Jasper Utility meeting notes for June 20, 2016
In a short meeting driven as much by lack of material as well as a lack of air conditioning, the Jasper Utility Service Board took the following actions:
-Held a moment of silence for Ray Fleck who served on the USB and worked for the city at the Jasper Power Plant for 40 years.
-Approved the annual dues for the Indiana Municipal Electric Association in the amount of $8,830.77. They also approved the 2016 safety training fees in the amount $4,727.36. Both amounts are the same as 2015.
-Approved the water treatment plant advertising for an unlicensed or licensed filter operator for the water plant. Gas & Water Manager Tim Doersam said he preferred hiring a licensed operator.
-Heard the gas department replaced to two-inch gas valves on Dorbett Street due to leaking flanges.
-Heard a 16-inch valve pop off on Main near 14th and 15th streets along the railroad tracks and the North Water Tower lost six feet of water in about a half hour. There was also a break at Wildcat Court and on Newton near the Newton Tower.
-Heard two new water employees started today.
-Approved an amount not to exceed $27,500 to hire Midwest Engineers to oversee the replacement of two primary clarifiers at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The replacement project was approved as a capital expenditure for 2016 with a budget of $420,000. Wastewater Manager Ed Hollinden said he and the maintenance supervisor at the plant had thought they could oversee the project. After considering the scope and the age of the wastewater treatment facility, they decided it would be best if the project was overseen by an engineering firm. Wayne Schuetter reminded the board the plant is 25 years old and the work needs to be completed correctly to increase the longevity of the plant. The clarifiers scrape the floating scum from the surface of the water so it can be removed. The clarifiers also push the settled material into the center of the tanks so it can be pumped out.
