The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Jim Haney.
- Present: Jim Haney, Parke Smith, Mike DeWald, Bob Marcuccilli, Joe Cleland, Frank Kurth, Sue Ann Mitchell
- 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 October 20, 2021 Regular Meeting minutes and October 20, 2021 Executive Session minutes and made a motion to approve as submitted. The motion was seconded by Joe Cleland 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:
- Expenditures were about $23K over budget.
- Receipts were as projected.
- Repairs were over budget by about $16K as the result of 6 pump repairs.
- The annual insurance bill of $18K was paid this month.
- Astbury’s monthly billing invoice of approximately $8K arrived late last month and was paid this month.
- The ending balance for the month was $2,111,412.
- 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 Sue Ann Mitchell and was carried by the voice vote of:
- 7 Yeas
- 0 Nays
- 0 Abstain
- Mike noted that the annual budget is approximately $46K ahead of budget and he expects to have sufficient funds at the end of the year to contribute to the asset replacement fund.
- Mike also presented the monthly claims report, which included 2 payments to Astbury this month and made a motion to approve the October monthly claims report in the amount of $76,995.93. The motion was seconded by Parke Smith and was carried by the voice vote of:
- 6 Yeas
- 0 Nays
- 1 Abstain
Creation of Independent Contractor Committee
- Jim Haney noted that there have been multiple discussions in recent months regarding discrepancies in contractual interpretations between Astbury and other contractors and LRSD. Jim suggested that LRSD create a committee to address and clarify these types of contractual discrepancies going forward. Bob Marcuccilli agreed to act as chair for the proposed committee and Joe Cleland and Jim Haney both volunteered to serve on the committee.
- Jim Haney made a motion to create an Independent Contractor Committee. The motion was seconded by Joe Cleland and was carried by the voice vote of:
- 7 Yeas
- 0 Nays
- 0 Abstain
Astbury Monthly Report (included under this section of the meeting minutes are agenda items: Drainage Issue at 45 EMS B48A- Astbury; Lake Estates Generator- Astbury; External Vendor Quotes to Rebuild Grinder Pumps- Astbury; Replacement of Influent Screen and Brushes- Astbury and DLZ; and Cost Reduction Initiatives-Crane, Ferric Chloride, De-Water Sludge- Astbury)
- Astbury provided a written report prior to the board meeting and Matt Rippey and Tom Astbury were in attendance.
- Matt noted that the SCADATA modem failed at Lift Station #1. The corrective action taken was to move the modem from Lift Station #3 to Lift Station #1 and replace the modem at Lift Station #3. This issue is covered under warranty.
- Grinder Pump Repairs
- Matt reported that 2 quotes were received and that the expected cost of pump repairs will generally range between $2-3K.
- A primary cause of the failures appears to be related to seal failures.
- Matt suggested that Astbury conduct an initial assessment of pump damage before sending out for repairs.
- The LRSD board recommended that a decision on this issue be made through the newly formed Independent Contractor Committee.
- Lake Estates Generator
- Matt reported that he has received notice from Ritter Electric that the generator is scheduled to be received by Ritter on November 21. Ritter is expected to complete the installation in late November or early December.
- Drainage Issue at 45 EMS B48A
- Matt reported that this work has been completed.
- Influent Screen Replacement
- Astbury and DLZ met on 11/9/21 to discuss and investigate this issue.
- Bill Boyle of DLZ reported that, in collaboration with Astbury, a probe was used to measure debris in 12 locations. No negative materials of any significance were detected. There was no evidence found that would indicate any interference with the operation of the diffusers. DLZ also found no indication for the need to change the screen size.
- Tom Astbury, of Astbury, concurred with the report.
- DLZ further recommended that the brushes be changed at this time and that LRSD shut off the auger until those repairs were completed.
- Astbury agreed to secure an additional quote from American Pump for this work.
- Jim Haney made a motion to authorize the expenditure of up to $5000 to have the brushes replaced and purchase a new comfort panel. The motion was seconded by Mike DeWald and was carried by the voice vote of:
- 7 Yeas
- 0 Nays
- 0 Abstain
- Cost Reduction Initiatives
- Astbury proposed several initiatives for consideration that could potentially save LRSD costs.
- Crane Purchase/Build
- A new crane could be purchased, or an existing crane could be repurposed with the addition of a plate or shoe to house the crane.
- The Board directed Greg Gear to work with DLZ to obtain a quote for the purchase and installation of a new crane.
- Ferric Chloride
- Astbury is currently purchasing 55-gallon drums on a regular basis. It may be cost effective to install a 5000-gallon tank for bulk purchasing. Some site prep work would be required.
- This item was referred to the Independent Contractor Committee.
- De-Water Sludge Removal
- Installation of an “in-the round” unit may be a more efficient way to process the sludge and could replace one of the 2 existing roll-off units. This would be a $150K investment but could reduce costs by 25%.
- This item was referred to the Independent Contractor Committee.
Update – Selge Breach of Contract
- Andy Boxberger reported that there is no new information at this time.
- Andy will reach out to Selge to seek a response prior to the next regular board meeting.
Property Owner Connection Status
- Greg Gear reported that the current number of properties that have yet to connect remains at 5, but that the new owners of the former Gillespie property have applied for the deed.
- Greg reported no new connection permits and 1 request to rescind a permit.
- Greg also reported that there were 2 new tear down/rebuild permits requested this month.
- Jim Haney made a motion to approve the request by property owner Tim Pequinot to rescind the new build permit and refund the $120 permit fee. The motion was seconded by Sue Ann Mitchell and was carried by the voice vote of:
- 7 Yeas
- 0 Nays
- 0 Abstain
2022 Meeting Schedule
- Jim Haney made a motion to approve the regular monthly LRSD board meeting schedule for 2022 for every third Wednesday at 6:00. The motion was seconded by Mike DeWald and was carried by the voice vote of:
- 7 Yeas
- 0 Nays
- 0 Abstain
Other Items That May Come Before the Board
- Sue Ann Mitchell submitted her resignation from the LRSD board, effective at the end of the day on November 17,2021.
- Jim Haney publicly recognized the many contributions that Sue Ann has made to the district and community over the years and thanked her for her service.
- Many other board members reiterated the comments and gave their personal thanks as well.
Public Q & A
- None
Adjournment
- Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:22 was made by Bob Marcuccilli. The motion was seconded by Joe Cleland and was carried by the voice vote of:
- 7 Yeas
- 0 Nays
- 0 Abstain
Parke Smith, Secretary