"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 Spencer Fricke, President; Chuck Hird, Vice President; and Ken Bryant, Secretary. Jim Heinzler, Member was absent until 8:35 am. Also attending were Councilman Charlie Guthrie, Councilman Gabe Ramsey and Missouri Valley College Representative Tim Schulte.
On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant, 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.
In business from the audience, Mr. Tim Schulte with Missouri Valley College (MVC) presented the Board with a copy MVC's construction cost for the Sharp Street housing. The college is in the process of building four new, two story housing complexes. Mr. Schulte then mentioned the college had rebuilt approximately 380 feet of sewer line in this area at a cost of $20,000 which saved the city from having to put a liner in the old clay tile pipe, saving the city approximately $8,000. Mr. Schulte then went through a line item list of the project and related cost, ending his presentation with a request of assistance from the Utility Board. President Fricke stated that the college is an important asset to the community and stated the Board would discuss in detail and would be in touch with him. Mr. Schulte left the meeting.
Mr. Heinzler joined the meeting at 8:35 am.
Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay informed the Board on several action items in regard to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The first action item is the renewal of the discharge permit and review of the local limits. The discharge permit is good for five years, with the requirement that this application has to be received 180 days before the expiration date in May 2017. SKW has to helped write and review the application in the past that resulted in the removal of ammonia limits in the discharge. With the changes of the permit, Director Ismay feels it beneficial to have the assistance of SKW. In addition to the discharge permit the DNR is requesting a review of the local limits of the cities industries that discharge into the sewer system. The permit renewal has a not-to-exceed cost of $11,000 and the local limits review has a lump sum of $19,500. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved to accept the engineering services of Shaver, Kline & Warren (SKW) for the discharge permit at a cost of not-to-exceed cost of $11,000 and the local limits review for a lump sum of $19,500.
Director Ismay then presented her second action item; the design phase of a new wastewater treatment plant maintenance building. The design of this project is in conjunction with the design of the warehouse project and has a lump sum cost of $28,000. On a motion made by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved to request an ordinance from the City Council to authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement with Shafer, Kline & Warren on the design phase of the WWTP maintenance building.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom brought to the Board an action item for pole inspections. It is time to inspect the wood poles in the distribution and transmission system. Two years ago we inspected 750 poles with 144 being rejected. There are approximately 6,000 poles in the system to do. Previously the inspection included digging and wrapping poles, which didn't determine the top of the pole was sound. This time he would like to have a sound and bore done which is more cost effective and we would be able to inspect 3,000 - 3,500. On a motion made by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved to request proposals for in service pole inspections.
Electric Production Director Jim Johnson presented to the Board an action item to upgrade the controls on Unit #6 Gas Turbine. The controls were installed on the unit in 1998. The parts are still available but not much support, due to their age. Allen Bradley PLC based controls would be purchased for approximately $35,000 and the programming & installation will be done using in-house labor. On a motion made by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved to replace the existing controls on Unit #6 with Allen Bradley PLC based controls utilizing in-house labor.
Underground Facilities Director Grant Piper updated presented the Board on the North English Lift Station. There has been communication with Lamp Rynearson regarding the project. More information should be available at the next Board meeting. Director Piper also updated the Board on the street repairs needed on South Lincoln Avenue that were caused by a water main break. It should be complete by the end of this week.
Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer supplied the Board with copies of the Annual Audit Report. He informed them it was late due to new audit regulations for pensions. A question from Mr. Hird regarding the easements for installation of underground fiber lines, Mr. Gieringer explained where the area was and the easement that runs behind the houses was for storm water only. In order to install services in front with the other services, it would entail bore driveways and trying to avoid the other underground utilities.
Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge reviewed the Hepatitis Vaccinations that are offered to those employees with a risk of exposure to sewage. Currently, the Hepatitis B vaccine is provided. Employees have asked if they should be vaccinated for the Hepatitis A vaccine. After researching CDC and the Saline County Health Department, it is not necessary for wastewater workers to be vaccinated for Hepatitis A, but it wouldn't hurt to be covered. Booster shots are not necessary for either, the vaccines protect for 20 - 25 years, and again it won't hurt to be revaccinated. We would like to offer vaccinations of both Hepatitis A and B, but it is not mandatory. The Health Department is able to come on-site to administer the vaccinations to those who would like to take advantage of it.
General Manager Kyle Gibbs updated the Board on the MoPEP Service & Rates Committee. Capacity credits we receive aren't expected to change in the next year. Also, there will be no vote on new solar farms due to a stay on the Clean Power Act. General Manager Gibbs then updated the Board on the solar farm at the airport. It is still waiting on the FAA approving the environmental assessment. The Broadband bill seems to have stalled out in the house.
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 $ 104,823.14 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $ 241,840.24 SEWER REVENUE FUND $ 49,731.93 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $ 24,116.10 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $ 2,757.88 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $ 4,700.00 WATER SEGREGATED FUND $ 50,302.63 Total $ 478,271.92
In other business, the Board discussed the request of MVC. They would like help with the infrastructure cost of $27,000. They have replaced approximately 380 feet of 8" water line that will not have to have the cured in place lining applied, saving MMU approximately $8,000. Director Gieringer recommends having any adjustment made applied as an economic development grant. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant the Board tabled the decision until further discussion can be made.
The next Board meeting will be Thursday, March 17, 2016.
The Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:29 a.m. to go into executive session to discuss matters under RSMo Section 610.021(Supp. 2009) concerning legal, confidential or privileged information [1].
Roll call vote: Mr. Bryant, yes Mr. Hird, yes Mr. Fricke, yes Mr. Heinzler, yes