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Page 2 <br />Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission. <br />December 9, 2008 <br />6.1 Review & Consider Vehicle Maintenance <br />Well maintained vehicles and equipment are key components to productivity and safety. <br />ERMU currently uses the City of Elk River for much of their vehicle and equipment <br />maintenance needs. Phil Hals informed the commission that he met with ERMU staff <br />regarding the maintenance possibilities. The City currently uses a card program that monitors <br />gallons of gas used per vehicle that in turn provides a report for when maintenance is needed. <br />John Dietz asked if there was a set fee for oil changes instead of the hourly rate as was billed <br />previously. Terry Maurer said a flat fee has been set for the oil changes. Discussion followed <br />as to the possibility of implementing the card system at the ERMU power plant and the cost <br />involved. Phil Hals shared a quote procured from the company that provides their gas usage <br />recording system. Terry Maurer suggested trying the program at the City prior to purchasing <br />to see if it would fit our needs. Consensus was to assign a couple of trucks to fill at the City <br />pump and try out the card program and revisit the implementation of this program. Mark <br />Fuchs stated Beaudry Oil supplies our tanks and delivers the gas, and possibly they have some <br />type of system available. Phil Hals commented on scheduling concerns that were expressed <br />and said the mechanics will expedite repairs if necessary by scheduling appointments to allow <br />for minimum downtime. <br />Currently, the booms on the trucks are being inspected and repaired by a place that is trained <br />and certified in this type of repair. It was asked if the City shop could take on this <br />responsibility. Phil Hals responded it would be possible but not feasible for testing as the <br />equipment is very expensive. Jerry Gumphrey said because of the safety issues he would <br />prefer the boom maintenance remain with the certified repair facility, but feels it is a good idea <br />for the City to perform all other repairs and maintenance on all utility vehicles. This will be <br />revisited at a later date. <br />5.1 Staff Uudates <br />Vance Zehringer said he will be meeting with CMMPA regarding future power supply <br />issues and also with Wright-Hennepin Cooperative on other power alternatives. Vance said if <br />there is another option out there that would be feasible and less expensive, would we want to <br />check into getting out of the Connexus contract prior to the expiration of the current contract. <br />Jerry Gumphrey said the attorney should have a look at the contract with Connexus. Jerry <br />Takle said he doubted there would be anything as he felt we were getting a good deal from <br />Connexus. Vance also talked about his meeting with United Health Group (UHG) regarding <br />energy spikes incurred when they were testing their equipment. Luckily for ERMU they were <br />not testing at the time our November wholesale billing peak was set. Because of the spike in <br />their usage, their demand charges were twice as high as normal for November. Can we <br />forgive these demand charges during their integrity testing as long as it is done late at night? <br />Jerry Gumphrey was concerned it would involve running their generators. Vance responded it <br />would not. Consensus to approve the forgiveness of the additional demand charge for <br />