April 2006

Advice and discussion were the keys of awell-attended telecommunication workshophosted by IAMU April 19-20. “ConnectedCommunities – Launching and Maintain-ing Successful Municipal Telecommunica-tions Utilities” brought together city offi-cials, industry experts, legal professionalsand others to offer a well-rounded overviewof trends, issues and concerns surroundingthe establishment and maintenance of amunicipal telecommunication system.

Specific presentations included “So theElection Passed; Now What?” “Models andResources for Telecom Utility Deployment;”‘Legal and Regulatory Issues, Part I andPart II;” “Conducting a Feasibility Study;”“Learn From Our Mistakes;” and “GoingDigital? Issues & Considerations.” Bothindividual speakers and panels made upthe one and one-half day workshop.

Industry leaders presented information in the inaugural IAMU Connected Commu-nities telecommunication workshop. Just some of the speakers included (top)Jim Baller of the Baller & Herbst law firm; Doris Kelley of DesignLink; and a panelconsisting of (left – right): Curtis Dean of Spencer Municipal Utilities; Bob Jenningsof Algona Municipal Utilities; and D.J. Weber of The Community Agency.

"CONNECTED COMMUNITIES"LOOKS AT TELECOM ISSUES

Continued on Page 4

The Midwest Municipal Transmission Group(MMTG) recently held its annual meeting atthe Waverly Centennial Oaks Country Club.This was the organizing meeting of MMTG inits new structure as a nonprofit corporation.

In addition to transacting business, includingelecting a new 11-member board of directorsand officers, attendees heard presentations byJohn Norris, Chairman of the Iowa UtilitiesBoard; Will Kaul, CAPX 2020; Darrel Gunst,MidAmerican Energy; Kevin Burns,TranServe; Ken Goldsmith, Alliant Energy;and Flora Flygt, American TransmissionCompany. Representatives from 30 municipalmembers of MMTG — from Iowa, Minnesotaand Illinois — as well representatives fromjoint action agencies in the region were onhand.

The new MMTG Board of Directors includes:Donald Kom, Ames; Allen Bonderman,Atlantic; David Rusley, Cedar Falls; SteveThompson, Central Minnesota MunicipalUtilities Power Agency; Dan Boyce, EastGrand Forks, Minn.; Duane Armstead,Greenfield; Darrel Wenzel, Independence;Anne Kimber, Iowa Association of MunicipalUtilities; Jack Kegel, Minnesota MunicipalUtilities Association; Greg Fritz, Pocahontas;and Mike Nitchals, Willmar, Minn.

Anne Kimber was elected Chair of MMTG forthe coming year; Jack Kegel is Vice-Chair andDuane Armstead is Secretary-Treasurer.

MMTG represents about 80 transmissiondependent utilities in Iowa, Minnesota and

MMTG MEETING LOOKS ATIMPORTANT ELECTRIC ISSUES

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 April 2006 Page 2

Renowned electrical instructor Skip Collierreturned to IAMU for the first time in twoyears with his back-to-back workshops,“Electric Utility System Operation ShortCourse” and “Customer Aspects of ElectricalDistribution Systems.”

The “Short Course” allowed utility decision-makers from a non-electrical engineeringbackground to learn more about the day-to-day functioning of a municipal electricsystem; the “Customer Aspects” workshopaided electrical system employees in develop-ing a better understanding of interactionbetween the customer’s system and theutility’s system.

Collier is a graduate electrical engineer withan extensive background in electric utilitydesign, construction, maintenance andoperation.

Skip Collier makes a point during one of hisIAMU presentations.

Tyler Plate of Waverly Light & Power (WLP)topped all competitors in the “Apprentice –Written Test” competition at the recentAmerican Public Power Association (APPA)Public Power Lineworkers’ Rodeo. The eventwas held in Sacramento, California, inconjunction with APPA’s annual Engineer-ing & Technical Conference.

Plate topped runnerup Gaspareni Dixon ofMemphis (TN) Light, Gas & Water and MattJones of Roseville (CA) Electric. Plate was onemember of the “Corn Fed Crew” from WLP,joining Jim Baumgartner, Jarred Juhl andDannon Mohs. The team took ninth placeoverall in the Apprentice competition. Ap-prentice events included Conductor Tie;Double Dead-End Change; Hartman Rescue;and Obstacle Course. A total of 69 apprenticesfrom around the country took part in theRodeo, which also features Journeymanevents, and team competitions.

IAMU congratulates Tyler Plate and all themembers of Waverly’s “Corn Fed Crew” on ajob well done.

WAVERLY ELECTRIC APPRENTICE TOPS AT APPA RODEO

Waverly Light & Power's Tyler Plate (center) is honoredat the APPA Public Power Lineworkers' Rodeo inSacramento, Calif. Plate, part of a crew from Waverly,took first place in the "Apprentice – Written Test"competition.

SKIP COLLIER "ENLIGHTENS" ELECTRIC SYSTEM WORKERS

Electric News

Back Issues of the IAMU Newsletter

Onthe

IAMU website

> Archived issues (PDF format)> Subject Index

www.iamu.org(look for the linkson the front page)

IAMU Newsletter April 2006 Page 3

Electric News

OVERHEAD WORKSHOP IS COMING – SIGN UP NOWThe Basic Overhead Electric DistributionWorkshop at IAMU is approaching, with May23 – 26 seeing the renewal of one of IAMU'slongest-running annual workshops.

Pole changeout/transfers; overhead construc-tion; rubber gloving; care and maintenance ofrubber goods; and a roundtable discussionwill be the major items presented at this year’sgeneral workshop. Apprenticeship evalua-tions will be 9 – 11 a.m. May 23. Two pre-workshop sessions will be held May 23 andthe morning of May 24, prior to the start of thegeneral workshop. The pre-workshop ses-sions will cover beginning climbing andbeginning rubber gloving.

The general workshop will begin at 1 p.m.May 24 and will conclude at noon May 26.Again this year a product show and barbequewill be held at the end of the first full work-shop day, May 25, at the Ramada Inn North-west (formerly Holiday Inn Northwest), I-80/35 and Merle Hay Rd. Daily workshopsessions will be held at the IAMU Training &Office Complex in Ankeny.

Workshop participants will be required tobring their own climbing equipment, and

everyone attending the workshop will climb.Participants will also need to bring otherequipment, as outlined in the workshopbrochure. Wearing of PPE (Personal Protec-tive Equipment) will be strictly enforced.

A block of rooms for workshop attendees hasbeen reserved at the Ramada Inn Northwest.Reservations can be made by calling 888/332-4692 (local toll-free) or 515/278-0271.

The workshop fee is $200 per person forIAMU members. One-day registrations forMay 24, 25 or 26 are available for $115 perperson. The beginning climbing and begin-ning rubber gloving pre-workshop sessionsare $60 per person additional.

Workshop brochures have been mailed. If youneed to obtain a copy, or if you need otherinformation, immediately contact Eric Stoll(estoll@iamu.org) or Melody Taninies(mtaninies@iamu.org) at IAMU, 800/810-4268. Registration may be submitted electroni-cally on the IAMU website (www.iamu.org);click on “Upcoming Workshops.”

WATERNEWS

SAMPLING TECHNIQUES/PLAN DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPSThe IAMU Sampling Techniques & Plan Develop-ment Workshops will again make a tour of the statein the month of June. Designed for systems thatserve under 3,300 population, the workshops are freeof charge ($35 per person from systems over 3,300population – price includes template and CEUs). 0.3CEUs for Water Treatment or Water Distribution willbe offered.

Subject matter to be included in the one-dayworkshops includes: Total coliform bacteria samplingprocedures and plans; lead and copper samplingprocedures and plans; disinfection by-productssampling procedures and plans; and public notifica-tion. A diskette containing sampling plan templateswill be provided to each workshop participant.

The workshops is as follows:June 1: Ankeny (IAMU Training & Office Complex,1735 NE 70th Ave.)

June 2: Atlantic (Iowa Western Community College,705 Walnut St.)June 7: Mason City (Lime Creek Nature Center, 3501Lime Creek Rd.)June 9: Storm Lake (Prairie Lakes Education Building,824 Flindt Dr.)June 14: Independence (Falcon Civic Center, 1305 5th

Ave. NE)June 15: Washington (Pizza Hut Meeting Room, 1018W. Madison St.)

Each workshop is limited to 50 participants. Aworkshop brochure has been distributed. Mail or faxthe brochure’s registration form to IAMU; or,register online with the IAMU website(www.iamu.org – click on “Upcoming Workshops”).Registration deadline for all workshops is May 26.

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

Illinois (about 850 MW of load). The chiefgoal of the group is to improve transmissionaccess, first by investing in and owningtransmission assets. By investing in the gridit can fix transmission problems in themidwest that hinder access to power supplychoices; and allows members to become“owners” rather than “renters” on thetransmission system many depend upon.

Transmission investments are attractive:The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission(FERC) provides for high rates of return onthese long term, and relatively low-riskinvestments, and they provide a hedgeagainst rising transmission costs.

MMTG also advocates — at the state, re-gional and national levels – that individualmunicipal utilities solve specific transmis-sion access and cost problems.

Membership in MMTG is open to anymunicipal utility, municipal association, ormunicipal power agency. Voting rights inMMTG are determined by the Board ofDirectors.

In June 2005 MMTG and MidAmericanentered into an historic agreement enabling

MMTG members to have investment rights inMidAmerican’s transmission system. In thatagreement MMTG agreed to work coopera-tively on planning and regional transmissionimprovements. Through the Iowa Public PowerAgency (IPPA), MMTG members anticipatemaking their first transmission investmentlater this year.

MMTG participates in CAPX 2020 - a coalitionof Investor Owned, G&T co-ops and munici-pals, that will build significant new highvoltage transmission in Minnesota. Negotia-tions are also underway with Xcel Energy forinvestment rights on its transmission system.

MMTG started in 2002 when municipals inIowa and Minnesota jointly intervened in theTRANSLink filing, seeking to become partici-pants in the TRANSLink system. In January2006, MMTG filed articles of incorporationwith the Iowa Secretary of State to become anIowa nonprofit corporation. Officials are in theprocess of filing with the IRS to become a 501 C6 nonprofit association.

For more information about MMTG, contactAnne Kimber at IAMU, 800/810-4268, orakimber@iamu.org.

MMTG UPDATEContinued from Page 1

. . . . .

If you haven’t yet registered for IAMU’sinaugural Dog Defense Workshop, there’s stilltime. The registration deadline for the May 18workshop is May 11.

Any city or utility employee who crosses pathswith dogs while working in the field shouldattend this workshop. Valuable information onhow to safely enter a dog’s territory, how to“read” a dog and how to deal with an aggressivedog are all topics that will be covered. Theworkshop will also present the legal aspects ofdealing with dogs while performing your job.Dog handling professionals will be among thepresenters, and both trained and untrained dogswill be used for demonstrations.

The cost for the one-day workshop is $50 perperson for IAMU members (cost includes lunch).Fax the registration form in the workshopbrochure, or register electronically with the IAMUwebsite, www.iamu.org (click on “UpcomingWorkshops”). For more information contactDave Hraha (dhraha@iamu.org) or MelodyTaninies (mtaninies@iamu.org) at 800/810-4268.

LAST CHANCETO SIGN UPFOR DOG

WORKSHOP

NEWEST HOME SERIES BOOKFROM ENERGY CENTER IS READY

The latest HomeSeries book fromthe Iowa EnergyCenter – "HomeHeating andCooling" – is nowavailable.

The Iowa EnergyCenter (IEC) can shipa quantity of thebook directly to yourutility or city office

for distribution to your customers. On yourrequest, an initial quantity of ten copies will beshipped to your offices; but quantities up to 500copies can be ordered, all at no charge to you oryour customers. The process can be repeated asfuture titles become available. A PDF file of thebook is available at www.energy.iastate.edu.To learn more, contact Amy Swenson at the IowaEnergy Center, 515/294-8819 or by email atswenson@energy.iastate.edu.

IAMU Newsletter April 2006 Page 4

MayMay 10 Water/WW: Cross-Connection Control Workshop, Washington

May 12 Water/WW: Cross-Connection Control Workshop, Storm Lake

May 17 Water/WW: Cross-Connection Control Workshop, Ankeny (IAMU)

May 18 Safety& Compliance: Dog Defense Workshop

May 23 – 26 Electric: Basic Electric Overhead Distribution Workshop

May 25 Water/WW: Cross-Connection Control Workshop, Atlantic

JuneJune 1 Water/WW: Sampling Techniques & Plan Development Workshop, Ankeny (IAMU)

June 2 Water/WW: Sampling Techniques & Plan Development Workshop, Atlantic

June 7 Water/WW: Sampling Techniques & Plan Development Workshop, Mason City

June 9 Water/WW: Sampling Techniques & Plan Development Workshop, Storm Lake

June 14: Water/WW: Sampling Techniques & Plan Development Workshop, Independence

June 15 Water/WW: Sampling Techniques & Plan Development Workshop, Washington

June 22 – 23 Safety & Compliance: Safety Coordinators Workshop

SeptemberSeptember 19 – 22 Electric: Underground Electric Distribution Workshop

September 26 Safety & Compliance: Human Resources Employment Policy Manual Workshop

IAMU Newsletter April 2006 Page 5

IAMU's recent TransformerConnections Workshopmade for plenty of activity asattendees simulated varioushookups on the miniaturepole and transformersimulators.

Register for IAMU workshops online at www.iamu.org (click on "Upcoming Workshops")

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 April 2006 Page 6 IAMU Newsletter April 2006 Page 6

— HELP WANTED —

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

— HELP WANTED —ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ELECTRIC UTILITY:The City of Ames is currently accepting applicationsfor this position. This position assists the Directorof Electric Utility in the overall management andoperation of the municipal electric utility. Re-quires bachelor’s degree in electrical engineeringor related engineering degree and at least fiveyears of professional experience, two of whichmust have been with an electric generating plantor similar plant. Must have at least one year ofexperience in preparing and monitoring budgetsand one year of experience in supervision. Salaryrange is $67,983-$99,501 with comprehensivebenefit package. EOE/AA. Obtain applicationmaterials from:

City of Ames Human ResourcesPh: 515/239-5199Website: www.cityofames.orgemail: hr@cityofames.org 2/06

POWER PLANT ENGINEER: The City of Amesis currently accepting applications for thisposition. This position performs engineeringservices related to the efficient operation,improvement, maintenance, inspection, andmanagement of the municipal electric utility.Requires bachelor’s degree in mechanicalengineering and at least five years of applicableprofessional experience. Experience in a coal-firedfacility preferred. Salary range is $51,620-$72,867with comprehensive benefit package. EOE/AA.Obtain application materials from:

City of Ames Human ResourcesPh: 515/239-5199Website: www.cityofames.orgemail: hr@cityofames.org 2/06

DEPUTY CITY CLERK: The City of Stratford(pop. 749) is seeking to fill this position. Positionprovides administrative support to the citymanager/clerk, mayor, council, and other citystaff. Responsible for payroll, accounts receiv-able, accounts payable, utility billing, financialreports, official records, informing the public ofcity policies and procedures, and preparingcouncil meeting minutes. Preferred candidate willhave previous experience working for a munici-pality with electric utility, strong accounting/bookkeeping skills, and excellent customerservice skills. Salary $8.00-$11.00 per hourdepending on qualifications. This is a full timeposition with excellent benefits. Position openuntil filled. Send cover letter and resume to:

Travis CookeCity ManagerP.O. Box 218Stratford, IA 50249 4/06

WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATORS:Chariton Municipal Water Dept., a Grade 3surface water treatment facility with a Grade 2distribution system, is taking applications for aGrade 3 treatment plant operator with a Grade 2or higher distribution license; and is also takingapplications for a Grade 2 treatment plantoperator with a Grade 2 or higher distributionlicense. Each position requires work in thetreatment plant and in the distribution system.Applicants must have high degree of mechanicalaptitude, basic knowledge of the operation andmaintenance of pumps, motors and similarmachinery. Must have ability to operate smallmachinery, ability to work with variety of tools,meters and gauges. Positions involve manuallabor that includes lifting, pushing, pulling,bending and carrying objects that weigh in excessof 50 lbs. Must be able to follow written instruc-tions and able to get along well with fellowemployees and general public. Excellent benefitpackage that includes health, dental, life insurance,IPERS and prescription drug coverage. EOE.Positions open until filled. Send cover letter,resume and salary expectations to:

Chariton Water DepartmentPO Box 866Chariton, IA 50049 4/06

IAMU Newsletter April 2006 Page 7 IAMU Newsletter April 2006 Page 7

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

— HELP WANTED — — FOR SALE —FLOATING AERATORS: The City of Farley isaccepting bids for three (3) 5HP A.B.S. floatingaerators with cord; and one (1) 71/2HP A.B.S.floating aerator with cord. Bids accepted untilJuly 15, 2006. Send bids to:

City of FarleyPO Box 246Farley, IA 52046 3/06

DEPUTY CITY CLERK: The City of Cascade, IA(pop. 1,958) is seeking to fill the position ofDeputy City Clerk. Position provides administra-tive support to the city administrator/city clerk,mayor, council, and other city staff, boards, andcommissions. Responsible for payroll, accountsreceivable, accounts payable, financial reports,official records, informing the public of citypolicies and procedures, and preparing councilmeeting minutes. Three to five years bookkeeping/accounting experience, preferably in municipalaccounting required, along with strong organiza-tional and secretarial skills. Residency require-ment effective upon successful completion ofprobationary period. Excellent benefit package.$12.70/hour and upwards, DOQ. Qualifiedapplications accepted until position filled. For jobdescription, application, and list of benefits send e-mail to: cascadecity@netins.net; or call 563/852-3114for job description, application, and list of benefits.Send cover letter, resume, and application to:

Randy LansingCity AdministratorP.O. Box 400Cascade, IA 52033 2/06

— WANTED —STRINGING TRAILER: IAMU Electric Servicesseeks a single reel stringing trailer. Should be ableto accommodate one ton conductor reel; musthave disc braking for tension stringing on shortspans. Hydraulic take-up capabilities with levelwind a plus. Contact:

Eric StollIAMU Elec. Services Coordinator800/810-4268estoll@iamu.org 3/06

FLOATING AERATORS: Good used floatingaerators, (2) 3hp & (2) 5hp, preferably 460V 3ph.Air-o-lator brand or similar. Contact:

Cody RensinkCity of BoydenPh: 712/725-2216e-mail: boydenu@hickorytech.net 2/06

IAMU Newsletter April 2006 Page 8

NEWSLETTER, Volume 39 Issue IV, 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

Help support IAMU'straining programs when youbuy safety equipment online

from Omark Safety.

Omark, an IAMU associatemember, will contribute threeper cent of each online sale tosupport the association's safety

programs. IAMU memberssimply enter the referencecode "IAMU" during the

checkout process ofan online order. Purchasescan be made through the

company's web site atwww.omarksafety.com

or through the IAMU website:www.iamu.org

under "Resources."

Questions? Call Omark Safety800/383-7233

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 ................................ John Bilsten,Algona Municipal Utilities

Executive Director .............................. Bob HaugLegislative Counsel ........................ Julie A. SmithLegal Counsel .................................. Jane RiessenDirector of Energy Services ........... Anne KimberElectric Services Coord. ........................ Eric StollGas Services Coord. ......................... Rudy ParcelWater Services Coord. ....................... Jill SoenenJob Training & Safety Coord. .... Mary Ann KinkadeProgram Manager .......................... David HrahaProgram Manager ........................ Tommi MakilaBusiness Manager .............................. Kris Stubbs

SOLD!

HIRED!

BOUGHT!

IAMU Classifieds Work!Send copy to John Burnett

Fax: 515/289-2499e-mail: jburnett@iamu.org

or mail to:1735 NE 70th Ave.

Ankeny, IA 50021-9353 No charge to IAMU Utility Members

With theIAMUAward

Program!Nominate an individual

or organization. Call800/810-4268 or visit

the IAMU website:www.iamu.org

SMILE!