A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF VIRGINIA, MINNESOTA, WAS HELD AT THE OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES ON MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2008, AT 4:30 P.M.

 

Commission Vice President Park called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. 

 

Present:             Commissioners Park, Petroskey, Raukar. 

Absent:              Commissioners Bloomquist, Sipola.

 

Also Present:      Terry Leoni – General Manager; Bill Hafdahl–Director-Finance & Administration;  Sue Lalli-Public Relations / Customer Service Supervisor; Customer – Rocci Lucarelli; Councilors Dennis Lindberg and Charlie Baribeau.

 

Appointment letters from Mayor Peterson were presented appointing Quentin Bloomquist and Rocci Lucarelli to the Utility Commission for the term February 1, 2008 through February 1, 2011.  Mr. Lucarelli was present and welcomed to the Commission – his term beginning at the first meeting in February 2008.

 

Moved by Raukar and supported by Petroskey that financial Resolution #5121 authorizing the payroll dated January 17, 2008 in the amount of $98,115-28, checks #45336 through #45357, and direct deposits #11556 through #11608; and bills dated January 14, 2008 through January 28, 2008 in the amount of $745,971.92, checks #77876 through #77940, and wire and electronic transfers in the amount of $1,289,163.99 be adopted; and the minutes of the regular meeting held on January 14, 2008 be approved as presented.  Motion carried.

 

Mr. Leoni reviewed the 2007 Safety Audit and the results of the 2007 Employee Safety Survey contained in the packets.  The Director of HR and Safety will make a complete presentation on the 2007 Safety Committee accomplishments at a later date when all Commissioners are present.  The Survey points out employee comments on the safety programs underway at the Utility. 

 

The December 18, 2007 Safety Committee meeting minutes were received and filed.

 

The revised schedule of LEA Meetings for 2008 was received and filed.  It was noted the meetings will be held at both Hibbing and Virginia on the date of the regular Commission Meetings for each City. 

 

The unapproved minutes from the LEA meeting held on January 15, 2008 was received and filed.

 

Mr. Leoni distributed a copy of the News Release from the morning of January 28, 2008 pertaining to damage that occurred to the coal crusher in the Power Plant over the weekend.  Due to the damage, the natural gas boiler was put on line allowing several hours when customers experienced low steam pressure.  Repairs to the coal crusher should be completed some time Tuesday, January 29, 2008.  The damages resulted from several large bolts and tramp metal found in the coal. 

 

Moved by Raukar and supported by Petroskey to authorize Management to write off the balance of $264.67 on utility account No. 50847908 for service to 614 12th Street South, Virginia, Mn., as the Bankruptcy Court has delivered a Discharge of Debt for this amount.  Motion carried.

 

Mr. Leoni reviewed a notice received from Minnesota Power pertaining to a meeting to be held on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 10 a.m. to discuss in greater detail the status of the rate adjustment process on the revised municipal contract to include the new formula-based rate adjustment.  Mr. Leoni noted MMUA is filing a protest on behalf of the Virginia Utilities as well as other Municipal Utilities on this revision to the power contracts previously made with the Utility.  A rate increase is expected to take effect March 2008.  Mr. Leoni has received all of the information to be presented at this meeting and is not able to attend on the 31st.  Commission President Sipola is also unable to attend.  If any Commissioner is able to attend, please notify him and a reservation will be made.  

 

Mr. Leoni and Mr. Hafdahl will be meeting with the VRMC on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 to continue negotiations on the new contracts for the VRMC.

 

Mr. Leoni thanked Jackie Park for her years of service on the Utility Commission.  A Thank You Plaque was presented and attendees at the meeting were invited to stay for coffee and cake following the meeting.

 

There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commission Vice President Park declared the meeting adjourned at 4:53 p.m. 

 

ATTEST:                                                                        APPROVED:

_______________________                                            ______________________

Matt Raukar, Secretary                                                     Jackie Park, Vice President