Meeting Minutes of November 8, 2011
Chairman Joseph Burrow called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. 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, Trustees Charles Travelstead, Donna Heern, Robert Hughey, and Jenny Anderson.
Visitor in attendance was Mr. Harvey Chaloupka, customer and prospective Board Member, and Mr. Scott Hickam, who arrived later in the meeting.
The meeting opened by reviewing the minutes of the October 11, 2011, regular meeting. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Jacobini to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Travelstead and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the minutes were approved.
No other visitor or customer requests were presented at this time.
Presented under the order of Communications was the Annual Copier Service Agreement with Stiles Office Solutions. After discussion, a motion was made by Vice Chairman Jacobini to accept the Annual Copier Service Agreement; seconded by Mrs. Heern and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.
No new business was introduced.
Under the order of old business, no new information was available related to neither the Water Main Expansion Project nor any relative to the Wireless Communication Tower Agreement. However, discussion followed related to both projects.
Related to the legal situation with South Highway Water District, no new information was available for presentation at this time.
Financials for September 2011 were presented for review with brief discussion.
The Edward Jones Investment Report for October 2011 was unavailable.
The Secretary/Treasurer Report and the Accounts Payable Report for November 2011 was presented by Secretary/Treasurer Williamsen. Vice Chairman Jacobini made a motion to accept the report as presented and pay the bills. Seconded by Ms. Anderson and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.
The Water Supply Operator Report was presented by Ron Lada with no discrepancies. Mr. Lada reported on two leaks that were discovered and repaired; one on Springer Ridge Road and the other located near the Makanda Post Office. He indicated Ms. Pat Gammill from the IRWA will be assisting him to access if there are any other problems contributing to the current water loss.
At this time, Mr. Scott Hickam addressed the Board by reporting his findings related to the billing practices of this District’s water supplier, SHWD. In depth discussion continued related to SHWD’s billing practices such as water rates and how they are calculated. Mr. Hickam noted expenditures which were incorrectly used in the rate calculations as they were to be reimbursed by customers, insurance recoveries, grants, etc. Further legal recourse was discussed. It was suggested that this District compose a letter to the SHWD to request clarification (as specified in the current contract) as to how they arrived at this latest rate recalculation; this information will be beneficial in negotiations for an upcoming contract renewal.
There was no move for an executive session.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Vice Chairman Jacobini to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Hughey and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the meeting adjourned.