IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 1

July 2005

ROADCONSTRUCTION

ADVISORY

IAMU TRAINING &OFFICE COMPLEX

Attention IAMU workshop attendeesand other guests:SE Delaware Ave. between Oralabor Rd. andCorporate Woods Dr. will be undergoing renova-tions into the fall of 2005. Although the road willremain open, you are urged to use NE 14th St.(US 69) to connect to NE 70th Ave. and IAMU, toavoid possible congestion and delays (see map atright).

I-35

Oralabor Rd.

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Del

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NE 70th

NE 66th

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CorporateWoods Exit

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69)

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Iowa and IAMU were well represented inawards ceremonies at the recent AmericanPublic Power Association (AAPA) Annual

Conference in Anaheim, California.Three managers from IAMU memberutilities won the APPA Larry HobartSeven Hats Award.

Larry Farley of the Denver MunicipalElectric Utility; David Ferris of LenoxMunicipal Light & Power; and TomSchroeder of the City of Wall Lake allreceived the award, which recognizesmanagers who perform a variety of dutiesin communities of 2,500 or fewer electricmeters.

Farley, City Administrator of Denver, hasguided the town’s electric utility through anumber of improvements, including budgetissues, research and development. A three-acre site for public works support, includingareas for future expansion for a substationand peaking generation for the 100-year-oldutility, has been developed under Farley’swatch.

Ferris, General Manager of Lenox MunicipalLight & Power, has been with the utility since

THREE IOWANS AWARDED AT APPA NATIONAL CONFERENCE

David Ferris of Lenox Municipal Light & Power(top photo) and Tom Schroeder of the City ofWall Lake were among Iowans presented withthe Seven Hats Award at the APPA NationalConference (Larry Farley of Denver MunicipalElectric not pictured).Continued on Page 10

IOWA ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPAL UTILITIES

N E W S L E T T E R

"To support and strengthen Iowa's municipal utilities"

IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 2

Several bills and issues that could potentiallyimpact municipal utilities in Iowa andnationwide are currently circulating in theU.S. Congress. They are summarized here:

ENERGY BILL:With state legislators back home until nextJanuary, IAMU and its members are turningtheir attention to a number of federal issues.Among them is the Energy Policy Act of 2005,which passed the Senate June 28 on a vote so85 – 12. Since the House had passed adifferent version of the bill it now goes to aconference committee, where the substantialdifferences in the two versions must beworked out.

It remains to be seen whether conferees cancome to agreement in time to get the bill to thepresident by the wished-for date of August 1.One of the most contentious issues thatdistinguish the two versions is a Houseprovision that limits liability protection formanufacturers of the gasoline additive MTBE,which has contaminated groundwater insome states. The Senate version has othermore environmentally-friendly provisions,including a renewable portfolio standard(RPS). The RPS applies to utilities with retailsales in excess of 4 million MWH, so no Iowamunicipal utilities would face a mandate forrenewable energy as the bill currently stands.The electricity title of the bill has a number ofprovisions that municipal utilities generallysupport, including language supportinglong-term transmission rights for load-serving utilities. A major plus for municipalutilities is the authority to issue taxable cleanenergy bonds for the construction of renew-able energy and clean coal facilities. SenatorCharles Grassley, who tried last year to winsupport for tradable renewable tax credits, islargely responsible for the bond provisions.The Senate also included backstop consumerprotection in repealing the Public UtilityHolding Company Act by expanding theauthority of the Federal Energy RegulatoryCommission over mergers and by prohibitingmarket manipulation. Iowa municipalutilities concerned about spiraling costs ofthe Midwest Independent System Operator(MISO), also may take some comfort in Senate

language to promote accountability forregional transmission organizations.

TELECOM ISSUES:In the last session of the Iowa Legislature,Iowa municipal utilities were successful inblocking a coalition of telephone and cableinterests from stopping competition frommunicipal telecommunications systems. Thebattle has temporarily shifted to Washington,where there are competing bills of interest tomunicipal utilities.

Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and FrankLautenberg (D-NJ) have introduced theCommunity Broadband Act of 2005, whichsays “No State statute, regulation, or otherState legal requirement may prohibit or havethe effect of prohibiting any public providerfrom providing, to any person or any publicor private entity, advanced telecommunica-tions capability or any service that utilizes theadvanced telecommunications capabilityprovided by such provider.” In introducingthe bill, McCain noted that the U.S. lags manyother nations in deployment of high speedInternet services (we are now 16th). Manyleading countries have successfully combinedmunicipal systems with private networks.McCain said, “As a country, we cannot affordto cut off any successful strategy if we want toremain internationally competitive.” McCainalso acknowledged that the U.S. has a “longand successful” history of private investmentin communications infrastructure. “How-ever," he said, “when the industry does not‘answer the call,’ other options should beavailable.”

The baby bells and cable companies arefighting back. Sen. John Ensign, (R-NV.), isdrafting restrictive language on the creation ofmunicipal broadband networks. Ensign ischairman of the Senate Commerce TechnologySubcommittee and the Senate RepublicanHigh Tech Task Force.

In the House, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) hasintroduced a bill to block municipal entry intobroadband. It’s worth noting, incidentally,that Sessions is a 16-year veteran of SBC

Continued on Page 10

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS TURNS TO D.C. BILLS AND ISSUES

IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 3

"CLEAN ENERGY BONDS"APPA "Washington Report" by Robert Varela, Editor, Public Power Weekly

The numbers are sobering. Total electricityconsumption in the United States, including bothpurchases from electric power producers and on-site generation, is projected to grow from 3,657billion kilowatt-hours in 2003 to 5,467 billionkWh in 2025 — a 49% rise. U.S. natural gasconsumption is projected to grow from 22 trillioncubic feet in 2003 to almost 31 trillion cubic feetin 2025, a 41% increase.

It’s no wonder Senate Energy and NaturalResources Committee Chairman Pete Domenici,R-N.M., said, in opening markup of the compre-hensive energy bill, “We have to produce a lotmore and we have to conserve a lot more.”It’s easy to dismiss renewables as a “niche,” butGeneral Electric, the world’s largest company bymarket value and the world’s largest maker ofturbines for power plants, believes renewables canbe a heck of a big niche. GE announced plans todouble its spending — to $1.5 billion a year by2010 — on research to develop new “green”technologies such as wind turbines, diesel-electrichybrid locomotives, more efficient aircraft enginesand appliances, etc. “We will link with customersto improve the environmental performance ofimportant industries,’’ CEO Jeffrey Immelt toldshareholders. “We will deliver the cleanestlocomotives, the most energy-efficient engines,power generated from renewable sources andopen up new sources of clean water.”

GE is not doing this out of the kindness of its heart;the company wants to double its revenues fromthe sector. That means selling a lot of newrenewable energy technology to utilities. Thecapital cost to install new renewable generationcapacity is three to 10 times greater than the costto install conventional natural gas generation.Given those costs — and the benefits of renewableresources — production tax credits have beenmade available over the past decade to investor-owned utilities and private developers forrenewable generation from wind and closed loopbiomass.

But those tax credits are worthless for 25% of theutility industry — consumer-owned, nonprofitpublic power utilities and rural electric coopera-tives. Many community-owned utilities aregeographically situated to take advantage ofopportunities to generate from wind, landfill gas,biomass and other resources. They are poised touse such alternative generation sources, but areblocked by the prohibitive costs of renewablecapacity compared to conventional natural gasgeneration.

Public power utilities and rural electric co-ops canapply to the Department of Energy for payments forgeneration of renewable power under the Renew-able Energy Production Incentive (REPI) program.REPI has two major flaws: (1) it is dependent onannual appropriations by Congress, and (2) it ischronically underfunded by Congress.

That’s where the new Clean Energy Bond Act of2005 comes in. As introduced by Senators ChuckGrassley, R-Iowa, and Max Baucus, D-Mont., thelegislation (S. 962) would allow public power utilitiesand rural electric cooperatives to use interest-freebonds to build renewable generation facilities. Ifenacted, the Clean Energy Bond Act will finally allowconsumer-owned utilities to receive incentives thatare equivalent to the production tax credits grantedto investor-owned utilities. A Clean Energy Bondwould differ from a conventional bond in severalimportant ways. Instead of the issuer paying interestto the bondholders, the federal government wouldissue tax credits to the bondholders to reduce theirfederal income liability. Since the bond is taxable,only a portion of the tax credit would be deductible.For example, if the bondholder pays a 35% tax rateand the credit is worth $100, the bondholder couldreduce his tax liability by $65. The U.S. Treasurywould receive the remaining $35.

APPA Senior Vice President-Government RelationsJoe Nipper lauded Grassley and Baucus “for theirthoughtful creation of this innovative bill,” the CleanEnergy Bond Act of 2005. Also signing on to the billas original cosponsors are Sens. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., Jim Bunning, R-Ky., Norm Coleman, R-Minn.,Kent Conrad, D-N.D., Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., TimJohnson, D-S.D. and Ben Nelson, D-Neb. Thebipartisan support for the bill in the Senate andamong Senate Finance Committee members “bodeswell for obtaining similar support in the House,”Nipper said. “We look forward to working with Sens.Grassley and Baucus to include this legislation asCongress continues its work on a comprehensiveenergy bill.”

If the goals of Congress and the Bush administrationare more clean and renewable generation andreduced costs of these expensive technologies overtime, all electric utilities, including public power,should be eligible for incentives. However, the stillburgeoning federal deficit makes it difficult to passany bill that would increase federal spending ordecrease revenues. If Clean Energy Bonds are tobecome a reality, not just a concept, public powerofficials must tell their senators and representatives— particularly if they are on either the SenateFinance or House Ways and Means committee —how important this legislation is.

IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 4

. . . . .

IUB ADOPTS STATE TAX CREDIT RULES FOR PUBLICThe Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) has adoptedrules allowing the public to begin filingeligibility applications for new state taxcredits on wind and renewable energyfacilities. The IUB will determine if indi-vidual facilities are eligible for the state taxcredits authorized by Iowa laws adopted onJune 15 and 16 (Senate File 390 and HouseFile 882).

The adopted rules immediately implement afacility application and eligibility determi-nation process for the state tax credits. TheIUB has also posted notice that it will takepublic comment on the new rules in DocketNo. RMU-05-8. Public comments should besubmitted to the Executive Secretary, IowaUtilities Board, 350 Maple Street, DesMoines, IA 50319-0069, on or before August9, 2005. The rules that have been imple-

mented will be subject to comment and changeresulting from Docket No. RMU-05-8.

Those filing facility eligibility applications withthe IUB should follow the general IUB filingrequirements, which are outlined atwww.state.ia.us/government/comutil/filing.html. Applications must also include allinformation detailed in the June 20, 2005, Boardorder issued in Docket No. RMU-05-7 (Certifica-tion of Eligibility For Wind Energy and Renew-able Energy Tax Credits). This order is avail-able at www.state.ia.us/iub under “BoardOrders.”

For those interested in filing applications orcomments, IAMU has posted Docket No. RMU-05-7, RMU-05-8, Senate File 390, and House File882 on the IAMU website at http://www.iamu.org/renewables.htm.

The Midwest Municipal TransmissionGroup (MMTG), representing municipalelectric utilities in Iowa, Minnesota andIllinois, signed an Agreement and Memoran-dum of Understanding with MidAmericanEnergy (MEC) June 23. This agreementresulted from several months of beneficialdiscussion with MidAmerican groupsfollowing MMTG’s intervention of December14, 2004, in MidAmerican’s Market BasedRates filings at FERC. The objectives of theagreement are to coordinate MMTG’sparticipation in MidAmerican’s local andregional transmission planning and toenhance MMTG’s opportunities for trans-mission ownership through investments inlocal and regional transmission facilities.MEC and MMTG will advocate transmissioneconomic expansion planning to mitigatecongestion and eliminate transmissionconstraints. The agreement carries with itimmediate investment rights up to at least aload-ratio share of the participating munici-pals in MEC’s system. The Iowa PublicPower Agency will represent participants, aswell as arrange financing for the transmis-

MMTG AND MID-AMERICAN REACH HISTORIC AGREEMENTsion investments. Credits for investments willbe calculated based on IPPA’s revenue require-ments and will flow through MidAmerican’sOpen Access Transmission Tariff (OATT). MECwill support MMTG investments in newregional transmission and planning. MMTGestimates that these investments can saveMMTG members millions of dollars andadvance municipal opportunities for fullparticipation in grid expansion decisions. MECwill also offer cost-based redispatch arrange-ments when available for long-term firmtransmission service. As a result of this agree-ment, MMTG has withdrawn its intervention inMEC’s generation market power docket atFERC.

Our thanks go to Bob Jablon (Spiegel andMcDiarmid), Paul Reising (Reising andReising), and the MMTG members for theirdedication throughout this process.

For more information contact Anne Kimber(akimber@iamu.org) at IAMU, 800/810-4268.

IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 5

Understanding the many elements of a viablewater system will once again be the goal of thelatest series of IAMU Viability Training forWater Systems Workshops, scheduled for fourlocations around the state.

The two-day workshops will look at technical,financial and managerial issues of a viablewater system, and will explain what you needto be know to maintain that system. Theworkshops will also cover all the questionsfound in the state Self-Assessment Manual forIowa Water System Viability. The workshopsare designed for water system managers andoperators; city council members; board mem-bers; city administrators; city clerks; andowners of water supplies.

The workshops schedule is as follows:

July 26 – 27: Shenandoah (Fire Station, 400 W.Sheridan Ave.)August 2 – 3: Maquoketa (Community Center,506 S. Eliza)

August 4 – 5: Oskaloosa (Comfort Inn, 2401 AAve. W.)August 9 – 10: Boone (Boone County Histori-cal Society, 602 Story St.)

Each workshop day will begin at 8 a.m., andthe second day will end at 12:30 p.m. 0.3CEUs per session are available for watertreatment or water distribution for a fee of $10per person, per session (total of 0.9 CEUs, $30per person for attendance at all three ses-sions). Workshop registration is free. Attend-ees will pay only the CEU fee.

A workshop brochure had been distributed.Register by mailing or faxing the completedregistration form in the brochure; or registeronline with the IAMU website, www.iamu.org(click on “Upcoming Workshops”). Registra-tion deadline is July 15.

For more information contact Eric Halligan atIAMU, 800/810-4268 (ehalligan@iamu.org).

WATER SYSTEM VIABILITY TRAINING COMING YOUR WAY

AMES PLANT OFFERS "TOUR OF GREAT WATER"The City of Ames Water Plant recentlyconducted an open house, and provided anopportunity for the community’s residents tolearn about their water supply, and how it ismaintained.

Walking tours of the facility’s plant wereconducted, and informative literature wasavailable, providing a detailed overview ofAmes water sources and how to protect them;water treatment processes; future plans;

distribution; and results of a recently com-pleted Department of Natural Resourcessource water evaluation.

The Ames Water Plant rolled out the red carpet for apublic open house recently, and offered informationand education regarding its systems and procedures.

WATERNEWS

IAMU

11th ANNUALIAMUWATERAND

WASTEWATEROPERATORS’TRAINING

WORKSHOP

NOVEMBER15 – 17, 2005

FOUR POINTS HOTEL& SUITES - SHERATON

MERLE HAY ROAD& I-35/80

DES MOINES, IOWA

Plan Now!

Watch for registrationinformation coming in

the weeks ahead.

IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 6

IAMU’s latest Clerks Collective Workshopsaw many new twists in the discussion ofbuilding good customer relationships. Withthe help of David Saxby of Measure X, aconsulting form specializing in this topic,attendees were treated to a day of energeticand entertaining education.

Saxby employed games and other uniquegroup activities to illustrate importantcustomer service points in a memorable way.A number of city clerks and other city andutility officials from around the state tookpart in the workshop.

LEARNING AND FUN MIX IN IAMU CLERKS WORKSHOP

David Saxby of Measure-X(above and right) putworkshop attendeesthrough a lively series ofindoor and outdoor gamesand activities designed toraise awareness of customerservice.

Through Customer Service

Building BetterRelationships

. . . . .

As of July 1, 2005, IAMU Gas Services Departmenthas launched it own Operator Qualification (OQ)recordkeeping system. Access to records will beeasier with the new system. Gone are the usernames and passwords. Users can now can go to theIAMU website, www.iamu.org , click on “Gas” andthen click on “OQ Record Keeping.” You will thenbe taken to a site where you simply click on yourcity’s and/or company’s name to view everyone inyour city who is part of the OQ training program.If you do not have Microsoft Access on yourcomputer you will need a “free” software down-load from Microsoft titled “Snap Shot Viewer.” Youwill need Snap Shot Viewer to view the OQ records.This download link is on the website.

Under you city/company name you will be able toview two types of OQ records: One record showsthe tasks that will be required retaining in the next12 months; the second record shows what tasksyou are currently qualified to perform, along withyour original qualification dates.

At this time we have not set up the record thatshows the tasks an individual will need to qualify.This means if you have never qualified on aparticular task, you will not see the record. If youhave qualified on a task before, then your re-qualification dates will show on the training requiredin the next 12 month record. A patch is beingcreated to show “never qualified” records and thiswill be online as soon as the software is received.

Thanks to Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association(MMUA) for the original record keeping frameworkused in this change. IAMU has worked closely withMMUA on various elements of the OQ programand this is another example of municipal associa-tions working together for the betterment of itsmembers.

Questions should be directed to Dave Hraha(dhraha@iamu.org) or Josh Trout (jtrout@iamu.org)at IAMU, 800/810-4268. Dave Hraha may bereached by cell phone at 515/210-8567.

IAMU ANNOUNCES NEW GAS OQ RECORDKEEPING SYSTEM

GASNEWS

IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 7

Three workshops in one raised awareness ofimportant safety considerations and affordedattendees valuable hands-on firefightingexperience June 21-23 at IAMU’s Training &Office Complex.

The Natural Gas Leak Detection/NaturalGas Fire Control/Safety Coordinator work-shops stressed numerous different areas ofsafety, including some topics often over-looked. The assistance of fire and safetyprofessionals supplied valuable expertiseand provided a carefully monitored environ-ment for the fire control workshop, whichinvolved attendees extinguishing varioustypes of natural gas fires.

The Safety Coordinator’s workshop includeda simulation of a smoke-filled confined space,and tips on confined space rescue. A specialthanks is extended to John McPhee and theState Fire Service Training Bureau for theirassistance in many aspects of the Thursdayand Friday workshops.

SAFETY IS THE FOCUS OF "THREE-IN-ONE" WORKSHOP

Indoor and outdoor gas leakdetection, fire behavior andsafety, fire extinguishertechniques, natural gas fireextinguishing and confinedspace issues were just someof the topics covered in thethree-day workshop series.At left, Roger Kilborn of EMCInsurance presents hispopular fire behavior talk.Fire extinguishing and asmoke-filled confined spacesimulation are pictured inthe row below.

GASNEWS

The annual APGA/IAMU Midwest Regional GasOperators Workshop is set for September 13-16at the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities(IAMU) Training & Office Complex in Ankeny.This year’s workshop will focus on customerregulator lockup and checks; meter installation;main; service and valve installation; backhoe,trenching and boring; valve maintenance;pressure testing and a bypass demonstrationon poly pipe. The calendar of these events is asfollows:

Tuesday, September 13: Steel Pipe Workshop 1 –5 p.m., and Wednesday, September 14, 8 – 11:30a.m., prior to the beginning of the Midwest

Regional Workshop. The Steel Pipe Workshop isfor new operators or existing operators wishingto brush up on their skills. It will offer qualifica-tions on installing steel main; pipe wrapping;holiday detection; pipe inspection; trencher,backhoe; mechanical coupling; tapping andstopping 1-inch to 4-inch lines; pipe-to-soilreadings; bell hole inspection; clipboard system;anodes; thermite welding; pressure testing; andchecking for shorts.

Wednesday, September 14: Midwest RegionalWorkshop, 1 p.m. Various guest speakers arescheduled to address issues concerning the gas

Continued on Page 11

PLAN NOW FOR APGA MIDWEST REGIONAL WORKSHOP

IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 8

IOWA STORMWATER EDUCATION PROGRAM: HERE FOR YOUIAMU Storm Water communities: Did youknow a valuable educational resource isavailable to assist you with storm watermanagement information? The Iowa StormWater Education Program exists in conjunc-tion with the Iowa Storm Water Partnership.The program allows easy access to materialsfor cities and universities required toprovide public education through theirNPDES permit. The information can also beused by other groups that are involved withwater quality education.

The program provides technical informationand educational materials designed to createa uniform message and reduce duplicationof efforts. Each quarter materials are distrib-uted during a meeting that provides thechance for member communities to discusstheir storm water management permit and toreview materials provided.

Each packet of materials distributed tomember communities includes a resourcetoolbox that contains various materialsdealing with a particular topic. Thesematerials may include:> Newsletter>Brochures> Technical resources> News articles> Presentations (Powerpoint)> Bill stuffers> Video, DVD, CD> Magnets

Master copies of materials to distribute (may becustomized for individual communities)

Target audiences for resource informationinclude:> Municipal staff from various departments> City Council> Planning & Zoning Department> Mayor> Other elected officials> Industries> Developers> Homebuilders> Contractors> General public

Communities may also have the option ofusing the program’s website as their publiceducation storm water site via a link for theircommunity homepage.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources,through a 319 grant, provided IAMU withstart-up funds for this program.

For more information, contact Pat Sauer atIAMU, 800/810-4268 (psauer@iamu.org);Stacie Johnson, URBAN (Urban Resources andBroadband Alliance Network) Eastern IowaProgram Coordinator, 319/360-1395(soilcycle@aol.com); or Jennifer Welch, URBANCentral Iowa Program Coordinator, 515/964-1883, ext. 3 (jennifer.welch@ia.nacdnet.net).

MunicipalStormwater

IAMU is administering anew Stormwater websiteto serve as a centralizedconnection to learningmore about the manage-ment of stormwater inIowa.

Start-up funds were forthe site were received bythet Iowa Department ofNatural Resourcesthrough a 319 grant.Contihnued support ismade possible throughStorm Water Programmembership.

Access the site atwww.iowastormwater.org

www.iowastormwater.org

IAMU STORMWATER MODEL ORDINANCES NOW IN USEIAMU has developed stormwater modelordinances through a committee consistingof municipal representatives, IAMU, IowaDepartment of Natural Resources (IDNR),National Resources Conservation Service(NRCS) and Urban Resources and Broad-band Alliance Network (URBAN). GordonGreta of Ahlers & Cooney, P.C., has pro-vided legal review.

IDNR provided funding for the project,through a 319 grant. The model ordinances areavailable on the new IAMU stormwaterwebsite, www.iowastormwater.org, andinclude a construction site erosion and sedi-ment control ordinance and an illicit dischargeordinance. To access them, on the site's frontpage, click on "For the MS4," then click on"Model Ordinances."

IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 9

IAMU has begun to create a training programthat can be used to educate municipal staff ongood housekeeping and pollution prevention.Stormwater permitted cities are required totrain their employees on such issues. Theprogram includes sections on the following:construction site erosion and sedimentcontrol, street sweeping, car washing,materials storage and spill prevention, catchbasin maintenance, spill response, wastehandling and disposal, prevention mainte-nance equipment and vehicle cleaning,swimming pool discharge, litter control andrecycling. A manual will be assembled withresource materials including a PowerPointpresentation.

IAMU has also begun to create a trainingprogram that can be used to educate munici-pal staff on proper pesticide and fertilizerapplication and handling. Stormwaterpermitted cities are required to developprograms for pesticide and fertilizer manage-ment. Resource materials will be includedwith the good housekeeping and pollutionprevention program materials and presentedas one training program.

For more information, please contact Pat Sauer(psauer@iamu.org) or Mary Ann Kinkade(mkinkade@iamu.org) at IAMU, 800/810-4268.

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING AND POLLUTION TRAINING HERE

MunicipalStormwater

IAMU will present an important new work-shop dealing with stormwater discharge“Illicit Discharge – First Steps in Developingan Effective Program” will be held August 25at IAMU’s Training an Office Complex inAnkeny.

Officials of Phase II MS-4 cities and universi-ties with an NPDES permit for stormwaterdischarge that are required to develop andillicit discharge program should plan toattend this workshop. It will also be useful toprofessionals who provide assistance tocities regarding illicit discharge issues.

The newly created illicit discharge modelordinance (see separate item in this issue ofthe IAMU Newsletter) will be presented,along with city and Iowa Department ofNatural Resources (IDNR) experiences withillicit discharges. In addition, there will be

presentations on important resources that canhelp cities and universities with their pro-grams. Sampling, monitoring and identifica-tion of illicit discharges will be discussed,along with a demonstration of samplingmethods. Each attendee will receive a CD copyof the model ordinance, along with userguidelines and resource materials.

The workshop is designed for public worksdirectors, stormwater managers, engineers,consultants and any other interested groupsinvolved with identifying illicit discharges.

Watch for future information and registrationmaterials. Questions? Contact Pat Sauer(psauer@iamu.org) or Kathleen Keyworth(kkeyworth@iamu.org) at IAMU, 800/810-4268.

ILLICIT DISCHARGE WORKSHOP SET FOR AUGUST 25

www.iamu.orgwww.iamu.org

www.iamu.orgwww.iamu.orgwww.iamu.org

www.iamu.org

www.iamu.orgwww.iamu.orgwww.iamu.org

check it outThe IAMU web site

www.iamu.org

IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 10

APPA AWARDSContinued from Page 1

. . . . .

LEGISLATIVE ISSUESContinued from Page 2

1978, where he started as head lineman. Hebecame General Manager in 1984. Ferris hasplayed an instrumental role in making Lenox aleader among small Iowa utilities in adoptingleading edge utility technology. The city hasinstalled a municipal cable TV system, municipalInternet service, new diesel and wind turbines, inaddition to a new water pipeline. He is also activein state and community organizations, includingholding a position on the IAMU Electric Safety &Training Committee and serving as a past presi-dent of the IAMU Board of Directors. He has alsoserved in leadership roles with the Southern IowaMunicipal Electric Cooperative Association(SIMECA) and the Lenox Development Corpora-tion. He is also active in the Lenox CommunityTrust and Lenox Area Chamber of Commerce.

Schroeder, City Manager and Economic Devel-opment Director of Wall Lake, has been one ofthe state’s pioneers in the employment of windtechnology, and recently placed the city’s firstwind turbine online. Construction of a 30-milliongallon biodiesel plant has also been ongoing forthe past three years. He worked to secure abond an Iowa Economic Development grant tofund the project. Wall Lake is the largest per-capita producer of wind and biodiesel energy inthe works. Currently, Schroeder is working ondevelopment and annexation of a 240-acrehousing and recreation area.

IAMU congratulates the winners on theirachievement, and thanks them for their dedi-cated service to their hometown utilities and toIowa’s municipal utilities.

Communications Inc. Sessions is said to haveover a half a million dollars in SBC stockoptions and his wife still works for the SanAntonio-based baby Bell.

A coalition of more than 40 local, state andnational organizations claiming to collectivelyrepresent “hundreds of high-tech companies,thousands of cities and counties, and numer-ous consumer groups” has gone to Congress toensure that municipalities retain a free hand inthe process when it comes to providing broad-band services their citizens demand.

In its letter to members of Congress, the coali-tion specifically noted, “In just the past fewyears, the United States has fallen to 16thamong industrialized nations in deployingbroadband services.” The coalition likened thecurrent battle over community broadband to theskirmishes over municipally owned electricutilities a century ago, when incumbent electricsuppliers attempted to prevent municipalitiesfrom building their own utilities – even thoughthe incumbents weren’t ready to wire up someplaces for many years. “Just as municipalelectric systems proved critical to makingaccess to electric service universal in the 20thcentury, municipal networks can make broad-band access universal in the 21st century – aslong as they have the freedom to do so,” thecoalition argued.

A few members of the large coalition include:American Electronics Association, American

Public Power Association, Champaign UrbanaWireless Network, Fiber to the Home Council,Information Technology Association ofAmerica, Internet2, League of California Cities,The Media Access Project, National Associa-tion of Telecommunications Officers andAdvisors, National Association of Counties,National League of Cities, Native AmericanPublic Telecommunications, Power LineCommunications Association, Rural Broad-band Coalition, Tropos Networks, UnitedPowerLine Council, U.S. Conference of Mayors,United Telecom Council, and the Utah Tele-communication Open Infrastructure Agency(UTOPIA). Consumers Union, publisher ofConsumer Reports, also sent a similar separateletter.

CABLE ACCESS:On June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled thatcable-modem networks are not “commoncarriers” and do not have to provide access toother service providers. The decision makes itless likely that competition will develop insmall cities and rural areas. The ruling mayincrease support for efforts led by SenatorsMcCain and Lautenberg to stop states fromblocking cities from providing broadbandservices. Municipal systems like those in manyIowa communities are defining what broad-band service is supposed to be, while provid-ing huge saving to consumers. The 6-3 rulingis a win for the Federal CommunicationsCommission and for cable companies that donot want to provide access to their systems.

IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 11

APGA WORKSHOPContinued from Page 7

CUSTOMER COMMUNICATION MADE EASY: THE ENERGIZERDid you know a valuable customer relationstool for your city or utility is ready andwaiting for you at IAMU?

The Iowa Energizernewsletter helps

you communi-cate with yourcustomers –

with ease and cost efficiency. Printedquarterly by IAMU, the Energizer can solvethe many headaches that are sometimesassociated with written communication.IAMUdoes the writing (per your instructionsregarding material), the layout and theprinting, and delivers the finished Energiz-ers right to your door. It doesn’t get mucheasier.

Available in direct mail or bill stuffer formats,the Energizer lets your customers knowwhat’s going on with your utility or commu-nity – because the information is custom-tailored just for your community (genericutility-related messages can also be used).Each Energizer also containsenergy efficiency tips and newsyour customers can use (informa-tion changes each quarter).

You can receive the Energizer foras little as 11 cents per copy(depending upon quantityprinted).

If you’d like more informationabout the Iowa Energizer, includ-ing samples, please contact JohnBurnett at IAMU, 800/810-4268.

industry. Speakers include: Ben Booth,Public Relations Coordinator, Iowa OneCall;a vendor talk; Don Stursma, EngineeringSupervisor, Iowa Utilities Board; and BertKalisch, President & CEO, American PublicGas Association (APGA).

Following the afternoon topics, a productshow and barbeque will be held at theHoliday Inn Northwest (Merle Hay Roadexit off Interstate 80). Participants will beoffered the opportunity to visit with vendorsat both indoor and outdoor exhibits, alongwith door prizes to be awarded during thedinner.

Thursday and Friday, September 15 & 16:Participants will work with equipment andtest on the following skills:

Customer Meter Change Out and Installation3 Lookup3 Check regulators

Install PE main and services3 Valve installation & maintenance3 Tapping PE3 Pressure testing & system mapping

Odorization3 Odorizer process3 Types3 Maintenance & checks

Backhoe/Trencher/Boring Skills

OQ qualifications require that individuals teston equipment that they use at their facility. Ifavailable, please bring your voltmeters, half-cells and odorometer to the workshop.

A workshop brochure will be mailed soon.Register by returning the form in the brochureor register online through the IAMU website,www.iamu.org (click on “Upcoming Work-shops”) after July 29. The registration deadlineis September 6. Questions should be directed toDeny Zeimet (dzeimet@iamu.org), Dave Hraha(dhraha@iamu.org) or Melody Taninies(mtaninies@iamu.org) at IAMU, 800/810-4268.

IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 12

NOW'S THE TIME TO PLAN FOR PUBLIC POWER WEEKPublic Power Week, the annual showcase ofpublic power in America, is set for October 2-8, 2005. Now’s the time to make plans for howyour utility can take advantage of thisopportunity to raise awareness of its functionin your community.

The American Public Power Associationwebsite (www.appanet.org) will soon beposting a wide variety of materials for use bymember utilities in their communities,including “template” documents that makecreating professional-looking materialssimple. A sample proclamation, sample newsrelease, sample local history, sample letter tobusinesses, sample letter to public officials,sample radio commercials and more are all

available at no charge to APPA members.Other promotional materials for purchase areavailable as well.

Electric facility open houses, school appear-ances, public information displays, localmedia advertising and stories/interviews,government proclamations, business andresidential customer testimonials and morehave all been used successfully in PublicPower Week campaigns.

For more information about Public PowerWeek resources, go to the APPA website,www.appanet.org, or contact MarilynCafruny at mcafruny@appanet.org.

Public Power Week 2005logos are currently available

on the APPA website(www.appanet.org).

www.iamu.orgwww.iamu.org

www.iamu.orgwww.iamu.orgwww.iamu.org

www.iamu.org

www.iamu.orgwww.iamu.orgwww.iamu.org

check it outThe IAMU web site

www.iamu.org

IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 13

JulyJuly 19 "Risk Management – Safety Program Checklists" Workshop

July 26 – 27 Viability Training for Water Systems, Shenandoah

AugustAugust 2 – 3 Viability Training for Water Systems, Maquoketa

August 4 – 5 Viability Training for Water Systems, Oskaloosa

August 9 – 10 Viability Training for Water Systems, Boone

August 25 "Illicit Discharge Workshop: First Steps in Developing anEfficient Program"

SeptemberSeptember 1 (tentative) "Creating a Stormwater Utility"

September 13 – 14 Gas Steel Pipe Workshop

September 14 – 16 APGA/IAMU Midwest Regional Gas Operations Workshop

September 20 – 23 Underground Electric Distribution Workshop

September 27 Water Leak Detection Workshop

September 28 Water Distribution Workshop

September 28 – 29 Tree Trimming Workshops (locations to be determined)

OctoberDates to be announced Grade I Water Treatment Workshops (six locations in Iowa)

October 11 Tree Trimming Workshop (location to be determined)

October 27 Tree Trimming Workshop (location to be determined)

NovemberNovember 15 – 17 Water and Wastewater Operators' Workshop,

Sheraton Four Points, Des Moines

Page

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CALENDAR OF IAMU WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS

All information subject to change.Unless otherwise noted, all events held at IAMU Training & Office Complex: 1735 NE 70th Ave., Ankeny, IA

IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 14 IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 14

— HELP WANTED —GENERAL MANAGER: The City of Lamoni isaccepting applications for the position of GeneralManager of Lamoni Municipal Utilities, includinggas, electric, water and sewer. Departmentincludes 17 full time employees and a budget of$3.1 million. The Lamoni City Council is thegoverning body of Lamoni Municipal Utilities.Duties include all aspects of utilities, includingelectric, water and gas plant/distribution,wastewater lagoons/collection systems. Positionwill also provide council assistance in long rangeplanning; budgeting and financial planning;economic development and grant preparationand manpower scheduling. Five years experiencein management of utilities or related fieldpreferred. Salary commensurate with experience.Resumes accepted until position is filled. Send adetailed resume outlining experience and salaryhistory to:

Mayor Jim HammerCity of Lamoni190 South ChestnutLamoni, IA 50140 7/05

STREET MAINTENANCE POSITIONS: TheCity of DeWitt, IA has the following twopositions open in the Public Works Street Dept:Street Maintenance (Working Supervisor)Leadworker: Prefer laborer/driver/operator,w/exp. in street const, maintenance; and fiveyears supervisory responsibilities, with wellrounded knowledge, skills and leadershipexperience. Wages $17.48 w/benefits, DOQ.

Street Maintenance Worker (Class: 1 or 2):Prefer laborer/driver/operator w/2 yrs.experience in street const., repair, and dailymaintenance; with well rounded knowledge,skills and abilities. Wages $13.54-$15.60w/benefits DOQ. A CDL is required. Resi-dency/min. response time req./six months.Positions open until positions filled. EEOEmployer. For job description and requiredapplication, contact:

De Witt City Hall510 9th StreetP.O. Box 407DeWitt, IA 52742

Ph: 563/659-3811.Direct emails: Larry Kloth, Dept. of PublicWorks: cdpwdir@iowatelecom.netor Steve Lindner, City Administrator:cdadmin@iowatelecom.net 7/05

— HELP WANTED —PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT: TheCity of Altoona offers this full time position withexcellent benefits. Bachelor’s degree in engineer-ing and/or Public Works Administration pre-ferred and five or more years of related publicworks and/or engineering experience related topublic infrastructure planning and developmentOR a four-year degree with any equivalentcombination of experience and training whichprovides the knowledge and abilities necessary toperform the work. Provides technical andadministrative leadership for a variety of publicworks development and improvement activities,including streets, storm sewers, engineering,traffic signals, parks, and building and vehiclemaintenance. Furnishes technical assistance to theCommunity Service Director, City Administrator,City Council and other department heads. Servesas a liaison between city and various regional,state and federal agencies. Must have strongcustomer service and leadership abilities. Salarydependent upon qualifications. Applications mustbe postmarked by August 5, 2005. Pre-employ-ment drug screen required. Equal OpportunityEmployer. Applications may be obtained atwww.altoona-iowa.com/newsupdates/employment.asp or at City Hall. Send completedapplication, resume and at least three references to:

Vern WilleyCommunity Service DirectorCity of Altoona407 Eighth St. SEP.O. Box 338Altoona, IA 50009 7/05

SAVE ONOSHA

POSTERS!

Call Denyor Melody at IAMU:

800/810-4268

IAMU member utilities canpurchase OSHA safety &

health posters for only

$3 per set!Set includes posters

required by theState of Iowa

and theFederal Government

(plus otherrequired forms, including

300 and 300A forms)

IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 15 IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 15

IAMU Classified Ads areprovided on a space-availablebasis at no charge to IAMUmember utilities. At thediscretion of IAMU, ad spacemay be granted to otherentities for a fee. Please callIAMU for more information.

Ads will be run for a minimumof one month. Ads placed byIAMU member utilities may berepeated, at the advertiser'srequest, if space allows.

If an ad carries a specificdeadline for response, beforeplacing the ad, please call tocheck the Newsletterpublication schedule.

Mail, fax (515/289-2499) ore-mail (jburnett@iamu.org) adcopy to John Burnett at IAMU.

CLASSIFIEDS

FIRE TRUCK: The City of Victor is acceptingbids for a used 1976 Ford F-700 fire truck. 21,000miles; 389 CID engine; 5-speed transmission; 2-speed rear axle. Pump and roll capability. Two100-ft. hose reels; 750 GPM Waterous pump;1,000 gallon tank. The City of Victor reserves theright to reject any or all bids. For more informa-tion contact Tom Kurovski at 319/981-3853.Submit bids to:

City of VictorPO Box RVictor, IA 52347 6/05

WATER & WASTEWATER SUPERINTENDENT:The City of Gilbert has an immediate opening forthis full time position. This individual will be the“operator-in-charge” for the city water andwastewater utilities, responsible for planning andorganization relating to those duties, and forensuring the City of Gilbert’s compliance withFederal, State, and City laws and policies. Theapplicant will also assist other departmentswithin the City when not engaged in activitiesinvolving water and wastewater treatment.Requirements include: Current Grade II WaterTreatment, Water Distribution I, and WasteWater Treatment I certification from the IowaDepartment of Natural Resources; a workingknowledge of water and/or wastewatertreatment collection, wells and distributionsystems and all associated equipment; ability toreadily read, understand and accurately followoperating instructions, both written and verbal;excellent interpersonal skills and ability tocommunicate in writing. Ability to lift and moveequipment in excess of 70 lbs.; and ability towork in confined spaces. Must possess or bewilling to acquire a Class B Commercial DriversLicense within 90 days. Excellent salary andbenefits package (salary commensurate withexperience). The City of Gilbert is an equalopportunity employer. For an applicationpacket, send an introductory letter to:

Gilbert Search Committee119 Main StreetPO Box 29Gilbert, IA 50105 6/05

— FOR SALE —

Help support IAMU'straining programs when youbuy safety equipment online

from Omark Safety.

Omark, an IAMU associatemember, will contribute threepercent of each online sale to

support the association's safetyprograms.

IAMU members simply enter thereference code "IAMU" during

the checkout process of anonline order. Purchasescan be made through the

company's web site atwww.omarksafety.com

or through the IAMU website:www.iamu.org

under "Resources."

Questions? CallOmark Safety800/383-7233.

— HELP WANTED — — HELP WANTED —PUBLIC UTILITIES SUPERINTENDENT: Fulltime position with excellent benefits. Bachelor’sdegree in engineering and/or certification inWater/Wastewater field preferred and five ormore years of related professional municipalutilities and/or engineering experience related topublic infrastructure planning and developmentOR a four-year degree with any equivalentcombination of experience and training whichprovides the knowledge and abilities necessary toperform the work. Provides technical andadministrative leadership for a variety ofmunicipal utility activities, including waterstorage, pump stations, and distribution systems;and wastewater collection, lift stations andtreatment plant operations; and the municipalseparate storm sewer system. Furnishes techni-cal assistance to the Community Service Director,City Administrator, City Council and otherdepartment heads. Serves as a liaison betweencity and various regional, state and federalagencies. Must have strong customer service andleadership abilities. Salary dependent uponqualifications. Applications must be postmarkedby August 5, 2005. Pre-employment drug screenrequired. Equal Opportunity Employer. Applica-tions may be obtained at www.altoona-iowa.com/newsupdates/employment.asp or atCity Hall. Send completed application, resumeand at least three references to:

Vern WilleyCommunity Service DirectorCity of Altoona407 Eighth St. SEP.O. Box 338Altoona, IA 50009 7/05

Back Issues of the IAMU Newsletter

On the IAMU website> Archived issues (PDF format)> Subject Index

www.iamu.org(look for the links on the front page)

IAMU Newsletter July 2005 Page 16

With theIAMUAward

Program!

Nominate an individual or organization fora job well done! A number of awards are

available, and can be presentedyear-round.

Visit the IAMU Web Site to downloadan information packet: www.iamu.org.

Or call IAMU at 800/810-4268.

Newsletter Delivery Concerns?* New employees orboard/council members?

* Need your own copy?Contact John BurnettPh: 515/289-1999Fax: 515/289-2499

e-mail: jburnett@iamu.org

* Change of address?

NEWSLETTER, Volume 38 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.

PeriodicalsPostage

IOWA ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPAL UTILITIES

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

The IAMU Newsletter is published monthly toprovide information to IAMU members on the safe,efficient and reliable operation of municipalelectric, gas, water and telecommunicationutilities. Contributions from members and otherswhich advance this purpose are solicited andappreciated. Address changes should be sent to:IAMU, 1735 NE 70th Ave., Ankeny, IA 50021-9353.

Communication Manager/Newsletter Editor:John Burnett

Telephone: 515/289-1999 FAX: 515/289-2499e-mail: jburnett@iamu.org

IAMU web site: www.iamu.org

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritativeinformation in regard to the subject matter covered. It is furnishedwith the understanding that the Association is not engaged inrendering legal or other professional service. If legal advice orother professional or expert assistance is required, the services ofa competent professional should be sought.

IAMU President ........................... Mark Ramthun,Indianola Municipal Utilities

Executive Director .............................. Bob HaugLegislative Counsel ......................... Julie A. SmithDirector of Member Services .........Denis ZeimetWater Services Coord. ..............Karen NachtmanGas Services Coord. .........................Rudy ParcelDirector of Energy Services ........... Anne KimberBusiness Manager ............................... Kris Stubbs

Registerfor workshops........Submitaward nominations........Checkupcoming meetings........Accessthe IAMU Newsletter........DownloaddocumentsGet informationabout the IAMUassociate member programand more.......................

on the IAMU Web Site: www.iamu.org

IAMUOnline!

SMILE!