"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; Ken Bryant, Secretary. Also attending was Councilman Gabe Ramsey. Jim Heinzler, Member was absent.
The Agenda was approved as presented. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed on a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom presented the Board with proposals for Pole Inspections. Director Bergstrom recommended to the Board to accept the proposal from RAM Utilities for a cost of $4.75 to do Visual, Sound, Select Bore, Tag &/or $8.90 which would include a partial dig; $12.75 for internal Treatment; $35.90 for Full Excavate & Treatment. Director Bergstrom said the bid would also include an electronic file with all data collected for all poles. On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved to accept the proposal from RAM Utilities for Pole Inspections. Director Bergstrom updated the Board on the Street Lighting on W. Arrow. All poles have been inspected and 16 of them are in bad enough condition that they will be replaced. Materials are in stock and the crew will begin replacing them as time permits.
Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge presented the annual wage and benefit review. MMU's salary adjustments have been conservative for multiple consecutive years. A cumulative decline in the competitiveness of MMU's pay has been observed in the results of the annual salary survey. Manager Baldridge recommended to approve 1) an adjustment to the pay ranges for each position as indicated on the pay range charts provided; 2) a corresponding adjustment to individual wages to maintain individual progress within the pay range except for those that have failed to sustain their performance, and 3) merit based changes to wages and salaries in an amount not to exceed $46,055, each to become effective on April 17, 2016. No action was taken at this time.
Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay presented the Board a revised draft of Ordinance #7074. The Board reached a consensus to send it to DNR for their review and approval.
Underground Facilities Director Grant Piper updated the Board on the 2016 Cured In Place Project (CIPP). Spray Com is expected to start the second week of May.
Electric Production Director Jim Johnson reported on expansion joints for Unit's #10 and #11. There is some cracking and leaking of the rubber material. These units were installed in 1989 and 1993, and the expansion joints are original to each engine. Upon further inspection of all joints, it has been decided to replace them due to their age and deterioration.
Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer updated the Board on a meeting with Missouri Valley Community Action Agency (MVCAA) to discuss the utility payment assistance program they offer to Community. Director Gieringer is reviewing options that would be best for all customers.
General Manager Kyle Gibbs presented the Board two proposals from Terracon Consultants Inc. for providing geo-technical engineering services for the new warehouse and wastewater maintenance shop. The cost for drilling, laboratory testing and providing an engineering report is $6,300 for the warehouse and $3,100 for the wastewater maintenance shop. On a motion made by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved to accept the proposals for geo-technical engineering services for the new warehouse and wastewater maintenance shop. General Manager Gibbs then updated the Board on a meeting with ConAgra about their green power initiative. They want to be using 20% green energy by 2020. He also updated the Board on the Broadband Bill (SB 946); several members of the community along with Google and MPUA testified against the bill last week. He said the Senate was supportive of them and doesn't see it passing this year. And, MC Power is working with the City to get all the paperwork finalized and submitted to MoDOT and the FAA.
The Board was presented the Annual Report for 2014-2015.
On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird, accounts payable were approved and warrants ordered issued from the following funds:
WATER OPERATING FUND $ 158,222.36 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $ 1,480,968.26 SEWER REVENUE FUND $ 175,663.45 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $ 24,083.28 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $ 2,495.41 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $ 4,400.00 WATER SEGREGATED $ 15,388.26 Total $ 1,861,221.02
The next Board meeting will be Thursday, April 28, 2016.
The Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:19 a.m. to go into executive session to discuss matters under RSMo Section 610.021(Supp. 2009) concerning: Personnel Actions [3].
Roll call vote:
Mr. Bryant, yes
Mr. Hird, yes
Mr. Fricke, yes