Meeting Minutes of March 9, 1992
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairman Douglas Mayer. The roll was called and present were Trustees Mr. Maurice Betts, Mr. Richard Jumps, Mr. Douglas Mayer, Mr. Richard Parrish, Mr. Arthur Vincent, and Mrs. Frances Youngblood. Ms. Hutcheson came in after the roll was called. Employees present were Mrs. Becky Roberts and Mr. Walter Butler.
People attending: Lets GROW Members present were Mr. and Mrs. Danny Williams, Mr. Herbert Stearns, and Mr. Jerry Burton. Others present were Mrs. Betts and Mrs. Billie Jacobini.
Minutes of the February 10, 1992 meeting were submitted for approval. The minutes were approved as submitted.
Customer Requests: Mrs. Jacobini was present to discuss her proposed line extension. She waived the right to an executive session. Mrs. Jacobini submitted for review, a preliminary sketch from Asaturian and Eaton Engineers on the project. She stated that the engineers wanted to have it reviewed by the Board before any further work was done. Mr. Mayer stated that the next step would be to get the necessary easements. It was agreed by all that Asaturian and Eaton could proceed further with the project. Mrs. Jacobini asked for the possibility of making the agreement to where she could recover some of her costs in the future when other people would hook up to the line. Mr. Mayer stated that this should not be a problem because this has been done in the past. Mr. Betts stated that we should have BPWD Attorney, Ms. Hunter look into this, because he said that he thought the law had changed on this in 1987, once it is donated to the water district.
Mr. Parrish stated that his opinion since Asaturian and Eaton is one of BPWD’s Engineers, he suggested not to require another engineer. Mr. Betts thought that JT Blankenship was the only engineer that is approved for the District. Mr. Mayer stated that both Asaturian and Eaton and JT Blankenship were approved. The minutes will be reviewed to make certain. Mr. Mayer stated that he thinks that for the line extension projects, there should be 2 engineers involved, one to do the work and one to check the other one, simply to keep them honest. Mr. Vincent stated that he agreed with Mr. Parrish that only one engineer was necessary. Mr. Betts asked Mr. Butler his opinion on the subject. Mr. Butler stated that he would rather see two involved, one to check the other. Mr. Burton stated that Engineers are bonded and they would have to fix the line if something did go wrong with it up to a certain amount of time. It was added that the customer would bear all costs of two engineers. It will be discussed next month whether or not one or two engineers will be required to this project.
Secretary/Treasurer report was read and accepted.
The Financial Report was read and accepted. The Certificate of Deposits were discussed along with the current low interest rates. Mr. Betts made a motion to put Depreciation Account #4 Certificate that will mature on 3/14/92 and Reserve Account #4 Certificate that will mature on 3/14/92, into the savings accounts until the interest rates come up. Mr. Parrish seconded the motion. Roll call vote was taken: Ms. Hutcheson – yes, Mrs. Youngblood – yes, Mr. Jumps -yes, Mr. Betts – yes, Mr. Vincent – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes. There being 7 yes and 0 no votes, the motion passes.
Payment of Bills:: The bills were presented in the amount of $5,473.26. Mr. Betts asked about Check #3086 to Cherry Insurance for the Treasurer Bond for $500.00. He asked that this be reviewed by Ms. Hunter because he thinks the law had changed in 1987 that the employee is required to pay this. Mr. Betts also asked to see the bill from Brockton Lockwood on the Burton v BPWD. Mr. Betts and Mr. Jumps asked why BPWD was paying for two attorneys for the Burton v BPWD case. Mr. Betts asked again why Ms. Hunter would not represent BPWD in the Burton v BPWD. Mr. Vincent explained that Ms. Hunter had stated at the meeting that she attended earlier, that she could not be the attorney in this case because she would be called as a witness in the case. Mrs. Youngblood made a motion to pay the bills with the exception of Cherry Insurance check for the Treasurer’s Bond until BPWD Attorney has a chance to look into the law on this. Mr. Parrish seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Ms. Hutcheson – yes, Mrs. Youngblood – yes, Mr. Jumps – no , Mr. Betts – no, Mr. Vincent – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes. There being 5 yes and 2 no votes, the motion passes.
Water Supply Operator Report: Mr. Butler reported that everything was normal. He stated as soon as the weather clears, he would need work orders to finish some of the fall work that has had a change to settle. Mr. Mayer stated that this would be fine. He also stated the Mr. Lada had been keeping track of the meters that needed some dirt work and this would be done in one days time.
Lets GROW request for copies of all financial records status? On the 27th of February 1992, Mitchell & Armstrong, Attorney’s at Law, counsel for Jerry Burton, was granted a motion to withdraw as Jerry Burton’s counsel due to “EXPARTE” COMMUNICATION with the Judge by Mr. Burton.
Suggested locations for installation of meters for leak and theft detection: Mr. Butler reported that at the 3 pressure stations, meters could be placed in each of these areas, that the Pressure Station #3 is already set up for this and the meter could be put in the same vault as the pressure station. Other suggested areas for meters to be set would be 1) on Old 51 to cover Midway Road and the end of the line, 2) on McGuire Road to cover this and Poplar Camp Road, 3) by Presley Tours to cover Old 51 going South, 4) by Braden’s Orchard’s going South, 5) on Sheppard Lane, 6) by Hartline Nursery going North, 7) on Church Street, 8) on Baptist Hill to cover this and Crackers Neck. The master meter should be able to cover the rest of the area. Ms. Hutcheson made a motion to have Mr. Butler, Mr. Mayer and Mr. Parrish to meet with JT Blankenship to discuss these location for their opinion. Mr. Parrish seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Ms. Hutcheson – yes, Mrs. Youngblood – yes, Mr. Jumps – yes, Mr. Betts – yes, Mr. Vincent – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes. There being 7 yes and 0 no votes, the motion passed. This will be done before next meeting. Mr. Betts asked Mr. Butler to submit a cost estimate for each unit.
Lead and Copper Sampling Sites: Mr. Parrish and Mr. Mayer met with Ms. Hunter about the requirements on these sampling sites. She reviewed the Federal Register and the basic law on this and her recommendation at this time is not to do anything yet. We aren’t required to get the sampling sites until 3 months before the sampling begins, which is July 1993. Mr. Butler stated the Mr. Lam had told him that sampling would begin in February 1993. This will be reviewed and reported back. Mr. Parrish stated that IEPA is not even ready to start sampling on this yet, and it may be changed by the time it is ready to begin. She did agree that a questionnaire should be sent out along with a cover letter informing customers of the potential exposure also. 20 sites will be required for the District.
1992 Budget: GE Capital: Mrs. Roberts has corresponded with Mr. E Nelson Dekonor with GE Capital, who hold the mortgage on the District, about the new rate decrease that was passed. It was confirmed that BPWD did not have to received the GE Capital permission before lowering the rates, and that nothing was required to be submitted. Mr. Dekonor did suggest to keep a close watch on the financial status of the District because this was quite a large reduction in revenue. He also stated that at the review of the year end statements, GE Capital might require BPWD to raise the rates if the financial status worsens.
D & O Policy: The renewal is due by March 15, 1992. This year the premium is for $2,294.00. Last year it was $2,256.00 because they forgot to bill for the Surplus Line Tax. $2,300.00 is budgeted for 1992. It was asked why the refused to cover the District in the Burton v BPWD case. They did not cover the situation because the suit was brought against the Board as a whole instead of naming individuals. Mr. Parrish made a motion to renew the D & O Policy for $2,294.00 and Ms. Hutcheson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Ms. Hutcheson – yes, Mrs. Youngblood – yes, Mr. Jumps – yes, Mr. Betts – yes, Mr. Vincent – yes, Mr. Parrish – yes, Mr. Mayer – yes. There being 7 yes and 0 no votes, the motion passes.
Mr. Betts stated that in the fixed assets inventory it listed 2 portable radios. He wanted to know where they were? Mrs. Roberts stated that she had one in the office and Mr. Butler had one.
The monthly meeting adjourned by motion of Ms. Hutcheson and seconded by Mrs. Youngblood. Voice vote – all yes. Meeting adjourned at 8:04pm.