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5. SR 07-31-1995.~~r ,.~ ITEM 5. ~~ ity of .~~ MEMORANDUM River TO: Mayor & City Council lk • FROM: Pat Klaers, City Administrator DATE: July 31, 1995 SUBJECT: Utilities/Council Joint Meeting Attached for your review is some material from the Utilities General Manager Bill Birrenkott regarding discussion topics for the joint City CounciUUtilities Commission meeting. It is appropriate for the Council and Commission to have Bill review these items at the beginning of the 5 p.m. joint meeting that will be held in the training room. In addition to Bill's items, some possible topics. of discussion for the joint Utilities/Council meeting include the following: • Review the water restrictions ordinance -see attachment • Discuss safety issues, a safety committee, and a shared safety coordinator position -Bill B. to lead this discussion item. • Update from the Commission on 1994 and 1995 street light installations • Update from the Commission on options for lighting poles in commercial and residential subdivisions • Discussion on underground versus overhead electrical lines in the Elk River Business Park and in other areas • Update from the Commission on the water availability charge and water connection charge • Discussion on compliance to the ADA law • Discussion on compliance to the 1/96 drug testing law for drivers of commercial vehicles • Discussion on possible use of TIF #4 funds for the payment of the bonds that were issued for the western area water project (well, tower, and treatment facility) Councilmembers and Commission members are encouraged to bring up other topics of discussion and have these items added to the agenda. • council:jntmtg 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425 JOINT MEETING OF • ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL AND ELK RIVER UTILITIES COMMISSION July 31, 1995 Distribution Construction: In the last year and a half we added over $1,400,000 in new property consisting of a new substation located at the old West site and a major upgrade of the original East station to be ready for the next capacity increase. Both stations are now on line and we now have the capacity to serve our entire load without any one of our stations in service. In addition to our substation expenditures, we spent about $700,000 for distribution lines. This was mostly in new subdivisions, however some of it was used to upgrade our existing lines and preventative maintenance. We had no major purchases of equipment this year or last as we extended the life of some of the older equipment for an additional year. We do have budgeted for two trucks late this year, however we will delay them for as long as possible. We had no major accidents last year involving our personnel or high voltage electricity'. Anoka Electric Takeover of Territory: Whereas we did take over some of AEC's territory last year, we did not take any of their existing customers (with one small exception). Next year we will not take any major areas of their customers, however, we have a very good working relationship with them, and if an unexpected area comes up which would be beneficial to us to serve (rather than exchange later), they usually allow us to just take it. They have been very cooperative. Personnel• We have not added any new personnel in the past year. We have changed on person in the office from part time to full time last year because of the load caused by the increased number of customers, increased regulatory requirements, and the garbage billing. This increase is the first since 1982 and just bring us to the level that we were in 1980. Rates• We still have the lowest rates in the area. Depending on usage, we are lower than NSP by around 2- 3~, Wright Hennepin Coop by 30~ and AEC by about 40 (even with their .recent rate decrease). This is one thing that the Commission, closely watches. C7 Generation• • The Commissioners recently authorized a feasability study to determine if we should enter into a long term generation project. The preliminary study is finished and is subject to further review. The feasability of this project depends on the cooperation of UPA and AEC to restructure our contract, however we do not see that as a problem. Presently, we purchase all of our energy, however it appears that, with the present long term natural gas rates now available and the new machine efficiencies, that we may be better off to build new generation. If the project proves feasable, we will spend around $18,000,000 (possibly more). We will know more in a couple of months when we get some operating statistics in on the operation of the unit in Hutchinson. This could involve building a 30 Megawatt unit near the site of our West Substation, also near the passage of a High Pressure natural gas pipeline. Assessment of Charaes for Underground Electricity & St. Liahts: Presently, we charge the developers for the cost of underground installation of electricital lines and street lights. This involves letters of credit, and many other arrangements. It has occured to us that maybe it could be handled the same way that sewer and water are handled in new subdivisions. Street Lights on the Orono Bridge: Material has been ordered and will be here in about six weeks. It will take some time for installation after that - should be • completed by late fall. Gary Street Water Project: The well and treatment plant are completed and in service. The Water Tower is going to be painted next week, however the piping to fill it is not yet completed nor have the controls been checked out. Hillside Water Project: This 500,000 gallon tower in Hillside Addition has been completed and filled. The well is finished and accepted, however the treatment plant is not yet completed. Hopefully it will be in service by Winter time. As of this time only the footings have. been poured. Water Capacity Problems: During this past June when it was extremely dry, we had one day when the pumps ran 24 hours and we actually lost capacity in the Water Towers. This brought us to the realization that we need to have a system in place to affect a sprinkling ban or some other form of usage curtailment. That is why the Commission asked the Council to pass an ordinance similar to the one in Anoka. C] ORDINANCE 88-23 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER SECTION 406 • TO IMPOSE WATER USE RESTRICTIONS The City Council of the City of Elk River does ordain as follows: Section 1. Adoption of this Ordinance does hereby repeal Ordinance 88-22. Section 2. The Code of Ordinances for the City of Elk River, Section 406 is amended to read as follows: Section 406.00 Water Use Restrictions.. _. This Ordinance is intended to authorize the City Administrator to invoke water use restrictions in cases of emergency as deemed appropriate by Resolution of the City Council of the City of Elk River. The water use restrictions shall take effect immediately upon adoption of such resolution and the penalties below in Section 406.01 may be invoked upon publication of the resolution imposing restrictions in the legal paper. The City Council may adopt by resolution-those measures and restrictions necessary to ensure adequate water supplies to meet the health, safety and welfare needs of the City of Elk River and it`s residents. ..406.01 Penalties. The first violation of the restrictions • contained in this ordinance shall subject the offending person, firm, corporation or association to a written warning. A second violation of the restrictions shall be a petty misdemeanor with a penalty of S50 and shall increase to the sum of 5100 for the third violation. A fourth violation shall result in a water shut-off with the reconnection fee~to be paid by the offending property owner according to the policies of the Public Utilities Commission. No penalty can be imposed unless a person had, or should have had, prior knowledge of the ordinance restrictions. This may be shown by the fact that a prior warning was delivered to the person charged or to an occupant of the premises to be assessed. 406.02 Enforcement. This Ordinance shall be enforced by the Police Chief, the Fire Chief, and their authorized __ designees, in-accordance with _City_ordinance :_ ~_. _ . _.. _ _ _ _ __ __ _ Adopted by the City Council of the City of Elk River on ~H //JJ this ~ day of /f~fCj uSf 1988 . Estelle E. Gunkel, Mayor r~ ATTEST: ~~2~' Patrick D. Klaers, City Administrator • ORDINANCE N0.95 - _ CITY OF ELK RIVER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 406.00 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER REGARDING WATER USE RESTRICTIONS The City Council of the City of Elk River does hereby ordain as follows: Section 1. Section 406.00 of the City Code of Ordinances is amended to read as follows: 406.00 -Water Use Restrictions. 'The Public Utility Commission of the city of Elk River is hereby authorized to invoke water use restrictions in cases of emergency to ensure adequate water supplies to meet the health, safety and welfare needs of the City of Elk River and its residents. Water use restrictions shall be invoked by resolution of the Public Utility Commission, and shall take effect immediately upon adoption of such resolution. The penalties imposed below in Section 406.01 may be invoked upon publication of the resolution imposing restrictions in the legal paper. Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in full force from and after the date of • its publication. Passed and adopted this day of ,1995, by the City Council of the City of Elk River. Henry A. Duitsman, Mayor ATTEST: Sandra A. Thackeray, City Clerk 0124212.01 • SAM P~-E` • CITY OF ELK RIVER PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 95- A RESOLUTION IMPOSING WATERING RESTRICTIONS WHEREAS, Section 406.00 of the Elk River Code of Ordinances authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to impose restrictions on the use of City supplied water in the City of Elk River; and WHEREAS, water use restrictions may be imposed by Resolution of the Public Utilities Commission; and WHEREAS, due to dry conditions and high demands on the municipal water supply system, and based upon advice from the Elk River Utilities Manager and the Water Superintendent that restrictions on lawn and garden sprinkling are necessary to protect the public safety and insure that adequate supplies of water will be available in the event of fires; NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the Elk River Public Utilities Commission that the following restrictions on water use be imposed: 1.) Watering, except for hand watering, shall be limited to odd-numbered days for properties having odd-numbered mailing addresses and even-numbered days for properties having even-numbered mailing addresses; and 2.) All watering, except hand watering, shall be eliminated between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. 3.) These water use restrictions shall be effective immediately and shall continue until removed by Resolution of the Utilities Commission or order of the Utilities Superintendent. Adopted this day of ATTEST: 0124204.01 • ~: r ~~ { ~~ ,ity of ~~ lk • RiverTO: MEMORANDUM Elk River City Council Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission FROM: William Rubin, Economic Development Coordinatq~ I DATE: July 31,1995 D v SUBJECT: Overhead Powerlines Elk River Business Park Area The. above-referenced topic has received a great deal of attention recently. Now that the Business Park has become a reality, I believe it is important to lay a strong foundation to help ensure its success. Both the Planning Commission .and City Council worked diligently to establish a new zoning designation for this area which contains some fairly stringent architectural standards. The standards encompass both the design of buildings as well as landscaping improvements. The two site plans approved for this area are indicative of the product staff and elected/appointed officials envisioned for this area. Another component of the Park's development will be that of powerlines that are either out of view or unobtrusive. Both the City and the Utilities Commission will realize many benefits from the development of the Business Park. These include property taxes, new employment opportunities, water connection fees, and electrical charges, etc. For that reason, I believe that it is important to explore every possible angle associated with underground electrical lines. Property owners are not likely anxious to absorb these costs. However, if we recognize the long-term benefits of the Business Park, they will far exceed the expense of underground lines.. • s:\admin\eda\mem7-31.doc 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 49D • Elk River. MN X5330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fay: (612) X41-725 • Tha street lighting standards shall be fiberglass, brown in color, natural finish, 14 feat in length, and shall be round tapered with a 2 3/8 inch long mounting tenon suitable to mount luminaire requireing a 3 inch O.D. vertical tenon. The standard shall be anchor bass type. Ths standard shall have a minimum ..2.5x5 inch hand hole and cover located 18 inches above the anchor base. Standard shall be installed on a concrete foundation extending 30 inches above grade. The lighting standard shall be similar and equal to Shakespeare Catalog No. A014-02-N3-BB-01. or the approved ' equal Tha street lighting luminaires shall be post top style, with an • aluminum housing, 100 watt high pressure sodium, and with a brown powder coat finish. The luminaire shall bs complete with and EEI/NEMA type photo call socket and shall have a 240/120 volt (wired 240 volt) integral regulator high power factor ballast, mogul base socket, and IES type II light diatrbution pattern. The 100 watt high pressure sodium lamp and photo call will ba furnished by Elk River Municipal Utilities. The lighting luminaires shall ba similar and squat to Cooper Lighting Catalog No. USAI0SCW224 or the approved equal. The luminaire shall be brown in color. . ~• . 3~• ~ccc GRADE RESIDENTIAL STREET LItiHTINO ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES 3/20/95