6.2. ERMUSR 04-14-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Staff Update -Theresa Slominski, Finances and Administration I met with Mary Eberley, Insurance representative from First National Financial Insurance, and Tim Simon, Finance Director from the City, to review 2009 boiler and machinery insurance renewal effective 4/1/2009. Mary obtained quotes from AIG (current provider), Starr-Tech-ACE, The League of Minnesota Cities, and Travelers to consider as AIG is undergoing changes. In reviewing all data and considering the pros and cons of insurance options, it was decided to move the policy to The League of Minnesota Cities. The League's premium is a over $10,000 thousand dollars less than the AIG policy and we will be able to have all of our insurances with one company. Moving forward, the boiler and machinery would have the 7/1 renewal date to coincide with the other insurance (general liability, property, and workers compensation) renewal date. For your information, I have included the insurance comparison sheet that we referenced at our meeting. We did first quarter inventory counts on March 25. In this process, a sample of approximately 10% of each department's inventory was selected, as well as all the wire for electric, and then counted. Through this exercise, some additional procedures for the most efficient counting of the wire, and more defined segregation ofnon-inventory items were identified. As we move through the various inventory counts each quarter, I am sure more efficiencies will be achieved. After the counts were compared to the inventory records, a group from the electric department met with some office staff (Judy McSpadden, Chris King, Mark Fuchs, Mike Thiry, Lorrie Franz, and myself) to discuss the process and review the numbers. There were some differences and we were able to identify the reasons for the differences (some items were on the trucks and not the stock room, amix-up in identifying a particular bolt, weight versus meter device for wire counts.) All felt it was a good exercise and, while they are not particularly excited for the next quarterly count, they will be better prepared for it. I will be at Twin Lakes School on April 17~` to participate in the Earth Day recognition and be presenting to grades K-5 on energy conservation. This is a great opportunity to educate the youth in Elk River on energy consumption and their part in helping to reduce that. I will have the demonstration bike there to help illustrate the impact a Compact Fluorescent Lamp has compared to a regular light bulb. Angela from the Water Department will be there as well as other participants such as the City of Elk River, GRE (with a hybrid car! ), Sherburne County, Randy's sanitation, Elk River Landfill, and University of MN. We have started testing a new meter reading device that should allow for greater efficiency in collecting meter reads -more information collected in less time. This should enable us to renegotiate our meter reading contract that renews effective 6/1/09 at a slightly lower rate. How much of a reduction is still to be determined as we continue to test the device.