"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 Spencer Fricke, President; Chuck Hird, Vice President; and Ken Bryant, Secretary. Jim Heinzler, Member was absent.
On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved the agenda as presented. General Manager Kyle Gibbs reviewed the safety briefing. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed on a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant.
Underground Facilities Director Monty Chase presented the Board an action item to replace the water main on Eastwood Street, from Odell Avenue to Allen Avenue. The main is in very bad condition and has failed many times over the past several years. This will be the first phase of the main replacement. Construction will not start until after school has been released for the year. On a motion made by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved the recommendation to replace the water main on Eastwood Street, from Odell Avenue to Allen Avenue with approximate cost of $50,000, using in-house labor and equipment.
Director Chase then explained to the Board what the mixers for the Tower & Reservoirs do, how they will work and where they will be located in each component.
Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay updated the Board on the annual well maintenance bids that were opened February 5. Three bids were received, they were: Douglas Pump in the amount of $42,147.50; Flynn Drilling Co. in the amount of $35,395.00; and Layne-Western in the amount of $40,950 plus $3,700 for bore blast. After reviewing the bids Director Ismay recommends to the Board using Flynn Drilling Co. for $35,395.00. This does not include the cost of any repairs on the pumps; it only covers treating the five wells, pulling and reinstallation the pumps. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved to request an ordinance from the City Council to authorize the Mayor to sign a contract with Flynn Drilling Co in the amount of $35,395.00.
Mr. Hird mentioned to Director Ismay that he had been contacted by ConAgra Foods regarding the chlorine levels and the effect on their equipment. Director Ismay stated she had also been contacted and there had been some issues with high chlorine levels, but MMU had gotten them back down.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom updated the Board on the brush and tree clearing on the transmission lines. The ground was frozen enough for crews to start, work began February 10 and they anticipate completing February 12.
Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer supplied the Board with the Financial Analysis Report. He also informed them he had just received letters from the auditors and would have the Audit Report at the next meeting.
Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge informed the Board the 20 Year Employee Anniversary Dinner is tentatively scheduled for April 26.
General Manager Kyle Gibbs updated the Board on HB2078 that will limit cities to provide broadband service in their communities. Sandy Hisle and Mr. Gibbs, along with 14 other people, testified at the House hearing against it. There is also a similar bill on the Senate side that will have a hearing scheduled in the next few weeks.
General Manager Gibbs then reported on the new warehouse proposal that was received from Shafer, Kline & Warren. It is for engineering services to do foundation design and write the bid specs. The estimated cost once construction is complete is $2,000,000. Their lump sum fee for developing and writing the specs is $86,500. There will be an additional $21,000 for the bid documents and engineering services. The warehouse will consist of two buildings 170' x 70', with some finished offices inside, a safe room, and loading dock. MMU will provide the geo-tech information and using in-house labor and equipment. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved to request an ordinance from the City Council to authorize the Mayor to sign a contract with Shafer, Kline & Warren (SKW) for $86,500 for the design phase.
General Manager Gibbs replied to Mr. Hird's question on the progress of the Solar Farm project. General Manager Gibbs has received emails from MC Power stating they received a draft statement from the FAA the glare study has been approved as presented. They have moved on to an environmental assessment of the property. MC Power believes both studies look positive. General Manager Gibbs doesn't believe construction will start again until April.
On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird, accounts payable were approved and warrants ordered issued from the following funds:
WATER OPERATING FUND $ 152,883.30 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $ 1,050,183.99 SEWER REVENUE FUND $ 160,799.72 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $ 11,473.10 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $ 417.03 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $ 5,725.00 Total $ 1,381,482.14
The next Board meeting will be Wednesday, March 2, 2016.
On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:07 a.m.