THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORK
August 19, 2019
The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on August 19, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Those in attendance were President Tim Watts, Vice President John Neer, Board Member Kevin Butner, General Manager Stephanie Wilson, Operations Consultant Scott Lucas, City Administrator Avis Marshall and Mayor James Talt Holman. Terry Jarrett from Healy Law Offices, LLC was available by telephone. Board Member J.D. King was absent.
President Tim Watts called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. President Tim Watts made a motion, seconded by Vice President John Neer, to approve the minutes from the July 22, 2019 meeting. The motion carried with three votes for and none against.
First item on the agenda was discussion of Missouri Revised State Statures relating to jurisdiction for utility services due to questions relating to a property that is under contract for purchase. Specifically discussed were Sections 91.025, 394.315, and 386.800. Terry Jarrett with Healy Law Offices. LLC explained the statutes. Consensus amongst Board members is that MMU will continue to follow the statutes for the opportunity provide utilities to structures built on property in its territory, inside the city limits, that currently have not established a service connection.
Next item on the agenda was approval of bid on a 4-bay garage to store equipment for the Underground Facilities department. Two bids opened on August 15, 2019 were presented. Vice President John Neer made the motion, seconded by Board Member Kevin Butner, to accept the bid from JT Holman Construction in the amount of $291,750. The motion carried with three votes for and none against.
Next item on the agenda was approval for additional sidewalk repair at City Hall. A bid from JT Holman Construction was approved for $52,676 in April 2019 for the retaining wall, stairs, and sidewalk on the west side of the building. Due to Holman Construction repairing the corners prior to the street resurfacing under the City’s budget, MMU has added repairs to the front of the building for a long-term solution. President Tim Watts made the motion, seconded by Vice President John Neer, to allow additional $11,660 needed for sidewalk replacement. The motion carried with three votes for and none against.
Last item on the agenda was review of monthly financials – July 2019. Customer consumption reflected in revenues and expenses related to providing services and infrastructure improvements was reviewed.
Under manager reports, Ms. Wilson shared that MMU staff met with the Army Corps of Engineers to discuss lessons learned from the historic elevation of water in Long Branch Lake on May 30, 2019 at 805.94 msl and steps going forward. MMU is approved to proceed with upgrades to the pump house and movement of the transformer within its real estate. She also shared that MSMA Insurance Agency was available to meet with employees regarding health insurance on August 15, 2019 and that MMU is analyzing approach and costs for a wastewater main extension on Karat Place due to a new home being constructed. Additionally, an update was provided on the exterior rehabilitation on the west water tower which is expected to be completed mid-to-late September 2019.
Under Operations Consultant Scott Lucas’ updates he noted feed water issues that were present at the Macon Energy Center which Poet Biorefining, Inc.- Macon addressed once the problem was found. At the Audrain Energy Center a routine inspection was performed on August 9, 2019.
For the Special Services Group, routine mowing took place plus the staff is continuing to move forward with facilitating the remodel and additions to the Operations Center for a “hardened room”. The Electric Distribution crew has relocated the pad mount transformer and underground primary and secondary that serves the Long Branch Pump Station, the new site is above the projected flood levels and a temporary splice box on the secondary was made until decisions are made regarding future pump stations modifications are known. It was also noted that an insurance claim has been filed for the 750 KVA transformer hit by lightning on August 11, 2019 located at Prenger Foods. The grocery store was without power for a few hours while a new transformer, metering, and associated parts were reinstalled. Underground Facilities continued to change out water meters for utility billing reads, completed the system wide natural gas leak survey and preventative maintenance jetted 20 sections of wastewater mains.
At the water and wastewater plants, Manager Roger Rector’s updates noted plans for the concrete apron at the garage at the water treatment plant are being solicited. At the wastewater treatment plant, surveying work took place on the site for the new headworks currently under design with Burns & McDonnell, extra processing time has been required to process sludge, and work continues on sampling influent and effluent of wastewater.
After approval of accounts payable and setting the next regular meeting for Monday, September 16, 2019 at 4:00 p.m., a motion was made by President Tim Watts, seconded Vice President John Neer, to hold an executive session regarding Personnel (Rs. MO.610.021(3)). The votes as follows: Tim Watts; yea, John Neer; yea, and Kevin Butner; yea.
When the meeting reopened at 5:30 pm it was immediately adjourned by President Tim Watts.