A
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
Commissioner Sipola called the meeting to order at
Present:
Commissioners Marks, Raukar, Park, Bloomquist, and Sipola.
Absent None.
Also Present: Terry Leoni, General Manager; Lynn Rosebush,
Director-Finance & Administration; Sue Lalli, Supervisor-Public Relations;
Douglas Ganoe, Director-Operations; Jeff Marwick, Manager-Electric
Generation; Lorraine Ilminen, Supervisor-Administration; City Councilor Rob Raplinger.
The following reports were
presented to the Commission for their information:
LIST OF INVESTMENTS
Moved by Park and supported by Raukar that financial Resolution #5050 authorizing the second half of February
2005 payroll in the amount of $89,469.78, checks #43413 through #43435 and
direct deposits, and bills dated March 10, 2005, in the amount of $934,374.84
checks #71043 through #1134, and the first half of March 2005 wire and
electronic transfers; and the minutes
of the regular meeting held on February 07, 2005, and
special meeting held on
Management
presented the February 2005 injury summary report. There were no accidents reported.
Mr.
Leoni reported the signed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with NSP/Xcel has yet
to be filed with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC). Testimonies before Legislation will take
place to expand the definition of closed-loop biomass. The closed-loop biomass would include: Brush,
trees and other biomass harvested from designated designate utility, railroad
and road right-of-ways; Upland and lowland brush harvested from lands managed
in accordance with the Department of Natural Resources’ “Best Management
Practices for Managing Brush Lands”; Slash and timber harvest residuals
harvested in compliance with Minnesota Forest Council guidelines; Trees and
brush harvested for fire prevention, disease, insect control or timber stands
for improvement purposes in compliance with Minnesota Forest Council
guidelines. Supporter and author of the
bill is Senator John Marty who is Chair of the Committee on Environmental and
Natural Resources. On
Mr.
Ganoe reported in February 2005, as part of our 2005 capital budget, the
Virginia Public Utilities in conjunction with Virginia Public Works solicited
quotes for a new water service truck, two utility service truck bodies, a
trailer mounted air compressor with jackhammer and an Allied Hole Hog in line
with the State of
carried
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Mr.
Ganoe reported the Virginia Public Utilities has provided AutoCAD training for
two of the three Engineering Technicians. Management is requesting authorization for
Engineering Technician Ron Cackoski to attend the Taylor Technologies AutoCAD
training to be held on
Management
requested authorization for Doug Ganoe and Don Rindfuss to attend the Minnesota
Office of Pipeline Safety’s annual conference to be held on April 17-20, 2005,
at Breezy Point, Minnesota for an estimated cost of $670 to include
registration and lodging (meals are included).
Mr. Ganoe mentioned the agenda would cover pipeline safety, regulatory
update, maintenance issues, operator qualification training as well as other
general topics for all conference attendees.
He believes the attendance is valuable to the Utility customers and
Virginia Public Utilities because both Mr. Rindfuss and he handle all the
department issues regarding natural gas distribution. No personnel will need to be replaced at a
cost to the Utility because Engineering Technician Don Glumac has agreed to
provide coverage in their absences.
Moved by Marks and supported by Raukar to authorize Doug Ganoe and Don
Rindfuss to attend the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety’s annual conference
to be held on
Mr. Leoni
reported at the
Discussion was held on Management staffing. With the retirement of the Warehouseman, Mr. Leoni asked Lynn Rosebush, Dori Bergman, and Connie Larson to review our needs for the warehouse. Instead of filling a Warehouseman position at pay grade 15, they proposed using an existing position in the AFSCME Local 729 contract by filling the vacant Material/Clerk Handler position at pay grade 4 and creating a Supervisor-Materials Management position. The new supervisory position would be responsible for overseeing ordering, storage of all parts, tools, and supplies, maintain security of warehouse and all storage areas, receive inventory and issue to proper department or person, and assist with implementation of Project Management Program. The Utility purchased Caselle's Project Management Program two years ago but we need the program implemented. The program tasks tie into both the warehousing and finance system. In addition, as we move forward with the new positions, there will be room to resolve the inventory control problem in the power plant. Moved by Park and supported by Marks to approve creating the position of Supervisor-Materials Management. Motion carried. Mr. Leoni extended his appreciation to Jim Muskovitz for his input and to Connie Larson, Lynn Rosebush, and Dori Bergman for resolving the warehousing and inventory control issue. Mr. Leoni apprised the Commission of the other seasonal and temporary AFSCME Local 729 position postings.
Mr. Leoni requested authorization to hire an additional 6/10’s Management position. The Virginia Public Utilities is currently paying 4/10’s salary to the City of Virginia for a Human Resources / Safety Director’s position. He requested the Virginia Public Utilities have a full-time Human Resources/Safety management position. Moved by Marks and supported by Raukar to move forward with filling the 6/10’s Human Resources/Safety position for a full-time management position. Motion carried.
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On
As
requested at the
Mr.
Leoni mentioned the current Water Freeze Prevention Policy has customers responsible
for controlling the device used to prevent freeze-up on their service from
December 1 through the end of March.
Usage prior to and after this period will be billed. Because
of the cold winter and possible deep frost line, Management requested to extend
the Water Freeze Prevention Policy turn-off through the end of April. After brief discussion, it was the consensus
of the Commission to extend the Water Freeze Prevention Policy turn-off for the
2004-2005 season to
Mr.
Marwick updated the Commission on the No. 1 Turbine overhaul project. Because of poor readings, No. 1 turbine’s
exciter and generator rotor were sent to Mielke Electric in
The
Commission and Management discussed the January 2005 fuel adjustments. Fuel adjustments are based on cost increases
for purchased power as well as diesel fuel adjustments, coal and manpower. The fuel adjustment for electric was eight
tenths of a cent, steam was seven and a half cents, and natural gas was fifteen
cents or a total 19% fuel adjustment.
Management
and the Commission expressed concerns on an individual, who is an unlicensed
plumber, doing steam system work for commercial and residential customers. This individual has been redesigning the
steam heat systems so that condensate is not running through the steam meter
but back into the steam service lines and mains. Personnel are addressing this issue in the
Revenue Recovery Program. Concern is how
to bill these customers for un-metered steam heat. The Commission requested Management relay to
the Virginia Public Utilities customers by letter, public access television,
newspaper ad and/or customer newsletter identifying this problem and that the
Virginia Public Utilities is aware of it.
In addition, it was suggested that those customers who come forward to
bring their steam systems into compliance have a reduced penalty. Commissioner Sipola requested Utility
personnel be instructed and trained on identifying this problem.
The Commission requested at the
There
being no further business to come before this meeting, Commissioner Sipola
declared the meeting adjourned. Adjournment at
ATTEST: APPROVED:
___________________________ ______________________________
Jerry
Marks, Secretary Dr.
Don Sipola, President