"Providing Hometown Reliability"
The Board of Public Works convened in regular session at 8:32 a.m. at the Marshall Municipal Utilities Business Office. Board members present were Spencer Fricke, President; Chuck Hird, Vice President; Ken Bryant, Secretary; Steve Mills, Member.
The agenda was approved as presented on a motion by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed on a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Mills.
Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer presented the Board the 2016/2017 budget. It includes a 10% increase in the water revenues effective January 1, 2017. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved the budget for 2016/2017 as presented.
Director Gieringer then recommended to the Board an increase in internet speeds across the three tiers offered, as outlined below, without any increase of price. However, MMU would no longer provide a router for the highest speed.
Download Current Proposed Tier 1 10 Mbps 20 Mbps Tier 2 40 Mbps 75 Mbps Tier 3 90 Mbps 150 Mbps Upload speeds are 50% of download speeds Changes are to be made effective November 1, 2016.
On a motion made by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved the increase of speed of internet connections as presented.
Director Gieringer also stated he was speaking to a company that provides phone services through the internet to possibly see if it is something that can be added to MMU's internet offerings. He also noted that the auditors will be here Oct. 31st.
Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay presented to the Board a request to seek bids for replacement of the 1993 John Deer mower at the Water Treatment Plant. The current mower was purchased in 2008 and requires extensive maintenance. She would like to replace it with a zero-turn radius unit with a five foot cut, and trading in or selling the current one. On a motion made by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved to request bids for a new mower, replacing the current one.
Director Ismay then informed the Board of the need to replace the sludge pumps at the Water Treatment Plant. The pump for sludge basin #2 is 50 years old and cannot handle trash and its seals do not hold. The pump for sludge basin #3 is 40 years old and is pumping slower and slower. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved to request quotes for new sludge pumps for primary basins #2 and #3.
Director Ismay also asked the Board to consider replacing the mower at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. A mower designed for the terrain at the plant would cut down on the time it takes to mow the plant grounds and would be able to mow the sides of the FEQ basin, which would cut down on grass and weed control until the upper portion of the basin is concreted. The current one would be traded in or sold. On a motion made by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved to request bids for a new mower.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom requested the Board's approval to have a detailed study performed on the electric system. The last time a study had been done was 1993. The study would evaluate the system and help plan for future growth. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved the Electric System Study to be done by Lutz, Daily and Brain.
Director Bergstrom then requested approval from the Board to request quotes for replacing the brush hog. The unit is 12 years old, and the deck is broken around the gear box and repairs to it are not likely to last. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved to request quotes for purchase of a new brush hog.
Director Bergstrom also reported to the Board that crews are finished with the overhead to underground conversion of Mar Drive & Grant Ave. The next section will be Edsell Ave & Grant Ave. He also reported that the Miami #2 Transformer bushings had been tested and the results were good. Miami #2 has been put back into service. The MoPEP meter for MC Power Solar Farm has been programmed. And, he has finished the RP3 application and given to Kyle for review.
Underground Facilities Director Grant Piper updated the Board on the North English Lift Station Improvements; the floor of the wet well and the first set of walls have been poured. USDI has called and will have an answer by October 6th if the natural gas meter is repairable.
Electric Production Director Jim Johnson reported on Unit #4. We are waiting on a formal letter from our insurance company denying the claim. Repairs to the Power Plant building are being made.
Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge informed the Board that employees are submitting enrollment applications for their families and themselves. About one-third are left to be completed. The annual first aid/CPR/AED training is scheduled for October 26th and 27th; sign-up sheets are being sent around. Interviews are being scheduled for the Fleet Mechanic position.
General Manager Kyle Gibbs informed the Board of the annual agreement for funding MSDC's economic development activities expires September 30th, being renewed automatically every year unless terminated with 30 days notice.
General Manager Gibbs updated the Board on the MPUA Annual Conference. The MoPEP pool approved next year's "Exhibit M", that sets each city's share of the cost. Marshall's share dropped to 6.98%. Net Metering was a popular topic of discussion at the conference. MJMEUC is moving forward to become owners of some new transmission lines to be built across our region.
On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Bryant, accounts payable were approved and warrants ordered issued from the following funds:
WATER OPERATING FUND $ 122,952.34 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $ 300,725.00 SEWER REVENUE FUND $ 49,503.59 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $ 24,206.55 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $ 743.91 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $ 9,455.00 Total $ 507,586.39
The next Regular Board meeting will be Thursday October 13, 2016.
On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 10:00 a.m.