3.2 ERMU MINUTES 09-08-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 4 Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission August 11, 2009 Jerry Gumphrey moved to award the wire contract to Resco, the lowest responsive bidder. Daryl Thompson seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. 5.3 Review and Consider Education Reimbursement Policy Revisions In a rapidly evolving industry with practices and technology becoming ever more complicated, encouraging continuing education through a program such as Elk River Municipal Utilities' Education Assistance Policy is mutually beneficial to the employee and employer. This policy allows for employees to continue growing with technology providing the necessary skills useful to the Utilities to provide safe and reliable services at competitive costs. The current policy is 100% reimbursement capped at $2,000 annually. The employee gets reimbursed after the class providing they receive a satisfactory passing grade. Staff is asking for the cap to be raised to $3000. Jerry Gumphrey said he thought this would be a good incentive. Jerry Gumphrey moved to change the Education Assistance Policy to 100% reimbursement capped at $3000. Daryl Thompson seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. 5.4 Review and Consider 2010 Budget Schedule Staff started the process of assembling the year 2010 budgeting process. Travel & Training and 10 Year Personnel projections were reviewed. Consensus of the Commissioners was approval of the budgeting process to date. This will be presented with the remaining budget for final approval at a later date. 6.1 Staff Updates Troy Adams reported electric sales are up from last year to date. Due to the publicity involved with the Bid Stone II project, power suppliers have contacted ERMU showing interest in supplying future power. MN Power has asked for a letter of interest for future power supply discussions. Jerry Gumphrey said it is a good idea to start talking with other power suppliers now. Theresa Slominsld informed the Commission of the PCA that was absorbed in 2008 totaling $184,000 and the PCA absorbed this year to date is $209,000. John Dietz asked at what point does ERMU pass the PCA on to the customers. Troy Adams stated he would like to hold off one more month to see how the revenue stream comes in. John Dietz agreed but stated ERMU could not keep absorbing fees like these and not pass them on to the customer. John Dietz directed staff to check on the percentages of the PCA versus sales. Jerry Gumphrey asked if the customers have to be notified of the PCA prior to charging them. Troy Adams responded he was not aware of any notification needed. Theresa Slominski replied that of PCAs passed on to customers in the past, some have been credits accumulated over