THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
September 16, 2024
The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on September 16, 2024, at 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Those in attendance were President David Ausmus, Vice President Jeff Roberts, Board Member David Wilt, Board Member Chris Nelson, Secretary Lauren Watson, General Manager Dana Ulmer, Assistant General Manager Ben Stueve, and Controller Jennifer McLeland.
President David Ausmus called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.
- The minutes from the last 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 August 19, 2024. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
Under old business
- There was no old business to discuss.
Under new business:
3. Review of Financials – August 2024 – General Manager Dana Ulmer, shared with the Board a summary of the financials were included in their operational updates and detail of the significant transactions could be found in the management discussion and analysis for their convenience. The Board had no questions or comments regarding the financials.
4. Approval of Fourth Quarter Economic Development Contribution – Mr. Ulmer shared that the Board approved the 2024 budget with the quarterly approval of the Economic Development contributions. Following a brief discussion President David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by Board Member David Wilt to pay Economic Development contributions for fourth quarter in the amount of $12,000.00. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
5. Approval to Transfer Funds to Certificates of Deposit – Controller Jennifer McLeland shared a three-year history of bank account and certificate of deposit balances, as well as reviewed the cash reserve policy. Mrs. McLeland recommended transferring $2,000,000 in electric and $1,000,000 in natural gas funds to certificates of deposit and transferring an additional $2,000,000 in electric from the primary bank account into the reserves bank account as it yields a higher interest rate and is not needed to fund any current projects. After the review of the existing CDs, President David Ausmus inquired if it would be beneficial to look at CD rates at the various banks in Macon rather than maintaining the 60-month CD ladder program that was previously established at MA Bank. Board Member Chris Nelson continued the discussion looking at the specials at banks, specifically the 21-month and 42-month terms at MA Bank. Following a brief discussion, Board Member Chris Nelson made a motion, seconded by Board President David Ausmus to approve the transfer of certificates of deposit with remaining terms of 42 months or less to various banks in Macon, the purchase of an additional $2,000,000 in electric and $1,000,000 in natural gas funds to certificates of deposit (both transferred and new certificates of deposit detailed in the table below), as well as the transfer of $2,000,000 in electric fund from the primary bank account into the reserves bank account. Certificates of Deposit to be purchased as Macon Municipal Utilities with City of Macon signors Mayor Tony Petre, City Clerk Mary Lou Craigg and City Collector Rebecca Sims. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
6. Approval of Customer Correspondence Regarding Lead Service Lines – Mr. Ulmer shared following the August 28 submission of the lead service line inventory to Missouri Department of Natural Resources, we have 30 days to send correspondence to verified or potential lead and galvanized service line customers. During the MMU and customer data collection 65 services were identified as verified or potential lead or galvanized. Drafts of letters, City of Macon licensed general contractors and plumbers, and an FAQ was reviewed to send to the affected customers. Vice President Jeff Roberts made a motion, seconded by President David Ausmus to approve the reviewed letters, City of Macon licensed general contractors and plumbers, and FAQ to the 65 customers with verified or potential lead or galvanized water service lines. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
7. Approval of City of Macon Administrative Assistance – Mr. Ulmer and President David Ausmus shared that MMU has previously offered to provide financial assistance to the City of Macon earmarked for City Administrator. Mayor Tony Petre summarized the City’s need for a City Administrator and the hiring committee’s belief that to get a suitable candidate their budget was going to need to increase. Board Member Chris Nelson made a motion, seconded by Board Member David Wilt to approve City of Macon administrative assistance not to exceed $30,000 for 2024, with Board review and approval annually. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
8. Employee Retention & Recruitment – No employee changes have occurred since the August Board meeting.
9. Board of Public Works Member Reports – No reports were given.
10. Approval of Accounts Payable – Board members signed accounts payable without revision.
A motion to adjourn was made by Board Member David Wilt, seconded by Board Member Chris Nelson to adjourn the meeting at 6:01 pm, with the next regular board meeting set for Monday, October 21, 2024, at 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Motion carried with four votes for and none against.
