6.1a. ERMUSR 10-21-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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difference in a facility that manufactures from one that assembles. Although we have not had any issues with the current product, we feel that quality and service should be better for vehicles manufactured at this facility. This should also result in cost savings to ERMU. At the open house, we were able to discuss fleet practices and specifications with other utilities including Connexus Energy and Xcel Energy. • The software conversion to NISC required an update for our cash drawer at the front counter. We have had local finish carpenters look at our front counter and advise on the modifications required to fit the new cash drawers. This work will need to be completed prior to the Customer Care and Billing module of NISC going live in 2015. The initial draft of the history report has been completed by Hess, Roise and Company. This report covers 1994 through 2015 to coincide with ERMU's 100`h anniversary. At this point the draft is really rough. I will be working with the historians to develop an ERMU public power story line that ties the facts and stats together and highlight the great journey our community has taken. The previous history report that had been completed in 1994 will be used in conjunction with the new report. I plan to write a prologue to set up the public power story line and then an epilogue to talk about our bright future. When we get closer to publication, I'd like to get a picture of the Commission and a picture of all the employees to include in the book. • I have submitted a request to the City for the use of water trunk utility funds to pay for engineering and construction planning in 2015 for the addition of a filtration plant for well #9. The filtration plant is the last phase of a multiyear project to increase water system capacity to the Nature's Edge Business Park area. This request will be considered by Council on October 20 as part of their Capital Improvement Plan. • The draft amendment to the non - exclusive tower attachment lease agreement for the Sprint 2.5 equipment upgrade has been completed. I am currently reviewing the amendment. Depending on the Sprint review process, this amendment to the agreement may be ready for Commission consideration in November. The Sprint 2.5 upgrade is planned for three of our water towers. As ERMU goes through the software conversion to NISC staff is auditing ALL customer data, rates, and fees. We want to be able to move forward in the new system with high confidence in data accuracy. This process has already identified numerous programing and procedural issues that we are correcting. Not only do we want accurate data on the "go live" date, we also want improved practices and procedures. We are currently working on data issues relating to security lights and trash accounts. On October 3, Wade Lovelette gave formal notice of his upcoming retirement on June 30, 2015. Having worked for ERMU for over three decades, Wade has experienced and contributed to the growth of the Utilities. He will be able to celebrate his retirement along with celebrating the 100th anniversary of the utility he helped build. ATTACHMENTS: • ERMU Request for City Council Action — Memo and Resolution Recognizing Public Power Week, October 5 -11, 2014 • Duluth News Tribune — Altec is on the up in Duluth — October 8, 2014 • ERMU Request for Approval of Trunk Utility Funding for Filter Plant Project Engineering — October 13, 2014 • Wade Lovelette Notice of Retirement — October 3, 2014 P O w E 0 E 0 e r Page 2 of 2 A�iURE Reliable Public Power Provider P O W E R E D To S E R V E 105