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03-25-2009 HUCMRegular Meeting March 25, 2009 Members present: President Dwight Bordson; Vice President Robert Hantge; Secretary David Wetterling; Commissioner Craig Lenz; Commissioner Donald H. Walser; Attorney Marc Sebora; General Manager Michael Kumm. President Bordson called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. The minutes of the March 2, 2009 regular meeting were reviewed. A motion was made by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Secretary Wetterling to approve the minutes as written. Motion was unanimously carried. Paul Harvego of Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing, PLLP was welcomed to the meeting. Mr. Harvego presented HUC's financial audit for 2008. There were no issues that arose in conducting the audit. He thanked Jared Martig for his knowledge of accounting practices and he thanked Jan Sifferath and GM Kumm for their cooperation. The board expressed their gratitude to GM Kumm, Jan and Jared for their time and efforts in ensuring a successful audit. After discussion, a motion was made by Secretary Wetterling, seconded by Commissioner Lenz to approve the financial audit for 2008. Motion was unanimously carried. GM Kumm presented the February 2009 payables. After discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Walser, seconded by Secretary Wetterling to ratify the payment of bills in the amount of $4,091,264.30 (detailed listing in payables book). Motion was unanimously carried. GM Kumm presented the February 2009 financial statements /budget year -to -date. Sales are down due mainly to HTI and 3M shutting down on weekends. After discussion, a motion was made by Vice President Hantge, seconded by Secretary Wetterling to approve the February 2009 financial statements /budget year -to -date. Motion was unanimously carried. GM Kumm presented resolution 153. The resolution calls out specifically that Bev Popp has authority to transfer funds by wire or other electronic means as needed. Our recommendation is to change it to HUC's Accountant has authority to transfer funds by wire or other electronic means as needed. A motion was made by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Vice President Hantge to amend resolution 153 as recommended. Motion was unanimously carried. (Resolution 153 attached.) GM Kumm presented policy on payments of HUC payables. Our auditors have asked us to create a policy authorizing HUC's accountant to issue warrant(s) drawn from proper funds for making payments. This policy will be reviewed annually in December. A motion was made by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Commissioner Walser to approve policy on payments of HUC payables. Motion was unanimously carried. (Policy attached.) GM Kumm discussed HUC's temporary organizational chart. Instead of hiring a metering technician, we will hire a groundsman whose duties and responsibilities would entail working with both metering department as well as the electric division. This position has been on HUC's roster in the past. The position has been posted internally. (Temporary organizational chart attached.) GM Kumm discussed the 3.3 acre lot in the new industrial park. The Economic Development Board has contacted HUC to see if there is an interest in HUC buying this lot as its usefulness from an economic development perspective is limited because of the alignment of the high pressure gas pipeline across the property. GM Kumm recommended forming a committee to meet with Miles Seppelt, Economic Development Director and discuss the purchase of this property. President Bordson appointed himself, GM Kumm, and Dave Wetterling to this committee. After discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Walser, seconded by Commissioner Lenz to give this committee the authority to investigate the purchase of said property and to bring the findings back to the board for discussion. Motion was unanimously carried. (Map is attached.) GM Kumm explained that HUC no longer has any mercury vapor security lighting; they have been eliminated from our system. Our recommendation is to remove that section from the rate schedule. A motion was made by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Secretary Wetterling to remove the section on mercury vapor security light rental from our rate schedule. Motion was unanimously carried. (Changes attached.) GM Kumm presented changes to the policies and requirements booklet, section: Cold Weather Rule. Our recommendation is to eliminate the current section on cold weather rule and replace it with the 2008 Minnesota Statute 216B.097 Cold Weather Rule. A motion was made by Vice President Hantge, seconded by Secretary Wetterling to approve the changes and additions to the policies and requirements booklet, section: Cold Weather Rule. Motion was unanimously carried. (Changes and additions attached.) John Webster presented an advertisement for bids for automated metering infrastructure. Our consultants are preparing the specifications and an ad has been placed in the Hutchinson Leader announcing an open house for suppliers to demonstrate their AMI systems. Several vendors have signed up. A motion was made by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Commissioner Walser to approve advertisement for bids for automated metering infrastructure. Motion was unanimously carried. (Advertisement for bids attached.) John Webster presented requisition #003445 for coiled pipe straightener with trailer from Groebner and Associates, Inc. This piece of equipment will save about $8,000 just in fusion time and we could rent it out to other utilities that don't have this equipment. After discussion, a motion was made by Vice President Hantge, seconded by Secretary Wetterling to approve requisition #003445 for coiled pipe straightener with trailer from Groebner and Associates, Inc. for $42,557.40. Motion was unanimously carried. (Requisition attached.) Division reports • Arbor Day Foundation HUC has been named a Tree Line USA Utility for the second year in recognition of caring for trees. This will also be mentioned in the Wall Street Journal. The Arbor Day Foundation provided a media release which we will send to the Hutchinson Leader for publication. GM Kumm gave an overview of what he and staff foresee as for a 5 -year capital expenditure report. A more detailed printed report will be provided at a later time. GM Kumm will contact HDR to see if they can give a presentation at next Commission meeting and talk about our expansion plans. GM Kumm will provide an update on the comp time issue. Gas — John Webster • March 18th — CAER meeting for McLeod County • March 19th — Damage Prevention Meeting • March 20th — CAER meeting in New Ulm Electric — Steve Lancaster • City Council approved variance for signs at the power plant • HUC and Glencoe Utilities are working with MMUA and the LMCIT to develop an Operation and Maintenance pilot plan that will be made available to other utilities when completed. Accounting — Jared Martig • We're about three weeks from pouring the concrete at the new inventory site. Business — Jan Sifferath • Working on aged accounts receivable; we may see more write -offs because we're catching up on things that have been overlooked. • Because of meter reading issues, the billing in March was long, resulting in February being short; we are now back on track. • The in -house meter reading is going very well; everyone is doing a good job. Legal Update None Unfinished Business None New Business Renewable Energy Seminar: Someone will attend the workshop on April 2 and report back to the board at the April meeting. There being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Vice President Hantge to adjourn the meeting at 5:08 p.m. Motion was unanimously carried. ATTEST: Dwight Bordson, President David Wetterling, Secretary Regular Meeting March 25, 2009 Members present: President Dwight Bordson; Vice President Robert Hantge; Secretary David Wetterling; Commissioner Craig Lenz; Commissioner Donald H. Walser; Attorney Marc Sebora; General Manager Michael Kumm. President Bordson called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. The minutes of the March 2, 2009 regular meeting were reviewed. A motion was made by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Secretary Wetterling to approve the minutes as written. Motion was unanimously carried. Paul Harvego of Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing, PLLP was welcomed to the meeting. Mr. Harvego presented RUC's financial audit for 2008. There were no issues that arose in conducting the audit. He thanked Jared Martig for his knowledge of accounting practices and he thanked Jan Sifferath and GM Kumm for their cooperation. The board expressed their gratitude to GM Kumm, Jan and Jared for their time and efforts in ensuring a successful audit. After discussion, a motion was made by Secretary Wetterling, seconded by Commissioner Lenz to approve the financial audit for 2008. Motion was unanimously carried. GM Kumm presented the February 2009 payables. After discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Walser, seconded by Secretary Wetterling to ratify the payment of bills in the amount of $4,091,264.30 (detailed listing in payables book). Motion was unanimously carried. GM Kumm presented the February 2009 financial statements /budget year -to -date. Sales are down due mainly to HTI and 3M shutting down on weekends. After discussion, a motion was made by Vice President Hantge, seconded by Secretary Wetterling to approve the February 2009 financial statements /budget year -to -date. Motion was unanimously carried. GM Kumm presented resolution 153. The resolution calls out specifically that Bev Popp has authority to transfer funds by wire or other electronic means as needed. Our recommendation is to change it to RUC's Accountant has authority to transfer funds by wire or other electronic means as needed. A motion was made by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Vice President Hantge to amend resolution 153 as recommended. Motion was unanimously carried. (Resolution 153 attached.) GM Kumm presented policy on payments of HUC payables. Our auditors have asked us to create a policy authorizing HUC's accountant to issue warrant(s) drawn from proper funds for making payments. This policy will be reviewed annually in December. A motion was made by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Commissioner Walser to approve policy on payments of HUC payables. Motion was unanimously carried. (Policy attached.) GM Kumm discussed HUC's temporary organizational chart. Instead of hiring a metering technician, we will hire a groundsman whose duties and responsibilities would entail working with both metering department as well as the electric division. This position has been on HUC's roster in the past. The position has been posted internally. (Temporary organizational chart attached.) GM Kumm discussed the 3.3 acre lot in the new industrial park. The Economic Development Board has contacted HUC to see if there is an interest in HUC buying this lot as its usefulness from an economic development perspective is limited because of the alignment of the high pressure gas pipeline across the property. GM Kumm recommended forming a committee to meet with Miles Seppelt, Economic Development Director and discuss the purchase of this property. President Bordson appointed himself, GM Kumm, and Dave Wetterling to this committee. After discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Walser, seconded by Commissioner Lenz to give this committee the authority to investigate the purchase of said property and to bring the findings back to the board for discussion. Motion was unanimously carried. (Map is attached.) GM Kumm explained that HUC no longer has any mercury vapor security lighting; they have been eliminated from our system. Our recommendation is to remove that section from the rate schedule. A motion was made by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Secretary Wetterling to remove the section on mercury vapor security light rental from our rate schedule. Motion was unanimously carried. (Changes attached.) GM Kumm presented changes to the policies and requirements booklet, section: Cold Weather Rule. Our recommendation is to eliminate the current section on cold weather rule and replace it with the 2008 Minnesota Statute 21613.097 Cold Weather Rule. A motion was made by Vice President Hantge, seconded by Secretary Wetterling to approve the changes and additions to the policies and requirements booklet, section: Cold Weather Rule. Motion was unanimously carried. (Changes and additions attached.) John Webster presented an advertisement for bids for automated metering infrastructure. Our consultants are preparing the specifications and an ad has been placed in the Hutchinson Leader announcing an open house for suppliers to demonstrate their AMI systems. Several vendors have signed up. A motion was made by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Commissioner Walser to approve advertisement for bids for automated metering infrastructure. Motion was unanimously carried. (Advertisement for bids attached.) John Webster presented requisition #003445 for coiled pipe straightener with trailer from Groebner and Associates, Inc. This piece of equipment will save about $8,000 just in fusion time and we could rent it out to other utilities that don't have this equipment. After discussion, a motion was made by Vice President Hantge, seconded by Secretary Wetterling to approve requisition #003445 for coiled pipe straightener with trailer from Groebner and Associates, Inc. for $42,557.40. Motion was unanimously carried. (Requisition attached.) Division reports • Arbor Day Foundation HUC has been named a Tree Line USA Utility for the second year in recognition of caring for trees. This will also be mentioned in the Wall Street Journal. The Arbor Day Foundation provided a media release which we will send to the Hutchinson Leader for publication. GM Kumm gave an overview of what he and staff foresee as for a 5 -year capital expenditure report. A more detailed printed report will be provided at a later time. GM Kumm will contact HDR to see if they can give a presentation at next Commission meeting and talk about our expansion plans. GM Kumm will provide an update on the comp time issue. Gas — John Webster • March 18th — CAER meeting for McLeod County • March 19th — Damage Prevention Meeting • March 20th — CAER meeting in New Ulm Electric — Steve Lancaster • City Council approved variance for signs at the power plant • HUC and Glencoe Utilities are working with MMUA and the LMCIT to develop an Operation and Maintenance pilot plan that will be made available to other utilities when completed. Accounting — Jared Martig • We're about three weeks from pouring the concrete at the new inventory site. Business — Jan Sifferath • Working on aged accounts receivable; we may see more write -offs because we're catching up on things that have been overlooked. • Because of meter reading issues, the billing in March was long, resulting in February being short; we are now back on track. • The in -house meter reading is going very well; everyone is doing a good job. Legal Update None Unfinished Business None New Business Renewable Energy Seminar: Someone will attend the workshop on April 2 and report back to the board at the April meeting. There being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Vice President Hantge to adjourn the meeting at 5:08 p.m. Motion was unanimously carried. ATTEST: r+• -- Ji � on, President Adopted February 24, 1997 RESOLUTION 153 - RENUMBERED FOR SEARCH PURPOSES ONLY AS 159 RESOLUTION OF HUTCHINSON UTILITIES COMMISSION CITY OF HUTCHINSON THIS RESOLUTION is made and entered this 24th day of February, 1997 by Hutchinson Utilities Commission, a division of the City of Hutchinson. RECITALS: 1. It is cost effective for the Hutchinson Utilities Commission (HUC) to transfer funds by wire or other electronic means; 2. HUC desires to memorialize the authority to transfer funds by wire or other'electronic means. NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the Hutchinson Utilities Commission, a division of the City of Hutchinson, that Beverly Popp is hereby authorized to transfer funds by wire or other electronic needs provided, however, that the authority to transfer said funds has previously been granted by way of HUC's budget authority, by resolution of HUC or as otherwise provided by law. Dated: February 24, 1997 HUTCHINSON UTILITIES COMMISSION By: Roger Gilmer, Vice President Attest: Clarence L. Kadrmas, General Manager Adopted February 24, 1997 Amended March 25, 2009 RESOLUTION 153 - RENUMBERED FOR SEARCH PURPOSES ONLY AS 159 RESOLUTION OF HUTCHINSON UTILITIES COMMISSION CITY OF HUTCHINSON THIS RESOLUTION is made and entered this 24th day of February, 1997 by Hutchinson Utilities Commission, a division of the City of Hutchinson. RECITALS: 1. It is cost effective for the Hutchinson Utilities Commission (HUC) to transfer funds by wire or other electronic means; 2. HUC desires to memorialize the authority to transfer funds by wire or other electronic means. NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the Hutchinson Utilities Commission, a division of the City of Hutchinson, that HUC's Accountant is hereby authorized to transfer funds by wire or other electronic needs provided, however, that the authority to transfer said funds has previously been granted by way of HUC's budget authority, by resolution of HUC or as otherwise provided by law. Dated: March 25, 2009 HUTCHINSON UTILITIES COMMISSION '-Djqight Bordson, President Attest: / / // /� Michael Kumm, General Manager Adopted March 25, 2009 Policy on Payments of Hutchinson Utilities Commission Payables The Hutchinson Utilities Commission accountant is hereby authorized to issue warrant(s) drawn from the proper funds. Resolution 153 authorizes HUC Accountant to transfer funds by wire or other electronic means. Claims shall be paid upon proper presentation during the year 2009. This policy shall be reviewed on an annual basis. Z O U) _O O U U) W H H D Z O U) Z_ 2 U H 2 7 d C a LL F c m E R Q m D a y d C .y 3 m t w 3 c E m L 3 T d .y C O Q N d L r% c N� 1.1. L W Cd L �y �MCP .N_ CLS W I O w =w Q �Jw Ed co *`4F K OM\ ` d vie e, A MW LARGE INDUSTRIAL SERVICE CODE 50 & 51 APPLICABILTY: Applicable to any customer for combined power and lighting with a minimum demand over 4000 KW during any one month in a 12 month period. Service will be delivered at the primary voltage available at the customer's property line. The customer will own and maintain all electrical facilities on the customer's side of the metering transformer. Demand charge: $7.00 per KW Energy charge: $0.0675 per KWH POWER COST ADJUSTMENT (ELECTRIC) Power cost adjustment is based on the combined costs of purchased power from outside suppliers, fuel (natural gas and fuel oil), and unrecovered or excess revenues from previous month. Computations of power adjustments shall be made monthly. The resultant adjustment, if any, shall be applicable for the month. All rates are subject to power cost adjustment. SECURITY LIGHT RENTAL RATE TO FURNISH AND MAINTAIN FIXTURE: e D HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM: Monthly Lamp Size Charge 150 watt metered $3.00 250 watt metered $3.50 Monthly Lamp Size Charge 150 watt unmetered $7.00 250 watt unmetered $10.00 Lights will be dusk to dawn type with photo control and will be installed on existing pole in the area. If a new pole is needed, customer will pay for the pole and installation. (This is currently in policies & requirements booklet included in the section: Disconnection Of Services By Utilities) The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule is designed to protect people who may be unable to pay their utility bills during the winter. The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule applies from October 15 to April 15. HUC is in compliance with the Cold Weather Rule established by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. If you have trouble paying your utility bill, local agencies may be able to provide payment assistance. The State Department of Human Services recommends that you call the county in which you live. If you are unable to pay your utility bills, please contact the HUC Customer Service Department at 587 -4746, so we may be able to discuss establishing a payment schedule. Our recommendation is to eliminate the above wording from the policies and requirements booklet and include the following Minnesota Statute as its own section titled: COLD WEATHER RULE. MINNESOTA COLD WEATHER RULE 21613.097 COLD WEATHER RULE; COOPERATIVE OR MUNICIPAL UTILITY. Subdivision 1. Application; notice to residential customer. (a) A municipal utility or a cooperative electric association must not disconnect and must reconnect the utility service of a residential customer during the period between October 15 and April 15 if the disconnection affects the primary heat source for the residential unit and all of the following conditions are met: (1) The household income of the customer is at or below 50 percent of the state median household income. A municipal utility or cooperative electric association utility may (i) verify income on forms it provides or (ii) obtain verification of income from the local energy assistance provider. A customer is deemed to meet the income requirements of this clause if the customer receives any form of public assistance, including energy assistance, that uses an income eligibility threshold set at or below 50 percent of the state median household income. (2) A customer enters into and makes reasonably timely payments under a payment agreement that considers the financial resources of the household. (3) A customer receives referrals to energy assistance, weatherization, conservation, or other programs likely to reduce the customer's energy bills. (b) A municipal utility or a cooperative electric association must, between August 15 and October 15 each year, notify all residential customers of the provisions of this section. Subd. 2. Notice to residential customer facing disconnection. Before disconnecting service to a residential customer during the period between October 15 and April 15, a municipal utility or cooperative electric association must provide the following information to a customer: (1) a notice of proposed disconnection; (2) a statement explaining the customer's rights and responsibilities; (3) a list of local energy assistance providers; (4) forms on which to declare inability to pay; and (5) a statement explaining available time payment plans and other opportunities to secure continued utility service. Subd. 3. Restrictions if disconnection necessary. (a) If a residential customer must be involuntarily disconnected between October 15 and April 15 for failure to comply with subdivision 1, the disconnection must not occur: (1) on a Friday, unless the customer declines to enter into a payment agreement offered that day in person or via personal contact by telephone by a municipal utility or cooperative electric association; (2) on a weekend, holiday, or the day before a holiday; (3) when utility offices are closed; or (4) after the close of business on a day when disconnection is permitted, unless a field representative of a municipal utility or cooperative electric association who is authorized to enter into a payment agreement, accept payment, and continue service, offers a payment agreement to the customer. Further, the disconnection must not occur until at least 20 days after the notice required in subdivision 2 has been mailed to the customer or 15 days after the notice has been personally delivered to the customer. (b) If a customer does not respond to a disconnection notice, the customer must not be disconnected until the utility investigates whether the residential unit is actually occupied. If the unit is found to be occupied, the utility must immediately inform the occupant of the provisions of this section. If the unit is unoccupied, the utility must give seven days' written notice of the proposed disconnection to the local energy assistance provider before making a disconnection. (c) If, prior to disconnection, a customer appeals a notice of involuntary disconnection, as provided by the utility's established appeal procedure, the utility must not disconnect until the appeal is resolved. Subd. 4. Application to service limiters. For the purposes of this section, "disconnection" includes a service or load limiter or any device that limits or interrupts electric service in any way. Advertisement for Bids for "Automated Metering Infrastructure" Hutchinson Utilities Commission Hutchinson, Minnesota Notice is hereby given that the Hutchinson Utilities Commission of the City of Hutchinson, Hutchinson, Minnesota, hereinafter referred to as the Owner, will receive sealed Bids at the Hutchinson Utilities office until 2:00 p.m. on the TBD, 2009, and will publicly open and read aloud such Bids on the following work: "Automated Metering Infrastructure" Proposals shall be properly endorsed and delivered in an envelope marked, "Automated Metering Infrastructure" and shall be addressed to: Hutchinson Utilities Commission of the City of Hutchinson, 225 Michigan Street SE, Hutchinson, Minnesota 55350. All proposals shall be submitted in duplicate on the Bidder's own letterhead, in facsimile of the Proposal Form enclosed in the Specifications, or by utilizing the Proposal Form enclosed with the Specifications by typing the official name of the Bidder at the top of the form. Each proposal should be accompanied by a Bid Bond, made payable to the Hutchinson Utilities Commission of the City of Hutchinson, Hutchinson, Minnesota, in the amount of five per cent (5 %) of the Bid, as a guarantee that the Bidder will enter into the proposed Contract and provide a Performance Bond after his Bid shall have been accepted. The successful Bidder shall furnish a Performance Bond in an amount equal to one hundred per cent (100 %) of the Contract price to the Owner prior to the approval of the Contract. No Bidder may withdraw his Bid or Proposal for a Period of thirty (30) days after date of opening of Bids. Specifications may be obtained by contacting Robert J. Herbst, at Power System Engineering, Inc, 2000 Engel Street, Madison, WI 53713. Mr. Herbst may be reached at 608- 268 -3504. The Hutchinson Utilities Commission of the City of Hutchinson, Hutchinson, Minnesota reserves the right to reject any and all bids, or bid irregularities. gy � Dwight Bo son, resident Date a-5 F.11 David WettEofig, Secretary Date �� G O LL Z O U) M W Z CG G V _W H J O Z U �T i d' M 0 0 0 z c 0 N cr 0 w Z O N O U U) Lo LV M LO ~ N o J �co 2,ti Z 2iT 'T N 2 N Z = Z N N M M G C . W% O X =N2aLT 0 H U) 4 Cl) plo W Q C.) N W Co (n Z (n W LO Q CD > Z N m M ZQ204 M Q Z o Z m O M N w 1 ((0 J W 0 r- WLL FU- °m OaZC � M 0 o x c!) CL LL a) Gov m O � to M N N V) (D rn m X L m U H � U) a) H v CD R w N O co r N N O O m CL ai ai m m �- m O z w 0 cn w a z z O 2 � O C) � m U) cD >W > 3 p m � T o -o .y 7 g o cr 4) a w Q 0 C! 00 Cli O p� Cl) d CL m W 09 C) aL a co ID rn c rn M 0 rn 0 LO 00 0 °v a� Cl) r- 0 �o o rn W CD N O O O m � s y o V` O c O L W >, m U 3= O U O L �p `m c o� c� n Emd3� m� �° n�a n`r o 0 _ N J U G ca cli 7 U � mN N ON CL O O C o L — 1L @ _ " N •C �U cY ` uia CD M'o (D o.� oa c N y CO -0 U m U U m E � .G o m U O C U _Q O QUO Q N O O E r- U CD -p L t+ N Q : 'O N m U '0 O~ J c f6 2 Z3 d J a u o N O O .-.— C�- E -62 (a J -.. m a .- E O Y i Of-- i 'a 00 'Z8 O an d 04 m C LC0 00 moa�UEcud).a a m m c 0 �U O m� a� o 2 O O C- O C O U-6 N O JZo 0.S,- ----z v� E� d w Gov m O � to M N N V) (D rn m X L m U H � U) a) H v CD R w N O co r N N O O m CL ai ai m m �- m O z w 0 cn w a z z O 2 � O C) � m U) cD >W > 3 p m � T o -o .y 7 g o cr 4) a w Q EDArbor Day Foundation 211 N. 12th St. • Lincoln, NE 68508.888- 448 -7337 • arbordayorg We inspire people to plank nurture, and celebrate trees. February 16, 2009 Mike Kumm Hutchinson Utilities Commission 225 Michigan St. Hutchinson, MN 55350 Dear Mike, Congratulations! Hutchinson Utilities Commission has been named a Tree Line USA Utility for the second year in recognition of your national leadership in caring for trees while meeting service objectives. Trees make our communities more livable, increase property values, and help clean the air. And trees conserve energy, which is especially important to utilities as peak demand is reduced. Your utility's effort in meeting Tree Line USA requirements — training your workers in quality tree - care practices and helping your customers to plant appropriate trees near utility lines— not only helps to provide beautiful trees for the future, but also results in long -term operational savings for your utility. Tree Line USA is sponsored in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters. We will forward recognition materials to Don Mueller in your state foresters office. They will coordinate additional recognition in your state and locality. It would be especially appropriate to announce your Tree Line'USA award at your local Arbor Day celebration. Again, congratulations on receiving this national recognition for your forestry program. F103F1TTi1 Cc: Dave Hunstad tM Best re , Dan Lambe Vice President of Programs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Arbor Day Foundation 211 N. 12th St. • Lincoln, NE 68508.888 -448 -7337 • arbordayorg We inspire people to plank nurture, and celebrate trees. Hutchinson Utilities Commission Named by The Arbor Day Foundation to Receive 2009 Tree Line USA Award NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. —The Arbor Day Foundation has named Hutchinson Utilities Commission a Tree Line USA Utility. The Tree Line USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and recognizes utilities that meet three requirements: a program of quality tree care, annual worker training in quality tree care practices, and a tree planting and public education program. "Across America, people are recognizing and celebrating how vital trees are to our cities and towns," John Rosenow, Chief Executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, said. "Trees help reduce peak demand by conserving energy. They also clean the air and water, increase property value, and make our homes more comfortable, livable places." "Tree Line USA utilities deserve recognition for their commitment to providing safe, efficient service, while helping protect and preserve community trees," Rosenow added. "One of the greatest objectives of Tree Line USA, and a major contribution of the program, is replacing the outdated line - clearance practice of topping trees with natural pruning. Natural pruning trains trees to grow around wires and retain more of their natural form. This results in healthier trees and reduced clearance costs for utility companies, since natural pruning has to be done less frequently than topping." Tree Line USA utilities include both investor -owned and public providers. These utilities have demonstrated commitment to public education, tree planting, and quality tree care. One utility offers rebates to customers planting trees for shade and energy conservation. Another involves employees in helping with children's activities at the city's annual Arbor Day celebration. "As deregulation has an increasing impact on the structure of utilities throughout America, it is hoped that high quality professional tree care will be at the forefront of both community and company concerns," Rosenow said. The Arbor Day Foundation, a nonprofit education organization, is dedicated to tree planting and environmental stewardship. ICEM �.