Marshall Municipal Utilities

Board Meeting Minutes

August 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.

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 Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom reported the electric line located in the 400 to 500 blocks of East Jackson between Redman and Conway needs to be rebuilt. On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved proceeding with this project.

Director Bergstrom reported there is approximately 1,200’ of conduit left to install on the South Lake Drive underground electric line replacement project. The new infrared camera has been received.

The following bids were opened August 25, 2008, for a vehicle for the Safety and Training Officer.

Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge reported the bids from Elmer Hare Ford and Shawnee Mission Ford did not meet specifications. The bid from Elmer Hare Ford did not meet specifications only in that the bid was good until 3 p.m. August 27 rather than the 45 days requested by the specifications. The low bid from Mike Kehoe Ford is approximately $500 higher than the $16,219 (a $100 delivery fee is included in this bid) quoted in the State contract. On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Heinzler, the Board accepted the bid from Elmer Hare Ford for $16,834.

Ms. Baldridge requested that the leave of absence for Betty Wilder be extended beyond the 12 weeks approved by the General Manager. On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved continuing the leave of absence for Betty Wilder until September 18, 2008, with continuation of health insurance.

Ms. Baldridge reported the first meeting has been held with the Naught-Naught Agency concerning the options for employee health benefits for 2009.

Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay reported the contractor is pouring the concrete for the walls on the disinfection building at the Water Treatment Plant. There is a progress meeting on this project scheduled for August 27.

A discussion was held on the draft budget for 2008/09, which includes a water rate increase. Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer reported there are some surplus electric meters that will be sold. Director Gieringer reported that as of November 1, 2008, there will be requirements that MMU will need to meet concerning the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003. These requirements concern measures to prevent identity theft.

Electric Production Director Jim Johnson reported testing has been done on Unit #5 and a few changes made. The changes have helped the boiler performance and seemed to have helped reduce some of the slagging around the burners. Director Johnson has discussed a shutdown schedule of MMU’s units with MoPEP for their annual maintenance. The densifier in the recycling facility has been rebuilt and put back into service. It is used mainly to accommodate customers who want to shred confidential paperwork.

Underground Facilities Director Monty Chase reported the tie-in on Arrow Street is complete for the ConAgra water main relocation project. Underground Facilities personnel will install the final piping today.

General Manager Kyle Gibbs reported the Marshall-Saline Development Corporation (MSDC) agreement with MMU for funding MSDC economic development activities expires September 30. The Board took no action concerning the MSDC Economic Development Agreement, which allows the agreement to renew automatically. Mr. Hird requested a brief summary be compiled of the past accomplishments of MSDC.

General Manager Gibbs reported there is a policy that allows a homeowner to install a manually operated stop valve in their private sewer line and have the City and MMU reimburse them for the cost of the valve. MMU is working with the City for the current homeowners making requests, but the City and MMU both agree that this policy should be stopped because it does not benefit the overall sewer infrastructure.

MPUA’s general counsel has sent a letter to MMU concerning payment for mutual aid work. The letter indicates that the mutual aid contract with MPUA does allow for the aiding city to charge the receiving cities more while working under the mutual aid contract compared to what the aiding city pays its employees at home. The Board directed management to develop a draft policy for the Board’s review concerning MMU wages for mutual aid work.

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			$	 91,525.65
	ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND			$	569,182.93
	SEWER REVENUE FUND			$	 81,017.12
	INTERNET OPERATING FUND			$	  9,957.23
	NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND		$	 10,860.68
	ELECTRIC CONSUMERS DEPOSIT FUND		$	  3,105.00
	WATER TREATMENT PLANT IMPROVEMENT RES.	$	 83,304.18

On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Heinzler, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:30 a.m.