Meeting Minutes of May 19, 2009
Chairman Starling called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. A roll call was taken and present were: Chairman Mike Starling, Vice Chairman Joseph Burrow, Water Supply Operator Ron Lada, District Secretary Karen Dunn, Trustees Tammy Davis, Jenny Jaros, and Wally Earll. Absent were Secretary/Treasurer Mike Williamsen and Trustees Debbie Wheetley and Steve Williams.
The visitor in attendance was the mayor of Makanda, Tina Shingleton. Mayor Shingleton opened by thanking the employees and members of the Water District Board on behalf of the Village Board and citizens of Makanda for their efforts in maintaining water service throughout the District after the recent storm devastated the community.
The meeting continued by reviewing the minutes of the March 10, 2009, regular 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.
No visitor or customer requests were presented at this time.
The Annual Engagement Letter from the Kemper CPA Group was presented for review as the only items of communications for May 2009. After review and brief discussion, it was agreed by members of the board to table the decision until such time the Secretary/Treasurer Williamsen had an opportunity to review the letter.
Under the order of old business, the topic of general accounting services was tabled along with the Kemper Annual Engagement Letter. It was also noted that Praveen Sunny and Armen Asaturian were unable to attend this meeting, but plan to be at the next one.
The following topics were addressed and discussed under the order of new business. Pertaining to the Chairman position, a motion was made by Joseph Burrow to appoint Mike Starling to his second term as Chairman. Seconded by Mr. Earll and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried. Pertaining to the Vice Chairman position, a motion was made by Mrs. Davis to reappoint Mr. Joseph Burrow as Vice Chairman. Seconded by Mrs. Jaros and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried. Pertaining to the Secretary/Treasurer position, a motion was made by Vice Chairman Burrow to appoint Mike Williamsen. Seconded by Mrs. Davis and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried. Pertaining to the District Legal Council, Vice Chairman Burrow made a motion to appoint Stephen Green as legal council to represent the District. Seconded by Mrs. Davis, and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried. Pertaining to the position of Engineering Council for the Water District, a motion was made by Mrs. Davis to retain Asaturian Eaton and Associates as the District’s Engineers representation. Seconded by Vice Chairman Burrow, and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the motionc arried.
Next addressed were Annual Employee Contract renewals for the Water Supply Operator, District Secretary, and Meter Reader. After extensive discussion, a motion was made by Mrs. Davis to renew the Water Supply Operator contract with Ron Lada at a 2% increased rate of $21.49 per hour. Seconded by Vice Chairman Burrow and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried. Ron Lada accepted the appointment. A motion was made by Mrs. Davis to renew the District Secretary contract with Karen Dunn at a 2% increased rate of $17.56 per hour. Seconded by Vice Chairman Burrow and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried. Karen Dunn accepted the appointment. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Burrow to renew the Meter Reader contract with Karen Dunn at $0.05 per meter increased rate of $1.30 per meter. Seconded by Mrs. Davis and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried. Karen Dunn accepted the appointment.
Discussion began related to South Highway’s rate increase and subsequent letters from Attorney Ed Heller. Chairman Starling informed the Board of his recent conversations with Attorney Steve Green. Mr. Green suggested a meeting between Chairman Starling, Secretary/Treasurer Williamsen, and the SHWD Chairman and to personally discuss the issued with a goad of, not to change, but to further define the contract.
As no Financials for 2009 have been presented to the District Board to date, the Board instructed the District Secretary to contact the Kemper CPA Group and request 2009 Financials be submitted for review at the next meeting. It was also noted that as Kemper expects timely monthly payment of fees, the Board feels the reports should also be prepared and submitted on schedule.
The Secretary/Treasurer Report and the Account Payable Report were presented by the District Secretary in the absence of Secretary/Treasurer Williamsen. A motion was made by Mrs. Davis 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 with no discrepancies.
No additional public comments or questions were presented.
There was no move for executive session.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Vice Chairman Burrow to adjourn, a voice count was taken and with 4 yes and 0 no votes, the meeting adjourned.