JUNE 13, 2017

VINTON MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC UTILITY BOARD MEETING
JUNE 13, 2017
A regular meeting of the Vinton Municipal Electric Board of Trustees was held on the 13th day
of June, 2017, at 5:00 p.m., at the Line Distribution Office, Vinton, Iowa. Chairman Woodhouse
presided and the roll being called the following board members were present and absent: Present:
Anderson, Barron, Woodhouse. Absent: Elwick, Kremer.
Motion by Anderson, second by Barron to approve the minutes of the May 9th meeting.
Question: Yes – All. The Chairman declared the motion carried.
Motion by Woodhouse, second by Barron to approve invoices in the amount of $299,901.43.
Question: Yes – All. The Chairman declared the motion carried.
Motion by Barron, second by Anderson to approve the agenda. Question: Yes – All. The
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Kurt Karr, iVinton committee chair, stated the technical members of the committee met last
week. They recommend hiring Curtis Dean, as a consultant, who has 20 years of experience
with community broadband systems. His fee is $100 per hour.
Elwick joined the meeting at 5:05 pm.
Karr continued, saying that Dean is working with Indianola and Bellevue. Motion by Barron,
second by Elwick to hire Curtis Dean as a consultant for assisting with review of preliminary
feasibility study and business case. Question: Yes – All. The Chairman declared the motion
carried. Karr left the meeting.
Dave Berg reviewed the cost of service and rate design report for VMEU’s utility rates. He
recommends small increases for the next two years. He also recommends to change the base
energy cost adjustment, “ECA”, and to add the ECA to the City’s municipal billings. He
recommends to promote conservation and remove the decreased rate for using over 800 kWh.
He suggested reviewing the utility rates annually. General Manager Richtsmeier will have a
resolution for the increased rates prepared for the next meeting.
Richtsmeier stated that a generation plant employee will be off work for up to 6 weeks,
following surgery. Then will be on light duty when back at work.
Richtsmeier reported that employees are not allowed to take the “on call” shift when they are
on vacation.
Motion by Woodhouse, second by Barron to approve an energy cost adjustment of 3.07 cents
per kWh for June billings. Question: Yes – All. The Chairman declared the motion carried.
Richtsmeier stated the substation should have the batteries tested. The estimated cost is
$5,000. The estimate to do an additional testing of the batteries with a load bank is $6,000. He
recommends at least doing the initial test. Motion by Barron, second by Anderson to do the
initial battery testing. Question: Yes – All. The Chairman declared the motion carried.
Richtsmeier reported that the line crew swapped out several meters in January. He wants to
make sure the final readings are correct. After the next meter swap, he will review the meter
swap process with the billing clerk.
Motion by Woodhouse, second by Elwick to approve an increase of 50 cents per hour for the
administrative assistant. Question: Yes – All. The Chairman declared the motion carried.
Motion by Barron, second by Anderson to approve a 2% increase for the general manager.
Question: Yes – Anderson, Barron, Woodhouse. No – Elwick. The Chairman declared the
motion carried.
Motion by Woodhouse, second by Anderson to receive and file the May revenue and
expenditure report. Question: Yes – All. The Chairman declared the motion carried.
MAY 2017
Begin.
Balance Receipts Expenses Transfers
End.
Balance
Operating 3,234,772.24 406,712.69 354,300.12 -45,000.00 3,242,184.81
Capital
Improvement 2,143,676.19 275.22 0.00 45,000.00 2,188,951.41
Self Insurance 750,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 750,000.00
6,128,448.43 406,987.91 354,300.12 0.00 6,181,136.22
General Manager Richtsmeier reported on: 1) Kirchner working on unit 7. 2) Line crew has
been setting poles along E 3rd Street, set a new 300 kVA transformer, set a new 100 kVA at the
fairgrounds. 3) 34.5 to 69 kV conversion is scheduled for August. 4) Received a reimbursement
insurance check for the fire claim, $7,455.98. 5) Waiting for reimbursement from the state for
flood expenses. 6) HISS bucket truck training. 7) Attended IAMU mutual aid meeting. 8)
Anticipating a few more invoices in June for Dave Berg, trees and tools. Motion by Woodhouse,
second by Barron to approve paying the invoices in June. Question: Yes – All. The Chairman
declared the motion carried.
Secretary reported IAMU came to do an OSHA audit and the City is planning to increase
water, sewer and solid waste fees.
Motion by Barron, second by Woodhouse to adjourn the meeting. Question: Yes – All. The
Chairman declared the motion carried. Time: 6:35 p.m.
_____________________________
Dr. Alan S. Woodhouse Chairman
Attest: _______________________
Cindy Michael Secretary