12-14-2004 ERMU MINELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
UTILITIES COMMISSION
December 14, 2004
Members Present: Jerry Takle, President; James Tralle, Vice Chair; John Dietz, Trustee
Staff Present: Br}'a11 Adams, General Manager; Glenn Sundeen, Line Superintendent; David
Berg, Water Superintendent; Patricia Hemza, Office Manager
Others Present: Pat Klaers, City Admiiustrator
1. Cal! meeting to order December 14, 2004
President Jerry Takle called the December 14, 2004, meeting to order.
2. Consider Utilities Agenda
James Tralle moved to approve the December 14, 2004, Utilities Agenda with the addition of
two requests for Street Lights. John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
3. Consider Consent Agenda
John Dietz questioned the check to Automatic Systems. Staff responded it was for the
SCADA system to better monitor the water system.
James Tralle moved to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
November Check Register
November 9, 2004 Minutes
Financials
John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
5.1 Staff Up-dates
Bryans Adams informed the Commission that the rebate check for Salk School has been
delivered to Ron Bratlie of ISD #728. He then discussed the Miskie property development,
which will be called River Park, located on the east side of Elk River. Commission was briefed on
the MMUA Bond Pool, and the class that was given to the employees on Monday from Protective
Services regarding safety and awareness.
Patricia Hemza infomled the Commission of the successful hiring for the HR position, and
the Auditors have finishing their pre-audit on 12/13/04.
Glenn Sundeen reported on the status of the current electrical projects and the 28 new services
installed in the month of November. He added that there were no outages due to the high winds
this past week.
David Berg relayed on the 4 new Security Systems sold, and the looping of water mains due
to recent residential and commercial developments.
5.2 Review and Consider Wholesale Electric Rate
Great River Energy electric wholesale rate was discussed. The new ttvo tier rate structure
will affect the Elk River Municipal Utilities by approximately 2.52% or $240,246.00. No action
necessary.
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Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
December 14, 2004
5.3 Review and Consider Water and Electric Retail Rates
The 200 proposed retail rates were discussed. Because of the increase to our annual power
cost, staff is recommending a rate change in the electric and water retail rates as noted on the
attached tariff sheets.
Motion by James Tralle to approve the revised Electric and Water retail rates as stated on the
attached tariff sheets. John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
5.4 Review and Consider 2005 Budget
The 2005 budget was reviewed. Future projections along ~~ith persorulel projections were
again discussed. John Dietz asked why we had two pickups to purchase in 2005. Staff responded
that we just purchased one this year and we would con-ecti the equipment needs projection to add
only one pickup in 2005.
Motion by James Tralle to approve the 2005 Budget with the revised electric equipment
needs. John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carved 3-0.
5.5 Review Water Hookup Requirements
When Municipal water and sewer are extended into an existing area, the City Council often
allows the existing properties two years to hookup to these services. The difficulty is tracking
these properties and getting them to hookup without being heavy handed. Bryan Adams apprised
the Commission of the results of the City Prosecutors survey with other communities on their
procedures on water hookup. He indicated three options with the third most preferable. This
option was to require connection to the municipal water system when the property was sold via an
affidavit filed with County Recorder. John Dietz asked if we had a list of the properties this
pertains to. Staff responded they do not at this time but will compile one and file it with the
county.
Motion by John Dietz to modify our policy and require affected properties to hookup to
Mwucipal Water when property is sold but continue to encourage these properties to hookup in
the meantime. Jaynes Tralle seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
6.1 Review and Consider Soh Street Reconstruction Proiect
The 2005 street reconstruction project was discussed which includes replacing selected
sections of water main during the street reconstruction period. The 4`~' Street project completed in
2003 went well with the water service line upgrades. This project will be handled the same way
with letters sent to homeowners, inspecting their existing water service lines, and replacing if
needed.
Non-copper water service lines will be replaced to the curb box at utility expense and owner will
be encouraged to replace remaining non-copper service line at customers expense.
Motion by James Tralle to participate in the Elk River 2005 street reconstruction project.
.1ohn Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
6.2 Review and Consider CIP Rebate for Sherburne County
Sherburne County has applied fora $21,531.60 rebate for the Justice Center addition. Vance
Zehringer has contacted GRE and Connexus and they indicated there is adequate funds in the
GRE CIP pool and funds will be reallocated to Elk River Municipal Utilities to process the rebate
this year.
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Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
December ] 4, 2004
Motion by James Tralle to approve the rebate to Sherburne County for $21,531.60. John Dietz
seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
6.3 Review and Consider Two New Street Lights
Bryan Adams presented the commission with a request for a street light to be installed on
205"' Avenue near the cul-de-sac, on a pole by AME and Plaisted Companies.
Motion by James Tralle to install a street light on existing pole on 205` Avenue near
cul-de-sac. John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Mother request by homeow~lers who signed a petition was discussed. This street light is on
Auburn Street between 193`d Avenue and 195th Street. The type of light being requested was
discussed. It was the consensus that we would not utilize cut ot'f light design but would continue
installing our standard traditionaire lighting style.
Motion by James Tralle to install amid-block light on Auburn Street between 193`d Avenue
and 195' Street per our light specifications. John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Other Business
There was no other business.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission will be
Tuesday, January 11, 2005.
President Jerry Takle adjourned the regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities
Commission at 5:15 p.m.
~pectfully s itte ,
Judy McSpadden
Recording Clerk