"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; Steve Mills, Member. Also attending was Mayor Mark Gooden.
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.
Underground Facilities Director Grant Piper presented the Board a request to add a change order to the North English Lift Station Improvements. It will include on-site inspection and engineering work during the construction phase of the project. On a motion made by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved the change order for post bid engineering work at an hourly rate not to exceed $18,000 with Larkin, Lamp and Rynearson Engineering Services.
Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer presented the Board proposed electric rate increases. The net effect on MMU revenue would be a very slight decrease. MMU customers should see little to no change in their monthly bills. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird the Board approved to the increase the monthly customer charge for residential services from $14.00 to $20.00 and reduce the charge for usage in the first kwh tier from $0.105 to $0.094 for both summer and winter seasons. Also increase the monthly customer charge for single phase from $14.00 to $20.00, three phase from $20.00 to $30.00 and reduce the charge for usage in the first kwh tier from $0.110 to $0.104 for both summer and winter seasons. Effective for billing after June 1st, 2016.
Director Gieringer updated the Board on the emergency assistance and low income energy assistance programs offered by Missouri Valley Community Action Agency (MVCAA). He plans on signing agreements to participate in both programs. Director Gieringer provided the Board with financial summaries of all departments for the first six months of the current fiscal year. He also stated he had applied for a grant through MPUA with funds to be applied to the pole inspection project. Director Gieringer then reported he had received a request for a reduction of a water bill that had an excessive water usage. The Board reached a consensus to allow Director Gieringer to follow normal procedure.
A discussion was held on the annual wage and benefit review. The recommended adjustments would increase payroll by $170,874 (or 3.62%). On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved 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 $45,501, each to become effective on April 17, 2016.
Manager Baldridge then presented the Board with a plan to reorganize the janitor positions. Currently, two part-time janitors are employed. One, in Electric Production who works at the Power Plant and Business Office. The other works in Underground Facilities and takes care of that building and the Service Center. The individual in Underground Facilities is no longer employed with MMU. The proposed reclassification would make the Electric Production Janitor a full-time position and eliminate the part-time janitor position in Underground Facilities. The individual currently taking care of the Power Plant and Business Office would become a full-time employee and add the Service Center offices to his responsibilities. On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved to eliminate the part-time janitor position in Underground Facilities reclassifying the Electric Production janitor position as a full-time position.
Manager Baldridge updated the Board on a staffing. The person hired for the Apprentice Lineman position has decided to return to his former employer. Due to this departure, past interviews were re-evaluated and Management offered the position to James Mullins, which then creates a vacancy in Underground Facilities. The position for General Maintenance/Meter Reader has been posted to in-house and to the public.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom updated the Board on quotes for sealing the Miami #1 Roof. After several attempts one acceptable quote was received. A purchase order has been issued. Director Bergstrom then went over the statistics provided from the new reliability tracking system software.
Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay updated the Board on the THM reduction project. After speaking with the project engineer, she hopes to get approval soon. Director Ismay also updated the Board on the headworks #2 dry flow pump. It was pulled and sent for inspection and repair on Friday April 22. The pre-inspection has determined it to have a broken shaft.
General Manager Kyle Gibbs discussed with the Board the Home Energy Audit on our website. It is provided to customers free of charge. He stated there were about 30 - 40 who used it last year. He would like to do some sort of advertising of it to get more citizens to utilize it. General Manager Gibbs said that he will be attending a special MoPEP Board Meeting that includes a discussion on offering green energy rate to ConAgra.
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 $ 92,567.23 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $ 219,227.88 SEWER REVENUE FUND $ 57,956.11 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $ 28,166.93 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $ 642.69 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $ 5,725.00 Total $ 404,285.84
The next Board meeting will be Thursday, May 12, 2016.
On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:54 a.m.