THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
May 18, 2020
The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on May 18, 2020 at 4:45 pm in the City Council Chambers. Those in attendance were President John Neer, Board Member J.D. King, Board Member Brian Terry, General Manager Stephanie Wilson, Assistants to the General Managers Bryce Butner and Benjamin Stueve, Mayor Talt Holman, City Administrator Avis Marshall, City Attorney Tim Bickhaus and City Councilman Greg Wiggans. City Councilman Tony Petre attended via telephone. An attending guest was Jeff Barnard with Burns & McDonnell, Inc.
President John Neer called the meeting to order at 4:45 p.m. Board Member J.D. King made a motion, seconded by Board Member Brian Terry, to approve the minutes from the April 20, 2020 meeting. The motion carried with three votes for and none against.
First item on the agenda was a Discussion of the Headworks Project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The headworks is the point where wastewater leaves the collection system and enters the treatment plant. General Manager Stephanie Wilson and Jeff Barnard with Burns & McDonnell spoke with the Board explaining the process that has led to the new design of the headworks. It will provide the wastewater treatment plant screening, grit removal, a pump station and improved piping. Board Member J.D. King made a motion, seconded by Board Member Brian Terry, to proceed with placing the project for bid for the month of June 2020. The motion passed with three votes for and none against.
Next item on the agenda was a review of financials for April 2020 and year-to-date information. The electric fund is still seeing a decrease in consumption due to mild weather but is expected to rebound in future months during the air conditioning season. Water and wastewater funds are trending to be normal year-to-date. Commodity prices for natural gas remain historically low.
Next item on the agenda was Approval to Proceed with Fixed Assets Purchase – Steel Poles for Highway 36 Crossing. The electric distribution project near the water treatment plant site to be performed by MMU employees is anticipated to occur in the fall due to the lead time on the poles. Toth & Associates, Inc. reviewed the bids to ensure that technical specifications were met and recommended the bid from Techline (CHM) be accepted. President John Neer made the motion, seconded by Board Member J.D. King, to accept the low bid from Techline (CHM) in the amount of $21,390.00. The motion passed with three votes for and none against.
Next item on the agenda was Approval to Submit Grant Application to the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) for Macon Lake Improvements. MMU has retained maintenance of Macon Lake even though it has not been used as the primary water source for Macon and the wholesale customers since 1979, but is a great asset to our community and better accommodations would promote its use. Board Member Brian Terry made the motion, seconded by Board Member J.D. King, to submit the proposed grant application to the IDA for a courtesy dock at the boat ramp and a fishing dock that is compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. The motion carried with three votes for and none against.
Under manager reports, General Manager Stephanie Wilson shared various updates relating to utility planning for a new customer, building and grounds projects, electric wholesale rate market information, information regarding a wastewater back-up claim, audit responses, staff professional development, and as discussed at the April meeting whether to resume charging penalties and perform disconnects on customer accounts due to COVID-19 will be reviewed at the June 15, 2020 Board meeting.
Assistants to the General Manager, Benjamin Stueve and Bryce Butner provided updates for the Macon and Audrain Energy Centers. The Special Services Group has cleaned up the Macon Lake facilities and will be spending extra time at the site to prepare for Memorial Day weekend. Staff also worked with Enercon to test fixed breakers and test the Caterpillar backup generator and transferring ability at the Vine Street complex. Electric Distribution set up temporary back feed system for the Power Plant breaker change out and updated the GIS mapping system. Staff also cut trees from lines for clearance, performed pole replacements, installed new services, and installed longer street light arms at various locations. Underground Facilities installed a 6” water main on Goggin Street from Coates to 5th Street. Also, a manhole access to the wastewater collection main on the north end of Jackson Street was installed. Additionally, Visu-Sewer is expected to be in town for three weeks in May relining contracted wastewater collection mains. Also, natural gas feeder lines from Macon to Moberly have been patrolled, finding no leaks.
Regarding updates from Supervisors Ed Samel at the Water Treatment Plant and Ronny Smith at the Wastewater Treatment plant, general operations and maintenance activities occurred this period. At the water treatment plant, staff is preparing for the draining and inspection of the #2 basin and repairing the drain valve. At the wastewater treatment plant, scum pits were cleaned, overhead pipe hangers in the filter room were changed out due to corrosion, sampling of wastewater and submittal of required reports to regulatory agencies were completed.
After approval of accounts payable and setting the next regular meeting for Monday, June 15, 2020 at 4:00 p.m., a motion was made by President John Neer, seconded by Board Member J.D. King, to go into executive session regarding Legal (Rs. MO.610.021(1). The motion passed with three votes for and none against.
When the open meeting reconvened, a motion was made by President John Neer, seconded by Board Member J.D. King, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed with three votes for and none against.
President John Neer adjourned the meeting at 5:51 pm.