Meeting Minutes of June 10, 2001
Chairman Daniel Cook called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. A roll call was taken and present were: Chairman Daniel Cook, Vice Chairman Joseph Burrow, and Trustees Greg Dunn, James Keller, and Mike Starling. Trustee Debbie Wheetley joined the group a little later in the meeting. Also present were employees Karen Dunn and Ron Lada.
No visitors were present.
First on the agenda was the review of the minutes from the May 2001 meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Dunn to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Starling, and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the minutes were approved.
No visitor or customer requests were presented at this time.
The first item of communication were the monthly financials. Board members quietly reviewed the report and it was noted that actual income and expenses were in line with the budget for 2001.
Next, the Organization Liability Policy Information update, submitted by Cherry Insurance Services, was reviewed and signed.
On the order of old business, the Annual Contract Renewal for the District Secretary was resubmitted as there was not a quorum to vote upon acceptance or changes prior month’s meeting. Members discussed and agreed on a 40 cent per hour increase for the District Secretary. The motion was made by Mr. Keller and seconded by Mr. Starling; with 4 yes and 0 no votes, was approved.
Next discussed was the status of the Stone Creek line extension dedication to the Water District. Mr. Keller submitted as-built drawings for the Second Plat to the Board. There was further discussion related to water test results as required by the EPA and verification of the legal access through easements. Karen Dunn is instructed to contract Gary Blumenstock of the IRWA to inquire about the requirements for dedications.
There was much concern about a recent situation in which the contractor for the Stone Creek Golf Course, Avery Wheetley, took it upon himself to shut down water lines without notification or permission of this Water District. It was explained that there were called and complaints from customs north on the line and confusion among District employees as to what was going on and how to handle the situation. Emergency procedures were taken such as notification to all customers involved, a boil water order was issued, and samples and tests taken as required. Members of the Board discussed, as it is a federal offense to tamper with public utilities, what procedure to follow in notifying, warning and/or charging Avery Wheetley for his actions. After considerable discussion, it was suggested that Karen Dunn also speak with Mr. Blumenstock’s recommendation as to what legal recourse the IRWA deems as appropriate for this situation. Further discussion was tabled until the next board meeting.
Tabled from the May meeting, was the suggestion from Mr. Blumenstock to raise Disconnect/Reconnect penalties in an attempt to reduce disconnection notices and subsequent shut offs. It was noted that there has ben no increase to those fees in excess of seven years and present fees are lower than those of neighboring water districts. Concern was expressed by Mr. Keller related to disconnecting customers who were financially unable to make payment. Karen Dunn assured Mr. Keller and the members of the board that every effort is made to work with the customers and be understanding to personal situations which, at time, make payment difficult. Motion was made by Mr. Dunn to increase penalties to $50 for a disconnection and $50 for a reconnection as was previously discussed. Seconded by Mr. Starling and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.
No new business was addressed at this time.
There was no South Highway Water District business to report.
The Secretary/Treasurer Report was presented by Karen Dunn along with the Accounts Payable Report detailing bills for payment in June. It was noted that because of an interest payment was due to GMAC, amount of $3,650 was needed to be transferred from the Debt Service Account, along with $1,390 from the Reserve Account to cover the cost of excavation and clean up of the pump station. A motion was made by Mrs. Wheetley to accept the Secretary Report, make transfers from Debt Service and Reserve Accounts at stated above and pay the bills. Seconded by Vice Chairman Burrow and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.
The Water Supply Operator Report was presented by Ron Lada with no major problems or discrepancies.
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 by Vice Chairman Burrow and seconded by Mrs. Wheetley. A voice count was taken and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the meeting was adjourned.