"Providing Hometown Reliability"
The Board of Public Works convened in regular session at 8:32 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 Councilman Kirk Arends.
A request to rearrange the order of department reports was requested so Jim Johnson could report first due to a meeting with the insurance company in regard to the explosion of unit #4. On a motion made by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the agenda was amended to rearrange the order of reports. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed on a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird.
Electric Production Director Jim Johnson reported on the Power Plant clean-up. Insco Environmental has finished. Axiom Service Professionals have performed the final air clearance monitoring with all air samples falling well below any level of concern. DNR and the State Fire Marshall have visited and have no concerns. The insurance company will be on site today with an investigation team to review the damage and determine cause. Director Johnson then informed the Board that quarterly testing for units #7, #8, #9, #10 & #11 were performed without any problems.
Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer provided the Board information on underutilized equipment he would like to sell by accepting sealed bids. It was discussed by the Board to see if the City could possibly use either piece of equipment. On a motion made by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved to take sealed bids for surplus equipment, first offering it to the City of Marshall.
Director Gieringer then updated the Board that the Internet Department was laying conduit on County Road YY; once all conduit is laid they will begin laying fiber. He then informed the Board he is refining the 2016/2017 budget and will present it at the next Board meeting.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom requested the Board's approval on purchasing a bucket truck through the government cooperative purchasing program, National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA). He has received a quote in the amount of $109,303 from Altec. After review and discussion, the Board decided to table this request to make a decision at a future meeting.
Director Bergstrom presented the Board a request for contract tree trimming for 2016/2017 with Poor Boy Tree. This is the last year of the contract. The trimming will focus on walkway easements and along some streets, as needed. On a motion made by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved contract tree trimming for the 2016/2017 budget year.
Director Bergstrom then submitted details on doing an electric distribution system study. A study hasn't been done since 1993. They are normally done every ten years, but with considerable changes to the system since, Director Bergstrom believe it is necessary. It will focus on the impact of the changes to our local generation and how it would affect the system reliability, needed improvements, evaluated for areas of growth and live expectancy of substation equipment. After review and discussion, the Board decided to table this request to make a decision at a future meeting.
Director Bergstrom then updated the Board on the MC Power Solar Farm. Most of the utility work required is complete. And, while mowing at the Solar Farm, the deck on the brush hog broke. The unit needs to be replaced with a heavier unit.
Underground Facilities Director Grant Piper informed the Board that crews have completed the work of the water main extension on Atchison Ave. Director Piper stated that work has begun on North English Lift Station Improvements. The Sewer Jetter is back from repairs, which was covered under the warranty.
Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay informed the Board of the stockpile of lime. The department was not able to spread any this year or last year due to lack of equipment and manpower. She has been in contact with a local trucking company to possibly spread it for us. After discussion the Board reached a consensus to allow an outside party to spread lime on behalf of MMU.
Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge presented the Board information on employee health benefits. The initial renewal with our current carrier has increased by 29.9%. She is working with a broker to request proposals from multiple insurance carriers.
General Manager Kyle Gibbs informed the Board of a three year agreement held between MSDC, MMU and the City of Marshall to allow MSDC to offer the south 2,000 sq. ft. of office space at our property located at 211 N. Benton Ave. for business development. MSDC would like to renew this agreement for another three years. On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board allows the contract to extend for an additional three years to benefit economic development.
General Manager Gibbs updated the Board on the MoPEP Green Energy Rate. Three industries in Marshall have applied. The MoPEP Pool was over subscribed for the 60,000 mwh's by 40%, resulting in having to make a prorate reduction to match the limit. He then informed the Board that the drawings for the warehouse and wastewater maintenance building were 100% complete and will be sending bid requests out next week.
On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Bryant, accounts payable were approved and warrants ordered issued from the following funds:
WATER OPERATING FUND $ 131,748.10 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $ 1,349,842.52 SEWER REVENUE FUND $ 163,729.66 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $ 34,158.93 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $ 3,307.21 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $ 8,975.00 SEWER EQUIPMENT FUND $ 126,182.87 Total $ 1,817,944.29
The next Regular Board meeting will be Thursday September 29, 2016.
On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:49 a.m.