March 6, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes
The regular meeting of Buncombe Public Water District was called to order on March 6, 2024 at 6:08 p.m. at the District’s office located at 79 Wiley Ln, Makanda, Illinois.
Call to Order
Trustees Present: Hughey; Brewer (6:18); Dickson; Heern; Fiorino; Lamb
Trustees Absent: None
Also Present: Kim Howell, Alex Heidbreder; Sage Lintner, John Leskera, by phone, and Michael R. Twomey.
Chairman Hughey conducted the meeting.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 14, 2024 was made by Trustee Heern and seconded by Trustee Fiorino. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Visitor, Customer, and Public Comments
1. John Leskera:
Mr. Leskera reported by phone that he has submitted the water loss bill to his insurance company. He does not know when he will receive payment for the water loss. He offered to pay $100.00 each month on the bill for March, April, and May and pay the balance as soon as he receives the money from the insurance company. Board discussion and Board acceptance.
2. Brian Bush:
Mr. Bush was to be present to discuss various matters. He was unable to attend because of sickness.
3. Ellen Duty:
Chairman Hughey reported on the problem. Mrs. Duty was not happy with the ground repair done around her meter after a leak was repaired. Board discussion held and it was determined that she should allow some time for the ground to settle and then the District will complete ground repair.
(Trustee Brewer present from this point forward)
Old Business
1. Employee Handbook Revision 2.0:
Trustee Fiorino added full-time/part-time paid time off language. It needs to be reviewed by all Board members, revised if necessary and presented for Board approval.
2. 5-year Strategic Plan:
Trustee Heern has outlined a proposal. He will meet with District employees, revise his outline and discuss with the Board at a later meeting.
3. BPS 2 Facelift:
Various quotes were supplied to the Board in writing. Board discussion held and Trustee Fiorino moved to accept the Howell construction and add a pitch to the roof and an overhang over the door to the bid. MOTION TO ACCEPT was seconded by Trustee Lamb. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
4. Cross Connection Device Inspections:
There are three customers that are still non-compliant. Letter prepared by Attorney Twomey was reviewed and MOTION TO APPROVE THE LETTER AND MAIL TO NON-COMPLIANT CUSTOMERS was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Heern. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
5. Interim Treasurer:
MOTION TO APPOINT SAGE LINTNER AS INTERIM TREASURER was made by Trustee Heern and seconded by Trustee Brewer. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye. The Board tabled the $100.00 a month payment consideration until May appointment.
6. Adding Trustee Fiorino as Approved Signatory to First Mid Bank and First Southern Bank Accounts:
MOTION TO ADD TRUSTEE FIORINO AS AN SIGNATORY TO THE FIRST MID BANK AND FIRST SOUTHERN BANK ACCOUNTS was made by Trustee Heern and Seconded by Trustee Lamb. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye accept Trustee Fiorino who abstains.
7. Ordinances Amendments Pertaining to District Charges:
The Ordinance amendments as presented by Attorney Twomey were reviewed by the Board. MOTION TO ADOPT was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Brewer. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
New Business
1. Postage Meter Quote/Contract:
After Board discussion it was determined that the postage meter would save Sage a lot of time in sending bills out to District customers. It is a 5-year lease. MOTION TO ACCEPT LEASE PROPOSAL was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Lamb. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
2. Contracts for District Repairs:
Sage has not heard from Scott Escue on a proposal. Danny Williams has offered his services to make repairs.
Trustee Dickson stated he would like to see agreements with three separate operators to allow the District more options and allow employees to work with a contractor who is available. There are two options available now, Brian Bush and Scott Escue. Others were discussed and Sage is to make contact with others that may be interested and report back to the Board. No Board action taken.
3. Agreement from ICRMT:
This has been completed no Board action necessary.
4. Adding Trustee Fiorino to Accounts:
This has been completed.
City of Carbondale Water Supply
No report.
Monthly Staff and Board Group Reports
1. Office Manager Lintner Report:
Office Manager Lintner presented a written report to the Board and placed of record with the Minutes.
2. WSO Heidbreder Report:
WSO Heidbreder presented a written report to the Board and placed of record with the Minutes.
WSO Heidbreder requested purchasing a new computer. A proposal was presented to the Board for consideration. MOTION TO PURCHASE THE SAMSUNG GALAXY was made by Trustee Heern and seconded by Trustee Brewer. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
3. Work Group 1 Ordinances:
No report.
4. Work Group 2 District Improvement:
No report.
5. ROINC Report:
A written report was presented to the Board and placed of record with the Minutes. Water loss for the District last month was 37%.
MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY STAFF AND BOARD REPORTS was made by Trustee Brewer and seconded by Trustee Fiorino. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Monthly Accounting/Financial Report
1. The Monthly Accounting and Financial Report was presented to the Board in writing and placed of record with the Minutes.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MONTHLY ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2023 AND JANUARY 2024 was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Heern. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
1. A written request for payment of bills was presented to the Board and placed of record with the District. There was also a monthly accounting for the District investments presented to the Board.
MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS AND THE REINVESTMENT OF DISTRICT CDS was made by Trustee Brewer and seconded by Trustee Fiorino. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Additional Trustee Comments or Questions
1. Attorney Twomey reported to the Board that he and Sage have been working on obtaining copies of all easements that have been entered into with the District over the years. He will contact Scott Maloney for easements in Jackson County and Susan Holderfield for easements in Union County. No Board action necessary at this time.
Executive Session
None.
Motion for Adjournment
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Heern. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.