Marshall Municipal Utilities

Board Meeting Minutes

September 30, 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 Mr. Ron Narron.

The agenda was approved as presented.

Mr. Narron (569 Miranda Drive) stated that he had sewage that backed up 8 inches into his basement on June 1, 2008. Mr. Narron filed a claim with MMU's insurance company but they denied the claim. Mr. Narron stated that he had sewage backed up in his basement again about three weeks ago, but not as bad as the June 1st incident. Mr. Narron asked if there was anything that MMU could do to help his situation and find a solution to the cause of this problem. Underground Facilities Director Monty Chase indicated that the sewer main for the area of Mr. Narron's house is in good shape, but older homes with footing drains connected to the sanitary sewers and bad service lines in the areas around Mr. Narron's house cause inflow into the sewer system that the main cannot handle during periods of rain. General Manager Kyle Gibbs suggested that installation of a stop valve would help Mr. Narron's situation. Mr. Fricke indicated the Board would discuss Mr. Narron's situation and let Mr. Narron know of any decision. Mr. Narron left the meeting.

On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Hird, the minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed.

Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom reported the walkway easements trimmed during 2005/06 have trees starting to grow back into the electric lines. The Electric Distribution Department will need assistance in these and other areas to keep from falling behind on the tree trimming. On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved requesting bids for contract tree trimming services.

Director Bergstrom indicated he would like to have PAR Electric to come in in late October to start the transmission line repair and maintenance project. To do this, some crop damage might have to be paid. All the conduit and most of the electric cable has been installed on the S. Lake Drive underground project. Crews are working on getting the transformers cleaned up in the area.

Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer reported the proposed budget for 2008/09 does include an increase in water and sewer revenue. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved the 2008/09 budget with the understanding that each individual major project will be brought to the Board for approval before proceeding.

Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay reported the telephone system at the Water Treatment Plant needs to be replaced. It was the consensus of the Board to proceed with this budgeted project using quotes. Mr. Mills suggested that MMU's electricians could be utilized for the installation of the phone system.

Director Ismay reported that the 1992 John Deere riding mower that is used to clean the sludge settling basin at the Water Treatment Plant needs to be replaced. It would be replaced with a used mower. It was the consensus of the Board to replace the mower using quotes.

Director Ismay indicated the Wastewater Treatment Plant's filter building has a Serpentex conveyor belt main chain that needs to be replaced. It was the consensus of the Board to proceed with replacing this chain.

Director Ismay reported the old house on the Wastewater Treatment Plant grounds has become a safety hazard and needs to be torn down. The siding on the house is asbestos and will need the asbestos crew from the Power Plant to remove it. A test sample of the siding has been taken for verification of asbestos content. It was the consensus of the Board to proceed with this project. Since the demolition work will be done by MMU personnel, Mr. Mills asked that the Safety and Training Officer be involved in this project to ensure proper equipment and procedures are used.

Director Ismay reported there were two quotes for tree trimming and removal for the fence project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Hick's Tree Care quoted $7,250 and D.C. Tree Co. quoted $10,000 for the work. On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board accepted the quote from Hick's Tree Care for $7,250.

The contractor is getting the walls completed for the disinfection facility at the Water Treatment Plant. The parts have been delivered for the aerators. Underground Facilities personnel are helping with this project. General Manager Gibbs and Director Ismay are still trying to obtain the code report for the CO2 tank in order to get the tank recertified.

A brief recess was called.

Upon reconvening, Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge presented proposed revisions to the Personnel Policy and the Pay Plan concerning Mutual Aid pay. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved the revisions effective October 12, 2008. Ms. Baldridge indicated work is still being done on a policy regarding rest periods.

On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved continuation of a leave of absence for Doug Newell until October 30, 2008, if needed, with continuation of health insurance.

Ms. Baldridge reported the tentative date for the Employee Appreciation Lunch will be October 22, 2008.

Underground Facilities Director Monty Chase reported crews will start flushing fire hydrants on Sunday, October 5, 2008.

Mr. Mills asked if the vacuum excavator could be tested as a possible solution to help customers when they need to install devices to control the inflow into the sewer system.

Electric Production Director Jim Johnson reported Unit #5 was taken off line September 26 and the electricians have started work on replacement of the boiler controls. Director Johnson is completing a survey for EPA to help them collect information to develop a revised National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants for boilers and process heaters.

General Manager Gibbs reported the problems encountered with DNR concerning the plant numbers for MMU's units has been resolved. DNR has indicated the one original number is the only number that needs to be used in the future.

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

	WATER OPERATING FUND			$	113,109.68
	ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND			$	255,798.81
	SEWER REVENUE FUND			$	 60,003.45
	INTERNET OPERATING FUND			$	 15,854.59
	NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND		$	  3,132.49
	ELECTRIC CONSUMERS DEPOSIT FUND		$	 11,805.00
	WATER TREATMENT PLANT IMPROVEMENT RES.	$	105,641.10

On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 10:02 a.m.