The Utilities Board of the Town of Cedar Bluff

February 20, 2018

STATE OF ALABAMA

CHEROKEE COUNTY

The Utilities Board of the Town of Cedar Bluff met for their regular business meeting Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. in the Utility Board room located at 4971 AL Hwy 68, Cedar Bluff Alabama. Meeting was called to order at 4:10 p.m. by Vice Chairman Norman Burton.

Roll Call:

Norman Burton	Present	Linda Pickelsimer Present

Cindy Early	Present Donald Sanders Present

James Bo Martin Absent

Minutes for the December 19, 2017 meeting were presented for approval. A motion to approve was made by Cindy Early. The motion was seconded by Donald Sanders.

Motion Carried (4-0)

AYE: Burton, Early, Pickelsimer, Sanders

NAY: None

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT: Martin

Treasurer Pickelsimer presented financials for the month of December and January. In December the water department had a monthly gain of $1,804.81 and year to date gain of $20,392.67. The sewer department had a monthly loss of -$2,539.70 and year to date loss of -$2,441.35. Both departments combined had a monthly loss of -$734.89 and year to date gain of $17,951.32. For January the water department had a monthly gain of $2,187.28 and a year to date gain of $22,579.95. The sewer department had a monthly loss of -$6,453.31 and a year to date loss of -$8,894.66. Both departments combined had a -$4,266.03 and a year to date gain of $13,685.29. Treasurer Pickelsimer made a motion to accept both December and January financials as presented. Motion was seconded by Donald Sanders.

Motion Carried (4-0)

AYE: Burton, Early, Pickelsimer, Sanders

NAY: None

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT: Martin

Customer Teri Zuber was called to speak first. Mrs. Zuber was in attendance concerning a complaint she had about an after hours fee. Mrs. Zuber had called in the office on January 18, 2018 after the office had closed. Chief Utility Clerk Jenni Burt was in the office attending a meeting and answered her call. Mrs. Zuber stated in the call that she had a broken water pipe and needed her water turned off. Ms. Burt told her there would be a charge of $50.00 due to it being after hours. Mrs. Zuber was upset at this because her husband is disabled. Also, she complained of her dog having a bladder stone due to our water. After discussion Mr. Sanders stated he was sorry the problem occurred but we have to follow policy.

At this time, Vice Chairman Burton turned the meeting over to Todd Hindsman of Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith, LLC to discuss the 2016/2017 audit. Mr. Hindsman told the board that everything was in order and the board once again had a clean audit. Mr. Hindsman commended the employees on the quality of accounting information that was presented to them for the audit. He then presented the board with a Management Summary detailing financial standings of the board for the 2016/2017 fiscal year. Mr. Hindsman explained the summaries in detail. After some discussion concerning rate increases, the Board thanked Mr. Hindsman for attending.

In Manager's Report, Manager Jeff Harrell presented the board a printout of work performed by utility workers for the month of January. It consisted of 5 water leaks, 3 water meters replaced, 1 pump station repair, 1 water main repaired, with a total of 71 work orders performed.

Manager Harrell informed the Board of a letter received from Northeast Alabama Water concerning the reduction in rate we received after negotiations of the previous rate increase. Our current rate now is $2.16 per thousand gallons. Manager Harrell also informed the Board he would have Chief Utility Clerk Jenni Burt prepare a letter thanking them for the rate reduction.

At this time, Manager Harrell brought up concerns about the gravity sewer system and how it's affecting three homes on County Road 131. There have been occurrences of sewerage backing into a home. Manager Harrell informed the Board of one of the homes being put on low pressure system in the past. He would like to do the other two to prevent future problems and costs. He stated for the utility workers to do the work the cost would be $2,000 to $3,000 each, he estimated the cost to be $4,000 to $5,000 if we contracted the job out. After some discussion, Linda Pickelsimer made a motion to install tanks and pumps at both these residences by the utility workers, with the costs to be taken from Allocations Sewer Infrastructure account. The electrical work will be contracted out. The motion was seconded by Cindy Early.

Motion Carried (4-0)

AYE: Burton, Early, Pickelsimer, Sanders

NAY: None

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT: Martin

Manager Harrell brought up the subject of vacation time. He requested after a certain point of accrual the employee be required to use vacation hours in place of sick hours. After some discussion, it was decided to table the matter in order for more information to be gathered.

There was no new business.

In unfinished business, Donald Sanders and Norman Burton updated the Board on the progress of the Town amending the existing sewer ordinance to address recreational lots and other issues.

After assuring there was no other business, Cindy Early made the motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Cindy Early.

Motion Carried (4-0)

AYE: Burton, Early, Pickelsimer, Sanders

NAY: None

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT: Martin

Meeting was adjourned at 5:10pm.

APPROVED March 20, 2018:

________________________________________________

JAMES W. MARTIN, CHAIRMAN

________________________________________________

JENNI BURT, SECRETARY