08-25-2021 HUCMMINUTES
Regular Meeting — Hutchinson Utilities Commission
Wednesday, Auigust 25, 2021
Call to orde,r — 3:00 p.mi.
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Presit Matt Cheney called the meeting to order. Members present: President M att
Cheney; Vice President Anthony Hansion; Secretary Don Martinez; Commissioner Monty
Morrow; Commissioner Robert Wendorff; GM Jeremy Carter; Attorney Marc Sebora
1. Conflict of Interest
2. Approve Consent Agenda
a. Approve Minutes
b. Ratify Payment of Bills
ffJotioni by Commissioner Wendorff, second by Commissioner Morrow to approve
the Consent Agenda, Motion carried unanimously.,
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Mr. Marti�g presented the Financial Statements. Electric Division Net Income
increased by $186,934 due to an increase in both Customer Revenues and Sales
for Resale. Mr., Martig noted the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) for July 20211
broughit in an additional $187,927 for the month,, last year's PCA for July 2020i was
zero for the mionthi.
GM Carter reviewed the Market Sales and Sales for Resale, Market Sales YTD is
over $800K, budget is $429K. With the warm moinths HUC has been able to run the
generatognifilcantly,
GM Carter reviewed the Rate stabilization fund and noted it is trending on scheduliei.
Conversations were held on how the generators are running and past due accounts.
® appropriate level of cash within the organization along With Cash Designations,,
Motion by Commis,sionqr K2 ............... I'll, ,- III "--mmiIssioner Martinez to a- the
financial statements. Motion carried Ni
5. Communication
a. City Administrator — Matthew Jaunich —
i. Pat May is the new interim Council Member
ii. Council approved MITGI to move into Shopko building
b. Divisions
i. Dan Lang, Engineering Services Manager — Nothing to report
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1 . Solar paneil update
2. Reconductor projects
iii. Jared Martigi, Financial ITIanager —
1. New Accountant started August,,#,'
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e. General Manager — Jeremy Carter —
i. Strategic Planning meeting to schedule for Sept/Oct timeframie
i�iCIP/Budgets/Fleet discussions with Staff have been happening
iii. Met with Pat May last week and had conversations about HUC
iv. Working with Production Crew Chiefs, on the recertification process with
League of MN Cities for insurance reduced rates along with other tasks
that need to be completed. Production Manager position has been
posted.
v. Compensation Study Update. Currently HUC has received 17 public
utility surveys back which have been sent to Bakertilly for review.
Baikertil�ly is working on, collecting the private utility surveysi, Bakertilly
wil�l compile all information and send Staff the results when comipleteid,
Anticipating this to be completed in October.
6. Policies
a. Review Policies
L Hutchinson Utilities Commission
ii. Establishing a New Electric/Natural Gas Account
iii. Deposit Requirement — Residential
iv. Deposit Requirement,,— Commercial/Indiustrial
v. Terminating Ellectric/Natural Gas Service by Customer
vi. Definition of Your Billl
vii. Errors in Billing
viii. Payment of Your Bill!
ix. Automatic, Biill Payment Plan
x. Budget Payment Plan,
No changes recommended at this time
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i. Explanation, of Bflfing Procedure- Mirroring up with State Statute;
adjusting days from 20 to 30
ii. Minnesota Cold Weather Rule- Mirroring up with the State Statute;
expanding the cold weather rule by 2 weeks in the front and back
along with adjusting days from 20 to 30
Motion by Commissioner Martinez, second by Commissioner Wendorff to approve
the Policy Changes,. Motion carried unanimously.
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7'. Unfinished Business
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a. Discussion of Customer Survey
GM Carter recapped previous conversations about moving forward with a
residential customer survey. Staff has moved forward with Q Market Research
out of Eagan, MN. Q Market Research has provided a general, template of which
HUIC Staff has provided feedback and recommendations, now lookingi to the
Commission for any feedback on the survey. Staff would like to see topics to
include: Ease of paying your bills, Solar Garden and Electric Vehicles.
Discussions were held on solar vs renewables, along with if customers would like
to, participate in community solar provided by HUC or have solar on individual
property.
Commissioners would like to see questions on efficiency, friendliness of staff and
reliability.
GM Carter discussed the structure of survey stating that there will be a section
with repeatable questions that will be used to create a benchmark that will be
asked every couple of years or quarterly. Another section of the survey will have
questions that will change over time depending on what is going on in the
co,mimuniity. Q Market research will be sending out 1000 surveys; 5100 by mail
and 500 by email. A good survey is receiving 111 75-200 back, if that is not received
Q Market Research will have follow ups.
GM Carter noted that a quote was received on the Commercial side which
consists of Q Market Research making phone calls to engage the customers and
it allows follow up questions to be asked.
Consensus from Board was to move forward on both Residential and
Ca-tuttercial.
9. Adjourn
There being no further business, a motion by Commissioner Martinez second by
Commissioner Morrow to adjourn the meeting at 3:31 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
Don Martinez, Secret
ATTEST:
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