THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
March 27, 2025
The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on March 27, 2025, at 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Those in attendance were President David Ausmus, Vice President Jeff Roberts, Board Member Ryan Johnson, Board Member Chris Nelson, General Manager Dana Ulmer, Assistant General Manager Ben Stueve, Board Secretary Lauren Watson, Mayor Tony Petre, City Administrator Scott Meszaros and Councilwoman Cheryl Blaise.
President David Ausmus called the meeting to order at 5:00pm.
1. The first item on the agenda is an 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 for a full term, but no later than the second meeting following the appointment of a new board member. President David Ausmus made a motion, Seconded by Board Member Ryan Johnson to nominate Jeff Roberts as Vice President. Vice President Jeff Roberts made a motion, Seconded by Board Member Chris Nelson to nominate David Ausmus as President. The motion carried with all votes for and none against.
2. The minutes from the special meeting of the Board of Public Works were reviewed. Board Member Chris Nelson made a motion, seconded by Vice President Jeff Roberts, to approve the minutes of the special meeting from January 24, 2025, with the correction of Line Item # 7. The motion carried with all votes for, none against, and one abstention.
3. The minutes from the 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 February 17, 2025. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
Under old business
- Approval of On Call Engineering Agreement – This item was tabled. No discussion was held, and no vote was taken.
Under new business
5. Review of Financials – February 2025 – After reviewing the financials, Board Member Chris Nelson commented that he would like to see a trend chart, showing a pattern and/or showing percentages of the budget and percentages of how much of the budget has already been used. Board Member Ryan Johnson recommended using Co-Pilot on Microsoft Excel, and he too would like to see a trend chart as well. General Manager Dana Ulmer made the Board Members aware that he would address the request with the Controller Jennifer McLeland so she can prepare the charts for the upcoming board meetings.
6. Approval to Purchase Budgeted Replacement Underground Facilities Crew Truck – Assistant General Manager Ben Stueve shared that the replacement of the 2016 F550 Underground service truck was budgeted for the current year at $110,000. Management would like to replace it with a 2025 Dodge 2500 with a reading service bed utilizing a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing bid of $103,581 from Terex USA. Delivery would be estimated to be near the end of the year. President David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by Vice President Jeff Roberts to approve the purchase of the budgeted 2025 Dodge 2500 with a reading service bed utilizing a Sourcewell Cooperative purchasing bid of $103,581 from Terex USA. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
7. Approval to Purchase Budgeted Replacement Wheel Loader for Wastewater Treatment Plant – Mr. Stueve shared that the replacement of the 2011 John Deere 444K Wastewater Treatment Plant Wheel Loader was budgeted for the current year at $200,000. Management felt the best piece of equipment was the Case 521G2 XR Z-bar. However, they recommended purchasing the John Deere 444 G as the price difference is too significant. Board Member Ryan Johnson made a motion, seconded by Board Member Chris Nelson, to approve the purchase of the John Deere 444 G wheel loader from Martin Equipment for $152,182. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
8. Approval to Purchase Natural Gas Mobile Leak Survey Equipment – Mr. Stueve shared as the Board discussed in February the Underground Facilities department would significantly benefit from the addition of a natural gas mobile leak survey equipment to be able to mount to the front of the new utility vehicle. For the equipment to be compatible with current equipment Southern Cross is the sole source of the mobile unit for $7,293. Board Member Chris Nelson made a motion, seconded by Vice President Jeff Roberts to approve the purchase of natural gas mobile leak survey equipment from Southern Cross for $7,293. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
9. Approval of Raw Water Treatment Plant Equipment System Trial – Mr. Ulmer shared that following a meeting with DNR Financial Assistance Center in order to proceed with the potential of reducing shifts at the Water Treatment Plant a trial to review the operations of the purchased analytical equipment would be required. Management anticipates at least a 90-day trial, which will run concurrent with the existing process yet independently to allow for true analytical data, to allow for sufficient data analysis comparisons from current processes and new equipment. Vice President Jeff Roberts made a motion, seconded by Board Member Chris Nelson to approve the Water Treatment Plant trial from Purifics for an amount not to exceed $45,000 during a 90-day trial of the pre-purchased analytical equipment. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
10. Motion to Amend the Agenda & Approval to Change the By-Laws for Board of Public Works Board Meetings – Mr. Ulmer noted that per the by-laws to permanently change the date or time of the Board of Public Works meetings it required a motion by the Board and approval of the City Council. Board Member Chris Nelson made a motion, seconded by Board Member Ryan Johnson to amend the agenda to add an approval of by-law changes. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
Board Member Chris Nelson made a motion, seconded by Board Member Ryan Johnson to change the by-laws to hold the Board of Public Works monthly board meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:00 in the City Council Chambers and to send the proposed changes to the City Council. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
- Employee Retention & Recruitment – Ethan Pettig started Monday, March 3 in the Underground Facilities crew. Ethan was formerly on the crew from April 2018 to May 2023. Since he left MMU, Ethan owned and operated a plumbing business but found that he did not enjoy the additional process of being self-employed.
Cassius (Cash) Mitchell has accepted a position at the Raw Water Treatment Plant beginning in late May, following graduation from State Tech.
Mr. Stueve shared that a portion of the electric distribution crew had been to Rolla, MO following substantial storm damage, as well as single day trips to Monroe City and Marceline to assist with specific tasks.
Mr. Ulmer shared that Rachael Laiti at the Wastewater Treatment Plant passed her Class D operator license and plans to take her Class C soon.
- Board of Public Works Member Reports – Following a discussion in February regarding the Board utilizing an electronic Board packet software, Mr. Ulmer shared that this process is underway, and we will keep the Board updated on the progress.
Board Member Ryan Johnson would like the utility to begin an ongoing cyber security program. The world has already become very dependent on internet-based programs, which will only continue to be more prominent. A cyber security program for online usage and email could help the utility avoid significant issues by training and informing the staff about current dangers.
- Approval of Accounts Payable – Board members signed accounts payable without revision.
A motion was made by Board Member Chris Nelson, seconded by President David Ausmus, to hold a closed session regarding Legal (RsMO 610.021 (1)), Leasing, Purchase, or Sale of Real Estate (RsMO 610.021 (2)) and Personnel (RsMO 610.021 (3)). The roll call vote was as follows: President David Ausmus, yea; Vice President Jeff Roberts, yea; Board Member Chris Nelson, yea; and Board Member Ryan Johnson, yea.
Following the closed session, a motion was made by Board Member Chris Nelson, seconded by President David Ausmus to adjourn the meeting at 6:16 pm, with the next regular board meeting set for Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Motion carried with four votes for and none against.