5.9. SR 08-19-1996ity of
iver
ITE~I 5.9.
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
MEMORANDUM
Mayor & City Council
Pat Klaers, City Admin~trvat.or
August 19, 1996
Utilities Commission Update
Councilmember John Dietz is our city representative on the Elk River
Municipal Utilities Commission. At this August 19, 1996, Council meeting,
John is scheduled to provide the Council with an update on the July and
August activities. One activity of note is the hiring of the general manager.
Attached for your information are the minutes from the most recent Utility
Commission meetings and the agenda from the last Commission meeting
held on August 13, 1996.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
MUNICIPAL UTILITIES COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL
UTILITIES OFFICE
JULY 9, 1996
Members Present: President James Tralle, Vice Chairman John
Dietz, Trustee George Zabee
Others Present: Terry Maurer, MSA Consulting Engineer;
Sundeen, Line Superintendent; Robert McCartney, Water
Superintendent; Patricia Hemza, Office Manager
1. Call Meetinq to Order
Glenn
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the
Elk River Utilities Commission was called to order at
4:00 P.M. by President Tralle.
2. Consider Utilities Aqenda
Mr. Dietz moved to approve the 7-9-96 Agenda.
seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Mr. Zabee
3. Consider Consent Aqenda
Mr. Dietz moved to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
3. 6-11-96 Minutes -- approved
16. Check Register -- approved
4. LooDinq of water mains
Mr. Maurer and Mr. McCartney presented information on
the looping of water mains and the need for a policy.
Mr. Zabee moved to adopt a policy: All watermains shall be
looped or, in the case of phasing of developments, that
provisions be made to loop them in the future. Mr. Dietz
seconded the motion.
Motion caried 3-0.
5. Northwest area facilities
Mr. Maurer presented a plan for the timing of a well,
elevated tower, and water treatment facility in the
northwest area of the City. He recommended a preliminary
study to identify potential sights for the well, tower, and
treatment facility.
Regular meeting Elk River Utilities Commission
July 9, 1996
Page 2
Mr. Zabee moved to retain MSA, Consulting Engineers to
do the preliminary study for the Northwest Area Facilities
for $2,000.00 to $2,500.00. Mr. Dietz seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
6. Condition of the East Sub-Station
Mr. Sundeen reported on the problems with the sub-station
and that the conditions are now critical.
Mr. Zabee moved to convert i megawatt more of 2400 and
disconnect this sub from the system; the project to
replace budget item 96-32. Mr. Dietz seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
7. Condition of the Cooper diesel enqine
Mr. Sundeen advised the Commission of the costs involved
to repair the Cooper diesel engine at the power plant.
An estimate of $200,000.00 has been obtained for the
overhaul of the engine. Discussion on the pros and cons
of repairing the engine followed.
Mr. Zabee moved to leave the engine down until a later
date when a full study of all options has been done.
Mr. Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
8. Request for donation for Heritaqe Days
Mr. Dietz moved to donate connection and disconnection of
a temporary service, and the energy usage involved. Mr.
Zabee seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
9. Request from E.R. Police Dept for donation
A request from the E.R. Police Dept. for a donation in
connection with their sponsorship of a National Night
Out in Elk River was discussed.
Mr. Zabee moved to offer a drawing in each neighborhood
for 50% off parts and labor of a basic security system.
Mr. Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
10.
Request from Joe Pallansch for increase in payment
for services
Mr. Pallansch's services to the Utilities were
discussed, and it was agreed that as a consultant,
he has been a large asset.
Regular meeting Elk River Utilities Commission
July 9, 1996
Page 3
Mr. Zabee moved to increase payment for Mr. Pallansch's
services at $.75 per hour. Mr. Dietz seconded the motion°
Motion carried 3-0.
11. Ouote from Inspec, Inc. for office bldq roof servicem
A quote was presented from Inspec, Inc. for Site
Verification, Construction Documents, Structual Evaluationj
and Construction Obervation/Testing.
Mr. Dietz moved to contract with Inspec, Inc. for their
services and to coordinate with the City for bids and
se~zices. Mr. Zabee seconded the motion. Motion
carried 3-0.
12. Update on water employee position
Mr. McCartney updated the Commission on the status
of the Water Operator position.
Mr. Zabee moved to hire Scott Neilson at the Hire
Step of $12.04 per hour. Mr. Tralle seconded the
motion. Motion carried 2-1, with Mr. Dietz voting
nae.
13. Update on office position
Mrs. Hemza updated the Commission on the status of
the Office Clerk/PR/AP position. Applications have
been reviewed, and interviews have taken place.
Mr. Zabee moved to hire Karen Smude at $9.35 per hour.
Mr. Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
14. Vacation Accruals
A report from Gary Groen, Abdo, Abdo and Eick was
presented, in which they recommended a strict policy
for vacation carryovers. A plan to eliminate excess
accruals was also dealt with.
Mr. Dietz moved to adopt a policy stating: Unused
vacation carryover will be limited to the time earned
in a one year period as of each employees employment
date. Mr. Zabee seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Regular meeting Elk River Utilities Commission
July 9, 1996
Page 4
Mr. Dietz moved that excess vaction pay be paid or used
over a 3-5 year period at the option of each individual
employee, vacation used not to affect the Utility's
ability to operate effectively, the 3-5 year phase out
to begin January 1, 1997. Mr. Zabee seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
15. Financials
April and May, 1996 financials were presented and
discussed.
Mr. Zabee moved to receive the financials as presented.
Mr. Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
17. Other business
Mr. Dietz presented a request from the City of Elk
River for hook-up to the water system as a donation.
Mr. Zabee moved to donate water hook-up to the City of Elk
River. Mr. Dietz seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
Mrs. Hemza advised the Commission that requests for
customer lists are becoming more numerous in the office.
Since the lists are public information, we are obligated
to comply, but we can charge our cost of providing those
lists.
Mr. Zabee moved to charge $20.00 for customer lists. Mr.
Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Reviewal of the search for General Manager and the time-
table was discussed.
The next scheduled meeting of the Elk River Utilities Commission
will be August 13,1996.
Mr. Tralle moved to adjourn.
Motion carried 3-0.
Mr. Zabee seconded the motion.
The meeting of the Elk River Utilities Commission adjourned
at 5:35 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Hemza
Office Manager
SPECIAL MEEING OF THE ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL
UTILITIES COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK
RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES OFFICE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1996
Members Present:
Also Present:
James Tralle, President; John Dietz,
Vice Chair; George Zabee, Trustee
Glenn Sundeen, Line Superintendent;
Robert McCartney, Water Superintendent;
Patricia Hemza, Office Manager; Jim
Brimeyer, Brimeyer Group, Inc
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Special Meeting
of the Elk River Utilities Commission was called to order at 4:00
P.M. by President James Tralle.
Jim Brimeyer updated the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
on the search for General Manager and presented a list of
candidates for the position.
The candidates were discussed and four were chosen to be
contacted for interviews, with one alternate. Interviews will be
held August 5 through August 8, 1996.
Mr. Zabee moved to adjourn.
Motion carried 3-0.
Mr. Dietz seconded the motion.
The Special Meeting of the Elk River Utilities Commission
adjourned at 5:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Hemza
Office Manager
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL
UTILITIES COMMISSION HELD AT
ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITY OFFICES
MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 1996
Members present:
James Tralle, President
John Dietz, Vice Chair
George Zabee, Trustee
Others Present:
Bryan Adams; Pat Hemza, Office Manager; Jim
Brimeyer, The Brimeyer Group
President James Tralle called the Special Meeting to order at
4:15 PM, for the purpose of interviewing Bryan Adams for the
position of General Manager of the Elk River Municipal Utilities.
Mr. Dietz moved to adjourn the Special Meeting.
seconded the motion. Motion caried 3-0.
Mr. Zabee
The meeting of the Elk River Utilities Commission adjourned at
6:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Hemza
Office Manager
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL
UTILITIES COMMISSION HELD AT
ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITY OFFICES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1996
Members present:
Others Present:
James Tralle, President
John Dietz, Vice Chair
George Zabee, Trustee
Allen Schrup; Pat Hemza, Office Manager; Jim
Brimeyer, The Brimeyer Group; Glenn Sundeen,
Line Superintendent.
President James Tralle called the Special Meeting to order at
4:15 PM, for the purpose of interviewing Allen Schrup for the
position of General Manager of the Elk River Municipal Utilities.
Mr. Schrup left at 5:30 P.M.
Mr. Sundeen arrived at 5:30 P.M.
Mr. Dietz moved to not interview the third candidate selected and
to authorize Mr. Tralle to negotiate terms of employment for the
position of General Manager, with Bryan Adams. Mr. Zabee
-seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Mr. Dietz moved to adjourn the Special Meeting.
seconded the motion. Motion caried 3-0.
Mr. Zabee
The meeting of the Elk River Utilities Commission adjourned at
6:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Hemza
Office Manager
ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
UTILITIES COMMISSION
AGENDA
Tuesday, August 13, 1996
Elk River Utilities Offices
ITEM NUMBER
1. Call meeting to order at 4:00 P.M.
ACTION TAKEN
2. Consider Utilities Agenda
3.* Consider Utilities Commission minutes
of July 09, 1996, Special Meeting ~?
of July 17, 1996, Special Meeting of
August 05,1996, Special Meeting of
August 06, 1996
4. Formal acknowledgement of contract
for General Manager, Bryan Adams
Presentation of quotes for pick-up
New street lights advisory
7. Lighting committee proposal
Concern of a customer regarding street
lighting
9. Consideration of Public Power Week
10.
Signs for the Elk River Municipal Utilities
office building
11. Administrative vehicle
12. Well #1 abandonment quotes
13. ~'Financials
14. * Check Register - . ~_~
15. Other Business - ~, ,.,
· Consent Agenda items are conszd~red-tu-be~2~t-f~ and wzll be
approved by one motion.