Utility Commission

MINUTES OF THE WATER COMMISSION MEETING – NOVEMBER 20, 2012 Call to Order The Water Commission meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Kevin Coffey, Chair Roll Call PRESENT: Kevin Coffey, Chair Tim Bevers Mark Gloudemans Jason Wegand Tim Wegand ALSO PRESENT: President Vanden Berg, MCO Rep. Jerry Verstegen, Finance Director Teri Matheny, Public Works Director Roy Van Gheem, Village Clerk Vicki Schneider EXCUSED: Village Administrator Charles Kell Public Appearance for Items Not on the Agenda None Approval of Minutes Water Commission Minutes of October 16, 2012 Moved by Commissioner Gloudemans, seconded by Commissioner Bevers to approve the minutes of October 16, 2012 as presented. All Ayes – Motion Carried Review/Approve – 2013 Water Utility Budget T. Matheny led a review of the budget noting that 2013 revenue was budgeted conservatively although staff knows that four new commercial permits will be issued by the end of 2012. A Simplified Rate Study may be needed in the summer of 2013 and a rate increase would likely be around 3%. Chemical costs may be more competitive because of a new vendor and salt prices are not projected to increase. The MCO contract remains flat due to MCO employees making concessions in their benefit/health care costs. Kaukauna Utilities is projecting a 9% electric charge increase. T. Matheny reported that the bond ratio is required to be at 1.25% and in 2011 it was at 1.08% which is a violation of bond covenants and she met with Chase Bank and they agreed to waive the violation and the projected bond coverage for 2013 is 1.51%. The violation likely was caused by the PSC rate increase filing not taking effect until the fall of 2011. T. Matheny reported that the utility has held costs for 2012 and for 2013 and it is in a solid financial position for 2013. Discussion took place. Moved by Chair Coffey, seconded by T. Wegand to recommend to the Village Board adoption of the 2013 Water Utility Budget. All Ayes Motion Carried Progress Reports MCO Operations Update J Verstegen reported that they have been continuing with fall preventive maintenance. J. Verstegen reported that he has had a meeting with SEH on the Jefferson St. plant project and they are going to work out cost estimates moving forward and he will bring back more information to the Commission at a future meeting. J. Verstegen reported on water main break on Main St. and Buchanan, curb box repairs, a valve box repair and a hydrant replacement. J. Verstegen reported that all 2012 meter changes had been completed and they are half way thru 2013 meter changes and all of the large meters had been tested. J. Verstegen reported that they are beginning preliminary work for the Main Street project. Commissioners thanked J. Verstegen for the tour of the water plants.  Water Commission Meeting Minutes – November 20, 2012 – Page 2 Director of Public Works R. Van Gheem reported on issues with closing out the 2012 street contract. R. Van Gheem reported that the property acquisitions that the State is conducting for the Main Street project have become more complicated and this is going to result in delays for the private utility contractors getting in to do their projects and he is not sure how this is going to play out with the Village’s timeline for laying utilities but he will keep the Commission updated. Finance Director T. Matheny reported that revenues are up 15% through October. Approval of Vouchers T. Matheny stated that there is an error on the bills list as a payment for $2,100 to MCO should have been charged to sanitary sewer and not water and that should be deducted from the total amount of bills. Moved by Commissioner Coffey, seconded by Commissioner Bevers to approve and authorize payment of the vouchers in the amount of $75,916.89 less the $2,100 to MCO for sanitary monitoring flow and draw from their respective funds. All Ayes – Motion Carried Unfinished Business There was a question about the three meters that were removed and J. Verstegen responded that two were residential meters removed from houses that were razed and one was a commercial meter from Excellence Electric. T. Matheny stated that at this time the Village isn’t required to do anything regarding PSC 184 related to reviewing utility construction and expansion projects or PSC 185 voluntary water conservation programs. K. Coffey stated that at HOVMSD they have been discussing whether it would be beneficial to do something jointly with utilities on water conservation as it would reduce the flows. Discussion also took place on the progress of well abandonment and enforcement. Items for Future Agenda Commissioners commented that they would review the status of the private well permitting/abandonment in the spring. A review of the MCO contract will be a project for 2013. Adjournment Moved by Commissioner T. Wegand, seconded by J. Wegand to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. All Ayes - Motion Carried VILLAGE OF LITTLE CHUTE By: Kevin Coffey, Chair Attest: Vicki Schneider, Village Clerk