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conclusion of this process, Bryan Adams was selected for the position. He assumed the post on
<br /> August 19, 1996.1°2
<br /> Rate studies were conducted regularly as ERMU sought to be competitive with other local
<br /> providers. After a 1996 study found that ERMU rates were higher than those of AEC, ERMU
<br /> promoted lower commercial rates to attract businesses to Elk River, which would broaden the
<br /> city's tax base and expand employment. ERMU also worked to renegotiate its contract with AEC
<br /> and UPA to be able to offer more competitive rates.l03
<br /> Increasing demand to the northwest led ERMU to conduct an engineering study in 1996 that
<br /> identified potential sites and estimated costs for a well, filter plant, and water tower to serve that
<br /> area. The study also evaluated a proposed water main extension that could delay the need for a
<br /> sixth water tower. Other infrastructure projects in that year were necessitated by obsolete
<br /> equipment. The eastern substation was critically failing and removed from the operating system.
<br /> ERMU's computer network file server reached its capacity, so the system was upgraded. Roof
<br /> repair was required at the King Street building,which was also beginning to show signs of wear
<br /> and age.104
<br /> ERMU also began an apprenticeship program for electric line workers in 1996. The program
<br /> developed skills, knowledge, and abilities so that these workers could advance to the journeyman
<br /> position. Journeymen who wanted to improve their skills were also encouraged to participate.
<br /> Education opportunities were extended to other workers through a program that offered up to
<br /> $2,000 toward tuition.105
<br /> In comparison to the preceding year, 1997 was relatively calm. A hot, dry summer led to
<br /> sprinkling restrictions, which ERMU had been authorized to implement by a 1995 city
<br /> ordinance.Water shortages were eased when the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
<br /> (DNR) authorized an appropriation of 200 million gallons of water from four wells for Elk
<br /> River's public water supply.The DNR, however,noted that significant amounts of water were
<br /> being used for sprinkling lawns and urged Elk River to start a public education program about
<br /> water conservation, leading ERMU to develop brochures on that subject.106
<br /> In 1997, ERMU celebrated its fiftieth anniversary of serving Elk River, Otsego, Dayton, and
<br /> surrounding rural areas as a public power provider. In those fifty years, service had grown to
<br /> include 6,000 electric and 2,000 water customers.107
<br /> 102 ERMU,"Special Meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission,"March 27, 1996;Anoka Electric
<br /> Cooperative,"Utilities Management Services Agreement,"April 9, 1996;ERMU,"Special Meeting of the Elk River
<br /> Municipal Utilities Commission,"August 5-6, 1996.
<br /> 103 Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Minutes,March 8, 1996.
<br /> 104 Ibid.June 11,July 9,September 11,and October 8, 1996.
<br /> 105 Ibid.,November 12, 1996.
<br /> 106 Ibid.,July 11, 1995,January 12 and July 9, 1997;letter from John Stine,Administrator,Minnesota Department
<br /> of Natural Resources,to Robert J.McCartney,ERMU,August 13, 1997;ERMU archival files.
<br /> 107"Elk River Municipal Utilities Celebrates Fifty Years of Service to Elk River and Surrounding Areas,"ERMU
<br /> files.
<br /> 98
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