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______________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 1 of 1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING <br /> <br />TO: <br />ERMU Commission <br />FROM: <br />Mark Hanson – General Manager <br />MEETING DATE: <br />May 13, 2025 <br />AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: <br />6.1a <br />SUBJECT: <br />Staff Update <br />ACTION REQUESTED: <br />None <br /> <br />DISCUSSION: <br />• Water Superintendent Dave Ninow and I met with representatives from ISD 728 to discuss <br />the possibility of constructing a water treatment plant on district-owned property at Twin <br />Lakes Elementary School. This is an ideal location for the plant as ERMU will be drilling our <br />next municipal drinking water well on the adjacent property, Fire Station #3. The <br />conversation went well with the district representatives confirming a willingness to work <br />with ERMU. They will discuss our request with the district superintendent and the school <br />board. Two potential paths for moving forward include creating a utility easement on school <br />property or selling the requested property to ERMU. Staff will continue to keep the <br />Commission apprised as more detailed information becomes available. <br />• Staff continues to work on several lease agreements with cellular and fiber carriers. Verizon <br />wants to add additional antennas to Auburn Tower, AT&T would like to install antennas at <br />Freeport Tower, and both Verizon and Comcast have requested to attach fiber lines to our <br />existing utility poles. Staff has worked with Campbell Knutson to update our standard lease <br />agreement terms for each effort. <br />• Staff has had several meetings with Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) <br />representatives to coordinate upcoming project needs and timing. MMPA has already <br />started work on their renewable natural gas project at the Waste Management Landfill site. <br />Work on their solar site west of city limits is planned to begin next year. <br />• The MMPA Board of Directors met April 22, 2025, at the Faribault Energy Park in Faribault, <br />M and via videoconference. Commissioner Stewart and I attended. The public summary <br />follows: <br />o The Board reviewed the Agency’s financial/operating performance for March 2025. <br />o Participation in the residential Clean Energy Choice program increased by 57 <br />customers. Customer penetration for the program is 6.2%. <br />o The Board discussed the status of renewable projects the Agency is pursuing. <br />104