Board Meeting - July 31, 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, July 31, 2014, at 9:00 a.m.  This meeting was preceded by notice duly published in the Hastings Tribune on Tuesday, July 29, 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, Dewalt

Also Present:  Schultes, Meyer, Heyen, Sanders, Ptak, Vrooman, Cogley, Hartman, Goebel, Odom, Leonhardt, Stange, Stuart, Quinn, Crecelius, Jim Headley (Hastings Tribune), and Guests Jack Giddings and Tom Hastings, Corey Stutte, and Linsey Martin from the Chamber of Commerce

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 item, Jack Giddings questioned the reason for buying the recent land near the PCF.  Staff explained the need for more land for sludge application.  He questioned if Hastings Utilities could dry their sludge and sell as a fertilizer like Norfolk, Nebraska.  Staff has explored all options for the sludge and feel that land application is the best for Hastings Utilities at this time.

Members from the Chamber of Commerce and their Retail Over Site Committee were in attendance to update the Board on their activities.  Chamber President Tom Hastings thanked the Board for their participation and Corey Stutte of Strategic Pioneer explained their activities this budget year.  He also let the Board know that further information can be obtained on their Chamber website http://www.hastingschamber.com/economic-development/retail-development.html?ref=head.  Linsey Martin distributed a Retail Development Committee Report and agreed to forward a breakdown of their expenses to the Board.  The Chamber asked for funds to be included in the Hastings Utilities 2015 Budget in the amount of $41,500.  Hastings Utilities’ Retail Committee will meet and come back with a recommendation at budget time.

Marv Schultes reported that the gas cut-over of the Central Community College (CCC) is complete.  Source Gas has appealed the court’s decision.  The appeal is over the cost of the purchase, not the cut-over.

Schultes also reported that CCC is moving forward with a wind energy study proposal and is planning to take the proposal to their board in the future.

Schultes informed the Board at the digesters at the PCF need work, along with other maintenance items and that HDR will be needed to help determine what maintenance is needed.

Ron Sanders’ last day is tomorrow and Schultes reminded the Board that there is a retirement party in the Board Room from 3-4:30 on Friday.  The Board thanked Ron for his time and work at Hastings Utilities.

Chuck Shoemaker congratulated the following employees for their years of service to Hastings Utilities.

Fredric Spitz – 15 years at the WEC, Thomas Cookus – 25 years at the NDS, Bruce Perry – 20 years at the WEC, Edward Mills – 5 years at the WEC, Michael O’Callaghan – 5 years at the WEC, and Randy Russell – 30 years in the Water Department.

Shoemaker expressed his interest in the Board receiving the customer newsletters from OPPD, NPPD, and LES, as he had read some good articles in their newsletters regarding interruptible service for residential air conditioning, a street light app, In Lieu of Taxes, and 20 year power projections.  He also reported that he attended the APPA National Conference with the Manager and felt it was very informative. 

Moved by Dewalt, seconded by Krieger, to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda, with the exception of the payroll, which will be considered later in the meeting.

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

Moved by Dewalt, seconded by Krieger, that upon the recommendation from staff, to award a contract for the Influent Pump Station Bar Screen Replacement at the PCF, subject to legal review, to Phillip Carkoski Construction, Loup City, Nebraska, for a total cost of $126,690.00, and that the Chairman of the Board be authorized to enter into contract with such company accordingly, and to approve associated Work Order SW-302 to replace mechanical bar screen at Pollution Control Facility for an estimated cost of $549,286.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Dewalt, Krieger, Shoemaker, Kully.  Nays; Hunt.  Motion carried.

Moved by Kully, seconded by Dewalt, to approve the payroll for period ending July 26, 2014.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Kully, Dewalt, Shoemaker, Hunt, Krieger.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

Moved by Krieger, seconded by Dewalt, to approve checks issued July 25, 2014, with the exception of check 23642 to Kully Pipe & Steel Corp.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Krieger, Dewalt, Shoemaker, Kully, Hunt.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

Moved by Hunt, seconded by Krieger, to approve check 23642 to Kully Pipe & Steel Corp. in the amount of $25,884.21.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Hunt, Krieger, Dewalt, Shoemaker.  Nays; None.  Kully abstained.  Motion carried.

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

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

Discussion took place on work order GA-301 for purchase of gas mains, services, and regulators at Central Community College from Source Gas.  Staff will review the costs and make any necessary changes.

Moved by Kully, seconded by Dewalt, to approve the following work orders, excluding GA-301.

EL-297    Installation of a single-phase underground electric line and padmount transformer to serve the new cellular communications tower north of L St., west of South Baltimore Ave.   Estimated Cost:  $  10,285

GA-301  Purchase of gas mains, services, and regulators at Central Community College from Source Gas.  Estimated Cost:  $462,136

WA-309  Relocate old anode building from old PCF on Showboat Blvd. to the South       Burlington Lift Station.  Estimated Cost:  $  10,277

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

Moved by Hunt, seconded by Krieger, to postpone action on Work Order GA-301 for purchase of gas mains, services, and regulators at Central Community College from  Source Gas for an Estimated Cost of $462,136.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Hunt, Krieger, Shoemaker, Dewalt, Kully.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

The Board had a discussion on the various board committees and the need for committee reports.  The board reviewed all the committees and listed the committees that will be put on the next agenda for updates as each committee has news to report.  Those committees are:  Chamber of Commerce Retail Oversite Committee, Comparability Committee, Merit Award Committee, and Bidding Policy Committee.

The Board discussed the Little Blue Natural Resource District (LBNRD) Water Department Contribution.  The Board had asked the LBNRD and the Upper Big Blue Natural Resource District (UBBNRD) for contributions to help with the nitrate remediation in the Hastings water supply.  The LBNRD has developed a uniform program to help all communities in the district which may be facing non-point pollution problems, primarily from nitrates.  Program funding is based on a $20 level of funding per capita over five years.  Hastings Utilities has applied for the funding, consistent with the LBNRD process.  The requested contribution was for $500,000 and will be used to help fund the ASR Water Project.

During Board member comments, Willis Hunt remarked that the Chevy Volt lease expires September 16, 2014.  Staff will provide a report so the Board can decide any future action on an electric car lease/purchase.

Marty Stange gave a presentation and update on the ASR Water Project. 

Moved by Hunt, seconded by Krieger, that this Board go into Closed Session, 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 negotiations and litigation.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Hunt, Krieger, Shoemaker, Kully, Dewalt.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

The meeting closed to the public at 11:46 a.m.  The executive session consisted of Board Members, Council Liaisons, the Board’s Attorney, staff.    

Moved by Hunt, seconded by Krieger, that the meeting be reopened to the public at 11:57 a.m., and that no decisions were made nor official actions taken during said Closed Session.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Hunt, Krieger, Shoemaker, Dewalt, Kully.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 11:57 a.m.