"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; Chuck Hird, Secretary and Ken Bryant, member.
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. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant.
Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer presented the 2015/2016 Budget to the Board. It includes the electric rate change that goes into effect October 1, 2015 and a proposed gross revenue increase of 10% in the water department effective January 1, 2016. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Fricke the Board approved the 2015/2016 budget as presented.
Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay presented the Board with a list of bids received for the new pickup truck purchase intended for Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Board discussed delivery dates, cost, and dealer location. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant the Board approved the bid provided by Elmer Hare Ford Sales in the amount of $25,370.00 for a 2016 Ford F-150. Director Ismay then updated the on Board the request of an extension to respond to DNR on the operational and pretreatment inspections was granted. We have until October 30, to respond.
Underground Facilities Director Monty Chase reported the collection system continues to need improvements. There is approximately 10,000 ft of main in different areas that need rehabbed using the Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP) method. The cost to rehab a sewer main with this method is more cost effective and faster than the traditional open excavation method. On a motion by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Hird the Board approved requesting bids to have approximately 10,000 ft. of sewer main rehabbed using the Cured In Place Pipe method.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom reported his crew is working on replacing poles. He has also replaced some area lights, changin from sodium to LED. Seven have been installed at the High School and a couple on South Drive and Morrow Street.
Electric Production Director Jim Johnson updated the Board on the Part 70 Operating Permit. The draft is on public notice until tomorrow, October 2. He explained that the language was for coal/pellet/natural gas burning and was not clear regarding natural gas burning only. The EPA responded and DNR will be changing the language to reflect natural gas burning only.
Employee Relations Director Megan Baldridge reported proposals for the 2016 Employee Health Benefits are arriving and are being analyzed as received. We should be able to make a recommendation to the Board in the next few weeks. Director Baldridge then reported the Annual First Aid/CPR/AED training will be conducted October 21 -22. Flu shots will be available to employees and board members on October 8, at the Service Center from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. The Employee Appreciation Lunch will be held at the Service Center on October 21 at 11:30.
General Manager Kyle Gibbs informed the Board that since the Spec Building has been sold, the agreement to fund MSDC will be reinstated. The agreement calls for MMU to pay MSDC $30,000 annually in exchange for MSDC's economic development efforts. It is set to expire each September 30, being renewed automatically each year unless terminated with 30 days notice. Manager Gibbs updated the Board that the MPUA Mutual Aid Agreement needed to be updated. The changes of the revised agreement were discussed. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant the Board approved to request the City Council to authorize the Mayor to sign the updated Mutual Aid Program Agreement. The solar farm project is waiting on the lease agreement to be finalized. It should be signed sometime this week. The MPUA Annual Meeting's main topic was the "Clean Power" Plan.
WATER OPERATING FUND $118,371.68 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $533,233.79 SEWER REVENUE FUND $44,187.20 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $42,427.74 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $404.32 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $8,200.00 Total $746,814.73
The next Board meeting will be Wednesday, October 14, 2015.
On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr.Fricke, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:30 a.m. to go into executive session to discuss matters under Mo Rev. Stat. Section 610.021(Supp. 2009) concerning personnel records or applications [13].
Roll call vote: Mr. Hird, yes; Mr. Fricke, yes; Mr. Bryant, yes; Mr. Heinzler, yes.
The regular session meeting reconvened at 9:55 a.m. to take action on the subject of an employee's Leave of Absence. On a motion by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved the leave of absence for Randy Huesgen to continue for 5 1/2 months (until March 14, 2016), if needed, with continuation of health insurance premiums thru February 2016.
The Board adjourned at 10:00 a.m.