Duluth Public Utilities Commission.

411 West First Street City of Duluth Duluth, Minnesota 55802 Minutes - Final Duluth Public Utilities Commission. Tuesday, January 21, 2020 5:15 PM Council Chambers, City Hall, 411 West First Street CALL TO ORDER President Prusak called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Councilor Gary Anderson, Howard Jacobson, Chris McIntosh, Councilor Derek Medved, Rob Prusak, Carrie Ryan, Councilor Joel Sipress Staff Present: Bob Asleson, Jim Benning, Leanna Gilbert, Tom Johnson, Eric Shaffer, Glenn Strid, Kerry Venier PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD No citizens were present for comment. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DPUC008 December 17, 2019 minutes Indexes: Attachments: 12172019 DPUC meeting minutes draft Commissioner Sipress motioned to approve the minutes, and the motion was approved unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 1. Stormwater system discussion Tom Johnson, Senior Engineer, gave an overview of the stormwater system. There was some discussion about funding, credits for non-residential customers, the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requirements, and the proposed rate increase. Staff will look into the impact of the proposed rate increase to the larger commercial and industrial customers as requested. Commissioner Ryan asked to look at the financial scenarios again. The Commission will continue to discuss the stormwater system at the next meeting. 2. 2020 term expirations Carrie Ryan's current term will expire March 31, 2020. Commissioner Ryan would City of Duluth Page 1 Duluth Public Utilities Commission. Minutes - Final January 21, 2020 like to be reappointed. 3. Election of officers President Prusak nominated Carrie Ryan as the next President, and the nomination was approved unanimously. President Prusak nominated Chris McIntosh for Vice President, and the nomination was approved unanimously. UPDATES FROM STAFF Eric Shaffer reported that the notice of violation case for sanitary sewer overflows on Park Point was closed. We have overflowed once since then. The Park Point sanitary main lining project was bid out and should be done in May. We still have the program for lateral replacements and sump pump inspections. Letters were sent to some residents who had not allowed us to inspect their sump pumps. Letters will be sent to residents with leaking laterals. Jim Benning reported that natural gas prices have been very favorable so far this winter. Commissioner Medved asked about the gas project on McCuen Street. Eric Shaffer replied that a new heater was installed there and is almost done. UPCOMING COUNCIL ACTIONS No actions were mentioned. COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS Commissioner Jacobson said that he will be moving outside of City limits, and will no longer be able to remain on the Commission after April. Commissioner Sipress thanked Commissioner Prusak for serving as president of the Commission. He also mentioned that he is the appointed Council chair for Public Works & Utilities, so he will want to be extra informed about items on the Council agenda. President Prusak thanked Arik Forsman and Zack Filipovich for their service and welcomed councilors Anderson and Medved to the Commission. He also thanked commissioners for letting him serve as president for so many years. PREVIEW OF UPCOMING BUSINESS The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 5:15 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The Commission will continue to discuss the stormwater utility. Jim Benning offered to meet with the new commissioners to discuss the utilities or to take them on a tour of the facilities. KNOWN ABSENCES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS No absences were mentioned. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:17 p.m. City of Duluth Page 2