6.1d ERMUSR 02-13-20244r,;.Z,
Elk Riv
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:
FROM:
ERMU Commission
Tony Mauren — Governance & Communications Manager
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
February 13, 2024
6.1d
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
• The February bill insert is the 2023 Year in Review. Communications staff did a great job
capturing major events from the previous year while also getting the files to the printer
in January so that information is as timely as possible. Staff will provide physical copies
for the Commission and City Council when they arrive from the printer but be sure to
check out the digital version in the attachments (also available to the public on our
website).
• In addition to highlighting the bill insert topic, social media posts this month feature a
variety of items including the commission meeting notice, holiday closure (Presidents'
Day), WaterSense conservation tips, a Valentine's Day post to share our appreciation for
the community, and a look at ERMU's safety training program. Minnesota Municipal
Utilities Association is taking a one-year hiatus from its Tom Bovitz Memorial
Scholarship as it looks to restructure the program, but ERMU will still be publishing
information about our local scholarship opportunity. In 2023 it was decided to budget
an increase to the award amount from $500 to $1,000 to ensure this scholarship
provides a substantial support to students. Staff found that the amount has been $500
since at least 2013.
• Communications staff is updating the website, forms, and processes for the residential
and commercial rebate programs to be in line with the rebate management services
provided by Frontier Energy.
Staff has coordinated a presentation for the Commission from Frontier Energy on the
services they are providing to the Conservation Improvement Program as well as
providing an opportunity for them to answer any questions. This presentation will serve
as the Commission's Annual Orientation and is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday,
March 12 in the Uppertown Conference Room, an hour prior to the regular meeting in
the same room. Thank you for adding this to your schedule.
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• The March meeting will also include a review of policy updates from the previous year.
Commissioners who use a physical manual can provide it to staff to make the updates.
• The committee for the strategic plan initiative to enhance the field services building
through art and sound panels met on January 3 and 23. The group selected KJ Branding
for the project who provided the same services at the Furniture & Things Community
Events Center. The committee is working to provide direction and materials to create
the artwork and those final drafts will be presented to the Commission when available.
This is a 2024 initiative.
• Staff has been meeting to review the Electric and Water Rules as part of the strategic
plan initiative to reformat/update the Management Policy Manual. This is a 2023-2024
initiative.
• ERMU earning the Smart Energy Provider designation was featured in the Elk River Star
News on January 5. The announcement for ERMU's 0% electric and 2% water rate
increases was published on February 2.
• ERMU's blog hosts a video explaining how the electrical grid works. This informative
video is available to us through our partnership with Questline Digital, who provides
engaging content for customers on a variety of topics related to energy. This was also
posted on ERMU's social media platforms.
• The Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce's Government Relations group held its
scheduled meeting on February 8. During discussion on concerns over increasing
developer fees, Assistant County Administrator Dan Weber informed the group that the
County would be performing a housing study, which, in part, will compare developer
fees across communities. Staff will make a note to provide that data when it becomes
available. Staff is also expecting to receive contact information for a member of the
lobbying team with The Minnesota Chamber Federation to learn more about their push
for environmental permitting reform and how that may play into ERMU's Wellhead
Protection initiative. Any relevant information will be provided to the Commission.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Bill Insert — 2023 Year in Review
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