Meeting Minutes of January 15, 1991
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Vice Chairman Douglas Mayer. The roll was called. Present were Mrs. Frances Youngblood, Ms. Cathie Hutcheson, Mr. William Hardenbergh, Mr. Richard Parrish, Mr. Maurice Betts, and Mr. Douglas Mayer. Mr. Walter Brieschke was absent. Employees present were Mrs. Becky Roberts and Mr. Walter Butler.
People attending: Customers: Mr. and Mrs. Danny Williams and daughter, Mr. Herbert Stearns, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Newcomb, Mr. Jerry Burton and Mr. Danny Walker.
Minutes of December 11, 1990 meeting were approved as submitted.
The meeting held this evening was rescheduled from the regular scheduled meeting of January 8, 1991, due to bad weather conditions. Mr. Mayer apologized for any inconvenience this may have caused any of the customers in attendance. The Southern Illinoisan, WCIL AM & FM Radio, Channel 12 News, and W3D Radio were all contacted to announce the cancellation and the rescheduled date on Monday, January 10, 1991.
Mr. Mayer announced the appointment of Mr. Maurice E. Betts, to the BPWD Board. His term will expire May 1, 1993.
Customer Requests: Mrs. Charles Newcomb was in attendance and she had the questions of a past due amount of her water bill of $2.90. Mrs. Roberts will review the records and contact Mrs. Newcomb tomorrow. Mrs. Newcomb also paid her water bill at this time.
The Secretary/ Treasurer report was read and accepted.
The Financial Report was read and accepted. Mr. Parrish suggested that a $5,000.00 CD from both the Depreciation Acct and the Reserve Acct be purchased. It was then brought up in discussion that BPWD already has well over $100,000 in Home Federal Savings and due to the insurance aspect, another bank should be sought out for these new certificates. Mrs. Roberts will check rates at 1st National Bank, SIU Credit Union, and United Illinois Bank in Cobden for their CD rates and report on the next meeting.
Payment of the Bills: The bills were presented in the amount of $10,826.72. Mr. Hardenbergh made a motion to pay the bills as submitted and Mrs. Youngblood seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ms. Hutcheson – yes, Mrs. Youngblood – yes, Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Mr. Betts – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes. Motion passed.
Water Supply Operator Report: Mr. Butler reported that there had been three overflows in December due to bad contact points in panel at pump station. It has been fine since 12/27/90. The add a phase system was discussed and Mr. Parrish will contact Mr. Chuck Williams and invite him to the next board meeting to discuss this.
Adoption of amended Ordinance to increase renters Deposit to $75.00: All board members were handed copies of the amended ordinance to increase the renters deposit from $35.00 to $75.00. Mr. Parrish made a motion to accept the new amended ordinance Chapter 5.05 to raise the renters deposit to $75.00 and to become effective on January 6, 1991 and Ms. Hutcheson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ms. Hutcheson – yes, Mrs. Youngblood – yes, Mr. Hardenbergh – yes, Mr. Betts – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes. Motion passed.
Attorney Review of Ordinances: Our Attorney is in the process of updating the ordinances. She is also looking into an ethics ordinance.
Pressure Station No. 1 Proposal for Concrete Vault Construction: No action was taken on this.
Grant/Loan Application Status: Install 3 phase electricity REA letter and options: Total cost is $26,000. They can only bill BPWD $12,000. Payment Plan – BPWD must propose one to their Board, and Alternatives were discussed.
SHWD Dispute: Status: SHWD has chosen to dispute the decision on the arbitration decision.
Fixed Asset Inventory: This should be ready for distribution by the nest board meeting.
Operating Permit never applied for by RA Nack in 1976: We now have one that was granted October 2, 1990, Operating Permit No. 0599 – FY 1975/91, by Mr. Roger D. Selburg, IEPA, for the system. Operating Permits for line extensions done prior to 1980 remain to be issued.
A letter dated November 1, 1990, from GE Capital stating that after their annual review of BPWD that they commend BPWD for a well-run operator, was received in December 1990. Also, BPWD is in receipt of a letter from IRWA commending BPWD for its excellent financial system and status. GE Capital does not make these comments very often and this is a truly outstanding comment on our operation.
Request for all financial records status: Mr. Jerry Burton, Coordinator of “Let’s Get Rid of Walter” in a letter dated November 13, 1990 “… requesting copies of any and all financial records, including but not limited to income, expenses, ledgers, receipts, checks, bank accounts, and etc. it was estimated that over 7,874 pages of photo copying would be required. Together with copy costs and staff costs the estimated initial, but not final, bill would come to approximately $600.00. It was requested that this be paid in advance. Mr. Burton and Let’s GROW through it’s Coordinator, Mr. Burton, then requested to “view the records” they had asked for int heir letter of November 13, 1990. An arrangement was made with Ms. Eugenia Hunter, BPWD’s attorney, to permit Let’s GROW to “view” the records at her office under supervision at $90.00 per hour. Arrangements to be made in advance. Let’s GROW rejected this option also.
Mr. Mayer announced that Mr. Walter Brieschke has resigned from his position on the BPWD Board of Trustees.
Mr. Hardenbergh made a motion to approve the following resolution for the minutes: “ Resolution Honoring Walt Brieschke: Whereas, Walt Brieschke took charge in 1977 of a financially moribund water district and brought it back to vigorous life; and whereas, as the cost of a huge investment of time and energy, Walt has provided highly professional and thoroughly effective management of the water district for 14 years; and whereas, his skilled management has made possible for the people of the district a reliable water supply at the lowest possible cost; and whereas, his assumption of so much of the responsibility for the work of the district has made life easier for the other board the Buncombe Public Water District expresses its admiration for Walt’s accomplishments in the guidance of the affairs of the District for the past 14 years. The people of the ability and dedication. Walt will certainly be missed, and future endeavors. Mr. Parrish seconded the motion. All in favor voice vote.
Montion to adjourn: The monthly meeting adjourned by motion of Mr. Parrish and seconded by Ms. Hutcheson. Meeting adjourned at 7:37 pm.
After the adjournment, Mr. Burton addressed the Board with the following: He doesn’t think that the freedom of information act will allow a charge of $90/hr to view the BPWD files. Mr. Parrish stated that this was set up because the office is now at Mrs. Roberts home and it is not a public place, therefore a public place to view the files was needed. Mr. Mayer stated that possibly something else could be worked out. Mr. Hardenbergh offered his time.