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, August 13, 2007, AT 4:30 P.M.

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

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

Absent:                        Commissioner Park

Also Present:    Terry Leoni- General Manager; Bill Hafdahl – Director-Finance & Administration; Sue Lalli -Public Relations / Customer Service Supervisor; City Councilors – Dennis Lindberg and Rob Raplinger; Customer – Larry Sullivan.    

Larry Sullivan addressed the Commission regarding damage to his property at 205 and 205 ½ 8^th St So, Virginia MN that began in December 2006.  Mr. Sullivan had spoken with Dallas Fiskari and Greg French and completed a claim form today regarding this matter.  Mr. Sullivan was concerned as to who would be responsible for the damages as his insurance company had directed him to the City.  Mr. Leoni recapped information regarding the matter as he had reviewed it with Dallas Fiskari and Greg French just before the meeting today.  Mr. Leoni noted the Utility would research this matter further and requested Mr. Sullivan contact the Utility if he does not hear from Allied Adjusters on the claim submitted within the new few weeks. 

Moved by Raukar and supported by Petroskey that financial Resolution #5110 authorizing the payroll dated August 2, 2007 in the amount of $109,891.11, checks #45009 through #45040, and direct deposits #10919 through #10972; and bills dated July 23, 2007 through August 13, 2007 in the amount of $1,174,976.54, checks #76694 through #76808, and wire and electronic transfers in the amount of $214,971.52 and the minutes of the regular meeting held on July 23, 2007 be approved as presented.  Motion carried.

Commission President Sipola noted the next LEA Meeting would be held in Virginia on Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 6 p.m.

Councilor Lindberg addressed the Commission pertaining to an article appearing in the Mesabi Daily News concerning LEA and wood deposited on land north of Virginia.  Mr. Leoni reviewed the matter and reported the wood is being moved.  It had been deposited on land with the permission of the owner, however the property boundary had not been clearly defined and the wood overlapped to that of another property owner. 

Mr. Leoni reported the new wood auger to replace the auger that had broken a few weeks ago has been shipped and should be here by Friday, August 17, 2007 and installed by Wednesday, August 22, 2007.

Moved by Bloomquist and supported by Raukar that Terry Leoni be appointed as the MMUA Delegate with the five Commissioners authorized as alternate representatives.  Motion carried.

Moved by Bloomquist and supported by Raukar that one member of management and one member of the office staff be authorized to attend the Caselle Conference to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 23 – 25, 2007 at a total estimated cost of $2,440.25.  Motion carried.

Moved by Raukar and supported by Petroskey to hold the second regular meeting of the Public Utilities Commission on August 23, 2007.  Motion carried.

The July 2007 Monthly Injury Report was reviewed and filed.

Carried forward

City of Virginia, Minnesota

Department of Public Utilities

August 13, 2007 Meeting Minutes                                                                                            Page 2

Brought forward

Mr. Leoni reported there had been a cash settlement and the Utilities had been removed from a law suit by a wedding guest who, upon exiting the Coates Hotel, had slipped and injured them self on a steam grate.  All papers have been signed releasing the Utility from any liability.

Mr. Leoni reviewed current electrical work to be done in the Power Plant by Plant Electricians.  In addition, the Utility will be updating the Plant’s controls, a project expected to take two to three years.  A request to replace one Power Plant Electrician who was recently awarded a Meter Reading position with the Department and a request to hire another Power Plant Electrician will be presented to the Commission at the second regular Commission meeting in August 2007. 

Councilor Lindberg requested further information on the status of two Tini Square Building utility accounts.  Mr. Leoni explained the completed Payment Agreements set up on the two Tini Square accounts and the current status.  Both accounts are current at this time. 

Mr. Leoni reviewed the current procedure for deposits requested from property owners.

There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commission President Sipola declared the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

ATTEST:                                                                      APPROVED:

_______________________                                      ___________________________

Matt Raukar, Secretary                                                 Don Sipola, President