"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 Chuck Hird, President; Ken Bryant, Vice President; Steve Mills, Secretary and Spencer Fricke, Member. Also present were City Administrator Dave Haugland, City Councilmen Dewey Hendrix and Ron Ott.
The agenda was approved on a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Fricke. General Manager Kyle Gibbs reviewed the safety briefing. The minutes of the previous meetings were approved as printed on a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Bryant.
Human Resources Manager Megan Baldridge presented a summary of 2017-2018 employee health benefits proposals for medical services. Due to an anticipated increase of 16% from our current carrier, United Healthcare (UHC), with assistance from Naught-Naught Agency, alternative carriers and plans were researched. Eight proposals were received, of which none were competitive with the renewal proposal from United Healthcare (UHC), but UHC submitted a revised proposal with a 13% increase. Manager Baldridge recommended to the Board renewing medical insurance with United Healthcare. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved renewing medical insurance with United Healthcare, as presented, effective December 1, 2017.
Manager Baldridge then presented a summary of the 2017-2018 employee health benefits proposals for ancillary services. All services, dental, vision, disability and life insurance are with Principal. They proposed to renew premiums at the current rate, except for dental which had a 5.9% increase. Six proposals were received from other carriers but none were competitive. On a motion made by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved renewing ancillary insurance, dental, vision, disability and life insurance with Principal, as presented, effective December 1, 2017.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom requested approval from the Board to replace underground cable on feeders 207, 208 and feeder 22 due to age of the cables. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved replacing underground cable on feeders 207, 208 and 22.
Director Bergstrom then presented inspection results of the transmission line. The lines and right-of-ways are clear, but trees are growing from the edges of the right-of-way. This area was last trimmed in 2007 and should be done again. On a motion made by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Bryant the Board approved requesting bids for contract tree trimming.
The AMI electric meter replacement pilot has 3 meters installed; the remaining meters will be installed over the next few months. The 161 kV Emergency tie line has all the easements needed; requests for proposals for clearing the right-of-way have been sent and are scheduled to be opened November 16th, and the engineering firm, LD&B is putting together the survey bids.
Underground Facilities Director Grant Piper reported the Ted, Bond, Wall and Grant Street sewer main replacement is complete with the exception of street repairs on Ted Street. The Roof replacement at North Miami and Southwest lift stations are in progress and will be completed by end of the week.
Electric Production Director Carl Crawford informed the Board the NESHAP Rice testing on units #10 & #11 will be November 7th, and will count towards their quarterly testing required by MoPEP. Quarterly testing for units #6, #7, #8, and #9 will be done throughout the month.
Water Treatment Superintendent Kenny Clause updated the Board on the THM reduction project; construction completion is at the June 30, 2017 time-frame, before the flood.
Wastewater Treatment Superintendent Nolan Townsend gave an update on the headworks pump. It was received Monday, October 30th; we just need to coordinate on installing it.
Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer informed the Board that the 2016-2017 fiscal year audit was done Monday and Tuesday, October 30th - 31st.
General Manager Kyle Gibbs stated the average cost for energy for the 2016-2017 fiscal year was $70.22 on 172,410 mwh. He also provided a comparison of cost for the last three years.
On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Fricke, accounts payable were approved and warrants ordered issued from the following funds:
WATER OPERATING FUND $ 170,393.66 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $ 494,036.89 SEWER REVENUE FUND $ 161,769.03 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $ 32,927.92 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $ 600.85 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $ 13,500.00 SEWER EQUPMENT FUND $ 201,649.59 Total $ 1,074,877.94
The next Regular Board meeting will be Thursday November 16, 2017.
On a motion by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:17 a.m.