3. ERMUSR 09-21-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL & UTILITIES COMMISSION August 25,2004 Utilities Members Present: Jerry Takle, President;James Tralle, John Dietz City Council Members Present: Mayor Stephanie Klinzing; Paul Motin, Louise Kuester, Dan Tveite Utilities Staff Present: Bryan Adams, Glenn Sundeen City Staff Present: Pat Klaers, Terry Maurer, Phil Hals, Cathy Mehelich 1. Call meeting to order August 25, 2004 Council Member Paul Motin called the August 25, 2004 meeting to order. 2.0 Work Session Pat Klaers gave the Council members and Commissioners an overview of the topics to be discussed at this meeting. 2.1 Maintenance and Repair of Highway Street Lights and Signals Pat Klaers reported upon the ERMU request, the Street Lights along Hwy 10 corridor have been inspected by MNDOT and are in need of replacement. The Utilities in the past has always taken care of the maintenance and painting of the poles and Pat Klaers feels this should be considered as part of their expense. Pat Klaers suggests splitting the cost of the pole replacement along the Hwy 10 corridor. Bryan Adams questioned if the replacement cost should be the responsibility of ERMU. Due to the benefit received by the public, is the replacement cost a tax issue or a Elk River electric customer issue. Discussion followed regarding MNDOT requirements, cost for lane closures to replace poles, condition of the median, and possible future road construction along Hwy 10. Paul Motin felt the City should replace the poles as it should be a tax payer debt not a debt to the Utilities customers for these lights benefit everyone using Hwy 10. Louise Kuester questioned if the maintenance would still remain the Utilities responsibility. Dan Tveite responded that the maintenance would remain the same. Dan Tveite moved to approve the City paying for Street Light replacement along the Hwy 10 corridor. Paul Motin seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0-1. John Dietz abstained. 2.2 Enforcement of the Two Year Utility Hookup Requirements Mayor Stephanie Klinzing and Commissioner James Tralle arrived at 6:30. When water and sewer utilities are provided to an existing development, the existing customers are sometimes given 2 years to connect. Bryan Adams went over the possibilities and benefits of the utility hookups. In 2001 an ERMU policy was adopted that required customers to hook-up to the water system. Now when the time has expired and customers still haven't hooked up where available, how should we proceed. Staff presented 6 options. John Dietz suggested to bill them the WAC fee and charge them a monthly minimum fee on their utility bill. James Tralle asked if we could somehow flag the Abstract at the County so if the house was for sale it would be required to hookup at that time. The City Attorney will explore the legalities of the options presented. John Dietz requested the City change the sewer ordinance to match the water utility. No further action taken.