Duluth Public Utilities Commission.

411 West First Street City of Duluth Duluth, Minnesota 55802 Minutes - Final Duluth Public Utilities Commission. Tuesday, September 15, 2020 5:15 PM Council Chambers, City Hall, 411 West First Street NOTICE: The Duluth Public Utilities Commission will be holding its September 15, 2020 meeting by other electronic means pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.021 in response to the COVID-19 emergency. Some members of the Board will be participating through video conference. Due to the COVID-19 emergency and the closure of City facilities, public comment will not be taken in person. However, members of the public can monitor the meeting and provide public comment on agenda items through WebEx Events. Visit https://duluthmn.gov/live-meeting to access the meeting. The public is also encouraged to submit written comment to jbenning@duluthmn.gov prior to the meeting. Please include “September 2020 DPUC Agenda” in the subject line, and include your name and address and the agenda item you are speaking to. The agenda can be found online at https://duluthmn.gov/boards-commissions/duluth-public-utilities-commission/. Please note that all public comment is considered Public Data. CALL TO ORDER President Ryan called the meeting to order at 5:20 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Councilor Gary Anderson, Chris McIntosh, Councilor Derek Medved, Rob Prusak, Carrie Ryan, Councilor Joel Sipress Staff Present: Bob Asleson, Jim Benning, Leanna Gilbert, Tom Johnson, Chris Ostern, Eric Shaffer, Kerry Venier PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD No citizens were present to comment. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DPUC028 August 18, 2020 DPUC meeting minutes draft Indexes: Attachments: 08182020 DPUC meeting minutes draft Commissioner Sipress motioned to approve the minutes, and the motion was approved unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 2021 utilities budget discussion City of Duluth Page 1 Duluth Public Utilities Commission. Minutes - Final September 15, 2020 DPUC029 PUC budget presentation Indexes: Attachments: PUC Budget presentation Jim Benning mentioned adjustments to the budget due to expected reversals of concessions. Kerry Venier mentioned adjustments to the stormwater budget resulting from the change of the effective date of the rate increase. There were some questions and discussion about the various utility budgets. NEW BUSINESS DPUC030 20PUC-003 - RESOLUTION APPROVING AND RECOMMENDING 2021 UTILITY BUDGET. Indexes: Attachments: 20PUC-003 approving 2021 budget Commissioner Medved motioned to move resolution 20PUC-003 with the revised totals provided by City staff, and Commissioner Sipress seconded the motion. The Commission unanimously approved resolution 20PUC-003. Stormwater program management Tom Johnson talked about progress on updating stormwater accounts. He also talked about the stormwater program that will be created. There was some discussion about how long it would take to develop the stormwater program and staffing needed to manage the program. UPDATES FROM STAFF Eric Shaffer reported on utility projects including Decker Road, Second Street, Superior Street, the gas blanket project, and Lift Station 15. Commissioner Anderson said that he will be contacting Eric about the Bluestone BMP. COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS Vice President McIntosh asked if there were any applicants for the Commission. Staff was not aware of any. Commissioners have been trying to find people but have not had any success. Vice President McIntosh asked if the Commission would be able to move forward with voting on issues if he resigned after this meeting. Jim Benning replied that every other member would need to be present to have a quorum. President Ryan mentioned that Commissioner Prusak’s term is up next year. Commissioner Prusak said that he would not leave until there are at least two new members. Vice President McIntosh said that he was hoping that there would be something to look at for BMP credits this month for approval next month and then he would step down. After some discussion, the Commission asked staff to bring a resolution establishing BMP credits to the next meeting. Staff will keep the Commission updated on the stormwater program development. Vice President McIntosh will remain on the Commission for another month. Commissioner Prusak and President Ryan thanked Vice President McIntosh for staying for another month and for his work on the City of Duluth Page 2 Duluth Public Utilities Commission. Minutes - Final September 15, 2020 Commission. UPCOMING COUNCIL ACTIONS Jim Benning mentioned that the he will be presenting the Public Works & Utilities Department budget to City Council on September 28. PREVIEW OF UPCOMING BUSINESS The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 5:15 p.m. Staff will prepare a resolution for BMP credits and continue to work on the stormwater program. KNOWN ABSENCES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS No absences were mentioned at this time. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:11 p.m. City of Duluth Page 3