08-27-2025 HUCMMINUTES
Regular Meeting — Hutchinson Utilities Commission
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Call to order — 3:00 p.m.
President Matt Cheney called the meeting to order. Members present: President Matt
Cheney; Secretary Don Martinez; Vice President Troy Pullis; Commissioner Kathy
Silvernale; Commissioner Tom Lambert; GM Jeremy Carter; Attorney Marc Sebora:
1. Conflict of Interest
2. Approve Consent Agenda
a. Approve Minutes
b. Ratify Payment of Bills
Motion by Commissioner Martinez second by Commissioner Silvernale to Approve
the Consent Agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Approve Financial Statements
GM Carter presented the Financial Statements. Electric Division KWH sold up
9.62% from last year, Natural Gas Division up 3.42% from last year. GM Carter
noted there was a customer that had moved from Industrial class to Large Industrial
class. GM Carter reviewed the Market Sales from the last few months and how it
has compared to previous years, along with the rate stabilization fund and fuel cost
credit provided back to the customers. Balance Sheet and Investments were also
reviewed.
Motion by Commissioner Silvernale, second by Commissioner Pullis to Approve the
Financial Statements. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Open Forum
5. Communication
a. City Administrator — Matthew Jaunich —
i. Street project wrapping up on Dale
ii. Development interest at the City — Conditional use permit on Data Center
was approved
iii. Downtown Apartment complex could be starting soon
iv. Comprehensive Plan for Burns Manor site
v. Preliminary plat on Northside of town submitted
b. Divisions
i. Dan Lang, Engineering Services Manager — Nothing to Report
ii. Dave Hunstad, Electric Transmission/Distribution Manager —
1. Reconductor project on Texas Ave
2. Elk Ridge Estates Development
3. Working at 3M during annual shutdown
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iii. Mike Gabrielson, Production Manager — Nothing to Report
iv. Jared Martig, Financial Manager —Absent
v. Byron Bettenhausen, Natural Gas Manager —
1. Elk Ridge Estates Development
2. Working at 3M during annual shutdown
3. River Crossing Project Update
c. Human Resources — Angie Radke -
i. Will be meeting with Insurance Broker on PFML percentage rates
ii. Working with Union representative to bring forth MOA regarding PFML
iii. Benefits right around the corner,
d. Legal — Marc Sebora —
i. Nothing to report
e. General Manager — Jeremy Carter
i. Data Center update
ii. Sustainability Committee- Commissioners are welcome to sit on committee
iii. Working on Prepaid Contract
iv. New Ulm Capacity Agreement conversations
v. Looking to add Item 8b — Discussion of Solar Array's on Public Buildings
6. Policies
a. Review Policies
i. Hutchinson Utilities Commission
ii. Establishing a New Electric/Natural Gas Account
iii. Deposit Requirement — Residential
iv. Deposit Requirement — Commercial/Industrial
v. Terminating Electric/Natural Gas Service by Customer
vi. Definition of Your Bill
vii. Errors in Billing
viii. Payment of Your Bill
ix. Automatic Bill Payment Plan
x. Budget Payment Plan
A. Explanation of Billing Procedure
xii. Disconnection of Residential Services by HUC
xiii. Disconnection of Commercial Services by HUC
xiv. After Hours Reconnection Policy
xv. Landlord Acknowledgment
xvi. Inserts with Utility Bills
xvii. Identity Theft — "Red Flag Program"
xviii. Minnesota Cold Weather Rule
xix. Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and Public Records Request
No changes recommended at this time
b. Approve Changes
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7. Unfinished Business
8. New Business
a. Approve Req#10337 — Plant #1 Substation Circuit Breakers
Mr. Lang presented Approval of Req#10337 — Plant #1 Substation Circuit
Breakers. HUC has periodically been replacing the GE breakers at the Plant #1
substation with ABB breakers due to specific retrofit compatibility with the GE
"Magne-Blast" breaker and switchgear.
Motion by Commissioner Pullis, second by Commissioner Lambert to Approve
Req#10337 — Plant #1 Substation Circuit Breakers. Motion carried unanimously.
President Matt Cheney added new business item 8b
b. Discussion of Solar Array's on Public Buildings
Mr. Hunstad began the discussion of Solar Array's on Public Buildings. Staff met
with EMS Solutions regarding grants that are available for solar array's on public
buildings. 70% of the cost is covered through a state grant and 30% of the cost is
covered through Federal IRA credit. Any building that is owned by the City that is
metered separately qualifies for up to a 40kw system. Max cost of the system is
$160k with the average being $95k. Any upgrades that are needed to be made for
the system can be included with the grant. EMS Solutions will do the applications.
If HUC is selected, HUC pays for the system upfront and will be reimbursed
through progress payments. Once the system is complete, HUC will then go to the
Federal side and request the 30% credit. HUC's risk would be 30% of the cost if
no money is received from the federal side. If HUC is not selected for the grant
there would not be a project.
Discussion was held on the selection process of the grant, the buildings available
with the kw size needed, maintenance costs, and total costs with the buildings
selected for the project.
Commissioners agree to proceed moving forward with the process
9. Adjourn
There being no further business, a motion by Commissioner Lampert, second by
Commissioner Pullis to adjourn the meeting at 3:30pm. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
att Cheney, Pres' ent
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Don Martinez, Secretary