February 9, 2016

The Board of Trustees met for their regular meeting Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at 7 pm in the city meeting room. Chairman DeShaw called the meeting to order with roll call. Present were DeShaw, Guthrie, Lange and Melchert. Absent, none. Motion by Lange, seconded by Guthrie, to approve the agenda and the minutes of the January meeting. Ayes, all. Carried. The bills were presented for payment as follows:

ELECTRIC:
PAYROLL / LESS TAXES & INS / $ 8,392.85
PAYROLL TAXES / FED WH-SS-MED-IPERS / 4,895.87
TYLER COLE / VISION ASSISTANCE / 53.50
HARRIS ELECTRICAL SERVICE INC / RESTORE PWR - NEW SGEAR HEATERS / 2,056.17
BLACK HILLS ENERGY / FEB BILLINGS / 445.01
OVERHEAD DOOR OF CR/IC / WAREHOUSE DOOR REPAIR / 699.50
THE MINI MART / GAS / 136.20
RPGI / PURCH PWR (479,539 kWh) / 23,748.93
CITY LAUNDERING CO / MAT & TOWEL SERVICE / 159.36
IAS / TORDON / 40.68
CITIZENS STATE BANK / MONTHLY CASH MGT FEE / 18.95
LEADER PUBLICATIONS / PROCEEDINGS / 72.35
USPS / JANUARY BILLS / 100.10
BOSS OFFICE / CLEAR LINERS / 20.53
CARDMEMBER SERVICES / TONER CART / 79.99
US CELLULAR / FEBRUARY SERVICE / 121.09
WINDSTREAM / JAN BILLING / 167.65
WELLMARK BCBS / FEB HEALTH INS / 262.24
TREAS STATE OF IA / JAN SALES TAX / 1,115.00
USPS / ROLL OF STAMPS / 49.00
IAMU / 1/3 ECIASSO DUES FOR JAN-MAR / 121.11
WATER:
US CELLULAR / FEBRUARY SERVICE / 121.10
WINDSTREAM / JAN BILLING / 60.98
WELLMARK BCBS / FEB HEALTH INS / 2,097.89
TREAS STATE OF IA / JAN SALES TAX / 398.00
USPS / ROLL OF STAMPS / 49.00
IAMU / 1/3 ECIASSO DUES FOR JAN-MAR / 121.11
USA BLUE BOOK / CHLORINATOR REPAIRS / 198.84
D & J FEEDS INC / DRILL BITS & SHOVEL / 24.08
JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL / GALV PLUGS & CAPS, CUTTING WHEEL / 21.27
HAWKINS INC / AZONE 15 (CHLORINE) / 261.00
MUNICIPAL UTILITIES / 12/18/15-1/20/16 PMPING & PWR / 548.40
IOWA ONE CALL / OCT-DEC NOTIFICATIONS / 9.90
KEYSTONE LAB INC / SAMPLE ANALYSIS / 12.00

Motion by Guthrie, seconded by Lange, to allow the bills as presented. Ayes, all. Carried.

Supt. Melchert updated the Board on the day-to-day activities which included the following:

  • Tree trimming is about 75% complete. Cole has been working on it as time permits.
  • A water leak was repaired on Julian Ave between Culver Rd and Jackson St NE. Being unable to isolate the leak with shut-offs, a hydrant was opened on the corner of Culver and Julian to relieve pressure allowing the leak to be stopped. The open hydrant created additional problems for residents on the south side of Culver Rd that required it to be shut down. He still suspects that there is a leak somewhere that has not surfaced yet due to daily pumpage vs sewer discharge recorded at the WWTP.
  • The heaters in the new switchgear have been repaired and are in working order. Additional work will need to be done as warm weather approaches to insure that the air conditioning will be operable.
  • A consultation with the engineer is needed to prepare a material list for the next phase of installing the switchgear. The idea of using a cable tray enclosed in concrete vs conduit is being considered.
  • A repair is needed for a cover on the water main in the alley between Second and Third Streets SW that was damaged while plowing snow.
  • A phone call was received on Wednesday, Feb 3rd, of a blocked sewer main near Fourth St NE. One blockage led to another which led to flooding issues in the screen room at the WWTP. On Monday the 8th, a backup was reported along First St SW. We were unable to break through the blockage in the main with our equipment. Monticello was called and they brought their equipment to assist us.
  • The roof project at the WWTP has been started and is about 50% completed.
  • The digger-derrick truck has been taken back to Bacon & Sons to get the wiring repaired.

A motion was made by Guthrie, seconded by Lange, acknowledging receipt of a list of actual wages paid for calendar year 2015 for publication. Ayes, all. Carried.

EmployeeJob Description Amount

Douglas J MelchertSuperintendent$ 49,010.00

Tyler J ColeLineperson 42,896.65

Cynthia J KempUtility Clerk/Secretary 36,540.00

Cynthia L JonesPart-time Clerk/Secretary 9,497.40

Norman W. ParsonsPart-time Lineperson 2,920.00

Robert DeShawTrustee 300.00

Richard HarrisTrustee 75.00

James GuthrieTrustee 300.00

Rick LangeTrustee 225.00

Salaries for the new fiscal year were discussed. Motion by Guthrie, seconded by Lange, to set the salaries as follows: Melchert, $995 increase to $50,730; Cole, $886 increase to $45,246; Kemp, $744 increase to $37,824; Jones, no increase, hours reduced to 1½ days per week. Ayes, all. Carried. Motion by Lange, seconded by Guthrie, to eliminate Parsons part-time position effective July 1st. Ayes, all. Carried.

Supt. Melchert presented a proposal to the Board for the purchase of a new skid loader, the cost of which would be shared 50/50 with the city. The cost would include the trade in of a city tractor. Several options for the use of a skid loader were discussed. The Board did not feel that the purchase would be beneficial for us at this time. A suggestion was made that maybe one could be rented before a purchase would be made to see if it is something we would want.

A quick review of the budget was made. Motion by Guthrie, seconded by Lange, to approve the prepared budget adjusted with the new payroll figures. Ayes, all. Carried.

A customer request for temporary service was discussed. As there is a delinquent bill owed at this time, the Board would only allow the temporary service if the amount due is paid in full.

The clerk presented a quote for upgrading the utility software package. It was decided to table the purchase until the end of the fiscal year in hopes of reducing the annual support fee.

As the city clerk has resigned, she has requested a full audit of the city records. She asked if the utilities wanted to complete an audit at the same time. As the city/utility is required to have an audit or exam annually, the Board agreed to have a full audit in conjunction with the city’s.

DeShaw approached the subject of the current cost of diesel fuel. The Board is in favor of purchasing diesel to top off our tank before the cost goes back up. Our tank would be unable to accommodate the purchase of a full load at this time.

A brief discussion was held concerning renewable energy sources and credits available for their purchase.

Delinquent accounts were reviewed. Possible disconnections were discussed. Meeting adjourned at 8:23 pm.

Receipts for January:Balance 1/29/16:

Electric $49,554.48$47,170.84

Water 5,242.83 102,081.53

Meter 150.00 6,949.00

Sales tax 1,313.01 902.73

MMG 59.83 152,058.31

Investments 35,000.00

______Secretary ______Chairman