4.2 ERMUSR 03-11-2025UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:FROM:
ERMU Commission Tony Mauren – Governance & Communications Manager
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
March11, 2025 4.2
SUBJECT:
Annual Commission Bylaw and Attendance Policy Review
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
BACKGROUND:
On June 3, 2024, the City Council adopted City Ordinance 24-14 - Amending Chapter 2, Article
V, Boards and Commissions of the City of Elk River, Minnesota, City Code, which includes a
provision that all City of Elk River commissions will review their bylaws annually. City staff has
also requested commissioners receive their respective body’s attendance policies.
DISCUSSION:
ERMU’s bylaws are attached for review.
Conditions of compliant attendance are the following:
Members are expected to maintain a suitable attendance record. Attendance is vital to
community board service and City Council expectations. Because attendance is important, the
City Council has adopted the following attendance policy:
Members shall be automatically removed for lack of attendance. Lack of attendance is defined
as:
Regularly Scheduled Monthly Commissions: missing three (3) regularly scheduled
meetings during a calendar year without an excused absence or missing 50% of
Regular and Special Meetings with or without an excused absence during a
calendar year.
An absence may be excused if the staff liaison or Office of the City Clerk are notified no later
than 12 p.m. (noon) on the day of the scheduled meeting.
Participation for less than three-fourths (3/4) of a meeting shall be considered an absence.
Members removed pursuant to this paragraph shall not continue to serve on the board. A
member may appeal termination by requesting a hearing before the City Council within 10 days
of notice of termination.
ATTACHMENTS:
ERMU Policy – G.1a – Bylaws
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Communications 2025
BUILDING CONNECTIONS: THE POWER OF COMMUNICATIONS
Jenny Foss
Communications & Administrative Coordinator, ERMU
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Why Communication Matters
Mission
To communicate and educate our customers in the use
of utility services, programs, policies, and future plans.
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Why Communication Matters
Values
Respectful and engaged interactions that are timely and
clear.
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Why Communication Matters
Goal
Improve the customer experience and strengthen
customer connections while contributing to the success
of the organization.
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Communications Overview
COMMUNICATIONS
PLANNING
CONTENT
CREATION
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Communications Overview
COMMUNICATIONS
PLANNING
•Schedule
•Priorities
•Newsletters
•Social Media
•Bill Inserts
•Website
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Communications Planning
ERMU Communications Schedule
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE
The Recharge The Recharge The Recharge The Recharge The Recharge The Recharge
Year in Review The Current The Current
Social Media Social Media Social Media Social Media Social Media Social Media
Bill Inserts Bill Inserts Bill Inserts Bill Inserts Bill Inserts Bill Inserts
Website Scholarships SEP Week Safe Digging WQR Safety Camp
Job Shadow
Day
Severe Weather
Awareness
Electrical Safety
Month WQR
Lineworker
Appreciation
JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC
The Recharge The Recharge The Recharge The Recharge The Recharge The Recharge
The Current The Current
Social Media Social Media Social Media Social Media Social Media Social Media
Bill Inserts Bill Inserts Bill Inserts Bill Inserts Bill Inserts Bill Inserts
County Parade Night to Unite CWR PPW / CSW Holiday Lights
Day of the
Dozers
Downtown
Trick-or-Treat Update flyers
Orono Dam
Inspection
Job Shadow
Day
Communication Priorities
•Newsletters
•Social Media
•Bill Inserts / Messaging
•Website
Monthly Topic Reminders
•Events
•Holidays
•Recurring messages
•New items
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Communications Planning
Annual Newsletter “Year In Review”PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Communications Planning
Quarterly Newsletter “The Current”PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Communications Planning
Internal Communications “The Recharge”PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Communications Planning
Social Media PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Communications Planning
Bill Inserts
68% of ERMU
customers receive a
paper bill.
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Communications Planning
Website PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Communications Overview
CONTENT
CREATION
•Style Guide
•Adobe CC
•Education
•PPW Video
•Drone Footage
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Content Creation
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Content Creation
•Designed to meet workforce
demand.
•Developed by industry
experts.
•Delivered through top
colleges and universities.
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Content Creation
Public Power Week 2024 PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Content Creation
FAA Part 107
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Communications Process
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT
•Partnerships
•Local
•Experts
•NEF
•Event Host
•Open House
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Community Engagement
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Community Engagement
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Community Engagement
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Overcoming Challenges
REBATE PROGRAMS
Challenge: Satisfaction surveys repeatedly indicated
customers were unaware we offered rebates.
Action:
•Streamlined rebate categories and created new
rebate flyers.
•Updated the website to mirror the flyers and
created an online form option.
•Utilized a QR code for easy access to information.
•Increased messaging across all platforms.
Result: We saw a significant increase in rebate
program participation in 2024.
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Overcoming Challenges
CUSTOMER ATTITUDES
Challenge: Transform attitudes of the utility from
simply a billing entity to a community partner.
Action:
•Respond to feedback from the customer
satisfaction surveys.
•Utilize images of staff and the community to
strengthen personal connections.
•Increase community engagement.
•Communicate openly and honestly to build trust.
Result: Measuring an increase in engagement
across platforms and noticing examples of utility
advocacy from the public.
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Overcoming Challenges
AMI PROJECT
Challenge: User engagement with communications.
Action:
•Communicate project details clearly and often
using various channels.
•Continually update and promote the website FAQ
page.
•NEW: Utilized call capture and a direct mail
postcard.
Result: We confirmed reach of over 500 residential
water customers in under two weeks where
previous efforts did not result in engagement.
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Recognition
•Invited to present at industry conferences.
•Contributed to articles for:
•Utility Dive
•Questline Digital
•MMUA
•APPA
•Received the APPA Excellence in
Communications Awards in each of the
following years:
•2021
•2023
•2024
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
Thank You
Jenny Foss
Communications & Administrative Coordinator
Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU)
jfoss@ermumn.com | ERMUMN.COM | 763.635.1330
@elkrivermunicipalutilities
@ermu_mn
Elk River Municipal Utilities
@ERMU_MN
PRESENTED AT MEETING - ERMU COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.
COMMISSION POLICY
Section:Category:
GovernanceAuthorities and Purpose Policies
Policy Reference:Policy Title:
G.1aBylaws
ARTICLE I AUTHORITY
Section 1.The Village of Elk River Water, Light, Power and Building Commission was
created on July 11, 1947, by resolution adopted by the Village of Elk River Trustees.
Section 2.Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 412.331, adopted in 1949, any water,
light, power and building commission then in existence was required to thereafter operate as a
public utilities commission under Minnesota Statutes, Sections 412.321 to 412.391. The Village
of Elk River Water, Light, Power and Building Commission became Elk River Municipal
Utilities.
Section 3.Elk River Municipal Utilities is a public utilities commission operating
pursuant to and subject to Minnesota Statutes, Sections 412.321 to 412.391 and Elk River City
Code Sections 2-271 to 2-276.
ARTICLE II JURISDICTION
Section 1.Elk River Municipal Utilities has jurisdiction over:
A.The City of Elk River Municipal electric utility; and
B.The City of Elk River water utility.
ARTICLE IIICOMMISSION MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.Pursuant to Laws of Minnesota 2016, Chapter 97 House File No. 2718, and
Elk River City Code Section 2-271, the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission shall consist
of five members. No more than two members may also serve as City Council members.
Section 2.Commissioners shall be appointed by the City Council to staggered terms.
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Section 3.Each Commissioner shall serve for a term of three years and until a successor
is appointed and qualified.
Section 4.t ordinance, Elk
River City Code Sections 2-131 to 2-135.
Section 5.No member of the Commission shall receive a salary except as fixed by the
City Council.
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS
Section 1.The Commission shall annually choose a president from among its members.
The president shall be designated the Chair of the Commission and shall perform such duties as
Section 2.The Commission may also annually appoint a Vice-Chair of the Commission
who shall perform such duties as shall be delegated to the Vice-
adopted policies. The Vice-Chair shall preside at meetings of the Commission if the Chair is
absent.
Section 3.The Commission shall also appoint a Secretary for an indefinite term. The
Secretary need not be a member of the Commission and shall perform such duties as shall be
Section 4.
appointment as Chair or Vice-Chair, and appoint a replacement Chair or Vice Chair, if the
Commission determines, by a vote of a majority of its members, to do so. The Commission shall
also have the power to replace the Secretary at any time by a vote of the majority of its members.
ARTICLE V MEETINGS
Section 1.The Commission shall hold at least one regular meeting each month, on the
day and at the time designated by the Commission from time to time. Regular meetings shall be
noticed as required by Minnesota Statutes.
Section 2.The Commission may hold special meetings from time to time at the request
of the Chair or the request of two other Commissioners. Special meetings shall be noticed as
required by Minnesota Statutes.
Section 3.A majority of the Commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business, and the votes of a majority of the Commissioners present shall be sufficient to adopt
any motion or resolution. The votes of members on any action shall be taken by ayes and nays
recorded in the minutes.
Section 4.Commission meetings are open to the public unless closed as authorized by
Minnesota Statutes, and shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order, latest revised edition, for
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all situations to which they apply and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws, the
n may adopt..
ARTICLE VI POWERS
Section 1.The Commission shall have all of the powers enumerated in Minnesota
Statutes, Section
Policies, shall exercise those powers on its own behalf.
ARTICLE VII GENERAL MANAGER
Section 1.The Commission shall have the power to appoint a General Manager, whose
responsibilities, duties, limits of authority and accountability to the Commission shall be set forth
in these Bylaws and as designated by the Commission from time to time in its adopted Policies.
Section 2.
powers under Minnesota Statutes, Section 412.361, Subds. 1 and 2 to enter into contracts for the
operation of the utility and to employ all necessary help for the management and operation of the
public utility, by entering into contracts and employing personnel consistent with the
CommissionHowever, all contracts requiring public bidding, all
contracts falling under Minnesota Statutes, Section 412.361, Subds. 3, 4 and 5, and all contracts
approved by the Commission.
Section 3.If the position of the General Manager is vacant, the Commission may
designate another t
ARTICLE VIII FINANCES, FUNDS AND REPORTS
Section 1.The Commission shall maintain the funds, conduct the audits and make the
reports required by Minnesota Statutes, Sections 412.371 and 412.381.
ARTICLE IX APPLICATION AND AMENDMENT
Section 1.In the event that any provision of these Bylaws is or may be in conflict with
the laws of any governmental body or power having jurisdiction over the Elk River Municipal
Utilities Commission, or over the subject matter to which such provision of these Bylaws applies
or may apply, such provision of these Bylaws shall be inoperative to the extent only that the
operation thereof unavoidably conflicts with such law and shall in all other respects be in full
force and effect.
Section 2.These Bylaws may be amended by the Commission at any regular meeting by
a majority vote of the entire Commission, provided the proposed amendment is on the agenda
and made public no later than three days before the meeting.
Section 3.In addition to these Bylaws, the Commission may adopt, from time to time,
Governance Policies (adopted Policies) that are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.
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BYLAW HISTORY:
Adopted June 13, 2017
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