Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission - The Regular Meeting

Transcription

1 CALL TO ORDER: MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 11, 2008 SAUK CENTRE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING 1. The regular meeting of the Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission was called to order by President Rykken at 4:00 p.m. on August 11, 2008 at the office of the Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission. Commissioners present were Dennis Rykken, Dave Thomas, Roy Walz, Rich Bullard and Ted Spanier. Also present was Superintendent Marty Sunderman. MINUTES: 2. By general consent, the following set of minutes were approved: a. The minutes of the Regular Monthly Commission Meeting held on July 15, UTILITY BILLS: 3a. A motion was introduced by Commissioner Spanier, seconded by Commissioner Thomas that the following utility bills be approved: The full listing of the July, 2008 accounts payable in the amount of $690, Motion carried unanimously five to zero. FINANCIAL REPORTS: 4a&4b. By general consent, the Commission approved all of the financial and investment reports as presented by Superintendent Sunderman.

2 CORRESPONDENCE AND MEETINGS: 5a. The next regular meeting of the Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission will be held on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. 5b. Superintendent Sunderman reminded the Commission of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Associations Summer Meeting on August 19-20, 2008 in Alexandria, Minnesota. Commissioners Rykken, Walz and Thomas confirmed that they will attend the meeting with Superintendent Sunderman. OLD BUSINESS: 6a. The Commission reviewed pay request #3 for $93, from Larson Excavating Contractors for the Ash & Pine Street Projects. Commissioner Bullard made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thomas to approve pay request #3 for $93, to Larson Excavating Contractors. Motion carried unanimously b. The Commission discussed a facility charge counter offer from NuStar Energy L.P. The original offer was $ per month, but Dave Walters, Manager of NuStar Energy made a counter offer of a $ monthly facility charge or $ monthly payments toward the purchase of the transformer. Commissioner Thomas made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Walz to accept the counter offer of a $ monthly facility charge. Motion carried unanimously 5-0.

3 6c. The Commission discussed the Employee Assistance Program Proposal from Midwest EAP Solutions. The City of Sauk Centre has not made a decision about jointly participating in this plan. Commissioner Thomas made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Bullard to approve to pay the plan by the month until December 31, 2008 or until the City notifies the Utility of their decision. Motion carried unanimously d. The Commission discussed and reviewed quotes for the purchase of a new urinal for the warehouse bathroom and a water softener for the office and warehouse. Commissioner Bullard made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Spanier to approve the purchase of a urinal from Trisko Heating and Plumbing for a price of $ including labor and the purchase of a water softener from Central Heating and AC for a price of $1, including labor. Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Walz abstaining. 6e. Superintendent Sunderman informed the Commission that Well #6 is on-line, hooked-up to the SCADA and Security system and is pumping about 500 gallons a minute. 6f. Superintendent Sunderman reviewed with the Commission quotes

4 received from Central MN Alarms, Inc. for a security alarm system for warehouse #2 and warehouse #1/office. A motion was made by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Walz to approve the purchase of the security alarm system from Central MN Alarms, Inc. for a price of $2, which includes equipment and installation. Motion carried unanimously 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: 7a. The Commission reviewed a damage report and repair estimate for the exterior wall of warehouse #2 that was damaged when an individual hit the building with a four-wheeler. Commissioner Spanier made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thomas to have Superintendent Sunderman send the individual a bill for repairing the damage. Motion carried unanimously b. Superintendent Sunderman reviewed with the Commission a letter he received from Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association informing all member utilities of the need to have an approved identity theft prevention plan in place by November 1, There will be further guidance and information coming from MMUA in the near future. 7c. Superintendent Sunderman informed the Commission that he received a letter from the Department of Natural Resources stating that a water supply system that serves more than 1,000 residents needs to adopt a conservation rate structure. This may include

5 increasing block rates, seasonal rates, time of use rates, individualized goal rates and excess use rates. This will need to be in place by January 1, d. The Commission reviewed a membership request from Minnesota Environmental Science Review Board (MESERB) which is a joint powers board dedicated to the research, study and analysis of environmental issues important to Minnesota. After some discussion it was by general consent of the Commission to have Steve Nyhus of Flaherty & Hood, P.A. attend a Commission meeting to explain the program in more detail. 7e. Superintendent Sunderman discussed with the Commission the Utilities current cell phone service. He explained that the City of Sauk Centre (Public Works) has discontinued the use of radios for communication and they have switched to Sprint/Nextel cell phones with Nextel Direct Connect talk feature. By general consent the Commission instructed Superintendent Sunderman to get quotes from Sprint/Nextel. COMMISSIONERS ITEMS: 8a. Commissioner Rykken reported on the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association Budget Workshop meeting he attended in

6 Plymouth, MN on August 8, SUPERINTENDENT S ITEMS 9a. Superintendent Sunderman asked the Commission if they wanted to hold the annual open house. The Commission agreed to do so and set the date for Friday, September 26, b. Superintendent Sunderman informed the Commission that he had talked to Safety Director s Rachey and Drobny about changing MMUA Safety Coordinator, Don Grant position from two days to one day a month for budget reasons. Commissioner Spanier made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Bullard approving to change the Safety Coordinator position to one day a month if the City of Sauk Centre is in agreement. Motion carried unanimously c. The Commission discussed a customer s sewer service and the utilities sewer main on 7 th Street South between Birch and Ash Street. Commissioner Spanier made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Walz to approve to install a manhole and split the street opening cost of $600 with the customer.

7 Being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Bullard to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 P.M. Motion carried unanimously 5-0. Mark Rachey, Secretary Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission mr