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Marshall Municipal Utilities

"Providing Hometown Reliability"

Board Meeting Minutes

October 13, 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; Mike Mills, Vice President; Jim Heinzler, Secretary; and Spencer Fricke, member.

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

Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay reported the CO2 feeder at the Water Treatment Plant is not accurate and the distribution panel needs to be replaced. On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board approved proceeding with this budgeted project using bids.

Director Ismay indicated the lime sludge handling facilities at the Water Treatment Plant have a multitude of problems that will need to be corrected over several years. The first part of this project will be to start the engineering work. On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board approved soliciting requests for qualifications for this engineering work.

Director Ismay reported the first pump for the aeration basin pump station at the Wastewater Treatment Plant is back and operating very well. The second pump is due back October 16, 2009. The trash pumps that have been rented will be sent back.

Underground Facilities Director Monty Chase reported that over the past seven years there have been over 2400 small water meters and twenty large meters changed out. Plans are to change out approximately 200 small water meters again this year, along with some of the larger meters and some of the smaller lids and covers. On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board approved proceeding with the water meter change-out project.

Director Chase reported that as part of the collection system rehabilitation or replacement project in this year’s budget, a sewer main in an easement between Ellsworth and Ravenal, starting north of Rea Street and ending south of Rea Street, needs to be replaced. The sewer main would be replaced using in-house labor and equipment. On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Mills, the board approved proceeding with the sewer main replacement in an alley near Rea and Ellsworth.

Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge proposed revisions be made to MMU’s Personnel Policy that would have the effect of paying employees for work time necessarily missed to attend authorized medical visits for a work-related injury. The compensation would not be for any time that the employee would not otherwise be at work, and employees would be encouraged to schedule medical visits outside their working hours. On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board approved revisions to MMU’s Personnel Policy, Part 10: Insurance Coverage, Section 3. Workers’ Compensation and Injury Leave; effective October 15, 2009.

Assistant Electric Distribution Director Doug Root reported the new switchgear for the North Street Substation is scheduled to be delivered October 15, 2009.

Electric Production Director Jim Johnson reported Midwest Turbine Inspection has completed the non-destructive examination on the Unit #5 turbine and diaphragms. Generator testing will be conducted the week of October 24, 2009.

Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer reported the auditors will be here the first week in November. Director Gieringer indicated money for projects in the Water and Wastewater Departments is very low and a loan from the Electric Department may be necessary in the near future in order to continue with needed work in these two departments.

General Manager Kyle Gibbs reported the Park Board has approved an agreement with MMU to purchase a strainer for the effluent irrigation system for the golf course.

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

	WATER OPERATING FUND		$	  144,608.17
	ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND		$	1,384,495.17
	SEWER REVENUE FUND		$	  122,652.68
	INTERNET OPERATING FUND		$	   13,140.09
	NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND	$	      215.76
	ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND	$	    5,025.00

The regular meeting adjourned at 9:21 a.m.