THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
March 18, 2024
The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on March 18, 2024, at 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Those in attendance were Vice President David Ausmus, Board Member David Wilt, Board Member Jeff Roberts, Board Member Chris Nelson, Secretary Lauren Watson, Assistant General Manager and Manager of Energy Resources Ben Stueve, General Manager Dana Ulmer, Mayor Tony Petre, Councilwoman Cheryl Blaise and Councilman Talt Holman.
President David Ausmus called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.
1. Election of Officers for the Board of Public Works – Secretary Lauren Watson noted that per the by-laws, an election of officers shall be held at the first regular meeting at which all members are present following the appointment of a new board member for a full term, but not later than the second meeting following the appointment. (Statutory References: §§91.500, 91.510 RSMo. & City Code: §2-251) Board Member David Wilt made a motion, seconded by Board Member Jeff Roberts, to elect David Ausmus, President and Jeff Roberts, Vice President of the Macon Municipal Utilities Board of Public Works. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
2. Approval of Minutes from Prior Board Meetings – January 16, 2024 – Board Member David Wilt made a motion, seconded by President David Ausmus, to approve the minutes from the January 16, 2024, meeting as written. Board Member Chris Nelson abstained due to not being on The Board of Public Works at that time. The motion carried with three votes for, none against, and one abstention.
3. Approval of Minutes from Prior Board Meetings – February 19, 2024 – Board Member David Wilt made a motion, seconded by President David Ausmus, to approve the minutes from the February 19, 2024, meeting as written. Board Member Jeff Roberts abstained due to not attending the February meeting. The motion carried with three votes for, none against, and one abstention.
Under old business:
There was no old business to discuss.
Under new business:
4. Review Sale of Raw Water from Macon Lake – General Manager Dana Ulmer reviewed that an agreement was established between the Board of Public Works and Macon Country Club in 1981 for the Utilities to sell the Country Club raw water from Macon Lake at a reduced rate for their sprinkler system, as it was not treated. Talt Holman has completed a Board agenda and participation form and would like to discuss the raw water pumped from Macon Lake. During a recent Macon Country Club Board meeting the topic of the raw water pumped from Macon Lake to irrigate the fairways was discussed in comparison to the residents surrounding the lake. The original raw water agreement between the Macon Country Club and MMU has been provided. Vice President Jeff Roberts made a motion, seconded by President David Ausmus, to invoke the cancellation of the agreement with the Macon Country Club for the sale of raw water pumped from Macon Lake for the use of watering. The billing of this usage will cease April 1, 2025. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
5. Review of Financials – February 2024 – Mrs. Watson shared that February billing cycle was warmer than January. Electric charges for services were down for residential customers but up for businesses, while the warmer temperatures substantially reduced the commodity expense. Water and wastewater were similar to January. Natural gas was similar to electric, customers’ charges for services were down with warmer weather, as well as the commodity expense.
6. Approval to Camera the Brick Sewer – Mr. Ulmer shared that with the impending construction of the ARPA Sewer Separation project and contractor build at 505 N Rubey management believes having the brick sewer examined with a camera system to see its current condition and any structural issues that may need to be repair would be useful. Board Member Chris Nelson made a motion, seconded by Vice President Jeff Roberts, to approve the brick sewer examination with a camera system to see the current conditions and structural issues. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
7. Discussion of Relocation of Wastewater Main at 818 Walnut – Mr. Ulmer and President David Ausmus shared that following a conversation with Norman Boone, R & L Boone Construction, who was awarded the bid to relocate the wastewater main in 2023, however, due to the timing of Lewis Body Shop’s decision to build on site and move the main construction was delayed. Management met with Norman Boone to discuss a timeframe for construction. Vice President Jeff Roberts made a motion, seconded by Board Member David Wilt, to allow for contract cost updating before proceeding with the project. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
8. Discussion of Municipal Pool Wastewater Service Line Manhole – Mr. Ulmer and President Ausmus continued that during their conversation with Norman Boone regarding the wastewater main relocation on Walnut Street they visited the site of the Municipal Pool and discussed setting a manhole at the connection to the Pool’s service line. President David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by Board Member David Wilt, to approve the bid proposal from R & L Boone Construction Co. in the amount of $9500.00. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
9. Approval to Purchase Slinger Truck Replacement Bed – Mr. Stueve and Mr. Ulmer shared that the purchase of a new slinger truck for the Wastewater Treatment Plant was budgeted for $160,000, however, as the current truck is in good condition with only the bed in need of repair management believes a replacement bed rather than a new truck would be a more cost-effective solution. Management found a bed that can fit the frame of the current truck from Meyers Truck Service that could be purchased outright for $70,024 or with a trade-in of the existing bed for $47,524. Board Member Chris Nelson made a motion, seconded by Vice President Jeff Roberts, to approve the purchase with trade-in of a new slinger truck bed from Meyers Truck Service for $47,524. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
10. Employee Retention & Recruitment – Mr. Ulmer shared that Emily Winkler started February 26 as Customer Service Representative and Christina Blackwell has completed her hire paperwork and will start on April 1 as Accounts Payable Associate. With these hires the Business Office will be fully staffed. Ronny Smith is retiring on Monday, April 1. There will be a reception for Ronny on Thursday, March 28 in honor of his retirement.
11. Board of Public Works Member Reports – No Board of Public Works reports were given.
12. Approval of Accounts Payable – Board members signed accounts payable without revision.
13. Set Next Regular Meeting – Monday, April 15, 2024, at 5:00 pm.
A motion was made by Vice President Jeff Roberts, seconded by President David Ausmus, to go into executive session regarding Personnel (RSMo.610.021(3)). The votes were as follows: President David Ausmus, yea; Vice President Jeff Roberts, yea; Board Member David Wilt, yea; and Board Member Chris Nelson, yea.
A motion was made by Vice President Jeff Roberts, seconded by Board Member David Wilt, to adjourn the meeting at 6:31pm. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.