THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
December 16, 2019
The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on December 16, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Those in attendance were President Tim Watts, Vice President John Neer, Board Member J.D. King, Board Member Kevin Butner, General Manager Stephanie Wilson, Operations Consultant Scott Lucas, Assistants to the General Managers Bryce Butner and Ben Stueve, City Administrator Avis Marshall and Mayor James Talt Holman. Jeff Barnard with Burns & McDonnell was an attending guest.
President Tim Watts called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. President Tim Watts made a motion, seconded by Board Member J.D. King to approve the minutes from the November 18, 2019 and the December 3, 2019 meetings. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
First item on the agenda is Approval to Extend and Modify Wastewater Industrial User Permit for ConAgra Frozen Foods, Inc. A wastewater pretreatment permit between Macon Municipal Utilities (MMU) and ConAgra Frozen Foods, Inc. is renewed every five years. The most recent permit expired October 31, 2019. At MMU’s October meeting the permit was extended to December 31, 2019 and the flow was increased from 400,000 to 475,000 gallons per day due to increased production. Jeff Barnard with Burns & McDonnell was in attendance to help explain results from lab testing that has taken place this past year. MMU staff recommends extending the pretreatment permit again so that MMU and ConAgra can have additional time to collect additional lab samples and make adjustments to treatment accordingly. President Tim Watts made the motion, seconded by Vice President John Neer, allowing the extension of the current permit to December 31, 2020. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
Next item on the agenda was a Review of Monthly Financials for November 2019. Revenues represent a 28-day billing cycle. Commodity and other expenses for the electric fund were not out of line but lots of small things added up to a little bit larger than normal loss for the short revenue cycle. The natural gas fund, due to colder temperatures, saw an increase in usage of 122% from the prior month.
Next item on the agenda was Approval to Proceed with a Fixed Asset Replacement. Approved in the 2019 budget is the replacement of a 2008 2500 Chevy truck for the Special Services Group. Operations Consultant Scott Lucas recommended to the Board to purchase a diesel 2020 Ford 250 from Moberly Motor’s for $38,629.00 based on the bids received. John Neer made the motion, seconded by J.D. King, to proceed with the purchase. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
Next item on the agenda was Approval of Re-Appointments to the Macon County Economic Development Board. President Tim Watts made the motion, seconded by Board Member Kevin Butner, to re-appoint Jamie King and Sonja Legan another two-year term.. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
Last item on the agenda, Discussion of Section 2-250. Officers and Employees; Compensation of the Code of the City of Macon, Missouri. Much discussion was held with recommendations of items to be reviewed in 2020.
Operations Consultant Scott Lucas noted activities on the Macon Energy Center and Audrain Energy Center. Macon Energy Center ran in simple cycle numerous times due to Poet Biorefining, Inc. stripper cleaning and a transmitter maintenance on the HRSG. Audrain Energy Center had its issues as well. A site visit was needed due to a failed restart and found two failed fuses in the backup lube oil pump starter can, replaced and turbine was back on-line. Another site visit was required due to addressing an air leak. Staff repaired the leak but restart failed due to package fan failure, fortunately we keep a spare but unfortunately a major job to replace. MMU staff went and replaced fan motor and made associated repairs.
Special Services Group continue work with Chariton Valley Communications Corporation installing better hardware to the MMU Emergency Operations Center.
Electric Distribution duties this period has included MO One Calls, GIS mapping updates, cutting trees in various location, assisted the Underground Facilities group with a failed motor at the grit chamber, hung a new siren control cabinet at the Macon R-1 Public School for the City Warning siren system, relocated a transformer on Macyn Lane, installed a new three phase service at Diversified Industries, and considerable work affecting three phase tap for Long Branch Dental Group expansion. Underground Facilities have been busy working with Willis Brothers, Inc. on the Walnut Street Project, doing locates related to the fiber installation near out high-pressure gas lines in the 63 South corridor, addressing water leaks, and made 36 commercial grease trap inspections.
Supervisors Ed Samel and Ronny Smith at the Water & Wastewater Treatment Plants reported that seals have been installed in the clear well hatch to comply with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources requirement and chemical bids have been received for 2020. At the wastewater plant, staff unplugged the final clarifiers and trickling filters after wind filled them with leaves. In addition to general operation and maintenance, additional research for items affecting 2020 were conducted.
After approval of accounts payable and setting the next regular meeting for Monday, January 27, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. due to the Martin Luther King holiday on January 20. 2020, a motion was made by President Tim Watts, seconded Board Member Kevin Butner to hold an executive session regarding Legal (Rs. MO.610.021(1) and Personnel (Rs. MO.610.021(3). The votes were as follows: President Tim Watts, yea; Vice President John Neer, yea; Board Member J.D. King, yea; and Board Member Kevin Butner, yea.
When the regular session reconvened, it was immediately adjourned by President Tim Watts.
President Tim Watts adjourned the meeting at 6:23 p.m.