locators processed 542 locate tickets. These consisted of 442 normal
tickets, 4 emergency tickets, 52 updated tickets, 27 cancellations, 12 meets, 3 non-
excavation, and 2 boundary surveys. This resulted in a 5.7% decrease in tickets from the
previous month and is a 9.5% increase from the prior September.
• Electrical technicians completed 319 service order tasks, updated the power bill,
addressed customer meter issues and any off-peak concerns.
• The Advance Metering Infrastructure (AMI) network has been constructed and
commissioned on three of the water towers. We have received the first shipment of
residential water meters and SmartPoint communication modules for the AMI project.
We expect the first shipment of residential electric meters sometime in October. We are
working with our consultant, Rick Schmidt, on developing our meter installation request
for proposal (RFP) documents and requirements. The meter installation RFP should be
advertised on October 11, with an anticipated start date of March 2024 for mass
deployment of meters.
• For the month of September, staff did not run the generators. Engine #4 is still waiting
on plugs that are on backorder.
• Staff completed the scheduled recloser tank replacements for feeders 73 and 81 out of
the West substation. We have load tap changer and relay testing as well as maintenance
at our Station 14 substation scheduled for mid-October. We are also working on getting
fiber communications completed to this sub before freeze-up this year.
• Our yearly oil samples of substation equipment, line regulators, and oil filled
switchgears have been completed. We are awaiting test results which will help us
identify changes or issues in the equipment before they become a problem.
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UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
ERMU Commission Dave Ninow – Water Superintendent
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
October 10, 20236.1h
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
Delivered 15new water meters, sealed the meter,installed an encoder receiver
transmitter, and took curb stop ties.
Completed 15 BACTI/Total Chlorine Residual Samples
o All confirmed negative for Coliform Bacteria.
o Bacteriological/Disinfectant Residual Monthly Report submitted to the MDH
Completed 20 routine fluoride samples
o All samples met MDH standards.
o Submitted MDH Fluoride Report
SubmittedDischarge Monitoring Report for the Diesel Generation Plant to the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
The pump and motor for Well #7 have been removed and are being evaluated for what
repairs need to be done or if replacement is needed.
Mixing equipment installation and maintenance work has been completed at Freeport
Water Tower. The tower has been refilled with water and can go back into service after
bacteria sampling and testing has been completed.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meter reading equipment has been installed on
three water towers as planned. Staff is working with the vender to get the equipment
up and running.
Some of the new water meters have arrived for the AMI meter reading system. We plan
to start delivering these new meters for installation in new home construction.
Water department staff have been working with the contactors for the Highway 169
Redefine and the School View neighborhood projects on performing water main
shutdowns for connection of new water main pipe.
ATTACHMENTS:
September 2023 Pumping by Well
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UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:FROM:
ERMU CommissionChris Kerzman– Engineering Manager
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
October 10, 2023 6.1i
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
City of Elk River opened bids for the expansion of the fiber loop to the northeast area of
Elk River on October 2, and the apparent low bidder is below the project estimate. This
is planned to be a joint project between the City of Elk River, ISD 728, and ERMU. We
are working with City IT staff on investigation of the bids.
We received the signed contract back from WEG for the Otsego substation transformer
that was awarded in July. We are exploring the option of using this transformer in the
southeast portion of Elk River to serve future growth which would mean rebidding
another replacement transformer for Otsego.
Staff has been working with setup for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure
communications system, programming of meters, installation of support software, and
planning for installation, all to be prepared when bulk meter installation kicks off.
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2023GOVERNANCE AGENDA
Tuesday, January 10:Tuesday, February 14:
Annual Review of Committee ChartersReview Strategic Plan and 2022 Annual
Business Plan Results
Tuesday, March 14:Tuesday, April 11:
Oath of OfficeAudit of 2022 Financial Report
Election of OfficersFinancial Reserves Allocations
Annual Commissioner Orientation and Review Review 2022 Performance Metrics
Governance Responsibilities and Role
Tuesday, May 9:Tuesday, June 13:
Annual General Manager Performance
Evaluation and Goal Setting
Tuesday, July 11:Tuesday, August 8:
Annual Commission Performance Evaluation Annual Business Plan – Review Proposed 2024
Travel, Training, Dues, Subscriptions, and Fees
Review and Update Strategic Plan
Budget
Tuesday, September 12:Tuesday, October 10:
Annual Business Plan – Review Proposed 2024 Annual Business Plan – Review Proposed 2024
Capital Projects Budget Expenses Budget
Tuesday, November 14:Tuesday, December 12:
Annual Business Plan - Review Proposed 2024 Adopt 2024 Official Depository and Delegate
Rates and Other RevenueAuthority for Electronic Funds Transfers
Adopt 2024 Fee ScheduleDesignateOfficial 2024 Newspaper
2024 Stakeholder Communication Plan Approve 2024 Regular Meeting Schedule
Adopt 2024 Governance Agenda
Adopt 2024 Annual Business Plan
93