Board Meeting - May 29, 2014

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS

A regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held at the Hastings Utilities Board Room on Thursday, May 29, 2014, at 9:00 a.m.  This meeting was preceded by notice duly published in the Hastings Tribune on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, and by notices duly posted in the lobby of Hastings Utilities, 1228 North Denver Avenue, and the City Hall, 220 N. Hastings Avenue, and was therefore open to the public.

Present: Hunt, Krieger, Shoemaker, Kully

Absent:  Dewalt

Also Present:  Schultes, Meyer, Sanders, Ptak, Leonhardt, Heyen, Goebel, Barfknecht, Crecelius, Guests Jack Giddings and Bob Samuelson, and Jim Headley (Hastings Tribune)

Chairman Shoemaker stated that the Board of Public Works is subject to the Open Meetings Laws and acknowledged that the Open Meetings Law poster has been posted in the room.  He also declared a quorum of members present.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

During the public comments, several people spoke.  Jack Giddings stated that he was just observing the meeting and was interested in the process.  Bob Samuelson brought ideas to the Board (and provided a written presentation which is on file) on how to deal with the high nitrates in the water supply.  He asked the Board to try all ideas before injecting chemicals into the public water supply.

In response to a question from the Board at a previous meeting, Marv Schultes reported that the O&M cost for street lighting in 2014 is similar to the street lighting costs in 2012 for the first two months of the year.

Al Meyer reported that WEC-2 came off line yesterday because of a steam leak.  The repair is being made and the unit should go back on line this evening.

Chuck Shoemaker congratulated Scott Peshek from the Water Department for his 15 years of service to Hastings Utilities.

Moved by Krieger, seconded by Kully, to approve the minutes of May 15, 2014 on the Consent Agenda.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Krieger, Kully, Hunt, Shoemaker.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

Discussion was held on Accepting Lowest and Best Policy and Informal Bidding for Capital Projects.  Shoemaker appointed a committee of Board Members Hunt, Krieger, and Kully, City Attorney Ptak, and Council Liaison Goebel along with any city staff Goebel deems appropriate to meet with Hastings Utilities staff to evaluate the bidding policies of Hastings Utilities and recommend any changes to the Board.

Moved by Krieger, seconded by Kully, to approve the payroll for period ending May 17, 2014.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Krieger, Kully, Hunt, Shoemaker.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

Moved by Hunt, seconded by Kully, to approve checks issued May 23, 2014, with the exception of check 23015 to Krieger Electric Co. and check 23016 to Kully Pipe & Steel Corp.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Hunt, Kully, Shoemaker, Krieger.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

Moved by Kully, seconded by Hunt, to approve check 23015 to Krieger Electric Co. in the amount of $15,035.91.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Kully, Hunt, Shoemaker.  Nays; None.  Krieger abstained.  Motion carried.

Moved by Krieger, seconded by Hunt, to approve check 23016 to Kully Pipe & Steel Corp. in the amount of $1,008.71.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Krieger, Hunt, Shoemaker.  Nays; None.  Kully abstained.  Motion carried.

Moved by Hunt, seconded by Krieger, to approve the following claims:

Roll Call:  Ayes; Hunt, Krieger, Shoemaker, Kully.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

Moved by Kully, seconded by Krieger, to approve Resolution 2014-03 – Overhead/Underground Policy Changes.

The Board discussed the proposed changes to the resolution.  Staff will work with Attorney Ptak to make the recommended changes in the Resolution.

Moved by Hunt, seconded by Kully, to table Resolution 2014-04 – Overhead/Underground Policy Changes.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Hunt, Kully, Shoemaker, Krieger.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

Discussion continued from last meeting on the Biosolids Application Options.  Staff and Board Member Hunt visited the Norfolk, Nebraska treatment plant.  After looking at the Norfolk site, they decided our soil is different from the sandy soil in Norfolk and different application processes are needed.

The Board held a discussion on Employee Recognition for Years of Service.  Goebel will check to see if the city is interested in a similar recognition process.  This will be put back on a future agenda.

Moved by Krieger, seconded by Kully, that this Board go into Closed Session, which Closed Session is clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest in that said Closed Session will consist of a strategy session relative to real estate negotiations, contract negotiationsm and litigation.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Krieger, Kully, Hunt, Shoemaker, Krieger.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

The meeting closed to the public at 11:26 a.m.  The executive session consisted of Board Members, Council Liaisons, the Board's Attorney, and staff.

Moved by Hunt, seconded by Kully, that the meeting be reopened to the public at 12:18 p.m., and that no decisions were made nor official actions taken during said Closed Session.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Hunt, Kully, Shoemaker, Krieger.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 12:18 p.m.