05-26-2004 HUCM
Regular Meeting
May 26,2004
Members present: President Paul Ackland; Vice President Craig Lenz; Secretary
Donald Walser; Commissioner David Wetterling; Commissioner Marlin Torgerson and
General Manager Michael Kumm.
President Ackland called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
Commissioner Torgerson made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 28,2004
Regular Meeting. Vice President Lenz seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Vice President Lenz made a motion to table the minutes of the May 18, 2004 Special
Meeting. Secretary Walser seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Torgerson made a motion to close the meeting to discuss on-going
litigation commenced against Hutchinson Utilities Commission by Nathan Smutka and
to discuss on-going condemnation litigation involving pipeline owners. Vice President
Lenz seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
President Ackland reopened the meeting at 5:15 p.m.
Vice President Lenz made a motion authorizing General Manager Kumm and counsel to
hire an appraiser and not to exceed $125,000. Commissioner Wetterling seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
Secretary Walser made a motion authorizing General Manager Kumm and counsel to
proceed with the settlement proceedings discussed in the closed session. Vice
President Lenz seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Payment of bills was discussed and no payments are to be issued to Jomax
Construction Company or to Natural Gas Consulting. Commissioner Torgerson made a
motion to ratify the payment of bills in the amount of $4,213,044.01 (detailed listing in
payables book). Commissioner Wetterling seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Commissioner Torgerson made a motion to approve the financial statement and budget
year to date. Commissioner Wetterling seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
There was a discussion of the medical insurance plan deficit. General Manager Kumm
will check on the status and history of that for further discussion.
Vice President Lenz made a motion to approve the Proposed Write-Off Accounts in the
amount of $3,358.52. Secretary Walser seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Commissioner Torgerson made a motion to approve Requisition #79 to Border States
Electric for source transfer equipment for Hutchinson Waste Water Treatment Facility
on Ontario Street. Secretary Walser seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Hutchinson Utilities representatives for Environmental Protection Agency's air emissions
reporting were discussed. Commissioner Wetterling made a motion to approve having
Michael Kumm be the designated representative and Donald Merkins be the alternate
designated representative. Vice President Lenz seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Customer service work area remodeling was removed from the agenda
Division Updates were presented. The Sunbelt transformer was discussed. Donald
Merkins will check on the rebuilt transformer and possibly have the transformer stored
off of Sunbelt's premises. The natural gas pipeline was discussed. The Commission
will have a discussion regarding the future of the downtown plant. Staff will prepare
recommendations and participate in that discussion. Staff will be presenting
recommendations concerning changes in purchasing policies.
Secretary Walser made a motion authorizing President Ackland to sign the attorney fee
agreement with the Larkin, Hoffman Law Firm after the General Manager receives
clarification on the basis for the fees. Vice President Lenz seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.
Vice President Lenz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Commissioner
Wetterling seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Donald H. Walser, Secretary
ATTEST
Paul L. Ackland, President
Regular Meeting
May 26, 2004
Members present: President Paul Ackland; Vice President Craig Lenz; Secretary
Donald Walser; Commissioner David Wetterling; Commissioner Marlin Torgerson and
General Manager Michael Kumm.
President Ackland called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
Commissioner Torgerson made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 28, 2004
Regular Meeting. Vice President Lenz seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Vice President Lenz made a motion to table the minutes of the May 18, 2004 Special
Meeting. Secretary Walser seconded the motion and it, passed unanimously.
Commissioner Torgerson made a motion to close the meeting to discuss on -going
litigation commenced against Hutchinson Utilities Commission by Nathan Smutka and
to discuss on -going condemnation litigation involving pipeline owners. Vice President
Lenz seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
President Ackland reopened the meeting at 5:15 p.m.
Vice President Lenz made a motion authorizing General Manager Kumm and counsel to
hire an appraiser and not to exceed $125,000. Commissioner Wetterling seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
Secretary Walser made a motion authorizing General Manager Kumm and counsel to
proceed with the settlement proceedings discussed in the closed session. Vice
President Lenz seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Payment of bills was discussed and no payments are to be issued to Jomax
Construction Company or to Natural Gas Consulting. Commissioner Torgerson made a
motion to ratify the payment of bills in the amount of $4,213,044.01 (detailed listing in
payables book). Commissioner Wetterling seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Commissioner Torgerson made a motion to approve the financial statement and budget
year to date. Commissioner Wetterling seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
There was a discussion of the medical insurance plan deficit. General Manager Kumm
will check on the status and history of that for further discussion.
C
&3
Vice President Lenz made a motion to approve the Proposed Write -Off Accounts in the
amount of $3,358.52. Secretary Walser seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Commissioner Torgerson made a motion -to approve Requisition #79 to Border States
Electric for source transfer equipment for Hutchinson Waste Water Treatment Facility
on Ontario Street. Secretary Walser seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Hutchinson Utilities representatives for Environmental Protection Agency's air emissions
reporting were discussed. Commissioner Wetterling made a motion to approve having
Michael Kumm be the designated representative and Donald Merkins be the alternate
designated representative. Vice President Lenz seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Customer service work area remodeling was removed from tkte agenda.
Division Updates were presented. The Sunbelt transformer was discussed. Donald'
Merkins will check on the rebuilt transformer and possibly have the transformer stored
off of Sunbelt's premises. The natural gas pipeline was discussed. The Commission
will have a discussion regarding the future of the downtown plant. Staff will prepare
recommendations and participate in that discussion. Staff will be presenting
recommendations concerning changes in purchasing policies.
Secretary Walser made a motion authorizing President Ackland to sign the attorney fee
agreement with the Larkin, Hoffman Law Firm after the General Manager receives
clarification on the basis for the fees. Vice President Lenz seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.
Vice President Lenz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m.. Commissioner
Wetterling seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
il-
P D onald H. alser, Secretary
ATTESTaul L Ackland, President
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