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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-25-2026 HUCMMINUTES Regular Meeting — Hutchinson Utilities Commission Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Call to order — 3:00 p.m. President Don Martinez called the meeting to order Martinez; Secretary Matt Cheney; Vice President Attorney Marc Sebora Absent: Commissioner Kathy Silvernale Conflict of Interest 2. Approve Consent Agenda a. Approve Minutes b. Ratify Payment of Bills Members present: President Don Tom Lambert; GM Jeremy Carter; Motion by Commissioner Cheney, second by Commissioner Lambert to Approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Approve Financial Statements Mr. Martig presented the Financial Statements. Electric Division Purchase Power increased by $186,624. MRES purchases increased by $42,388 and market purchase/MISO costs increased by $144,236. January PCA brought in an additional $158,944 for the month and YTD. Natural Gas Division Fuel Cost Adjustment was $3.4133/MCF bringing in an additional $523,639 for the month and YTD. GM Carter elaborated on the natural gas prices in correlation to the energy prices with different energy resources that are used or not used. GM Carter reviewed the natural gas margins, along with reviewing the impact on customers with Storm Eri. Cash Balance and investments were reviewed. Motion by Commissioner Lambert, second by Commissioner Cheney to Approve the Financial Statements. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Open Forum 5. Communication a. City Administrator— Matthew Jaunich — i. City Council reviewed and approved apartments at the old Burns Manor site, should start construction in Spring/Summer. b. Divisions i. Dan Lang, Engineering Services Manager — Nothing to Report ii. Dave Hunstad, Electric Transmission/Distribution Manager — Nothing to Report iii. Mike Gabrielson, Production Manager 1. LM6000 still no update from GE, trying to explore other options that may be available. iv. Jared Martig, Financial Manager- 1. Auditors should be here next month v. Byron Bettenhausen — Nothing to Report c. Human Resources — Angie Radke - i. Pay Equity has been approved and meets compliance requirements. ii. Working on a new D&A Consortium and 3rd Party Administrator. Received notification at the end of January that Total Compliance has closed shop. d. Legal — Marc Sebora — i. Nothing to report e. General Manager — Jeremy Carter i. LM6000 update regarding costs, warranty and looking at leasing a new unit ii. Cost of Service Study iii. JPM wrapping up final step, should hear more on Friday iv. Winter Storm Fern update. The severe cold weather created a significant gas impact. 6. Policies a. Review Policies i. Section 2 of Exempt Handbook ii. Section 2 of Non -Exempt Handbook No changes recommended at this time. b. Approve Changes i. Alcohol or Drugs (Exempt and Non -Exempt) Ms. Radke spoke of the policy change. Looking to remove Total Compliance Solutions from the policy, policy is still applicable. Motion by Commissioner Cheney, second by Commissioner Lambert to Approve Policy Changes. Motion carried unanimously. 7. Unfinished Business 8. New Business a. Approval of 3M Natural Gas Transportation and Daily Swing Supply Agreement GM Carter presented Approval of 3M Natural Gas Transportation and Daily Swing Supply Agreement. 3M's current agreement expires on March 1, 2026 at 9 A.M. This agreement provides transportation rights to 3M on Hutchinson's facilities from March 1, 2026 at 9:00 A.M. through March 1, 2027 at 9:00 A.M. This agreement is identical to the 2025 agreement except for date changes and increased monthly meter fee. All fees are in alignment with the rate realignment 2 structure proposed by the Commission for this customer. Motion by Commissioner Lambert, second by Commissioner Cheney to Approve 3M Natural Gas Transportation and Daily Swing Supply Agreement. Motion carried unanimously. b. Approve Req#010514 — Cooling Tower Pipe Repair Plant #1 Mr. Gabrielson presented approval Req#010514 — Cooling Tower Pipe Repair at Plant #1. The cooling tower has developed an underground water leak on the 20" return line to the cooling tower. GPRS came out and scanned the pipe and located the area of the leak. Rosnow Industrial will be fixing the underground leak. Motion by Commissioner Cheney, second by Commissioner Lambert to Approve Req#010514 Cooling Tower Pipe Repair Plant #1. Motion carried unanimously. 9. Adjourn There being no further business, a motion by Commissioner Lambert, second by Commissioner Cheney to adjourn the meeting at 3:26p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Matt Cheney, Secretary ATTEST on Martinez, President 3