OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. CLAIR RIVER SEWER AND WATER AUTHORITY
June 14, 2005
The Regular Meeting of the St. Clair River Sewer and Water Authority was called to order at 7:00 p.m., June 14, 2005, by Chair Donald Beaudua at the St. Clair River Water Treatment Plant, 5111 Pointe Drive, East China, Michigan.
PRESENT: Chair Donald Beaudua, Vice-Chair Robert Allen, Secretary/Treasurer Sharon McCulloch, and Member Stuart Bogue. Also present were Water Plant Supt. Michael McLeod, Sewer Plant Supt. Dion Pike, and Engr. Brian Slizewski of Wade-Trim.
EXCUSED: Member Ralph Knotts.
MINUTES: Motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of October 12, 2004 as presented was made by Bogue, supported by Allen, and carried with all ayes.
NEW BUSINESS:
Revenue and Expenditure Reports for February, March & April 2005: Reviewed the financial reports as presented. Motion to accept the Revenue and Expenditure Reports was made by McCulloch and supported by Bogue. Carried with all ayes.
Replacement Fund Balances thru May 31, 2005: The submitted reports indicated that the balance in the Sewer Plant Replacement Fund is $277,981.41, while the Water Plant Replacement Fund is at $37,433.31, and the Water Plant Module Replacement Fund is at $35,416.69 thru 05/31/05. Motion to accept the Replacement Fund Reports as prepared was made by Allen, supported by Bogue, and carried with all ayes.
Supt. McLeod’s Water Plant Updates: 1) Landscaping around Water Plant: Supt. McLeod gave an assessment of the poor condition of the existing bushes and overall landscaping appearance around the Plant. He has been in contact with St. Clair Nursery asking their advice on certain areas. Approximately 30 bushes are infected with scale, and the stone and fabric should be replaced in areas as weeds are coming through. The DPW doesn’t have the manpower at this time, and Supr. Randolph really doesn’t want the operators working out there. He had suggested that a grasscutter be hired just for the Water and Sewer Plants, but McLeod would like permission for his men to do the work when time allows and to purchased the chemicals to combat the scale problem. Beaudua moved to authorize the Water Plant personnel to clean up the landscaping around the Plant when/if their schedules permit it and to replace the stone and shrubs and reseed areas where needed. Supported by Allen and carried with all ayes. McLeod will report back in August to see if the bushes will need to be replaced if chemicals don’t correct the scale problem.
2) Modem from Zenon: As previously reported, we had lost about 2-3 months of information due to a bad modem. In checking our Zenon contract McLeod found we have to supply the equipment which has been done at a cost of about $700. Zenon came and put in their firewall system, and we had Comcast cable installed instead of the using the phone lines which is so much faster and is saving on the phone costs. Through the Zeno Trac program, Zenon was supplying us with reports every two weeks, but now with having the cable, they can keep a eye on our system and report to us every two hours.
3) South-End Water Tower painting: Engr. Slizewski gave an update and reported that the advertisements for bids will appear in the Michigan Contractor and Builder Magazine on June 18th & 25th, with the bid opening to be July 13th. There was again discussion as to whether East China Township or the Authority should sign the contracts, but either way, both entities will be insured. Supt. McLeod questioned if the inside or outside of the tower will be painted. Brian replied that they are asking for bids for both to see how the quotes come in before this is decided. The inside should definitely be done now. 4) Supt. McLeod reported that the required Annual Consumer Confidence Reports for 2004 have been printed and will be sent out soon, as they have to be sent by July 1st of each year to each household and water customer within East China and China Townships.
Supt. Pike’s Sewer Plant Updates: 1) The new polymer pump at a cost of about $3,500. including labor costs, has been installed and is running smoothly. 2) The new computer has been purchased and Wade-Trim has loaded the GIS system. 3) The cement steps near the loading dock are in need of repair and Operator John Warwick will be able make the repairs instead of outsourcing the work, thereby saving about $1,800.00. 4) A letter has been sent to the MI DEQ advising of Superintendent David Whittaker’s upcoming retirement. It is required by the NPDES permit to advise them when there will be change in the personnel signing the monthly reports. 5) We will be getting prices to do upgrades to some of the lift stations, but this will be brought before the East China Township Board. 6) Supt. Pike has been checking on the price for a radio-read system for the lift stations and plants, which may cost about $20,000. There is a problem with getting a clear signal near the Sewer Plant. He will try to get some solid bids for next meeting. This system will also eliminate the phone billings and should be more reliable when alarms go off. 7) Supt. Pike reported that he will have to take a month off due to a health problem, and since Dave is retiring the end of June, John Warwick will handle the day-to-day operations. In regard to the hiring of the new employee, Dion would like to be on the job while the person completes his 90-day probationary period, so he is asking to wait to hire someone until he returns back to work, in late July or early August. 8) Supt. Pike asked Engr. Slizewski about the whether any progress has been made in obtaining bids for the grit chamber repairs. Brian stated that he will be approaching the Township Board.
Any Other Business: None.
There being no further business, Allen moved to adjourn at 8:28 p.m., supported by Bogue. Carried with all ayes.
The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for August 9, 2005 at 7:00 p.m., but will be held at the Sewage Plant instead of at the Water Plant.
Donald K. Beaudua
Chair
Sharon M. McCulloch
Secretary/Treasurer