Meeting Minutes of April 9, 2025
The regular meeting of Buncombe Public Water District was called to order on April 9, 2025 at 6:02 p.m. at the District’s office located at 79 Wiley Ln, Makanda, Illinois.
Call to Order
Trustees Present: Hughey; Brewer (6:12); Dickson; Heern; Fiorino; Howell; Lamb
Trustees Absent: None
Also Present: Richard Howell; Shelia Simon; Cheryl Hughey; Tim Pohlman; Alex Heidbreder; Sage Lintner; and Michael R. Twomey.
Chairman Hughey conducted the meeting.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD MARCH 12, 2025 was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Lamb. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Visitor, Customer, and Public Comments
A. Sheila Simon:
Shelia Simon was present requesting a credit on her account. The leak causing the problem has been repaired. Her original bill was $518.35 with the adjusted bill at $235.87 for a water loss credit of $282.48. MOTION TO PROVIDE A WATER LOSS CREDIT TO SHEILA SIMON IN THE AMOUNT OF $282.48 was made by Trustee Heern and seconded by Trustee Lamb. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
B. Tim Pohlman:
Tim Pohlman was present to discuss with the Board a late charge that was on his account. This is another situation where the USPS failed to deliver mail in a prompt manner. Mr. Pohlman mailed his payment in 10 days before due date but the payment was not received until after due date. After extensive Board discussion, it was determined that the District waive his late fee if he would sign up for ACH payments. MOTION TO WAIVE THE LATE FEE IN THE EVENT MR. POHLMAN SIGNS UP FOR ACH PAYMENTS was made by Trustee Dickson and seconded by Trustee Howell. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
It was noted that this should become Board policy that a customer will receive a waiver of any late charges in the event they sign up for ACH payments.
Old Business
A. Meter/Building Requirements Ordinance:
Attorney Twomey discussed with the Board various options and considerations. He will meet with Sage and Alex to prepare an ordinance for consideration at the May meeting.
B. IEPA Application:
Engineer Howell presented to the Board a summary of project options for two projects. Specifically, the Makanda Road Water Main Replacement at a cost of $757,000.00 and a District metering and complete meter read system at a cost of $619,000.00. Total estimated cost at this time is $1,376,000.00. It should be noted that legal fees have not been included in the estimate at this time. The engineering cost will be $25,000.00 for preliminary engineering costs. The projects are funded in December 2025, payment should come to the District in 2026 at which time the preliminary engineering fee would be paid. An anticipated begin date would be March 2027. Engineer Howell needs approval tonight in order to present the projects to IEPA for potential funding during calendar 2025. MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH BOTH PROJECTS AND COMMIT TO THE PRELIMINARY $25,000.00 ENGINEERING PAYMENT, WITH PAYMENT TO BE MADE ON OR AROUND MARCH 2026 was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Howell. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
New Business
A. Clearwave Fiber Quote/Wisper Quote:
ProTek is no longer providing internet service to the District. As a result, Sage has procured two separate quotes. After Board discussion it was determined that the District would go with the Wisper quote. Wisper sent an email to the District dated April 3, 2025 which sets out their proposal. MOTION TO APPROVE THE WISPER QUOTE FOR INTERNET SERVICE AT $140.00 PER MONTH was made by Trustee Howell and seconded by Trustee Fiorino. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
B. FCC Licensing:
The District has received a request to pay to the FCC a renewal fee for ten years
at a cost of $75.00. MOTION TO RENEW FCC LICENSE AT A COST OF $75.00 FOR TEN YEARS was 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:
Nothing to present.
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 was made by Trustee Brewer and seconded by Trustee Fiorino. 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:
Nothing presented
C. 125% Report:
Nothing presented.
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.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MONTHLY TREASURER REPORT AND ACCOUNTING REPORT was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Heern. 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. None
Executive Session
A. None.
Motion for Adjournment
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING was made by Trustee Dickson and seconded by Trustee Howell. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.