Ottawa approves purchase of 239 three‑phase AMI meters to advance utility metering

The Ottawa City Commission unanimously approved a one‑time purchase of 239 three‑phase advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) electric meters at an estimated cost of $103,000 to continue the city’s multi‑year metering upgrade.

Assistant Director Olsen, who presented the item, said the program began in 2016 and that larger bulk purchases are intended to accelerate completion after prior delays. Olsen said the AMI system will support outage management, provide customers with portal access to usage information and allow staff to analyze usage patterns across customer classes. “The system itself is designed to benefit us as a utility and the customers together,” Olsen told commissioners.

Olsen estimated the current manufacturer lead time at roughly 52 weeks from order to delivery, and said some older meter ‘bases’ will require separate upgrades that could cost several thousand dollars per installation; the city plans to return with proposals for those conversions in 2025. He also noted the city previously ordered about 2,600 single‑phase residential meters and that the 239 three‑phase units will address commercial and industrial needs in the northeast industrial park, down Main Street and the south commercial area.

The commission voted by roll call to approve the purchase and authorized the expenditure from the electric capital project fund, which staff said has been evaluated and set aside for the program. The motion carried unanimously.

Next steps: staff will place the order, monitor delivery timing and present further proposals for base‑meter upgrades and the customer portal rollout as installations proceed.