Meeting Minutes of May 11, 2004
Chairman Daniel Cook called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. A roll call was taken and present were: Chairman Daniel Cook, Vice Chairman Joseph Burrow, Secretary/Treasurer Karen Dunn, Trustees Debbie Wheetley, Mike Starling, Greg Dunn, and Water Supply Operator Ron Lada.
There were no visitors in attendance.
First addressed on the agenda was the review of the minutes from the April 2004 meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Dunn to accept the minutes. Seconded by Vice Chairman Burrow and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the minutes were approved.
A customer comment from Laura Butler, Meter #30300 indicating her disapproval of her recently received disconnection notice was briefly discussed. No action was required or will be taken.
Next addressed was the illegal water connection of a second residence to the existing Meter #23900 of Lonnie and Beth Rogers. In discussion, several possibilities to correct the situation were discussed including reconnecting and signing over to the Rogers an abandoned meter well already on the property in lieu of a complete new meter installation. Mrs. Rogers indicated to the District Secretary that she would like, in writing, EPA regulations for this requirement. Karen Dunn to research with EPA an prepare a letter indicating regulations and options to be submitted to the Rogers under signature of the Chairman.
March 2004 Financials were reviewed with no related discussion.
A letter from Judy Baar Topinka, Treasurer, State of Illinois, regarding Illinois Funds Short-Term Loan Program was passed around to the members for review. No action was taken and the letter will be filed for possible future reference or use.
A copy of the Schedule F. Creditors Holding Unsecured Nonpriority Claims related to the Chapter 7 filed by the Heartland Animal Clinic (Jennine Williams) Meter #14700, was passed around for review. Discussion related to moneys owed the Water District. The Documents does not reflect current past due balance, disconnect/reconnect fees, and/or lien filing fees.
Questions from Tammy Davis, Meter #90800, have again arisen related to her last month’s complaint about her water quality. Mrs. Davis also indicated she felt her water usage to be high. Secretary Karen Dunn notes that her current usage is been consistent with usage over the past two or more years. Karen Dunn to discuss with customer.
At this time, Karen Dunn and Ron Lada were temporarily dismissed from the meeting as the members of the board discussed employee performance, and reviewed contracts and salaries for annual renewal. Upon the return of the employees to the meeting, a motion was made by Vice Chairman Burrow to increase the Secretary salary to $14.15 per hour, increase the Water Supply Operator salary to $18.00 per hour, make no change to the rate for meter readings currently at $1.00 per meter, and to renew annual contracts with both Karen Dunn and Ron Lada. Seconded by Mike Starling and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.
There was no South Highway Water District related business to discuss.
The Secretary/Treasurer Report was presented by Karen Dunn along with the Accounts Payable Report detailing bills for payment in May. It was indicated that due to a carry-over high water billing from the SHWD related to recent leaks, additional funds were required to pay the bills. A motion was made by Mr. Starling to transfer $2,100 from the Tower Paint/Repair Account to Operations/Maintenance Account and to pay the bills as presented. Seconded by Mrs. Wheetley, and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the motion was approved.
The Water Supply Operator Report was presented by Ron Lada. Discussion included a remarkable improvement in water loss as a result of the repair of several major water breaks. Mr. Lada also noted that in addition to requiring a new radio, the damaged radio was repaired and is no wan available spare. When asked about the status of removal of the damaged fire hydrant discussed at last month’s meeting. Mr. Lada explained that Wheetley Construction has been contract to do the work at their earliest convenience.
In respect to meter installation for the Village of Makanda in town near the park, Ron Lada explained that after extensive searching and probing, the water line was not found. Ron to meet with the Village employee Bruce Shingleton later during the summer for another attempt to locate the water line on a deeper level. Installation is on hold.
There were no additional comments presented for discussion.
There being no further business, a motion was made for adjournment. A voice count was taken and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the meeting was adjourned.