THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
January 19, 2021
The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on January 19, 2021 at 4:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Those in attendance were President John Neer, Vice President Brian Terry, Board Member David Ausmus, newly appointed Board Member David Wilt, General Manager Stephanie Wilson, Assistants to the General Manager Bryce Butner and Benjamin Stueve, City Councilman Anthony Petre, City Administrator Avis Marshall and Mayor James “Talt” Holman.
President John Neer called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Board Member David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by Board Member Brian Terry, to approve the minutes with an amendment noted from the December 21, 2020 meeting. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
The first item on the agenda was the Election of Officers for the Board of Public Works. Per the By-Laws, an election of officers shall be held at the first regular meeting at which all members are present following the appointment of a new board member. David Wilt was appointed to the Board of Public Works at the January 12, 2021 City Council meeting. Board Member Brian Terry made a motion, seconded by Board Member David Ausmus, to re-elect John Neer as President. The motion carried with four votes for and none against. Board Member David Ausmus then made a motion, seconded by President John Neer, to elect Brian Terry for Vice President. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
Next was a Discussion of the Review of Financials Timeline for 2020. After discussion, it was agreed upon that financials for 2020 along with comparisons to the past five years will be available by the end of January 2021.
Next item on the agenda was Approval to Proceed with Purchase of Fixed Asset Item – Mini-Excavator as noted in the 2021 Budget. After a review of bids and a discussion of the fleet plan, Vice President Brian Terry made a motion, seconded by President John Neer, to procced with the low bid to purchase the Kubota KX040-4R3A for $51,580.31. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
Next item on the agenda was Discussion of Wastewater User Charge Ordinance. A 9% increase to wastewater fees was approved in the 2021 budget to begin on May 1, 2021 statements. After discussion of the timeline for required notices, a public information period, a public hearing, and an upcoming internal meeting to discuss an integrated plan for wastewater improvements, President John Neer made a motion, seconded by Vice President Brian Terry, to delay consideration of the rate increase by 30 days. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
From the operational updates provided to the Board, General Manager Stephanie Wilson touched on a few items which included utility extensions for an existing and new residential development, legislative bills filed that impact municipalities, staff are awaiting quotes for audio-visual equipment for the Council Chambers, management attendance of virtual disaster management training, a pre-bid meeting on the North Water Tower Rehabilitation project was held on January 11, 2021 with bids to be opened on January 20, 2021, and that the City of Macon added zoning to the GIS mapping system. She also touched on January 1, 2021 billing statements that were lost in the postal system which required MMU to mail a second set of statements. Additionally, MMU is submitting names of staff interested in the COVID-19 vaccine to the Macon County Health Department as part of the Phase 1B list.
Updates provided by Assistants to the General Manager Bryce Butner and Ben Stueve noted at the Macon Energy Center turbine enclosure filters were cleaned due to being clogged with ice and building and grounds maintenance was performed at the Audrain Energy Center. For the Special Services Group it was noted that annual reports have been completed for turbine and power plant exhaust emissions and a battery backup was changed at Substation 2. Electric Distribution worked on resolving outages on January 1 and 4, 2021 due to ice buildup affecting trees and continued with cutting limbs from all circuits. MMU also sent a crew of four to Hannibal, Missouri to help restore power due to the storm that went through the area on New Year’s Day. Lineworkers from Columbia, Harrisonville, Rolla and Higginsville also assisted with the restoration from January 2 – 4, 2021.
Underground Facilities have started the annual water valve operation and painting of approximately 500 valves. For wastewater, various sections of main were viewed with the camera and some repairs were made plus air relief inspections on force mains were started. For natural gas, staff satisfied various Public Service Commission requirements, calibrated gas instruments, and began qualifying for poly pipe fusion. At the Wastewater Treatment plant, warranty work for influent pumps installed last fall was needed as two out of three pumps were leaking and work continues on the new headworks project.
After approval of accounts payable and setting the next regular meeting for Monday, February 15, 2021, a motion was made by President John Neer, seconded by Vice President Brian Terry, 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: John Neer, yea; Brian Terry, yea; David Ausmus, yea; and David Wilt, yea.
When the open meeting reconvened, 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.
President John Neer adjourned the meeting at 6:10 p.m.