Government : VINTON MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC UTILITY BOARD MEETING MINUTES 12/8/20

DECEMBER 8, 2020

A regular meeting of the Vinton Municipal Electric Board of Trustees was held on the 8th day of December 2020 at 5:55 pm at Vinton City Hall, 110 W 3rd Street, Vinton, Iowa. Chairman Hainstock presided and the roll being called the following board members were present and absent: Present: Barron, Hainstock, Horst, Meyer, Mosher. Absent: None.

Motion by Meyer, second by Barron to approve the agenda. Question: Yes - All. The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Motion by Barron, second by Horst to approve the consent agenda. Question: Yes - All. The Chairman declared the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda included receive & file the VMEU board meeting minutes of November 10, 2020, approve invoices, receive & file the November financial report and approve the monthly energy adjustment of minus $0.0017/kWh.

Trustee Gerald Horst received a letter and phone call from Andrew Elwick regarding a water line that was damaged by the boring contractor.

Dave Fridley, Farr Technologies, shared the final bill from Central Cable is expected soon. A grant application has been submitted to assist with the infrastructure installation in the 2nd phase of the Anderson Creek subdivision. Awards are expected around December 18, 2020.

General Manager Richtsmeier shared that land north of the City's sewer plant could be a possibility for a solar field, pending an agreement with City Council. Another option would be the land owned by the Electric Utility on the southwest side of town. Richtsmeier has spoken with various consultants about the possibility of the project. Concern is fixed costs still being billed appropriately so those costs are not subsided by the remaining customers. A new rate structure will likely be needed.

Kyle Koeppen, Vinton Shellsburg Superintendent, is seeking an interconnection agreement with the utility to construct three solar fields at three different locations in town. Initial concerns include being able to lockout the solar fields when the plant needs to generate, the demand charges won't disappear from the school's bills and what financial loss this will cause the utility. Trustee Mike Barron asked to see some specific details and figures related to this project. Mr. Koeppen will share the school's research to date with the board. No action was taken.

Motion by Horst, second by Barron to reimbursement Andrew Elwick in the amount of $3,174.55 for damage to his water lines caused by the boring contractor. Question: Yes - All. The Chairman declared the motion carried.

General Manager Richtsmeier reported the Linecrew continues to trim trees and the holiday decorations have been put up. Work had been done on Unit #6 at the Generation Plant and the unit is now back in service.

Melissa Schwan, City Clerk, reported a handful of customers have applied for bill assistance through the Utility Disruption Program, a program from the Iowa Finance Authority and the Iowa Economic Development Authority. To date, 3 customers have received assistance. If awarded, the City receives funds directly from the State of Iowa to be applied to their utility account.

Motion by Horst, second by Barron to adjourn the meeting. Question: Yes - All. The Chairman declared the motion carried. Time 6:45pm.

_____________________________

Richard L. Hainstock Chairman

Attest: _______________________

Melissa Schwan Secretary