Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2025
The regular meeting of Buncombe Public Water District was called to order on March 12, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the District’s office located at 79 Wiley Ln, Makanda, Illinois.
Call to Order
Trustees Present: Hughey; Brewer; Dickson; Heern; Fiorino; Howell; Lamb
Trustees Absent: None
Also Present: Tina Lamb, Robert Baker; Alex Heidbreder; Sage Lintner; and Michael R. Twomey.
Chairman Hughey conducted the meeting.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 12, 2025 was made by Trustee Lamb and seconded by Trustee Fiorino. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Visitor, Customer, and Public Comments
A. Robert Baker:
Mr. Baker presented his position that his building in Makanda is not in violation of EPA code and presented an email from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Mr. Baker disputes that the District ordinances require the installation of separate meters for each of his units. He further requested a variance from those ordinances in the event the Board disagrees.
Chairman Hughey responded that the District has asked Mr. Baker multiple times for a plan to comply with District ordinances and Mr. Baker has not complied. Mr. Baker believes that the ordinances are overreaching.
Mr. Baker’s plan is to rent some of the units as an Airbnb. There are three apartments and six shops in the building. The shops use one commercial bathroom.
Trustee Lamb suggested that a decision be postponed to gather more information. Chairman Hughey informed Mr. Baker that the Board will work with him in attempting to come to a resolution.
The Board requested Attorney Twomey to present an ordinance for discussion at the April meeting.
Water Operator Heidbreder suggested to the Board that it either decide on one master meter or separate meters for each of the units.
Old Business
A. ECWAG Update:
Sage Lintner, for Engineer Howell, presented to the Board an estimate of funds needed that requires signature and supplied to Rural Development. Chairman Hughey signed the same. Engineer Howell believes mid-April is a reasonable beginning date for replacement of the line on Church Street.
B. BPS 2 Meter Update:
Sage Lintner, for Engineer Howell, reported to the Board that he is working on something to present to the Board that will be compatible with the existing District telemetry at approximately $1,800.00 material cost. Labor will be additional. Engineer Howell has no estimate on the labor cost at this point. An email to Office Manager Lintner from Richard Howell dated March 7, 2025 was referenced for purposes for the Board.
New Business
A. New Truck Budget and Savings:
Office Manager Lintner reported to the Board that in 2024 it was necessary for her to take $15,000.00 from savings to pay expenses and $7,500.00 of that has been paid back.
She suggests taking $7,500.00 that has not been repaid and designate that money towards the purchase of a new truck. She has suggested withholding $500.00 a month at a minimum for payment on a truck.
MOTION TO APPLY THE $7,500.00 TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A NEW TRUCK AND A MONTHLY SET BACK OF $500.00 PER MONTH FOR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW TRUCK was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Howell. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
B. Infrastructure Project:
Sage Lintner, for Engineer Howell, reported to the Board that if the District wants to do infrastructure upgrades now is the time to consider as he needs a decision at the April meeting so he can apply for 2025 cycle with IEPA.
The improvements on the cliff area can be done separately or together with other infrastructure improvements. Richard Howell will also put together a scope and an estimate for the metering system.
Sage Lintner, for Engineer Howell, reported to the Board that an approximate cost of $231,000.00 would be incurred by the district for replace of radio meters through Zinner. This would include leak detection meter replacements.
Trustee Fiorino stated that she thought the District should replace District meters and also the leak detection vault meters and request funding from IEPA.
Sage Lintner, for Engineer Howell, informed the Board that if the cliff project is not done and the water line suffers failure, the whole District will be out of water. The cost is approximately $700,000.00 for this project.
Chairman Hughey recommended to the Board that both projects be considered to protect the Water District supply. The cost will be an approximate $2,000.00 a month additional for both projects. MOTION TO ALLOW BOTH PROJECTS TO PROCEED AND FOR THE PROJECTS TO BE PRESENTED TO IEPA made by Trustee Brewer and seconded by Trustee Lamb. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
City of Carbondale Water Supply
A. Nothing to present.
Monthly Staff and Board Group Reports
A. Office Manager Lintner Report:
Office Manager Lintner presented a written report to the Board and placed of record with the Minutes.
B. WSO Heidbreder Report:
Alex Heidbreder presented a written report to the Board and placed of record with the Minutes.
C. Work Group 1 Ordinances:
Nothing to present.
D. Work Group 2 District Improvement:
Held a meeting and metering, purchase of a new truck and servicing of pump stations were the three main topics discussed.
E. ROINC Report:
Sage presented a written report to the Board and placed of record with the Minutes.
MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY STAFF AND BOARD GROUP REPORTS ALONG WITH THE DIG MEETING MINUTES FROM MARCH 7, 2025 was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Brewer. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Monthly Treasurer/Accounting/Financial Reports
A. Spreadsheet of Bills to be Paid:
Office Manager Lintner presented a written report of bills to be paid to the Board and placed of record with the Minutes.
B. Amy Financial Report February 2025:
A statement of net position was presented to the Board and placed of record with the Minutes.
C. 125% Report:
A 125% report was written and supplied to the Board and placed of record with the Minutes.
D. Change in Account Balances Month:
A written report was presented to the Board and placed of record with the Minutes.
E. Investments:
A written report was presented to the Board and placed of record with the Minutes.
F. Profit and Loss Budget v. Actual From Quick Books:
A written report was presented to the Board and place of record with the Minutes.
Office Manager Lintner reported to the Board that Protek will be removing its antenna from the tower around May 1, 2025 and that no contract extension will be sought.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MONTHLY TREASURER REPORT, ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORT was made by Trustee Heern and seconded by Trustee Brewer. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Brewer. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Additional Trustee Comments or Questions
A. It was noted that Wisper Internet is providing to service to the District to replace Protek.
Executive Session
A. None.
Motion for Adjournment
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Howell. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye. Meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.