Marshall Municipal Utilities

Board Meeting Minutes

November 13, 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; and Mike Mills, member.

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.

Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer reported the annual review of surcharge rates for extra strength wastewater have been reviewed. Based on using a three-year average, as approved by the Board in 2003, the proposed surcharge rates would be $0.46/pound for biological oxygen demand (BOD) and $0.36/pound for total suspended solids (TSS). On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board set the BOD surcharge at $0.46/pound and the TSS surcharge at $0.36/pound effective for billing after January 1, 2008.

The following bids were opened November 8, 2007, for two cab and chassis:

				  Bid	   	Bid	        Bid
				  Unit #1	Unit #2		Both Units

	Bill Greer Motors	  $31,510	$29,642		$61,152
		Sedalia, MO		
	Don Vance Ford		  $30,197	$28,197		$58,197
		Marshfield, MO
	Mike Kehoe Ford		  $31,120	$29,115		$60,000
		Jefferson City, MO		

On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board accepted the bid for both units from Don Vance Ford for a total of $58,197.

Underground Facilities Director Monty Chase reported the old pipe/line locator is only good for lengths under 50 feet and needs to be replaced. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved requesting quotes for a new pipe locator.

Director Chase indicated the three-year contract for gas line operation and maintenance with Utility Safety & Design, Inc. (USDI) is up for renewal. The new proposed contract is for $2,200 (same cost as the last contract) for another three years. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board approved requesting City Council authorization for Mayor Latimer to execute the gas line operation and maintenance contract with USDI.

Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom reported the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) contains a requirement for employers to perform an assessment (arc hazard analysis) to determine the potential exposure to an electric arc for employees who work on or near energized parts or equipment. Lutz, Daily and Brain has provided a proposal to complete this assessment for $109,200. On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board postponed a decision on this matter until the issue of a Safety Training Officer is resolved.

Director Bergstrom reported repairs to the last two structures on the transmission line have been completed. Bid specifications will be written to have the remaining transmission line repairs made that Electric Distribution personnel are unable to complete.

Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge reported there is consensus among management that there is a need for an individual on staff who can devote all of their time to safety related issues. On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved the position of Safety and Training Officer and assigning the position to pay range 11; with advertising as necessary and having any Board members that are interested to sit in on the final selection.

Ms. Baldridge indicated she would soon be giving the Board information concerning health benefits quotes. Options for ancillary coverages (dental, vision, disability, and life) are being considered, as well as proposals for self-funding of medical coverage.

Electric Production Director Jim Johnson reported the Unit #5 stack project is complete, along with installation of a new hydrogen gas analyzer and cleaning of the oil cooler. Both Unit #4 and Unit #5 are ready to run whenever MoPEP indicates they want these units on line.

Director Johnson reported the signs have been ordered for electronic waste collection at the recycling facility.

Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay met with the engineer for the disinfection facility project to review the preliminary plans. Water Treatment Plant personnel worked with representatives of the City of Waverly to get the water line disinfected and flushed.

The parts have been received for the grit removal project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This project will be completed once the grit removal catwalk is finished.

General Manager Kyle Gibbs reported a special election was approved by voters in 1988 to add fluoridation to the MMU water system. Since the Board is interested in reaffirming the citizens' interest for adding fluoride, the following wording is proposed for the April ballot:

"Fluoride has been added to Marshall’s water system since 1989. Shall the City of Marshall, Missouri, continue to introduce fluoride into the drinking water supply in such quantities as are required to provide a fluoride concentration recommended by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources?"

General Manager Gibbs indicated the words "Missouri Department of Natural Resources" should be replaced with the words "Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services."

On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board approved a request to the City Council to authorize Mayor Latimer to sign an ordinance allowing the above question, with the wording change, to be put on the ballot for the April 8, 2008, general election.

General Manager Gibbs reported 2 cities in the MoPEP Pool will retest their units. MoPEP has purchased a call option for next summer to keep the exposure to high electric prices down.

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

	WATER OPERATING FUND		$	106,520.70
	ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND		$	875,164.09
	SEWER REVENUE FUND		$	 81,533.46
	INTERNET OPERATING FUND		$	  7,240.39
	NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND	$	  2,295.02
	ELECTRIC CONSUMERS DEPOSIT FUND	$	  1,850.00

On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:39 a.m. to go into an executive session to discuss matters related to lease, purchase, or sale of real estate. Roll call vote:
Mike Mills yes
Spencer Fricke yes
Chuck Hird yes
Jim Heinzler yes