07-17-2012 ERMU MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Page 4 Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission July 17, 2012 channel but to have an introduction first. He also discussed strategic planning and its importance in the long term visioning and goals of ERMU. Al Nadeau discussed the meeting he attended regarding Utilities Governance Policies and Employee Recruitment, Retention, and Development. He felt they were good classes and very important to the organization. Theresa Slominski gave an overview of the Financial Oversight and Budgeting seminar she attended. Troy Adams recommended to the commissioners that a strategic planning course would be beneficial. The decision was to proceed with this program after the first of the year. Staff was directed to get strategic plan examples from other utilities for the commissioners to look at. 5.4 Substation Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition Installation Update In March 2012, ERMU staff met with United Services Group (USG) to go over plans for installing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) at each of the substations. This will give ERMU real-time data and control of switching from remote locations. ERMU staff has been trenching and pulling the wire and fiber optic to lessen the installation costs. Wade Lovelette gave an update on the status of this project. 5.5 Discussion Resarding Property Adjacent To Diesel Power Plant In June 1915, Fred Waterman incorporated the Elk River Power and Light Company. This private company built a 200 horsepower turbine generator at the Elk River Dam on Lake Orono. In 1945, the Village of Elk River purchased the Elk River Power and Light Company. And on July 11, 1947, the Elk River Village Council created statutory authority a "Water, Light, Power and Building Commission," the birth of a public power and water utility in Elk River. One of the first capital improvements made by the utilities was to build the Diesel Power Plant next to the Elk River Dam. To the east of the power plant and ERMU property is a 6.6 acre lot which has no recorded easement for access to Main Street and currently accesses the property through the ERMU property at 1705 Main Street. This resident is trying to secure a loan for improvements to the property including connecting to the City sewer system and a recorded easement is required. Discussion followed regarding the options available for an easement to this property without the need to utilize the ERMU property located at 1705 Main St. Daryl Thompson moved to work with the property owner at acquiring an easement at a cost not to exceed $4,000. At Nadeau seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. 6.0 OTHER BUSINESS