5.3b EMRUSR 02-11-2025Highlights, Challenges, and Results from the 2024 Strategic Plan Initiatives
• Disaster Recovery Plan —Tom Geiser
While the plan is to never have to use one, you can never say "never." Staff has been
gathering plans from other municipalities (Owatonna, Shakopee) and comparing them to
what ERMU has in place. We have also worked with City staff, Elk River Police Department,
and Elk River Fire Department on planning out weather -related disaster scenarios. ERMU
staff have additionally been attending Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association' (MMUA)
Emergency Preparedness and Restoration Conferences over the last few years. Our
participation in recent mutual aid efforts in Florida have made the need for these plans
abundantly clear and having this disaster recovery plan is an invaluable resource. It also
helps ERMU with its aim to achieve the American Public Power Association's Reliable Public
Power Provider Diamond designation.
• Hiehwav 169 Redefine Proiect — Chris Sumstad
After many meetings with MNDOT and their engineering contractors in 2020, ERMU
developed the plans to remove, relocate, and install new electrical infrastructure at all
intersections along the Redefine project. Our field work began in 2021, giving us a full year
to relocate before actual road construction began in 2022. The bore crew started in June of
2021, installing 500 mcm underground wire along the west side of 1971h Avenue, with the
line crews right behind terminating the new wire and removing overhead service. This
continued with crews moving south to 193,d Avenue, School Street and eventually Main
Street. The work generally involved installing new 500 mcm underground feeder wire and
removing or relocating the 336 mcm overhead wires. 2021 showcased great teamwork
amongst ERMU employees and the dedication and drive to complete the work. With the
ERMU construction mostly done in 2021, the years of actual road construction between
2022-2024 consisted of ERMU installing new services to feed Highway 169 traffic signals,
cameras, and lights. ERMU crews were also called on for the occasional wire repair or
relocation. Overall, the work went smoothly considering the large scope of this project.
MnDOT, Ames Construction, and all sub -contractors involved were great to work with.
• Planning for future Wells. Treatment and Storage in NE area — Dave Ninow
As Elk River continues to grow there is increasing demand on the municipal water system.
The Northeast & Northwest Urban Service Area Expansion Study done in 2023 looked at the
growth of the city and the need for the municipal water system to grow with it. This
initiative is to plan for additional water system infrastructure to meet the increasing
demand. In 2024 we worked with Elfering & Associates and Short Elliott Hendrickson to
submit applications to the DNR for three new municipal well sites. With the DNR's
preliminary assessments we were approved to proceed to well design and construction. We
are currently developing plans for two wells and water treatment facilities that will need to
be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health for review before going out to obtain
bids for construction.
0 Financial Reports — Redesign - Melissa Karpinski
As custom financials will not be supported in the near future, we are working on developing
new financial reports using National Information Solutions Cooperative's (NISC) new
Microsoft Excel add -on tool. This will simplify the process of making changes, as it will be
Excel -based rather than requiring programming through NISC. Additionally, creating new
reports will be easier since we can handle it independently.
• Advanced Metering Infrastructure Proiect — Mike Tietz and Sara Youngs
In 2024, ERMU made significant progress on its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
project, aimed at upgrading electric and water meters across our service area. The project,
which began in 2023, reached key milestones such as selecting Core and Main as the
distributor for the Sensus FlexNet AMI system and Allegiant Utility Services as the installer
for the meters. Although supply chain issues delayed electric meter replacements until
November 2024, water meter replacements began successfully on May 3, 2024.
The AMI project will enhance ERMU's ability to collect near real-time data, improve
operational efficiency, and provide customers with accurate billing through remote readings
and two-way communication. Customers will also gain greater control over their usage
through the SmartHub portal, where they can access detailed consumption data.
As part of ERMU's commitment to modernizing infrastructure and improving service
reliability, the AMI project aligns with industry standards while maintaining cost-
effectiveness for our customers. Throughout 2024, we've kept customers informed via our
website, social media, newsletters, and bill inserts.
Looking ahead, ERMU plans to engage with Dave Berg in the fall of 2025 for a rate study that
will evaluate time -of -use rates based on actual data, helping us meet the evolving needs of
our community.
The completion of the AMI project in 2025 will also support the launch of our Conservation
Voltage Reduction (CVR) program. This will help reduce wholesale power demand costs by
lowering voltage at our substations during peak demand, using real-time system feedback
from AMI meters to ensure compliance with American National Standards Institute
requirements for service voltages.
• Field Service Building Wall Art —Tony Mauren
Having completed construction on a state of the art field services building, staff felt it was
important to create a facility that represents more than just a place where people work.
With the help of a staff -stakeholder committee, we sought to accomplish that by developing
aesthetic elements that speak to the significance of the work that ERMU does. Attached are
images of the five wall art installations that were completed in October 2024, which in turn
serve as a visual narrative of ERMU's history, highlight major achievements, and
communicate a sense of pride to staff and visitors. With this project we honor the past,
celebrate the present, and seek to inspire the future.
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