Meeting Minutes of March 14, 2006
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, Secretary/Treasurer Karen Dunn, Trustees Jenny Jaros, Greg Dunn, Tammy Davis, and Water Supply Operator Ron Lada. Absent were Trustees Debbie Wheetley and Mike Starling.
Visitors in attendance were Mr. Sean Henry, PE, Asaturian Eaton and Associates; Dr. Brian Heuring, Stone Creek Vet Clinic; Dr. Jeannie Killian, Customer #14500; Mayor Dan Walker, Village of Makanda, and Mr. Bruce Shingleton, Road Commissioner.
Chairman Daniel Cook opened by addressing concerns of the visitors in attendance. As Dr. Heuring and Dr. Killian’s concerns were directly related to Village Board proposition, Mayor Walker was the first to address the Board. He explained that the Village Board of Makanda was interested in acquiring property current owned by Buncombe Public Water District. Located directly on the east side of the fenced in tower and District office, the property of discussion is identified as Section “B” on the most recent survey of the Shawnee Surveying Company, Drawing No. 95032, dated March 17, 1995. Mayor Walker proposed that upon acquiring said property, the Village planned to build storage facilities for equipment such as snow plows, mowers, backhoe, etc. Discussion continued related to the subject. Dr. Heuring, Dr. Killian and Karen Dunn, as an adjacent homeowner, expressed concerns related to questionable upkeep of the storage facility and possibly injury to property value. The Board listened to everyone’s proposals, suggestions, and concerns; then thanks the visitors and tabled the discussion for closed session.
Also addressed at this time was the current status of the new pump station construction. Mr. Henry explained that there were no updates at this time; planning was still in process. Mr. Henry indicated he planned to contact the Grant Agency to inquire about the possibility of a direct purchase as opposed to sending it out for bids.
The meeting continued by reviewing the minutes from the February 2006 meeting. A motion was made by Mrs. Davis to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded by Vice Chairman Burrow, and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the minutes were approved.
In the absence of the visitors, the Board continued the discussion related to Mayor Walker’s request to purchase the property. Upon further study of the survey, Mr. Henry noted that has the District owned a total of 1.14 acres. at this location; the sale of Section “B” would leave the District with less than 1 acre which would place it in violation of Illinois Public Health Rules and Regulations regarding septic systems. The Board unanimously agreed that the sale of the requested property was not feasible and instructed Karen Dunn to prepare a letter under the Chairman’s signature advising the Village Board of this decision.
No other visitor or customer requests were addressed at this time.
Financials for February 2006 were reviewed by members of the Board with no related discussion.
Also presented was an Audit Engagement Letter, as prepared by Scott Hickam, CPA, for the 2005 annual audit services for the Board’s review. A motion was made by Mr. Dunn to retain Scott Hickam’s services for the Annual Audit of 2005 as outlined in the letter; seconded by Vice Chairman Burrow and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.
Under the order of old business, the discussion of the new pump station status was addressed earlier in the meeting.
No new business was discussed at this time.
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. A motion was made by Mr. Dunn to accept the Secretary/Treasurer Report as presented and to pay the bills. Seconded by Vice Chairman Burrow and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.
The Water Supply Operator Report was presented by Ron Lada with no major discrepancies. Discussion followed related to the water main leak two days prior to this meeting in downtown Makanda which completely drained the tower and the lines. Mr. Lada described the event and repairs required to restore service. Because there have been a number of breaks in the same areas, Mr. Lada requested the Lynn Bush prepare a proposal for replacing those lines should there be remaining funds from the Grant following completion of the new pump station.
No additional District related comments or questions.
There being no further business, a motion was made for adjournment. A voice count was taken and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the meeting was adjourned.