BIWABIK PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

The Biwabik Public Utilities Commission met for their Regular Meeting on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers.

Commissioner Sherek called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.

Roll call:

Present: Commissioners Larson, Sherek, and Niemi

Absent:

Others present: Administrator J. Jacobson, Administrative Assistant S. Maki

Audience: Jim Gentilini, Matt Reid, Mark Jackson, Dave Ekern, Britt See-Benes, Doug Eli

Jim Gentilini from Aurora Water discussed the incident up at Voyageurs Retreat where the two manholes formed ice and collapsed pipes this last winter. New pipes were installed to fix it. Matt Reid City Engineer discussed we could try insulating covers to keep pipes on top from freezing. We could get a hold of Greg for manhole inserts and have JTS spray foam the covers. Commissioner Sherek agreed that we could order twenty inserts and hire JTS to spray foam the covers.

Commissioner Sherek brought up water spout by old school is back. He showed it to Loren. Matt Reid discussed putting drain tile a couple feet down and it will give water place to go and go down storm drain. He does not think it is a water main, could test for fluoride to verify that. Once second lift goes in water will go down storm drain. Matt recommends waiting it out longer to see what happens, they just had the fire training in the old school and it could be run off from there.

Matt Reid discussed pay request #3 from Magney and recommends paying it. There has been a couple issues that just came up with that project and there is going to be a change order with a cost of around $600-$1000. Commissioner Sherek discussed Administrator Jacobson can approve the change order when it comes through. Control panel at the lift station itself is also all rusted out.

Doug Eli from Energy Insight came to the meeting to introduce himself and to go over the CIP 2014 Reporting ESP. He discussed we have met all of the States CIP requirements for savings. At the beginning of each year we receive a CIP approval letter with results of our CIP Program. This information he brought is a review of that information before being submitted by June 1st. Our streetlight conversion to LED helped reach that goal and will continue helping reach that goal.

Councilor Dave Ekern presented adding storm water utility as a separate utility with the council or make it part of the PUC. Councilor Ekern recommends making it a function of PUC due to they are already doing the billing regime. He discussed will need rate structure as a joint venture as part of the budget process July/August. Monday is the meeting for budget process. Commissioner Niemi discussed storm water drainage is the management of ditches, catch basins, and pipes underground. Commissioner Sherek asked that Matt Reid provide information on how to bill for it. Commissioner Sherek discussed having a Resolution drafted before the next meeting on the PUC’s intent to take on storm water as a utility. Rate will come later. Councilor Ekern will report to the council the PUC’s intent on taking on storm water.

Moved by Commissioner Niemi, supported by Commissioner Larson to approve the April 2015 City of Aurora invoice. Motion carried. Commissioner Larson would like more information on call outs on the monthly invoice.

Moved by Commissioner Niemi, supported by Commissioner Larson to approve the March 2015 MP Monthly Maintenance Agreement. Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Larson, supported by Commissioner Niemi to approve the March 2015 and April 2015 Minnesota Power Invoices. Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Niemi, supported by Commissioner Larson to approve the regular meeting minutes from April 9, 2015. Motion carried. Commissioner Larson would like Administrator Jacobson to get a second quote on fencing as discussed at April 9, 2015 meeting.

Moved by Commissioner Niemi, supported by Commissioner Larson to approve the Financial Reports – Revenue and Expenditure Summary - March 2015. Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Sherek, supported by Commissioner Larson to approve the Morgan Stanley Reports from March 2015 and April 2015. Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Larson, supported by Commissioner Niemi to approve Bills & Payroll: Electric, Water, Sewer 4/03/2015 - $18,329.94 – Electric, Water, and Sewer 4/17/2015 - $102,544.66. Motion carried.

Communications: A. Minnesota Pollution Control – Notice of Violation – Wastewater Treatment Facility. Jim Gentilini discussed an unexpected inspection of the wastewater treatment facility occurred on April 8, 2015 and a Notice of Violation was issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to the City of Biwabik for alleged violations that the MPCA staff discovered during the inspection. A response to the Notice of Violation letter has been drafted and will be sent out by next week with Aurora Water’s responses on fixing the items that were being questioned. B. A Resident’s Request for Reimbursement from Sewer Backup on March 16. Margaret Herrmann had a sewer backup in her basement on March 16, 2015 and is seeking reimbursement for damages and clean up that occurred in her basement from that backup. Moved by Commissioner Sherek, supported by Commissioner Larson to decline request on advisement of our insurance representative. C. St. Louis County Letter Regarding Construction of Water Intake for City of Biwabik. Town of White granted us permission for easement.

Moved by Commissioner Niemi, supported by Commissioner Larson to approve Pay Request #3 from Magney Construction for Lift Station Project. Motion carried.

Old Business: Review of Water Ordinance and Implementation. Commissioners discussed having plumber put in water meters where water meters will fit and if they can’t be plumbed in just use the flat rate billing as recommended under Section 2. Proceed with billing regime.

Commissioner Sherek adjourned the meeting at 6:41 PM.

Dave Sherek, President

Attest:

Jeff Jacobson, City Administrator