Will a car charging station be in Peterson’s future?

Kent Whitcomb of MiEnergy visited the regular Peterson City Council meeting July 14 to offer a level two car charging station to the city. The level two charger would be able to charge two cars at a time at a rate of 30 to 50 miles range per hour. The charger valued at $5,139 would need to be installed by the city at a location of their choosing. Installation costs would range from $1,000 to $3,000; it could be tied into existing service lines. 

Whitcomb explained that Dairyland Power wanted to build a network of chargers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. Customer billing could be done in two ways — one way, a credit card reader, would cost the city between $2,000 and $3,000; the other way, a QR code reader for the user’s phone, would be free to the city. Billing could be done on kWh or a parking fee charge. Five years of free service and connectivity would be included with a $320/year service fee after that. Whitcomb noted that ¾ of the municipalities had approved it so far.

Councilwoman Gail Boyum queried, “This would basically pay for itself?”

City Clerk Chris Grindland responded that would only be true if enough people used it.

Councilman Dave Colbenson opined, “It might be more suitable in a bigger town — we don’t even have a gas station!”

Both Gail Boyum and Tracy Seelbinder felt it was worth checking into, noting it was the “wave of the future.” Seelbinder asked if MiEnergy would take it back if the charger doesn’t get used. Whitcomb will check on that; he added that MiEnergy currently has two working chargers at their facility. In the meantime, Boyum and Seelbinder will look into possible placement for a charger. The charger offer was tabled and will be revisited at the next meeting.

Whitcomb also had a new MiEnergy contract for electrical service for the city. The wholesale service agreement waives the third party transmission cost, providing 6.5% savings on the city’s electric rate.0 

Late fees no longer to be waived

After over a year of waived late fees, the council decided to reinstate late fees for city bills. The city will be sending out disconnect letters to those with higher dollar amount late bills. Cases will come before the council for review before service is disconnected. This will only be done in warmer months; the cold weather rules will still apply for the winter season.

Other business

In other business the council:

•Approved yearly fund transfers for city bond payments.

•Approved the $65,937.25 blacktopping of Prospect Street.

•Authorized Gail Boyum to sign checks for the museum and the museum building fund.

•Discussed ways to deal with ponding issues near and on some city streets.

•Learned that the trail Welcome to Peterson Sign would arrive soon; Councilmen Seelbinder and Stenzel will erect it in the same location as the previous sign.

The next council meeting will be at 6 p.m., August 11, 2021, at city hall. Citizens are welcome to attend.