02-14-2012 ERMUMIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 3 Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission February 14, 2012 5.1 Review 2011 Annual Safety Resort Minnesota Rules Chapter 7826 of the Public Utilities Commission Electric Utility Standards covers safety, reliability, service, and reporting requirements. Per 7826.0100(A), municipal utilities are exempt from these requirements. However, the ERMU Utilities Commission adopted parts of this chapter as a Distribution Reliability Standard policy, which includes an Annual Safety Report requirement. The policy requires ERMU to "file an annual safety performance report with its local governing body. The report will include summaries of all reports filed with OSHA and the Occupational Safety and Health Division of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry during the calendar year." Troy Adams reviewed the report and comparisons from the previous year. There were no missed days of work due to an injury in 2011. Commissioners thought it was a great report. 5.2 Review 2011 Annual Electric Reliability Report Minnesota Rules Chapter 7826 of the Public Utilities Commission Electric Utility Standards covers safety, reliability, service, and reporting requirements. Per 7826.0100(A), municipal utilities are exempt from these requirements. However, the ERMU Utilities Commission adopted a number of parts of this chapter as a Distribution Reliability Standard policy, requiring annual reporting on system reliability. Even with the weather issues in 2011, the Reliability index numbers for ERMU are excellent. The Average Service Availability Index (ASAI) for 2011 was 99.994% availability. Discussion followed. John Dietz said some of these numbers should be included in the annual report to the City Council. Consensus was this was an excellent report and to keep up the good work. 5.3 Review Deposit Policy Revision At the January 10, 2012 ERMU Commission meeting, there was some discussion during the fourth quarter write -offs that prompted a further look into the deposit amounts required for apartments. When the policy was first written, the deposit amount was to be two times the average month's usage. Rather than calculate that amount for every customer, averages were determined that could be applied across the board to all residential customers classes. The new deposit recommendation is $100 for apartments, $100 for water and sewer services, $150 for all - electric heat services, and $250 for all three services (electric, water, and sewer). The amount required to be deposited for commercial services shall be equal to two times ERMU's estimate of the customer's highest monthly bill. Discussion followed. Troy Adams said staff recommended there should be a minimum amount for the commercial accounts. Consensus was to have a minimum of $250 for commercial accounts. Additional discussion brought up the Revenue Recapture program implemented in 2011. Theresa Slominski updated the Commission the amount ERMU has been able to collect since October 2011 was $4017.