Meeting Minutes of December 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. William Hardenbergh, Mr. Richard Parrish, Mr. Douglas Mayer, and Mr. Walter Brieschke. Employees present was Mrs. Becky Roberts. Mr. Walter Bulter the WSO was absent.
People attending: Customers: Mr. and Mrs. Danny Williams and daughter, Mr. Maruice Betts, Mr. Dennis Etherton, Mr. Herbert Stearns, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Newcomb, and Mrs. Sue Brieschke. Non-customers: Mr. Jerry Burton, Mr. Norris Hagler, and Mr. Phil Brinkman (reporter – Southern Illinoisan), and one unidentified young man.
Minute of the October 9 and November 13, 1990 meeting were approved with the following corrections: On the 10/9/90 minutes page 1 paragraph 5 should read “The remaining $375.00 is to be paid in 10 equal monthly installments at $37.50 each”, instead of $375.00 each. On the 10/9/90 minutes page 2, paragraph 7, sentence 2 reading “Mr. Parrish made a motion to roll Depreciation 2 over for 1 year that is to become due on 10-18-90 and Reserve 2 over for 1 year that is to become due on 10-19-90”. The words “that” should be changed to “which”. The next sentence that reads Mr. Parrish motion to amend his motion to state that to change the term of Depreciation from 2 ½ years to 1 year, the words “state that to” should be deleted. On the 10/9/90 minutes page 2 of paragraph 8 should read “Copies of the Secretary/Treasurer report, Water Supply Operator Report, Financial Report, and the Accounts Payable all for September 1990” were handed out to Mr. Burton and Mr. Williams, instead of just saying “reports”.
Customer Requests: Mr. Barbara Jane Schwartz was present to address the Board on the matter of her renter leaving without paying his bill. She asked if we could 1) Develop a tightening of collection, 2) The bill no go over the deposit amount without being shut off, 3) What legal action will be taken against renter or user as well as the owner on an unpaid bill, and 4) It may help to send the owner a notice of an unpaid bill by the renter. Mr. Hardenbergh made a motion to amend the Ordinance to increase the renter deposit to $75.00. Ms. Hutcheson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mrs. Youngblood – yes, Ms. Hutcheson – yes, Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Brieschke – yes. Motion passed. Mr. Brieschke made a motion to have our attorney look into these questions and inform the Bord of what action can be taken. Mr. Parrish seconded the motion with an all in favor voice vote.
The Secretary/Treasurer report was read and accepted.
The Financial Report was read and accepted. Mr. Burton requested a copy of this report. It will be mailed to him.
Payment of the bills: The bills were presented in the amount of $7,024.50. Mr. Parrish made a motion to pay the bills as submitted and Mr. Hardenbergh seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mrs. Youngblood – yes, Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Ms. Hutcheson – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Brieschke – yes. Motion passed.
Water Supply Operator Report: Mr. Butler was not present, due to illness in his family, but the board reviewed his written report.
Water Rate Increase from SHWD: City of Carbondale currently charges $1.449/M increased to $1.64/M a $0.191/M increase effective December 1, 1990. Other increases are to follow in May and November 1991. After much review from the Board, Mr. Hardenbergh made a motion to accept the new rate increase of $7.50 for 0 gallons used, $16.05 for the 1st/M and $7.00/M for every thousand after the 1st/M, to become effective January 1, 1991. Ms. Hutcheson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mrs. Youngblood – yes, Ms. Hutcheson – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes, Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Brieschke – yes. Motion passed. A copy of the new rates and ordinance will be sent to all customers.
Budget Committee Report: After several months of review by the Trustees of the 1991 Budget, Mr. Parrish made a motion to adopt the Budget for 1991 as submitted. Ms. Hutcheson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mrs. Youngblood – y es, Ms. Hutcheson – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes, Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Brieschke – yes. Motion passed.
Audit Contract Signing: Mr. Ron Manis submitted a proposal to do the 1990 audit for an estimate of $1,100.00. Mr. Mayer made a motion to retain Mr. Manis as BPWD auditor for the 1990 audit for the amount of $1,100.00. Roll call vote: Mrs. Youngblood – yes, Ms. Hutcheson – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes, Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Brieschke – yes. Motion passed.
Motion to have attorney review and revise Ordinances: This was discussed and Mr. Hardenbergh asked about the cost of this. Mr. Brieschke stated that Ms. Hunter and said that she would work it in and it should be covered under her retainer. Mr. Hardenbergh made a motion that assuming that this review was at no additional cost to let Ms. Hunter review the ordinances. Mrs. Youngblood seconded the motion. All in favor voice vote.
Emergency Preparedness plan adoption: An emergency preparedness plan was mailed to the Trustees last month for their review. Mr. Mayer made a motion to accept the Emergency Preparedness Plan and Mr. Hardenbergh seconded the motion. All in favor voice vote.
Motion to suspend the Ordinance concerning delinquent shut-offs during the month of December: Mr. Brieschke made a motion to suspend all delinquent shut offs during the month of December and Mr. Parrish seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Mrs. Youngblood – yes, Ms. Hutcheson – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes, Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Brieschke – yes. Motion passed.
Schedule of Regular Trustee’s Meeting for 1991: Mr. Hardenbergh made a motion to accept the schedule of the board meetings which will be on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm on the dates as follows: January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 12, and December 10, 1991. Mr. Parrish seconded the motion. All in favor voice vote.
Mr. Vern Cornell – resigned from the Board of Trustees; BPWD received Mr. Cornell’s resignation from the Board the day after our last meeting. This was sent to the Jackson County Board for review.
GE Capital: A letter dated November 1, 1990 from GE Capital stating that after their annual financial review of BPWD, that they commend BPWD for a well-run operation.
The Chairman reported that the mercury bulb in the light outside of the Water Storage Tank has been shot out for the second time. Mr. Parrish stated that since dispute began between Mr. Burton, Mr. Williams, and the Board, that there have been at least 5 incidents of vandalism. He moved that as long as this continued, that the Water District should hire a security guard for the monthly Board meeting. This was discussed as well as the cost of this. Mr. Parrish moved to table this until the cost of this is known.
Motion to adjourn for the Holidays: The monthly meeting adjourned by motion of Mr. Hardenbergh and seconded by Ms. Hutcheson. Meeting adjourned at 7:52 pm.
After the adjournment, Mr. Burton addressed the Board with the following: 1) Who and what as the bid for replacement of all meters a couple of years ago, 2) The minutes that were copies for Let’s GROW – there are some missing, May 1978, and December 1978 through July 1979, and January 1988. The January 1988 was an oversight and will be sent. The older ones are not in the possession of BPWD. 3) Mr. Burton then asked if the Board Members looked at the receipts of each bill for each month. It was stated that the checks are countersigned by either the Chairman or Vice-Chairman, and the Trustees all have a list of the bills and do question ones from time to time. 4) Mr. Williams then stated that he had been in contact with Mr. McCaslin’s Lawyer and that questions on the permit to cross Sheppard Lane were brought up. Mr. William presented Mr. Mayer with a revised permit with a 4” to 12” trench across the road. This was questioned about not begin wide enough to put 3 separate lines in. Mr. Brieschke mentioned that Mr. Butler had said a 36” trench would be big enough, and Mr. William stated that he could not permit that bid of a trench across the road, but it would be alright on the right of way. He will discuss measurements with Mr. Butler again.