Marshall Municipal Utilities

Board Meeting Minutes

October 30, 2007

The Board of Public Works convened the regular session at 8:30 a.m. at the Marshall Municipal Utilities Business Office. Present were Jim Heinzler, President; Spencer Fricke, Vice President; Charles Hird, Secretary. Mike Mills 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. Fricke.

Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge explained the need for a Safety and Training Officer and indicated a job description had been provided for the Board’s review. After a lengthy discussion, the Board postponed a decision on this matter until the full Board could be present.

Ms. Baldridge reported the initial renewal offer from United Healthcare for employee health insurance is a 24.8% rate increase. The Naught-Naught Agency is gathering proposals from other insurance carriers and will meet with MMU staff on November 1 to review those proposals.

Underground Facilities Director Monty Chase reported the lift station project for the South Odell sewer is progressing well. The water main installation project for the Civic Center/Museum should start soon.

Electric Production Director Jim Johnson reported an agreement has been reached with Knight Hawk Coal Company to provide coal to MMU for the next three years at a fixed price.

The super heat tubes for the Unit #4 boiler have been sandblasted. Some deep pits were discovered on some of the tubes above the u-bends. Since there was little change in the tube thickness, pad welding will be done over the tubes that are pitted.

The paint on the green metal siding on the Power Plant has peeled in some areas, the galvanizing is gone and the panels are starting to rust. Director Johnson indicated there is a product called Safe Encasement that is made specifically to seal over lead-based paint, allowing a top coat to be applied. Additional information and pricing are being obtained for this product.

Mr. Hird explained that he had been asked by a local business if the recycling center could service as a collection point for discarded electronics. The local business would then periodically pick up and dispose of the electronics. It was the consensus of the Board to allow the recycling center to serve as a collection point for the electronics. The Board indicated a need to let people know about this option for recycling, along with what other items can be brought to the recycling center.

Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer provided information to the Board concerning proposed rate increases for water and wastewater. The Board will discuss the possible rate increases at a future meeting.

Director Gieringer reported the old digger derrick that was to be sold on an auction will be sold by sealed bids, as there were no appropriate auctions currently scheduled.

A discussion was held concerning load limits on bridges that need to be crossed by Wastewater Department equipment. Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay indicated it would cost more time and money, but Wastewater Department employees would comply with the restrictions.

General Manager Kyle Gibbs reported Shafer, Kline and Warren has narrowed their scope of work and lowered the price for providing MMU with their best estimate on how to get a water line across Salt Fork Creek and across the Union Pacific Railroad at the Eastwood viaduct. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board accepted the proposal from Shafer, Kline and Warren for a not-to-exceed price of $2,380.

General Manager Gibbs reported the Union Pacific Railroad is working on the bridge near the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The easement will be signed this week.

The contract for the purchase of the Thompson property (Ruan building) will close October 31.

The City needs the Board’s exact wording in the form of an Ordinance to allow the fluoride question to be put on the April 8, 2008, ballot. The Ordinance should be ready by the next Board meeting.

On a motion by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Hird, accounts payable were approved and warrants ordered issued from the following funds:

	WATER OPERATING FUND		$	 83,834.58
	ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND		$	861,919.54
	SEWER REVENUE FUND		$	140,468.73
	INTERNET OPERATING FUND		$	 41,651.19
	NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND	$	  2,839.08
	ELECTRIC CONSUMERS DEPOSIT FUND	$	  4,025.00

The Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:45 a.m. on a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Fricke.