Marshall Municipal Utilities

Board Meeting Minutes

February 26, 2008

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

The agenda was approved as presented. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Mills, the minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed.

Electric Production Director Jim Johnson reported the Case 621-B Loader needs to be replaced because of age, increased maintenance costs, and the need for its reliability. On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Heinzler, the Board approved requesting bids for replacement of the loader. The old loader could be either traded in or sold. Mr. Heinzler asked that the option of keeping the old loader be considered also.

Director Johnson reported Unit #4 is still off line. The filter bags in both the Unit #4 and Unit #5 baghouses need to be replaced. The fabric pores in the Teflon bags in the Unit #4 baghouse are plugged and not letting air flow properly. The bags in the Unit #5 baghouse are older and are nearing the useful life of the bags. On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Heinzler, the Board approved replacing the bags in both baghouses.

Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay reported the current Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans were done in 2003 and are required to be reviewed and revised as necessary at least every five years. The Water and Wastewater Plants and the three big substations no longer have to have a plan done by a registered engineer, but the Power Plant plan must still be done by a registered engineer. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved requesting proposals from engineering firms to review and revise all the plans.

Director Ismay reported only one quote was received for the annual well maintenance project. Douglas Pump submitted a quote for $36,152.50 for treating five wells, pulling two pumps, installing spare pumps, and disassembling and inspecting the pumps pulled. On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board accepted the quote from Douglas Pump for the well maintenance project.

Director Ismay reported Wastewater Treatment Plant personnel have completed the catwalk project which will make working in the filter building much safer. Mr. Fricke expressed the Board’s thanks to the Wastewater Treatment Plant personnel for a job well done.

Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge reported information obtained from the recent salary survey and data obtained from job advertisements indicates adjustments to pay ranges are needed in order to maintain a total compensation package that is fair and competitive. In addition, merit-based increases are also needed to recognize individual performance and growth. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved 1) an adjustment to the pay ranges for each position as indicated on the proposed pay range charts; 2) a corresponding adjustment to individual wages to maintain individual progress within the pay range except for those that have failed to sustain their performance, and 3) merit based changes to wages and salaries in an amount not to exceed $41,900, each to become effective on March 2, 2008.

The following bids were received February 22, 2008, for a horizontal directional drill:

			   Bid		    Make & Model      Make & Model
			For Drill	      for Drill	       for Trailer

Ditch Witch Sales, Inc.	$122,000	Ditch Witch JT 1220	Belshe T16
    Sullivan, MO
Vermeer Great Plains	  No Bid	
    Olathe, KS

Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom indicated the bid from Ditch Witch met specifications. On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Heinzler, the Board accepted the bid of $122,000 from Ditch Witch Sales, Inc.

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

	WATER OPERATING FUND		$	106,293.29
	ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND		$	767,229.11
	SEWER REVENUE FUND		$	161,763.87
	INTERNET OPERATING FUND		$	  7,609.80
	NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND	$	  2,647.19
	ELECTRIC CONSUMERS DEPOSIT FUND	$	  3,775.00

A discussion was held concerning the lack of progress being made in attracting new business and industry to Marshall. Mayor Latimer indicated a lack of funding help from the State was a major issue.

On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Heinzler, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:58 a.m. to go into executive session to discuss matters related to personnel (Mo. Rev. Stat. 610.021 [3], if authorized). Roll call vote:
Jim Heinzler yes
Mike Mills yes
Charles Hird yes
Spencer Fricke yes