Meeting Minutes of June 11, 2013
Chairman Joseph Burrow called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. A roll call was taken and present were: Chairman Joseph Burrow, Vice Chairman Robert Jacobini, Secretary/Treasurer Mike Williamsen, Water Supply Operator Ron Lada, District Secretary Karen Dunn; and Trustees Jenny Anderson, Grace Bewer, Robert Hughey, and Charles Travelstead.
Mr. Mike Twomey, Attorney with the Law Office of Barrett, Twomey, Broom, Hughes, and Hoke, and Mr. Gregg Dunn, district customer, was in attendance.
The Board reviewed the minutes of the May 2013 regular meeting. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Jacobini to accept the minutes as presented with modification that there was brief mention and discussion related to the Magnuson Water Line Extension, seconded by Ms. Anderson and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the minutes were approved.
At this time, no items were addressed related to other visitor or customer requests.
No new items of communication were presented at this time.
No new business was presented for discussion.
Under the order of old business, the Board addressed issues related to a handheld meter reading system. Areas discussed included handheld v. laptop, brands available and relate software costs, and insertion meters as well as location for those installations. Related to insertion meters and their effect in determining water loss, it was questions how accuracy will be affected by reverse flow. Ron Lada noted that he will contact Chad from Midwest Meters related to this quandary.
Also discussed was the financial feasibility and available for the purchase of the mobile reading program, including start-up costs and continued implementation costs. After discussion, it was arranged that Mr. Twomey, Secretary/Treasurer Williamsen, and Vice Chairman Jacobini will contact financial institutions and consult Mr. Scott Hickam related to the financing aspects of the project. Mr. Twomey agreed to supply a list of banking contacts and to pursue those contacts personally to arrange discussions with appointed members of the Board.
Included in the package for financial consideration will be the purchase of a mobile reading program, related billing software, and a back-up generator as required by the IEPA. Specifications and parameters for these proposed items are still under discussion. Additional quotes related to the back-up generator will be provided by the Secretary/Treasurer Williamsen for review at the next meeting of the Board.
It was recommended that Mr. Twomey, but not required, that the Water District make notice and schedule a public hearing one hour in advance of a regular meeting to inform the general public of this endeavor. Members of the Board were in agreement with this suggestion.
No new information related to a water supply connection to Carbondale was presented at this time. There was discussion, however, that a Member of the Board attend a meeting of the South Highway Water District as a courtesy notification of proposed digital modifications to the master meters and possible discussion related to addressing contract renegotiations. Mr. Hughey agreed to attend the meeting.
Information related a rate increase from the South Highway Water District, as a result of their recent audit, was presented to Board members for review. After brief discussion, it was agreed that the topic be tabled until such time as the actual SHWD audit has been received and reviewed by Mr. Scott Hickam.
Financials for April 2013 were presented for review at this time.
The Secretary/Treasurer Report and the Accounts Payable Report for June 2013 was presented by the Secretary/Treasurer. A motion was made by Ms. Anderson to accept the report as presented and to pay the bills. Seconded by Vice Chairman Jacobini and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the motion carried.
The Water Supply Operator Report was presented by Ron Lada with no discrepancies. Brief discussion continued related to the mobile reading program and its implementation. Ron Lada indicated that several 1” and 2” meters were required to replace existing meters of that size within the District. Secretary/Treasurer Williamsen agreed to research the cost of those items. It was also discussed how quickly the new digital meters would be installed, and whether to buy new lid cover or drill those already in place. Ron Lada reported on the recent water main break and discussion followed related to water loss.
Replacement of the water main on the hill in downtown call from Ms. Robin Russell, District Customer, related to a new meter installation. Ms. Russell indicated that her new meter installation was not being performed in a timely manner. Mr. Twomey, Ron Lada, and Karen Dunn all indicated that they have had one or more conversation each with Ms. Russell and have explained to her the process and status related to the installation. Ron Lada indicated he would contact L.D. Bush Construction immediately to check the status of the installation.
There was no move for an additional executive session.
There being no further business, a motion was made to adjourn and seconded with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the meeting adjourned.