August 14, 2014

A regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held at the Hastings Utilities Board Room on Thursday, August 14, 2014, at 9:00 a.m.  This meeting was preceded by notice duly published in the Hastings Tribune on Tuesday, August 12, 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, Ptak, Vrooman, Cogley, Hartman, Goebel, Odom, Sekora, D. Baumgart, Crecelius, 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.

There were no public comments.

Report from General Manager – Marv Schultes mentioned that HU staff manned a booth at National Night Out and had a vehicle with staff walking in the parade for Kool Aid Days.  There was good staff participation and a good public attendance at both events.

Schultes reported that he had visited with Paul Essman of Nebraska Personnel Consultants and the comparability study is underway and should be complete in September.

Al Meyer reported that both units at the Whelan Energy Center are running and scheduled for preventative maintenance outages in October.

Report from Board Chairman – Chuck Shoemaker reported that he has an agreement, which was prepared by Attorney Ptak, between Hastings Utilities, the City of Hastings, and Wendell Starr regarding the out-of-district fee.

Moved by Hunt, seconded by Dewalt, to approve the Chairman signing the agreement between Hastings Utilities, the City of Hastings, and Wendell Starr regarding the out-of-district fee.

Discussion followed, and as the item was not listed on the agenda as an action item, Hunt and Dewalt removed their motion and second respectively.  Chairman Shoemaker will sign the agreement per the Board's direction at a previous meeting and discussion.

Shoemaker referred to a miscellaneous item in the board packet on the Chevy Volt.  As the lease is expiring soon, Shoemaker asked to have the discussion on the lease put on the next agenda for discussion and possible action.  The Board asked the Manager to have a recommendation available.

Shoemaker polled the Board on possible days to hold the budget workshops.  The Board felt that November 5 and 6 would work the best for them.

The Board asked staff to prepare for a preliminary budget discussion at the meeting on October 2, 2014.

Shoemaker asked the Board for a vote on a recommendation from the Merit Award Committee.

Moved by Hunt, seconded by Kully, that upon the recommendation from the Merit Award Committee, to award a Humanitarian Merit Award to Denise Baumgart for her accumulated blood donations of 15 gallons.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Hunt, Kully, Shoemaker, Dewalt, Krieger.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

The Chamber Retail Committee will give a report at the next Board Meeting.

The Bidding Policy Committee – Jeff Kully reported that he had met with Willis Hunt to get the conversation started on how to proceed.  They asked staff to provide the committee with any written information the utilities follows regarding the bidding process.  Schultes informed the Board that there is a memo from Steve Scherr and another from Dave Ptak that he will provide to the committee regarding bid requirements.  Kully and Hunt plan to meet with the extended committee after they receive the requested information.

Moved by Dewalt, seconded by Krieger, that the following items on the Consent Agenda be approved:

a. Review, correction or approval of minutes of July 31, 2014

b. Review of payroll for period ending August 9, 2014

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

Moved by Krieger, seconded by Hunt, to approve checks issued August 8, 2014, with the exception of check 23790 to Kully Pipe & Steel Corp.  and check 23831 to Sullivan Shoemaker PC LLO.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Krieger, Hunt, Kully, Dewalt, Shoemaker.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

Movedby Hunt, seconded by Dewalt, to approve check 23790 to Kully Pipe & Steel Corp. in the amount of $2,297.05.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Hunt, Dewalt, Shoemaker, Krieger.  Nays; None.  Kully abstained.  Motion carried.

Moved by Krieger, seconded by Dewalt, to approve check 23831 to Sullivan Shoemaker PC LLO in the amount of $2,436.87.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Krieger, Dewalt, Hunt, Kully.  Nays; None.  Shoemaker abstained.  Motion carried.

Moved by Dewalt, seconded by Kully, to approve the following work orders:

EL-298    Installation of a three-phase overhead transformer bank to serve increased loads at the Half-Time Lounge and the mechanic's shop at H St. and Burlington Ave.                                                                                                                                 
Estimated Cost:  $10,740

EL-300    Extension of an overhead electric line on 42nd St. east of Showboat Blvd.
Estimated Cost:  $20,665

GA-302  New 2" PE gas main on 18th St., Lincoln Ave. to Hastings Ave., and replacement 2" gas main on 17th St., Hastings Ave. to St. Joe Ave.                    
Estimated Cost:  $84,227

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

Schultes gave a presentation of the June 2014 Monthly Report.  The Board would like to address Hunt's concern of staffing levels by discussing the need for an organizational study.  Schultes will obtain names of firms that can conduct such studies, along with an estimated cost.

Odom asked on the status of recommendations of the street lighting committee.  Staff will report on the committee's recommendation and follow up on any progress.

There was no need for an Executive Session.

The meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m.