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Marshall Municipal Utilities

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Board Meeting Minutes

June 30, 2009

The Board of Public Works convened the regular session at 8:30 a.m. at the Marshall Municipal Utilities Business Office. Board members present were Charles Hird, President; Jim Heinzler, Secretary; and Spencer Fricke, member. Vice President Mike Mills was absent. Also present were Mr. James Robinson and Ms. Evelyn Duncan.

The agenda was approved as presented.

Mr. Robinson indicated he was at the meeting on behalf of Mrs. Geraldine Robinson, his mother. Mr. Robinson stated that his mother had been having trouble paying her utility bills on time and had been told her electricity would be shut off for nonpayment. Mr. Robinson said his mother was on oxygen and could not survive without electricity and, in addition, she was elderly and needed the air conditioning during the hot weather. Mr. Robinson stated his mother was told by MMU personnel that she was not eligible for the level payment plan because she had not paid her bills on time for a period of a year. Mr. Robinson said that if the payment due date could be delayed another two days, he would get paid and his mother would be able to pay her bill. According to Mr. Robinson, MMU Customer Service personnel had told his mother in the past that she could not have two more days to pay her bill, so she had written a bad check to pay the bill in order to avoid her electricity being shut off. Mr. Robinson asked the Board to al-low his mother to have two extra days each month to pay her bill. President Charles Hird informed Mr. Robinson that the Board would discuss the matter and let Mr. Robinson know the Board’s decision. Mr. Robinson and Ms. Duncan left the meeting.

On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the minutes of the previous meeting were ap-proved as printed.

Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer reported bad debts are at the high point due to the econ-omy.

The Board discussed Mr. Robinson’s request concerning delayed payment of his mother’s utility bills. Mr. Gieringer explained MMU had a policy in the past to cover payment arrangements during medical emergencies, but the policy was discontinued due to the liability to MMU. General Manager Kyle Gibbs explained there were two issues to be considered in this matter; one being instances of shutting off elec-tricity for nonpayment, and the other concerning shutting off electricity for nonpayment in the presence of life-threatening medical situations. The Board asked that management develop a policy/guidelines to al-low for customers to make special payment arrangements under certain circumstances, each circumstance to be considered by the Board on an individual basis. The Board postponed a decision concerning Mr. Robinson’s request until this issue can be further assessed.

Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge explained MMU’s Cafeteria Plan is currently a premium only plan, which allows employees to pay for eligible group insurance premiums such as medical, dental, and vision using pretax dollars. A second option of a flexible spending account (FSA) could be added to the Cafeteria Plan, which would allow employees to use payroll deducted pretax dollars to pay for eligible medical expenses and dependent care expenses. The FSAs would be voluntary. It was the consensus of the Board to upgrade MMU’s existing Cafeteria Plan with the addition of a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

A brief discussion was held concerning safety measures being taken during the extremely hot weather.

Mr. Fricke asked that the policy on payment of employee time during mutual aid events be reviewed with the departments in order to determine how it is working and if it is meeting the needs as intended.

Underground Facilities Director Monty Chase reported the Effie Street sewer main replacement project is complete. There is still some cleanup work to be done and Underground Facilities personnel will help Municipal Services with the street repair. Director Chase reported DNR recently inspected the water sys-tem and we are waiting for the report.

Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay reported there are still some problems with the disinfection facility, specifically with the dilution air system. MIOX is working to get these problems corrected. Di-rector Ismay explained that the recent water sample result for HAAs at the Water Treatment Plant was high but that the DNR lab confirmed that it was probably a false positive.

Electric Production Director Jim Johnson reported the Unit #5 stack ductwork has been cleaned and new metal welded on the exterior. New gunite was applied to the interior of the stack. A new roof has been installed on the hazwaste building. A new paper mill has opened in Shreveport, Louisiana, which will provide a market for the mixed paper collected at the recycling center. Units #10 and #11 ran some last week because of the heat. A peak load was reached on June 25. Unit #5 will be restarted July 6 after be-ing shut down for an overhaul.

General Manager Kyle Gibbs discussed the Waxman-Markey Climate Change bill concerning CO2 cap and trade provisions. If passed, these provisions will be administered through the Department of Agricul-ture.

Due to scheduling conflicts, the next Board meeting will be Thursday, July 16, 2009, at 8:30 a.m.

On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Fricke, accounts payable were approved and warrants or-dered issued from the following funds:

	WATER OPERATING FUND			$	135,398.66
	ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND			$	440,777.85
	SEWER REVENUE FUND			$	109,340.74
	INTERNET OPERATING FUND			$	 11,069.27
	NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND		$	  2,652.43
	ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND		$	 10,125.00
	WATER PLANT IMPROVEMENT RESERVE FUND	$	 25,978.26

On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by the Mr. Fricke, the meeting adjourned at 9:49 a.m.