07-30-2008 HUCMRegular Meeting
July 30, 2008
Members present: President Donald H. Walser; Vice President David Wetterling,
Secretary Dwight Bordson; Commissioner Craig Lenz; Commissioner Robert Hantge;
Attorney Marc Sebora; General Manager Michael Kumm.
President Walser called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
The minutes of the June 25, 2008 regular meeting were reviewed. A motion was made
by Commissioner Hantge, seconded by Vice President Wetterling to approve the
minutes as written. Motion was unanimously carried.
Jim Haugen, Haugen Architecture Inc. was welcomed to the meeting. Mr. Haugen
presented a report from Chosen Valley Testing, Inc. on the soil testing for the new
materials center building project. After discussion, a motion was made by Vice
President Wetterling, seconded by Commissioner Hantge to authorize GM Kumm to
approve a change order not to exceed $75,000 for the soil correction change order.
Motion was unanimously carried.
Sarah Young, McLeod County Solid Waste Management, was welcomed to the
meeting. Ms. Young asked for permission to insert a flyer in our September utility billing
reminding and encouraging our customers to recycle. After discussion a motion was
made by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Vice President Wetterling to approve the
McLeod County Solid Waste Management’s flyer with our September utility billing.
Motion was unanimously carried.
GM Kumm presented the payables for approval. After discussion, a motion was made
by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Secretary Bordson to ratify the payment of bills in
the amount of $4,060,552.60 (detailed listing in payables book). Motion was
unanimously carried.
GM Kumm presented the financial statements/budget year-to-date. A coding error
occurred on the budget/expense report which will be corrected. After discussion, a
motion was made by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Vice President Wetterling to
approve the financial statements/budget year-to-date. Motion was unanimously carried.
GM presented the HSA (Health Savings Account) Plan Design. After discussion, a
motion was made by Commissioner Hantge, seconded by Secretary Bordson to
approve the HSA plan, (in addition to our present health care), to fund 80% of the
deductible and 80% of the premium for the non-exempt employees. Motion was
unanimously carried.
Discussion was held on the health/safety program. Currently we are in a combined City
of Hutchinson and Hutchinson Utilities Commission health/safety program with MMUA.
We want two separate contracts with MMUA: what we have in common with City we will
continue to do together; things that are specific to HUC we would have our own
contract. This has been discussed with all the managers of City and HUC and everyone
is in agreement. All the safety sign-up sheets will be kept here in the HUC office.
Discussion was held on records retention schedule. This will come back to the board at
the August meeting for approval of a policy specific to HUC’s records retention
schedule.
Discussion was held on the strategic plan – vision statement eight – strategic
objections. A suggestion was given to establish a succession plan for other levels of
employment; not just the General Manager/CEO. It was decided to view the
organizational chart and develop a succession plan for one level below the General
Manager/CEO.
Division reports
Gas – John Webster
ndnd
Installing gas services outside the city limits at 202 Circle, 202 Drive
Installing pipe on Highway 15 North for 16 customers wanting gas service
thth
Installing pipe at 205 Drive, 205 Court
HUC has received a safety award
Electric – Steve Lancaster
One lineman was quit to take a job as a lineman in his hometown
Meter Tech position is vacant as he filled the position of lineman
Chiller is operational
Fuel tank project is complete
Beautification project at Plant 1 is still in progress
Business – Jan Sifferath
We are now live with our new billing software
Purchasing agent will contact vendors for contract pricing for our inventory of
electrical components.
Legal Update
Attorney Sebora reported on the proposed charter commission change: a City
Council member shall be on the board of the Hutchinson Utilities Commission. It
was voted not to change the charter.
He also reported that Mayor Cook will appoint a city council member to fill a
position on the utilities commission board that will become vacant in 2009.
Unfinished Business
Purchasing Limit :
Nothing new to report at this time
Round-up Program:
Jan talked with Secretary of State who referred her to the attorney general who in
turn referred her back to our attorney. She has not had a chance to meet with
Attorney Sebora.
Our new billing software will support the round-up program. It was decided to
table any action at this time.
Vice President Wetterling discussed the possibility of legislation changing the law as it
relates to the salary cap.
New Business
GM Kumm reported on Geronimo Wind energy study. Sites have been located;
more information will be provided at the August meeting.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Hantge,
seconded by Commissioner Lenz to adjourn the meeting at 4:55 p.m. Motion was
unanimously carried.
______________________
Dwight Bordson, Secretary
ATTEST:_________________________
Donald H. Walser, President
Regular Meeting
July 30, 2008
Members present: President Donald H. Walser; Vice President David Wetterling,
Secretary Dwight Bordson; Commissioner Craig Lenz; Commissioner Robert Hantge;
Attorney Marc Sebora; General Manager Michael Kumm.
President Walser called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
The minutes of the June 25, 2008 regular meeting were reviewed. A motion was made
by Commissioner Hantge, seconded by Vice President Wetterling to approve the
minutes as written. Motion was unanimously carried.
Jim Haugen, Haugen Architecture Inc. was welcomed to the meeting. Mr. Haugen
presented a report from Chosen Valley Testing, Inc. on the soil testing for the new
materials center building project. After discussion, a motion was made by Vice
President Wetterling, seconded by Commissioner Hantge to authorize GM Kumm to
approve a change order not to exceed $75,000 for the soil correction change order.
Motion was unanimously carried.
Sarah Young, McLeod County Solid Waste Management, was welcomed to the
meeting. Ms. Young asked for permission to insert a flyer in our September utility billing
reminding and encouraging our customers to recycle. After discussion a motion was
made by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Vice President Wetterling to approve the
McLeod County Solid Waste Management's flyer with our September utility billing.
Motion was unanimously carried.
GM Kumm presented the payables for approval. After discussion, a motion was made
by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Secretary Bordson to ratify the payment of bills in
the amount of $4,060,552.60 (detailed listing in payables book). Motion was
unanimously carried.
GM Kumm presented the financial statements /budget year -to -date. A coding error
occurred on the budget/expense report which will be corrected. After discussion, a
motion was made by Commissioner Lenz, seconded by Vice President Wetterling to
approve the financial statements /budget year -to -date. Motion was unanimously carried.
GM presented the HSA (Health Savings Account) Plan Design. After discussion, a
motion was made by Commissioner Hantge, seconded by Secretary Bordson to
approve the HSA plan, (in addition to our present health care), to fund 80% of the
deductible and 80% of the premium for the non - exempt employees. Motion was
unanimously carried.
Discussion was held on the health /safety program. Currently we are in a combined City
of Hutchinson and Hutchinson Utilities Commission health /safety program with MMUA.
We want two separate contracts with MMUA: what we have in common with City we will
continue to do together; things that are specific to HUC we would have our own
contract. This has been discussed with all the managers of City and HUC and everyone
is in agreement. All the safety sign -up sheets will be kept here in the HUC office.
Discussion was held on records retention schedule. This will come back to the board at
the August meeting for approval of a policy specific to HUC's records retention
schedule.
Discussion was held on the strategic plan — vision statement eight — strategic
objections. A suggestion was given to establish a succession plan for other levels of
employment; not just the General Manager /CEO. It was decided to view the
organizational chart and develop a succession plan for one level below the General
Manager /CEO.
Division reports
Gas — John Webster
• Installing gas services outside the city limits at 202nd Circle, 202nd Drive
• Installing pipe on Highway 15 North for 16 customers wanting gas service
• Installing pipe at 205th Drive, 205th Court
• HUC has received a safety award
Electric — Steve Lancaster
• One lineman was quit to take a job as a lineman in his hometown
• Meter Tech position is vacant as he filled the position of lineman
• Chiller is operational
• Fuel tank project is complete
• Beautification project at Plant 1 is still in progress
Business — Jan Sifferath
• We are now live with our new billing software
• Purchasing agent will contact vendors for contract pricing for our inventory of
electrical components.
Legal Update
Attorney Sebora reported on the proposed charter commission change: a City
Council member shall be on the board of the Hutchinson Utilities Commission. It
was voted not to change the charter.
He also reported that Mayor Cook will appoint a city council member to fill a
position on the utilities commission board that will become vacant in 2009.
Unfinished Business
Purchasing Limit:
Nothing new to report at this time
Round -up Program:
Jan talked with Secretary of State who referred her to the attorney general who in
turn referred her back to our attorney. She has not had a chance to meet with
Attorney Sebora.
Our new billing software will support the round -up program. It was decided to
table any action at this time.
Vice President Wetterling discussed the possibility of legislation changing the law as it
relates to the salary cap.
New Business
GM Kumm reported on Geronimo Wind energy study. Sites have been located;
more information will be provided at the August meeting.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Hantge,
seconded by Commissioner Lenz to adjourn the meeting at 4:55 p.m. Motion was
unanimously carried.
1
' 1/11 IJVAA4 1/)/?
ATTEST:
David Wetterling, Vice President
1
1
harmtul; greenhouse gasses. In 2006, Minnesotans were responsible for landfilling over 1.1 million tons-,
of ,waste,.*
In 2006, over 22,000 tons of household waste was landfilled in McLeod County.
That's roughly 7.5 pounds per household per day!!
When statewide, Minnesotans average just over 6 pounds per, household per day.
Economic Benefits
Minnesota throws away more than 1.3 million tons of recyclable material each year with an
estimated value of $312 million dollars. It costs Minnesota $200 million to dispose of this material.*
Currently recyrling rates remain flat, while Minnesota is producing greater amounts of waste.
0