THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
January 27, 2026
The meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on January 27, 2026, at 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Those in attendance were President David Ausmus, Vice President Jeff Roberts, Board Member Chris Nelson, Board Member Ryan Johnson, General Manager Dana Ulmer, Assistant General Manager Ben Stueve, Controller Jennifer McLeland, Mayor Tony Petre, Councilwoman Cheryl Blaise, Councilman Jerry Thompson, Councilman Talt Holman, Shannon Howe (Howe Company), Josh Lambeth (Howe Company), Bob Butler, Nelli Butler, Leslie Butler, Gloria Guinn, Nancy Gingrich and Teresa Thrasher.
President David Ausmus called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.
- The minutes from the previous regular meeting of the Board of Public Works were reviewed. Vice President Jeff Roberts made a motion, seconded by President David Ausmus, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting from December 8, 2025, as presented. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
Old business
- There was no old business to discuss.
New business
- Discussion of Wastewater Main on Bowzer Road – President David Ausmus welcomed Bob Butler who had requested to be on the agenda regarding the proposed wastewater main on Bowzer Road. Bob Butler and his daughter Leslie Butler shared that they would like it added into the easement that any future residential construction on their property be granted access to the wastewater main without paying any connection fees. After a brief discussion Vice President Jeff Roberts made a motion, seconded by President David Ausmus, that any new construction on Mr. Butler’s property between Bowzer Road and West Bourke be granted connection to the new wastewater main if it is moved without paying a connection fee for any residential dwelling built in the future and for these details to be written into the easement to stay with the property. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
Shannon Howe and Josh Lambeth, engineers with Howe Company, noted they would add this verbiage into the drafted easement prior to signatures and its being recorded.
7. Approval of Truck and Labor Rates for 2026 – Controller Jennifer McLeland shared that while truck rates were not changing, regular and overtime labor rates are adjusted annually as an average hour cost per department to ensure the utility recuperates expenses for all billable work performed. President David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by Board Member Chris Nelson to approve the recommended Truck and Labor Rates for 2026. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
8. Approval of New Construction Fee Sheet for 2026 – Mrs. McLeland shared that a list of all inventory items necessary for each access and installation fee is updated annually by the Purchasing Agent. The inventory item amounts are then calculated into a total rounded charge. After reviewing the current inventory prices, the only amount recommended is commercial or industrial installation, as the price of CTs has increased by approximately $100. Vice President Jeff Roberts made a motion, seconded by President David Ausmus to approve the recommended New Construction Fees for 2026 as presented. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
The regular Board of Public Works Meeting was paused from 5:15 pm to 6:10 pm for the public hearing regarding proposed wastewater user rate changes.
4. Approval of Wastewater Certificates of Deposit Cash Out – Mrs. McLeland shared that ARPA Grant funding was exhausted with the invoice submission to Department of Natural Resources in December 2025. Without an additional reimbursement to the wastewater fund, the account is currently overdrawn. The auditors were contacted, and it was verified that the account could remain overdrawn for a short time until the cash balance was reestablished. At this time management recommends cashing out CDs to reimburse the remaining amount of the ARPA project and replenish an operational cash balance. Board Member Ryan Johnson inquired when the next wastewater CDs were maturing to avoid paying early cash out penalties. Board Member Chris Nelson noted that six $200,000 CDs were maturing July 1, 2026. Board Member Ryan Johnson made a motion, seconded by Board Member Chris Nelson to temporarily transfer cash from the electric fund to the wastewater fund to return to a positive wastewater fund cash balance, then as wastewater fund CDs mature to repay the electric fund prior to December 31, 2026, and to make the City Council aware of the temporary transfer. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
5. Recommendation for Approval of Proposed Wastewater Rates – Following discussion during the public hearing this item is being tabled. No vote was taken.
6. Approval of 2026 Wastewater Main Relining – Mrs. McLeland asked the Board if they would like to continue to include agenda items for large purchases to expenses detailed in the budget, especially capital asset items, the Board agreed approving significant purchases or expenses even if detailed in the budget would be appreciated as there may have been significant changes since the budget was passed and items may be pushed back or not purchased.
Mrs. McLeland shared that MMU has utilized the Purchasing Cooperative of American award the last several years to select a company to perform the current year relining. Advanced Rehabilitation Technology holds the award contract for 2026. Advanced Rehabilitation and Midwest Coatings, that will actually be onsite, have done relining in Macon previously and have been good to work with. Board Member Ryan Johnson made a motion, seconded by Vice President Jeff Roberts approve Advanced Rehabilitation to perform manhole relining not to exceed $135,000. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
9. Discussion of Water Lead Service Line Replacements – Mr. Ulmer briefly shared that Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had required all water service providers to report all lead and galvanized water service lines by the fall of 2024. Following MMU’s customer survey and employee verifications, it was determined MMU has 65 customers with lead or galvanized water service lines. Although no follow-up guidelines have been established nor funding set up, EPA and DNR established all service lines had to be replaced within 10 years (2034). Management has drafted lead service line replacement assistance funding. Of the 65 total services to be replaced 44 are in a residential grassed yard while the remaining 21 are under concrete or asphalt. To remove the risk from MMU, the drafted replacement assistance program requires that the customer hire a licensed contractor and then payment can be submitted to the customer or contractor after the documented completion invoice is received. Management suggests a reimbursement of up to $5,000 be made for customers service line replacement in grassed yards and up to $10,000 for those under concrete or asphalt. No vote was taken.
10. Discussion of Request for Proposal for Human Resource Consultant – Mr. Ulmer shared that he has begun a draft RFP for a human resource consulting that has been discussed previously. Managements intent for a consultant would be to aid in training, succession planning, review of policy manual, on call HR advice during personnel management activities like discipline, termination, allowances, and other. MPUA has provided a list of firms in the area, the RFP will be sent to this listing and advertised as well.
Board Member Chris Nelson, reiterating is idea of utility customers paying by credit card being charged a processing fee like the City Collector. The savings from MMU not paying these with credit card fees could pay for a human resources consultant.
Mayor Tony Petre asked if the City Council could have a presence on the team that would be scoring the RFPs as the City may also utilize the services of the human resources consultant.
11. Employee Retention & Recruitment – Terrace Duncan resigned from Underground Facilities effective December 29, 2025. This vacancy has been advertised and will remain open until the position is filled.
12. Board of Public Works Member Reports – No Board Members had reports. Mr. Ulmer shared that the Wastewater Treatment Plant received the loader ordered in 2025, but it has since had several issues. Management has worked with Martin Equipment, and they have agreed to exchange the loader for a different model as they have been unable to correct all the issues. Martin Equipment has also given MMU our previous loader to use until the replacement is received.
13. Approval of Accounts Payable – Board members signed accounts payable without revision.
A motion was made by Board Member Ryan Johnson and seconded by Board Member Chris Nelson, to hold a closed executive session regarding Legal (RsMO 610.021 (1)). The roll call vote was as follows: President David Ausmsus, yea; Vice President Jeff Roberts, yea; Board Member Chris Nelson, yea; Board Member Ryan Johnson, yea.
Following the closed session, a motion was made by Board Member Chris Nelson, seconded by Vice President Jeff Roberts to adjourn the meeting at 7:06 pm, with the next regular board meeting set for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Motion carried with four votes for and none against.