"Providing Hometown Reliability"
The Board of Public Works convened in regular session at 8:30 a.m. at the Marshall Municipal Utilities Business Office. Board members present were Ken Bryant, Vice President; Steve Mills, Secretary; Spencer Fricke, Member. Also present was Dave Haugland, City Administrator. Chuck Hird, President was absent.
The agenda was approved as presented on a motion by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Bryant.
General Manager Kyle Gibbs reviewed the safety briefing. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed on a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Fricke.
Underground Facilities Engineer Joe Trapp presented bids for a backhoe mounted hydraulic breaker. Bids were received from Road Builders Machine & Supply, The GW Van Keppel Co., and Martin Equipment. One of the three bids did not meet specifications. On a motion made by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved purchasing the new hydraulic breaker from Martin Equipment of Ashland, MO for a total cost of $13,300.
Mr. Trapp then updated the Board on the collection system rehab using CIPP. Bids were opened February 8th. They are being reviewed with a recommendation to be made at the March 2nd Board Meeting.
Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay presented well maintenance proposals. Three were received from the following companies: Douglas Pump Service, Flynn Drilling, and Layne. On the recommendation from Directory Ismay, the Board approved proceeding with the annual well maintenance project using Layne by a motion made by Mr. Mills and seconded by Mr. Fricke.
Director Ismay then updated the Board on the THM reduction project at the Water Treatment Plant. The Contractor, River City, is on site and they have started drilling the dewatering wells. They hope to have all five drilled by the end of the week, February 17th. Director Ismay also provided an update to the Waste Water Treatment Plant maintenance building. The contractor, Septagon Industries, have been on site with the surveyors.
Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge requested an extension of a leave of absence for an employee. The regular, 12 week leave of absence will end February 2nd. Any additional amount of leave requires Board approval. On a motion made by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved to continue the employee's leave of absence until April, 24 2017, if needed, with the continuation of health insurance premiums.
Manager Baldridge then informed the Board the Marshall Fire Department has contacted MMU to discuss the advantages and benefits of having a mobile air cart available for confined space entry and or rescue scenarios. The Fire Department will be purchasing a cart and equipment and is applying for a grant through Monsanto to help cover a portion of the cost and thought MMU may possibly want to contribute to the remaining cost, depending on the amount of grant money received. They will not know until late March or early April the amount received.
Electric Production Director Jim Johnson updated the Board on several items. Quarterly Testing on the diesel engines and gas turbine were done, all units ran well. Units #10 and #11 have had all the expansion joints replaced. The price for recycling materials increased in February; Cardboard went up by $25/ton and mixed paper by $10/ton. The recycling pelletizing equipment has been listed for sale through Lundell. An offer to buy it has been made for $55,000. On a motion made by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved to allow management to authorize selling the pelletizing equipment for $55,000 if Lundell can finalize the offer.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom updated the Board on the electric meter replacement. The contract has been received and management is currently going through it. It should be ready to present to the Board in the next few weeks.
General Manager Kyle Gibbs informed the Board of the Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA). MoPEP is asking for a waiver through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that prevents a MoPEP member from being required to purchase power from a generating facility built in a MoPEP city service area. On a motion made by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved to request the City Council to authorize the Mayor to sign an ordinance being requested by MoPEP Management to seek a waiver through FERC that will prevent a MoPEP member from being required to purchase power from a generating facility built in a MoPEP city service area.
General Manager Gibbs discussed the removal of unit #5 from the Southwest Power Pool. A Service and Rates committee is scheduled to meet and make changes. On a motion made by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board approved to alert MoPEP to remove unit #5 from the Southwest Power Pool.
General Manager Gibbs then updated the Board on legislation of interest to MMU. Net Metering Bill: wanting to change to the net metering process. Broadband/Internet Bill: limits cities on building out their broadband/internet services. This is being supported by CenturyLink, but will not have any impact on Marshall. Our existing services are exempt. Prevailing Wage: this establishes a minimum wage rate that must be paid to workers on public works construction projects. Ten versions are being reviewed.
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 $166,322.44 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $1,053,085.73 SEWER REVENUE FUND $148,557.67 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $31,447.02 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $2,380.01 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $5,300.00 WATER SEGREGATED $54,368.10 Total $1,461,460.97
The next Regular Board meeting will be Thursday March 2, 2017.
On a motion by Mr. Fricke, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board adjourned the regular meeting at 9:15 a.m. to go into an executive session to discuss matters under Mo Rev. Stat. Section 610.021 (Supp. 2009) concerning the following topics: legal, confidential or privileged information [1]; and personnel records or applications [13].
Roll call:
Steve Mills yes
Spencer Fricke yes
Ken Bryant yes