THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
January 18, 2022
The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on January 18, 2022 at 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Those in attendance were Vice President Brian Terry, Board Member David Ausmus, Board Member David Wilt, General Manager Stephanie Wilson, and Assistants to the General Manager Benjamin Stueve and Bryce Butner. Also attending were Mayor Talt Homan, City Administrator Avis Marshall, City Councilmen Tony Petre, Scott Lucas as a consultant to Agri-Genesis, plus Jeff Barnard and Debi Gibbins with Burns & McDonnell, Inc. (via videoconference).
Vice President Brian Terry called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. Board Member David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by Board Member David Wilt, to approve the minutes from the December 20, 2021 regular meeting. The motion carried with three votes for and none against.
First item on the agenda was an Update on Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for Long-Term Sewer Improvements. General Manager Stephanie Wilson provided background on the Long-Term Control Plan adopted in 2009, an Integrated Management Plan currently being drafted, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) operating permit application under review, and general information about regulatory enforcement activities. Jeff Barnard and Debi Gibbins from Burns & McDonnell provided updates on the IMP and how it incorporates all items related to long-term planning for wastewater collection and treatment activities.
The next item was the Approval of Change Order No. 5 for the Headworks Project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. General Manager Stephanie Wilson presented the change order which included a $8,500.00 deduct for dress-up to be performed by Macon Municipal Utilities (MMU) and an addition of $3,698.00 due to a modification in the wet well. Board Member David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by Vice President Brian Terry, to approve Change Order No. 5 for a deduct in the net amount of $4,802.00. The motion carried with three votes for and none against.
The next item on the agenda was Approval of Operation and Maintenance Memorandum of Understanding for Laddonia Ethanol Co-Gen Project. Ms. Wilson shared that the agreement has been updated with the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission (MJMEUC) to reflect activities related to operating and maintaining the Laddonia unit with an annual base revenue of $108,314.26 and billable hours for additional services. Vice President Brian Terry made a motion, seconded by Board Member David Wilt, to approve the agreement as presented. The motion carried with three votes for and none against.
Next on the agenda was Appointments to the Macon County Economic Development Board. Vice President Brian Terry made a motion, seconded by Board Member David Ausmus, to appoint Clayton Daniels and Rachel Richardson for a two-year term. The motion carried with three votes for and none against.
Next on the agenda was to address Employee Request for Variance in Residency Requirement. After a lengthy discussion, Vice President Brian Terry made a motion, seconded by Board Member David Wilt, to table the discussion until the next meeting in order to allow the City Council to review the approved residency changes made by the Board of Public Works on April 19, 2021. The motion carried with three votes for and none against.
For audience participation, Mr. Scott Lucas was on hand to discuss utilities relating to Agri-Genesis, LLC. For the final item on the agenda, Employee Retention and Recruitment was discussed given current labor market activities.
Ms. Wilson provided updates for non-agenda items which noted items no longer utilized will be advertised for sealed bids which include: 2005 International 4300 Dump Truck, Enorossi Sickle Bar Mower, 32” Steel Pipe, and John Deer 4ft Snow Blower. Bids will be due February 9, 2022 by 1:00 pm. Ms. Wilson noted that the 2021 financials will be completed in late January or early February 2022 for the Board’s review.
Under updates provided by Assistants to the General Manager Ben Stueve and Bryce Butner, operation and maintenance activities at the Macon Energy Center were noted. For the Audrain Energy Center, crews have installed a rebuilt generator, installed new gearbox, new start motor and various sensors. Special Services Group have finished logging electricity outages in the American Public Power Association tracker and cleared ice and snow from MMU facilities. Electric Distribution performed various service through out the month, staff are beginning the cleaning and waxing of the fiberglass truck boom for dielectric testing, assisted in the Headworks project with generator transfer issues, replaced poles, cut trees, trimmed brush and chipped in various locations and remove and stored the downtown Christmas decorations. Underground Facilities have fixed various water main leaks, performed quarterly grease trap inspections and other wastewater activities, plus regarding natural gas checked regulator stations pressure, calibrated gas equipment, performed gas pipe fusing qualifications and testing.
Under updated provided by Supervisor Ed Samel at the Water Treatment Plant and Supervisor Ronny Smith at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, staff are performing operation and maintenance activities. New hire Jordan Wood started at the Water Treatment Plant on January 17, 2022. Also, Nicholas Thrasher will begin employment at the Waste Water Treatment, January 25, 2022.
After approval of accounts payable and noting the next regular meeting was set for Monday, February 21, 2022 at 5:00 pm, a motion was made by David Ausmus, seconded by Brian Terry to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed with three votes for and none against.