Meeting Minutes of March 13, 2007
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, District Secretary Karen Dunn, Water Supply Operator Ron Lada, Trustees Jenny Jaros, Mike Starling, Debbie Wheetley, and Tammy Davis.
Visitors in attendance was Ms. Patricia Hoke, Attorney, Barrett, Twomey, Broom, Hughes, and Hoke; Mr. Praveen Sunny, Asaturian Eaton and Associates. Also in attendance was Mr. Mike Williamsen, 10340 Old US HW 51 Cobden.
The meeting opened by reviewing the minutes of the February 2007 meeting. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Burrow to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded by Mrs. Davis and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the minutes were approved.
Mike Williamsen, a customer of the Buncombe Public Water District, and resident of Cobden, introduced himself to members of the Board and expressed his interest in one of the current position openings as advertised in the recent customer mailing along with the cross connection survey. Mr. Williamsen explained his interest in becoming involved with the community and itemized his qualifications which may be of benefit to the District. After discussion between members of the Board and Mr. Williamsen, he thanked them for their time and excused himself from the meeting. Discussion continued, and though it was agreed his qualifications would positively impact the Board, it was recommended by the District Attorney that the Board obtain additional applications and table the decision until next month’s meeting giving other applicants an opportunity for consideration.
Financials for January 2007 were unavailable for review.
The first order of business was related to the new pump station installation. Mr. Sunny presented and reviewed the quarterly report with the Board. Also presented was a final bill from DD Williams Construction for excavation services. .As a floor drain was not included in the original bid, a second invoice was presented from DD Williams Construction in the amount of $530.00 for the installation of a 4″ PVC drain line from the pump station to the road ditch. Mr. Sunny noted that he felt this quote to be reasonable. After discussion, it was noted that finish dirt work was still required prior to acknowledging the project as completed. The Board agreed to make payment to the final portion of the original invoice now, but withhold the other invoice until the diagram had been received from Engineered Fluid INC to assist in installation of the alternator. Also discussion was the use of grant money to offset the cost of the back up generator.
Next order of old business was preparation and completion of the “Emergency Planning Resource for Small Water Systems” as required by the IEPA. Tammy Davis presented and reviewed with the Board each line item while confirming technical information with the Water Supply Operator. After receiving all information required, Mrs. Davis will finalize the report and coordinate submission of final document to the IEPA with the assistance of the District Secretary and Water Supply Operator prior to the due date of March 31, 2007.
Related to the visit by four customers at the February 2007 Board Meeting, the Board continued by addressing the customers’ request to dissolve the Water District. Attorney Pat Hoke opened by referring to articles of the Public Water District Act which were established for the protection of Public Water Districts, and therefore, make a dissolution unfeasible. The District Secretary was then instructed to notify those customers by letter of the Boards’ findings and decision not to pursue their request. The letter is to refer to the Public Water District Act and notify of its availability via the internet or this District Office.
Tabled from the February 2007 meeting of the Board was discussion related to Board Members’ compensation and terms. Compensation being the first item of discussion, it was agreed unanimously and a motion was made by Vice Chairman Burrow, that compensation for the Secretary/Treasurer position be increased from $30.00 per regular meeting of the Board to $50.00 per meeting. Seconded by Mrs. Davis and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried. Following discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Starling that Board Members only be compensated for meeting in which they are in attendance. Seconded by Vice Chairman Burrow and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried. It was decided that there would be limitation place on consecutive terms served at this time.
Under the order of new business, Mr. Starling brought before the Board’s attention a rate schedule presented to him by Danny Williams of DD Williams Construction. Mr. Starling indicated he was not bringing this to the Board’s attention for consideration, but wanted to alert them to the fact he was being solicited at his personal residence. Mrs. Davis noted at this time that she had also been solicited by Danny Williams at her personal address via telephone. No discussion followed or related action.
No South Highway Water District related business.
The Secretary/Treasurer Report was presented by Karen Dunn along with the Accounts Payable Report detailing bills for payment in March. After review and discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Starling to accept the Secretary/Treasurer Report and to pay the bills as presented. Seconded by Mrs. Wheetley and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.
The Water Supply Operator Report was presented by Ron Lada with no major discrepancies. Mr. Lada noted the 34% water loss for the previous month was due to two breaks. The first, located on Church Street, is presumed to have been leaking for quite some time. The second was at a customer meter on S. Poplar Camp Road and leaking on both the District and customers side.
In closing, the topic arose related to the need for new/updated computer hardware and software for the District Office. After discussion, the District Secretary was instructed to obtain specifications and quotes to be considered for a future computer system upgrade.
There was no move for executive session.
There being no further business, a motion was made for adjournment. A voice count was taken and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the meeting adjourned.