Duluth Public Utilities Commission.

411 West First Street City of Duluth Duluth, Minnesota 55802 Minutes - Final Duluth Public Utilities Commission. Tuesday, June 15, 2021 5:15 PM Council Chambers, City Hall, 411 West First Street NOTICE: The Duluth Public Utilities Commission will hold its June 15, 2021 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 “June 2021 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 5:15 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Chris Adatte, Andrea Crouse, Steve Lipinski, Councilor Derek Medved, Carrie Ryan, Councilor Joel Sipress, Councilor Terese Tomanek Staff Present: Bob Asleson, Jim Benning, Leanna Gilbert, Greg Guerrero, Eric Shaffer, Kerry Venier PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD There were no comments from the public at this time. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DPUC052 May 18, 2021 DPUC meeting minutes draft Indexes: Attachments: 05182021 DPUC meeting minutes draft Commissioner Ryan motioned to approve the minutes, and the motion was approved unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS ERU calculation update City of Duluth Page 1 Duluth Public Utilities Commission. Minutes - Final June 15, 2021 Eric Shaffer reported that this is moving ahead. The consultant selected 340 residential homes. A City staff person is measuring the areas at those residences. There should be a better update at the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS Sanitary sewer utility discussion Eric Shaffer gave a draft presentation about the sanitary sewer system and answered various questions from commissioners. City staff will send the sanitary sewer presentation and a list of lift stations scheduled for replacement to commissioners as requested. UPDATES FROM STAFF Eric Shaffer reported that construction is in full swing and everything is moving ahead. Jim Benning mentioned that we are waiting for the results of the first round of testing for lead and copper. The results should be in next week. Staff will give an update at the next meeting. COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS Commissioner Sipress said that the rules for use of the American Recovery Act money allow it to be used for water and stormwater infrastructure. A number of councilors advocated for the money to be used on utility work. Commissioner Sipress asked if there have been discussions about possible uses of that money. Jim Benning responded that he has a meeting with Finance this week to discuss that. He can give an update at the next meeting or after the meeting with Finance. One of the top projects proposed by the Public Works & Utilities Department for use of that money was lead service replacement. Commissioner Lipinski asked if the American Recovery Act money could be used for sanitary sewer as part of the water infrastructure. Eric Shaffer responded that he would assume it included wastewater. Kerry Venier stated that some sanitary projects were included in the list of proposed uses of that money. UPCOMING COUNCIL ACTIONS No upcoming actions were mentioned. PREVIEW OF UPCOMING BUSINESS The July meeting was cancelled. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 5:15 p.m. The Commission will continue discussing the sanitary sewer system. KNOWN ABSENCES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS No absences were mentioned. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:11 p.m. City of Duluth Page 2