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DERBA is not a city entity. Ms. Slominski sought clarification on the relationship between the <br />City and DERBA to understand the appropriate charges to be applied. <br /> <br />Chair Dietz shared background on the partnership between the City’s Housing and <br />Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and DERBA, wherein the HRA provides funds to the <br />businesses to beautify downtown. Chair Dietz stated that DERBA was displeased to learn that it <br />would be billed $667.50 for the installation of wreaths on the streetlights as it considered that <br />project to be part of the partnership with the HRA, a city entity which should be entitled to <br />donated labor. <br /> <br />Mr. Geiser explained that ERMU staff had not worked with any member of city staff on the <br />wreaths installation whereas they had been involved with the banner and planter installations. <br /> <br />Ms. Slominski shared that there was no communication of disagreement in October when the <br />DERBA was sent the memo that states the labor rates or when they provided ERMU the <br />contact information for the individual in charge of invoices. There was discussion. <br /> <br />Chair Dietz proposed bringing the information he had received back to the City Council to <br />discuss how to proceed. <br /> <br />Chair Dietz requested staff to draft a policy on attachments to downtown streetlights for <br />commission comments. Ms. Slominski suggested building on the existing memorandum of <br />understanding which addresses the issue. Chair Dietz agreed. <br /> <br />The Commission had consensus to send the invoice to DERBA. <br /> <br /> <br />5.0 BUSINESS ACTION <br />inancial Report – January 2022 <br />5.1 F <br />Ms. Karpinski presented the January 2022 Financial Report. <br /> <br />Chair Dietz noted his concerns about the rate of Purchased Power expenses and whether <br />the 2022 electric rate increase was going to cover costs without requiringpower cost <br />adjustments. Staff explained that ERMU’s budget is based on the numbers from its <br />wholesale power provider, and that actual costs have exceeded expectations. <br />Commissioner Stewart explained that the wholesale power provider had budgeted with <br />the best data available but external factors such as the economyandfuel supply issues <br />have affected costs. <br /> <br />Chair Dietz asked at what percent power cost adjustments are raising customer’s bills. Ms. <br />Slominski said she would find that information and bring it back to the Commission. <br /> <br />Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes <br />February 8, 2022 <br />Page 4 <br /> <br />37 <br />