THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING/WORKSHOP OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
April 28, 2026
A meeting/workshop of the Board of Public Works was held on April 28, 2026, at 4:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Those in attendance were President David Ausmus, Vice President Jeff Roberts, Board Member Chris Nelson, General Manager Dana Ulmer, Assistant General Manager Ben Stueve, Controller Jennifer McLeland, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Brent Orbin, BPW Liaison Councilwoman Cheryl Blaise, Councilman Brent Bernhardt, Councilman Steve Olinger, Councilwoman Teresa Thrasher, Lauren Graessle (Missouri Department of Natural Resources Financial Assistance Center Director), Steve Goehl (D.A. Davidson), Shannon Creighton (Gilmore & Bell), Rosalia Meusch (Veenstra & Kimm) and Tim Bramling (Veenstra & Kimm). Board Member Ryan Johnson was absent. No votes were taken.
The workshop began at 4:00 pm.
General Manager Dana Ulmer started the workshop by noting the aging Water Treatment Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant will require substantial upgrades or a rebuild within the next few years due to age and their inability to meet new regulations.
Following introductions, Mr. Ulmer referred to Steve Goehl (D.A. Davidson) and Shannon Creighton (Gilmore & Bell) as regards the finance options available for new treatment plants or updates to current processes. Mr. Goehl and Mrs. Creighton noted that while applying for funding through Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the State Revolving Funds would be the most cost effective, there were other financing options available including general obligation bonds and traditional consumer financing although they would be more costly.
Mr. Ulmer outlined the steps needed to be able to utilize the State Revolving Funds through a vote of the public in a bond election. Following discussion regarding the election process, construction cost estimates, and public education the workshop adjourned at 5:10 pm.