Meeting Minutes of December 10, 2013
Chairman Joseph Burrow called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. A roll call was taken and present were: Chairman Joseph Burrow, Vice Chairman Robert Jacobini, Secretary/Treasurer Mike Williamsen, Water Supply Operator Ron Lada, District Secretary Karen Dunn; and Trustees Jenny Anderson, Grace Brewer, Robert Hughey, and Jay Ross.
Mr. Mike Twomey, Attorney with the Law Office of Barrett, Twomey, Broom, Hughes, and Hoke was in attendance.
The Board reviewed the minutes of the November 12, 2013 regular meeting. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Jacobini to accept the minutes as presented; seconded by Ms. Anderson and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the minutes were approved.
No visitor or customer requests were presented for discussion at this time.
No communications for December 2013 were presented at this time.
First item on the agenda under the order of New Business was the presentation of the 2014 Meeting Schedule of the Board of Trustees. After brief discussion, a motion was made by Ms. Anderson to approve the schedule as presented. Seconded by Vice Chairman Jacobin and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the meeting schedule was approved for 2014.
Next discussed was the 2014 Operating Budget, presented and explained by the Secretary/Treasurer Williamsen. The Board reviewed the preliminary figures and discussed adjustments to Engineering fees. Also contemplated was the need to increase water rates to accommodate upcoming expenditures. No decisions or motion were made at this time, and the topic was tabled for the next meeting of the Board.
At this time, employees were instructed to leave the room as the Board discussed employee Christmas bonuses for 2013. After discussion, it was agreed that dye to unanticipated expenditures that may arise in the upcoming year, the Board did not feel that the District was in a financial position to increase bonuses from the previous year. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Jacobini to extend a Christmas bonus to each employee equal to that of 2012. Seconded by Mr. Hughey and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the motion carried.
Under the order of old business, the handheld meter readding system was discussed briefly, and it was noted that training with the new device and software was scheduled for December 19-20.
Related to new telemetry, it was discussed that information was being released to begin the bidding process. No new information was available related to insertion meters.
Information related to back-up generators was still being researched. Vice Chairman Jacobini presented information related to recently received proposals and costs. Ron Lada discussed platform requirements but could not acquire specifics until a decision on which generator to purchase was made.
Mr. Mike Twomey took this time to explain details related to the current loan with First Southern Bank, such as interest and monthly installments. Loan documents were presented and discussed. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Jacobini to execute the loan documents as presented. Seconded by Ms. Anderson and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the motion was approved. The documents were then endorsed by the appropriate Board Members.
Related to contract renegotiations with the South Highway Water District, discussion ensured related to a pass-through water rate with SHWD as well as alternative water sources. Secretary/Treasurer Williamsen indicated he would consult with Engineers related to specifics such as pumping capabilities.
Financials for October 2013 were presented for review with brief discussion.
The Edward Jones Investment Report for November 2013 was reviewed at this time.
The Secretary/Treasurer Report and the Accounts Payable Report for December 2013 was presented by Secretary/Treasurer Williamsen. A motion was made by Vice Chairman to accept the report as presented and to pay the bills. Seconded by Mrs. Brewer and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the motion carried.
The Water Supply Operator Report was presented by Ron Lada with no discrepancies. Discussion followed related to both water loss and the status of the new digital meter installations.
At this time the topic, first presented by Vice Chairman Jacobini and explained in detail by Mr. Twomey, of an increase in the retainer for legal counsel from $5,000.00 to $6,000.00 was presented. Brief discussion followed, and the topic was tabled till the next meeting of the Board.
There was no move for an additional executive session.
There being no further business, a motion was made to adjourn, seconded, and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the meeting adjourned.