"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 until 8:41am. Also attending was Councilman Gabe Ramsey.
The Agenda was presented; Mr. Fricke requested to amend the proposed agenda to include discussion of MVC's request of assistance for the Sharp Street housing project that had been tabled at the March 1, meeting. On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved the amended agenda. 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.
Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge presented the Board a request to increase the annual FR clothing allowance by $30 per person. The allowance was established in 2009 and impacts 23 individuals and hasn't had an increase since it was established. In January 2014, the basic work shirt that was offered was discontinued and a new one was introduced, the cost of the new shirt increased by about 46%. In order to address the new cost, Manager Baldridge recommended increasing the FR clothing allowance. It was the consensus of the Board to increase the annual FR clothing allowance by $30 per employee. Manager Baldridge then stated she is a few days from completing the annual wage and benefit review.
Underground Facilities Director Grant Piper presented the Board a recommendation to approve request quotes for a 12" - 15" pipe patch packer with an estimated cost of $4,000. Currently they are using the trenchless method to make small 2' - 4' sewer main repairs on 6", 8" and 10" pipe. Director Piper stated that just a few repairs would cover the cost of the new packer as compared to using the open-cut method that is currently used. On a motion made by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved to request quotes for a new 12" - 15" pipe patch packer.
Director Piper then presented the Board a letter from Ryan Liggett requesting MMU to provide residential water service at 3100 South Odell Avenue. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird the Board approved the request to install a new 1" water service line at 3100 South Odell Avenue. The owner is required to pay all labor, material and equipment cost.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom answered question from Mr. Bryant if he's had any problems with the retrofit lighting kits being installed in the decorative street lamps on the Square. Director Bergstrom stated everything is working out well. The department is only replacing those lamps that are currently out. He also stated that since it was a specialty fixture it only has a 5yr warranty. Mr. Fricke asked how many summer employees he usually hires and if they could possibly help refurbish some of the older street light poles. Director Bergstrom stated he usually hires one and he has them work with the groundsmen because summer help is restricted in what they can do. He said he would have to evaluate the poles in question to see if it was a possibility.
Electric Production Director Jim Johnson updated the Board on Unit #6 Controls Upgrade. He would like to include an upgrade of the unit's generator protective relays. They are original to the unit from 1972. In order to do this, he will need engineering support from an outside source because they will need to update the electrical drawings and schematics. The proposal received from Lutz, Daily & Brain Engineering (LD&B) for the scope of work necessary to upgrade the unit with new relays is $38,100. The equipment cost would be approximately $15,000. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird the Board approved to accept the quote from LD & B for $38,100 to accomplish the scope of work necessary to upgrade Unit #6 with new generator protective relays.
General Manager Kyle Gibbs presented the Board a presentation he received from the MJMEUC quarterly meeting on air quality. He has corresponded with MCPower on the Solar Farm; they are almost to the point of resuming work. General Manager Gibbs presented Megan Baldridge with her 25 year service anniversary packet.
On a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant, accounts payable were approved and warrants ordered issued from the following funds:
WATER OPERATING FUND $ 292,188.89 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $ 1,100,302.22 SEWER REVENUE FUND $ 221,605.40 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $ 40,266.81 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $16,672.83 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $9,050.00 WATER SEGREGATED FUND $ 865,254.80 Total $ 2,545,340.95
In other business, the Board discussed the request of Missouri Valley College (MVC). They would like help with the infrastructure cost of $27,000 at the Sharp Street project. They have replaced approximately 380 feet of 8" sewer main that will not have to have the cured in place lining applied, saving MMU approximately $8,000. On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird the Board approved to give MVC credit of $8,000 against the billing for fire line improvement from the CIPP funds
On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:31 a.m.