"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; Ken Bryant, Secretary; Steve Mills, Member. Also present was Dave Haugland, City Administrator; Rudy Reyes, City Council Member; Dave Hoy, Naught-Naught Agency Representative; and Catherine Tolias, Marshall resident.
The agenda was approved as presented on a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Hird. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed on a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Hird.
In business from the audience, Catherine Tolias, expressed concern for the lack of notice provided on the fire hydrant flushing and the water discoloration/quality caused from the flushing. Ms. Tolias would like an additional notice besides what was published by the local newspaper and radio. The Board stated a modification could be made to include a statement on the bill of the month before the flushing is to be done. Ms. Tolias also voiced concern of the quality of the water to her health. Ginny Ismay, Environmental Services Director assured her that the discoloration was caused from the iron rust and it was not harmful and presented no health risk.
Employee Relations Manager Megan Baldridge provided the Board a summary of the written proposals received for the medical employee health benefits. Proposals were requested from ten carriers, four were received, and two declined to bid. Of the four, Manager Baldridge recommended to accept United Healthcare's proposal based on the premium being only 2% over the current plan with Blue Cross/Blue Shield and they are able to offer a variety plans. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved accepting the proposal from UHC, as presented, for employee medical insurance effective December 1, 2016.
Manager Baldridge then provided the Board a summary of the written proposals received for the ancillary employee health benefits. From the nine proposals received, the recommendation was been narrowed to two companies, Principal and The Standard. Principal has verbally indicated they are revising their quote, which would make it the most competitive. On a motion made by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board authorizes management to accept either offer from Principal or The Standard, whichever is the best, for ancillary benefits effective December 1, 2016.
Manager Baldridge presented the proposals for a flame resistant clothing provider and allowance based order management system. Five vendors were reviewed, prices compared and web demos watched. Slate Rock Safety had good references, superior web functionality for the program management system and prices 5% below our current vendor. One a motion made by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Hird, the Board approved accepting Slate Rock Safety's proposal for FR clothing program management.
Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer provided the Board a request to increase the Biochemical Oxygen Demand rates from $0.185 to $0.19 per pound and to decrease the Total Suspended Solids rates from $0.20 to $0.19 per pound for industrial wastewater customers. This is a yearly adjustment based on load levels at the wastewater plant and MMU's annual expenses. On a motion made by Mr. Hird, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved to set the rates for BOD at $0.19 per pound and TSS at $0.19 per pound effective January 1, 2017.
Director Gieringer then presented the Board statistics of the Recycling Center's volume of recyclables, income, and expenses. He also presented data on street and area lights. 18% of the high-pressure sodium lights have been replaced with LED lights. The data showed a substantial decrease in energy use per light.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom updated the Board on several projects. Crews have finished the overhead to underground conversion between Edsel St. and Grant Ave. Notices have been mailed to customers on Englewood St. and Yerby St. informing them their area will be started soon. MC Power Solar Farm commissioning has been pushed back to December 8th. Ram Utilities will begin pole inspections November 7th. Poor Boys have added a second crew and have finished most of the call-in list, and are working on the three-phase loop. Quotes for the brush hog have been received, reviewed and it has been purchased. There has been some in-house inquiry of purchasing the old one. It is not repairable and would only be good for parting out. The Board asked Director Bergstrom to contact the City/Municipal Services and see if they could use any of the parts before they decide on any action to dispose of it.
Underground Facilities Director Grant Piper informed the Board that bids for the mini excavator will be opened November 18th. The estimate he received for repairs of the old one was $22,000. The bids for a new one include using the current one as a possible trade-in. Director Piper updated the Board on the North English Lift Station. The wet well walls and connection between the old and new wet well are complete, the manhole has been set, and the walls for the building have been poured.
Electric Production Director Jim Johnson informed the Board the platen on the baler at the recycle center had cracked along the support plates. HWI Service found the cracks and was able to replace it with a used one at a third of the cost of a new one. Unit #6 controls are being wired up. Unit #4 has had some of the chemical tanks and pumps removed, power to the baghouse has been removed and wiring has been removed from motors that will no longer be used. Director Johnson is trying to find an avenue for the excess parts.
Environmental Services Director Ginny Ismay reported the bids for the THM reduction project will be opened at 11:00 a.m. today.
General Manager Kyle Gibbs presented the bids for the Warehouse and WWTP maintenance building. The cost and current budget was discussed. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board decided to table the decision for two weeks in order to see what the bids for the WTP THM reduction project are.
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 $ 174,158.45 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $ 391,180.77 SEWER REVENUE FUND $ 81,379.59 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $ 37,979.39 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $ 3,240.76 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $7,100.00 Total $695,038.96
The next Regular Board meeting will be Wednesday November 16, 2016.
On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:57 a.m.