02-12-2008 ERMU MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 3 Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission February 12,2008 6.1 Review ERMU Bill Printing Issue(verbal) Billflash,the company that has been printing and mailing the monthly utility bills had a problem with programming changes between their processing center and their printer. The original bills sent out had correct information on the top of the bill but other or garbled information on the bottom. Billflash agreed to send out corrected bills along with an apology letter. The whole process caused a lot of confusion for our customers. Staff decided to bring the billing process back in house. A new machine for stuffing the bills was recently purchased along with the paper stock needed. Discussion followed regarding the payment request from Billflash. James Tralle moved to deny payment of any kind for this months' mailing due to their error. Jerry Gumphrey seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. 6.2 Review and Consider Territory Acquisition The 2008 budget contains a$300,000 line item to purchase Area 18. This area includes 101 customers and an overhead electric feeder line parallel to Highway 169 on the east side from just south of Main Street to County Road 33. The budget also contains an$80,000 line item to tie this newly acquired feeder to our Substation 14 with an underground line crossing Highway 169. This will provide another tie line from Substation 14 to Substation North. Staff recommends authorization to proceed with both budgeted items. Jerry Gumphrey moved to proceed with the purchase of Area 18 and tie the newly acquired feeder to Substation 14. James Tralle seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. 6.3 Review and Consider Grass Test Plot Utility and City staff have been working on appropriate language for the proposed black dirt policy that was discussed at previous meetings. City Attorney,Peter Beck is reviewing this proposed ordinance. Bill Bronder with the Sherburne County Soil and Water Conservation District is applying for a state grant to do some test plots using eco-grass. Mr. Bronder is asking us to partner with his office on this test. Typical grass used in our area is Kentucky Blue grass which requires much water,fertilizer,and frequent mowing. Kentucky Blue grass is very drought intolerant and turns brown while going dormant with loss of water. Eco-grass is a non-native fescue grass blend. This grass needs much less water and fertilizer with extended mowing intervals and is more drought tolerant. Staff recommends authorization be given to partner with Sherbume County Soil and Water Conservation District to provide areas for test plots in high visible areas by Wells#2,#4,and#7. James Tralle moved to approve the grass test plots. Jerry Gumphrey seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.