Duluth Public Utilities Commission.

411 West First Street City of Duluth Duluth, Minnesota 55802 Minutes - Final Duluth Public Utilities Commission. Tuesday, October 19, 2021 5:15 PM Council Chambers, City Hall, 411 West First Street NOTICE: The Duluth Public Utilities Commission will hold the October 19, 2021 meeting by other electronic means pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some members of the Commission will be participating through video conference. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 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 “October 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 5:16 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Chris Adatte, Andrea Crouse, Steve Lipinski, Councilor Derek Medved, Carrie Ryan, Councilor Joel Sipress, Councilor Terese Tomanek Members Absent: none Staff Present: Bob Asleson, Jim Benning, Kim Ellsworth, Leanna Gilbert, Chris Ostern, Eric Shaffer, John Upton PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD No citizens were present to comment. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DPUC063 September 21, 2021 DPUC meeting minutes draft Indexes: Attachments: 09212021 DPUC meeting minutes draft Commissioner Lipinski motioned to approve the minutes, and the motion was approved unanimously. NEW BUSINESS City of Duluth Page 1 Duluth Public Utilities Commission. Minutes - Final October 19, 2021 2022 Utility Fees DPUC064 2022 Proposed Utility Fees Indexes: Attachments: 2022 Fees Jim Benning gave an overview of the proposed 2022 utility fees and answered a question about the Implicit Price Deflator (IPD). DPUC065 21PUC-007 - RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING FEES FOR VARIOUS UTILITY-RELATED SERVICES. Indexes: Attachments: 21PUC-007 2022 utility fees Commissioner Lipinski motioned to approve resolution 21PUC-007 establishing utility fees effective January 1, 2022, and the resolution was approved unanimously. UPDATES FROM STAFF DPUC066 2022 WLSSD Budget Letter Indexes: Attachments: 2022 WLSSD Budget letter Jim Benning gave a summary of the WLSSD 2022 budget letter. While their overall wastewater budget increased by 4.11%, Duluth’s portion decreased by 0.31%. Eric Shaffer reported that most projects are done for the year. The gas blanket project contractor should install the final gas services tomorrow. Jim Benning introduced Kim Ellsworth, who will be focusing on lead programs for Public Works & Utilities. COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS Vice President Adatte thanked Jim Benning for the quick response to a resident with a noisy water meter. UPCOMING COUNCIL ACTIONS No upcoming actions were mentioned. PREVIEW OF UPCOMING BUSINESS The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 5:15 p.m. The Commission will receive a presentation about the Duluth Citizens’ Climate Action Plan. KNOWN ABSENCES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS City of Duluth Page 2 Duluth Public Utilities Commission. Minutes - Final October 19, 2021 No absences were mentioned. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:31 p.m. City of Duluth Page 3