Minutes of September 11, 2024 Board Meeting
The regular meeting of Buncombe Public Water District was called to order on September 11, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the District’s office located at 79 Wiley Ln, Makanda, Illinois.
Call to Order
Trustees Present: Hughey; Brewer; Dickson; Heern; Fiorino; Lamb; Howell
Trustees Absent: None
Also Present: Candice Kirby; Alex Heidbreder; and Michael R. Twomey.
Chairman Hughey conducted the meeting.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD AUGUST 7, 2024 was made by Trustee Brewer and seconded by Trustee Lamb. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Visitor, Customer, and Public Comments
A. Candice Kirby:
Ms. Kirby was present to discuss with the Board the possibility of being allowed to make variable monthly payments with the understanding that everything will be paid in full by June 30, 2025.
Questions posed whether or not she could obtain the money upfront and pay the money back to either family members or a bank. Ms. Kirby stated she would rather make the variable payments to the District. She can make $250.00 a month payments for sure. She would also have the money available to hook up the new meter once the same was installed.
Board informed her they would discuss and send another letter to her.
After Ms. Kirby left the meeting, the Board agreed to accept $250.00 a month payments with more if she can but the balance must be paid by June 30, 2025. It is also to be noted in the agreement with her that she must hook up her meter within 60 days after installation is completed. Attorney Twomey is to prepare an agreement.
B. Jeff Rowan:
Mr. Rowan was upset with a late fee and the rates. No Board action is needed.
C. Water Loss Credit Meter 1-1340:
There was a credit requested of $143.09. After presentation to the Board of facts and circumstances surrounding the request, MOTION TO APPROVE WATER LOSS CREDIT FOR METER 1-1340 IN THE AMOUNT OF $143.09 was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Lamb. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
D. Water Loss Credit Meter 5-1860:
This is a commercial account and by ordinance the maximum credit allowed is $500.00. After presentation to the Board of facts and circumstances surrounding the request, MOTION TO APPROVE WATER LOSS CREDIT FOR METER 5-1860 IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00 was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Heern. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Old Business
A. None.
New Business
A. WK&T Easement:
Attorney Twomey disclosed to the Board that he is working for WK&T on other matters. He suggested contacting the company to revise the legal and include only the legal description that the District owns. It will then be reviewed for acceptability.
B. Apartment Meters:
Water Operator Heidbreder reported to the Board that there are meters on the Makanda Boardwalk that are being used for an Airbnb. Should these be switched to commercial accounts? There are separate dwellings using the same meter, does the Board require separate meters? Trustee Heern’s opinion was no separate meters unless there is a separate structure per EPA. Question raised as to whether or not the District should change the ordinance. Attorney Twomey is to review the ordinance as it pertains to one meter per household and one meter with four separate users. Attorney Twomey is to discuss with Sage and report back to the Board.
C. Inaccessible Meters:
Water Operator Heidbreder reported to the Board that the District should charge customers when customers have obstructed access to the District meters by virtue of landscaping or other obstructions. Office Manager Lintner is to send a letter to customer meter #2-5300 with a bill for payment because they had obstructed our access when access was needed.
City of Carbondale Water Supply
A. No update.
Monthly Staff and Board Group Reports
A. Office Manager Lintner Report:
Office Manager Lintner had prepared a written report to the Board and the same was placed of record with the Minutes.
B. WSO Heidbreder Report:
WSO Heidbreder presented a written report to the Board and placed of record with the Minutes.
C. Work Group 1 Ordinances:
None.
D. Work Group 2 District Improvement:
None.
E. ROINC Report:
Sage had prepared a written report to the Board and the same was placed of record with the Minutes.
MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY STAFF AND BOARD GROUP REPORTS was made by Trustee Brewer and seconded by Trustee Fiorino. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Monthly Treasurer/Accounting/Financial Reports
A. The Treasurer’s report was included in the Board packet.
B. T-Bill Report:
The District currently has a total value of $247,453.95 in T-Bills.
C. The report from the accountant was not included as it was not received by the District in time for the meeting. The August report will be approved with the September report at the October meeting.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORTS was made by Trustee Brewer and seconded by Trustee Heern. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
It was noted that the District 125% report has issues with depreciation of assets and the effect on the report. Chairman Hughey will talk to Sage to correct any discrepancies.
Payment of Bills
A. A written list of bills was presented to the Board.
MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS was made by Trustee Brewer and seconded by Trustee Howell. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Additional Trustee Comments or Questions
A. None.
Executive Session
A. None.
Motion for Adjournment
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING was made by Trustee Lamb and seconded by Trustee Fiorino. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye. Meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.