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Marshall Municipal Utilities

"Providing Hometown Reliability"

Board Meeting Minutes

October 27, 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. Mills, seconded by Mr. Heinzler, the minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed.

A discussion was held concerning the status of the private sewers in the 400 block of East Eastwood Street. Underground Facilities Director Monty Chase indicated eight or nine years ago an offer was made to the residents of that area that MMU would install the sewer, with the residents paying for the materials only. Easements would also have to be given by the residents. No action was taken at that time.

Director Chase reported the sewer main on Hamner at Ohio, north to Slater, is in poor condition and needs to be replaced. The existing water main in the area is too close to the sewer main and a new water main should be installed in a new location. This project will need the design approved and stamped by an engi-neer. On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board approved sending out requests for qua-lifications for an engineering firm to help with the design of water and sewer lines in the Hamner/Lafayette area.

Director Chase explained that during the sewer rehab project east of Lincoln, north of the railroad tracks, the contractor had to use an additional 17’ of pipe and perform bypass pumping to meet requirements for the Habilitation Center. I-Con Underground, LLC, the contractor has agreed to accept half the cost for the additional labor, but has requested MMU pay for the cost of the additional pipe. On a motion by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved paying the additional cost of $3,344.63 for the sewer main pro-ject.

Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay reported the current Wastewater Treatment Plant discharge permit will expire December 30, 2010. The new permit will require disinfection of the entire effluent dur-ing the recreational season by the end of 2013. The application for the new permit will have to be filed with DNR 180 days prior to the expiration date. An engineer is needed to do the preliminary engineering study and be present at meetings with DNR. On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board ap-proved proceeding with soliciting statements of qualifications from engineering firms.

Director Ismay indicated several maintenance/repair items need to be addressed at the aeration basins at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, including:

	Aerzen blowers and motors,
	PLCs,
	Dissolved oxygen probes,
	Bridge spare parts, and
	Power upgrade.

On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board approved proceeding with these mainte-nance/repair items using bids and quotes as appropriate.

It was the consensus of the Board that, in the future, equipment should be repaired by purchasing new parts instead of using parts from other equipment that might be needed at a later date.

Director Ismay reported the tires on the sludge truck #408 need to be replaced. On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board approved replacing the tires.

Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom reported the new switchgear for the North Street Substation has been installed. This switchgear should be operational in a couple of weeks. The Westport underground project is complete except for yard restoration work.

Electric Production Director Jim Johnson reported the Unit #5 overhaul is going well and some of the equipment is being put back together.

Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge reported the renewal offer for Mercy Health Plans is an 8.7% increase over last year’s rate. The renewal from Guardian for the ancillary health benefits (dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, short-term disability, and long-term disability) is a 12.8% increase. Staff will be meeting with the Naught-Naught Agency (MMU’s agent/broker of record) to discuss these renewal offers.

General Manager Kyle Gibbs stated MMU has received a request to waive the impact fees for the newest Habitat for Humanity house that is being constructed at 468 South Redman. On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the board waived the sewer, water and electric impact fees for this Habitat for Hu-manity house.

General Manager Gibbs reported MMU is still pursuing the Smart Grid grant money through the stimulus program. MPUA is writing a combined grant for the four interested cities.

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

	WATER OPERATING FUND		$	 86,542.18
	ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND		$	797,148.07
	SEWER REVENUE FUND		$	117,577.98
	INTERNET OPERATING FUND		$	 14,413.82
	NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND	$	  7,437.65
	ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND	$	  4,925.00

The next regular meeting will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2009.

On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the regular meeting adjourned at 9:51 a.m.