04-10-2018 ERMU MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

In comparing the 2017 to 2018 year to date expenses, Chair Dietz questioned why the Electric Department Maintenance Expense was up more than $108,000. Staff responded that a large part of it was due to tree trimming. Commissioner Stewart pointed out that there was a detailed breakdown of that expense account on page 165. According to the breakdown,the three largest contributors to the increase were: maintenance of overhead lines/tree trimming; maintenance of meters; and transportation expense. Chair Dietz requested that staff analyze those three accounts and provide a further breakdown as to what is contributing to the large increase. For the Electric Department Loss on Disposition of Property line item, Commissioner Stewart noted that there was a$21,962 expense this year, and nothing in the prior year. She was curious as to what that expense was for. Ms. Slominski stated she would need to look into it further and get back to her. Commissioner Stewart also had one other question on the Interest Paid on Meter Deposit line item and what the contributing factor was in the large increase this year from last. Ms. Slominski indicated she would need to look into this further and report back on this as well. Moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Bell to receive the February 2018 Financial Report. Motion carried 5-0. 6.0 BUSINESS DISCUSSION 6.1 Staff Updates Mr.Adams provided an update on the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission(PUC)filing for the electric service boundary change for Areas 3 &4. He shared that we just received notice that the PUC has approved the change. Mr.Adams provided a heads up to the Commission that staff would be working to coordinate his annual performance review within the next few months. He noted that per our governance policy,this evaluation should take place sometime during the second quarter of each fiscal year. Ms. Slominski had noted in her staff report that April 15 will mark the end of the cold weather rule and staff anticipates high numbers for shutoffs once this comes to an end. Chair Dietz commented that with the change in billing cycles that it was his understanding that we may potentially disconnect more offenders than in the past. Staff stated that was correct. There was discussion. Mr. Tietz had nothing additional to add to his staff report. Chair Dietz asked if the locate tickets were beginning to pick up. Mr. Tietz shared that while it has picked up within the last month, it's still down from a year ago due to the weather. Mr. Sagstetter provided an update on the DC fast charger and the problems we had been having with the combo unit. Page 5 Regular Meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission April 10,2018