Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2008
Chairman Starling called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. A roll call was taken and present were: Chairman Mike Starling, Vice Chairman Burrow, Secretary/Treasurer Mike Williamsen, District Secretary Karen Dunn, Water Supply Operator Ron Lada, Trustees Daniel Cook, Debbie Wheetley, Tammy Davis, Jenny Jaros, and Steve Williams.
Visitors in attendance were Mrs. Lucille Burrow, Mr. Wally Earll, and Mr. Praveen Sunny of Asaturian Eaton and Associates.
Vice Chairman Burrow opened by asking Mr. Sunny about the possible funding for repairs or replacement of the section of water main located on the hill behind Makanda Post Office. Mr. Sunny explained that deadlines have expired to file for grants through the Greater Egypt Planning Commission. He suggested it may be necessary to nurse the current main along till next year. Water Supply Operator Ron Lada explained that heavy rains have caused soil to shift causing pipes to pull apart. Mr. Lada noted that of the five breaks that occurred on the hill over the last month, the first two blew out and shoved one pipe inside the other. One option discussed was a concrete collar as a strong, yet temporary repair. Estimate length of water line 500 feet. Mr. Sunny noted that low interest rate loans were available.
Next item was reviewing the meeting minutes from the March 2008 meeting. A motion was made by Mrs. Davis to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded by Mrs. Wheetley and with 6 yes and 0 no votes, the minutes were approved.
Vice Chairman Burrow, at this time, commended the Water Supply Operator and District Secretary for their prompt, efficient and tireless efforts to detect, repair and restore water service to customers while keeping them informed of repairs and boil orders, repetitively during the multiple water main breaks over the past several weeks. Vice Chairman Burrow then made a motion to give each employee a $150.00 bonus for their extra efforts; seconded by Mrs. Davis and with 6 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.
No visitor or customer requests at this time.
The first item of communication for April 2008 was the annual engagement letter from the Kemper CPA Group. After review, a motion was made by Vice Chairman Burrow to retain the services of Kemper CPA Group for 2008; seconded by Mrs. Wheetley and with 6 yes and 0 no votes, the motion was aprpoved.
The 2007 Water and Sewer Rate Survey prepared by the City of Carbondale was presented to the Trustees for review, followed by brief conversation.
New business related to water main breaks on the hill behind Makanda Post Office were discussed previously in this meeting.
Under the order of old business, it was discussed that coordinates had been sent to Dr. Donald Luman who will supply the District with digital prints.
Mr. Williams mentioned to the Board that an embankment over a District water main along the South Poplar Camp Road on his father, Danny Williams, has eroded away. Ron Lada to check into the situation.
No South Highway Water District related business.
Financials for February 2008 were reviewed by the Board with no related discussion.
The Secretary/Treasurer Report was presented by Secretary/Treasurer Mike Williamsen along with the Accounts Payable Report detailing the bills for payment in April. Mr. Williamsen noted that because of low revenue and high expenses, both resulting from excessive precipitation, additional funds were required to pay the bills. A motion was made by Mrs. Davis to advise Brooks Venable of Edward Jones to cash in a CD of his recommendation in the amount of $5,000 to cover additional expenses; seconded by Mrs. Wheetley and with 6 yes and 0 no votes, the motion was approved.
The Water Supply Operator Report was presented by Ron Lada with no discrepancies. A 41% water loss was noted for the second month in a row. Discussion of the recent water main breaks occurred earlier in this meeting.
Mrs. Davis recommended keeping the Kemper CPA Group letter related to assets on the agenda until research has been completed.
There was no move for an executive session.
There being no further business, a motion was made for adjournment. A voice count was taken and with 6 yes and 0 no votes, the meeting was adjourned.