Meeting Minutes of October 9, 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 Mike Starling, Debbie Wheetley, Tammy Davis, Jenny Jaros, and Steve Williams. Secretary/Treasurer Mike Williamsen was absent.

Visitors in attendance were Ms. Pat Hoke, District Attorney; Mr. Praveen Sunny, Asaturian Easton and Associates; Mr. Danny Williams, DD Williams Construction Company; and Mrs. Tammy Davis, district customer Meter #90800.

The meeting opened by reviewing the minutes of the September 2007 meeting. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Burrow to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Starling and with 6 yes and 0 no votes, the minutes were approved.

Visitors were not addressed at this time.

Correspondence was presented from The Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission related to annual membership requirement. After some discussion, it was agreed by members of the Board that there was no interest in membership at this time.

Corrpro Waterworks annual contract for 2007 for cathodic protection system inspection was presented and reviewed. Brief discussion followed after which a motion was made by Mrs. Davis to renew the contract with Corrpro Waterworks as presented; seconded by Mrs. Wheetley and with 6 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.

Under the order of old business, an updated invoice was presented detailing requirements for the District Office new computer hardware and software. After discussion, a motion was made by Vice Chairman Burrow to purchase the new computer system as presented by Carbondale Computer Repair; seconded by Mr. Starling with 6 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.

The next order of old business was to discuss the necessity of a revision to Ordinance 3.29 Board of Trustees, Item A) Qualifications. Discussion continued related to current ordinances, Jackson County Board recommendations and that State of Illinois statute, etc. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Burrow to allow Pat Hoke to prepare an amendment to current District ordinances which comply with Illinois statute for the Board’s further review. Seconded by Mr. Starling and with 6 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.

The Board next reviewed current procedures for recruiting new board members to the Water District. After discussing a number of options, the Board agreed that the only method which would reach all eligible candidates, both customers and non customers, in the appropriate counties, would be by placing block newspaper ads. Notification on a District “web page” may be considered in the future.

Per Ron Lada, received a call from Vice Chairman Burrow that water was located leaking in the vicinity of the pump station. After further investigation, Mr. Lada found that the leak was originating from directly under the new above ground pumphouse. DD Williams Construction, contractor for recent new pump station installation, was called and further excavation found that PVC pipes had been distorted from excessive heat, and seals had ruptured. Further investigation from EFI indicated that a needle valve got stuck; pressure remained high without enough water running through the lines. Mr. Lada restarted the pump; pressure increased to 160 PSI and held, therefore, he shut it down. EFI cleaned particles which caused the needle to stick and recommended maintenance log to check strainers and needle valve every three months. EFI has a sense temperature option, but may be expensive telemetry; Praveen Sunny to get details on this option.

Mrs. Tammy Davis, customer of Meter #90800, 2599 Old US Highway, Makanda, addressed the Board concerning her court summons related to theft and criminal damage to Water District property when customer bent and removed locked collar from meter and turned service on after it has been shut off and locked due to nonpayment per District Ordinances. Mrs. Davis explained that she had been in contact with the State’s Attorney’s Office. She explained her situation and pleaded with the Board to drop the charges as it would impair her career in early child development. After considerable discussion, it was agreed by members of the Board to drop the criminal charges at this time. Karen Dunn to notify State’s Attorney’s Office.

Next issue addressed was that of a stolen meter from the meter well located at 2631 Old US Highway, Makanda, Meter #91200. During discussion, suspicions arose that this incident may be related to another in which the meter from a neighboring home had been removed by the District due to criminal tampering and nonpayment. Members of the Board explained frustration that this information was not previously disclosed; however, no evidence was available to find fault.

No South Highway Water District related business.

In the absence of Secretary/Treasurer Mike Williamsen, the Secretary/Treasurer Report was reviewed in silence by the Board members along with the Accounts Payable detailing the bills for payment in October. There was no related discussion, a motion was made by Vice Chairman Burrow to accept the Secretary/Treasurer Report and to pay the bills as presented; seconded by Mr. Starling and with 6 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.

The Water Supply Operator Report was presented by Ron Lada with no major discrepancies. It was noted that the 26% water loss was related to the leak recently found in the bottom of the creek under the bridge on Baptist Hill Road. Mr. Lada identified the leak by a chlorine smell at the bottom of the creek bed. Though the origination of the leak ha snot yet been detected, Mr. Lada estimates it to be within 25′ radius.

Danny Williams, at this time, addressed the Board related to his previous request to lower a District water line during his upcoming project to excavate an embankment. Mr. Starling recommended a bond be presented to secure that work was completed correctly. Mr. D. Williams estimates line will need to be lowered 5′ to 6′, which is currently 3′ below surface. Some concerns were indicated as to whether the water line is lying directly against utility poles. The time frame of the project is of great concern. Mr. D. Williams explained a new line would be laid beside to old line; to lower the old line would be a lengthy disruption of service. Any disruption would affect 2 to 3 services. Per Mr. Sunny, pressure and bacteria testing would be required. Mr. Sunny included it would be beneficial to the Water District to see a sketch or plans as would be required from anyone. Considerable discussion continued concluding with no motions and/or no permission granted.

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 6 yes and 0 no votes, the meeting adjourned.