March 10, 2015

The Board of Trustees met for their regular meeting Tuesday, March 10th, 2015, at 7 pm in the city meeting room. The meeting was called to order by Chairman DeShaw. Present were Harris, DeShaw, Guthrie, Melchert, Rick Lange, Ed Wulfekuhle and Roger Zearley. Absent, none. Motion by Guthrie, seconded by Harris, to approve the agenda and the minutes of the February meeting. Ayes, all. Carried. The following bills were presented for payment:

ELECTRIC:
PAYROLL / LESS TAXES & INS / $ 8,123.15
PAYROLL TAXES / FED WH-SS-MED-IPERS / 4,622.06
BACON & SONS / IBEAMS & PURLINS FOR WALL REPAIR / 216.68
DELHI LUMBER / SHELVING / 32.68
JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL / CK VALVE, SCREWS, BLADES, ETC / 38.99
TRIPLE C / GAS / 127.60
THE MINI MART / GAS / 69.11
RICK'S REPAIR SERVICE / PICKUP OIL CHG & FRNT WHL BEARING / 377.71
FRANSYL EQUIPMENT CO INC / PARTS FOR LIFT-ALL REPAIR / 5,600.00
RPGI / PURCH. PWR (453,290 kWh) / 24,851.24
FLETCHER-REINHARDT CO / LED ST LIGHTS / 1,064.65
ALLIANT ENERGY / POLE LINE / 1.00
CITY LAUNDERING CO / MAT & TOWEL SERVICE / 72.15
CITIZENS STATE BANK / CASH MANAGEMENT & CK FEES / 22.16
IAMU / 2015-16 ELECTRIC DUES / 1,526.00
LEADER PUBLICATIONS / PROCEEDINGS & SIGNATURES / 135.85
USPS / ANNUAL STD MAIL PERMIT #129 / 220.00
USPS / FEB BILLS / 99.62
BOSS OFFICE / REC BK, MIN BK PGS, STAPLES, LABELS / 161.59
US CELLULAR / MARCH SERVICE / 126.90
WINDSTREAM / FEB BILLING / 216.09
WELLMARK BCBS / MARCH HEALTH INS / 234.00
TREAS STATE OF IOWA / FEB SALES TAX / 1,061.00
EMC INS / WORK COMP INS (W/CITY POLICY) / 1,812.50
CITIZENS STATE AGENCY / COMMERCIAL INS PKG RENEWAL / 24,048.00
WATER:
US CELLULAR / MARCH SERVICE / 126.91
WINDSTREAM / FEB BILLING / 58.99
WELLMARK BCBS / MARCH HEALTH INS / 1,876.05
TREAS STATE OF IOWA / FEB SALES TAX / 360.00
EMC INS / WORK COMP INS (W/CITY POLICY) / 1,812.50
CITIZENS STATE AGENCY / COMMERCIAL INS PKG RENEWAL / 7,946.00
USA BLUE BOOK / INJ VALVE ASSY & CK VALVES, KOP KIT / 789.36
MUNICIPAL UTILITIES / 1/20-2/20/15 PUMPING & POWER / 536.28
KEYSTONE LAB / SAMPLE ANALYSIS / 11.00
METER:
MUNICIPAL UTILITIES / DEP APP TO ACCT / 75.00

Motion by Harris, seconded by Guthrie, to allow the bills as presented. Ayes, all. Carried.

Ed Wulfekuhle and Roger Zearley were here to discuss solar energy alternatives. Some of the members of RPGI have been investigating the possibility of solar fields to provide backup energy for their city utilities. The installation of such equipment has also offered residents the opportunity to invest in energy efficiency measures in these locations. Ed and Roger requested some information and said they would check things out and get back to the Board with more information.

Supt. Melchert reported on the following items:

  • He has found another company who does tower painting and will be requesting a second quote for painting the watertower.
  • T & R Service has completed the testing on the oil in the old substation transformer and will be loading it Wed. morning at 8 am.
  • IRWA will be bringing leak detection equipment on Thursday, March 12th to see if they can find a cause for our increase in daily water pumpage.
  • Work on the annual line inspection continues.
  • A padmount transformer needs to be purchased for a new underground service installation.
  • Quotes have been received for a new 2015 4 WD regular cab ½ ton standard box pickup. Rundes has submitted quotes on a Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge and Victory Ford on a Ford. Still waiting on additional quotes.

As Richard Harris did not wish to be reappointed to the utility board, Supt. Melchert discussed the position with several individuals. Rick Lange agreed to serve a 6 year term on the board starting April 1st, 2015. The city council appointed Rick at their meeting on Monday, March 9th, 2015. Board meeting time will change back to 7 pm for future meetings.

Trustee Harris asked if anything has been done about rebuilding the rest of the switchgear breakers. Melchert will be following up on information received from BHMG concerning a used switchgear system possibly available. The used equipment would upgrade our switchgear system and would eliminate the need to rebuild the breakers. Cost to rebuild was estimated at $15,000 each for 5 breakers.

Melchert reported that he is scheduling 2 days in March for exercising the engines and time mid-April to flush fire hydrants. Sewer mains are in the process of being cleaned out.

Delinquent accounts were reviewed. April 1st will mark the end of the winter moratorium and will allow for disconnection of past due accounts. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.

Receipts for February:Balance 2/27/15:

Electric$57,996.27$66,881.16

Water 6,874.95 92,270.59

Meter 150.00 6,249.00

Sales Tax 1,348.23 632.19

MMG 61.35151,358.64

Investments $35,000.00

______Secretary ______Chairman