"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. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed on a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird.
Employee Relations Director Megan Baldridge updated the Board on proposals received for the 2016 Employee Health Benefits. Preliminary proposals received from United Healthcare and Aetna were not competitive. Coventry declined to submit a quote. The preliminary quote from Cigna was somewhat competitive. After further review of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Group Experience amounts for MMU, that compare claims paid vs. premiums paid, for the last two years and then going through the underwriting process she feels that an underwritten quote from Cigna would not be competitive to the renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City. Dave Hoy with Naught-Naught Agency then provided information on the renewal, alternate plans and benefits of a Health Savings Account (HSA) with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City. We should be able to make a recommendation to the Board in the next few weeks. The Employee Appreciation Lunch will be held at the Service Center on October 27 at 11:30.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom reported the Overhead to Underground conversion to be on Slater, Shamrock and High Streets will be starting soon. The Bucket Truck Training went well. There will be an addition to the Pole Top Times plaque, Jerrad King had the best time. Mr. Bryant mentioned to Director Bergstrom the customer whose tree fell on primary lines at Porter and Brunswick, damaging two poles and breaking another off was very complimentary of the crew in getting electric service back and getting things cleaned up.
Chief Engineering Technician Joe Trapp, reporting for Underground Facilities Director Monty Chase reported the engineers have started the design for the Board on the North English Lift Station. The street repairs needed from the Slater Street Water Main project have been completed. New fire hydrants have been installed for the new business on South Odell.
Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay reported core drillings for the THM reduction project were started October 6. The semiannual check of the sodium hypochlorite generators with the disinfection system is being scheduled. The Underground Facilities cleaned the west drying bed and repaired the east drying bed for sludge handling. The Headworks grit paddle was repaired & reinstalled on September 29. The gear box for the aeration basins was reinstalled September 28 and is running. DNR has approved an extension until October 30, to reply the inspection report from the August 10 inspection of the pretreatment program.
Electric Production Director Jim Johnson updated the Board on Units #7 and #8. The engine of Unit #7 was surging when first started. The manufacturer was consulted and advised to inspect the fuel injector pump. It was removed and sent in for repair. The injectors for #8 were inspected and reset, and one was replaced. Director Johnson said there were a lot of problems with bad injectors and fuel pump issues were likely due to the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel that is required to be burned as a result of the NESHAP RICE rule.
General Manager Kyle Gibbs updated the Board on activity of MSDC. Proposals have been submitted to the Missouri Department of Mental Health for building a new administrative building and two group homes. Both will be built in Marshall to ensure that approximately 140 jobs will stay in Marshall. During the MoPEP Conference call on October 2, the members approved the $7,200 mw/month demand charge for bills in September 2015 and after. The lease with MCP-Marshall, who is constructing the Solar Farm, has been mailed. Construction is slated to begin October 26. A second Net Metering contract has been received from a local business.
WATER OPERATING FUND $206,177.03 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $1,644,494.54 SEWER REVENUE FUND $318,869.18 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $30,726.40 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $2,314.72 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $10,900.00 Total $2,213,478.87
The next Board meeting will be Thursday, October 29, 2015.
On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:21 a.m.