Marshall Municipal Utilities

Board Meeting Minutes

October 14, 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; and Jim Heinzler, member. Mike Mills, Secretary, was absent.

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

Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay reported the CO2 tank at the Water Treatment Plant will be inspected as part of the process to try to get it recertified instead of replacing it. The CO2 feeder and distribution panel will need to be replaced regardless if the tank is recertified or replaced (this is part of a $220,000 budgeted project that will cost in the $130,000-$140,000 range). On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Heinzler, the Board approved replacing the CO2 feeder and distribution panel, but waiting on approving any money for the CO2 tank until it is determined if it can be recertified.

Director Ismay reported 240-volt power is not available in all areas of the Wastewater Treatment Plant where it is needed, specifically at both aeration basins. As a result, Wastewater Treatment Plant personnel have had to borrow tools from other departments in order to accomplish some tasks. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Heinzler, the Board approved proceeding with installing 240-volt power at both aeration basins. MMU’s electricians will do the installation work.

Director Ismay indicated the construction of the disinfection facility at the Water Treatment Plant is going well. The contractor has erected 3 of the north/south walls and has started laying the brick veneer, the parking lot is poured, and the replacement windows in the main building are being installed.

Underground Facilities Director Monty Chase reported plans are to change out approximately 200 small water meters again this year that are over 15 years old. Along with the small meters, several 2” meters will also be changed out. On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved proceeding with the water meter change-out project.

Director Chase reported the water main on Lincoln Street south of Lacy Street needs to be replaced because of the number of main breaks. The water main would be installed starting north of the railroad and continuing to Lacy Street (approximately 600 feet). On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved proceeding with this water main replacement project.

Director Chase reported the sewer main on English Street from Jackson to Vest (approximately 750 feet) needs a manhole installed and sections of the main patched. This rehabilitation project (which will cost approximately $12,000) is part of a $100,000 budgeted project for collection system rehabilitation or replacement. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Heinzler, the Board approved proceeding with this rehabilitation project for approximately $12,000.

Director Chase indicated the fire hydrants were flushed the week of October 5. One incident occurred where a fire hydrant was slammed shut and caused a water hammer effect. Several main breaks have resulted from this incident.

Electric Production Director Jim Johnson reported the Region F Solid Waste Management District has given written approval for the $25,000 grant for a new forklift for the recycling operation. MMU’s match on this project will be $6,500. On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved proceeding with requesting bids for a new forklift.

Electric Production Director Johnson reported all the old Bailey controls have been removed from Unit #5. The boiler control panel is being prepared for the new Allen Bradley controls.

Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom reported the pad mount transformer and primary wire to the Saline County Courthouse has been replaced. This is the last pad mount transformer to be replaced for the 4.16 kV voltage conversion project. The freezer at ConAgra has been cut over to the new H structure feeder. The transformers on the South Lake Drive underground replacement project have been switched over to the new cable.

Manager of Employee and Customer Relations Megan Baldridge reported the initial renewal offer from United Healthcare for the 2009 health benefits is a 6% increase over last year. Naught-Naught Agency is gathering proposals from other carriers and alternative plans with United Healthcare are being evaluated.

The Employee Appreciation Luncheon will be held October 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The Board expressed their congratulations to Danny Boggs, Power Plant Operator, who has retired after 37 years of service to MMU.

General Manager Kyle Gibbs reported that Mr. Ron Narron, who had appeared at the last Board meeting to apprise the Board of his problems with sewage backing up in his basement, has been referred to City Offices. The City, in conjunction with MMU, offers a program that will pay half of the cost of a stop valve for Marshall residents. General Manager Gibbs stated that this program does nothing to help with the inflow and infiltration problem in Marshall. The Board approved a foundation drain disconnection program (FDDP) on April 12, 2006. This program was not implemented partly due to the financial commitment required. General Manager Gibbs indicated implementation of this program is not in the 2008/09 budget and it is not recommended that it be implemented this year, but the program will have to be implemented in the next couple of years as MMU can expect EPA and/or DNR to mandate this type of effort in the future.

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

	WATER OPERATING FUND		$	149,997.09
	ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND		$	935,987.22
	SEWER REVENUE FUND		$	 86,865.15
	INTERNET OPERATING FUND		$	  6,564.57
	NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND	$	    356.50
	ELECTRIC CONSUMERS DEPOSIT FUND	$	  3,375.00

On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:33 a.m. to go into executive session to discuss matters related to security systems (Mo. Rev. Stat. 610.021 [19], if authorized). Roll call:
Mr. Heinzler yes
Mr. Fricke yes
Mr. Hird yes