3.0 ERMU MINUTES 05-13-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Page 4 Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission April 17, 2008 our own best interest to be sure that we conserve as much water as possible because we will be the most heavily impacted when that aquifer is drawn down. Our water then will have to come out of the river and it won't be as high of quality and will certainly cost more to treat and distribute. Jerry Gumphrey stated that we are looking towards the future water availability in justifying our rates to encourage conservation. John Dietz stated that we want to encourage conservation awareness by charging more, rather than by punishment and citing offenders. Jerry Takle also suggested looking into drought resistance grasses to reduce the association's water usage. Jerry Olsen requested some usage information for the past years to be able to analyze the sharp increase as usage or otherwise. Their association meeting is April 28b at 6:00 at the Library and Bryan Adams and Jerry Gumphrey stated they would attend the meeting to be able to respond to the association's concerns and questions. 5.1 Staff Up -dates Bryan Adams reported that the Business Expo went well and he will be present at the Energy Expo this weekend. He reported that Theresa was at Twin Lakes School earlier today to give presentations for their Earth Day event. Northstar Commuter Rail contacted him and desires use of the Johnson Street Water Tower for an antenna to enhance their rail connection. He will be meeting with them next week to go over the details. Troy Adams reported that there were 9 security sales and 13 completed installations for last month. The substation high side portion of the fuse coordination study has been implemented. The curb stop tie cards have been scanned and will be integrated into the system map. The safety committee will be having a speaker give a respect in the workplace presentation to all city staff on Friday. Also the annual employee lunch/picnic with safety/healthy focus is in the planning for June. This is an event that is open to all employees of the city and the utilities. John Dietz asked what we were doing to get the word out regarding our low monitoring fees. Staff responded that we place advertising in the local paper on a regular basis, and utilize bill stuffers to get the word out. David Berg reported that the Johnson Street Water Tower is filled and ready to go for this summer. The footings are in for Well #9 and that project is on schedule. This past fall the water department took all the irrigation meters out, tested them, and stored them over the winter. Now they will be placing them for the summer season usage. There are two homes in the Kliever Lake Fields development that have agreed to be test sites for the Eco -grass. Theresa Slominski reported that the new stuffing and folding machine will be here next week on Tuesday. The new printer has already arrived, has been tested, and is working well. As Bryan stated, she was at Twin Lakes School earlier today working with children in grades 2-6 and felt this was time well spent to educate the next generation on their responsibility for conservation of our natural resources. The kids really liked the bike and most were familiar with the compact fluorescent lamps and their benefit towards conserving energy. The new assistant accountant, Lome, is working out very well. In response to Vivian's retirement announcement, Greg Scherber will be training to take over her responsibilities as Assistant Office Manager; Patricia Pope will be training to take over Greg's responsibilities as Office Clerk; and we have hired a new Clerk Receptionist, Michelle Anderson, who will start May 1'. John Dietz asked if the bills will