OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. CLAIR RIVER SEWER AND WATER AUTHORITY

October 11, 2005

The Regular Meeting of the St. Clair River Sewer and Water Authority was called to order at 7:00 p.m., October 11, 2005, by Vice-Chair Robert Allen at the St. Clair River Water Treatment Plant, 5111 Pointe Drive, East China, Michigan.

PRESENT: Vice-Chair Robert Allen, Secretary/Treasurer Sharon McCulloch and Members Stuart Bogue and Ralph Knotts. Also present were: Sewer Plant Supt. Dion Pike, Water Plant Supt. Michael McLeod, and Engr. Brian Slizewski of Wade-Trim.

EXCUSED: Chair Donald Beaudua.

MINUTES: Reviewed the minutes of March 1, 2005. Bogue noted a correction to be made to Page 25, the last paragraph: "The Plant treated 165.07 million gals. of water..." Knotts moved to approve the minutes of the March 1, 2005 meeting with the above correction, supported by Bogue and carried with all ayes.

NEW BUSINESS:

Review Audit for Year Ended Dec. 31, 2004: McCulloch went through the annual Audit as prepared by Stewart, Beauvais & Whipple, noting each section for the Sewer Authority and the Water Authority. Based on the actual sewer flows for the year, China Township will be billed an additional $7,460., while East China will be billed for $41,282. The actual breakdowns for the Water Plant Operations portion indicates that China Township will receive a credit of $3,494. and East China will receive $96,053. Based on the percentage of water line maintenance, China Township will owe $103., while East China owes $373. McCulloch explained that the deficits and credits will come from adjustments made to current billings. The cost for the audit was $4,600. per our Agreement, and will be split evenly between the Sewer Authority and the Water Authority. Motion to accept the 2004 Audit of the Sewer and Water Authority was made by Bogue, supported by Allen. Carried with all ayes.

Revenue and Expenditure Reports for July and August 2005: It was noted that the "Office Supplies" accounts in both plants were over-budget, as well as "Travel" and "Conferences/Workshops". New computers and fax machines had to be purchased, and the operators were required to attend classes in order to maintain their licenses. These accounts will be adjusted when the budgets are amended. Knotts questioned the two "Repair/Maintenance" accounts #775.00 and #930.00. McCulloch explained that the repair parts are charged to #775.00 and the outside labor/installation costs are charged to 930.00. She will change the titles to avoid confusion. A motion was made by Knotts to accept the Revenue & Expenditure Reports for July and August 2005 as presented. Motion supported by Bogue and carried with all ayes.

Replacement Fund Balances thru Sept. 30, 2005: The balance in the Sewer Plant Replacement Fund is currently at $293,981.41, while the Water Plant Replacement Fund is at $44,099.99 and the Water Plant Module Replacement Fund is at $43,750.01. Motion to accept the Replacement Fund Reports as submitted thru 09/30/05 was made by McCulloch, supported by Knotts, and carried with all ayes.

Supt. McLeod’s Water Plant Updates: 1) Supt. McLeod reported that the dry interior and the exterior painting of the South-end water tower on Springborn Road is close to completion and that the lettering should be completed this weekend. 2) He had hoped to have bids for tonight to alleviate the water drainage problems due to the four downspouts on the Water Plant building. In the winter it causes a hazard with icing around the entrance as well as eventually causing problems with the building’s foundations. If they were all connected and drained to the storm drain, we would have to bore under the driveway. Another option would be to dig a trench through the driveway, so he will try to get estimates for the next meeting to determine which would be most cost-effective. 3) Since the present computers which run the entire plant are approaching 5 years old, Mike had contacted ZENON to get an idea of what would be involved in order to upgrade the systems, possibly to be included in next year’s budget. A proposal from ZENON, dated Sept. 27, 2005, was in the amount of $15,440. This included the cost of two computers, installation and testing of software, Industrial Ethernet Switch and Ethernet wiring, as well as a quote for an upgrade from ZenoTrac to ZenoTrac2. Knotts asked if ZENON had indicated how long our present systems should last. Mike said that their tech person indicated we were getting close to the life expectancy. Other options, such as purchasing the computers elsewhere was discussed, but it was the consensus that we should look into this replacement next year. McLeod did note that the ZenoTrac2 program would not be completed for six months. 4) McLeod advised the Authority that the five roof vents are leaking upstairs. The roofers had been back to caulk around them, but some still leak. McLeod would like to have three of them replaced. He had one bid already, but it was too high to consider. He will get more information for next meeting. 5) A draft letter from Wade-Trim dated October 10, 2005 was passed out regarding the "Evaluation of Resinous Floor". It outlined recommendations to restore the cracks in the flooring in the water filtration plant process room. Engr. Slizewski explained that Structural Preservation Systems and Mark 1 Construction Co. may be qualified to do this restoration. McLeod will try to have quotes for next meeting.

Supt. Pike’s Sewer Plant Updates: 1) Supt. Pike advised that a new refrigerator had been purchased for the Sewage Plant for $450.00 and is very much appreciated. 2) The annual toxicity tests have been completed per our NPDES Permit requirements. 3) Pike reported that Synagro Co. began the sludge hauling on Sept. 27, 2005 and it is being land-applied to a field in Columbus Township. When all the sludge was removed, he had the company do a thorough cleaning of the digester in order to do a visual inspection. It had not been cleaned for about 10 years, at which time we had done some major cement repairs, however, everything seems to be holding up fine. He took some pictures, but didn’t have them available for tonight. The company did have to add water to the last foot or so of sludge in order to pump it out, as it was very dense and compacted. 4) Radio-read alarm system: A bid from Michigan Industrial Controls Corp. had been approved by both the Townships to install the system in the nine lift stations and in the Sewage Plant. Pike had the owner, Don Fredenall figure how much just the Plant’s portion of the cost would be of the total price of $26,211. He determined it to be $6,061.30. It should save about $2,000/yr. for money currently spent on telephone bills for the Plant. When Knotts asked about the time frame for this installation, Pike thought it would still come out of this year’s budget. Knotts made a motion to pay $6061. from the Sewer Authority’s Replacement Fund as the Sewage Plant’s portion to upgrade the radio-read alarm system for the lift stations and the Plant, due to the fact that we will have a substantial savings on our telephone bills. Motion supported by McCulloch and carried on a roll call vote: Ayes: Knotts, Bogue, McCulloch, and Allen; Nays: None; Absent: Beaudua.

5) As information, Pike reported that he is getting quotes to replace the old generator used in the lift stations in power outages. Costs will come from Township funds, so he will be approaching the Township Board. 6) Received quote from Hydrodynamics to replace the plunger pump for $18,236.58. This pump is only used 6-8 times a year in re-circulating the secondary digestor sludge and for pumping sludge to the drying beds. Dion felt the pump quoted is oversized and too costly, so therefore, he will try to obtain additional bids. 7) Dan Beauchamp of the DEQ conducted a plant inspection on 9/15/05. The only deficiency he noted was with the effluent sampler temperature being at 8 degrees C, whereas it should be maintained at 4 degrees C. We have been taking steps to correct this situation. Everything else at the Sewage Plant was in compliance per the DEQ letter of October 3, 2005. 8) Some items Supt. Pike presented for consideration in next year’s budget were: a) Replacement of the piston pump in the digestor for $12,000 - $15,000.; b) Cost of annual sludge hauling and to clean the Primary Digestor Tank when the sludge is removed for $20,000., and c) Various required mercury & metal testing costs for $7,540. Pike asked Engr. Slizewski where we stand on the grit chamber replacement. Brian said they will follow up on the process in order to obtain bids for the work.

Any Other Business: McCulloch notified the Authority of the Sewer Feasibility Workshop to be held at East China Township on December 5, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. Knotts explained the background on this matter to be discussed at this meeting in regard to developing sewers in the Springborn Road to King Road area. They will discuss options of payment, etc.

There being no further business, Bogue moved to adjourn at 8:45 p.m., supported by Allen. Carried with all ayes.

The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for December 13, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the Water Filtration Plant.

Robert Allen              Sharon M. McCulloch

Vice-Chair                  Secretary/Treasurer