Board Meeting - June 2, 2017

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE HASTINGS UTILITY BOARD

A regular meeting of the Hastings Utility Board was held at the Hastings Utilities Board Room on Thursday, June 2, 2017, at 9:00 a.m.  This meeting was preceded by notice duly published in the Hastings Tribune on Tuesday, May 31, 2017 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, Hitesman, Schreiner, Hartman

Absent:  Seberg

Also Present: Meyer, Cogley, Vrooman, Leonhardt, Hartman, Cox, Barfknecht, Davis, Ptak, Mayor Stutte, Odom, Eley, Crecelius, Patterson, and Will Vraspir (Hastings Tribune)

Mayor Stutte opened the meeting and stated that the Hastings Utility Board 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.

Mayor Stutte welcomed the new Utility Board Members and introductions took place.  New members are Willis Hunt (term 5-22-2017 to 7-1-2018), Joanne Seberg (term 5-22-2017 to 7-1-2019), Jack Schreiner (term 5-22-2017 to 7-1-2020), Bill Hitesman (term 5-22-2017 to 7-1-2021), and Shawn Hartman (term 5-22-2017 to 7-2-2022).   Councilmembers Phil Odom and Butch Eley will continue to be the liaisons to the Utility Board.

Attorney Ptak distributed copies of Ordinance 4473 which is a blueprint for this Board and the makeup for the Manager of Utilities.  He reviewed the sections of the Ordinance with the Board.

 An election of officers took place. 

Hitesman nominated Jack Schreiner as Chairman of the Board.  The nomination was seconded by Hunt.

Moved by Hunt, seconded by Hitesman, that the nominations for Chairman of the Board cease and a vote on the nomination for Jack Schreiner be voted on.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Hunt, Hartman, Hitesman, Schreiner.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

Moved by Schreiner, seconded by Hunt, to nominate Bill Hitesman as Vice Chairman of the Board.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Schreiner, Hunt, Hartman, Hitesman. Nays; None.  Motion carried.

Moved by Schreiner, seconded by Hartman, to nominate Hunt as Secretary to the Board.  Roll Call: Ayes; Schreiner, Hartman, Hitesman, Hunt.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

There were no public comments.

A discussion followed on setting dates and times for holding the Utility Board meetings. 

Moved by Hunt, seconded by Schreiner, to hold the meetings of the Hastings Utilities Board on the 2^nd Thursday of each month at 9:00 a.m.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Hunt, Schreiner, Hitesman, Hartman.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

The Board decided to meet next week June 8^th.

A copy of the job description for the Manager of Utilities was included in the Board packet.  The search committee wanted the Board to review the job description before the advertisement was sent out.

Moved by Schreiner, seconded by Hunt, to approve the job description for the Manager of Utilities.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Schreiner, Hunt, Hitesman, Hartman.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

Mayor Stutte appointed Board Members Schreiner and Seberg to serve on the Manager of Utilities selection committee.

Board Member Comments –

Hunt informed the Chairman that there is an agreement with HEDC that designates members of the Board to be on their committees.  Hunt said that there are memberships that include Board member participation also that will need to be looked at.  Hunt made the suggestion that Don Cox be the designated representative for the PPGA meetings instead of Marvin Schultes, who is retired.  Cox said that he is the alternate and has been attending the meetings.  Joe Patterson said that they will check on the procedures for these committees.

Hunt also suggested that this Board should meet with the full council to help educate newer members of the Board and the City Council on functions of Hastings Utilities.

Hitesman suggested that information that was presented at the last customer meeting would be a good place to start to begin the education process of new Utility Board members.

Hunt would like an organizational chart to quick reference.

Patterson thanked the Utility staff for their cooperation in this transition.

Moved by Hunt, seconded by Hitesman, 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 litigation.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Hunt, Hitesman, Hartman, Schreiner.  Nays; None.  Motion carried.

The meeting closed to the public at 10:05 a.m.  The executive session consisted of Board Members, Mayor Stutte, Council Liaisons, Dave Ptak, and Al Meyer.

Moved by Hitesman, seconded by Hartman, that the meeting be reopened to the public at 10:37 a.m., and that no decisions were made nor official actions taken during said Closed Session.  Roll Call:  Ayes; Hitesman, Hartman, Hunt, Schreiner.  Nays; None.  Motion carried. 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:37 a.m.