1. The regular meeting of the Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission. was called to order by President Rykken at 4:30 p.m.

Transcription

1 CALL TO ORDER: MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 SAUK CENTRE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING 1. The regular meeting of the Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission was called to order by President Rykken at 4:30 p.m. on September 11, 2006 at the office of the Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission. Commissioners present were Dennis Rykken, Dave Thomas, Rich Bullard, Ted Spanier and Roy Walz. Also present was Superintendent Marty Sunderman. MINUTES: 2. By general consent, the following minutes were approved: a. The minutes of the Regular Monthly Commission Meeting held on August 11, UTILITY BILLS: 3a. A motion was introduced by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Bullard that the following utility bills be approved: The full listing of the August, 2006 accounts payable in the amount of $404, This motion carried unanimously five to zero. FINANCIAL REPORTS: 4a&b. By general consent, the Commission approved all of the financial and investment reports as presented by Superintendent Sunderman.

2 CORRESPONDENCE AND MEETINGS: 5a. The next regular meeting of the Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission will be held on October 9, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. 5b. The Commission was reminded of the Open House on Friday, September 29, 2006 from 11 am to 1 pm. 5c. The Commission set a date for a special Electrical Rate Study meeting with Missouri River Energy Services for Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 11:30 am. OLD BUSINESS: 6a. A motion was made by Commissioner Thomas and seconded by Commissioner Spanier to approve the first pay request of $138, from the Stearns County Highway Department for the County Road 17 project. Motion carried unanimously five to zero. 6b. Superintendent Sunderman informed the Commission that the wastewater plant land survey from Engelmeyer Surveying, P.A. is completed and available for review. 6c. A motion was made by Commissioner Bullard and seconded by Commissioner Thomas to approve the final pay request of $26, from Barbarosa & Sons, Inc. for the Lakeshore Drive sewer lift project. Motion carried unanimously five to zero.

3 6d. Superintendent Sunderman updated the Commission on the substation project. He informed the Commission of an easement problem and other minor issues. After some discussion, the Commission gave their approval to have Superintendent Sunderman work out these details with the contractor. 6e. A motion was made by Commissioner Spanier and seconded by Commissioner Thomas to approve the final draw of funds from the Midwest Consortium of Municipal Utilities Finance Program for the estimated amount of $26, Motion carried unanimously five to zero. NEW BUSINESS: 7a. Superintendent Sunderman reviewed with the Commission the Alcohol and Drug policy that he and Attorney Tom Mayer had revised. After some discussion, the Commission agreed to have Superintendent Sunderman talk with someone from Midwest EAP Solutions to see what their recommendation would be on this policy and also make some minor changes to wording in the policy. 7b. The Commission received a letter from the audit firm of Ness Waller Pearson Co. informing them that Jim Megel is leaving the firm effective October 1, The Commission also discussed the upcoming 2006 annual audit. A motion was made by Commissioner Bullard and seconded by Commissioner Walz to approve the hiring of Ness, Waller, Pearson & Co., Ltd. of Alexandria, Minnesota for the 2006 annual audit. Motion carried unanimously five to zero.

4 5:15 pm At this time, Rich Bullard excused himself as a commissioner from the regular meeting. 7c. Rich Bullard of First National Insurance Agency was present to give an explanation of the current general liability and workers compensation insurance coverage. Mr. Bullard informed the Commission that the premium for the year 2007 would be approximately $600-$700 lower than it was in After reviewing the coverage options, a motion was made by Commissioner Thomas, and seconded by Commissioner Walz to retain the current coverage plan and to waive statutory limits on liability coverage. Motion carried four to zero, with Commissioner Bullard abstaining. Resolution # was brought to the attention of the Commission by Mr. Bullard, stating that the Commissioners be considered to be employees of the Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission when it pertains to all matters concerning workers compensation coverage. A motion was made by Commissioner Thomas and seconded by Commissioner Spanier to adopt resolution # Motion carried four to zero, with Commissioner Bullard abstaining. After Item #7c, Mr. Bullard returned back to the meeting again participating as a commissioner.

5 COMMISSIONERS ITEMS: 8a. Commissioner Rykken reported on the MMUA annual summer meeting held from Aug , 2006 at Arrowwood in Alexandria, MN. 8b. Commissioner Rykken discussed with the other Commissioners the current investment and purchasing policies the City uses. After some discussion, the Commission asked if Superintendent Sunderman would get a copy from the City to see if their investment and purchasing policies could be beneficial to use in our utility. SUPERINTENDENT S ITEMS 9a. Superintendent Sunderman reviewed with the Commission four quotes received from vendors pertaining to purchasing a new gas monitor. After reviewing the quotes, a motion was made by Commissioner Walz and seconded by Commissioner Spanier to approve the purchase of a new gas monitor from Infratech Technologies, Inc. who had the low quote price of $ b. The Commission reviewed the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association s safety compliance group contract for the year A motion was made by Commissioner Bullard, and seconded by Commissioner Thomas to approve the contract. Motion carried unanimously five to zero. 9c. Superintendent Sunderman reviewed with the Commission, the Missouri River Energy Services sponsorship donation of $ After

6 some use $350 towards discussion, the Commission by general consent agreed to the utilities open house on September 29, 2006 and $150 to the City of Sauk Centre s wall advertising space rental agreement at the Civic Arena. 9d. There was discussion on hiring an outside independent contractor to help the line crew finish their current projects before the ground freezes. After some discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Walz Sunderman and seconded by Commissioner Spanier to have Superintendent hire linemen from Emblom Midwest Powerline Construction to help complete unfinished construction projects before winter. Being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Mark Rachey, Secretary Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission mr