THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
September 21, 2020
The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on September 21, 2020 at 4:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Those in attendance were President John Neer, Vice President J.D. King, Board Member Brian Terry (virtually), Board Member David Ausmus, General Manager Stephanie Wilson, Assistants to the General Manager Bryce Butner and Benjamin Stueve (virtually), Mayor James “Talt” Holman, and City Administrator Avis Marshall. Attending guests included JP Joly (virtually) with WaterWorth™, Chief Executive Officer John Twitty and Environmental, Public Policy Manager Lacey Hirshvogel with the Missouri Public Utility Alliance (MPUA), and Jeff Barnard with Burns & McDonnell.
President John Neer called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by J.D. King, to approve the minutes from the August 17, 2020 and September 9, 2020 meetings. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
First item on the agenda was a Demonstration of the WaterWorth™ Rate Making Tool by JP Joly. Mr. Joly provided background on the tool with staff joining in an overview of Macon projects and financial data for the wastewater utility. Macon Municipal Utilities (MMU) is currently in a 90-day free trial with the product.
Next item on the agenda, Lacey Hirshvogel, Environmental and Public Policy Manager with MPUA, discussed a grant opportunity for an integrated plan to be developed for Macon’s long-term wastewater improvements. The MPUA Resource Services Corporation received a grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to assist communities with developing an integrated plan as a living and breathing document that addresses affordability, compliance and timing for wastewater infrastructure improvements. An integrated plan would be used in addition with Macon’s Combined Sewer System (Sanitary Sewer and Storm Water) Long-Term Control Plan and other planning documents.
Next item on the agenda was a Comparison of Residential and Commercial Utilities to Neighboring Communities. A rate comparison table was given to the Board for review.
Next item was a Monthly Review of Financial for August 2020. Electric, water and wastewater funds are performing well with the natural gas fund realizing increased expenses due to additional transportation fees since the Panhandle Eastern Pipeline rate increase.
Next item was a Review and Approval of Bids for Fixed Assets Replacement – Jetter Machine. After a discussion of maintenance issues with the current 2002 machine used for wastewater maintenance and bids collected for the budgeted replacement, President John Neer made a motion, seconded by Board Member Brian Terry, to procced with the purchase of a Vactor T240-750 from Coe Equipment for $79,937.18. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
Review and Approval of Bids for Fixed Assets Replacement – Flatbed Truck for the Electric Distribution department. After a discussion of the bids collected for the 2004 model to be replaced, Vice President J.D. King made a motion, seconded by President John Neer, to proceed with the Terex 2020 Ford 550 cab and chassis with flatbed and boxes in the amount of $49,999.99. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
Last item on the agenda was Approval of Engineer for North Water Tower Rehabilitation. The 1-million-gallon water tower was built in 2001 and maintains the original paint on the interior and exterior. Safety features also need to be addressed. Engineering qualifications received were discussed. President John Neer made a motion, seconded by Board Member Brian Terry, to select Benton & Associates, Inc. based on qualifications to negotiate an agreement for bidding and inspection of construction activities. The motion passed with four votes for and none against.
Assistants to the General Manager Ben Stueve and Bryce Butner provided updates for the Macon and Audrain Energy Centers. At the Macon site, staff has updated turbine inventory and added oil in fuel gas compressor. Solar Turbines, Inc. replaced and reprogrammed the HMI on the skid. At the Audrain site, staff met with Butzer, Inc. to discuss turbine fan motor relocation and met with contractors to work on natural gas metering. The Special Services Group performed substation checks, completed fire extinguisher inspections and formed/poured handicap access parking lot for new fishing dock to be placed at Macon Lake along with poured sidewalk for boat ramp dock. Electric Distribution cut trees from line on Circuit 21, performed locates for Missouri One Call responded to a house fire on Southwestern Drive, replaced primary pole and built three-phase transformer bank in preparation for customer upgrade on Enterprise Drive, and cleaned/restocked trucks after the Mutual Aid trip. Mr. Butner shared feedback from the mutual aid response to Alexandria, Louisiana. MMU sent a 5-man crew from August 25th – September 4th to help restore power to the area due to Hurricane Laura. Underground Facilities performed a system wide water distribution main flush and fixed a leak on Lamb Drive. Monthly jetting maintenance was performed on wastewater collection mains and the east W. Bourke Street lift station had new relays installed with floats being adjusted. Farm tap inspections were conducted on the natural gas high pressure mains. Also, a service was abandoned on Southwestern Drive due to a house fire. Keith Carter, Wayne Bealmer and Mike Llewellyn attended training in Chillicothe for DS-III license hours.
Supervisors Ed Samel at the Water Treatment Plant and Ronny Smith at the Wastewater Treatment Plant provided updates for the treatment facilities. At the Water Treatment Plant, it was noted that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources conducted a 3-year inspection of the Macon Lake Dam. It is expected that MDNR will be making a recommendation to replace rip-rap to the face of the dam sometime in the future, either in stages of all at once. At the Wastewater Treatment Plant the contract and notice of award was executed with David E. Ross Construction, with the Notice to Proceed to be issued based on submittal of required documents to Burns & McDonnell. MDNR expects to have final documents available with-in 2-3 weeks for Mayor Holman’s signature to accept the $500,000 Rural Sewer Grant towards the project.
After approval of accounts payable and setting the next regular meeting for October 19, 2020 at 4:00 p.m., a motion was made by President John Neer, seconded by Vice President J.D. King, to go into executive session regarding Legal (Rs.MO640.021 (1), 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; J.D. King, yea; and David Ausmus, yea.
When the open meeting reconvened, a motion was made by President John Neer, seconded by Vice President J.D. King, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed with four votes and none against.
President John Neer adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.