VINTON MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC UTILITY BOARD MEETING
DECEMBER 12, 2017
A regular meeting of the Vinton Municipal Electric Board of Trustees was held on the 12th day
of December, 2017, at 5:00 p.m., at the Line Distribution Office, Vinton, Iowa. Acting
Chairman Kremer presided and the roll being called the following board members were present
and absent: Present: Anderson, Barron, Kremer. Absent: Elwick, Woodhouse.
Motion by Barron, second by Anderson to approve the minutes of the November 14th meeting.
Question: Yes – All. The Acting Chairman declared the motion carried.
Motion by Barron, second by Anderson to approve invoices in the amount of $206,220.12.
Question: Yes – All. The Acting Chairman declared the motion carried.
Motion by Barron, second by Anderson to approve the agenda. Question: Yes – All. The
Acting Chairman declared the motion carried.
Elwick joined the meeting.
Kurt Karr, iVinton committee chairman reported their economic development committee has
met. They said part-time telecommuting employment is growing. Three concerns for a
telecommunications utility are liability, cost and available speed. The marketing committee will
be in contact with UNI for surveying the community about current internet and cable use and
cost. A survey might be mailed out with utility bills. Karr suggested an update to VMEU’s
website, to include the survey. The iVinton committee will meet with Curtis Dean on Dec. 20th
at the middle school. The partnership and capitalization committees will meet. Motion by
Barron, second by Anderson to have Richtsmeier to seek cost estimates for updating the VMEU
website. Question: Yes – All. The Acting Chairman declared the motion carried.
General Manager Richtsmeier reported that generation plant employee Jeff Long is back to
work on restricted duty, only allowed to lift up to 10 pounds. When Long is “on-call” and gets
called in to work, a lineman will also be available to assist him.
Richtsmeier reported that Lineman Mark Smith has submitted his letter for retirement. His last
day will be January 3rd. Richtsmeier and Line Foreman Still are working on a job description.
They plan to post the position in house and to advertise the position with IAMU soon.
Motion by Elwick, second by Anderson to approve an energy adjustment factor of zero
cents per kWh for December billings. Question: Yes – All. The Acting Chairman declared the
motion carried.
Richtsmeier reported that the 36 acres could be re-parceled, keeping 6 acres for VMEU. If
there is a potential buyer, VMEU would like it to be an industrial or commercial use, which
would require a request for rezoning.
The Trustees reviewed a preliminary proposed budget for fiscal year 2018-2019. The budget
will be considered at their next meeting in January.
Motion by Elwick, second by Anderson to receive and file the November revenue and
expenditure report. Question: Yes – All. The Acting Chairman declared the motion carried.
Elwick inquired about the maximum kW allowed for solar panels. Currently VMEU allows up
to 10 kW. Richtsmeier will check with RPGI to see if capacity credits are available for 20 to 25
kW capacity.
General Manager Richtsmeier reported on: 1) Line crew put up Christmas decorations. 2) Line
crew also replacing some utility poles. 3) Some trees have been trimmed. 4) Broken concrete has
been placed on the north side of the power plant. 5) Attended RPGI meeting, a cyber security
webinar and IAMU energy conference. 6) HISS safety training will be on Dec. 19th. 7) Talked
with REC about service for a possible camp ground within city limits.
Elwick suggested adding expense to the budget for future flood mitigation expenses.
Clerk reported 1) that the Project Share fund balance has grown. Electric utility customers
who qualify for LIHEAP can apply for up to $75 of Project Share funds. They first have to pay
$75 toward their electric portion of their bill and then Project Share funds will match their $75
payment, once in a calendar year. 2) The base electric meter charge now shows as a separate line
on utility bills. 3) Kevin Kirchner is helping the sewer plant with a mechanical project.
Motion by Anderson, second by Barron to adjourn the meeting. Question: Yes – All. The
Acting Chairman declared the motion carried. Time: 6:40 p.m.
_____________________________
Jon. M Kremer Acting Chairman
Attest: _______________________
Cindy Michael Secretary