Moorhead Public Service Commission Meeting

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 - On Tuesday night, June 30, 2009, the Moorhead Public Service Commission (Commission) held their second scheduled meeting for the month of June. Here are a few highlights from their meeting:

Economic Development Incentives: The Commission again discussed the idea of an electric rate that would encourage economic development for primary sector businesses in Moorhead. This rate would allow businesses that meet pre-determined criteria to receive a discount on their electric rates for a limited amount of time (5 years). This discount would be taken from what MPS would have to pay the City of Moorhead through the annual transfer (payment in lieu of taxes). This is a complex issue and the Commission reviewed and discussed the issue at length. After the Moorhead City Council passed a resolution encouraging this rate (at their June 22, 2009 meeting), the Commission passed the concept and instructed MPS staff to work toward finalizing this program. A rate hearing will be held in August to allow for full public input.

DOJ Grant: The Commission received a report on a $50,000 Department of Justice (DOJ) grant. MPS received congressional appropriation for a public safety application of the GoMoorhead.com Wi-Fi System. This project will increase Internet speeds for Minnesota State Highway Patrol cars in order to push real-time video surveillance and state intranet access into the vehicles. MPS submitted the final application to the DOJ on Monday, June 22, and we are now waiting. We will update everyone once we learn more from the DOJ.

Power Generation update: Local power generation has always been important to the Commission. After reviewing the capacity MPS has to produce power and transmit that power, it is possible for MPS to install up to 11 Mega-Watts (MW) of power right here in Moorhead. At previous Commission meetings, the Commission received reports and took action beginning the work of installing 8MW of power generation. At that time it was assumed that MPS could transmit only 9MW of power; however, we have now learned we have the capacity to transmit 11MW. With this increase, the Commission decided to expand the size of the generators. MPS will now revamp their project to include 10MW of power generation here in Moorhead.

Other topics were, of course, discussed at the meeting; however, these are just a few of the larger items. If you have any interest in attending any of the Commission meetings, you can find the meeting dates and times online at mpsutility.com/minutes. The Commission meets at City Hall, on first floor in the Council Chambers. Don’t forget, you can now watch the Commission meetings live on Moorhead Community Access Television, cable channel 12.

Posted by: MPS Communications Director, Doug Rogness

Moorhead road to be closed for watermain replacement

Monday, June 29, 2009 - Moorhead Public Service has scheduled a road closure in south Moorhead for planned watermain replacement. The road closure will affect Sixteenth Street South from Fourth Avenue and Sixth Avenue South beginning Monday, June 29, 2009. The road closure is expected to last approximately three weeks and residents that use this portion of 16th Street are encouraged to find alternate routes over the next few weeks.

Road Closure Information:
Street: 16th Street South from 4th Avenue to 6th Avenue
Dates: Beginning Monday, June 29, for approximately 3 weeks

Posted by: MPS Communications Director, Doug Rogness

Long-term Drought Planning

Friday, June 26, 2009 - So where do we turn if the Red River dries up? Right now, MPS gets about 85% of our water from the Red. But in the 1930s, there was a severe drought, a drought that actually caused the Red River to stop flowing! An option that MPS is exploring uses an aquifer for water. What is an aquifer? Simply stated, it is a giant underground lake where water can be taken using a well.

MPS has begun work toward the goal of having an aquifer management plan. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Clay County, Minnesota Geological Survey, and other groups will be partners in this project.

The overall goal of the plan is to insure ground water resources in Clay county are available to everyone that needs it should a 1930s-style drought occur. The Buffalo Aquifer and newly discovered Border Aquifer will be of primary interest in the creation of the plan.

One of the objectives in developing the plan is to have an open process and provide the opportunity for public input. To view current status, meeting dates, and other information about the project, the website, http://www.buffaloaquifer.com/ , has been developed and is open to the public.

As one of steps toward plan development, a detailed study of the ground water in Clay County, called a county atlas, will be completed. Work on the atlas should commence in July, 2009. It is anticipated that several years will be required to complete the overall aquifer management plan. No other plan of this type exists in Minnesota at this time.

Posted by: MPS' Water Plant Supervisor, Troy Hall

Congratulations Guy Thoreson!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - After 20 great years, MPS' Administrative and Finance Manager, Guy Thoreson is retiring. Guy joined MPS in 1988 as our Business Manager. Guy was responsible for the financial well-being of MPS and dutifully carried out his tasks.

We would like to thank guy for his great leadership, he will missed. We also wish him the best as he moves on ... primarily to the golf course! Have fun Guy, and don't be a stranger!

Guy Thoreson, seated in blue shirt in the center.

RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING GUY THORESON UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM HIS POSITION AS ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE MANAGER OF MOORHEAD PUBLIC SERVICE

WHEREAS, Guy Thoreson has faithfully served Moorhead Public Service in the positions of Business Manager and Administration and Finance Manager over the past 20+ years, and

WHEREAS, Guy Thoreson has had an impressive career starting with his work in the private industry before serving the public in his role at Moorhead Public Service starting in 1988, where he was responsible for the overall financial well-being and financial direction of the utility, and

WHEREAS, Guy Thoreson has been known as the one with the biggest heart on the management and technical team (not much of an accomplishment when you work with a bunch of engineers and accountants), serving the employees at Moorhead Public Service with care and concern when dealing with employment issues, and

WHEREAS, Guy Thoreson was instrumental in the timely sale of volatile, implosive derivative funds, saving the Moorhead Public Service Commission and its customers over $1 million, and

WHEREAS, Guy Thoreson has consistently and honorably defended the University of North Dakota in a land heavily populated by the Bison, and

WHEREAS, Guy Thoreson will now be seen swinging his driver sending his golf ball straight down the fairway with his golfing buddies in the Moorhead-Fargo area, and

WHEREAS, Guy Thoreson has pledged to be an active community member, dutifully watching many Moorhead Public Service Commission meetings on the cable access channel in Moorhead, brick in hand, ready to make his objections known to his trusty television set (a new, energy-sucking flat screen TV), and

WHEREAS, on a more serious note, the Moorhead Public Service Commission and its staff respectfully appreciate the dedicated service of Guy Thoreson to Moorhead's community-owned electric, water, and broadband utility.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, on this 23rd day of June 2009, the Moorhead Public Service Commission and its staff wish to thank Mr. Guy Thoreson for his years of service to the people of Moorhead. We congratulate you upon the momentous occasion of your retirement and wish you continued success in your future endeavors.

Posted by: MPS Communications Director, Doug Rogness

Preventive Maintenance

Thursday, June 11, 2009 - When in doubt, fix it. That is the thought when it comes to the wind turbines owned by MPS and located in North Moorhead. During a routine inspection, maintenance crews wanted to shut down the wind turbine Zephyr (located to the west). After looking through the turbine, the experts said everything looked good.

The turbine was down yesterday for preventive maintenance from 10:00am until 2:30pm.

Road Closure Announcement

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - Last week, MPS announced a road closure for 20th Avenue South. MPS crews began working on a watermain replacement project between 9th Street and 11th Street. This area is expected to be closed for about 3 weeks as crews replace old cast iron pipes with new pipes that will last for several years. Below is a map of the affected areas:

Posted by: MPS Communications Director, Doug Rogness