"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 Chuck Hird, President; Ken Bryant, Vice President; Steve Mills, Secretary and Spencer Fricke, Member. Also present were City Administrator Dave Haugland, City Councilmen Dewey Hendrix and Ron Ott.
The agenda was approved on a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Fricke. General Manager Kyle Gibbs reviewed the safety briefing. The minutes of the previous meetings were approved as printed on a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Fricke.
Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer requested a rate adjustment for the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOS) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) rates for the Wastewater Department. The rates are for industrial customers and are based on load levels at the wastewater plant. The recommendation is to decrease the BOD charge from $0.19 per pound to $0.18 per pound and decrease the TSS charge from $0.19 to $0.17 per pound. On a motion made by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Bryant, the Board approved to set the rates for BOD at $0.18 per pound and TSS at $0.17 per pound effective January 1, 2018.
Director Gieringer then presented the Board with a comparative financial analysis for the five departments. Volume sales were down 2.81% for water and 1.25% for electric.
Electric Distribution Director Jeff Bergstrom requested continuation of pole inspections. This is year three of a multi-year project inspecting all wood poles in the system starting the week of the 27th. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Mills, the Board approved doing pole inspections.
Director Bergstrom then updated the Board on other projects. Crews have installed 44 "2S" meters for the AMI electric meter pilot. There are a total of 270 to install, which should be completed by end of this year. Bids for clearing the 161kV Emergency tie line right-of-way will be opened November 17th.
Water Treatment Superintendent Kenny Clause updated the Board on the THM reduction project. Walls continue to be poured, dirt work on the administration building has started, and a change order for River City Construction has been received. Change order #4 is for material, labor and equipment to relocate the administration building and raise the floor level. This was requested by MMU after the flooding in June. On a motion made by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Fricke the Board approved change order #4 as submitted for $10,689.
Wastewater Treatment Superintendent Nolan Townsend mentioned the second operator position has been filled and they started on November 11th.
Underground Facilities Director Grant Piper reported that annual fire hydrant flushing was done November 5th - 9th. The new electric pump drives have been installed at the South Odell Lift Station. And, the new vacuum excavator had been sent off for repairs on the clutch, but it continues to have problems and is being evaluated.
Electric Production Director Carl Crawford informed the Board Unit #4 cooling tower has been demolished. NESHAP Rice testing on units #10 & #11 was completed November 7th, this counted towards their quarterly testing required by MoPEP. Quarterly testing for units #6, #7, #8, and #9 were done November 8th.
Human Resources Manager Megan Baldridge informed the Board different options for public safety at the Power Plant are being discussed.
General Manager Kyle Gibbs stated he is working on getting quotes to repair the roof at the Water Treatment Plant Lab/Office.
On a motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Fricke, accounts payable were approved and warrants ordered issued from the following funds:
WATER OPERATING FUND $ 387,877.68 ELECTRIC OPERATING FUND $ 1,242,816.57 SEWER REVENUE FUND $ 144,379.89 INTERNET OPERATING FUND $ 42,838.55 NATURAL GAS OPERATING FUND $ 3,283.69 ELECTRIC CONSUMER DEPOSIT FUND $ 6,600.00 Total $ 1,827,796.38
The next Regular Board meeting will be Thursday November 30, 2017.
On a motion by Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Fricke, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:06 a.m.