11-30-2010 HUCMRegular Meeting
November 30, 2010
Members present: President Dwight Bordson; Vice President Robert Hantge;
Commissioner Donald H. Walser; Commissioner Paul Nordin; Attorney Marc Sebora;
General Manager Michael Kumm
Member absent: Secretary Craig Lenz
President Bordson called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
The minutes of the October 27, 2010 regular meeting were reviewed. A motion was
made by Vice President Hantge, seconded by Commissioner Nordin to approve the
minutes as written. Motion was unanimously carried.
The October 2010 payables were discussed. A motion was made by Vice President
Hantge, seconded by Commissioner Walser to ratify the payment of bills in the amount
of $3,417,628.29 (detailed listing in payables book). Motion was unanimously carried.
GM Kumm presented the October 2010 financial statements /budget year -to -date. After
discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Walser, seconded by Commissioner
Nordin to approve the October 2010 financial statements /budget year -to -date. Motion
was unanimously carried.
Johanna Hanneman was welcomed to the meeting. Publications were distributed and
Ms. Hanneman gave a power point presentation on the HUC history piece. The Board
congratulated Ms. Hanneman on a job well done. Discussion was held regarding the
promotion of this piece.
GM Kumm presented the 2011 budget. After discussion, recommended changes and
corrections will be made before the December 15, 2010 special meeting.
GM Kumm gave an update on the transmission owner membership in MISO. We are
still in the process of gathering data.
Attorney Sebora presented changes to the parallel generation policy as per discussion
from October 27, 2010 regular meeting. After discussion a motion was made by Vice
President Hantge, seconded by Commissioner Nordin to approve changes to the
parallel generation policy. Motion was unanimously carried. (Policy attached.)
Discussion was held regarding R.W. Beck's rate study from 2005. It was decided to wait
until the summer of 2011 to bring this back to the Board as an agenda item.
GM Kumm presented changes to the policies and requirements booklet, sections:
disconnection of residential services by utilities; disconnection of commercial services
by utilities; and landlord acknowledgment. These changes are recommended by staff.
After discussion a motion was made by Commissioner Walser, seconded by Vice
President Hantge to approve changes to policies and requirement booklet, sections:
disconnection of residential services by utilities and disconnection of commercial
services by utilities. Motion was unanimously carried. (Changes attached.)
GM Kumm presented changes to exempt and non - exempt handbooks, sections: license
requirements for utility vehicle operation; smoking; alcohol or drugs; firearms; and
health /dental insurance. Staff recommended changes to clarify the license requirements
for utility vehicle operation policy for both handbooks. Changes to the health /dental
insurance is for exempt employees who receive benefits from the Veterans
Administration or are enrolled in TRICARE. After discussion, a motion was made by
Commissioner Walser, seconded by Vice President Hantge to approve changes to
exempt and non - exempt handbooks, sections: license requirements for utility vehicle
operation and health /dental insurance. Motion was unanimously carried. (Changes
attached.)
Discussion was held to schedule dates via e -mail for the HUC /City joint meeting.
A motion was made by Commissioner Walser, seconded by Commissioner Nordin to
declare the HUC Recognition / Holiday party scheduled for December 17, 2010 as an
open meeting. Motion was unanimously carried.
Division Reports
Business — Jan Sifferath
• Distributed handout with suggested verbiage as it relates to PILOT on
customers' billing; will be an agenda item at the December meeting.
• CIP dollars for 2011 will be less than in the past; more information at the
December meeting
• Reported last month that health insurance was going up 9.8 %. One other
company had not submitted a quote to meet our deadline, but that quote was
close to Medica's quote. We went back to Medica asking them if they could
do better than the 9.8% increase because the `late' quote was a possibility for
us to consider. Medica came down to a 7.8% increase instead. We will stay
with Medica.
Electric — Steve Lancaster
• Repairing a switch on the substation transformer
Finance — Jared Martig
• We have filed for the sales tax refund and have been approved for $138,000;
but the State has a hold on refunds at this time.
• Reviewing insurance renewal on property
• Waiting on reply from Attorney Sebora regarding check signing policy; will
update Commission next month
Gas — John Webster
• Purchased natural gas for January and February for $4.70; will have a natural
gas purchase confirmation for approval at December meeting.
• 1300 AMI natural gas modules have been installed.
• Regulator set is complete at School Road South; will be installing posts
GM Kumm updated the Board on the MMUA Board meeting; example of things
discussed:
State side:
• Environmental permits may be easier to obtain
• Look for a lifting of the ban on building nuclear plants
Federal side:
• Oversight investigation into EPA regulations
House side:
• Favoring `Smart Grid', electric transmission, drilling for all fuels
Legal Update
City is meeting with State Legislators on December 6
Unfinished Business
None
New Business
None
There being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Walser,
seconded by Vice President Hantge to adjourn the meeting at 5:04 p.m. Motion was
unanimously carried.
ATTEST:
Dwight Bordson, President
Robert Hantge, Vice President
Regular Meeting
November 30, 2010
Members present: President Dwight Bordson; Vice President Robert Hantge;
Commissioner Donald H. Walser; Commissioner Paul Nordin; Attorney Marc Sebora;
General Manager Michael Kumm
Member absent: Secretary Craig Lenz
President Bordson called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
The minutes of the October 27, 2010 regular meeting were reviewed. A motion was
made by Vice President Hantge, seconded by Commissioner Nordin to approve the
minutes as written. Motion was unanimously carried.
The October 2010 payables were discussed. A motion was made by Vice President
Hantge, seconded by Commissioner Walser to ratify the payment of bills in the amount
of $3,417,628.29 (detailed listing in payables book). Motion was unanimously carried.
GM Kumm presented the October 2010 financial statements /budget year -to -date. After
discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Walser, seconded by Commissioner
Nordin to approve the October 2010 financial statements /budget year -to -date. Motion
was unanimously carried.
Johanna Hanneman was welcomed to the meeting. Publications were distributed and
Ms. Hanneman gave a power point presentation on the HUC history piece. The Board
congratulated Ms. Hanneman on a job well done. Discussion was held regarding the
promotion of this piece.
GM Kumm presented the 2011 budget. After discussion, recommended changes and
corrections will be made before the December 15, 2010 special meeting.
GM Kumm gave an update on the transmission owner membership in MISO. We are
still in the process of gathering data.
Attorney Sebora presented changes to the parallel generation policy as per discussion
from October 27, 2010 regular meeting. After discussion a motion was made by Vice
President Hantge, seconded by Commissioner Nordin to approve changes to the
parallel generation policy. Motion was unanimously carried. (Policy attached.)
Discussion was held regarding R.W. Beck's rate study from 2005. It was decided to wait
until the summer of 2011 to bring this back to the Board as an agenda item.
GM Kumm presented changes to the policies and requirements booklet, sections:
disconnection of residential services by utilities; disconnection of commercial services
by utilities; and landlord acknowledgment. These changes are recommended by staff.
After discussion a motion was made by Commissioner Walser, seconded by Vice
President Hantge to approve changes to policies and requirement booklet, sections:
disconnection of residential services by utilities and disconnection of commercial
services by utilities. Motion was unanimously carried. (Changes attached.)
GM Kumm presented changes to exempt and non - exempt handbooks, sections: license
requirements for utility vehicle operation; smoking; alcohol or drugs; firearms; and
health /dental insurance. Staff recommended changes to clarify the license requirements
for utility vehicle operation policy for both handbooks. Changes to the health /dental
insurance is for exempt employees who receive benefits from the Veterans
Administration or are enrolled in TRICARE. After discussion, a motion was made by
Commissioner Walser, seconded by Vice President Hantge to approve changes to
exempt and non - exempt handbooks, sections: license requirements for utility vehicle
operation and health /dental insurance. Motion was unanimously carried. (Changes
attached.)
Discussion was held to schedule dates via e-mail for the HUC /City joint meeting.
A motion was made by Commissioner Walser, seconded by Commissioner Nordin to
declare the HUC Recognition / Holiday party scheduled for December 17, 2010 as an
open meeting. Motion was unanimously carried.
Division Reports
Business — Jan Sifferath
• Distributed handout with suggested verbiage as it relates to PILOT on
customers' billing; will be an agenda item at the December meeting.
• CIP dollars for 2011 will be less than in the past; more information at the
December meeting
• Reported last month that health insurance was going up 9.8 %. One other
company had not submitted a quote to meet our deadline, but that quote was
close to Medica's quote. We went back to Medica asking them if they could
do better than the 9.8% increase because the `late' quote was a possibility for
us to consider. Medica came down to a 7.8% increase instead. We will stay
with Medica.
Electric — Steve Lancaster
• Repairing a switch on the substation transformer
Finance — Jared Martig
• We have filed for the sales tax refund and have been approved for $138,000;
but the State has a hold on refunds at this time.
• Reviewing insurance renewal on property
• Waiting on reply from Attorney Sebora regarding check signing policy; will
update Commission next month
Gas — John Webster
• Purchased natural gas for January and February for $4.70; will have a natural
gas purchase confirmation for approval at December meeting.
• 1300 AMI natural gas modules have been installed.
• Regulator set is complete at School Road South; will be installing posts
GM Kumm updated the Board on the MMUA Board meeting; example of things
discussed:
State side:
• Environmental permits may be easier to obtain
• Look for a lifting of the ban on building nuclear plants
Federal side:
• Oversight investigation into EPA regulations
House side:
• Favoring `Smart Grid', electric transmission, drilling for all fuels
Legal Update
City is meeting with State Legislators on December 6
Unfinished Business
None
New Business
None
There being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Walser,
seconded by Vice President Hantge to adjourn the meeting at 5:04 p.m. Motion was
unanimously carried.
ert Hantge, Vice President
ATTEST:
Amended August 31, 2009 November 30, 2010
Hutchinson Utilities Commission
Parallel Generation (40 kW or less) — Net Energy Billing
1. Effective In
All territories served by Hutchinson Utilities Commission.
2. Availability
Available for single -phase and three -phase customers where a part or all of the
electrical requirements of the customer are supplied by the customer's
generating facilities, where such facilities have a total generating capability of 40
kW or less, where such facilities are connected in parallel with the utility and
where such facilities are approved by the utility.
The budget payment plan will not be available to customers with parallel
generation.
3. Rate
The customer shall be billed monthly on a net energy basis and shall pay the
fixed charge and energy charge specified in the rate schedule under which he is
served. If, in any month, the customer's bill has a credit balance of $100 or less,
the amount shall be credited to subsequent bills until a debit balance is
reestablished. If the credit balance is more than $100, the utility shall reimburse
the customer by check upon request. Monthly credits shall be computed by
taking the net excess kilowatt -hours produced times the sum of the current (P -1)
Rate schedule. (the average monthly cost of wholesale power to the City of
Hutchinson).
4. Metering and Services Facilities
A customer who is served under a regular rate schedule shall have any ratchet
and /or other device removed from his meter to allow reverse power flow and
measurement of net energy used. Customers eligible for net energy billing but
with existing metering facilities equipped with ratchets or other devices
preventing reverse registration (i.e. time -of -use metering facilities) may request
that the utility install the necessary metering to permit such billing.
5. Customer Obligation
See Sections 9 and 10.
1
Customer -Owned Generation Systems (Greater than 40 kW)
1. Effective In
All territories served by Hutchinson Utilities Commission.
2. Availability
Available for single -phase and three -phase customers where a part or all of the
electrical requirements of the customer are supplied by the customer's
generating facilities, where such facilities have a total generating capability of
greater than 40 kW and less than or equal to 100 KW, where such facilities are
connected in parallel with the utility. Customers not desiring to sell energy under
this rate have the right to negotiate a buy -back rate.
The energy rate indicated below is the minimum for electrical energy. Customers
with generating facilities greater than 100 kW can negotiate a buy -back rate.
Should the utility be unwilling to pay the minimum rate for electrical energy, the
utility shall agree to transport such electrical energy to another utility that will pay
such minimum rate. The utility shall recover actual costs of such transportation
from the generating customer.
The budget payment plan will not be available to customers with parallel
generation
3. Rate
Customers shall receive monthly payments for all electricity delivered to the utility
and shall be billed by the utility for metering and associated billing expenses
specified in the latest rates of the wholesale supplier unless the latest rates of the
wholesale supplier do not properly reflect avoided costs. In such event, the
Commission, upon request, may determine appropriate rates. The utility shall
have on file a copy of the latest customer -owned generation system rates for its
wholesale supplier.
4. Minimum Charge
The monthly minimum charge paid by the customer shall be the customer
charge.
5. Power Factor
The customer shall operate on a net power factor of not less than 94 percent. A
power factor penalty will apply if the power factor drops below 94 percent.
2
Customer -Owned Generation Systems (Greater than 40 kW) continued
6. Neaotiated Rates
Customers with generation systems greater than 100 kW can negotiate a buy-
back rate.
Customers with generation systems greater than 40 kW and less than or equal to
100 kW have the right to negotiate a buy -back rate. The buy -back rate cannot be
greater than the full, avoided cost.
The following are the required procedure guidelines:
a. The utility must respond to the customer -owned generating system within
30 days of the initial written receipt of the customer -owned generating
system proposal and within 30 days of receipt of a subsequent customer -
owned generating system proposal,
b. The utility's rejection of the customer -owned generating system proposal
must be accompanied by a counter -offer relating to the specific subject
matter of the customer -owned generating system proposal, and
C. If the utility is unable to respond to the customer -owned generating system
proposal within 30 days it shall inform the customer -owned generating
system of
1) Specific information needed to evaluate the customer -owned
generating system proposal.
2) The precise difficulty encountered in evaluating the customer -
owned generating system proposal.
3) The estimated date that it will respond to the customer -owned
generating system proposal.
d. The Commission may become involved in the utility negotiations upon
showing by either utility or the customer -owned generating system that a
reasonable conclusion cannot be reached under the above guidelines.
The Commission may provide a waiver to the guidelines and order new
negotiation requirements so that a reasonable conclusion can be reached.
e. A copy of all negotiated buy -back rates shall be given to the Commission.
These rates shall not be effective until, approved by the Commission.
3
Customer -Owned Generation Systems (Greater than 40 kW) continued
7. Charges for Energy Supplied by the Utility
Energy supplied by the utility to the customer shall be billed in accordance with
the standard applicable rate schedules of the utility.
8. Maintenance Rate
A customer -owned generation facility may be billed lower demand charges for
energy purchased during scheduled maintenance provided written approval is
obtained in advance from the utility. Demand charges other than "Distribution
Demand" shall be prorated if maintenance is scheduled such that the utility does
not incur additional capacity costs. Said probation shall be demand charge times
the number of authorized days of scheduled maintenance divided by the number
of days in the billing period.
0
Customer -Owned Generation Systems (Less than 40KW and Greater than 40KW)
9. Contract Required
A contract is required between the utility and the customer -owned generation
facility. The contract shall specify safety, system protection, and power quality
rules that generators must comply with. Contracts with customer -owned
generation facilities selling energy under the standard (non- negotiated) rate have
no specific term or length. Contracts with customer -owned generation facilities
selling energy under a negotiated rate shall contain performance requirements
and be of sufficient length to ensure the utility avoids the costs for which the
customer -owned generation facility has been paid.
10. Customer Obligation
a. Metering Facilities
The customer shall furnish, install and wire the necessary service
entrance equipment, meter sockets, meter enclosure cabinets, or meter
connection cabinets that may be required by the utility to properly meter
usage and sales to the utility.
b. Interconnection Costs
The owner of the generating facility shall be required to pay all
interconnection costs, incurred by the utility. The owner shall pay said
costs, including financing costs, prior to the final service connection to the
Hutchinson Utilities electrical system.
C. Insurance Hold Harmless and Government Approval
The customer shall keep in force liability insurance, of at least
$300,000.00, against personal or property damage due to the installation,
interconnection, and operation of its the customer's generating facility. The
customer shall provide proof of insurance to the utility on an annual basis.
The management of the utility, in its discretion, may require that the
customer post a bond or other type of security in an amount it deems
necessary to protect the assets of the utilities' system from damage
arising out of the operation of the customer's system.
The customer will hold the utility harmless and indemnify the utility from all
claims of damage whatsoever.
The customer is responsible for obtaining all governmental permits and
approvals.
I•'1
d. Interconnection and Operation (Safety and Power Quality) Requirements
Electric Service to a customer -owned electric generation installation may
be disconnected for failure to comply with these requirements.
1) Interconnection of a generating facility with the utility system shall
not be permitted until application has been made to and approval
received from the electric utility. The utility may withhold approval
only for good reason such as failure to comply with applicable utility
or governmental rules or laws. The utility shall require a contract
specifying reasonable technical connection and operating aspects
for the parallel generating facility.
2) The utility may require that for each generating facility there is
provided between the generator or generators and the utility
system, a lockable load -break disconnect switch. For installations
interconnected at greater 600 volts a fused cutout switch may be
substituted, where practicable. The switches shall be accessible to
the utility for the purpose of isolating the parallel generating facility
from the utility system when necessary.
3) The utility shall require a separate distribution transformer for a
customer having a generating facility where necessary, for reasons
of public and employee safety or where the potential exists for the
generating facility causing problems with the service of other
customers. Ordinarily the requirement should not be necessary for
an induction -type generator with a capacity of 5 kW or less, or other
generating units of 10 kW or less that utilize line- connected
inverters.
4) Where necessary, to avoid the potential for a facility causing
problems with the service of other customers, the utility should limit
the capacity and operating characteristics of single -phase motors.
Ordinarily single -phase generators should be limited to a capacity
of 10 kW or less.
5) The utility shall require that each generating facility have a system
for automatically isolating the generator from the utility's system
upon loss of the utility supply, unless the utility desires that the local
generation be continued to supply isolated load. For synchronous
and induction generators such protection against continued
operation when isolated from the utility system will ordinarily consist
of over - current protection, fuse or circuit breaker, plus a voltage or
frequency controlled contactor which would automatically
disconnect the unit whenever its output voltage or frequency drifted
[s�
outside predetermined limits, such as plus or minus 10 percent of
the rated values.
Other suitable protective systems against abnormal voltages of
frequencies may be accepted by the utility.
6) The utility shall require that the customer discontinue parallel
generation operation when it so requests and the utility may isolate
the generating installation from its system at times: During such
times, Hutchinson Utilities Commission shall not be liable for
revenue lost by the customer.
a) When considered necessary to facilitate maintenance or
repair of utility facilities.
b) When considered necessary during system emergencies.
c) When considered necessary during such times as the
generating facility is operating in a hazardous manner, or is
operating such that it adversely affects service to other
customers or to nearby communication systems or circuits.
7) The owner of the generating facility shall be required to make the
equipment available and permit entry upon the property by electric
and communication utility personnel at reasonable times for the
purposes of testing isolation and protective equipment, and
evaluating the quality of power delivered to the utility's system; and
testing to determine whether the local generating facility is the
source of any electric service or communication systems problems.
8) The power output of the generating facility shall be maintained such
that the frequency and voltage are compatible with normal utility
service and do not cause that utility service to fall outside the
prescribed limits of Commission rules and other standard
limitations.
9) The generating facility shall be operated so that variations from
acceptable voltage levels and other service impairing disturbances
do not result in adverse effects on the service or equipment of other
customers, and in a manner that does not produce undesirable
levels of harmonics in the utility power supply. The customer
agrees to disconnect the generating facility from the HUC
distribution system or reimburse HUC for the cost of necessary
system modifications if operation of the generating facility causes
radio, television, internet, or electrical service interference to other
7
customers, or interference with the operation of the HUC electrical
system.
10) The owner of the generating facility shall be responsible for
providing protection for the owner's installation equipment and for
adhering to all applicable national, state and local codes. The
design and configuration of certain generating equipment such as
that utilizing line- commutated inverters sometimes requires an
isolation transformer as part of the generating installation for safety
and for protection of generating facilities.
11) Customer agrees to locate the generating facility so as to not
interfere with the HUC distribution system. Customer agrees that
the installation shall be in compliance with all applicable electric
codes and the generating facility will be operated only after
installation has been inspected and approved by appropriate
authorities. Customer agrees to obtain all required permits, building
and zoning information, and applicable inspections.
12) The customer agrees to reimburse HUC for any addition,
modification, or replacement of any distribution components made
necessary by the customer's installation.
13) Customer agrees to effectively install grounding and provide surge
arrestor protection to prevent lightning damage to HUC distribution
system.
11. Utility Obligation
a. Metering Facilities
The utility shall own and install appropriate meter to record all flows of
energy necessary to bill in accordance with the charges and credits of the
rate schedule.
b. Notice to Communication Firms
Each electric utility shall notify telephone utility and cable television firms
in the area when it knows that customer -owned generating facility is to be
interconnected with its system. This notification shall be as early as
practicable to permit coordinated analysis and testing in advance of
interconnection, if considered necessary by the electric or telephone utility
or cable television firm.
12. Right to Appeal
The owner of the generating facility interconnected or proposed to be interconnected
with a utility system may appeal to the Commission should any requirement of the utility
service rules or the required contract be considered to be excessive or unreasonable.
Such appeal will be reviewed and the customer notified of the Commission's
determination.
0
Contract for Parallel Generation facilities
This contract is entered into
Commission (hereafter called "Utility ") and
(hereafter called "customer ")
The customer has
located at
RECITALS
by Hutchinson Utilities
installed electric generating facilities, consisting of
rated at kilowatts of electricity, on property
The customer is prepared to generate electricity in parallel with the Utility.
The customer meets the requirements of the Utilities rules on parallel generation and
any technical standards for interconnection the Utility has established that are
authorized by those rules.
The Utility is obligated under federal and Minnesota law to interconnect with the
customer and to purchase electricity offered for sale by the customer.
AGREEMENTS
The customer and the Utility agree:
1. The Utility will sell electricity to the customer under the rate schedule in force for
the class of customer to which the customer belongs.
2. Payment per KW for Energy delivered to HUC, in Excess of Energy Used by the
customer.
$ see, #3 in Parallel Generation (40KW or less).
3. The rates for sales and purchase of electricity may change over the time this
contract is in force, due to actions of the Utility. The customer and the Utility
agree that sales and purchases will be made under the rates in effect each
month during the time this contract is in force.
4. The customer must operate its electric generating facilities within any rules,
regulations, and policies adopted by the utility, which provide reasonable
technical connection and operating specifications for the customer (Hutchinson
Utility Commission's rules and regulations applicable to parallel generation are
attached).
10
5. The customer will operate its electric generating facilities so that they conform to
the national, state, and local electric and safety codes, and will be responsible for
the costs of conformance.
6. The customer is responsible for the actual, reasonable costs of interconnection
which are estimated to be $ The customer will pay the Utility in this
way
7. The customer will give the Utility reasonable access to its property and electric
generating facilities if the configuration of those facilities does not permit
disconnection or testing from the Utility's side of the interconnection. If the Utility
enters the customer's property, the Utility will remain responsible for its
personnel.
8. The Utility may stop providing electricity to the customer during a system
emergency. The Utility will not discriminate against the customer when it stops
providing electricity or when it resumes providing electricity.
9. The Utility may stop purchasing electricity from the customer when necessary for
the Utility to construct, install, maintain, replace, remove, investigate, or inspect
equipment or facilities within its electrical system. The Utility will notify the
customer before it stops purchasing electricity in this way.
10. The customer shall keep in force liability insurance, of at least $300,000.00,
against personal or property damage due to the installation, interconnection, and
operation of it's the customer's generating facility and shall provide annual proof
of the insurance to the Utility. To protect the assets of the Utility's system, the
customer shall provide to the Utility security in the form of a
in the amount of $ . The customer agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless the Utility from all claims whatsoever arising from customer's
generating system.
11. This contract becomes effective when signed by the customer and the utility. This
contract will remain in force until either the customer or the Utility gives written
notice to the other that the contract is canceled. This contract will be canceled 30
days after notice is given.
12. This contract does not serve as an approval of the customer's generating system
for planning, zoning or permit purposes. The customer shall have the
responsibility to obtain proper approval and permits from the City of Hutchinson
or other governmental entities pertaining to the construction and operation of the
customer's generating system.
11
13. ?This contract contains all the agreements made between the customer and the
Utility. The customer and the Utility are not responsible for any agreements other
than those stated in this contract.
THE CUSTOMER AND THE UTILITY HAVE READ THIS CONTRACT AND AGREE
TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS. AS EVIDENCE OF THEIR AGREEMENT, THEY
HAVE EACH SIGNED THIS CONTRACT BELOW ON THE DATE WRITTEN AT
THE BEGINNING OF THIS CONTRACT.
Customer
Date:
12
HUTCHINSON UTILITIES COMMISSION
Date:
DISCONNECTION OF RESIDENTIAL SERVICES BY UTILITIES
1. Residential utility service shall be disconnected for any of the following reasons..
• Failure to pay a delinquent account or failure to comply with the terms of the
budget payment plan.
• Failure to contact Hutchinson Utilities Commission to gain protection from
disconnection under the Cold Weather Rule.
• Failure to maintain the payment agreement established under the Cold Weather
Rule.
• Failure to comply with deposit requirement.
• Failure to pay for merchandise or charges for non - utility service billed by the
utility.
• Payment of bill with a dishonored check.
• Failure to provide authorized utility personnel access to utility equipment.
• HUC shall disconnect residential utility service, without notice, where service has
been reconnected without HUC's authorization.
• HUC shall disconnect residential utility service, without notice, where it has
reasonable evidence that utility service is being obtained by potentially unsafe
devices or potentially unsafe methods that stop or interfere with the proper
metering of the utility service.
• HUC may disconnect residential utility service, without notice, where a
dangerous condition exists for as long as the condition exists.
• At the request of the property owner, as long as it's currently in owner's name.
2. HUC must have a Landlord Agreement on file acknowledging that landlord /owner will
be responsible for all utility charges after the read out date requested by a tenant.
Failure of the landlord /owner to execute this form will lead to a shut off of services on
the read -out date requested from tenant.
3. For all items mentioned in number 1 and 2 above, a disconnect/reconnect fee shall
be applied. The disconnect/reconnect fee is as follows:
• A $40 trip charge to disconnect.
• A $40 trip charge to reconnect, after payment has been FeGei ed shall be made
with cash, money order or credit card.
4. In the event of unauthorized use of, or tampering with the equipment of HUC. A
tampering charge of $58 $100 will be assessed to the customer's account. The
appropriate law enforcement agency will be notified. HUC reserves the right to
charge the customer for the cost of repairs to the equipment of HUC.
5. A dishonored check will be assessed a $30 processing fee; plus:
• A $40 trip charge to deliver a door hanger, giving customer 24 hours to make
check good with cash, money order or credit card.
6. HUC is not required to furnish residential service under conditions requiring
operationin parallel with generating equipment connected to the customer's system if
such operation is hazardous or may interfere with its own operations or service to
other customers or operation as a condition or rendering service under such
circumstances. For additional information, see RUC's Parallel Generation Policy.
FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THE DISCONNECT NOTICE SET FORTH ON THE BILL
OR FAILURE TO PAY FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY HUC MAY RESULT IN THE
DISCONNECTION OF SERVICES TO THE PROPERTY WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL
NOTICE TO THE CUSTOMER. IT IS THE CUSTOMER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY
FOR SERVICES RENDERED AND TO ADVISE HUC OF ANY CHANGE IN
ADDRESS. NEITHER HUC NOR THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON, NOR ANY OF THE
AGENTS, EMPLOYEES OR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON
OR HUC, WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR CLAIMS INCURRED AS
A RESULT OF THE DISCONNECTION OF SERVICES.
Residential utility service may not be disconnected or refused for any of the following
reasons:
• Delinquency in payment for services by a previous occupant of the premises to
be served.
• Failure to pay for a different rate classification of utility service.
• Failure to pay the account of another customer as guarantor thereof.
• Failure to pay charges arising from any underbilling occurring more than 2 years
prior to the current billing and due to any misapplication of rates or faulty
metering.
• If a customer is on the Budget Payment Plan and has a credit balance on
account.
e
DISCONNECTION OF COMMERCIAL SERVICES BY UTILITIES
1. Commercial utility service shall be disconnected for any of the following reasons:
• Failure to pay a delinquent account.
• Failure to comply with deposit requirement.
• Failure to pay for merchandise or charges for non - utility service billed by the
utility.
• Payment of bill with a dishonored check.
• Failure to provide authorized utility personnel access to utility equipment.
• HUC shall disconnect commercial utility service, without notice, where service
has been reconnected without HUC's authorization.
• HUC shall disconnect commercial utility service, without notice, where it has
reasonable evidence that utility service is being obtained by potentially unsafe
devices or potentially unsafe methods that stop or interfere with the proper
metering of the utility service.
• HUC may disconnect commercial utility service, without notice, where a
dangerous condition exists for as long as the condition exists.
• At the request of the property owner, as long as it's currently in owner's name.
2. HUC must have a Landlord Agreement on file acknowledging that landlord /owner will
be responsible for all utility charges after the read out date requested by a tenant.
Failure of the landlord /owner to execute this form will lead to a shut off of services on
the read -out date requested from tenant.
3. For all items mentioned in number 1 and 2 above, a disconnect/reconnect fee shall
be applied. The disconnect/reconnect fee is as follows:
• A $40 trip charge to disconnect.
• A $40 trip charge to reconnect, after payment has been reGeived shall be made
with cash, money order or credit card.
4. In the event of unauthorized use of, or tampering with the equipment of HUC. A
tampering charge of $50 $100 will be assessed to the customer's account. The
appropriate law enforcement agency will be notified. HUC reserves the right to
charge the customer for the cost of repairs to the equipment of HUC.
5. A dishonored check will be assessed a $30 processing fee; plus:
• A $40 trip charge to deliver a door hanger, giving customer 24 hours to make
check good with cash, money order or credit card.
6. HUC is not required to furnish commercial service under conditions requiring
operation in parallel with generating equipment connected to the customer's system
if such operation is hazardous or may interfere with its own operations or service to
other customers or operation as a condition or rendering service under such
circumstances. For additional information, see HUC's Parallel Generation Policy.
FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THE DISCONNECT NOTICE SET FORTH ON THE BILL
OR FAILURE TO PAY FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY HUC MAY RESULT IN THE
DISCONNECTION OF SERVICES TO THE PROPERTY WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL
NOTICE TO THE CUSTOMER. IT IS THE CUSTOMER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY
FOR SERVICES RENDERED AND TO ADVISE HUC OF ANY CHANGE IN
ADDRESS. NEITHER HUC NOR THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON, NOR ANY OF THE
AGENTS, EMPLOYEES OR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON
OR HUC, WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR CLAIMS INCURRED AS
A RESULT OF THE DISCONNECTION OF SERVICES.
Commercial utility service may not be disconnected or refused for any of the following
reasons:
• Delinquency in payment for services by a previous occupant of the premises to
be served.
• Failure to pay for a different rate classification of utility service.
• Failure to pay the account of another customer as guarantor thereof.
• Failure to pay charges arising from any underbilling occurring more than 2 years
prior to the current billing and due to any misapplication of rates or faulty
metering.
EXEMPT
License Requirements for Utility Vehicle Operation
An employee whose job requires operating a motor vehicle must possess a valid Minnesota
Driver's License with necessary endorsements in order to conduct Utility business. If an
employee's driver's license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled, the employee must immediately
inform the employee's Director, Manager or Supervisor who must inform the General Manager.
The General Manager shall take appropriate action up to and including discharge, suspension, er
demotion, or provide reasonable accommodation to a position that does not require vehicle
operation. An acceptable driving record is a condition of employment if operation of a vehicle is
an essential part of an employee's job. The Utility ty . ill affivally eheev the status of e ...leye0x'