Meeting Minutes of October 11, 1988

The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Chairman Walter Brieschke. The roll was called. Present were Mr. William Hardenbergh, Miss Phoebe Cox, Mrs. Fran Voss, Mr. Richard Parrish, Mr. Douglas Mayer, and Mr. Walter Brieschke. Mr. Vern Cornell came in at 7:01 pm. Employees present were Mrs. Becky Roberts and Mr. Walter Butler.

Minutes of the September 13, 1988 meeting were approved as submitted with the suggestion from Mr. Hardenbergh that we address our Attorney as Ms. Eugenia Hunter from now on.

Customer Requests: Mr. Kenneth Wolfe, owner of tap #171A was present to discuss his September water bill. Mr. Wolfe waived his right to executive session. His usage was 24,10 gallons making his bill $166.15. The meter reading was rechecked 4 ½ days later and only 810 gallons had been used. Mr. Wolfe suggested this his average bill is $50.00 which he would like to pay at this time. Mr. Parrish made a motion to waive the ordinances temporarily and permit Mr. Wolfe to pay $50.00 on this month’s bill and waive the late fees until Mr. Butler has a chance to change the present meter and take it apart and see if the meter was malfunctioning. If no defects are found in the meter, Mr. Wolfe will have to pay the remaining bill. Mrs. Voss seconded the motion. Roo call vote: Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes, Mr. Cornell – yes, Mrs. Voss – yes, Miss Cox – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Brieschke – yes. Motion passed.

South Highway Dispute: Mr. Brockton Lockwood has resigned as BPWD’s arbitrator. His reason being that he was not able to attend all the arbitration meetings. All Board members are to be thinking of someone that could be his replacement. Mr. Alex Fine, an attorney with Mr. Lockwood’s firm was one of the suggestions.

Proposed new Pressure Station: Mr. Butler and Mr. Brieschke met with Mr. Bill O’Connell from the IRWA and Mr. Jim Jones from Jones Plumbing and discussed the possibility and placement of a new pressure station on the east side of old 51 just north of Presley Tours. This would affect all customers north of Presley Tours. Mr. Jones proposed to dig the hole and stabilize the line, and install the pressure station for an estimate of $4,999.00.

Mr. Brieschke made a motion to accept Mr. Jones proposal for an estimate of $4,999.00 t o install a new pressure station. Mrs. Voss seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes, Mr. Cornell – yes, Mrs. Voss – yes, Miss Cox – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Brieschke – yes. Motion passed. Mr. Butler proposed to construct the concrete vault and lid, and backfill the hole for an estimate of $2,300.00.

Mr. Brieschke made a motion to accept Mr. Butler’s proposal for an estimate of $2,300.00 for the concrete work and backfilling of the pressure station. Mrs. Voss seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes, Mr. Cornell – yes, Mrs. Voss – yes, Miss Cox – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Brieschke – yes. Motion passed. Mr. Butler is to be in contact with Mr. Jones and start work as soon as possible.

Hydrant #4 in downtown Makanda need repaired. It does not function at all. Mr. Butler is to order parts for this and repair it as soon as possible. Mrs. Roberts is to advise the Makanda Township Fire Department of this.

Pump Station Culvert: The culvert and the ditch that has been recently dug in front of the pump station entrance by Mr. Danny Williams, Makanda Township Road Commissioner, was discussed at great lengths. Mr. Parrish and Mr. Brieschke met with our attorney Ms. Eugenia Hunter and Mr. Williams attorney Mr. Geroge Twomey. Points raised at the meeting were: 1) Oral agreements are not valid, 2) Past written agreements with the Township are not valid, 3) BPWD must seek a permit to cross a road which by statute requires 60 days prior notice, 4) These points make it extremely difficult for BPWD to operate within the corporate boundaries of the Township roads. This situation will inevitably cause problems to BPWD customers as well as cost those customers who live in the Township areas of BPWD additional expense in installation of new water service connections as well as delays in repairs. At the meeting Mr. Williams said that the reason the ditch was dug in front of our pump station was because it “may obstruct the flow” of water. Mr. Williams presented a bill for $1,865.25 for the work and requested payment.

Mrs. Voss made a motion not to pay this bill and Mr. Parrish seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes, Mr. Cornell – yes, Mrs. Voss – yes, Miss Cox – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Brieschke – yes. Motion passed.

Ms. Hunter suggested in her letter of October 11, 1988, that the Board had 3 option to  choose from: 1) Resolution without litigation, 2) Demonstrate irreparable harm, and sue Makanda Township or, 3) Wait until they sue BPWD.

Mrs. Voss made a motion to proceed with suggestions 1 & 3, for a resolution without litigation, however, BPWD is willing to go to court if needed to protect the District from unreasonable and arbitrary interference. Mr. Parrish seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes, Mr. Cornell – yes, Mrs. Voss – yes, Miss Cox – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Brieschke – yes. Motion passed.

Mr. Parrish had to leave the meeting at approximately 8:00 pm.

Buckley’s Corney problem: Mr. Brieschke met with Ms. Joanne Simpson and Mr. James McEvers about the situation.

Mr. Hardenbergh moved that BPWD and the Village of Makanda Board of Trustees agree to share in the cost of repair and stabilization of Buckley’s Corner (intersection of Poplar Camp and McGuire Roads) earth bank. Said repairs are in the best interest of both parties and shall consist of very large rip rap limestone rock (approx.. 3 truck loads)  and #8 cursted limestone (2 truck loads of “Dirty Eight”). Estimated total cost is expected to be approximately $600 to $700.00. Upon ratification by both Board of Trustees, BPWD is to perform the repairs and the mutual approval of the Makanda Road Chairman and the Village President and BPWD Executive Committee. The Village will be sent copies of ALL bills and agrees to reimburse BPWD 50% of costs. Mrs. Voss seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes, Mr. Cornell – yes, Mrs. Voss –  yes, Miss Cox – yes, Mr. Brieschke – yes. Motion passed.

Insurance Coverage: Our specification shave been sent in and are being reviewed. A quote from Alexander and Alexander is expected this week.

Customer Requests: Mr. Ed Heern, owner of tap #18 talked with Mrs. Roberts about an additional tap for his multi-until status. Mr. Heern proposed to unhook seconded trailer and not put in another tap because his son will be leaving for a while and will be using water from Mr. Heern’s house. The Board agreed that Mr. Heern will either have to move the trailer as he stated at an earlier meeting or install another tap. He has until next month’s meeting to decide. Mrs. Roberts is to contact Mr. Heern.

Boil Order: A Boi8l Order was issued by phone to BPWD’s taps 1 through 9 due to a SHWD main break on Springer Ridge Road on September 30, 1988 at 1:30 until October 4, 1988 at 1:30 pm.

Water Supply Operator Report: Mr. Butler reported that he will be taking his WSO test on November 7, 1988. The 8” pressure recorder at the WST is repaired, but the 4” pressure recorder at the Pump Station is in need of repair now. The heated cabinet in the WST is completed.

Makanda Village graded valve #16 on Baptist Hill – Mrs. Joanne Simpson orally agreed to pay the $15.00 for repairing valve #16.

1988 Audit Proposal: A proposal dated September 28, 1988, was received from Mr. Ronald E. Manis, CPA, estimating his fee would be $1,000.00 to complete the audit. Mrs. Voss made a motion to accept Mr. Manis proposal for $1,000.00. Roll call vote: Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes, Mrs. Voss – yes, Miss Cox – yes, Mr. Brieschke – yes. Motion passed.

Budget: Mr. Brieschke distributed handouts and a proposed budget. This was discussed with no questions. A final budget and justification will be mailed out to the trustees before next meeting.

Mr. Brieschke distributed handout on work order procedures and invoice procedures to be followed by employees. Invoices and work orders need more details and accurate descriptions of work performed.

Mr. Brieschke reported that Mr. Butler has been exercising valves and filled out a report as to how many turns it takes to open and close each valve and if any problems were present with each one.

The monthly meeting adjourned by a motion of Mr. Hardenbergh and seconded by Mr. Brieschke. Voice vote – all yes. Meeting adjourned at 8:26 pm.