"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 present were City Council Member, Charlie Guthrey.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed on a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Hird.
Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer provided the Board a draft of Special Event Rates on electric service during the Saline County Fair and other similar events. The Board is reviewing all information and will make a decision at a future meeting.
Electric Distribution Assistant Director Doug Root asked the Board for approval to request bids for a small bucket truck. The current unit is used by two Electric Service/Meterman. Due to issues with bad electric meter displays and failed AMI modules in addition to their regular duties their workload has increased. A second truck would allow the team to be split, allowing them to expand the in-service meter testing program and help keep up with the light replacements/repairs and locates. On a motion made by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved to request bids for acquiring an additional small bucket truck.
Underground Facilities Director Grant Piper updated the Board on North English Lift Station. The motor for #2 pump has been installed and is back online. Director Piper then updated the Board on the Eastwood Water Main project. The main is back in service; they have begun transferring service connections today.
Electric Production Director Jim Johnson reported on Unit #4 Boiler. During testing of controls and performing the start-up procedure an explosion occurred. Physical injuries were mostly minor. Air monitoring and sampling for ACM materials have been done. The results from the air quality testing were good and the report advised to have a clean-up done on the building. A consultant has been contacted to oversee the clean-up process. Proposals are being received from contractors and will be brought to the Board for review. The insurance company has also been contacted and will be doing an inspection after clean-up is done.
Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge updated the Board that the option allowing loans dispersed from the 457(b) compensation plan is "live". Manager Baldridge also reported the Water Treatment Plant personnel had worked six years with no recordable injuries as of May 18, 2016. And, she has met with the worker's comp. insurance loss control representative in regard to Unit #4 explosion.
General Manager Kyle Gibbs updated the Board on the business at 632 N. Miami. The owner's attended the City Council meeting complaining about the demand portion of their utility bill. The Council referred them to MMU Management. The business has lowered their demand to below 25,000 KW which could put them back in the Commercial Rate Class in October. General Manager Gibbs gave an update on the Solar Farm. A meeting was held with MC Power last week. The FAA has all the needed paperwork for approval. He then stated ConAgra has been agreed to pay a 4% under billing because of a manufacturer's meter error over the past 2 years. General Manager Gibbs then discussed the Unit #4 boiler explosion. The clean-up quotes have come in from two companies, a third is expected today. A special session board meeting will be needed to review the quotes to get clean-up started as soon as possible.
On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Bryan, accounts payable were approved and warrants ordered issued from the following funds:
WATER OPERATING FUND $ 127,389.75 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $ 222,984.26 SEWER REVENUE FUND $ 69,531.69 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $ 20,704.59 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $ 1,239.95 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $ 6,250.00 Total $ 448,100.24
A Special Session Board meeting will be Friday, July 29, 2016.
The next Regular Board meeting will be Thursday, August 11, 2016.
On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:33 a.m.