Utility Commission

MINUTES OF THE WATER COMMISSION MEETING – SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 Call to Order Water Commission meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Kevin Coffey, Chair Roll Call PRESENT: Kevin Coffey, Chair Charles Fischer, Village President Mike Bevers Larry Van Lankvelt Tim Wegand Roy Van Gheem Leon Vanden Heuvel ALSO PRESENT: Director of Finance Dale Haug, MCO Representative – Jerry Verstegen, Vicki Schneider, Village Clerk Public Appearance for Items Not on the Agenda None Approval of Minutes Water Commission Minutes of August 17, 2010 Moved by Commissioner Bevers, seconded by Commissioner Wegand to approve the minutes of August 17, 2010 as presented. All Ayes – Motion Carried Review/Discussion/Possible Action – Well House #3 Facility Evaluation R. Van Gheem stated the evaluation presented is a draft and staff would like to get moving with plans for the replacement of the VFD and upgrades to the electrical controls so they can take advantage of the Kaukauna Utilities cost sharing for upgrades as that program expires at the end of the year. R. Van Gheem stated that the final evaluation will be reviewed and presented to the Commission next month along with a proposed plan of action for the remainder of this year. J. Verstegen stated the recommendations in the evaluation will be reviewed by staff as some of the projects can be done in- house at a lower cost. J. Verstegen stated he will get together cost estimates for replacing the existing lighting with compact fluorescent bulbs and he will provide that information to the Commission. Progress Reports MCO Operations Update J. Verstegen reported that the meter changes are winding down and 116 meter changes were done last month and 116 cross connection surveys were completed. J. Verstegen stated that hydrant painting was completed in an area of the Village and hydrant flushing will be taking place in October. J. Verstegen stated that a break point study is being conducted on the softeners and the hardness levels will be adjusted and a report on the hardness ratings will be presented to the Commission at a future meeting. J. Verstegen reported that the air compressor at #4 shorted out and they are in the process of replacing it and a more appropriate unit is being looked at. The cost to replace the unit last time was approximately $700. J. Verstegen reported that there was one hardness complaint by a customer on Fern Ct. and concerns from customers on Riverside Dr. and Cherry Ln. about iron in the water. Testing did not find a problem on Riverside Dr. and Cherry Ln. although the problem does seem to come and go on Riverside and the October hydrant flushing should correct the problems with all three cases. J. Verstegen reported on a situation with a resident that was upset that staff painted the hydrant yellow that was located in the terrace at the residence. The resident had painted it brown and he was requesting permission to repaint  Water Commission Meeting Minutes – September 21, 2010 – Page 2 the fire hydrant brown. J. Verstegen stated he informed the resident that he could not authorize the request and he informed the Public Works Director and provided the resident with some of the Commissioners contact information and Commissioners commented that they had been contacted by the resident. J. Verstegen stated that the meter specs require that private hydrants are to be painted red, public hydrants are to be painted safety yellow and a black is a new color that will be added for indicating a dead hydrant and this so the Fire Department can distinguish the hydrants. J. Verstegen stated there is an AWWA standard for color coding of hydrants that larger towns may use and it is not based on the size of the mains but it is based on the gallons per minute that can be drawn from the hydrant. Discussion took place on this issue and Commissioners agreed that the colors shall remain as is required by the Village’s meter specs and R. Van Gheem will contact the resident to inform him that he is not allowed to repaint the hydrant. Director of Public Works R. Van Gheem reported on the status of the construction projects in the Village and noted that Moasis Dr. water main reconstruction will not happen until next year but the Department is in the process of getting water main easements for properties on Moasis Dr. R. Van Gheem informed the Commissioners’ of upcoming road closings in the Village. Finance Director D. Haug reported that the CIP was approved by the Board and it did not change from what was presented to the Commissioners. D. Haug commented on the meeting that he and the Administrator had with the Village’s Financial Advisors on all of the Village’s Capital Improvements. D. Haug stated he has not yet proceeded with the rate study as the Village budget workshops schedule has been moved up and there are difficult issues to address with budgeting for next year. D. Haug stated another reason he has held off on filing for the rate study was to have a full year of billing history for industrial customers that were upgraded to electronic meters last fall and that 12 month cycle was completed in August so he will be moving forward with preparing the rate study. D. Haug stated he is anticipating a 10% rate increase but that could change depending on when the Village commits to new debt. D. Haug stated the rate study will be completed before the end of the year. Approval of Vouchers Moved by Commissioner Vanden Heuvel, seconded by Commissioner Van Lankvelt to approve and authorize payment of the vouchers from their respective funds as presented. All Ayes – Motion Carried Unfinished Business J. Verstegen reported that he has received early quotes for salt for next year and the price has gone down approximately $4.00 a ton which is the first time in four years that there hasn’t been a 20% increase. Chair Coffey requested that the Commission be provided with a report on meter changes and J. Verstegen stated he will provide that report to the Commission next month. Items for Future Agenda Well #3 Facility Recommendations. Commissioner Van Lankvelt asked about the status of the business that wanted to construct their own well and staff responded that they are not sure on the status of the project and the Administrator is working with the company. Staff noted that the lease agreement with Open Range Communication had been signed. R. Van Gheem stated that a future report will be presented on the status of the private well  Water Commission Meeting Minutes – September 21, 2010 – Page 3 inspections program. J. Verstegen stated next month he may present examples on the cross connection program findings. Staff noted that are many unknowns with future planned projects because the projects are impacted by other agencies and entities. Adjournment Moved by Commissioner Bevers, seconded by Commissioner Van Lankvelt to adjourn the meeting at 6: 36 p.m. All Ayes - Motion Carried VILLAGE OF LITTLE CHUTE By: Kevin Coffey, Chair Attest: Vicki Schneider, Village Clerk