Meeting Minutes of February 13, 2001
Chairman Daniel Cook called the meeting to order at 7:05pm. A roll call was taken and present were: Chairman Daniel Cook, Vice Chairman Joseph Burrow, and Trustees Debbie Wheetley, Mike Starling, James Keller, and Greg Dunn. Also present was employee Karen Dunn.
The meeting opened by welcoming a visitor Mr. Alan Stuck, Water District Customer.
First on the agenda was the review of the minutes from the January 2001 meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Starling to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Keller, and with 6 yes and 0 no votes, the minutes were approved.
Next addressed was the concern of Mr. Alan Stuck regarding a recent penalty applied to his account related to a car parked over his meter #29800 as previously reported by Ron Lada. It became a concern to the Water District that an actual reading had not been taken in four billing periods: 1) due to snow coverage; 2) due to inability of the Meter Read; and 3&4) due to a vehicle parked over the meter. Members of the Board presented Mr. Stuck with a number of questions in order to further understand the situation. After considerable discussion, the Board agreed that because the original installation of the meter followed proper procedures, relocation of the meter would be at the cost of the customer. They also suggested, in order to avoid future obstruction of the meter, the customer place a metal pole or stake near the meter to deter vehicles from parking over it. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Burrow to waive and remove the $15.00 penalty from Account #29800 and seconded by Mr. Starling. A vote was taken with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.
Customer Mrs. Margie Betts, Meter #81400, expressed to the District Secretary that she has had a water leak over the past several months and was unable to deal with the problem until recently. She requested recalculation of her monthly billings retroactive to the leak discovered in August 2000. District Ordinances state that in the situation of a leak, verified by the WSO, “one” month usage may be adjusted using the calculation for excess water usage. With sincere respect and appreciation of deceased Trustee Mr. Maurice Betts for his many efforts in the origination and operation of this Water District, the Board elected to honor Mrs. Betts’ request. Motion was made by Vice Chairman Burrow to recalculate the billings back to and included August 2000 for Meter #81400 as soon as an accurate monthly usage for Mrs. Betts can be determined (approximately April 2001). Seconded by Mr. Starling, and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the motion was approved.
The last customer request was presented by Ms. Susan Beattie, meter #58800, who experienced a verified water leak in excess of 300,000 gallons over the months of December 2000 and January 2001. Customer water cost, after the adjustment, totaled $1,373.95. Ms. Beattie presented the following payment schedule for the Board’s approval. The first payment of $800.00 made during the week of February 19, 2001; and a payment of $100 each month in addition to the regular monthly billing until the balance is paid in full. The Board accepted the payment terms adding that no penalties be applied to the balance provided the terms are honored, and payment due date remains at the 10th of each month following the reading/billing. Karen Dunn is instructed to compose a letter verifying the above terms for Ms. Beattie’s signature of agreement. A motion was made by Mrs. Wheetley for requested payment terms as stated above; a second from Mr. Starling, and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the motion will be carried out by Secretary.
The first item of communication presented was the monthly financials. Board members quietly reviewed the report and no discussion followed.
Next presented was an Annual Service Agreement from Kemper CPA Group explaining their services to Buncombe Public Water District for the year 2001. Mrs. Wheetley made motion to retain the services of Kemper CPA Group for another year as stated in the letter. Seconded by Mr. Starling, and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried, at which time Chairman Cook endorsed the agreement.
The Cherry Insurance Company, for the Indiana Insurance Company, submitted a policy exclusion form for signature by each Board Member, as our Workers’ Compensation Policy only covers “employees” of the Water District. The form was signed by all active Board members.
As is required by the Jackson County Clerk’s Office, each member completed and signed a 2001 Statement of Economic Interest form to be submitted to the Courthouse in Murphysboro.
At the request of Ron Lada, a completed Credit Application was endorsed by Chairman Cook, to establish an account of US Filter for plumbing supply purchases.
Danny Williams of DD Williams Construction wishes to install a new meter on his property at 623 South Poplar Camp Road for a rental trailer he will be moving in. Discussion followed on the proper procedures to be used for meter installations. The Board agreed to continue past procedures in that: 1) Customer pays deposit and completes and application for water service; 2) WSO discusses details with customer and/or contractor; 3) If contractor does installation, he bills BPWD for costs; 4) BPWD bills customer and collects payment for entire cost of water meter installation. However, the Board waives the requirement of a deposit and directs Ron Lada to monitor the installation.
Old Business on the agenda pertained the dedication of the water line extension in the Stone Creek Golf Course to the Buncombe Public Water District. In the absence of Ron Lada, a decision was made by the Board to table this topic until next meeting.
There was no South Highway Water District business to discuss.
The Secretary/Treasurer Report was presented by Karen Dunn along with the Accounts Payable Report detailing bills for payment in February. It was noted that a check for $797.50 payable to DD Williams Construction Company for a water line repair last month at Cracker’s Neck Bridge, is a non-routine repair. Also discussed were three recently matured CDs. Current CD rates were presented and discussed. Motion was made by Mrs. Wheetley to accept the Secretary Report, transfer $797.50 from Reserve Account to cover non-routine maintenance expense, transfer the two CDs Bank of Carbondale to 12-months, let the maturing CD with First Bank roll at 6-months, and pay the bills as presented. Seconded by Mr. Starling and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the motion passed.
The Water Supply Operator report was quietly reviewed in the absence of Ron Lada. No discussion followed.
There were no additional public comments or questions.
No ordinances were reviewed at this time.
There being no further business, the motion was made for adjournment. A voice count was taken and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the meeting adjourned.