The January meeting of the DeKalb Sanitary District Board of Trustees was held at the office of the District at noon on Wednesday, January 21, 2009. In attendance were Trustees Dennis Collins, Tim Struthers and Carol Zar. Michael Zima, District Manager; Janice Tripp, Assistant Manager Administration; Steve Olsen, Plant Foreman; and Betty Jones, Secretary were present. Attorney for the District Keith Foster and District Treasurer Richard Stokke attended, as did Scott Trotter, P.E. and Mark Eddington, P.E. of Trotter & Associates. Jim Schneider was present and Ralph Tompkins and Steve Zehner of Baxter & Woodman were present.
President of the Board Collins called the meeting to order.
Trustee Collins moved to approve the January agenda. Trustee Zar seconded. Motion carried.
Trustee Struthers moved to approve the December minutes. Trustee Zar seconded. Motion carried.
Trustee Collins moved to approve the transfer of:
Trustee Zar moved to approve the payment of bills as submitted. Trustee Collins seconded. Motion carried.
In Public Input and Communications, Jim Schneider asked about media reports of the cost of the Facilities Plan Update which he perceived to be greater than had been previously quoted. Mike Zima and Scott Trotter said that costs can be quoted as a whole or according to the phases discussed, since the overall Facilities Plan Update has been divided into several phases, some of which would not take place for many years. Mr. Schneider also asked about whether the regulatory changes to which the District has referred are actual or anticipated. Scott Trotter answered that while the regulations have not yet changed, the procedures to change them are in the works at the Environmental Protection Agency.
Mike Zima explained that he contacted two firms for quotes on making the corrections to the Pretreatment Program required by the USEPA. The Trustees questioned the Baxter & Woodman representatives who were present. The Trustees are concerned by the large difference between the two quotes received, and asked that both firms come to next month’s meeting to explain the scope of their proposed work. He also asked Scott Trotter and Mike Zima to meet to develop questions to be put to the two firms in order to assess how the services offered compare.
Treasurer Stokke gave the Treasurer’s Report. Janice Tripp, Assistant Manager Administration requested and received feedback from the Trustees on anticipated spending and desired length of term of investments.
There were no requests for annexations or pre-annexations this month.
Scott Trotter submitted the Engineer’s Report in writing. He answered the Board’s questions about how the District could seek project funding under the Obama administration’s economic stimulus package and how Trotter & Associates could facilitate this effort.
In Plan Review, Mike Zima explained City of DeKalb required revisions of the Parkside Oaks plan and the Board approved the revised plat.
The Facilities Plan Update is still under IEPA review and Mark Eddington discussed a letter of enquiry received this month.
Scott Trotter says that plans for the Biosolids Rehabilitation and Improvements Project are continuing and discussed potential problems with the placement of a biosolids storage facility on the south slope property.
Country Club Lift Station Project is in the permitting stage and TAI is working with the IEPA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the City of DeKalb to obtain permitting.
No action has taken place on the Permanent Flow Monitoring Project. The Board asked Scott Trotter to bring a cost estimate to the next meeting.
The proposal on the Inflow and Infiltration Reduction Plan which TAI submitted to the Board some time ago is still awaiting discussion.
Discussion of the Economic Stimulus Package was covered in Public Input section of the meeting.
The review of the engineering proposals for the Pretreatment Program amendments will continue after next month’s presentations by the firms submitting quotes.
The Trustees asked Janice to call NICOR and encourage them to give Earl Hansen of 1332 North 13th Street consideration for the towing bill incurred when the family car fell into an excavation. A preliminary excavation had been started and stopped by the District’s contractor because it was discovered that NICOR needed to relocate a conflicting gas line. NICOR had been working on their gas line for a few weeks prior to the accident.
The Board instructed Mike Zima to develop plausible activities that may address the root problems in lieu of total sewer replacement with the potential of silver maple trees remaining in Moraine Terrace parkways.
The Board told Mike to remind the City of DeKalb of their responsibility to correct illegal connections in the TIF area, and to inform the residents that these problems exist.
Meetings are ongoing with the Town of Cortland to develop a new intergovernmental agreement.
Tomorrow the District will present their court claim against Eagle Homes for unpaid invoices.
Steve Olsen explained the nature of necessary screw pump repair.
Three claims for Catastrophic Water Loss Relief were received this month. Each of them did meet the City and District Policy requirements. Trustee Collins moved to approve the requests of:
There was no new business.
Trustee Collins moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Zar seconded. Motion carried. Trustee Collins adjourned the meeting.
Dennis J. Collins, President