"Providing Hometown Reliability"
The Board of Public Works convened in regular session at 8:34 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.
On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird, 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. Hird. During business from Board members, Mr. Fricke made a request to move the next scheduled meeting date from December 17th to December 16th.
General Manager Kyle Gibbs informed the Board that a representative of MMU needs to be appointed to the MSDC Board for 2016. General Manager Gibbs stated that he is currently the representative and indicated that he would be willing to continue if it was the desire of the Board. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Fricke the Board approved the appointment of General Manager Gibbs to be the MMU representative on the MSDC Board for 2016.
General Manager Gibbs then updated the Board on an amendment needed to the MC Power Interconnect Agreement. It defines the type of equipment being installed at the Solar Farm. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Fricke the Board approved requesting the City Council to authorize the Mayor to sign the amendment between MCP-Marshall and the City of Marshall.
General Manager Gibbs then told the Board of a meeting that he and Jeff Bergstrom had with Clean Line Energy Partners on November 23. Clean Line Energy Partners are interested in building a privately owned DC transmission line across Missouri. The line would run from southwest Kansas to the Illinois/Indiana border. They are seeking public support before requesting approval from the Missouri Public Service Commission.
Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer presented the Board with a proposed water rate increase. The proposed increase is $.035 per 100 gallons in volume. This increase will generate additional revenue to provide funding for the THMM project. On a motion by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Bryant the Board approved the water rate schedule presented by Director Gieringer effective for billing after January 1, 2016.
Director Gieringer then requested from the Board an adjustment to the BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) and TSS (Total Suspended Solids) rates for wastewater. The adjustment would decrease the BOD charge from $.20 to $.185 per pound and decrease the TSS charge from $.22 to $.20 per pound. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant the Board approved the rates for BOD at $.18 per pound and TSS at $.20 per pound effective January 1, 2016.
Director Gieringer then asked the Board to approve a change in maximum speed for the second and third tier internet services at no additional cost to the customer. Also proposed was an option for customers to receive after hours internet maintenance services for a monthly charge of $10. However, for those purchasing internet services in the third tier, that service will already be incorporated into their regular service charge. After hours services under this plan will also be provided from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on holidays and weekends. Customers from any tier wishing to receive after hours maintenance service between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. can purchase that option for another $10 per month in addition to their regular charges and the first monthly after hours service charge. All of these options would be available on a per location basis and would not be available to wireless customers. On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird the Board approved the increase in internet download speed for the second and third tiers internet services by 10 Mpbs and the offering of an optional maintenance service.
Underground Facilities Director Monty Chase presented the Board with the bids received for the 2015/2016 Sewer Main Rehab using Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP). The company Spray Com Utilities Inc had the lowest bid for the CIPP project and has had for the past several years. On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Fricke the Board approved accepting the bid from Spray Com Utilities for $228,716 for the CIPP project and $1,500 for testing five samples.
Director Chase then updated the Board on the project to install mixers in the #1 and #3 reservoirs and also the water tower. The engineers have completed the bid documents and the opening of the bids will be January 12 at 1:30 p.m.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff updated the Board of the work on the MC Power Solar Farm. His crew is 90% complete they have to program two meters and the recloser, also do a little wiring.
Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge reported to the Board that 70% of the employees opted for the new High Deductable plan and the HSA plan.
On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant, accounts payable were approved and warrants ordered issued from the following funds:
WATER OPERATING FUND $199,161.26 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $431,723.54 SEWER REVENUE FUND $140,596.68 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $37,006.40 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $519.68 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $5,750.00 Total $814,757.56
The next Board meeting will be Wednesday, December 16, 2015.
On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:10 a.m.