The Public Utilities Committee will meet on Monday, March 21st at 6:00 PM at the Benton Public Utilities Chamber, 1827 Dale Street, Benton. Social distancing will be enforced and the public is invited to attend.
Agenda Items:
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DATE: 03/21/2022
TIME: 6:00 p.m.
PLACE: Benton Public Utilities Chamber, 1827 Dale Street, Benton, AR 72015
NOTE: Social distancing will be enforced for all attendees. Staff reports may be submitted in place of required attendance. Guests must adhere to precautionary guidelines as issued by the Governor’s office and State health officials. Audio recordings of the meeting will be available upon request.
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Prayer
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Roll Call
5. Approval of Minutes from March 7, 2022
6. Departmental Reports
A. February Financials Karen Scott
B. NISC Proposal Update Karen Scott
C. West Tree Service Fuel Surcharge Darren Prysock
D. Auction Surplus Items Mollie Wright
E. Commercial Account Deposits David Vondran
7. Old Business
8. New Business
9. Announcement
A. Next Meeting Date: April 4, 2022 ( Jerry Ponder will be out)
B. Input from the Public
10. Adjournment
Previous Meeting Minutes:
The City of Benton Utility Commissioners met in regular session Monday, March 7, 2022, at the Electric Utility Building, 1827 Dale Avenue.
Commission Chairman Ponder called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
The invocation was given by Commission Member Martin.
Commission Chairman Ponder led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll was called.
The following persons were in attendance:
Jerry Ponder, Commission Chairman
Gary Ferrell, Commission Member
Doug Stracener, Commission Member
Brad Johnston, Commission Member
Jim Martin, Commission Member
David Vondran, Benton Utilities General Manager
When roll was called all commission members were present. A quorum was declared.
Commission Member Martin made a motion to approve the February 22, 2022, minutes. Seconded by Commission Member Ferrell. Commission Chairman Ponder called for a voice vote. All commission members present voted in the affirmative. The minutes were approved with four affirmative votes.
Commission Chairman Ponder moved down to Departmental Reports and there were none.
The first items on the agenda were under old business.
Mr. David Vondran was recognized for a discussion on the UFS Rate Study. He reminded the commission of the discussion last month and explained the rate study cost with and additional services and fees to be included for a total of $96,800. Mr. Vondran asked for approval to sign the agreement. Chairman Commissioner
Ponder asked for a motion. Commission Member Ferrell made a motion to accept the proposal from UFS as presented by Mr. Vondran. Commission Member Stracener seconded the motion. Commission Chairman Ponder called for a voice vote. All commission members present voted in the affirmative. The minutes were approved with four affirmative votes.
Mrs. Karen Scott, CFO was recognized for an update on the Saline Memorial Hospital Electric Settlement. Mrs. Scott reminded the commissioners that at the last meeting they have been in communication with the attorney for Saline Memorial Hospital. She and Mr. Baxter Drennan, City Attorney have worked out a timeline of charges for the hospital. Saline Memorial is willing to pay a lump amount rather than stretching it out over 44 months. The recommendation is that they accept the offer. After much discussion Commission Chairman Ponder asked for the commissions wishes. Commission Member Johnston made a motion to accept the payment. Commission Member Ferrell seconded the motion. Commission Chairman Ponder called for a voice vote. All commission members present voted in the affirmative. The minutes were approved with four affirmative votes.
Commission Chairman Ponder asked if there was any other old business. None.
Under new business Commission Chairman Ponder recognized Mr. Greg Becker, Wastewater Treatment Manager for a discussion on the Equalization Basin Dredging Project. Mr. Becker did a PowerPoint presentation and explained the reasoning, cost, and timeline of dredging the EQ Basin. Commissioners discussed the disposal of the dredging product and who was responsible as well as cost and what would happen if they were to put it off. Commission Chairman Ponder said the staff recommendation is to accept the Denali bid and asked if there was any further questions. Member Stracener asked about the 10-year plan capital items and whether this reflects in the plan. Mr. Becker said yes it was in there. Commission Member Martin made a motion to accept the recommendation of staff and Commission Member Ferrell seconded the motion. Commission Chairman Ponder called for a voice vote. All commission members present voted in the affirmative. The minutes were approved with four affirmative votes.
Mr. Adam Triche from McClelland Engineers was recognized to explain the Frendall Water Tank Painting Project. He explained the difference from the last tank inspection and the current results. He went through the construction budget
for the project as well as the breakdown of costs. The commission discussed the cost, as well as possible postponement until 2023 and possible changes to lower the cost. Mr. Triche said this is a budget estimate they would need to go out for bids for firm numbers. Commission Chairman Ponder said he would like to have it in the form of a motion to start the process to take the bids for the project. Commission Member Ferrell made a motion to allow McClelland Engineers to move forward with taking bids. Commission Member Martin seconded the motion. Commission Chairman Ponder called for a voice vote. All commission members present voted in the affirmative. The minutes were approved with four affirmative votes.
The last item on the agenda was a discussion on the City Attorneys’ salary. Mr. Vondran said this was not really a good definition of what they were bringing forward. A better description would be visiting with Mr. Baxter Drennon to allow him to share with them what he feels comfortable handling for the utilities. Mr. Drennan said he would manage anything they needed but was most comfortable with water and sewer. He then went on to discuss his work in the past as well as the current and past ordinances regulating the pay of the City Attorney. The Commissioners all agreed that the services that they are requiring at this time that they think they are getting a good deal.
Commission Chairman Ponder reminded the Commissioners that back in November they went before the city council regarding rate increases and he and others had had a meeting with the Mayor. He then relayed what was discussed at the meeting and the Mayor’s request on increasing rates. Alderman Steve Lee told the Commissioners the City Council was the legislative body and they had made a request on how they would like the rate increase to happen. After much discussion, a decision was made to create two draft ordinances and send them to the Mayor and City Council for their recommendation and possible approval of one.
Commission Member Martin said the minutes from the last meeting referenced the vehicle use policy and wanted to know if that was still on the table and what about the liner at the reservoir. Mr. Garrett McMichael of McClelland Engineers brought everyone up to date on the reservoir lining and the repairs at this point.
Mrs. Terrie Sossamon explained where they were on the vehicle policy and she explained where she was on gathering information. City Attorney, Mr. Baxter Drennon gave the Commissioners legal information regarding vehicle usage and laws regarding this. Commission Chairman Ponder said they will look forward to moving forward at the next meeting.
Commission Chairman Ponder stated the next meeting date will be March 21, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chairman Ponder asked if there was any further input from the commission or the public. None. Commission Member Ferrell made a motion to adjourn with a second by Commission Member Martin.
The meeting was adjourned at 8 p.m.
For more information on events visit www.mysaline.com/events.