Damian Baum

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda and the consent agenda, which included the minutes from the May 20, 2025 meeting. The Personnel Committee reported filling two open positions and noted 56 days without an OSHA recordable incident. The Finance Committee reviewed and approved vouchers totaling $5,775,430.65 and reported on the status of closed and open work orders. The City Administrator reported that the public safety center project will be re-evaluated due to not receiving bonding funds, and noted the sales tax moratorium ending July 1st, which may allow the City to seek authority for a local option sales tax for a potential Community Center. The Commission directed staff to revisit the Energy Acquisition Adjustment policy, proposing to separate the electric true-up charge and remove the EAA entirely. Finally, the Commission approved the revised Electric Line Extension policy, requesting that future policy changes include "red-lined" versions in the agenda packet. Staff also introduced the new GIS Coordinator and provided an update on water conservation and energy usage during the Audience Comments segment.

The meeting included the approval of the agenda and consent agenda items, which covered the minutes from the May 25, 2021 meeting and Contributed Services as of May 31, 2021. The Finance Committee reported on approved vouchers totaling $7,190,228.82 and approved three new work orders concerning HVAC issues and water modeling software license upgrades; the RFP process for an audit firm selection was also discussed. The Personnel Committee received a staffing report and discussed a potential organizational change due to retirements. The City Administrator provided an update on road construction and other city projects. A presentation was given on the Engage Owatonna online platform for public feedback. The Commission approved the Organizational Directives policy statement. After discussion and modifications addressing previous concerns, the Remote Work Policy was approved. The Commission discussed the proposed trail and bridge proposal near building #4, with further mapping requested. Staff reported that the Safety Scorecard will be presented at the next meeting, and updates were provided on negotiations with Xcel Energy and options for accessing legacy water meters.

Key discussions included the approval of the January 26, 2010 meeting minutes. The Finance Committee reported on two work orders—one for a new pick-up truck and another for battery bank replacement at the West Owatonna Substation—and the Commission approved financial statements and vouchers totaling $6,012,438.33. The City Administrator reported on potential Local Government Aid (LGA) cuts from the State of Minnesota due to its deficit, detailing local expense reductions. The Commission awarded the contract for the Repair and Remodeling of Building #5 to the low bidder, Excel Companies, Inc. Additionally, two Street Lighting Policies were cancelled as they had been combined into a single policy approved in the previous month. The Commission reviewed the 2009 OSHA 300A report, noting only one recordable injury, and received updates on a recent trip to the APPA Legislative Conference in Washington D.C., the status of the new billing system, and preparations for potential spring flooding.

The meeting included committee reports, with the Finance Committee approving vouchers totaling $4,770,357.01, while the Personnel Committee did not meet. The City Administrator provided updates on various projects, noting delays in downtown parking lot paving and progress on utility main installations. System health reports were presented for electric, gas, and water utilities, highlighting ongoing projects such as electric conduit installation, service territory expansion, water pressure increases in the industrial park, and gas meter set redos. A significant agenda item involved the recommendation to award the bid for a 161/12.47 kV Power Transformer to SPX Transformer Solutions, Inc. for $1,027,533.00. Other discussions included the ongoing General Manager interviews, the completion of the conversion to the NiSC system, the achievement of PCI compliance for customer credit card data security, updates on the rate study, and discussions regarding the future timeline for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Director Warehime also presented on natural gas procurement and a potential Asset Management Agreement with Tenaska.

The Commission addressed several committee reports, including the Finance Committee's review and approval of financial statements and vouchers. The Personnel Committee discussed the hiring of a new Transportation Maintenance Technician, approved a 2.5% salary increase for non-union employees, and recommended a 1.3% increase for six supervisors while directing management to reduce overtime to address salary compression. Policies approved included the Energy Acquisition Adjustment Policy (#501.09) and the Mileage Reimbursement Policy (#301.00), which updated the reimbursement rate to 40.5¢ per mile. The Commission moved to reject all bids for the Tower #7 Repair & Repaint project as they exceeded the budgeted amount and determined to rebid in 2005. The General Manager reported that the SMMPA Board denied Rochester Public Utilities' request for a dual rate, and noted that bids for the Building Project are due January 19, 2005. The Commission also signed the Contributed Services report as of November 30, 2004.