Minutes of the regular meeting of the Water, Light, Power and Building Commission of the City of East Grand Forks, Minnesota held January 18, 2005 at 5:00 P.M.

Present: Ogden, Gregoire, Vetter

Absent : Quirk

It was moved by Commissioner Gregoire second by Commissioner Vetter that the minutes of the previous meetings of December 21 & 28, 2004 and January 4, 2005 be approved as read.

Voting Aye: Ogden, Gregoire, Vetter

Voting Nay: None

The following bills and payroll were recommended for approval:

CHECK #          VENDOR                       DESCRIPTION                   AMOUNT

26615     MMPA                         Energy/demand                    $ 319,178.27

26616     Acme Electric                Tools & supplies                  962.89

26617     Ameripride Linen/Apparel     Contracted services               248.34

26618     APPA                         Travel & school                   300.00

26619     Dan Boyce                    Expenses                          119.57

26620     Carquest Auto Parts          Supplies                          3.85

26621     City of EGF                  Transfer; acct’g fees             280,555.73

26622     City of Fargo                Contracted services               60.00

26623     City of GF                   Contracted services               200.00

26624     Combined Insurance           Admin disability ins              294.00

26625     Commercial Printing          Supplies                          80.94

26626     Commissioner of Revenue      Sales; use; grbg surchrg          32,696.00

26627     Community Bank/RRV           Dec ACH charges                   42.96

26628     DPC Industries               Wtr treat chemicals               1,238.23

26629     Digi-Key                     Supplies                          62.71

26630     Paul Erickson                Reimbursement                     696.49

26631     Ethanol Products             Wtr treat chemicals               507.00

26632     Exponent                     Advertising; publishing           1,078.79

26633     Fargo Water Equipment        Inventory                         177.01

26634     Fastenal Company             Supplies                          1,036.17

26635     Fed Ex                       Freight                           208.31

26636     Firestone Stores             Repairs                           95.80

26637     Floan Sanders                Professional fees                 1,204.00

26638     Darrell Fore                 Refund                            14.80

26639     Gaffaney’s                    Supplies                          81.12

26640     Galstad Jensen & McCann      Dec legal fees                    837.00

26641     GF Fire Equip Co             Supplies                          15.86

26642     GF Grocery                   Supplies                          48.90

26643     Hansen Ford                  Maintenance                       28.32

26644     Hardware Hank                Supplies                          297.72

26645     Hawkins Inc                  Wtr chemicals; supplies           15,766.63

26646     Home of Economy              Supplies                          50.14

26647     Hugo’s #5                     Supplies                          11.13

26648     Johnson Iron & Machine       Repairs                           190.00

26649     KBM Inc                      Professional fees                 14,914.41

26650     Killoran Trucking            Wtr treat chemicals               4,571.70

26651     Leighton Broadcasting        Advertising                       440.00

26652     Lystads                      Supplies                          757.75

26653     M & W Services Inc           Dec 30-Jan 13 meter reads         2,302.20

26654     Midcontinent Comm Adv Sales  Advertising                       640.00

26655     MMUA                         Professional fees; dues 17,758.91

26656     Monarch Travel & Tour        Travel & school                   1,841.58

26657     MVTL Laboratories            Contracted services               157.00

26658     Nelson Business Forms        Supplies                          612.02

26659     North-Holt Electric          Professional fees                 30,082.10

26660     Jeff Olson                   Supplies                          16.00

26661     Pamida                       Supplies                          4.66

26662     Porta-Mix Concrete           Supplies                          115.82

26663     Qwest                        Communications                    1,037.21

26664     PowerPlan                    Repairs                           1,087.05

26665     Radix Corporation            Maintenance                       136.50

26666     Rydells                      Mtce; repairs                     1,200.77

26667     Service Bureau               Dec collection fees               95.73

26668     Ferrellgas                   Fuel                              20.00

26669     Sun Dot Communications       Communications                    201.91

26670     TDS Metrocom                 Communications                    33.74

26671     Tony Dorn Inc                Service agreements                176.63

26672     Verizon Wireless             Communications                    10.10

26673     Basin Electric Co-op         Current                           116,188.26

26674     Water & Light                Utilities                         11,397.40

26675     X-cel Energy                 Facilities/distribution           5,059.99

26676     Zavoral & Sons               Supplies                          108.00

          Payroll                      Total cost                        56,893.63

                                                                          $ 926,249.75

It was moved by Commissioner Vetter second by Commissioner Gregoire that the bills and payroll be allowed as recommended and the Secretary issue checks for the same.

Voting Aye: Ogden, Gregoire, Vetter

Voting Nay: None

It was moved by Commissioner Gregoire second by Commissioner Vetter to offer the position of Lineworker/Apprentice Lineworker to Ryan Hoffman.

Voting Aye: Ogden, Gregoire, Vetter

Voting Nay: None

It was moved by Commissioner Gregoire second by Commissioner Vetter to place Jason Strand in the first position, Chris Heck in the second position and Jay Lizakowski in the third position on the Civil Service Eligibility list for the Lineworker/Apprentice Lineworker position.

Voting Aye: Ogden, Gregoire, Vetter

Voting Nay: None



It was moved by Commissioner Vetter second by Commissioner Gregoire to approve the 2004 accounts for charge off.

Voting Aye: Ogden, Gregoire, Vetter

Voting Nay: None

Commissioner Gregoire, supported by Commissioner Vetter, introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Water, Light, Power and Building Commission of the City of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, that the reconnection charges are as follows; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the reconnection charges for services that are suspended for non-payment of utility bills or failure to pay the required deposits during normal duty hours shall be a minimum of $20.00. The reconnection charges after normal duty hours shall be a minimum of $100.00.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that for purpose of reconnections, normal duty hours shall be from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the above reconnect rates shall supercede all prior reconnect rates.

Voting Aye: Ogden, Gregoire, Vetter

Voting Nay: None

The President declared the resolution passed.

Commissioner Gregoire, supported by Commissioner Vetter, introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:

WHEREAS, the Water, Light Power and Building Commission of the City of East Grand Forks, Minnesota has established a need for a water meter installation policy, now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED by the Water, Light, Power and Building Commission of the City of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, that such water meter installation policy be adhered to by all plumbers, contractors and home owners installing new water meters; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each water meter purchase be accompanied by an instruction sheet; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the plumber or contractor installing the water meter fails to install the wire to the outside of the house, the Water and Light Department will install the wire at the Department’s cost, which will be billed to the customer.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the above installation rate shall supercede all prior rates for remote wire installation by the Water and Light Department.

Voting Aye: Ogden, Gregoire, Vetter

Voting Nay:  None

The President declared the Resolution passed.

Commissioner Gregoire, supported by Commissioner Vetter, introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:

WHEREAS, underground distribution and other electric and water installation fees are desired to be adjusted since they have not been adjusted since 1992, now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED by the Water, Light, Power and building Commission of the City of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, that the following rates for the listed services shall be applied to those services as listed and shall supercede all previous resolutions on rates concerning these services, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the installation rates shall be as follows:

     400 Amp Cable in Underground Area        $250.00 1st 100' plus $2.50/ft in excess

     400 Amp Cable in Overhead Area           $310.00 1st 100' plus $2.50/ft in excess

     400 Amp Cable in Construction Area*      $165.00 1st 100' plus $2.50/ft in excess

     200 Amp Cable in Underground Area        $125.00 1st 100' plus $1.25/ft in excess

     200 Amp Cable in Overhead Area           $155.00 1st 100' plus $1.25/ft in excess

     200 Amp Cable in Construction Area*      $100.00 flat fee

     Garage service-side of easement          $250.00 1st 100' plus $1.25/ft in excess

     Garage service-opposite side of easement $300.00 1st 100' plus $1.25/ft in excess

These fees apply only to residential customers. Commercial customers must do their trenching from the transformer to the building.

* Construction Area is where Water & Light Dept is converting Overhead to Underground through contract being issued, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the customer shall own and maintain their Underground Distribution Service, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all fees shall be paid in full before any connection to the distribution system shall be made, except in construction area, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Water and Light Department will not excavate or trench any electric service while there is frost in the ground, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the customer shall pay to the Water and Light Department for the actual cost to the Department for the installation and or removal of all Temporary Three Phase Equipment, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Water & Light Department will furnish secondary cable rated at either 200 Amps or 400 Amps whichever is applicable, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the charge for Security (Night Watch) Lights shall be as follows: 

                 150W                   $4.50 Per Month

                 250W                   $6.00 Per Month

                 400W                   $7.00 Per Month

                 35' Wood Pole          $2.00 Per Month


BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the above rates shall supercede any previous rates concerning these services.

Voting Aye: Ogden, Gregoire, Vetter

Voting Nay:  None

The President declared the resolution passed.

Commissioner Gregoire, supported by Commissioner Vetter, introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Water, Light, Power and Building Commission of the City of East Grand forks, Minnesota, that the following rates for the listed services shall be applied to those services as listed and shall supercede all previous resolutions on rates concerning these specific services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if a customer wants to change the size of their water meter from a smaller meter to a larger meter, the Water and Light Department will charge them the cost difference between the two meters. This will be the Department’s cost at the time that the size increase is taking place. Only remote waters meters will be installed for 5/8", 3/4" 1", 1 ½” and 2" water meters.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED other charges for services are as follows:


   Failure to provide access to Water and Light owned meter equipment 

     From 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.                                 $25.00

     From 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m. & weekends & holidays           Department cost


Customer/owner request for Seasonal Disconnect of water or electric services

     From 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.                                 $20.00

     From 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m. & weekends & holidays           Department cost


Off peak electric meters may not be disconnected seasonally, they must stay connected year round.


Temporary Electric Service:

     120/240 Volt Single Phase of 200 Amps or less:

           Underground System                                   $40.00

           Overhead System                                      $40.00

           Per Wood Pole Set                                    $20.00

           3 Phase Electric Temporary Service             Department cost

Customer shall provide an approved meter socket and electrical equipment with final connection to be made by the Water and Light Department.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no temporary electric service will be connected until the owner or contractor provides an affidavit to the Water and Light Department as provided in the State Electric Code, and

Voting Aye: Ogden, Gregoire, Vetter

Voting Nay: None

Commissioner Gregoire, supported by Commissioner Vetter, introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Water, Light, Power and Building Commission of the City of East Grand Forks, Minnesota that the following rate schedule regarding charges for water service connection fees shall go in to effect on January 18, 2005.



             METER SIZE                         PRICE

                 3/4"                         $140.00

                 1"                           $195.00

                 1½"                           $420.00

                 2" regular                   $490.00

                 2" compound                  Cost + 10%

                 3"                           Cost + 10%

                 4"                           Cost + 10%

                 6"                           Cost + 10%

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the above prices include the meter, wire, couplers or flanges for connection, tax, freight and labor for installation of the remote pad.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the above rates shall supersede all prior rates for water service connection fees.

Voting Aye: Ogden, Gregoire, Vetter

Voting Nay:  None

The President declared the resolution passed.

It was moved by Commissioner Gregoire second by Commissioner Vetter to create a committee to do a market survey for Class A water plant operators. Members on the committee include one commissioner: Mike Quirk; one supervisor: Gary Hultberg; one water operator: to be determined; and one union representative: to be determined.

Voting Aye: Ogden, Gregoire, Vetter

Voting Nay: None

It was moved by Commissioner Gregoire second by Commissioner Vetter that the meeting be adjourned to February 1, 2005 at 5:00 P.M.

Voting Aye: Ogden, Gregoire, Vetter

Voting Nay: None




                                                     Bonnie Abel

                                                     Sec'y