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Marshall Municipal Utilities

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Board Meeting Minutes

July 27, 2010

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. Also present were Mr. Steve Bowyer of Fitzgibbon Hospital, and Mr. Dennis Stith of Shafer, Kline & Warren.

The agenda was approved as presented with the addition of Mr. Bowyer under business from the audience.

Mr. Bowyer explained that on April 4th and April 30th, Fitzgibbon Hospital lost power and suffered extensive damage to some equipment. Staff at Fitzgibbon is researching the need and type of surge and lightning protection that would benefit the hospital. Mr. Bowyer indicated there was also a power surge at the hospital on June 20 that lasted about 30 minutes, and asked if there was possibly something on the city side that could have caused the surge. Mr. Bowyer said that the staff at Fitzgibbon Hospital would like to work with MMU staff to try to find a solution to the power problems experienced at the hospital. Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom indicated the hospital is being fed power through the Southeast Substation and can also be fed through the West Substation, and the electric line serving the hospital has multiple lightning arrestors. Director Bergstrom said he would investigate the problems the hospital is experiencing. Mr. Bowyer left the meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed on a motion by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Heinzler.

Mr. Stith gave a report on the disinfection options at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, along with options for upgrading the headworks facility and the potential elimination of outfall number two. These possible improvements are in anticipation of more stringent requirements for effluent disinfection being included by MDNR in the new NPDES permit for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mr. Stith left the meeting.

Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge reported there is a need to revise current policy regarding prescription safety glasses. The current policy only addresses reimbursement for a limited amount to employees who buy prescription glasses with polycarbonate lens, but does not otherwise require the glasses to meet any safety standards such as side shields and ANSI Z87.1. The Board postponed a decision concerning the proposed eye and face protection policy until the new Safety and Training Specialist is here.

Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer reported the Water and Wastewater Departments continue to struggle financially. Director Gieringer recommended ceasing the monthly transfers to the Water Plant Reserve Fund and the Wastewater Main Replacement Fund for the next six months in order to bring the bank accounts back to a positive balance. The financial situation would be reviewed at the end of the fiscal year. On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board approved suspending the monthly transfers to the Water Plant Reserve and Wastewater Main Replacement Funds for six months.

Mr. Mills asked about the progress of the Inflow and Infiltration Program. General Manager Kyle Gibbs indicated the city attorney is writing an ordinance relating to inflow and infiltration and defining what MMU personnel will be allowed to do concerning private sewer lines.

Electric Production Director Jim Johnson reported Unit #4 was put on line July 21, 2010. This unit had not been run since September of 2008 and many of the newer operators had no training on the unit. All the units, except Unit #3, will be run together for two hours the afternoon of July 28 for capability testing as required by MoPEP. This will establish MMU’s capacity payment for the next two years.

Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom reported the conduit lining between the Power Plant and North Street has been installed. Electric Distribution personnel will start pulling in the wire July 28.

General Manager Kyle Gibbs reported three responses were received for MMU’s request for engineering services to assist in complying with the new EPA CI RICE Rule. The three engineering firms were:

	Lutz, Daily & Brain, Overland Park, KS
	Burns & McDonnell, St. Louis, MO
	Barnes, Henry, Meisenheimer & Gende, Arnold, MO

Barnes, Henry, Meisenheimer & Gende (BHM&G) had the best response and a meeting was held with them on July 14 to discuss the project. BHM&G is getting a proposal together for the Board’s review.

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

	WATER OPERATING FUND		$	117,823.31
	ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND		$	641,026.69
	SEWER REVENUE FUND		$	114,174.38
	INTERNET OPERATING FUND		$	 13,652.94
	NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND	$	  2,431.62
	ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND	$	  7,650.00

On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:55 a.m. to go into executive session to discuss matters related to legal action and personnel (Mo. Rev. Stat. 610.021 [1] [3], if authorized. Roll call vote:

	Chuck Hird	yes
	Spencer Fricke	yes
	Jim Heinzler	yes
	Mike Mills	yes

The Board reconvened the regular meeting at 10:20 a.m. Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge explained that in May the Board approved extending Tom Wyatt’s leave of absence until July 5, 2010. There is a need for the leave to be extended further. On a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved continuing the leave of absence for Tom Wyatt until October 27, 2010, if needed, with continuation of health insurance premiums.

The meeting adjourned at 10:22 a.m. on a motion by Mr. Heinzler, seconded by Mr. Fricke.