Part of the RICE/NESHAP compliance hardware update
At its Tuesday, January 19 meeting, the Mountain Lake City Council learned that the Utility Commission had decided at its Thursday, January 14 meeting to upgrade only the two Caterpllar (Cat) engines at this time. Earlier, discussion was held on upgrading all five of the utility’s electric generators, which would exceed $100,000.
The upgrades are part of the required RICE/NESHAP (Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines/National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) Compliance Hardware.
The upgraded engines must be operational by May 1 to meet United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements. If not operational by June 1 (the start of the MISO planning year) the utility will need to buy capacity for the entire year (June 1, 2016 to June 1, 2017) The utility would need to buy 3.4 MW (megawatts) of capacity. (MISO is a link in the safe, cost-effective delivery of electric power across all or parts of 15 states in the United States (including Minnesota) and the Canadian province of Manitoba.)
Electrical Department Superintendent Ron Melson had contacted Mike Thielen of Utilities’ Plus Energy Services (UPES), the utility’s electrical engineer. Melson leaned that would take UPES approximately six weeks to have the bidding specifications ready.
After considering this time constraint at their meeting, the Utility Commission decided to upgrade only the two engines at this time. This drops the cost to less than $100,000, keeps the process moving forward and should cover the utility’s capacity needs for June 1, 2016 to June 1, 2017.
For this project, the commission received three quotes. Accepted was the low quote of $81,659 from Fairbanks-Morse, and also entered into an agreement with UPES to oversee the project for $13,650. Electric reserves will be used to self-fund the project. UPES is checking the quote and preparing an addendum for Fairbanks-Morse. Fairbanks-Morse.
This move will ensure that the hardware will be installed by June 1, and that the utility will not need to buy capacity to cover the City of Mountain Lake’s load.
In other business
+ Appointed Jason Kruser as a member of the Lake Commission.
+ Named Brad Hanson as an Advisory Member of the Economic Development Authority (EDA).
+ Accepted the resignation of part-time Mountain Lake Police Officer Tera Hahle, effective 12/30/15.
+ Approved Building Permits for December 2015. These included shingling of house/garage for Tony Ewert and garage roofing/siding and house siding for Geraldine Green.
+ Approved a levy on behalf of Manson Manor. The city must consent on an annual basis to levy on behalf of Mason Manor if the project does not produce enough revenue for bond and interest payments.
+ Waived the rent for the Mountain Lake Community Center for a Sunday, February 28 pancake breakfast by the Boy Scout Troop. Scout Michael Watkins, on behalf of the members and leaders of the troop, presented the request. The funds raised will be used by the Scouts to attend Boy Scout Camp.
+ Discussed the composition of the city council’s page on the City of Mountain Lake website. Photographs, phone numbers and e-mail addresses were considered. The council decided that each member should have a city e-mail account for city business. Individual photos will be taken at the next council meeting.
+ Approved a Mountain Lake Area Foundation (MLAF) request for support in its fundraising silent auction this spring. Council members agreed to contribute one (1) two-night stay and one (1) three-night stay at Island View Campground.
+ Discussed and reviewed the Bonded Indebtedness Report as of December 31, 2015.
+ Reviewed and discussed the 2015 Fourth Quarter Mountain Lake Public School’s indoor pool contribution.
+ Discussed and reviewed the city’s 2016 Seniority List.
+ Reviewed and discussed the 2015 Building Permit Summary.
+ On the request of Mountain Lake City Attorney Maryellen Suhrhoff, the open meeting was closed per attorney/client privilege at 7:02 p.m. for an update on the City of Mountain Lake v. Kenneth Yoder and Rachel Yoder. The closed meeting was closed and the open meeting was opened at 7:16 p.m. No action was taken.
City of Mountain Lake Meeting Dates
+ Mountain Lake City Council meets the first and third Mondays of every month at 6:30 p.m.
+ Utilities Commission meets the second and fourth Thursdays of every month at 7 a.m.
+ Economic Development Authority (EDA) meets the second Friday of every month at 12 noon.
+ Lake Commission meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
+ Library Board meets the second Wednesday of every month at 4:45 p.m.
+ Police Commission meets the second Thursday of every month at 7 p.m.
+ Planning and Zoning meets the last Monday of the month, if needed.
+ Tree Commission meets quarterly – January, April, July and October – at 7:45 p.m.
