"Providing Hometown Reliability"
The Board of Public Works convened in regular session at 8:30 a.m. at the Marshall Municipal Utilities Business Office. Board members present were Jim Heinzler, President; Spencer Fricke, Vice President; and Ken Bryant, member. Guest present was Gabe Ramsey.
The Board approved the agenda as presented. General Manager Kyle Gibbs reviewed the safety briefing.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed on a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Fricke.
Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer presented the Board a draft of the proposed electric rate changes. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Fricke the Board approved the proposed electric rate changes, making them effective for billing October 1, 2015.
Director Gieringer distributed a draft of the 2015-2016 budget with a list of major projects to the Board.
Director Gieringer informed the Board of a utility billing scam that recently targeted Marshall. On Sept. 1, several business owners reported receiving a call from a person stating they worked for MMU and their utilities were going to be shut off for non-payment. The representative said that since it was after hours the only way they could prevent it would be by making a payment through a MoneyGram purchased at Wal-Mart. The representative told the business owner to contact them when they arrived at Wal-Mart by calling 888-666-6702 to finalize the payment. Utilities will not be shut off after normal business hours. Marshall Police is investigating.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom presented the Board a request to hire additional staffing. Currently, there is one vacancy but the department has several staff approaching retirement. Due to the length of training an apprentice/lineman, Director Bergstrom would like to hire two people so the department is prepared when retirement dates are confirmed. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Fricke the Board approved to hire two people to fill the apprentice/lineman positions in the Electric Distribution Department.
Director Bergstrom updated the Board on the Department's budget. The Electric Department will have lots of carry-over items, due to the CMA Grain Facility and Fox Creek Villa's projects occupying most of their time.
Underground Facilities Director Monty Chase presented the Board a request to approve the engineers, Lamp, Rynearson & Associates, selected for designing the improvements to the North English Lift Station. Their proposal to evaluate, design, prepare construction cost and prepare bid and contract documents will be $40,300. On a motion made by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved to accept the proposal from Lamp, Rynearson & Associates, Inc. to design improvements to the North English Lift Station for a fee of $40,300.
Director Chase then presented the Board a request to approve a change order for the CMA Project Natural Gas Line Relocation. There were 42 additional feet of 10" line that was needed to complete the project. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board approved the change order for USDI in the amount of $5,022.
Director Chase updated the Board that the work at Fox Creek Villas has been completed but he will be making sure the meter labels match each unit.
Employee Relations Director Megan Baldridge presented to the Board information concerning the leave of absence of an employee. Because it has reached 12 weeks, the Board will have to approve any additional time off. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board approved to continue the employee's leave of absence for one month (until September 28) if needed, with continuation of health insurance premiums.
Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay presented the Board information and proposals received for cleaning the east sludge drying bed at the Water Treatment Plant. Proposals received were from Environmental Works of Kansas City, MO for $11,784 and Energy Resources of Chesterfield, MO for $80,000. Director Ismay requested from the Board approval to accept the proposal from Environmental Works of Kansas City, MO. On a motion made by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved the quote from Environmental Works for $11,784 to clean the east sludge drying bed.
Electric Production Director Jim Johnson updated the Board on Unit #6 Generator. EthosEnergy is offering an extended 36 month warranty on the unit. We are waiting on the written warranty and field maintenance report from them. Director Johnson then informed the Board that the Part 70 Operating Permit is finalized and was placed on the DNR website for public comment.
General Manager Gibbs updated the Board with additional comments regarding the Part 70 Operating Permit. Once the permit is approved it will limit our coal usage and will, for all practical purposes, prevent coal from being burned in Unit #4. This will affect our payment from the MoPEP Power Pool, because our payment is based on the energy cost which is low when coal is burned. This is one negative impact in moving from a Major Source Boiler MACT status to an Area Source.
General Manager Gibbs reported MMU's summer peak was July 28 at 4:00pm, which was also the same for the MoPEP Power Pool. He also reported Marshalls's share of the MoPEP Grant program for 2015 is $152,435, plus $146,000 not used from 2014. In order to get this these funds, they are to be used for capital improvements projects.
General Manager Gibbs will be attending the annual APPA Conference being held September 16 - 18 in Branson MO.
On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Fricke, accounts payable were approved and warrants ordered issued from the following funds:
WATER OPERATING FUND $190,372.73 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $220,836.73 SEWER REVENUE FUND $115,840.16 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $ 30,555.22 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $ 687.76 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $ 18,425.00 Total $576,717.60
The next Board meeting will be Thursday, September 17, 2015.
On a motion by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:20 a.m. to go into executive session to discuss matters under Mo Rev. Stat. Section 610.021(Supp. 2009) concerning Legal, confidential or privileged information [1].
Roll call vote:
Mr. Bryant, yes
Mr. Fricke, yes
Mr. Heinzler, yes