HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-12 BOWC MIN
Stillwater, Minnesota May 12, 2016
Regular Meeting:
The regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was held on Thursday May
12, 2016 at 8:30
Commissioners Nyberg and Vania present, President Speedling absent. Also present was
Tom Corman and Jim Tibbetts
On motion of, Commissioner Nyberg, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting
“Aye”, the Agenda was accepted as presented.
On motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by Commissioner Nyberg, all voting
“Aye, the minutes of the April 21, 2016 regular meeting were read and approved as
written.
On motion of Commissioner Nyberg, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting
“Aye”, Resolution No. 1488 was approved for payment.
Tom Corman reported that Jim and John have been marking our water utilities for the
round-a-bout at the intersection of Manning Avenue and Highway 96 and we may have to
move some hydrants. They have started turning on irrigations for contractors, Brochman
Blacktopping has repaired the watermain breaks from last year and Andy is working on
the pumphouse yards.
Manager Benson provided the Board with an updated job description for the
Foreman/Supervisor position and explained the process for filling the position following
the union contract. He has been working with Donna Robole, HR Manager with the City
of Stillwater. After discussion, on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by
Commissioner Nyberg, all voting “Aye”, the job description and the process to fill the
position were approved.
Manager Benson provided the Board with a final draft of the 2015 audit report, after
discussion, on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by Commissioner Nyberg,
all voting “Aye”, the audit report was approved.
Commissioner Vania brought up the Water Conservation Plan; Manager Benson
informed the Board that there is $12,000.00 in the Capital Outlay Budget. After
discussion, on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by Commissioner Nyberg,
all voting “Aye”, the Water Department will work with T.K.D.A. to complete the Water
Conservation Plan, not to exceed $12,000.00.
The following items were discussed, with no action taken:
1. Accounts receivable balance as of April 30, 2016 was $184,808.45 with the actual
amount being $249,010.63; this is $42,000.00 higher than last years.
2. Manager Benson updated the Board on the 2016 road reconstruction project, after
talking with Shawn Sanders, City of Stillwater Director of Public Works, the
watermain replacement on Osman Avenue came in about $20,000.00 under
budget. The project will start around June 6, 2016.
3. Manager Benson updated the Board on the Round-a-Bout at Highway 96 and
Manning Avenue with the start date of May 16, 2016.
4. Manager Benson provided the Board with an update on the Pollinator Prairie and
Bee Lawn installation and the start date is May 21, 2016; the Board will provide
the water as they plan on planting 450 plants that day.
5. Manager Benson informed the Board that 287 Delinquent Notices were mailed
out for a total of $53,239.60.
6. Commissioner Vania brought up the use of credit cards for the water bills, after
discussion, Manager Benson will get the information on cost, the percentage used
to pay sewer bills at City Hall and the percentage that would be charged to the
Water Department by outside vendors and bring it back to the June 2016 meeting.
7. Manager Benson will be working with Commissioner Vania to update the other
job descriptions.
8. Commissioner Vania talked about tying Laserfiche into the new work
management system. When the crew is out in the field they can pull up that
information as needed.
9. Manager Benson informed the Board that there have been 240 mail to addresses
that were changed through the Zip+Plus 4 update, this is the first time that this has
happened, he will look into the amount of saving we receive using this process
also Commissioner Nyberg asked if our billing system is capable of sending out
quarterly bills electronically, Manager Benson will report back to the Board at the
next meeting.
10. Manager Benson informed the Board that Todd Phillips with Ferguson Water
Works stopped in to talk about the “C.P.I.” (Consumer Price Index) and how
Neptune was not supporting this, Manager Benson explained that this was part of
the contract, If Todd wanted to come to a Board meeting and talk to them he
could, as they would be making that decision. Manager Benson will pay the price
for meters following the “C.P.I”.
11. Manager Benson informed the Board that the opening for Commissioner
Nyberg’s position will be advertised on Friday May 13, 2016 and stay open for 30
days; at that time they will review the applicants and schedule interviews.
There being no further business, on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by
Commissioner Nyberg, all voting “Aye”, the meeting was adjourned.
Attest: Secretary