THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
November 8, 2021
The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on November 8, 2021 at 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Those in attendance were President John Neer, Vice President Brian Terry, Board Member David Ausmus, Board Member David Wilt, General Manager Stephanie Wilson, Assistants to the General Manager Benjamin Stueve and Bryce Butner, Mayor James “Talt” Holman, and City Administrator Avis Marshall.
President John Neer called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. Vice President Brian Terry made a motion, seconded by Board Member David Ausmus, to approve the minutes from the October 18, 2021 meeting. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
First item on the agenda was Approval of the Amended 2021 Budget for Macon Municipal Utilities. After a short discussion of extraordinary electric and natural gas costs in February 2021 due to Winter Storm Uri and a few other notable items, President John Neer made a motion, seconded by Vice President Brian Terry, to approve the amended 2021 budget and present it to the City Council for approval. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
The next item was Approval of the 2022 Budget for Macon Municipal Utilities. Discussion was held regarding trended revenues and expected increases in commodity, chemical, and material prices due to current inflation in the economy. Once discussion was complete, Vice President Brian Terry made a motion, seconded by Board Member David Ausmus, to approve the 2022 budget and present it to the City Council for approval. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
The next item on the agenda, Approval to Proceed with Electric Transmission Study, was tabled for a future meeting due discussions between the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission (MJMEUC) and Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative. MMU has a new industrial customer and the transmission feed needs to be analyzed. The approach is being discussed.
Last item on the agenda was the Discussion of Ordinance Relating to Solar Farm. The 3.2 MW solar farm in Macon, Missouri is currently owned by Gardner Capital, Inc. and MCP Macon, LLC and are assigning their rights in the interconnection agreement to Solar Projects, LLC and Gardner Capital Solar Development, LLC. The energy is sold to the Missouri Public Energy Pool. MJMEUC is planning to purchase the solar farm by the end of 2021. The City of Macon, Missouri is being asked to update the ordinance for the interconnection agreement to Substation 3 and shade ordinance for its bordering property to reflect the transaction. Documents are currently being reviewed by Attorney R. Timothy Bickhaus.
Ms. Wilson provided update for non-agenda items which included an update for the Integrated Management Plan for Wastewater Improvements. A meeting with Burns & McDonnell, MPUA and MMU will meet with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources on November 22, 2021. Grant opportunities from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for stormwater and sewer improvements will also be discussed. Cost of service studies for electric and water services in next year’s budget and the updating of co-generation agreements with MJMEUC for the Laddonia and Fredericktown units were also mentioned.
After approval of accounts payable and setting the next regular meeting for Monday, December 20, 2021 at 5:00 pm, a motion was made by President John Neer, seconded by Board Member David Wilt, to go into executive session regarding Leasing, Purchase, or Sale of Real Estate (Rs. MO.610.021(2)) and Personnel (Rs. MO.610.021(3)). The motions were as follows: John Neer, yea; Brian Terry, yea; David Ausmus, yea; and David Wilt, yea. The motion passed with four votes for and none against.
President John Neer adjourned the meeting at 6:35 pm.