Call Meeting to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Jim Haney.
- Present: Jim Haney, Parke Smith, Mike DeWald, Sue Ann Mitchell, Bob Marcuccilli, Joe Cleland, Frank Kurth
- Absent: None
Report of Meeting Notice
The meeting date and time were posted and advertised as required.
Approval of Previous Minutes
- Parke Smith presented the April 21, 2021 regular meeting minutes and made a motion to approve as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mike DeWald and was carried by the voice vote of:
- 7 Yeas
- 0 Nays
- 0 Abstain
Treasurers Report and Other Financial Matters
- Mike DeWald reviewed the financial reports. Mike noted the following:
- Nothing unusual in this month’s report.
- Sewer bill collections are still over budget.
- Operating expenses are running about 10% above budget, most of which is attributable to purchases for resale.
- The Asset Replacement Fund is at $932,000.
- The ending balance was $ 1,938,146.
- Mike DeWald made a motion to approve the Unaudited Schedule of Cash Receipts and Disbursements, the Monthly Analysis of Funds and Balances, and the Monthly Analysis of Cash Investment Accounts. The motion was seconded by Parke Smith and was carried by the voice vote of:
- 7 Yeas
- 0 Nays
- 0 Abstain
- Mike also presented the monthly claims and made a motion to approve the May monthly claims report in the amount of $49,546.39. The motion was seconded by Sue Ann Mitchell and was carried by the voice vote of:
- 7 Yeas
- 0 Nays
- 0 Abstain
- Mike also noted that there several payments this month to Astbury, two of which were catch up payments resulting from timing issues.
Astbury Monthly Report
Astbury provided a written report prior to the board meeting and Donn Neff was in attendance. Donn noted that the call levels were normal and that Astbury conducted 4 inspections this month.
Astbury Update Regarding Drainage Issue at 45 EMS B48A
In the previous monthly meeting (April), the board authorized the purchase of an extension from Gasvoda to be installed by Astbury to resolve the issue. Donn Neff reported that the extension purchase was made on May 21, 2021, with an expected delivery of approximately 3 weeks. The subsequent installation by Astbury will occur upon receipt of the part.
Astbury Update Regarding Generator Installation at Lake Estates
Donn Neff provided an update on the electrical issue at Lake Estates.
- NIPSCO has agreed to run a natural gas line to the grinder (and install meter) that could be used to fuel a generator, in case of a loss of power, at no cost to the district.
- Donn secured an updated quote from Ritter Electric for the purchase of a generator in the amount of $8,189.00.
- Jim Haney made a motion to authorize Astbury to proceed with the quote from Ritter Electric to purchase and install the back-up generator in the amount of $8,189.00. The motion was seconded by Bob Marcuccilli and was carried by the voice vote of:
- 7 Yeas
- 0 Nays
- 0 Abstain
- The additional back-up of the Omni Beacon, which was authorized in the previous monthly meeting (April) will take place in approximately 2 weeks when the unit arrives.
Property Owner Connection Status
- Greg Gear reported that the current number of properties that have yet to connect is down to 5.
- Greg also reported that 1 new construction permit and 1 tear down/build permit have been issued.
Property Owner Request to Waive Failure to Connect Penalties- Peterink
John Peterink purchased the property at 80 EMS B61i at a tax sale in 2019.
- Mr. Peterink took possession of the property on 1/22/21. According to LRSD ordinance, property owners have 90 days to connect to the sewer system. Failure to connect within 90 days may result in penalties dating back to the date of possession.
- Mr. Peterink completed the connection and inspection on 5/6/21, 105 days after the possession date. Per existing ordinance, the amount of penalties that may be applied at the rate of $100 per day, totals $10,500. However, the ordinance also states that the maximum penalties that may be collected from a property is $35,000. To date, the district has collected penalties on the property in the amount of $30,745.69, leaving an adjusted potential maximum penalty amount for Mr. Peterink of $4,254.31.
- Mr. Peterink requested that the additional penalties be waived due to complications of connecting. The property owner indicated that it took some time to secure a contractor, but he moved as quickly as possible. In addition, he cited frozen ground and the lack of availability of parts (specifically, an 8” tap, which is unusual and took additional time to acquire) as reasons to miss the connection deadline.
- Adam Richcreek, the contractor on the project, confirmed the unique nature of the size of tap required and the difficulty in obtaining it. He also stated that work could not be completed without the part.
- Mr. Richcreek added that the project would have been completed within the 90-day period, if they would have been able to obtain the part in a timely manner.
- Upon receipt of the part, the contractor connected to the sewer system as soon as possible and the connection passed inspection on 5/6/21.
- Jim Haney made a motion to waive all potential penalties associated with the property for failure to connect within 90 days. The motion was seconded by Bob Marcuccilli and was carried by the voice vote of:
- 7 Yeas
- 0 Nays
- 0 Abstain
Rate Reduction Request- Norris
Property owner Jack Norris at 39 EMS B61J requested a rate reduction.
- The easement was signed as required.
- The original structure was connected to the sewer system on 5/31/17 but burned down in 2020.
- A rate reduction inspection was conducted on 5/3/21 with all requirements for a rate reduction met.
- Acknowledgment Form 2018-01 has been signed and the account is current.
- Jim Haney made a motion to approve the rate reduction in accordance with Section 7 of the Rate Ordinance. The motion was seconded by Parke Smith and was carried by the voice vote of:
- 7 Yeas
- 0 Nays
- 0 Abstain
Other Items That May Come Before the Board
- Greg Gear reported that he had received information regarding pricing structures for restoration services to be available during emergency situations. The board directed Greg to request 2-year proposals from the participating companies.
Public Q & A
- None
Adjournment
- Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 was made by Mike DeWald. The motion was seconded by Bob Marcuccilli and was carried by the voice vote of:
- 7 Yeas
- 0 Nays
- 0 Abstain
Parke Smith, Secretary