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