Board Meeting - November 16, 2015

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS

A special meeting of the Board of Public Works was held at the Hastings Utilities Board Room on Monday, November 16, 2015, at 5:30 p.m.  This meeting was preceded by notice duly published in the Hastings Tribune on Friday, November 13, 2015, 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, Shoemaker, Kully, Dewalt

Also Present:  Mayor Powers, Odom, Goebel, Skutnik, Krings, Hoops, Niemeyer, Duval, Harrington, Schultes, Meyer, Vrooman, Leonhardt, Stange, Hartman, Ptak, McCoy, Barfknecht, Crecelius, Schawang, Davis, Patterson, Jacobitz, Hassenstab, Wacker, Dave Rippe (HEDC), Tony Hermann (Hastings Tribune), and Sara Kirkley (NTV)

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.

The purpose of the special meeting was to continue discussion on the Hastings Utilities 2016 Budget and to hold a joint work session between the Board of Public Works and the City Council to present the 2016 Budget.

Marv Schultes gave a general presentation on the 2016 Budget which included the total budget amount, major challenges for 2016, proposed rate increases for water and electric, funding for HEDC, and funding for the Chamber.  Al Meyer followed with a presentation on PPGA/WEC-1.  A discussion took place on power alternatives.  Marty Stange gave an update on the Aquifer Storage and Restoration, along with a general discussion on nitrates and uranium in our drinking water.  The Council asked that maps of the nitrates and uranium areas be distributed along with general information that was prepared for the meeting.  Marv Schultes gave an update on the cost of natural gas.

The City Council and the Board of Public Works decided to go into a Closed Session together.  The Council made their formal motion for the Closed Session.

Moved by Kully, seconded by Dewalt, that this Board go into Closed Session, which Closed Session is clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest and for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, which individual has not requested a public meeting, in order to discuss certain matters relating to personnel.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Kully, Dewalt, Shoemaker, Hunt.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

The meeting closed to the public at 6:45 p.m.  The executive session consisted of Board of Public Works Members, Hastings City Council, and Mayor Powers.

Moved by Kully, seconded by Hunt, that the meeting be reopened to the public at 7:40 p.m., and that no decisions were made nor official actions taken during said Closed Session.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Kully, Hunt, Dewalt, Shoemaker.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 7:40  p.m.