3.0. SR 09-07-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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.~ ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES -~I 322 King Avenue Elk River, Minnesota 55330 Phone (612) 441-2020 Fax (612) 441-8099 September 1, 1999 To: Elk River City Council: and Stephanie Klinzing, Mayor John Dietz Daryl Thompson Larry Farber Paul Motin Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission: Jim Tralle John Dietz George Zabee From: Bryan C. Adams Subject: Waterl Waste Water Departments This issue is studying the combining of positions of Water and Sewer Superintendent. Others are suggesting combining the entire water and sewer departments. The reason for this consideration is to first- benefit the customer, second- save money for both the Utilities and the City. and third- become more efficient which mayor may not translate into saving money. . The Elk River Municipal Water system was established in 1920. The electric utility was established in 1945 with the purchase of the electrical generation and distribution system. In 1947, the Village of Elk River formed a utility commission under chapter 412, Laws of Minnesota, being responsible for the electric and municipal water utilities. A utility is defined as a waterworks, district heating system, gas, light, power or heating plant. Waste water system under the statute is not classified as a utility. The reason a utility commission exists is to operate and manage the local utility as a business yet be an arms length from the politics and political pressure of the City Council. The abolition of the Utility Commission or a utility under the Utility Commission, such as the Water Department, can only be accomplished by first, a petition signed by 15% of the voters in the last election, then a majority vote in a public election answering the question "Shall jurisdiction over the Water Department be transferred from the Public Utilities Commission to the City Council?" On the other hand, the City Council can transfer jurisdiction of the Waste Water Department to the Utilities Commission by motion or resolution. The positions of Superintendent of Sewer and Water can be combined under the jurisdiction of the Utilities Commission with no restrictions. These positions can be combined under the jurisdiction of the City Council with a very carefully drafted job description, excluding all duties relating to purchasing, expenditures and fees. This is a leadperson position and not a true manager or superintendent as currently being utilized in these positions. .