THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
June 17, 2024
The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on June 17, 2024, at 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Those in attendance were President David Ausmus, Vice President Jeff Roberts, Board Member David Wilt, Board Member Chris Nelson, Secretary Lauren Watson, Assistant General Manager and Manager of Energy Resources Ben Stueve, General Manager Dana Ulmer, Councilwoman Cheryl Blaise, Councilman Talt Holman and Mayor Tony Petre.
President David Ausmus called the meeting to order at 5:06 pm.
- The minutes from the last regular meeting of the Board of Public Works were reviewed. President David Ausmus made a motion to approve the minutes of May 20, 2024. The motion was seconded by Vice President Jeff Roberts. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
Under old business:
2. Discussion of Customer Request for COVID-19 Sampling at Wastewater Treatment Plant – Ulmer shared that he spoke with the Samaritan Hospital CEO Jill Tigner regarding the sampling, she indicated that they would benefit from the sampling. Management is indifferent to resuming sampling, however, if the Board believes the benefit to Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Health and Samaritan Hospital outweighs the minimal expense associated with processing the sampling, the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators will resume sampling as instructed. Councilwoman Cheryl Blaise asked the Board of Public Works if there was any type of incentive that would be earned for doing the COVID-19 sampling. Mr. Ulmer stated that there would not be any type of incentive for the sampling. President David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by Vice President Jeff Roberts to resume COVID-19 sampling at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the sampling would be reviewed at the end of each calendar year. The motion carried with three votes for and one against.
3. Approval of Engineering Owner Agent Selection for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements – General Manager Dana Ulmer explained for all parties to have an overall concept of an owner agent for treatment plant improvements a “Lunch and Learn” was held with members of the Board, City Council, MMU, and Veenstra & Kimm on Friday, June 14. Mr. Ulmer shared that the luncheon was a success and would like to proceed with Veenstra & Kimm as Owner Agents and to send on to City Council. Veenstra & Kimm will consult and advise on how, what, and when to do it when it comes to the improvements of the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants. Board Member Chris Nelson made a motion, Seconded by Board Member David Wilt to proceed with Veenstra & Kimm as Owner Agents and to send on to City Council.
Under new business:
4. Review of Financials – May 2024 – Mrs. Watson shared that electrical revenues and expenses increased in comparison to April, however, net income was less in May due to the CD interest received in April. Water & Wastewater was similar to electric, both water and wastewater revenues and expenses were relatively similar other than the CD interest received in April. Revenues were significantly lower for the natural gas fund in May, both charges for services and interest income. Expenses were slightly higher, but overall, this is a normal trend. Board Member Chris Nelson asked what the large miscellaneous increase in the prior year’s financials was from. Manager of Energy Resources Ben Stueve stated that the increase was from selling the six Caterpillar Backup Power Generators in the amount of $111,000.00. The only revenues that MMU receives would be grants, and miscellaneous sales of equipment. Therefor almost all revenues are listed under miscellaneous.
5. Discussion of Water Main at Rubey and Douglas – JT Holman Construction is building housing at 609 N Rubey. Councilman Talt Holman shared that he would have four apartments facing Douglas, two apartments facing Rubey, and one apartment facing Rollins. Mr. Holman stated that it would be three to four months before needing water at the location and that he would like MMU to pay for a Water Main on Douglas from Rubey to Rollins. President David Ausmus explained that MMU only maintains a water main that is six inches or larger. MMU is responsible from the meter to the main. Board Member David Wilt made a motion, seconded by Vice President Jeff Roberts to figure up the cost to run a six-inch water main from Rubey Street to Rollins Street and down Douglas Street. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
6. Approval to Purchase Budgeted Underground Facilities Supervisor Truck with Work Truck – Assistant General Manager Ben Stueve stated that MMU is continuing with the approved fleet plan. The 2024 budget includes $45,000.00 for the replacement of the 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 with 112,000 miles on the odometer. This truck is used for traveling to training and meetings, meter reading and a backup for other trucks when they are out of service for maintenance or repair. Management recommends purchasing the 2024 F150 XL Crew Cab 4×4 from Moberly Motors for $45,761. Purchasing the crew cab would allow for extra flexibility and storage, especially when traveling. The anticipated arrival will be at the end of 2024. Board Member David Wilt made a motion to approve, seconded by Board Member Chris Nelson to continue with the purchase of the 2024 F150 XL 4×4 truck from Moberly Motors in the amount of $45,761 and selling the 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 to the City of Macon for $1.00. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
7. Approval to Apply for Grant Monies for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Engineering – General Manager Dana Ulmer shared that management would like to apply for grant monies for engineering reports. The grants would pay for required engineering reports necessary to apply for additional funding for both the Raw Water Treatment Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements. The drinking water grant is $30,000 with a city match of $7,500 and the clean water grant is $50,000 with a city match of $12,500. Board member Chris Nelson made a motion, seconded by David Wilt, to proceed with getting approval from the City of Macon Council to Apply for Grant Monies for Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Engineering. The motion carried with four votes and none against.
8. Employee Retention & Recruitment –Tray Ramsey started at the Water Treatment Plant as an Operator on May 28th. Christina Blackwell, Accounts Payable in the business office turned in her resignation letter. Christina’s last day will be June 21st.
9. Board of Public Works Member Reports- Board President David Ausmus shared that Economic Development has been overseeing the financial side of things with the Individual Development Accounts (IDA) Grant Program. The IDA Grant Program is a county program, but Economic Developments’ workload has changed and there is no longer an assistant in the office to assist in approval of these loans. The Board did not want to be the “Collection Agency”, they wanted to promote Economic Development. MMU currently has five Economic Development Board Members, with that being said each seat must be bought. MMU currently pays $12,000 a quarter to Economic Development for those five Board Members. President David Ausmus shared that bringing Economic Development to the City of Macon would be beneficial.
President David Ausmus shared that Cody Lewis; Lewis Body Shop was contacted about the 50% cost share on the Wastewater main relocation at 818 Walnut. An amount was emailed to Cody Lewis; however, no money has been received to date. There were no other member reports at this time.
10. Approval of Accounts Payable- Board members approved and signed accounts payable without revision.
11. Set Next Regular Meeting – Monday, July 15, 2024, at 5:00pm.
A motion was made by Board Member David Wilt, seconded by Board Member Chris Nelson, to hold a closed executive session regarding Leasing, Purchase, or Sale of Real Estate (RsMO 610.021 (2)). 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 to adjourn was made by Vice President Jeff Roberts, Seconded by Board Member David Wilt to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 pm, with the next regular board meeting set for Monday, July 15, 2024, at 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Motion carried with four votes for and none against.