05-10-2007 ERMU MINELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
UTILITIES COMMISSION
May 10, 2007
Members Present: Jerry Takle, President; Jerry Gumphrey, Vice Chair; James Tralle, Trustee
Staff Present: Bryan Adams, General Manager; Glenn Sundeen, Line Superintendent;
David Berg, Water Superintendent;
Theresa Slominski, Finance Director/Office Manager;
Troy Adams, Engineering Manager; Judy McSpadden, Recording Clerk
Other Present: Wade Lovelette, Line Foreman; Mark Fuchs, Lead Lineman;
Richard Wagner, Utilities Worker; Trisha Pope, Office Clerk
1. Call meeting to order May 10, 2007
President Jerry Takle called the May 10, 2007, meeting to order.
2. Consider Utilities Agenda
James Tralle moved to approve the May
seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
10, 2007, Utilities Agenda. Jerry Gumphrey
3. Consider Consent Agenda
James Tralle moved to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
April Check Register
April 10, 2007, Minutes
Financial Reports
Jerry Gumphrey seconded the motion. Motion carved 3-0.
5.1 Staff Up-dates
Glenn Sundeen updated commission on the recent territory acquisition of Area 17. The
switchover went well however this area will need improvements in the near future. Jerry
Gumphrey questioned the cost of upgrades in the takeover area. Glenn responded that funds
were budgeted for necessary upgrades. Target Data Center recently did a test run on their
facility. A recent outage in Otsego was due to a contractor cutting into some three phase
cables. It was asked if the cables were located properly and Glenn responded yes, and that a
bill would be sent to them for the charges to repair the damage.
David Berg said the summer help will be starting the following week and will be flushing
hydrants. Maintenance on Well #5 is complete. Work continues for Irving Street rebuild
project.
Troy Adams reported a good month for Security system sales of 21 with 18 installations.
The locators have been busy with the high volume of locates. Work for the feeder to the new
data center is ahead of schedule. The metering department is busy doing meter change-outs in
the newly acquired Area 17. Jerry Takle questioned the status on the Waco Substation. Troy
responded that the earthwork is complete and the piers are almost done.
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Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Corrunission
May 10, 2007
Theresa Slominski updated the commission on the check processing system. We now
have the capability to schedule automatic withdrawals per payment arrangement, and will be
testing a payment over the phone system. Theresa also informed of a way to verify social
security numbers as to if they are legit or false. James Tralle asked if we required a credit
history, staff responded no, not at this time.
Commission was informed that the General Manager would be late because of testifying in a
court case the utility is involved in. It was requested 5.2 and 5.3 of the Agenda be put on hold
until the General Manager arrived, commission agreed.
6.1 Review Urge Test Results
Elk River Municipal Utilities operates and maintains four diesel generation units at our
power plant. These units are contracted to Great River Energy through a Power Transaction
Agreement at the current price of $2.75/kw/month based on the proven capacity from the
annual URGE test. The current contract expired October 31, 2003, and is extended on an
"evergreen" basis. The URGE test performed in 2007 was reviewed. The URGE tests have
steadily increased the past few years due to more maintenance and better training. Staff
consisting of Michael Price, Adam Freiberg, and Steve Zeimer did a great job performing this
URGE test, and maintaining the engines. The capacity results from this test will result in
$349,008 of annual payments from Great River Energy.
6.2 Review & Consider Bid Tabulation for Area 16 Cable Replacement
The Elk River Municipal Utilities and Connexus Energy have a temtory acquisition
agreement. This agreement allows Elk River Municipal Utilities to acquire territory in the city
boundaries of Elk River and serve the electric load instead of Connexus Energy. Often these
areas contain an old or obsolete electrical system that needs to be rebuilt. This is the case for
Area 16. Plans and specifications were secured and bids were received on April 25, 2007.
Staff recommends awarding Area 16 Rebuild to MP NexLevel, LLC, the lowest responsive
bidder.
James Tralle moved to award Area 16 Rebuild to MP NexLevel, LLC the lowest responsive
bidder. Jerry Gumphrey seconded the motion. Motion carved 3-0.
6.3 Review Dental Insurance Bids
Currently, our Dental, Life, and Long Term Disability (LTD) insurance is all with
Principal Financial Group. Elk River Municipal Utilities switched from Delta Dental to
Principal Dental in 2003, and combined it with the other products of Life and LTD insurance
already placed with Principal. This year, bids were obtained from nine additional carriers.
Assurant came back with the best proposal, and it was reviewed with the insurance task group.
It represents a savings of $11,500 (split 75%/25% with the employees for the dental only),
with no change in benefits provided, and maintaining the same dental network. There is one
change that was discussed in the task group that is related to the LTD insurance. We have the
option of recognizing a "taxable bonus" on this insurance with each pay period, which
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Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
May 10, 2007
eliminates the payouts being taxed if one becomes disabled. The "bonus" amount is
determined at $.72 for every $100 of payroll for the employee. It is included in the taxable
calculation with each paycheck and reported on the W2's (very similar to the Group Term
Life taxation). The task group felt this was a worthy option to incorporate for the $.O1 in
premium increase to the employer, approximately $205 per year. Staff recommends the
Assurant proposal for Life, LTD, and Dental insurances.
Jerry Gumphrey moved to approve the 2007 Dental, Life, and LTD insurance to Assurant.
James Tralle seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Because of employees present it was consensus to visit 5.3 at this time.
5.3 Review Health Care Savings Plan
At the last commission meeting, staff was asked to seek out alternatives to the HCSP
presented, to see if there is a comparable product available that doesn't have mandatory
participation as a requirement. Alternative products were reviewed. The two products that
most closely resembled the HCSP were tied to a high deductible health insurance plan, and the
Annuity option would not represent the same tax savings since withdrawals are taxable upon
distribution, whereas the HCSP withdrawals are not taxable. Staff recommends adopting the
HCSP as presented. Future changes to this plan would be revisited by staff:
Jerry Gumphrey moved to adopt the HCSP plan. James Tralle seconded the motion. Motion
carried 3-0.
6.5 Review 2006 Water Confidence Report
The 1996 amendment to the safe drinking water act required all community water
systems to deliver an annual water quality report to their customers. The utilities provide this
information along with heightened awareness of the need to protect water resources. This
water confidence report will be included in the May utility billing. David Berg said the
utilities are very fortunate as our water quality is very good.
At this time Jerry Gumphrey had to leave for another meeting and Bryan Adams amved.
5.2 Review & Consider Black Dirt Policy
With summer approaching, water consumption will increase due to lawn sprinkling. The
northwest area of the Twin Cities including Elk River, have very sandy soil making moisture
retention for lawns very difficult. Many cities at the urging of the DNR are requiring 4" of
black dirt under lawns as a strategy to increase moisture retention and thereby conserving
water. The surrounding communities were surveyed and a majority of them do have a black
dirt policy in place.
The downside to a topsoil policy would be the increased initial cost by developer,
contractor, or homeowner, and the enforcement issue. On the upside, the cities that have an
ordinance indicate an approximate 10% savings in water usage.
The details are still being worked on with the City so this topic will be revisited in June.
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Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
May 10, 2007
6.4 Review Cash Flow Proiections
At the last commission meeting, our auditors presented the results of their annual utility
audit. They recommended staff continue the cash flow studies which project future revenues
and expenses to ensure the utilities have adequate financial resources to carry on business.
The Springstad cash flow studies for both the electric and water departments were reviewed.
The result of this study is consistent with past studies, and our cash reserves continue to rise
with time for both departments. If this trend is correct, the utilities will be able to start funding
from cash reserves for some of our large projects instead of bonding.
Other Business
There was no other business.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
will be Tuesday, June 12, 2007.
President Jerry Takle adjourned the regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities
Commission at 4:35 p.m.
ectful su 'tted,
~.
Judy McS dden
Recording Clerk