Is Now - archive.iamu.orgarchive.iamu.org/news/newsletters/archive/1999/1999-07.pdf · a telecomm system or expand an existing one. It will also allow municipal utility professionals

IAMU Newsletter July/August 1999 Page 1

July/August, 1999

IAMU Telecomm Conference ... 2

Restructuring Workshops ......... 4

IAMU RTO Comments ............. 4

Free Legal Advice Offered ....... 6

"Energy Ideas" .......................... 9

"Legal Q&A" ........................... 10

Diane Munns to IUB .............. 11

"Tailgate Report" ..................... 14

Classifieds .............................. 16

What you'll find inside....

FOCUS ON THE FUTURE AT IAMU'S FALL MEETING, OCT. 3-5The Millennium is coming � and so is IAMU�sFall Meeting. Using the rapidly approaching21st century as a unifying theme, �The Future

Is Now -- Municipal Utilities atthe Millennium� will present astrong lineup of panels,presentations and discussionsfocusing on both the concernsand the opportunities Iowa�smunicipal utilities will see inthe months and years ahead.

�This is probably the mosttimely and forward-lookingFall Meeting we�ve plannedyet,� said IAMU Executive

Director Bob Haug. �The material that will bepresented offers some of the best information,advice and opinions a utility can get. It will betwo and a half days of invaluable exposure tomatters that have become vitally important.We are looking for a strong turnout. Anymunicipals that have not sent representativesto meetings recently should definitely plan tobe part of this one.�

The meeting will be held October 3 � 5 at theHoliday Inn Airport Conference Center, 6111Fleur Drive in Des Moines.

Competition in the utility industry/service tothe community, open meetings/open records,a panel of business leaders discussing whatbig electric customers want, last-minute Y2Kpreparedness items, and state water qualityissues are just a few of the general sessiontopics that will be covered. As always,concurrent sessions will also be part of theprogram, presenting a wide range of topics forelectric, gas, water and telecommunications.

Agenda andregistration form on

pages 7-8

A �pre-con� session will be added to theSunday, October 3 schedule from 2 � 4:30 p.m.,featuring a choice of computing or restructur-ing topics.

The popular President�s Reception on Sundayevening and the banquet/awards ceremonyon Monday night will headline the meeting�ssocial events.

IAMU Associate Members will also be onhand in large numbers, with staffed displaybooths allowing in-person presentation ofinformation to attending utility members.Associate member suites will allow additionalbusiness contact.

A detailed Fall Meeting schedule and utilityregistration form are included in this Newslet-ter. For more information, contact John Burnettat IAMU, 515/289-1999.

The FutureIs NowMunicipal Utilities at the Millennium

IAMU's 1999 Fall MeetingOctober 3 - 5, Des Moines

Page 2 IAMU Newsletter July/August 1999

IAMU DEBUTS TELECOMM CONFERENCE -- SIGN UP NOW!Municipal telecommunications is the newestfrontier for Iowa utilities � but it comes withmany questions and concerns. If you�reconsidering municipal telecommunicationsfor your community, you can find answers atIAMU�s Telecommunications Conference,Sept. 14 � 15.

To be held in Des Moines at theFour Points Sheraton Hotel &Suites, the conference will addressmany of the issues faced by com-munities as they prepare to launcha telecomm system or expand anexisting one. It will also allowmunicipal utility professionals to

network and interact with telecomm expertsand share experiences with their colleagues.

The conference agenda has been designed toprovide something of interest for all involved,whether they are board or council membersnew to the subject of telecomm, or technicalstaff members of a utility. Separate �tracks�will give participants the chance to choosethose topics of greatest interest to them.

A variety of topics will be covered by animpressive array of speakers from around thecountry. Tuesday, Sept. 14 sessions willinclude: Competitive Issues; FinancingOptions; Overview of the Federal RegulatoryEnvironment; Telecommunications LegalIssues; Fundamentals of TelecommunicationsTechnology; and Partnering Opportunities.

The first day will adjourn with a �speakerfair,� allowing speakers and participants tonetwork, interact and share experienceswhile enjoying a reception.

The Wednesday, Sept. 15 agenda will featuretwo concurrent �tracks.� The first track willbe an overview for those new to telecomm,and will include: General Overviews of Cableand Internet Systems; Selecting a Consultant;Starting Up a Municipal TelecommunicationsUtility; and Security/Customer Privacy Issues.

The second track will be geared for those withsome experience in dealing with telecommuni-cations and will include: Digital Broadcast TV;Head-End/Central Office Equipment; Power-ing; Wireless Delivery; and Internet and CATVTechnology Updates.

The speaker list for the conference will featureleaders in the telecommunications industryfrom around Iowa and the nation. It willinclude representatives from the followingorganizations: ADC; Ahlers Cooney DorweilerHaynie Smith & Allbee, P.C., Law Firm;Airspan/NWREC; Baller Herbst Law Group,P.C.; C-COR (formerly Convergence.com);Cedar Falls Utilities; CISCO; ConvergentTechnologies; Harlan Municipal Utilities;Hawarden Municipal Utilities; Iowa PublicTelevision; Iowa Telecommunications Services;Lectro Products, Inc.; Muscatine Power &Water; National Cable TV Cooperative;NORTEL Northern Telecomm; Northwest REC;Oak Hill Consulting; Pioneer Holdings; RuanSecurities; and Spectrum Strategies.

IAMU electric and gas utility members werescheduled to receive the conference agendaand registration forms in early August. Partici-pants may also register by calling IAMU at800/810-4268.

The cost of the conference is $150 per person,which includes the Tuesday Reception/Speaker Fair and continental breakfasts andbuffet lunches both days. IAMU has reserved ablock of rooms at the Four Points Sheraton forSeptember 13 and 14. Room rates are $69 pernight. Call the hotel directly at 800/325-3535to reserve a room. Registration materialsinclude other area lodging accommodations aswell.

For additional information, contact ColinHansen at IAMU, at 800/810-4268.

. . . . . . .

This is a combined July/August issue of the IAMU Newsletter. The next issue will be availablein mid- to late-September.

IAMU

CONFERENCE

TELECOMMUNICATIONS


An interesting topic at the recent APPAconference was the way we govern municipalutilities in a competitive environment. Tobring that discussion home, IAMU has askedTim Shields of the University of Iowa�sInstitute of Public Affairs to address thesubject at the IAMU Fall Meeting. Tim has alot of experience in leading city councils andutility boards in strategic planning.

The APPA sessions caused me to give theissue of utility governance some criticalthought. As an association manager with agoverning board and as an observer of a lot ofmunicipal utilities, I know that the work ofsorting out policy making from day-to-daymanagement is ongoing. The length ofmeetings sometimes provides a clue aboutwhether responsibilities are reasonablybalanced. If biweekly meetings regularly lastthree or four hours, it might be a good time toreassess whether the manager has authoritythat matches his or her responsibility. Themeetings of boards and councils are probablywasted opportunities if time is spent decidingwhether a new pickup truck is needed. Theyare certainly wasted if spent discussing whatbrand to buy.

I am convinced that one of the best ways toachieve an effective balance between policyand management is to recognize the need forplanning time. An annual planning retreat isa great opportunity to establish policy goalsfor the coming year and beyond and torethink the limits of authority and responsi-bility. Other rules that help achieve aneffective balance between policy and manage-ment include: setting measurable goals andobjectives; giving managers regular feedback(not just when things are going wrong); andmaking sure that communication between

policy makers and staff, in either direction, goexclusively through the manager.These issues of finding an effective balancebetween policy and manage-ment apply even withoutcompetition. What happenswhen our regulated monopo-lies become competitivebusinesses? The need forshorter response time for price changes,supply arrangements, customer service, andwork force issues may require a whole newstyle of governance that give managers moreflexibility. At the least, it requires moreattention to strategic thinking, based on amutual understanding of the utility�s missionor purpose.

Strategic thinking also requires an under-standing of the consequences of variousactions. For example, there may be circum-stances in which a utility would be better off tohelp a large customer find an alternate energysupply, if the alternative is pricing generationsupply in a way that hurts other customerclasses and risks their disaffection. Alterna-tively, if the retail market offers a better deal toyour large customer than you can get in thewholesale market without that customer,maybe the strategy ought to be to be to bringthe large customer into the supply decision forthe entire community.

Competitive markets also require that policymakers, managers, and staff must get morecustomer feedback. This doesn�t have to bethrough formal market research, though itcould be. Small municipal utilities areuniquely able to tap into customer interestsand attitudes. The problem arises when wesimply assume we know what customerswant; what they are thinking.

. . . . . . .

3City of Shenandoah Water Dept.

Rich Miller, Water Plant SupervisorP.O. Box 338Shenandoah, IA 51601

Utility Governance in a Competitive EnvironmentBy Bob Haug, IAMU Executive Director

The following utilities have recently joined the IAMU family.Plese update your IAMU Membership Directory,and join us in welcoming them!

NEW UTILITY MEMBERS


FREE RESTRUCTURING WORKSHOP COMING YOUR WAY

. . . . . . .

IAMU plans to file comments with the FederalEnergy Regulatory Commission (FERC)concerning the development of RegionalTransmission Organizations (�RTOs�). Asyou may have read in past IAMU newsletters,FERC has issued a Notice of ProposedRulemaking (NOPR) that sets forth the fourminimum characteristics and seven essentialfunctions that an RTO must perform to beapproved. In the NOPR, FERC poses 176questions about the propriety and detail ofthese four characteristics and seven functions.Other issues to be addressed are barriers topublic power participation, the need for�incentives� to join an RTO and a proposedimplementation schedule. These questionsand issues will be addressed in the IAMUcomments to FERC.

IAMU�s interest in filing RTO comments stemfrom the common interests of our memberelectric utilities as transmission dependent

entities in MAPP. With MAPP uncertain onwhether to pursue an individual MAPP RTO,a joint RTO with either the Mid-AmericaInterconnected Network (MAIN) or theSouthwest Power Pool (SPP), or to contractservices to another party, it is important tomake our voice heard through this proceed-ing. The comments, to be prepared by theVanNess Feldman legal firm, will focus onseveral aspects of the RTO NOPR. The goal isto establish an RTO that gives IAMU memberutilities the greatest access to bulk power atthe most reasonable price and establishes ourability to effectively participate in whateverregional collaborative becomes instituted byFERC in the Upper Midwest.

The initial comments are due to FERC onAugust 16, 1999. Reply comments are due onSeptember 15, 1999. If you have questionsabout the RTO comments, please contactColin Hansen at 800/810-4268.

The subject of electric restructuring will �hitthe road� with IAMU in August, with a seriesof free workshops entitled �Basic ElectricIndustry Restructuring.� The workshops willbe a �user friendly� two hours in length, andare geared especially for utility managers;utility clerks; city clerks and administrators;other lead personnel; and trustees andcouncil members. IAMUs� Executive DirectorBob Haug and Assistant Executive DirectorColin Hansen will present the workshops asa team.

IAMU believes that the Electric Restructuringlegislation will pass during the next legisla-tive session. In its current form, it will allowutility customers to choose their energysupplier. Utility managers, policy makers andcollateral personnel can use the workshop toprepare now for the major changes that willbe ushered in with the legislation�s passage.

Workshop topics include: An overview of theproposed restructuring legislation; a quick

refresher on rate unbundling; and the replace-ment tax bill.The workshop is free to all IAMU members.

Sites have been selected to minimize drivingtime for attendees. Dates and locations arelisted below. �A.M.� workshops will be heldfrom 9 � 11 a.m.; �P.M.� workshops are from1:30 � 3:30 p.m.

August 18 (P.M.): Mt. PleasantAugust 19 (A.M.): MaquoketaAugust 19 (P.M.): IndependenceAugust 20 (A.M.): New HamptonAugust 24 (A.M.): DenisonAugust 24 (P.M.): Sioux CenterAugust 25 (P.M.): GreenfieldAugust 26 (A.M.): GowrieAugust 26 (P.M.): Algona

Workshop brochures contain more informa-tion, and were mailed in mid-July. Registra-tion forms can be mailed or faxed to IAMU, orphoned in at 800/810-4268.

IAMU TO FILE COMMENTS ON REGIONAL TRANSMISSION

RESTRUCTURING

3Improveyourunderstanding!


Notes from the APPA ConferenceBy Bob Haug, IAMU Executive Director

The American Public Power Association�s(APPA) National Conference seems to getbetter every year. This year�s edition in SaltLake City was no exception. I brought backcopies of most papers that were available andwill be happy to send a list to any interestedmember. I also brought back a stack of Post-it-Notes from which I offer these comments.

More than thirty-Iowans attended the confer-ence and several received awards. GaryTucker received the Seven Hats Award, whichis presented for special achievements bysmall system operators who perform a varietyof duties. Waverly Light & Power won the1999 Energy Innovator Award for work theirsoy-based BioTrans Transformer Oil. Manillawon a Golden Tree Award for completion ofits program to plant at least one tree for everycustomer served.

I thought one of the highlights of the confer-ence was a speech by S. David Freeman,general manager of the Los Angeles Depart-ment of Water and Power. Freeman spoke of aportfolio of public benefits that should bebuilt on three values:1. Fair prices for the residential con-sumer. Industrial customers will take care ofthemselves, but residential customers need anagent and protector and that has been ourhistoric role. It�s what we are.2. Decentralized power supply. Weshould be leaders in use of micro-turbines,fuel cells, photo-voltaics, etc. The scale oftechnology is moving our way.3. Environmental protection. While hiscall for electrifying mass transit and usingnew hybrid electric/gas turbine engines toimprove air quality may not fit the municipalagenda in Iowa, his sense of important valuesmay still fit. Freeman warned us againstfighting environmental protection measures,noting by example that 85 percent of voterssupport the higher air quality standards.John Eger of the World Foundation for SmartCommunities was another thought provokingspeaker. He spoke of the growing power ofcommunities and the opportunities associ-ated with modern communications technology.

Eger called for cooperation in developing thistechnology, warning of the need to focus onthe outcome, not the wires. �It�s not technol-ogy,� he said, �it�s jobs, money, education, andthe quality of life.� He noted Singapore�sgoal to enhance education and businessopportunities by wiring every homeand business to the Internet andgetting a computer into the back-pack of every school child.

Eger�s comment about coopera-tion could be the kernel of apowerful political argument. Ifothers are willing to cooperate inbuilding a communications system that isopen to the broader needs of our community,we don�t need to own the wires. However,successful outcomes will only come if ownersare truly committed to the community. Theextraction of monopoly profits from owner-ship of the infrastructure will not serve thecommunity and will block the potential thetechnology holds. Ultimately, communitiesmay need to own the infrastructure, just likethe streets, but that decision ought to be basedon our genuine and generous approach topromoting the community good. Eger mademe wonder if municipal utilities should begiving up on appliance rebate programs infavor of rebates or grants for computers orcable modems. You can find out more aboutSmart Communities by visiting their web siteat www.smartcommunities.org.

Sometimes the value of a good conference is inthe things we hear from speakers. Sometimesit�s the things we talk about with colleaguesduring the breaks or over a beer and a burger.And sometimes it�s what comes to us whenwe�re in a frame of mind to think beyond theimmediate task at hand. My notes from theAPPA conference have already become acatalyst for planning by our staff and by theIAMU board of directors. They remind me ofthe value we all get from participating inactivities of our state and national organiza-tions.


EMC OFFERS FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION FOR IAMU MEMBERS

When was the last time you were plagued bytoo much free legal advice? �Never� wouldprobably be a fairly universal response.Of course, nothing every should or willreplace ongoing consultation with your owncity attorney or utility counsel. Truly, yourlocal counsel is your best friend and ally inany legal controversy. He or she knows your

city and your utility better than anylawyer in the state, and no importantdecision should be made without

his or her input.

Still, as a former city attorney myself I wasoften confronted with legal issues that werebeyond my comfort level as a general practi-tioner. Picking the brain of another attorneywith special expertise was often a �luxury�my city or my municipal utility could noteasily afford.

EMC Insurance Companies is now offering avaluable new resource for participants in theIAMU Safety Group: the AttorneyDirectSM

Program. Each insured city or utility iseligible to receive up to 90 minutes percalendar quarter of FREE LEGAL CONSUL-TATION with a Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor &Fairgrave, P.C. attorney on employment lawquestions such as:3 Proper hiring procedures3 Job re-assignment issues3 Termination questions3 Employee handbook do�s and don�ts3 Employment practices and compliance with state and federal law (ADA, Family and Medical Leave Act3 Workers� compensation matters3 Injured worker returning to work concerns3 Other employment-related matters.

After nearly 25 years in the practice of law Iknow at least one thing (and maybe ONLYone thing) for sure: IT IS ALWAYS EASIER,CHEAPER AND LESS PAINFUL TO PRE-VENT LEGAL DISPUTES THAN IT IS TOSOLVE THEM. A ten-minute consultationwith an attorney at the front-end of a problem

can prevent the incredible financial cost,personal pain and professional embarrassmentof a two-week trial.

How can you access the AttorneyDirectSM

Program?3 Participate in the IAMU Safety Group.3 Designate a person or persons authorized to access the AttorneyDirect �Red Phone,� and a confidential, secure voice mailbox (e.g., city clerk, utility manager, city attorney).3 Have an authorized person call the AttorneyDirect �Red Phone� toll-free number 800-820-6490 or 515-558-6490, 24 hours a day to leave a message or ask a question concerning employment law.3 A Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave, P.C., attorney will respond within 24 hours, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and following the telephone consultation under the AttorneyDirect program, a letter to the city or utility will be sent within 24 hours confirming the city or utility�s question and Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave, P.C., advice.

Other optional, no-cost or low-cost servicesunder the AttorneyDirect program include:8 Quarterly Newsletter on Employment Law8 �Client Alerts� on important court rulings or legislation.8 Risk Management Training Seminars

Finally, it bears repeating that theAttorneyDirect program is NOT intended tosupplant advice from your regular city orutility attorney, nor should it disrupt long-standing relationships with local or out-of-town law firms that have earned your trust inthe past and from whom you have tradition-ally received good, sound, cost-effective legaladvice over the years. Rather, it is one morevaluable resource to augment the toolsalready available to you in your continuingeffort to effectively address legal molehillsbefore they erupt into litigation mountains.

FreeLegalAdvice!?

By Gordon Greta, IAMU Legal Counsel


7 - 8 a.m.

2 - 4:30 p.m. -- "Pre-Con" Session1 Computing (PowerPoint/Microsoft Word)1 Restructuring (choice of session)

3 -6 p.m.1 Meeting Registration1 Exhibit Hall opens (Associate Mermber displays, refreshments)

5:30 - 7 p.m. -- President's Reception

7 p.m. -- Associate Member Suites open

1 Continental Breakfast1 Committee Breakfast Meetings (Gas Safety/L&R/RPGI)

8 a.m. -- General Session begins1 President's Welcome

8:20 - 9 a.m.1 "Competition in the Utility Industry/ Service to the Community (Guest Speaker)

9 - 9:40 a.m.1 "Rethinking Governing Utilities In A Competitive Market" (Guest Speaker)

9:40 - 10 a.m. -- Break

Noon- 1:30 -- Lunch

1:30 - 2:10 p.m. -- Concurrent Session #1(Electric Transmission/CSST Issues/Water

Issues/Telecommunication Technical Issues)

2:15 - 2:55 p.m. -- Concurrent Session #2(Electric Joint Management Panel/OPS - PipelineSafety Rules/Leasing Water Tower Space toTelecom/Clerk Topics)

3 - 3:30 p.m. -- Break

3:30 - 4:15 p.m. -- Concurrent Session #3(Power Supply Discussion/Gas RetailCompetition/Chlorine Alternatives/Telecommunications Legal Issues)

4:15 - 5:15 p.m. -- NMDG Committee Meeting

6:30 - 8:30 p.m. -- Banquet/Award CeremonyIncludes video, "Hawarden -- The Final Story,"presented by Hawarden Mayor Mose Hendricks

8:30 p.m. -- Associate Member Suites open

7 - 8 a.m.1 Continental Breakfast1 Committee Breakfast Meetings(Water/Electric/MAPP/Energy Efficiency)

8:15 a.m.1 General Session begins1 President's Welcome/Attendance Prizes

8:20 - 8:30 a.m. -- Algona Wind Farm Video

8:30 - 9 a.m. -- "Y2K, The Final Countdown"

9 - 9:45 a.m. -- IUB Panel (Gas, Electric)

9:45 - 10:15 a.m. -- Break

10:15 - 11:15 a.m. -- "Water Quality AndWatershed Protection" (Panel)

11:15 - Noon -- Private Use Issue

Noon: Prize Drawing, Adjournment

10:10 - 11:05 a.m.1 "What Do Large Customers Want?" (Speakers/Panel)

11:05 a.m. - Noon1 "Open Meetings/Open Records/Legal Issues" (Speakers/Panel)

Registration Formon next page A

October 3 - 5, 1999

Municipal Utilities at the Millennium

The Future

Is NowIAMU's 1999 Fall MeetingHoliday Inn Airport Conference Center, Des Moines

Tentative Schedule,Subject to Change

Sunday, October 3

Monday, October 4

Tuesday, October 5

Nominations

Wanted!

The IAMU Fall Meeting willfeature an award ceremonyduring the Monday banquet.

Want recognition for autility achievement?

Know someone whodeserves recognition for

a job well done?

Call IAMU for anomination packet

Nomination Deadline:Sept. 15

Call on the Mall!Spouses will have the opportunity to visit a local

shopping mall on Monday, October 4.

Transportation to and from the hotel will be

provided, beginning at 10 a.m.


Utility Registration(Associate Members: Please use registration form

mailed in Fall Meeting packet)

Please note early registration deadline.Fees received after September 20, 1999

are at a higher rate.

Utility

Billing Address

Phone

The following individuals will attend (Name/Title to appear on name tag -- PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY):

Return completed registration form with check or coupons by September 20, 1999 to:Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities1735 NE 70th Ave.Ankeny, IA 50021-9353

Hotel InformationReservations: 800/248-4013 -- Ask for IAMU Room Block Location: 6111 Fleur Dr., Des Moines, 50321(Reservation deadline: Sept.12) (Adjacent to Des Moines Intl. Airport)

Have you noted our new address?

(Street)

(City, State, ZIP)

October 3 - 5, 1999IAMU's 1999 Fall MeetingHoliday Inn Airport Conference Ctr., Des Moines

Municipal Utilities at the Millennium

The Future

Is Now

Registration Fees Per Person:If received with payment by September 20 ................... $140 x = $

Late registration ............................................................ $150 x = $

* Monday only (includes lunch ticket) .......................... $80 x = $

* Monday Banquet only ............................................... $35 x = $All above fees qualify for IAMU Risk Management Coupons

Spouse/Guest Name (for name tag -- first and last name)

Spouse/Guest Name (for name tag -- first and last name)

* Monday Banquet only (if received by September 20) .......... $35 x = $

* At the door, please add $10 per ticket

Pre-Con Session, Oct. 3:Computer Session ..............................................................$35 x = $

Restructuring Session .........................................................$20 x = $


A monthly feature onenergy efficiency

From Patti Cale,Energy Services

Coordinator

NEW ENERGY SAVERS MATERIALS AVAILABLE

New materials from the U.S. Department ofEnergy can help you promote energy effi-ciency to your residential customers. TheEnergy Savers Partnership Program featureshundreds of easy and practical tips on how tomake your customers' homes more energyefficient.

The program is offering pre-designed materi-als, including: print ads, a booklet, billstuffers, and news articles. You can also addyour utility name and logo to the back of thebooklet or bill stuffer.

Here are some suggestions from the EnergySavers program on how to use the materials:

Handouts. Offer the Energy Savers booklet toyour customers. Display the booklet in high-traffic areas and at community events.

Customer Newsletters. Download an assort-ment of energy-efficiency news stories fromthe Energy Savers Web site and publish themin your customer newsletters.

Energy Savers Web Site. Improve your imageby supporting a good cause. Link your Website to the Energy Savers home page(www.eren.doe.gov).

The cost of the booklets is 21 cents each, witha minimum order of 1,000. To have yourutility logo added is an additional charge.The price list, an order form, and moreinformation about how the program works isfound on the Energy Savers web site atwww.eren.doe.gov/energy_savers_partners.

For more information, call 303/275-3655.Order deadline is September 3, 1999.

GREEN POWER MARKET EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS

The green power market delivered on itspromises to customers in its first year inCalifornia's deregulated market, the Centerfor Resource Solutions reported recently. TheGreen-e Program is the nation�s first and onlycertification program for electricity offeringsbased on renewable energy supply.

The reports show that 99% of the total electric-ity purchased by retail green power compa-nies for customers of Green-e CertifiedProducts was supplied by renewable re-sources. This finding allays doubts that greenpower customers would face widespreaddeception from marketers failing to meet theirgreen power promises.

The green power supplied to customers ofCalifornia�s Green-e Certified Products reliedon almost 10 times more renewable energythan California�s system mix of electricity. Byrelying on renewable energy, Californiacustomers kept some 234,000 tons of CO2emissions out of the atmosphere � theequivalent of emissions from 48,000 cars inone year.

Green-e Verification Reports also document asignificant interest in green power by non-residential consumers. Aggregated Green-eCertified Product sales data indicate that 21percent of green power demand in the firstyear came from large customers (industrial,small commercial, and agricultural).

The verification data also show thatCalifornia�s market restructuring has helpedstimulate the construction of new renewableresources in the state for the first time in tenyears. Enron Wind Company is building anew 16.5 MW wind facility andGreenMountain.com is building a 2 MWfacility specifically to meet the demand of thegreen market. Another 55 projects comprisingover 500 MW of new renewable resources areplanned for construction under the CaliforniaEnergy Commission�s (CEC) $160 million firstround grant program established byCalifornia�s deregulation law. Approximately300 MW of this new generation will beginoperation within the next year.


LEGALQ. & A.

By: Gordon Greta, IAMU Legal Counsel

This month�s Legal Q.&A. is a little differentthis time inasmuch as it addresses only asingle topic: Memos to the File (MTFs). Asalways, IAMU recommends that you consultyour city attorney or utility counsel beforemaking decisions or taking action relative toany important legal matter.

Q: �We have a water service deposit made bya husband for service at a home rented byhim and his wife. The husband recently camein to inform us of an impending divorce, andasked that we keep the deposit on file so hissoon-to-be-ex-wife wouldn�t have to post anew one. We are concerned that at some pointhe might change his mind and demand thereturn of �his� deposit. What can we do toprotect ourselves from a future dispute?�A: As Yogi Berra was once said, �an oralcontract ain�t worth the paper it�s written on.�This is a textbook case for writing a �memo tothe file� (MTF). People often assume that theonly effective way to bind someone to astatement or a promise is by obtaining theirsignature on a written document. While asigned statement is the best evidence of apromise, it is not the only form of evidenceavailable to you. I have always been a strong advocate ofpreparing an MTF in any situation in which itseems important to have a record of whathappened but it is impossible to get thecooperation of other interested parties injointly memorializing the event. An MTF canbe handwritten on scratch paper or printedout as a formal memorandum. To be crediblein court, an MTF need only be:3written,3signed,3dated,3prepared immediately or at least within a few minutes or hours of the event, and3stored in such a manner that the author can truthfully say it was protected from tampering by others.

An MTF is well recognized in the law asgood evidence. Still, any kind of evidence canbe manipulated, and dishonest people often tryto salt the record with false and misleadingMTFs. Two factors are critical to the credibilityof an MTF: [1] timing, and [2] actions consis-tent with the MTF. TIMING: A credible MTF must be preparedimmediately, not hours or days later. It mustmemorialize the freshest possible recollectionsof the author. If there is a delay in preparationof an MTF, the words can be affected by theinfluences of others, by information gainedlater on by the author, or by a dishonestauthor�s desire to reinterpret events to makehimself or herself look better after the fact. Inshort, an MTF will only be given great weight ifit truly shows the author�s state of mind beforeself-interest has a chance to twist the facts. ACTIONS CONSISTENT WITH THE MTF:Let�s take the water deposit scenario we startedwith. The best kind of MTF to create in thissituation would be a simple letter from theutility clerk to the wife, with a copy sent to thehusband as well, as follows:

�Dear Ms. X:Your husband was in today and instructed usto retain the deposit he posted on your jointaccount several months ago so that you wouldnot have to post a new one. We wanted you toknow that your service will continue without anew deposit so long as this account remainscurrent.� THEN, MAIL THE LETTER and attach acopy to the account record. The credibility ofthe MTF is now fortified by two actions youhave taken consistent with it: [1] you mailedthe letter, and [2] you continued servicing theaccount without demanding a new deposit.On the other hand, taking action clearlyinconsistent with your MTF will render ituseless at best and may cause it to become theseeds of your own destruction at worst. Let�sassume you awaken on a beautiful Fridaymorning and decide to take a �sick� day. Youset about create a foolproof MTA by sendingyour boss an e-mail claiming that you have theflu so bad you lack the strength to go down-stairs to use the phone and are e-mailing herfrom your bedside computer. Ten minutes later,with a package of �Ding-Dongs©� under your

Continued on next page


arm, you run into your boss filling her tank atthe QuikTrip© on her way to work.. She asksyou how you are. You realize your e-mail iswaiting for her back at the office. Not only areyou �busted,� you are about to lose your joband your MTA is no longer worth the paperit�s written on. In fact, it will be Exhibit �A� atthe hearing on your termination for cause. Here are a few examples of situations inwhich a timely, truthful MTA can pay richdividends:1 A dispute with a customer turns ugly, thecustomer starts name �calling, and thecustomer threatens to go to the Mayor andclaim YOU verbally abused THEM. Theminute the door closes, get on your computer,record exactly who said what, save thedocument (which automatically time-stampsit to show how soon after the event yourecorded it), print it out, and send or e-mail itto the Mayor before your accuser can evenmake an appointment to see His or HerHonor.1 A vendor offers you a bribe and says that ifyou refuse it, he will go to the Mayor and sayyou demanded a kickback in exchange forawarding him the contract. Pick up yourphone, summon a police officer, turn to yourcomputer, record exactly who said what, savethe document (which automatically time-stamps it to show how soon after the eventyou recorded it), print it out, and hand it to

the police officer when he or she arrives.1 A co-worker makes sexual advances,which you rebuff. You tell the co-worker theadvances are unwelcome, ask them to stop,and state that if the behavior continues youwill report it. The co-worker responds that ifyou make trouble for them, they will maketrouble for you. Turn to your computer, recordexactly who said what, save the document(which automatically time-stamps it to showhow soon after the event you recorded it),print it out, and file it in a personal file athome. If the co-worker hits on you again,prepare another written report, and deliver ore-mail both the earlier report and the currentone to your supervisor and the offending co-worker. Then make an appointment with yoursupervisor to discuss the matter. In summary, I honestly believe that timely,truthful MTFs are the best form of protectivedocumentation available to laypeople. Youdon�t need a lawyer to prepare them, spellingand grammar don�t matter, and so long asyour behavior is consistent with your MTFyou will always win any dispute in whichyou are armed with them. I have never seen abad situation made worse by good documen-tation, and I have never seen a bad situationmade better with poor documentation. Incourt, timely, truthful MTFs are trump.

LEGAL

Q. & A.Continued from Page 10

. . . . . . .

Governor Tom Vilsack and Lt. Governor SallyPederson have announced the appointmentof Diane Munns to the Iowa Utilities Board,effective June 14. The appointment will beconfirmed in the next legislative session.Munns replaces Emmitt George, who re-signed in April.

Munns, of Des Moines, has served as thegeneral counsel for the Iowa Utilities Boardsince July 1994. She has been responsible foradvising the board and its staff on regulatoryand management matters, providing her abroad range of knowledge in the variousutilities across the state. Munns also workedat the Iowa Attorney General�s Office from1982 to 1983, where she represented and

advised Iowa�s mental health institutions forthe mentally retarded.

Munns is also an active member of hercommunity. She served as President of theDrake Neighborhood Association from 1993to 1995 and has been a member of the Y-CampBoard of Directors since 1997. Munns is amember of the Talented and Gifted AdvisoryCommittee to the Des Moines School Boardand a member of the City of Des MoinesNeighborhood Advisory Board.Munns has a bachelor�s degree from theUniversity of Iowa where she was inductedinto the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Shereceived her law degree from Drake University.

DIANE MUNNS APPOINTED TO IOWA UTILITIES BOARD


ARCADIA, WIS., PASSES Y2K TEST WITH FLYING COLORS

. . .Y2K...

Reprinted, with permission,from

American Public Power Assn. Public Power Weekly,July 12, 1999 edition

The small municipal utility in Arcadia, Wis.,says it is happy to have received the Depart-ment of Energy�s highest Y2K readinessrating after the agency randomly selected theutility to be evaluated in May. DOE is con-ducting random tests across the nation to testutilities� preparedness in dealing withpotential glitches brought on by the millen-nium bug, which could cause computers tointerpret the year 2000 as �1900� when thecalendar flips to the new year. The EnergyDepartment was testing the utility�s ability tomeet the North American Electric ReliabilityCouncil�s Y2K readiness dates.

�We are pleased to receive the highest ratinglevel, meaning the U.S. DOE believes weshould meet NERC Y2K readiness dates andshould be Y2K ready by 12/31/99,� saidArcadia Utility Commission President GeraldMyers. The on-site review was conductedover two days by six DOE employees, whopored over Arcadia�s Y2K planning docu-ments and tested some of the municipalutility�s equipment, Arcadia said.

Arcadia, which has 1,400 meters including alarge industrial load, hired a consultant latelast year to put together a plan to make surethe utility is ready for the year 2000, said TimPutz, superintendent of the municipal utility.Arcadia used a basic Y2K plan put togetherby APPA, he said. The city has a nine-MWdiesel power plant that could supply Arcadiawith enough electricity to keep the lights onand houses warm in the event of a failure ofthe grid, said Todd Overgard, the consultantwho put together the city�s year 2000 plan.The city still needs to put the finishingtouches on its contingency plans, whichinclude making sure there is enough fuel forthe diesel plant in case the city is forced togenerate its own power for a few days.

�I was very pleased to see Arcadia�s highmarks on level of preparation,� said Ave Bie,chairperson of the Public Service Commissionof Wisconsin. �I think this shows that Wis-consin utilities, large and small, are working

hard on readiness for all mission-criticalfunctions to meet their Y2K-readiness plans.�

DOE is ranking utilities on a numerical scalefrom 1 to 3. A ranking of 1 means the utility isnot likely to meet the NERC Y2K readinessdates and may not be prepared when thecalendar turns to Dec. 31, 1999. A ranking of 2means the utility should be ready by Dec. 31,although there are some issues that causeconcern for meeting the dates set by NERC. Aranking of 3, the ranking given to Arcadia,means the utility is expected to meet the NERCdates and will be Y2K ready by Dec. 31. DOEwas expected to report the results of its Y2Kaudits to NERC at the end of July. A number ofutilities are reporting publicly that they havecompleted Y2K testing of all their mission-critical systems. Since late last month, forexample, the following public power utilitieshave announced they have completed thepreparations called for by NERC to date:Austin Energy in Texas; the Kissimmee, Fla.,Utility Authority; Lincoln, Neb., ElectricSystem; Ontario Hydro Services Co.; andToronto Hydro. This comports with resultsfrom APPA�s general surveying of publicpower entities.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said July7 that safety systems at all of the nation�s 103operating nuclear power plants are ready forthe turn of the calendar. There are no Y2K-related problems that affect performance ofsafety systems at any plant, the commissionsaid. Sixty-eight of the plants have completedtheir Y2K testing and preparation. Theremaining 35 plants have additional work todo on non-safety-related computer systems ordevices. Most report they expect to be fullyready no later than the end of October. Oneutility has said its systems will be ready byNov. 7. The NRC said it will review the plants�progress in September and will takeappropriate action, including shutdowns, thisfall if it appears that any of the plants areunable to reach a satisfactory level of pre-paredness.

Is your utility this ready?


w G&L Clothing Co., Inc.James Marcovis, President1801 Ingersoll Ave.Des Moines, IA 50309515/243-7431FAX: 515/243-4527

New Associate MembersIAMU welcomes the following businesses to our family of Associate Members.

Add them to the 1999 Directory of Associate Members, and take note of their products or services.IAMU thanks these new Associate Members for their support of Iowa utilities:

Engineering, Rates, Regulatory Services: Electric, Gas, Water, CommunicationEquipment, Materials, Supplies, Tools,Meters, and Computer Software &Hardware: Electric, Gas, Water, Communication

Laboratory Testing: Electric, Gas, Water,Communication

Distribution, Transmission, Generation: Electric, Gas, Water, Communication

. . . . . . .

PLAYGROUND SAFETY CONFERENCE IS PLANNEDThe Iowa Playground Safety Network, anumber of agencies and organizationsworking together to promote playgroundsafety in Iowa, will hold a statewide Play-ground Safety Conference October 6, atMarshalltown Community College. Theconference will be for staff, administrators,board members, and volunteers working withplaygrounds involving schools, child carecenters, and community parks.

The Conference will deal with the basics ofplayground safety. Some of the topics which

will be covered are: Risk management, ageappropriate play, surfacing, supervision,maintenance, accessibility, planning anddesign and fund raising. Participants willreceive a notebook with playground safetyresources.

For more information, contact Larry Milroy atIAMU, at (515) 289-1999 or Bob Cole, IowaState University Extension, 2023 SouthFederal, Mason City, IA 50401. Phone: (515)423-0844; Fax: (515) 423-2642; e-mail:[email protected].

Rabies continues to be a concern in the stateof Iowa, with 61 positive animal specimensdocumented from July � November, 1998,according to the Hygienic Laboratory at theUniversity of Iowa and the Veterinary Diag-nostic Laboratory at Iowa State University.

Although dogs (and sometimes cats) are oftenthought of as the major carriers of rabies, itshould be noted that wild animals usuallypresent a more significant threat. In Iowa, theskunk is the most frequent source of rabies,followed by cows (which are often infected byskunk bites). Foxes, raccoons and bats arealso common carriers.

IAMU�s Job Training & Safety Departmentreminds utility employees who frequentlywork outdoors, especially in rural areas, to be

on guard against animals which may presenta rabies hazard. Any animal acting in anunusual manner, or a wild animal thatappears to be unafraid of a human presence,should be regarded with suspicion. Healthofficials say rodents (rats, mice, rabbits,squirrels, etc.) should not be considered alikely rabies threat; in fact, a rodent bite hasnever been linked to a case of human rabies inthe United States. With any animal, anunprovoked attack is a more likely indicator ofpossible rabies than a provoked bite.

Rabies concerns stemming from any incidentshould be presented to local or state healthofficials. For more information, contact theIowa Department of Public Health (515/281-5643); the Ames Veterinary Diagnostic Lab(515/294-1950); or the State Hygienic Labora-

RABIES REFRESHER: KNOW THE FACTS BEFORE YOU ACT

. . . . . . .


CLUTTER CAUSES CASUALTIESWhat does housekeeping have to do withsafety? Lots! A clean and orderly workplaceis essential to avoiding falls, fires and manyother kinds of accidents and injuries.Clutter and disorder contribute tomany workplace accidents. Use this checklistto find and eliminate the hazards of poorworkplace housekeeping:3 Floors are free of water, mud, ice, grease,trash and waste materials.3Traffic routes remainclear. They are free oftripping hazards suchas electrical cables,hoses and stored materials.3Exits and stairwaysare well marked. Theyare kept clear at alltimes, and are not usedfor storage.3Fire extinguishers arekept charged according to aregular schedule.They are located wherethey will be easily acces-sible in case of a fire. Theyare not obstructed bystored materials.3Trash cans are located where they areneeded and are emptied regularly.3Oily rags are disposed of in covered metalcans.3 Lighting is adequate for safety. Burned-outlights are replaced promptly.3 Supplies and materials are stored safely.They are stacked so they cannot fall.3Any potentially hazardous materials aresafely stored in the correct kinds of containers.They are correctly labeled and accompanied byMaterial Safety Data Sheets. Storagearrangements take into account the require-ments of temperature, ventilation and humid-ity for various materials. Potentially incom-patible materials are separated.

3 Flammable and combustible materials arestored away from sources of ignition.3 Machinery is kept clean, free of oil, greaseand dust. Equipment is maintained properlyto prevent fires and accidents.3 Tools are cleaned and put away right afterthey are used. There are designated places fortools.3 Work stations are left clean at the end of the

shift.3Surfaces and equipment arecheckedover regularly for hazards suchas protruding nails and roughsurfaces. These could causeaccidents such as eye injuries,cuts and bruises.3 Stools and chairs are placedso they are not tripping hazards.They are kept in good repair.When chairs or stools aredamaged, they are removed fromservice so they cannot be usedaccidentally.3 Drawers and cabinet doorsare kept closed to preventtripping accidents. Filing cabi-

nets are filled from the bottom up to preventthem from tipping over.3 Any smoking is confined to certain desig-nated areas. Ash trays are available and areused.3 Lunch areas are kept clean and free oftrash. Washrooms are also kept clean and dry.3 Everyone takes responsibility for job sitehousekeeping. All employees know how toreport safety hazards so they will be corrected.

Remember, a safe workplace depends on eachand every employee taking responsibility forgood housekeeping � to prevent fires, fallsand other accidents.

. . . . . . .

Contactus:

Phone:515/289-1999

or800/810-4268

Fax:515/289-2499

Web site:www.iamu.org

Newslettere-mail:

[email protected]

TAILGATEREPORT

I A M U

News fromaround the stateby Larry Milroy,

IAMU JobTrainingand SafetyCoordinator


. . . . . . .

Ground has well and truly been broken forIAMU�s new Office and Training Facility at1735 NE 70th Avenue south of Ankeny, Iowa.Virtuallyallfootingsfor theoffice/trainingcomplexhave beenpouredand themechanical/electrical contractors are install-ing interior sub-floor infrastructure. The floorpour is scheduled for late July or early August.

Plans are being finalized for minimal interiorfinishing in the shop building. Shop founda-tions and floors will be poured in August.Erection of the above ground structures forboth buildings will begin to take shape afterthe floors cure. So far, weather, other than theextreme heat, has not been a factor. Thecontractor continues to express confidence inan estimated completion date of December 27,1999. We will be taking �progress shots�throughout, to show the entire process fromgroundbreaking to completion. We willcontinue to keep you informed of constructionprogress in future editions of the IAMUNewsletter. In the meantime, here are somephotos of the first stages of construction:

The city of Manilla has continued its trend ofgas system updates with the recent removalof an old regulator station and undergroundvault from its distribution system. RudyParcel, IAMU Gas Safety Specialist, assistedManilla utility workers with the project,which was performed July 13 � 15.

At the time, the equipment was the weakestlink in the city�s gas system. Throughupgrades, the regulator station was nolonger needed, and had become a source ofleaks and odorant complaints. At thecompletion of the job, a four-inch steel pipe, aone key valve and 20 feet of pipe remained.

The removal marked the latest in a series ofsystem updates by the City of Manilla. �Withthe way the system is being permanentlymaintained, the Manilla gas system will be agood one for many years to come,� said

IAMU�s Parcel. �It is a good example of asmall community that has kept up well withchanging regulations and requirements.�

IAMU is an active participant in hands-on,on-site training and assistance with munici-pal gas systems.

IAMU'S NEW HOME BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE

MANILLA GAS SYSTEM UPGRADES ARE COMPLETED, PRAISED

This view, looking northwest, shows early progress on what will be the west end of IAMU's new office complex.Story Construction of Ames is performing the work. More panoramic progress photos will be taken regularly.

The former location of the undergroundvault and regulator station can be clearlyseen in this photo.


ELECTRIC LINE PERSON: City of Paullina isaccepting applications for a full-time electric lineperson. Will also work in other city departments.Position requires a high school diploma or GEDand vocational training. Must possess or be ableto obtain a valid Iowa CDL. Pre-employmentdrug and alcohol screening required. Salary DOQ.Applications accepted until September 17, 1999.For job description and application, contact:

City Clerk/AdministratorPO Box 230Paullina, IA 51046

LINEPERSON: State Center Municipal Electric.Experience preferred, but would consider training.Work on construction, maintenance and repair ofoverhead and underground electrical distributionsystem. Operate diesel generation when needed.Iowa CDL required. Successful applicant will besubject of pre-employment physical and drugtesting. Salary DOQ. Benefit package. EOE. Sendresume to:

State Center Municipal ElectricPO Box 668State Center, IA 50247-0668

WATER OPERATOR: Perry Water Departmenthas opening for a water operator. Minimumqualifications: Iowa Water Treatment Grade II orIowa Water Treatment Grade I with ability toobtain Grade II classification within one year.Competitive wage and excellent benefits. Sendresume to:

Butch Niebuhr, SuperintendentPerry Water DepartmentPO Box 604Perry, IA 50220 515/465-2562

ACCOUNTING SUPERVISOR: MuscatinePower and Water, the largest municipal utility inIowa. This individual will prepare, review, andapprove all journal entries as well as receiving allledger accounts for reasonableness and correct-ness and providing explanations for variances.Will formulate monthly financial statements andhandle daily transfer of funds to/from checking,savings, and money market accounts. Will alsoact as the liaison with auditors, providing themwith information they need, including prepara-tion of audit work papers and writing audits. Willalso supervise General Accounting area. Positionrequires a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting witha minimum of five years accounting experienceand at least three years supervisory experience.Detail focus and leadership qualities a must.Muscatine Power and Water's benefit packageprovides a comprehensive medical and dentalplan as well as pension and a deferred compensa-tion plan that includes a utility match. Pre-employment physical and drug screeningrequired. EOE, M/F, D/B. Challenging careeropportunity with progressive employer. Sendresume and salary expectations to:

Muscatine Power and WaterAttn.: Human Resources3205 Cedar St.Muscatine, IA 52761

[email protected] www.mpw.org

BUYER: Muscatine Power and Water, the largestmunicipal utility in Iowa. This individual willwork with requestors, project leaders, andvendors to develop specifications and quotepackages. Duties will include construction andcapital projects contracting and MRO buying.Will also analyze quote responses to determinethe most competitive, responsible bidder, willrecommend awards for further approval ormake awards, up to a specific dollar amount.Position will participate on project teams andwork closely with project leaders to assure thatall procurement needs are handled properly. Anassociate degree relating to business, engineer-ing or equivalent work experience is required.Three or more years experience in procurementthat includes construction and capital projectcontracting, as well as MRO buying. Must befamiliar with computer generated purchasing.Excellent interpersonal and communication skillsa must. Muscatine Power and Water's benefitpackage provides a comprehensive medical anddental plan as well as pension and deferredcompensation plan. Pre-employment physicaland drug screen required. EOE, M/F, D/V.Challenging career opportunity with progres-sive employer. Send resume and salary expecta-tions to:

Muscatine Power and WaterAttn.: Human Resources3205 Cedar St.Muscatine, IA 52761

[email protected] www.mpw.org

� HELP WANTED � � HELP WANTED �

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT SUPER-INTENDENT: City of Ida Grove has immediateopening. Applicant should have a current GradeII license and CDL. Plant average daily flow is319,000 gallons. Domestic waste. RBC treatment.Duties include operation and maintenance ofplant and collection system and five lift stations.Competitive wage and excellent benefits.Applications available at City Hall. Send resumeto: Diane F. Alborn, City Clerk

City of Ida GrovePO Box 236Ida Grove, IA 51445 712/364-2428

IAMU Classified ads areprovided at no charge to IAMUutility members and supporterson a space available basis. Adswill be run on a one-monthbasis, unless notified. Mail orfax (515/289-2499) ad copy toIAMU, attention John Burnett

CLASSIFIEDS


� FOR SALE �

� HELP WANTED �

CLASSIFIEDS

GENERAL MANAGER: The Atlantic UtilitiesBoard of Trustees is seeking candidates for theposition of General Manager. Atlantic is amunicipal utility, located in southwest Iowa,serving 4,800 electric customers, 3,200 watercustomers and has 38.5 MW of coal (jointlyowned plant), local diesel, steam and combustionturbine generation. The electric utility hasextensive rural and city electric distribution at 15kV, along with 161 kV and 69 kV transmission.The water utility consists of 3+ MGD capacitytreatment plant, 10 wells and extensive city andrural water distribution. Candidates should haveproven expertise in administration of electric andwater utilities, including strong management,communication and public relations abilities. Thesuccessful candidate should have either aBachelor's degree from an accredited college inan appropriate field with five years of experiencein electric and water utility management. Salarydependent upon experience and qualifications.EOE. Please send resume, salary history andthree references by September 15, 1999 to:

Steve TjepkesSecretary, Board of TrusteesAtlantic Municipal Utilities15 West Third St.Atlantic, IA 50022Ph.: 712/243-1395

USED STREET LIGHT POLES: 40-45 total, 30-ft.high, with 250 watt high pressure sodiumroadway fixtures. $150 each. Contact:

Pat SteifVinton Municipal Electric Utlity319/472-4813.

XTRU COAT STEEL GAS PIPE: 853 feet of 2-inch; 168 feet of 1-1/4 inch; 1,218 feet of 1-inch;1,155 feet of 3/4-inch. Bids on first job lot of pipeaccepted until August 31, 1999. Bids and inquiriesshould be directed to:

Scott JensenGas/Meter SuperintendentHarlan Municipal UtilitiesPO Box 71Harlan, IA 51537

e-mail: [email protected].: 712/755-5182Fax: 712/755-2320

� WANTED �USED PIPE AND CABLE LOCATOR. Magneticlocator also wanted. Contact:

City of MassenaPO Box 109Massena, IA 50853Ph.: 712/779-2047

� HELP WANTED �

SAFETY DIRECTOR: This position, createdthrough a 28E Agreement, will develop, adminis-ter and maintain safety and training programs,policies and procedures for the City ofBurlington, Des Moines County and BurlingtonMunicipal Warterworks (400+ FT employees).Will identify concerns and hazards and ensurecompliance with OSHA, ADA and other regula-tions dealing with safety. Must have extensiveknowledge of pertinent OSHA, ADA laws. Mustbe physically able to perform assigned duties.Bachelor's degree in occupational safety, publicadministration or a closely related field andOSHA training with two years experience insimilar position preferred; or equivalent combi-nation of education (minimum two years ofcollege-level coursework) and experience andtraining which provides the required knowledge,skills and abilities. Must live in Des MoinesCounty and possess valid Iowa driver's license.Subject to physical exam and background check.Starting salary range: $30,000 - $35,000, plusbenefits. Submit resume by August 31, 1999, to:

Joint Safety Committee, c/o Bev Hunter400 Washington St.Burlington, IA 52601319/753-8178 EOE/AA

PUBLIC WORKS OPERATOR/LABORER:The City of Reinbeck is accepting applications forPublic Works Operator/Laborer. Must be able toobtain Grade II certification for water and sewerwithin six months of hire. Starting salary $20,000/yr. with $1,000 increase upon certificationupgrades to the required levels. Full-timeposition with benefits. Must be able to performheavy tasks, required paperwork, and haveability to work with people. Present public worksemployees are planning retirement in approxi-mately 18 months, and position may evolve intoleadership role with additional responsibilitiesand compensation. Submit resume, with mini-mum of three work-related references, by August31, to:

Tom SmithCity of Reinbeck414 Main St.Reinbeck, IA 50669

Phone: 319/345-6404 Fax: 319/345-6910

IAMU Classified ads areprovided at no charge to IAMUutility members and supporterson a space available basis. Adswill be run on a one-monthbasis, unless notified. Mail orfax (515/289-2499) ad copy toIAMU, attention John Burnett


CALENDAR

NEWSLETTER, Volume 32, Issue VII, The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities NEWSLETTER, ISSN 10589597, is published monthly for $45per year by the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, 1735 NE 70th Ave., Ankeny, Iowa 50021-9353. Periodicals postage paid at Ankeny, Iowa.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Newsletter, 1735 NE 70th Ave., Ankeny, IA 50021-9353.

IOWA ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPAL UTILITIES

N E W S L E T T E R1735 NE 70th Avenue Ankeny, IA 50021-9353

PeriodicalsPostage

� 1999 �

Sept. 14-17: Overhead Electric DistributionWorkshop, Ames. Contact IAMU,800/810-4268.

Sept. 28: Compressed Air Challenge, Sioux City.Contact IAMU, 800/810-4268

October 3 - 5: IAMU Fall Meeting, Des Moines (more information in this issue)

Contact IAMU, 800/810-4268

October 6: State Playground Network SafetyWorkshop, Marshalltown. Co-sponsoredby IAMU. Contact IAMU, 800/810-4268.

October 27, 28: APGA/IAMU Gas System Opera-tors Workshop, Adventureland Inn,Altoona. Contact IAMU, 800/810-4268.

Sept. 14 - 15: IAMU TelecommunicationsConference, Four Points Sheraton,Des Moines. Contact IAMU, 800/810-4268

Aug. 18 - 26: IAMU Restructuring Workshops, various locations (see story in this issue) Contact IAMU, 800/810-4268

The Newsletter is published monthly to provideinformation to IAMU members on the safe,efficient and reliable operation of municipalelectric, gas and water utilities. Contributionsfrom members and others which advance thispurpose are solicited and appreciated. Addresschanges can be sent to IAMU, 1735 NE 70th Ave.,Ankeny, Iowa 50021-9353.

Communication Manager/Newsletter Editor:John Burnett

Telephone: 515-289-1999 FAX: 515-289-2499e-mail: [email protected]

This publication is designed to provide accurate andauthoritative information in regard to the subjectmatter covered. It is furnished with the understand-ing that the Association is not engaged in renderinglegal or other professional service. If legal advice orother professional or expert assistance is required, theservices of a competent professional should besought.

IAMU President ..........................Allen Bonderman,Sanborn Municipal Utilities

Executive Director .................................. Bob HaugAssistant Executive Director ...............Colin HansenLegislative Counsel ............................ Julie A. SmithLegal Counsel ................................... Gordon GretaEnergy Services Coord. ............................ Patti CaleWater Services Coord. ................... Karen NachtmanJob Training & Safety Director .............. Larry MilroyBusiness Manager .................................. Kris Stubbs

November 16 - 18: 5th Annual Water/WastewaterOperators' Workshop, Des Moines.Contact IAMU, 800/810-4268

The Future Is NowIAMU's Fall MeetingOctober 3 - 5 Des Moines

Agenda, Registration FormPages 7, 8

Sign up....before timeruns out!

Documents

Is Now - archive.iamu.orgarchive.iamu.org/news/newsletters/archive/1999/1999-07.pdf · a telecomm system or expand an existing one. It will also allow municipal utility professionals