THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS

August 16, 2021

The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on August 16, 2021 at 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Those in attendance were President John Neer, Vice President Brian Terry, Board Member David Ausmus, Board Member David Wilt, General Manager Stephanie Wilson, Assistants to the General Manager Benjamin Stueve and Bryce Butner, Mayor James “Talt” Holman, City Councilman Anthony Petre, and City Councilman Caleb Dwiggins.  Also in attendance was Joshua Stewart with Benton & Associates, Inc.

President John Neer called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. Vice President Brian Terry made a motion, seconded by Board Member David Ausmus, to approve the minutes from the July 19, 2021 regular meeting and the July 22, 2021 special meeting. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.

First item on the agenda was Approval of Change Order No.1 (Final) for Rehabilitation of North Water Tower.  Josh Stewart with Benton & Associates, Inc. explained the change order and its notation of a $1,000 deduct for not having the basic cathodic protection clips installed as part of the base bid for painting of the interior wet area of the tank. Board Member David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by Board Member David Wilt, to approve the change order.  The motion passed with four votes for and none against. 

Next item on the agenda was a short review of a draft amended budget for 2021 due to extraordinary electric and natural gas commodity costs from February 2021. The item was tabled for a future meeting.  Next, financial statements for July 2021 were reviewed. In addition to commodity expenses, other notable revenues and expense activities were discussed. 

Next item on the agenda, Approval of Recommendation for the Board of Public Works By-Laws Updates.  The Missouri General Assembly passed House Bill No. 271 and it was signed by Governor Mike Parson.  The bill will become law on August 28, 2021.  An amendment was added into the bill that expanded the qualifications to be on a Board of Public Works to include “any resident of the county that receives services from such board.” President John Neer made a motion, seconded by Vice President Brian Terry, to recommend an update to the By-Laws to the City Council of Macon, Missouri with the new language.  The motion carried with four votes for and none against. 

Under Manager Reports, General Manager Stephanie Wilson shared various updates including new legislation affecting providing electric services, strategic planning and governance training, plus planning activities with US Cellular for small cell attachments.  Ms. Wilson also mentioned Integrated Management Planning for wastewater improvements that will be shared and feedback to be gained from the business community at the Chamber of Commerce Coffee & Chat to be held on August 17, 2021.  Regarding additional lighting to the tennis and pickleball courts on Blees Drive, Vice President Brian Terry made a motion, seconded by Board Member David Ausmus, to light the single court and to add two additional flood lights on the double court.  The motion passed with three votes for and one against. 

Updates provided by Assistants to the General Manager Benjamin Stueve and Bryce Butner, noted maintenance activities for the Macon and Audrain Energy Centers.  The Special Services Group assisted Blakely and Associates with the reprogramming of breakers in Substations 2 and 3. Electric Distribution crews have cut down and removed trees on Jackson Street for a new sewer main installation, installed protective bollards on the 69KV line anchors on Hwy PP, changed taps on transformers, and replaced some burnt connectors to improve voltage. Underground Facilities crews are installing a new water main on the Pearl Street, assisting contractor with manhole rehabilitation project, and performed various other replacement or abandonment of water and natural gas services. 

Updates provided by Ed Samel & Ronny Smith, Supervisors for the Water & Wastewater Treatment Plants noted warranty replacement of the caustic soda bulk tank at the Water Treatment Plant.  At the wastewater treatment plant, the headworks project is progressing on schedule.  General Manager Stephanie Wilson and Ronny Smith met with Bo Higgins & BJ Baysinger with Heartland Environment Services to discuss the mass production of microbes. Staff at the wastewater treatment plant continue COVID sampling for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), monthly discharge monitoring reports were also turned into MDNR and quarterly samples were completed. 

After approval of accounts payable and setting the next regular meeting for Monday, September 20, 2021 at 5:00 pm, a motion was made by Vice President Brian Terry, seconded by Board Member David Wilt, to go into executive session regarding Leasing, Purchase, or Sale of Real Estate (Rs.MO.610.021(2)) and Personnel (Rs. MO.610.021(3)).  The motions were as follows: John Neer, yea; Brian Terry, yea; David Ausmus, yea; and David Wilt, yea.  

When the open meeting reconvened at 8:10 pm, a motion was made by President John Neer, seconded by Board Member David Ausmus, to adjourn the meeting.  The motion passed with four votes for and none against.