Meeting Minutes of September 11, 1990

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairman Walter Brieschke. The roll was called. Present were Mrs. Frances Youngblood, Ms. Cathie Hutcheson, Mr. Vern Cornell, Mr. William Hardenbergh, Mr. Richard Parrish, Mr. Douglas Mayer, and Mr. Walter Brieschke. Employees present were Mrs. Becky Roberts and Mr. Walter Butler.

Citizens Attendings: Mrs. Susan Brieschke, Mr. OE Lane, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Newcomb, Mr. Will Travelstead, Mr. Larry Joe Duty, Mr. Henry Colson, Mr. William Baggett, Mr. Ed Betts, Mr. Charles Braden, Mr. Norris Hagler, Mr. George Oliver, Mrs. Frannie Oliver, Mr. Herbert Stearns, Mr. Harvey Hartline Jr., Mr. Richard Jackson, Mr. Danny Williams, Mr. Bill Wheetley, Mr. Kevin Wheetley, Mrs. Millie Weatherford, Mr. Dennis Weatherford, Mrs. Cecilia Cottingham, Mrs. Burton, Mr. Jerry Burton, Mrs. Dorothy Sutter, Mr. & Mrs. Dan Walker, Mr. Phil Brinkman (reporter – Southern Illinoisan Newspaper), Mr. Don Prosser (attorney for Mr. Burton), Mr. Jim Kerley, Jackson County Board and Mr. Russell Elliott, Jackson County Board. There may have been a few people present and not noted above. There were some children not noted also. Some present were not water customers.

Minutes of the August 14, 1990 meeting were approved as submitted.

Mr. Walter Brieschke, asked that in the event questions became too long that a time limit of 10 minutes would have to be put on an individual addressing the Trustees in order to provide ample opportunity for all those wishing to do so. Mr. William Hardenbergh was asked to keep time.

Customer Requests: The Jerry Burton Sub-Division Line Extension: Mr. Jerry Burton was present to discuss further that line extension he is wanting to install. Mr. Brieschke stated that the Board has received a proposal from Mr. Burton to install a line extension for his subdivision. Mr. Parrish asked if this proposal had been approved by BPWD Attorney. Mr. Brieschke stated that BPWD Attorney has approved it as submitted. Mr. Parrish made a motion to accept Mr. Burton line extension proposal and Mr. Hardenbergh seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Mayer – yes, Mr. Cornell – yes, Mrs. Youngblood – yes, Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Ms. Hutcheson – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Brieschke – yes. Motion passed.

Mr. Burton ‘s request for contractor: Mr. Burton was recognized and stated that he wished to see how the Trustees voters this evening and then to ask questions later. He emphasized that the dispute was a “personality” conflict with Mr. Brieschke and Mr. Williams and that we (meaning Mr. Williams and Mr. Burton we presume) do not believe that Buncombe has the authority to approve or disapprove a contractor. During the discussion Mr. Williams stated that he had been directed by the Township Supervisor (Mr. Wilburn Lipe) with regard to the action taken regarding the culverts at the pumping station. Mrs. Youngblood asked Mr. Williams if he had Workmen’s Compensation Insurance. He stated that he had a certificate of insurance, but did not say what kind of insurance. Mr. Burton asked the Board of Trustees that he not be responsible for JT Blankenship Engineering fees. He will not pay them. He stated that he already has an engineer, Mr. Jack Bass, and the Board approved him from the beginning. Mr. Mayer stated that it is apparent Mr. Burton does not intend to follow BPWD line extension checklist.

Mr. Don Prosser, attorney for Mr. Burton addressed the Trustees and asked that Buncombe PWD approve Mr. Danny Williams as the contractor for this project as he believes it is not right to exclude Mr. Williams. Mr. Prosser re-stated the arguments put forth by his client.

Mr. Cornell made a motion that BPWD does not accept Mr. Danny Williams as the contractor for Mr. Burtons subdivision line extension. Mr. Mayer seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Mayer – no, Mr. Cornell – yes, Mrs. Youngblood – pass, Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Ms. Hutcheson – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Brieschke – abstain. Motion passed. Mr. William is not accepted as the contractor.

Mr. Prosser proposed that the Trustees vote to approve Mr. Dean Bush as the contractor for the Burton subdivision line extension. Discussion by Trustees and the public in attendance was heard. Mr. Brieschke noted that Mr. Bush had left Buncombe PWD “in the lurch” at one time demanding a contract be signed designating his company as the sole contractor for all district work. He would not wait for a Regular Trustees meeting. He left the work site. (Reference the 20 December 1979 Minutes of Emergency Meeting). Ms. Hutcheson made a motion that Dean Bush be contractor for Mr. Burton line extension only if he does not subcontract the job to anyone. Mr. Hardenbergh seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Mayer – no, Mr. Cornell – yes, Mrs. Youngblood – yes, Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Ms. Hutcheson – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Brieschke – abstain. Motion passed.

The Secretary/Treasurer report was read and accepted.

Some one in the group asked to get copies of the evening reports as well as the Budget. A pad of paper was passed around the room and Mr. Brieschke advised that anyone wanting these documents to place their name and address so that Buncombe PWD could put them in the mail. One question from Mr. Dan Walker – do we have to pay for this material? Mr. Brieschke advised that the files were not excessive that no charge for the photocopy or postage would be made. The Trustees concurred.

The Financial Report was read and accepted.

Payment of bills: The bills were presented in the amount of $5,152.62. Mr. Parrish made a motion to pay the bills as submitted and Mr. Cornell seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mr. Mayer – yes, Mr. Cornell – yes, Mrs. Youngblood – yes, Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Ms. Hutcheson – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Brieschke – yes. Motion passed.

Water Supply Operator Report: Mr. Butler reported that he has not taken pressure readings at the prior high pressure taps, and that it has been too humid to pain pressure station #3.

Pressure Station #1 Proposal for Concrete Vault: a 4×8’ ca $3,000.00: Mr. Butler will be meeting Jones Plumbing on Wednesday September 12, 1990 to discuss this work.

Should BPWD sek grant/loan to bring 3 phase electricity to Pump Station: We have had no response on the paperwork sent in.

Pump Station/WST/Overflow Proposal for additional work: a written proposal was received from Mr. Chuck Williams to update the controls on the WST and PS. Mr. Parrish made a motion to table this until next meeting so the board members could have time to become familiar with this and to request Mr. Wiliam to attend the next board meeting for any questions there might be. Mr. Hardenbergh seconded the motion. All in favor voice vote.

IEPA Site Sampling Plan: A site sampling plan as been sent in for IEPA approval. A map is required along with addresses of where samples are to be taken. One sample must be taken near where the water enters the system.

IEPA TTHM Sampling Procedure: This is a new requirement of IEPA and this must be done each quarter. This will be an additional cost of $50.00 each time it is done.

Budget Committee Report: The Trustees received a preliminary copy of 1991 Budget. A draft will be mailed out to the Trustees before next months meeting. Some people present requested copies of the Budget documents to be included in the mailing.

Makanda TWP Fire Department – Ron Hertter flow tests for insurance: More flow tests will be taken. They will keep the district informed on when, where and how much water was used. There has been no further information this month.

South Highway Dispute: Status: Ms. Carol Eaton JD/CPA; There was to be a meeting with the arbitrators in August, but BPWD has not received anything. Mr. Parrish suggested we contact Ms. Eaton and request a letter of update from the meeting and most recent proposal.

Fixed Assets Inventory: Mrs. Roberts met with Mr. Manis on Friday, September 7, 1990 to review materials already gathered for the inventory and will meet again on September 14, 1990.

Mr. Don Webb, American States Insurance Company: Mrs. Roberts met with Mr. Webb on August 28, 1990 at the Water Tower and Pump Station to inspect BPWD equipment covered in the Boiler and Machinery policy. He stated that everything looks satisfactory to him.

Mr. Brieschke reported to the Trustees that on Wednesday 5 September 1990 he received a phone call at work from Mr. D. Blaney Miller, Chairman Jackson County Board. Mr. Miller advised that Mr. Brieschke and other Buncombe Trustees attend that evenings informal meeting at the court house at 7:00 pm. The reasons were that a petition had been presented to the Legislative Committee by Mr. Jerry Burton and Mr. Danny William and signed by approximately 190 citizens requesting the removal of Mr. Brieschke and the Buncombe Trustees. He indicated that the State’s Attorney had been asked to investigate. Buncombe Trustees were notified. Most attended the Wednesday evening informal meeting presenting audits and budget documents. Also, it was reported that someone had inquired as to the status of Buncombe Trustee Statements of Economic Interest on file with the County Clerk.

Following is a list of those requesting monthly reports from this meeting: Mr. Danny Williams, Mr. Danny Walker, Mr. Will Travelstead, Mrs. Jeanne Burton, Mrs. Cecilia Cottingham, Mr. Larry Joe Duty, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Newcomb, Mr. George Oliver, Mr. OE Lane, Mr. Herbert Stearns, and Mr. Norris Hagler.

The monthly meeting adjourned by a motion of Mr. Hardenbergh and seconded by Ms. Hutcheson. Voice vote – all in favor. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.

Copy of Petition presented to the County Board distributed to the Trustees for informational purposes. (Supplied by County Board as a public document.)