THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
August 17, 2020
The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on August 17, 2020 at 4:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Those in attendance were President John Neer, Vice President J.D. King, Board Member Brian Terry, Board Member David Ausmus, General Manager Stephanie Wilson, Assistants to the General Manager Bryce Butner and Benjamin Stueve, Mayor Talt Holman, City Administrator Avis Marshall, and City Councilman Tony Petre. Special guests were Jeff Barnard with Burns & McDonnell.
President John Neer called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by Brian Terry, to approve the minutes from the July 20, 2020 meeting. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
First item on the agenda was Approval of Contractor and Equipment for the Headworks Project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Jeff Barnard with Burns & McDonnell presented information on the equipment and contractor bids opened on August 7, 2020. The item was tabled as MMU is waiting on final eligibility determination for a Rural Sewer Grant through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Next item on the agenda was the Review of Monthly Financials for July 2020. The electric fund recognized additional usage due to the hot temperatures. The water and wastewater funds continue to perform well this year due to increased usage while the natural gas fund using is trending normal.
Next item on the agenda was a Review and Approval of Bids for Fixed Assets Replacement – Caustic Soda Bulk Tank at the Water Treatment Plant. After discussion was held regarding all bulk tanks at the water treatment plant and the replacement schedule, Vice President J.D. King made a motion, seconded by President John Neer, to accept the bid from USA Bluebook in the amount of $15,576.31. The motion carried with four votes for and none against. Final costs to be added will include a crane operator to set the tank.
Next item was the Approval of Mutual Aid Policy Update. Ordinance 1014-20 was adopted at the City Council meeting on August 11, 2020, updating contact information to initiate electric, water, wastewater, and natural gas mutual aid responses. Board Member David Ausmus made the motion, seconded by Board Member Brian Terry, to update MMU’s reimbursement policy to reflect the new ordinance. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
Under Manager Reports, General Manager Stephanie Wilson noted that JT Holman Construction is all but complete with the 4-bay garage at 301 Vine Street. MMU staff built and installed a fence on the retaining wall. Ms. Wilson also noted that each year MMU liability and property provider, Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association, opens to the membership a grant opportunity that promote less liability insurance claims. MMU is submitting multiple items for consideration. She also noted that conversations continue with US Cellular regarding antenna upgrades to the east and west water towers plus a new request for small cell attachments on utility poles. MMU is also looking into cyber security training.
Assistants to the General Manager, Ben Stueve and Bryce Butner, provided updates for the Macon and Audrain Energy Centers. At the Macon site, staff filled oil at the Fuel Gas Compressor and simple cycle operations were noted. At the Audrain site, staff delivered new louvers for turbine exhaust outlet and preformed housekeeping in the turbine building. It was noted that the Special Services Group has removed trees and brush at future Macon Lake dock sites. Electric Distribution began boring in conduits for primary, secondary, streetlight and service wires on Pace and Baird Streets. The crew installed boxes and transformers plus began pulling in wires for the underground project. Underground Facilities started tying water services to the new main on Goggin Street, moved a fire hydrant on Rustic Drive, and changed meters and meter lids to help with meter reading collection.
For the Water Treatment Plant, a draft of requests for engineering qualifications for modification to the Long Branch Pump House and rehabilitation of the 1-million-gallon North Water tower were discussed. General Manager Stephanie Wilson noted that they will be published soon. It was also shared that staff are preparing to replace the chlorine/chlorine dioxide gas leak detector that is housed in the chlorine dioxide feeder room. For the Wastewater Treatment Plant, sampling of influent and effluent relating to COVID-19 and ConAgra Frozen Food’s industrial user permit were discussed.
After approval of accounts payable and setting the next regular meeting for Monday, September 21, 2020 at 4:00 p.m., a motion was made by President John Neer, seconded by Vice President Member J.D. King, to go into executive session regarding Legal (Rs.MO.610.021 (1) and Leasing, Purchase, or Sale of Real Estate (Rs. MO.610.021(2). The motions were as follows: President John Neer, yea; Vice President J.D. King, yea; Board Member Brian Terry, yea; and Board Member David Ausmus, yea.
When the open meeting reconvened, a motion was made by President John Neer, seconded by Vice President J.D. King, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed with four votes for and none against.
President John Neer adjourned the meeting at 5:50 pm.