THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
May 27, 2025
The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on May 27, 2025, 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, Board Secretary Lauren Watson, City Administrator Scott Meszaros, City Councilwoman Cheryl Blaise, City Councilman Brent Bernhardt and Shannon Howe with Howe Company.
President David Ausmus called the meeting to order at 5:00pm.
- The minutes from the previous regular meeting of the Board of Public Works were reviewed. Board Member Ryan Johnson made a motion, seconded by Vice President Jeff Roberts, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting from April 22, 2025. The motion carried with all votes for and none against.
Under old business
2. Approval of Municipal Financial Advisor Contract – General Manager Dana Ulmer briefly shared that the details of the Municipal Financial Advisor were previously discussed at the April 2025 Board meeting. The Board Members did not have any further discussion or questions regarding the Municipal Financial Advisor. Board Member Chris Nelson made a motion, seconded by President David Ausmus to approve DA Davidson as the Municipal Financial Advisor in relation to potential upcoming bonding for improvements to the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
3. Approval of Engineering of Bowzer Wastewater Main Relocation – Mr. Ulmer briefly reviewed with the Board that failure in the clay gravity wastewater main on Bowzer Road in the fall of 2024 was significant enough to require engineering for its repair. Requests for qualifications were sent out and published, each qualification submitted was reviewed by Assistant General Manager Ben Stueve and Underground Facilities Supervisor Mike Llewellyn, and they recommend Howe Company. Vice President Jeff Roberts made a motion, seconded by Board Member Ryan Johnson to approve Howe Company as the engineering firm for the relocation of the wastewater main on Bowzer Road with a not to exceed total of $62,000. The motion carried with three votes for and none against, President David Ausmus abstained.
Under new business
4. Review of Financials – April 2025 – After reviewing the financials, Board Members requested that Controller Jennifer McLeland continue to provide detailed monthly management discussion and analysis in addition to the newly added trending.
5. Discussion of MegaKC Change Order on ARPA Sewer Separation Project – Mr. Ulmer shared that MegaKC had sent a change order to allocate a portion of the $560,000 allowances, to utilize $65,000 for railroad flagging and insurance plus extending the bore and additional 25 feet to stay outside BNSF’s right-of-way zone for future construction. Board Member Ryan Johnson made a motion, seconded by President David Ausmus to approve the change order from MegaKC to appropriate $65,000 for railroad flagging and insurance plus an additional 25 feet of bore. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
6. Discussion and Approval to Dispose of 1998 Dodge Dakota – Assistant General Manager Ben Stueve shared that earlier in 2025 MMU received the 1998 Dodge Dakota in exchange for a 2018 Chevy Silverado per the Board’s request. Management would like to publish a sealed bid and sell the 1998 Dodge Dakota as is. Board Member Chris Nelson made a motion, seconded by President David Ausmus to approve the advertisement for sealed bid to sell the 1998 Dodge Dakota as is. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
- Employee Retention & Recruitment – Cassius (Cash) Mitchell started at the Water Treatment Plant Tuesday, May 27. Management thought this will fill the final vacancy at the Water Treatment Plant, however, Allison Hedworth turned in her resignation effective June 5 to pursue another opportunity that she was presented. Advertisement for the upcoming vacancy has already been posted.
Rachael Laiti at the Wastewater Treatment Plant passed her C operator license and Nick Thrasher passed his A wastewater treatment license.
8. Board of Public Works Member Reports – Mr. Ulmer shared that the workshop for improvements at the Water Treatment Plant with engineers, Missouri Department of Revenue, financial advisors, bond council and members of the City Council would be the following day, Wednesday, May 28 starting with a tour of the plant at 3:30 pm.
9. Approval of Accounts Payable – Board members signed accounts payable without revision.
A motion was made by Board Member Ryan Johnson, seconded by President David Ausmus, to hold a closed executive session regarding Legal (RsMO 610.021 (1)). 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 President David Ausmus, seconded by Board Member Chris Nelson to adjourn the meeting at 5:32 pm, with the next regular board meeting set for Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Motion carried with four votes for and none against.