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, FEBRUARY 11, 2008, AT 4:30 P.M.

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

Present:          Commissioners Bloomquist, Lucarelli, Petroskey, Raukar, and Sipola. 

Absent:            None.

Also Present:  Bill Hafdahl–Director-Finance & Administration;  Sue Lalli-Public Relations / Customer Service Supervisor; Don Rindfuss – Director, Operations Distribution Electric and Gas; Tracy Peterson – Supervisor Accounting;  Customer – Robert Tekautz;  Councilor Dennis Lindberg. 

Commissioner Rocci Lucarelli was welcomed to his first meeting as a Utility Commissioner. 

Commission President Don Sipola opened the floor for election of Commission officers for the coming year and declared the office of Commission President open for nominations. 

Commissioner Petroskey placed the name of Quentin Bloomquist in nomination for President of the Commission for the ensuing year; supported by Commissioner Lucarelli. 

Commissioner Raukar placed the name of Commissioner Sipola in nomination for President of the Commission for the ensuing year; supported by Commissioner Sipola.      

There being no further nominations for the office of Commission President, Commission President Sipola closed the nominations.  Ballots were cast and Commissioner Bloomquist was elected to the office of President of the Public Utilities Commission for the coming year – Bloomquist received three votes and Sipola received two votes.

Commissioner Bloomquist took his position as President of the Commission and declared the office of Commission Vice President open for nominations.   

Commissioner Bloomquist placed the name of Commissioner Petroskey in nomination for Vice President for the coming year; supported by Commissioner Lucarelli. 

Commission President Bloomquist called three separate times for further nominations there being none, declared the nominations for Vice President closed and asked that the Commission Secretary cast one unanimous ballot for the election of Commissioner Jim Petroskey  to the office of Vice President of the Public Utilities Commission for the coming year.  Motion carried.

Commission President Bloomquist declared the office of Secretary of the Commission open for nominations. 

Commissioner Lucarelli placed the name of Matt Raukar in nomination for Secretary for the coming year.

Commission President Bloomquist called three separate times for further nominations, there being none, declared the nominations for Secretary closed and asked the Commission Secretary to cast one unanimous ballot for the election of Matt Raukar to the office of Secretary of the Virginia Public Commission for the ensuing year.  Motion carried. 

Carried forward

City of Virginia                                                                                                                         page 2

Public Utilities Commission

Meeting Minutes – February 11, 2008

Brought forward

Mr. Robert Tekautz addressed the Commission regarding the Utility having personnel on standby to respond to possible calls when severe weather is forecast over a weekend.  Mr. Tekautz had attempted to have the Utility Power Plant call out Line Crew personnel over the past weekend to address an issue with half power to the home of his son, John, at 604 11^th St South, Virginia.  The Plant’s Trouble Call Report #2164A reflects a call received at 8:45 p.m. on February 9, 2008 (from Mr. Tekautz) and the call reported to the Duty Weekend Supervisor at 8:47 p.m. on February 9, 2008, with full power restored by Utility Line Crew personnel at 9:55 p.m.  Commission President Bloomquist reported he would discuss this issue with the General Manager.  Commissioners felt the matter had been addressed and full power restored within one hour and ten minutes from the time the initial call was received from Mr. Tekautz.

Moved by Petroskey and supported by Raukar that financial Resolution #5122 authorizing the payroll dated January 31, 2008 in the amount of $98,951.62, checks #45358 through #45379, and direct deposits #11609 through #11661; and bills dated January 28, 2008 through February 11, 2008 in the amount of $790,875.33, checks #77941 through #78039, and wire and electronic transfers in the amount of $131,794.58 be adopted and the minutes of the regular meeting held on January 28, 2008 be approved as presented.  Motion carried. 

The January 2008 Monthly Injury Summary Report was reviewed.

Mr. Hafdahl reviewed the 2007 Construction Season – Water and Steam Work Summaries presented for the information of the Commission. 

Mr. Hafdahl reported the VRMC agreement has not yet been finalized.   

Mr. Hafdahl reviewed the automated meter readings obtained from the gas meters located in a section of the North Side of Virginia, and a small portion of the South Side, that were found to be incorrect do to a programming error.  Letters have been sent to all customers affected indicating that they will be allowed four months to pay any higher than normal billings they receive for the February 20, 2008 due date.  Customers requiring more than four additional months to make full payment will be allowed to set up payment arrangements.  Commissioner Lucarelli requested that Mr. Hafdahl send all affected customers a letter indicating the dollar amount of the incorrect billings – the amount that is being added to those affected customers’ billings and convey their ability to set up special payment arrangements if needed.  Moved by Petroskey and supported by Lucarelli that the Director of Finance and Administration send all affected customers a letter indicating the dollar amount of the incorrect billing that is being added to the affected customers’ billings and convey their ability to set up special payment arrangements if needed.  Motion carried.

Mr. Lindberg requested information on the number of days in the reading cycles for customers’ bills during the winter months.  Due to the Christmas holidays, some customers received bills for a 35-day reading period.  Mr. Hafdahl will be sure that any long reading cycles will be monitored and avoided whenever possible.

There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commission President Bloomquist declared the meeting adjourned at 5:17 p.m.

ATTEST:                                                                     APPROVED:

____________________________                            ____________________________

Matt Raukar, Secretary                                               Quentin Bloomquist, President