"Providing Hometown Reliability"
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 Mike Mills, President; Jim Heinzler, Vice President; Spencer Fricke, Secretary; and Charles Hird, member.
The agenda was approved as presented. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed on a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Fricke.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom reported the B Substation has one 13.2 kV and two 4.16 kV reclosers and a 13.2 kV – 4.16 kV step-down transformer. This substation will need to be reconfigured to be like A and C Substations after the 4.16 kV voltage conversion project is complete. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Heinzler, the Board approved the rebuild/upgrade of B Substation to 13.2 kV.
Director Bergstrom indicated a small generator is needed for use by the Electricians. This generator would be used to power necessary electrical tools while performing maintenance and repair work on de-energized equipment, provide emergency power to vital loads during power outages, and used for power tools at remote locations. On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board approved the purchase of a small portable generator for the Electricians, using quotes.
The mini skid steer for the Electric Distribution Department has been received. The rolled conduit needed to install underground wire between the Power Plant and North Street has been received. This conduit is necessary due to the presence of asbestos in the old conduit.
Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay reported the application for renewal of the Wastewater Treatment Plant discharge permit has been sent to DNR. A meeting was held with Shafer, Kline and Warren on June 25, 2010, to discuss the permit renewal and disinfection facilities. Shafer, Kline and Warren will be at the Board meeting on July 27, 2010, to give an update on the progress of this project.
Chief Engineering Technician Joe Trapp reported the sewer replacement project on Hamner Street was started June 17, 2010. One pump in the North Street Lift Station has been rebuilt and reinstalled. Parts have been received for the second pump that will be rebuilt this fall.
The new chemical tank and equipment for the sulfuric acid to the cooling towers have been installed. This project is essentially complete.
Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge reported a conditional offer has been made to fill the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator vacancy, pending results of the drug screen and physical. Ten of the eleven summer hire positions have been filled. The eleventh position will likely not be filled. A second meeting was held with an applicant for the Safety and Training Officer position. This position will be reclassified from an hourly position to a salaried position due to the workload and the necessity to work with the various shifts in several departments.
Ms. Baldridge indicated that Mercy Health Plans, MMU’s current health care provider, is being sold to Coventry Health Plans. Ms. Baldridge does not foresee any problems arising from this change in the current plan year.
Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer reported MMU called a peak alert June 23, 2010, and asked the customers that are signed up for the load shedding program to shed load.
Mr. Mills asked that the Board consider Director Gieringer’s request from a previous Board meeting concerning a fleet monitoring system. It was the consensus of the Board that Mr. Gieringer evaluate the various options for a monitoring system and present this information to the Board at a future meeting.
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 $ 107,344.95 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $ 342,949.85 SEWER REVENUE FUND $ 119,979.00 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $ 14,318.96 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $ 2,360.00 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $ 2,350.00
The next Board meeting date is changed from Tuesday, July 13, 2010, to Thursday, July 15, 2010.
On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:07 a.m.