HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-22-2026 HUCMMINUTES
Regular Meeting — Hutchinson Utilities Commission
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Call to order — 3:00 p.m.
President Don Martinez called the meeting to order. Members present: President Don
Martinez; Secretary Matt Cheney; Vice President Tom Lambert; Commissioner Kathy
Silvernale; GM Jeremy Carter;
Absent: Attorney Marc Sebora
1. Conflict of Interest
2. Approve Consent Agenda
a. Approve Minutes
b. Ratify Payment of Bills
Secretary Cheney will be abstaining from Agenda item 2b.
Motion by Commissioner Lambert, second by Commissioner Silvernale to Approve
the Consent Agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Secretary Cheney abstained.
3. Approve Financial Statements
Mr. Martig presented the Financial Statements. Electric Division Transmission was
over -estimated about $36K. Sales for Resale and PCA were also reviewed. Natural
Gas Division Fuel Cost Adjustment for 2026 was $28K compared to a credit of $43K
for 2025.
GM Carter reviewed the Power Cost Adjustment dollars compared to previous years
and the expectation of July's PCA. Overall combined divisions are trending well.
Motion by Commissioner Silvernale, second by Commissioner Cheney to Approve
the Financial Statements. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Open Forum
5. Communication
a. City Administrator — Matthew Jaunich — Absent
b. Divisions
i. Dan Lang, Engineering Services Manager —
1. Transformer for Hutch Sub is scheduled to be delivered next month
2. Testing and commissioning of the 69kV side of the substation was
completed, now working on 115kV side
ii. Dave Hunstad, Electric Transmission/Distribution Manager - Absent
iii. Mike Gabrielson, Production Manager- Absent
iv. Byron Bettenhausen, Natural Gas Manager -
1. 2 new employees started
2. 6 inch parallel from Plant 1 to School Road to start August 3rd
v. Jared Martig, Financial Manager
1. Bond Rating Call this morning with Jeremy
c. Human Resources —Angie Radke -
i. Finishing up Welder/Service Person new hire paperwork
ii. Continuing to work on Compensation Study
d. Legal — Marc Sebora — Absent
e. General Manager — Jeremy Carter
i. Provided update on Bond Rating call with potential dates
ii. Working with BP and JP Morgan Chase on a final document related to the
prepaid deal.
iii. Met with Mr. Lang and MRES to review the Base load contract that is
currently in place and if there are any other opportunities for any
partnerships or long-term capacity contracts moving into the future.
6. Policies
a. Review Policies
i. Appendices of Exempt Handbook
ii. Appendices of Non -Exempt Handbook
No changes recommended at this time.
7. Unfinished Business
S. New Business
a. Re -Adopt the Data Practices Act & Public Records Request Policy
GM Carter presented Re -adopt the Data Practices Act & Public Records
Request Policy. The State of Minnesota requires that political subdivisions like
HUC adopt a data practices policy, which guides both the HUC and members
of the public in obtaining information from HUC. State of Minnesota also
requires that HUC adopt the data practices policy annually prior to August 1.
There are no changes.
Motion by Commissioner Cheney, second by Commissioner Silvernale to Re -
Adopt the Data Practices Act & Public Records Request Policy. Motion carried
unanimously.
b. Approve Resolution 26-02 Authorizing City Council to issue 2026B Bonds
GM Carter presented Approval of Resolution 26-02 Authorizing City Council to
issue 2026B Bonds. This is one of the last pieces of the Commission as part
of the bond process. City Council did approve last Tuesday moving forward
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the bond issuance, now confirmation is needed by Hutchinson Utilities
Commission to authorize the City Council to move forward with the bond
issuance. The attached resolution 26-02 is reaffirming Commissioners want
the City Council to issue bonds on behalf of HUC for a lot of the upkeep and
improvements needed on the distribution and electric systems.
Motion by Commissioner Lambert, second by Commissioner Cheney to
Approve Resolution 26-02 Authorizing City Council to issue 2026B Bonds.
Motion carried unanimously.
c. Approve Contract with Hitachi Energy, USA to provide a 47MVA XFMR for
Plant #1 Substation Rebuild Project
Striking Item 8C from the Agenda to be reviewed at a later date.
9. Adjourn
There being no further business, a motion by Commissioner Lambert, second by
Commissioner Silvernale to adjourn the meeting at 3:17p.m. Motion carried
unanimously,
ATTEST
Don Martinez, Presi�ynt m.
3
ry
Matt Cheney, Secretary