VINTON MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC UTILITY BOARD MEETING
MARCH 13, 2018
A regular meeting of the Vinton Municipal Electric Board of Trustees was held on the 13th day
of March, 2018, 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: Barron, Kremer, Meyer, Woodhouse. Absent: Elwick.
Motion by Kremer, second by Woodhouse to approve the minutes of the February 13, 2018
meeting. Question: Yes – All. The Chairman declared the motion carried.
Motion by Woodhouse, second by Barron to approve invoices in the amount of $279,634.70.
Question: Yes – All. The Chairman declared the motion carried.
Motion by Kremer, second by Barron to approve the agenda. Question: Yes – All. The
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Kurt Karr stated the iVinton committee is working on the survey for a telecommunications
utility. They will be printed and mailed soon. The survey will also be available online.
Administrator Ward, Manager Richtsmeier and Karr attended a meeting in Cedar Falls on
telecommunications. Two other cities, Charles City and New Hampton, are also looking into
forming a telecommunications utility. Richtsmeier reported that 13 responses were received for
the RFI. Karr stated that future efforts of the committee will be looking into legal aspects or
requirements and financing options.
General Manager Richtsmeier stated there were three candidates for the lineman position and
that Austin Parmenter has accepted the job offer. He will start on May 14th.
Motion by Woodhouse, second by Kremer to receive and file the audit report for fiscal year
ending June 30, 2017. Question: Ayes – All. The Chairman declared the motion carried.
Motion by Kremer, second by Barron to approve an energy adjustment factor of .0023 cents
per kWh for March billings. Question: Yes – All. The Chairman declared the motion carried.
Richtsmeier stated Jason Hicok is working on a developing a new website for the City.
Richtsmeier and Meyer will discuss options with Hicok for VMEU’s website. In the future, a
telecommunications utility page could be added to the VMEU website.
Richtsmeier is still working with Coggon to trade a digger for unused generation equipment.
Richtsmeier reported that the distribution building roof needs to be replaced. He is working on
specifications and will seek bids.
Richtsmeier stated that Tilford Elementary replaced fluorescent lighting with LED lighting.
The energy efficiency rebate program offers a 20% rebate of the cost, up to $3,000.00. Twenty
percent of this project is $4,600.00. Motion by Woodhouse, second by Kremer to allow an
additional rebate in the amount of $1,600, because it is the public school system. Question: Yes
– All. The Chairman declared the motion carried.
Motion by Kremer, second by Barron to receive and file the February revenue and expenditure
report. Question: Yes – All. The Chairman declared the motion carried.
FEB 2018 Begin Balance Receipts Expenses Transfers End Balance
Operating 3,725,350.08 382,754.69 331,151.33 -45,000.00 3,731,953.44
Capital Improve 2,281,187.75 262.66 0.00 45,000.00 2,326,450.41
Self Insurance 750,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 750,000.00
Total 6,756,537.83 383,017.35 331,151.33 0.00 6,808,403.85
Motion by Barron, second by Kremer to elect Elwick as the Chairman. Question: Yes – All.
Chairman Woodhouse declared the motion carried.
General Manager Richtsmeier reported on: 1) Line crew has been installing new meters. 2)
They are working with a contractor for the new Casey’s store. 3) Generation plant is working on
crank cases for engines 6, 7, and 8. There will be a test run this week. 4) He is working on Tier
II report and has sent out the grain bin notices. 5) Planning to replace the downtown street lights
near the recent fire, after demolition is completed.
The farm land rent has been received. There are two utility billing cycles. Each cycle has
three meter routes to be read. A schedule for reading these six utility routes is being created.
Motion by Kremer, second by Meyer to adjourn the meeting. Question: Yes – All. The
Chairman declared the motion carried. Time: 6:05 p.m.
_____________________________
Dr. Alan S. Woodhouse Chairman
Attest: _______________________
Cindy Michael Secretary