March 14, 2012
A regular meeting of the Grand Rapids Public Utilities Commission was held on March 14, 2012at 4:00 PM in the conference room of the Public Works/Public Utilities Service Center at 500 SE 4th Street.
Members Present:President Welliver, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Chandler.
Members Absent: Secretary Hodgson.
Others Present: General Manager Ward, Finance Manager Betts,Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager Ackerman, Water/Wastewater Collection/Safety Manager Doyle, Administrative/HR Assistant Flannigan, Attorney Bengtson, Susan Gerchman of JDI Contracts, Inc.
Motion by Johnson to approve the minutes of the February 15, 2012 regular meeting. Motion seconded byChandler and upon roll call the following voted in favor thereof: Welliver, Adams, Johnson and Chandler; Against: None, whereby the motion was declared duly passed and adopted.
Finance Manager Bettsreviewed the February2012 City Treasurer’s Report and Investment Activity Report with the Commission.
Motion byAdams to approve the City Treasurer’s Report and Investment Activity Report for February2012. Motion seconded by Chandler and upon roll call the following voted in favor thereof: Welliver, Adams, Johnson and Chandler; Against: None, whereby the motion was declared duly passed and adopted.
President Welliver acknowledged public forum. None present.
Commission Member Reports:None.
Administration:
Motion by Chandler toadoptAmendment No. 1 to Resolution 12-15-09-05; establishing the agreement between the GRPUC and City of Grand Rapids for in lieu of tax payments (PILOT) and utility supplied services. Motion seconded by Johnson and upon roll call the following voted in favor thereof: Welliver, Adams, Johnson and Chandler; Against: None, whereby the motion was declared duly passed and adopted.
The Commission reviewed a quotation from DCS Communications to purchase a narrow band radio/data communication system. Discussion followed. The Commission will address the possibility of scheduling a conference call with DCS at the end of the meeting.
Motion by Johnson to amend the solar panel system rebate program to provide a rebate of $2.00 per watt up to a maximum rebate of $10,000.00 per customer installation per year. Motion seconded by Adams and upon roll call the following voted in favor thereof: Welliver, Adams, Johnson and Chandler; Against: None, whereby the motion was declared duly passed and adopted.
Motion by Chandler to approve a request from Itasca County Habitat for Humanity to waive the connection fee for temporary electrical, and the water and sewer connection fee. Motion seconded by Johnson and upon roll call the following voted in favor thereof: Welliver, Adams, Johnson and Chandler; Against: None, whereby the motion was declared duly passed and adopted.
Accounting and Finance:
Finance Manager Betts reviewed the February2012 Operations Report with the Commission.
Motion by Adams to approve a request to waive the bond requirement and issue duplicate check to Anne H. Lewis in the amount of $380.00 for lost check #60548. Motion seconded by Johnson and upon roll call the following voted in favor thereof: Welliver, Adams, Johnson and Chandler; Against: None, whereby the motion was declared duly passed and adopted.
Electric Department:
Engineering Consultant Gerchman reviewed the February2012 Operations Report with the Commission.
Motion by Chandler authorize the purchase of a 2012 Altec AT40M aerial lift truck,as a replacement for Bucket Truck # 66, through the National Joint Powers Association purchasing process for an estimated final cost, including taxes and fees, of $131,585.00. Motion seconded by Adamsand upon roll call the following voted in favor thereof: Welliver, Adams, Johnson and Chandler; Against: None, whereby the motion was declared duly passed and adopted.
The Commission directed Consultant Gerchman to analyze costs and review the economic justification of keeping the 2002 Ford F550 Truck #66 as a backup.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations:
Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager Ackermanreviewed the February2012Operations Report with the Commission.
Water/Wastewater Collection/Safety:
Water/Wastewater Collection/Safety Manager Doylereviewed the February2012Operations Report with the Commission.
Motion by Johnson to authorize an agreement with Rural Cellular Corporation (dba Verizon Wireless) for an antenna lease on the middle water tower. Motion seconded by Chandler and upon roll call the following voted in favor thereof: Welliver, Adams, Johnson and Chandler; Against: None, whereby the motion was declared duly passed and adopted.
Safety Training Procedures and Updates:
Water/Wastewater Collection/Safety Manager Doylereviewed the safety initiatives for the month.
GRPUC Discussion/Correspondence:
MMUA Hotstick and Rubber Goods Training Program, February 9, 2012, Grand Rapids, MN - Jason Blanchard, Rodney Ruder, John Hachey, Aaron Gould, Roger McLean, Mike Bader.
SWANA/AWMA Second Annual Landfill Operator’s Training, February 22, 2012, Big Lake, MN – James Ackerman and Mark Hansen.
Change Orders:
Motion by Chandler move item 15.b. to Change Orders, and approve Change Order #1/ Final Pay Request in the amount of $50,342.00 from NovaspectProcess Management for the Delta V SCADA System. Motion seconded by Adamsand upon roll call the following voted in favor thereof: Welliver, Adams, Johnson and Chandler; Against: None, whereby the motion was declared duly passed and adopted.
Claims for Payment:
Motion by Johnson to approve Pay Request #1 from Plackner Tree Care for the 2012 Vegetation Control Contract #14 in the amount of $37,406.25. Motion seconded byAdams and upon roll call the following voted in favor thereof:Welliver, Adams, Johnson and Chandler; Against: None, whereby the motion was declared duly passed and adopted.
Motion by Adamsto approve a claim for payment in the amount of $696.62from Northern Business Products for various office supplies. Motion seconded byChandler and upon roll call the following voted in favor thereof: Welliver, Adamsand Chandler; Against: None: Abstained: Johnson, whereby the motion was declared duly passed and adopted.
Motion byJohnsonto authorize the verified claims for payment in the amount of $1,820,671.06($1,442,274.97computer checks and $378,396.09manual checks) per attached lists. Motion seconded by Chandler and upon roll call the following voted in favor thereof: Welliver, Adams, Johnson and Chandler; Against: None, whereby themotion was declared duly passed and adopted.
At 5:20 PM, the Commission recessed the meeting to Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 3:30 PM, at which time the regular meeting will reconvene to hold a conference call with DCS Communications to further review and consider a quotation to purchase a narrow band radio/data communication system.
The Commission reconvened their regular meeting of March 14, 2012 at 3:30 PM on Thursday, March 15, 2012in the conference room of the Public Works/Public Utilities Service Center at 500 SE 4th Street.
Members Present: President Welliver, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Chandler.
Members Absent: Secretary Hodgson, Commissioner Johnson.
Others Present: General Manager Ward, Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager Ackerman, Administrative/HR Assistant Flannigan, Engineering Consultant Gerchman.
The Commission participated in a conference call with Mr. Ben Crowson of DSC Communications. Discussion followed.
Motion by Adams to accepta quotation from DCS Communications and authorize the purchase of the Motorola TRBO Communications System in the amount of $62,448.00, and authorize an additional amount not to exceed $3,500.00 for the purchase of GPS antennas. Motion seconded by Chandler and upon roll call the following voted in favor thereof: Welliver, Adams and Chandler; Against: None, whereby themotion was declared duly passed and adopted.
The next regular Commission meeting is Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 4:00 PM in the conference room of the Public Works/Public Utilities Service Center at 500 SE 4th Street.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 4:10 PM.
Attest:Stephen R. Welliver, President
Dale C. Adams, Commissioner
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