6.1a ERMUSR 05-13-2025______________________________________________________________________________
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UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:
ERMU Commission
FROM:
Mark Hanson – General Manager
MEETING DATE:
May 13, 2025
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
6.1a
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
• Water Superintendent Dave Ninow and I met with representatives from ISD 728 to discuss
the possibility of constructing a water treatment plant on district-owned property at Twin
Lakes Elementary School. This is an ideal location for the plant as ERMU will be drilling our
next municipal drinking water well on the adjacent property, Fire Station #3. The
conversation went well with the district representatives confirming a willingness to work
with ERMU. They will discuss our request with the district superintendent and the school
board. Two potential paths for moving forward include creating a utility easement on school
property or selling the requested property to ERMU. Staff will continue to keep the
Commission apprised as more detailed information becomes available.
• Staff continues to work on several lease agreements with cellular and fiber carriers. Verizon
wants to add additional antennas to Auburn Tower, AT&T would like to install antennas at
Freeport Tower, and both Verizon and Comcast have requested to attach fiber lines to our
existing utility poles. Staff has worked with Campbell Knutson to update our standard lease
agreement terms for each effort.
• Staff has had several meetings with Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA)
representatives to coordinate upcoming project needs and timing. MMPA has already
started work on their renewable natural gas project at the Waste Management Landfill site.
Work on their solar site west of city limits is planned to begin next year.
• The MMPA Board of Directors met April 22, 2025, at the Faribault Energy Park in Faribault,
M and via videoconference. Commissioner Stewart and I attended. The public summary
follows:
o The Board reviewed the Agency’s financial/operating performance for March 2025.
o Participation in the residential Clean Energy Choice program increased by 57
customers. Customer penetration for the program is 6.2%.
o The Board discussed the status of renewable projects the Agency is pursuing.
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