Coldwater utility director details power-cost adjustments, staffing changes and fall operations

The Coldwater utility director updated the Board of Public Utilities on monthly power-cost adjustments, staffing changes, seasonal operations and community events during the director’s report. The director reported the month’s power-cost adjustment (PCA) at 0.01717 and 0.01769 for secondary meters and said Henry Hub natural-gas futures are projecting $3.50 to $4.50 per MMBtu over the next 12 months. The director reminded the board that a recent rate restructure increased the base rate and decreased the PCA to smooth customer bills amid power-price fluctuations. On personnel, the board heard an introduction of the new facilities maintenance coordinator, Nick Canals, who said he previously spent 13 years in facilities and maintenance with Coldwater Community Schools and lives in Coldwater. The director also announced that board member John Ouellette resigned because he is moving outside the utility territory; the director thanked Ouellette for service dating to February 2019. The director said Coldwater will continue representing Michigan utilities on the American Municipal Power (AMP) board for another three years and named Andrew Cameron as alternate. He also announced the city’s annual fall hydrant flushing will begin the week of Sept. 15 with crews on two shifts; residents may see temporary water discoloration and were advised to run cold water until it clears and to contact customer service if concerns persist. Staff noted several community events the utility will support: Applefest at Four Corners Park on Sept. 20, household hazardous-waste and shred day at the fairgrounds on Sept. 27 (free for city residents; $3 for nonresidents dropping off shredding), and Hoptoberfest on South Monroe on Oct. 3. The director said the utility will post hydrant-flushing notices on social media and that full implementation of text notifications with TexPower is not yet available.