Today is March 10th, 2010

Energy Optimization Programs

posted on Mar. 10th, 2010 03:48AM

Please visit the Energy Optimization (EO) website at www.michigan–energy.org and click on the tab for Marquette Board of Light and Power to see what programs are available to Marquette Board of Light and Power customers. Any questions regarding these programs should be addressed to the EO Customer Service Center at (877) 296-4319.

To read about Energy Optimization, visit our EO Page.

Account Access

posted on Jun. 10th, 2009 08:36AM

Would you like to be able to see your bills online? View your consumption? See the payments that you made? Well now you can do so. Simply call our office for a 4-digit PIN and you can then set up your own e-mail address and password to access your account.

Meeting Minutes

Official minutes of the most recent meeting (regular and special) are on file at the Marquette Board of Light and Power office at 2200 Wright Street and are available for inspection. Minutes are also available for inspection at the City Clerk’s office, City Hall and the Peter White Public Library.

Official minutes of past meetings are available for download in a PDF format (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access these minutes.).

Minutes – February 9, 2010

A regular meeting of the Board of Light and Power was called and held on February 9, 2010.Following the Pledge of Allegiance the meeting was called to order.

Present: Karen Kimar Johnson

Kenneth C. Wanberg

Edward M. Angeli

John L. Sonderegger

John H. Prince

Absent: None

On a motion by K. Wanberg, seconded by J. Prince, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the January 26, 2010 regular meeting minutes as amended indicating E. Angeli as absent from the meeting.

Following a discussion it was moved by K. Kimar Johnson, seconded by K. Wanberg and unanimously carried to approve the Accounts Payable totaling $601,495.07. K. Kimar Johnson questioned an easement with LS&I Railroad? Executive Director Kirby Juntila responded it is an annual easement for property near the No. 4 Plant. J. Sonderegger questioned an invoice regarding conductivity? K. Juntila responded Steam Plant personnel monitor the hardness of the boiler water and make adjustments accordingly. J. Prince questioned ash disposal charges and if other options are available? K. Juntila responded the utility is charged per tonnage of disposal. He said other disposal options include the Marquette County Landfill or reopening the Board’s Pine Hill Landfill which are also expensive alternatives. Possible new ash disposal regulations may also add to disposal costs.

1. Additions or Corrections to the Agenda.

K. Juntila requested the addition of agenda item 4-A – Recommendation to Award Replacement Fire System for Unit No. 3 Turbine Oil Room. J. Sonderegger suggested changing 3-A – Atomizer Wheel to 4-B. It was moved by K. Wanberg, seconded by K. Kimar Johnson and unanimously carried to amend the agenda.

2. Time for Citizen Comment.

Earl Robinson of the Utility Review Committee said he had been contacted by Vulcan Wood Processing who is interested in providing wood pellets to the utility as part of the biomass project. K. Juntila said the Board has a five (5) year contract with Renewafuel to provide wood biomass cubes but asked E. Robinson to have a company representative contact him.

3. Recommendations for Payment of Financial Software Maintenance Plan.

On a motion by K. Wanberg, seconded by J. Sonderegger and unanimously carried, the Board approved payment to SVA Consulting for Microsoft Business Solutions totaling $6,120 for the annual maintenance plan for the Board’s Great Plains Financial Software. J. Prince asked how long we have used their services and questioned the quality of the service they provide? Supervisor of Accounting and Audit Services Helen LaFayette responded they have provided good service to the utility for approximately five (5) years. E. Angeli asked if other systems have been considered that may yield a cost savings? Controller/Accountant Lon Laken responded because of the small size of the utility there is a limited software market available and that other companies were researched before entering into an agreement with Great Plains five (5) years ago which has since been purchased by Microsoft. J. Sonderegger said this software is the industry standard and that software maintenance is critical

4. Recommendation to Award SCADA System Service Contract.

It was moved by J. Prince, seconded by K. Wanberg and unanimously carried to approve payment totaling $36,562.50 for a five (5) year service contract for the SCADASystem to Survalent Technology, sole supplier of the technology. J. Prince asked for background on the purchase. K. Juntila said the SCADA system was installed approximately seven (7) years ago and operates the transmission/distribution systems. K. Wanberg questioned if the system will integrate with AMI? K. Juntila responded in the affirmative.

4-A. Recommendation to Award Replacement Fire System for Unit No. 3 Turbine

Oil Room.

On a motion by J. Prince, seconded by K. Wanberg, and unanimously carried, the Board awarded the Replacement Fire System for Unit No. 3 Turbine Oil Room to Lammi Fire Protection per their low quote meeting specifications totaling $15,050. K.Wanberg commented positively on the longevity of the original system.

4-B. Recommendation to Award Purchase of Atomizer Wheels.

It was moved by K. Kimar Johnson, seconded by J. Prince and unanimously carried to award the construction of two (2) new atomizer wheels to AllTech Tool totaling $28,400. J. Prince questioned the cost difference from the manufacturer? K. Juntila said the utility purchased a couple of atomizer wheels from AllTech Tool a few years ago and has been satisfied with the quality of the product and the huge costs savings they provide compared to purchasing the wheels from the manufacturer. E. Angeli questioned shipping charges? K. Juntila said shipping charges are often not included in bids for a number of reasons including whether or not the shipment will need to be expedited.

5. Any Additional Business the Executive Director Wishes to Present.

K. Juntila presented no additional business to the Board.

6. Time for Citizen Comments.

No comments were received from citizens.

7. Any Additional Business the Board Members Wish to Present.

E. Angeli commented positively on the recent Electrical Safety Poster Award Ceremony and thanked Customer Service Supervisor Yvonne Whitman for her efforts.

8. Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.

9. Human Resources Work Session – Safety/Benefits

Director of Human Resources and Administration Paul A. Kitti and Supervisor of Administrative Services Mary K. Adamini presented a summary to the Board on the utility’s current Risk Management and safety programs and healthcare and pension benefits.