6.1d ERMU 12-12-2023Elk River
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:
FROM:
ERMU Commission
Tony Mauren — Governance & Communications Manager
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
December 12, 2023
6.1d
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
• The December bill insert going to all customers is the winter edition of our newsletter,
The Current. It provides information on the Advanced Metering Infrastructure project,
bill payment services through SmartHub, how to avoid scams, ERMU's Smart Energy
Provider designation, tree trimming, and the Recycle Coach app. As mentioned at the
November meeting, the sidebar on the front page now features information about
ERMU's rebates and QR code to make accessing them easy.
• In addition to highlighting the bill insert topics, social media posts this month feature a
variety of items including the commission meeting notice, water conservation rebates,
introducing new employees, as well as holiday closures and garbage delays. ERMU is
also partnering with the City to promote its Holiday Lights Tour. We shared the City's
Facebook post on November 20 and had additional posts on November 29 and
December 6. ERMU is also utilizing its social media channels to promote the City's Adopt
a Hydrant program.
The Governance & Communications Manager attended Minnesota Municipal Utilities
Association's Government Relations virtual meeting held on November 28. The group
reviewed the expected asks for the 2024 session including: exempting data centers from
Renewable Energy Standard calculations, passing a sufficient bonding bill for projects in
need of financial assistance — with particular focus on water and wastewater facilities,
preventing municipal water systems from needing to raise rates to manage PFAS levels,
and repealing a ban on siting and use of nuclear power facilities in Minnesota.
• In May 2023 it was reported that three staff members (communications coordinator,
IT/OT technician, and GIS/mapping technician) were enrolling in a Drone Pilot Ground
School to be able to utilize drones in capturing more engaging and descriptive visuals as
well as performing quick and safe equipment inspections. I am happy to report that
Communications & Administrative Coordinator Jenny Foss successfully passed the
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Aeronautical Knowledge Test required by the Federal Aviation Administration on
December 5, earning her Remote Pilot Certification. ERMU has purchased a drone based
on City staff recommendations and Jenny can't wait to get it up in the air. Much much
more to come!
ATTACHMENTS:
• Bill Insert — The Current Winter 2023
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