Meeting Minutes of May 10, 2016
Chairman Robert Hughey called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. A roll call was taken and present were: Chairman Robert Hughey, Vice Chairman Robert Jacobini, District Secretary Karen Dunn, and Water Supply Operator Ron Lada; and Trustees Jenny Anderson, Jospeh Burrow, Jay Ruble and Grace Brewer. Absent was Trustee Larry Hill.
Professionals in attendance were Mr. Mike Twomey and Mr. Joe Boyke.
The Board reviewed the minutes of the April 12, 2016, regular meeting. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Jacobini to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Burrow and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the minutes were approved.
No visitor or customer requests were presented for discussion at this time.
The 2015 Water/Sewer Rate Survey, as prepared by the City of Carbondale Water Works Department, was presented followed by brief discussion.
The first new business addressed was the annual election of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Treasurer to the Buncombe Public Water District Board of Trustees. A motion was made by Mr. Burrow to retain Mr. Robert Hughey as Chairman, Mr. Robert Jacobini as Vice Chairman, and Mr. Michael Williamsen as Treasurer. The motion was seconded by Ms. Anderson and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the motion was approved. Mr. Hughey, Vice Chairman Jacobini, and Treasurer Williamsen all accepted their re-appointments.
The annual appointments of attorney and engineer(s) for the District were next addressed. A motion was made by Mr. Burrow to retain the legal services of Mr. Mike Twomey and the engineering services of Clarida & Ziegler Engineering. Seconded by Mr. Ruble and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the motion carried. Both parties accepted their re-appointments.
At this time, employees were excused from the room for a closed Board discussion related to annual employee contract renewals. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Jacobini to renew the contracts to extend to both Water Supply Operator Ron Lada and District Secretary Karen Dunn an hourly rate increase of 2%, with consideration of a bonus to be extended to employees upon completion of the connection to Carbondale and new meter installation projects. Seconded by Ms. Anderson and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the motion carried.
Related to the water line connection to Carbondale, Mr. Twomey opened by informing the Board of an upcoming venture in which Shanahan and Shanahan Consultants (recently employed by this District for bond preparation) would be merging with another firm and as a result, requests permission to allow District files to be accessed by the new company. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Jacobini to authorize that the Buncombe Public Water District files with Shanahan and Shanahan be transferred during the upcoming merger. Seconded by Mr. Ruble and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the motion carried.
Mr. Boyke continued on this topic by presenting a map highlighting areas of completed water line installation. Discussion followed related to hydrants and valves, road bores, rock excavation, as well as establishing new accounts for propane and electric. Mr. Boyke noted that all construction of the new pump station was near completion at the EFI location in Centralia, Illinois. He indicated that factory acceptance was required at the facility upon completion and some visitors from the District Board and/or office were welcome, while being mindful of the stipulations as outlined in the Open Meetings Act. Mr. Boyke indicated the project was in “good shape” and noted he anticipated project completion in late summer to early fall.
Mr. Boyke briefly addressed SIU’s project in mapping the new water main. He indicated that Mr. Brandon Polk, a graduate student working on his Master’s in Geographic Information, will be involved in the project with an anticipated start date of May 17th.
Mr. Boyke next presented an updated Disbursement schedule presenting project related invoices for payment in May. After discussion, the following payments were approved, and the original invoices were signed by the Chairman:
- A motion was made by Mr. Ruble to pay Dean Bush Construction in the amount of $43,233.99 from the First Mid Illinois Bank Construction Account for services as outlined in the Watermain Contract. Seconded by Mr. Burrow and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the payment was approved.
- Mr. Ruble then made a motion to pay Clarida & Ziegler Engineering in the amount tof $5,044.20 from the First Mid Illinois Bank Construction Account for Administrative and Inspection services as specified on Invoice #14951. Seconded by Mrs. Brewer and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the payment was approved.
The idea of a proposed Water Vending System was briefly discussed with no action taken at this time.
Mr. Twomey addressed the revised contract with South Highway extending the terms for water purchase for an additional year. Brief discussion followed with no action necessary.
Financial for March 2016 were presented and reviewed.
The Edward Jones Investment Report for April 2016 was unavailable for discussion.
The Secretary/Treasurer Report and the Accounts Payable Report for July 2016 were presented by the Treasurer and reviewed. After related discussion, a motion was made by Ms. Anderson to accept the reports as presented and pay the bills. Seconded by Mr. Burrow and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the motion was approved.
A further motion was made by Mr. Ruble to transfer the amount of $576.00 from the Repairs/ Improvements Account to the Operation/Maintenance Account for the new meter purchase. Seconded by Mrs. Brewer and with (5) yes and (0) no votes, the transfer was approved.
The Water Supply Operator Report was presented by Ron Lada with no discrepancies; Discussion followed related to recent water leak repairs and other areas of potential water loss which required further repair. Also addressed were property improvements such as window, door, and fence repairs.
No additional public comments or questions were presented.
There was no move for an executive session.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Mr. Burrow to adjourn; seconded by Mrs. Brewer and with (5) yes votes and (0) no votes, the meeting closed.