"Providing Hometown Reliability"
The Board of Public Works convened in regular session at 8:33 a.m. at the Marshall Municipal Utilities Business Office. Board members present were Spencer Fricke, Vice President; Chuck Hird, Secretary and Ken Bryant, Member. Jim Heinzler, Board President was absent.
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.
Underground Facilities Director Monty Chase presented the Board with an update on Sewer Main Replacements. The next planned replacement is in an alley south of Rea Street, between Ravenal Avenue and Highland Court, ending near College Street. However, during the design phase of the project it was discovered that this is a private main. We have a policy to replace private mains with the owners providing all easements and cost of materials. Due to this policy we have decided to move to the next location which will be on Seargent Avenue from the middle of the block, ending at the north dead end. Approximate cost of the project is $80 per foot for a total of $24,000. On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird the Board approved to replace the sewer main on Seargent Avenue for approximately $24,000, using in-house labor and equipment.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom requested from the Board a request to get bids for annual brush clearing services. The brush cleaning will be mostly near the transmission lines. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant the Board approved to request bids for annual brush clearing services.
Director Bergstrom then presented the Board information on replacing the Re-conductor 16B Tucker Street Feeder. The breaker for the feeder is rated at 200 amps. Director Bergstrom has seen the load on this feeder as high as 190 amps. The conversion to 13.2 kV will increase the potential to exceed 200 amps. The existing #2 copper will be replaced with 336.4 ACSR from Tucker Street to Miami Street, south on Miami Street to Vest Street, and east on Vest Street to Jefferson Avenue. On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird the Board approved to Re-conductor 16B Tucker Street Feeder.
Electric Production Director, Jim Johnson updated the Board on the Unit #6 battery replacement. Pictures of the new batteries and charger were included in the board letter. Director Johnson then informed the Board on the settling pond at the Power Plant. The crew cleaned sediment out of the settling basin, then added rock and lime to it after the cleaning. This is all being done to raise the pH levels to meet the discharge limits.
Administrative Services Director, Ken Gieringer informed the Board of a customer who was charged a high demand charge for low electric usage due to the electric rate changes. Director Gieringer is working on a solution.
Employee Relations Manager, Megan Baldridge stated interviews for the lineman position are being done.
General Manager, Kyle Gibbs updated the Board on the MPUA Legislative Committee. There are over 500 bills filed, some of the ones that will impact MMU are broadband, net metering, electric deregulation and a few others. The MoPEP contract exhibit 'M' was updated in December. Marshall's share is 7.29%. General Manager Gibbs then presented Monty Chase with a certificate, pin and gift card for reaching his 30 year work anniversary.
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 $ 117,731.09 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $ 967,373.34 SEWER REVENUE FUND $ 126,798.45 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $ 21,866.83 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $ 2,587.11 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $ 5,800.00 Total $ 1,242,156.82
The next Board meeting will be Thursday, December 31, 2015.
The Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:18 a.m. to go into executive session to discuss matters under RSMo Section 610.021(Supp. 2009) [3] concerning personnel actions. Roll call vote: Mr. Bryant, yes Mr. Hird, yes Mr. Fricke, yes