Meeting Minutes of July 11, 1995
Chairman Richard Jumps called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Present were: Chairman Richard Jumps, Vice Chairman Stanley Hollister, Mr. Maurice Betts, Mrs. Sue Dilley, and Mrs. Donna Williams. Also present were employees Ron Lada and Karen Townsend; visitor Mr. Herbert Donow.
The first order of business was to review the minutes from June for corrections. A motion was made by Mr. Betts and seconded by Mrs. Williams to accept the minutes as presented. A roll call vote with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the minutes were approved.
Communications for July was presented by Mr. Jumps from Paul Schmidt from Kemper CPA Group related to our June 1995 financials.
Also presented for the Board was a letter dated July 10, 1995, from Mr. Herbert Donow detailing information related to receipts, bills, costs, etc., of the Donow line extension as requested by the BPWD Board of Trustees. Mr. Donow also expressed concern in ordinance #94-4 related to his recovery for costs incurred relating to this line extension. The ordinance was reread by Chairman Jumps, as well as Mr. Donow’s recommended amendments of the ordinance as specified in his letter. Mr. Donow is concerned that the presented language make sit appear that once the line has been dedicated, that no recovery is possible. Chairman Jumps explained that that has never been the policy. Mr. Betts explained that on the night the Board votes to accept a water line, at the time it will be decided what the recovery costs will be and how they will be handled. There was considerable discussion that followed related to interpretation of the ordinance, acceptable recovery amounts, properties affected, etc. Mr. Jumps expressed concern that Mr. Donow’s high recovery costs are not an incentive for anyone to want to join the extension. Mr. Betts concern was for Buncombe to maintain the three thousand feet of water line with not enough taps to be cost effective. After discussions no final decisions or motions had been made.
The Board continued lengthy discussion after Mr. Donow’s departure regarding terms of the line extension and language of the ordinance pertaining to the same. It was determined that the Section 3 of Ordinance 94-3 has nothing to do with his line extension as it exists unless we as a board build off the end of his extension. Then the ordinance applies to his extension, but not until then. Per Mr. Jumps, we do not have an ordinance that governs recovery that is a contract that he provides this board for approval. It is either approved or not approved. It was decided, therefore, that no changes be made to the ordinances at this time.
With no other visitors, customer requests, or old business, New Business was presented to the Board (i.e. Kemper CPA Group – May 1995 Financials).
Karen Townsend prepared to the Board’s review a comparison of two computer software programs/companies to replace the current customer billing system. After explaining features and costs, a motion was made by Mr. Betts to accept Ms. Townsend’s recommendation to purchase new billing software and forms from DP Consultants with funds taken from the legal refund account to pay for the new program. It was also recommended that by Mr. Jumps that Ms. Townsend prepare a procedures manual while learning the new program. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Dilley, with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.
The Secretary/Treasurer Report was presented for review. A motion was made to accept the Secretary/Treasurer Report, seconded, and a roll call taken. With no oppositions, the motion was carried.
The Board discussed the amount of water used to flush lines in the Donow Line Extension. Mr. Lada was asked to prepare a calculation of how much water was used for billing purposes, as well as fire hydrants that needed to be replaced. It was decided to discuss this at a future meeting.
The Financial Report was presented indicated bills for payment. After being reviewed by the Board Members, a motion was made by Mr. Betts to pay the bills, seconded by Mr. Hollister and a roll call was taken. With 5 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.
Ron Lada presented the Water Supply Operator Report with no major discrepancies.
There being no further business, a motion was made for adjournment and seconded. A voice vote was taken and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the meeting adjourned at 9:30pm.