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, APRIL 24, 2006 AT 4:30 P.M.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

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

 

Present:                        Commissioners Bloomquist, Muskovitz, Park, Raukar and Sipola.       

Absent:             None

 

Also Present:    Terry Leoni, General Manager; Bill Hafdahl – Director-Finance & Administration; Sue Lalli, Public / Customer Relations Supervisor; Doug Ganoe – Director of Operations Production.

 

Moved by Park and supported by Raukar that financial Resolution No. 5078 authorizing the payroll dated April 13, 2006 in the amount of $85,195.41, checks #44140 through #44161, and direct deposits #9115 through #9166; and bills dated April 13, 2006 through April 24, 2006 in the amount of $302,927.51, checks #73553 through #73619, and wire and electronic transfers in the amount of $183,148.55 and the minutes of the regular Commission meeting held on April 10, 2006 be approved as amended.  Motion carried. 

 

Minutes from the LEA meeting held on March 21, 2006 were presented.  The General Manager updated the Commission on the construction phase of the Biomass Project and to date the project is on schedule and on budget.  LEA has submitted the Clean Renewable Energy Bond application to the Treasury / IRS.  It will take several months to determine our success and the amount of bonding.

 

The Engineering Department presented a bid tabulation for the 2006 Gas Projects.  It is the recommendation of Management to accept the bid of Quality Contracting to continue with the abandoning of steel gas mains and replace them with plastic gas mains at a total base bid of $141,872.50.  Quality Contracting has done work for the Utility and has proven to be very dependable and is familiar with the Virginia gas system.  The Alternate A and B bids were reviewed at this time.  Moved by Raukar and supported by Muskovitz to accept the base bid of Quality Contracting to continue with the abandoning of steel gas mains and replace them with plastic gas mains at a total base bid of $141,872.50.  Motion carried. 

 

Moved by Raukar and supported by Park that Management be authorized to offer the position of Temporary Plant Electrician to Phillip Medure with a start date of April 24, 2006; to be on probation in the position for 134 shifts in accordance with the AFSCME Labor Agreement.  Motion carried.

 

The second negotiation meeting for the AFSCME Labor Agreement was held today and the next negotiation meeting is set for May 9, 2006.  It was noted that AFSCME has filed for mediation.

 

An update on the AMR Project was given by Bill Hafdahl.  Major planning issues, progress to date, and future plans were covered.  A test will be run later this summer in a steam area located on the North side of Virginia – an area on 6th and 7th Avenue North between 9th and 12th Streets North.  Installation is scheduled to continue through the summer of 2007.  As time and staffing permits, we will be working in the Lenci, Sunset, Elpina, and Olcott Additions.  Installation of AMR for meters that are in confined spaces will also take place.

 

The 2006 Capital Budget was discussed as impacted by the City’s request for work during the 2006 construction season.  Work requested and dollars required have been revised for many of the City’s projects.

 

There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commission President Sipola declared the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

 

ATTEST:                                       APPROVED:

 

 

 

_______________________                        ___________________________

Matt Raukar, Secretary                                 Dr. Don Sipola, President