East Grand Forks commissioners approve 2025 engineering authorizations and a WAPA-driven budget revision

East Grand Forks City commissioners on Dec. 18, 2024 approved several routine but consequential administrative items, including authorization for engineering services to prepare construction plans for 2025 electrical and fiber projects and a revision to the electric operations-and-maintenance budget after a 7.33% cost increase from the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA).

The meeting opened with roll call and the adoption of minutes from the Dec. 4 meeting. Commissioners also approved bills and payroll before moving to departmental and old-business items. City staff asked the commission to authorize engineering work to assemble plans and specifications for miscellaneous electrical distribution projects planned for 2025 and separately to begin assembling a 2025 electrical equipment and materials bid package to replenish inventory (transformers, wire, connectors) and enable February bidding. Both authorizations were moved, seconded and approved by roll call.

Staff also presented a recommended revision to the 2025 electric operations-and-maintenance budget after WAPA announced an approximate 7.33% increase in power costs. The commission approved the budget amendment to align the adopted budget with the higher power-cost projection.

Utility operations updates delivered to the commission included a staff report that a 2023 contractor punch list has one minor outstanding item and that the city is withholding about $13,000 on the 2024 contract to ensure final cleanup. Staff said mapping updates for Highway 2 lighting and a new gas main remain under review with outside agencies and that some projects may see spring follow-up due to seasonal constraints.

Water-treatment staff reported that Minnesota Department of Health sampling showed mostly low-level or nondetect results following earlier citizen concern about service materials, and that routine maintenance of chlorine feed and analyzer equipment was completed. City staff and local officials also said they will meet with representatives of the newly formed West Central Regional Water District for an exploratory discussion about potential users, footprint and whether the city could provide supplemental water; staff emphasized the discussion is preliminary and that any service, hookup fees or charges would be decided later.

In a separate operational note, staff reported discussions at the Midcontinent Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) about the possible sale of renewable energy credits (RECs). A presenter said the city has about 73,000 RECs and that, at an illustrative value of about $23 per REC, sales could generate on the order of $200,000, though staff cautioned that final numbers and authorizations are unresolved. The same presenter noted the city recently incurred a wheeling charge from WAPA that any REC revenue might help offset.

The meeting closed with brief commissioner remarks and holiday greetings; the commission adjourned without further substantive action.