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After last month's report of our reliability numbers,it was brought to our attention that some of <br /> our outages reported to the American Public Power Association(APPA)had a discrepancy in <br /> the customer counts. After sending them the corrected data, some of our reliability numbers <br /> changed. Wade Lovelette gave a brief explanation on the updated numbers. <br /> At the last meeting the Commission requested staff bring back some comparisons of our utility <br /> with other public power utilities in our region. Wade Lovelette included APPA's published <br /> averages in the revised report. The averages are a useful tool for utilities to better understand the <br /> performance of their electrical system relative to other utilities nationally and to those within <br /> their region or size class. We were unable to get averages from MMUA as they have not <br /> received consistent data submittal from other utilities. <br /> 5.0 NEW BUSINESS <br /> 5.1 National Information Solutions Cooperative Software Implementation Update <br /> Jennie Nelson was present to give an update on the NISC Software conversion. Jennie <br /> shared that we have now been through our first billing and that there were definitely some <br /> challenges. There were some things that didn't go out as we thought they would; nothing <br /> major,just a few small things. Some of the issues may have stemmed from the Project <br /> Manager we were assigned from NISC. We struggled with him and his lack of <br /> understanding on how to set up our information in the system. Jennie stated that we have <br /> also found some things that are working really well. Having NISC print the bills and send <br /> them out has been fantastic; not to mention no more eco-envelopes. We've also received <br /> positive feedback from our customers on the improved online payment capabilities. There <br /> was further discussion. <br /> Theresa Slominski spoke about the interface capabilities between the accounting and the <br /> customer care and billing side. One of the benefits is there's a lot more data available for <br /> reporting. They're still learning how to read and utilize all the reports and have also <br /> identified some things they'll need some customized reports for. The volume of <br /> information they can track for individual account postings to the general ledger side has <br /> greatly improved. Daryl Thompson stated that it sounds like it was worth it. Staff <br /> responded. <br /> Troy Adams added that there are other modules that are available to us that we'll explore <br /> once we get comfortable with what we have. These modules were not available to us with <br /> Power Manager. Although we had significant challenges, once we're able to fully utilize <br /> the software, we'll be light years ahead of where we were. A lot of credit should go to <br /> Jennie Nelson who has stepped up and took on the customer care and billing side of the <br /> conversion along with learning a whole new department. Troy announced that Jennie has <br /> been recognized with a national award from APPA; the Robert E. Roundtree Rising Star <br /> Award. The award is given to individuals who are recognized by peers as future leaders of <br /> Page 3 <br /> Special meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission <br /> March 17,2015 <br />