4.8. SR 02-20-2001City of
River
MEMORANDUM
I~em #4.8.
TO:
Mayor & City Council
FROM: Pat Klaers, City Administrator
DATE:
February 20, 2001
SUBJECT: Utilities Commission Update
Councilmember John Dietz is the City Council representative on the Elk
River Municipal Utilities Commission. At this February 20, 2001, City
Council meeting, John is scheduled to provide the Council with an update on
January and February Utilities activities. Attached for your review is the
agenda for the February 15 Utilities Commission meeting and the minutes
from the January 16, 2001, Utilities Commission meeting.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone (763) 441-7420 · Fax (763) 441-7425
ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
UTILITIES COMMISSION
ITEM NUMBER
AGENDA
FEBRUARY 15, 2001
Elk River Utilities Offices
1. Call meeting to order at 4:00 February. 15, 2001
ACTION TAKEN
2. Consider Utilities Agenda
3. *Approval of previous meeting minutes
4. *Check Register
OLD BUSiNESS
5.1 Update Well #7 and Proposed Water Tower Location
5.2 Review Downtown Electric Upgrade &Sidewalk Project
5.3 Review Service Territory Acquisition for 2001
5.4 Update Laborer Position
5.5 Update W~holesale Rate and Cormexus FERC Filing
NEW BUSiNESS
6.1 Review 2001 Annual Report
6.2 Review and Consider Replacing % Ton Pick-up
6.3 Authorize Plan and Specifications for Water Main Project
* F[nancials (Sales and Production Reports only)
Other Business
*Consent Agenda items are considered to be routine and will be approved by one motion.
ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
UTILITIES COMMISSION
January 16, 2001
Elk River Utilities Offices
Members Present: John Dietz, President; George Zabee, Vice Chairman
Staff Present: Bryan Adams, General Manager; Glenn Sundeen, Line Superintendent; David Berg, Water
Superintendent; Patricia Hemza, Office Manager
Others Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Greg Oxley, MMUA Government Relations Director
1. Call meeting to order at 4:00 P.M. January 16, 2001
2. Consider Utilities Agenda
George Zabee moved to approve the Utilities Agenda for January 16, 2001. John Dietz seconded the
motion. Motion carried 2-0.
2.a Designate First National Bank official depository for 2001
John Dietz moved to approve the designation of the First National Bank of Elk River as official
depository for 2001. George Zabee seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
2.b Designate Elk River Star News official newspaper for 2001
George Zabee moved to approve the designation of the Elk River Star News as official newspaper for
2001. John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
3. Consider Consent Agenda
George Zabee moved to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
December Check Register
Financials
December 12, 2000 Minutes
John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
5.1 Update Well//7 and Proposed Water Tower
Bryan Adams updated the Commission on the construction of Well #7, located on the Deschenes
property. The proposed schedule, and estimated costs for the Well were reviewed. By Commission
onsensus, authorization was given to proceed with the test welt, and proceed to the bidding stage of this
project.
Page 2
Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
January 16, 2001.
Progess on the siting of the proposed water tower was again discussed, centering on three possible
areas. The estimated increase in the cost of the Water Tower due to site constraints and land price is
estimated to be $224,000.00 over costs that were originally considered for the Hillside or Trott Brook site.
George Zabee asked what the options would be if the property owners would not be willing to sell. Staff
indicated that condemnation would be a possibility, but not a favorable option. John Dietz asked if Bryan
Adams could set a time line to the property owners for their response regarding costs of purchase. A Special
Meeting may be called to consider the responses from the property owners.
5.2 Review and consider Pre-Engineering Agreement for LFG Generation Project
The Pre-engineering'Ageement between Waste Management and Elk River Municipal Utilities, and
the Pre-engineering Ageement between Sherburne County and Elk River Municipal Utilities were reviewed.
George Zabee moved to authorize the execution of the two Pre-engineering Ageements for the LFG
Generation Project. John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
5.3 Update Communication Study
The Communication Study was discussed, with particular attention to the proposed new bill.
Commission viewed the process and the bill favorably.
6.1 Presentation by Greg Oxley of MMUA
Greg Oxley, Government Relations Director for MMUA, addressed the Commission regarding the
serv'ice territory issue between municipals and co-ops. Mr. Oxley stressed the reasons for the need for
cooperation and participation by members of the Municipal Electric Utilities. John Dietz, George Zabee,
and Pat Klaers asked questions regarding participation, electric deregulation, service territory, and the
legislative rallies.
6,2 Review and Consider Energy City COntribution
Bryan Adams presented a letter from Mayor Stephanie Klinzing requesting a contribution for Energ-y
City. Discussion centered positively on the participation of the Elk River Municipal Utilities, as well as the
project.
George Zabee moved to approve a contribution of $2,500.00 to Ener=%, City. John Dietz seconded
the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
6.3 Review and Consider Job Description for new Laborer position
The 2001 budget contains provision to hire an electric Line Person and a Laborer. Staff requests the
hiring of these new employees before the start of the construction season.
r'age 3
Aegular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
January 16, 2001
The job description, and position evaluation form was reviewed and considered for the Laborer
Position. The approved description will be forwarded to the Hay Group to be assigned points to determine
an appropriate salary that will ensure compliance with Comparable Worth and Minnesota's Pay Equity
legislation.
George Zabee moved to approve the job description for the new position of Laborer, and to authorize
the advertising for an Apprentice Line Person. John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
Other Business
No other business to be discussed.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission will be
Thursday, February 15, 2001, at 4:00 P.M. in the Utilities Offices.
Adjournment
President John Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities at 5:05 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Patricia Hemza
Office Manager