City of Aledo Joint Water, Sewer & Storm Drain and Personnel Committee met May 23.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Joint Water, Sewer & Storm Drain and Personnel Committee – May 23, 2019
A Joint Water, Sewer & Storm Drain and Personnel Committee meeting of the City of Aledo met in Open Session in the Council Chambers of the City Hall building on May 23, 2019. Water, Sewer, & Storm Drain Chairman JIM HOLMES called the Committee meeting to order at 6:15 P.M. The roll was called, whereupon the following committee members answered present:
Aldermen ILA BERTRAND, TERRY BEWLEY, MICHAEL CHAUSSE, DENNIS DIXON, and JIM HOLMES. Mayor CHRIS HAGLOCH.
Also present BARRY COOPER, Alderman, CHRIS KOPP, Alderman, LINDA SARABASA, Alderman, CHRISTOPHER SULLIVAN, Interim City Administrator / Chief of Police, JUSTIN BLASER, Director of Public Works & Utilities, and JAROD DALE, City Clerk.
The following was discussed:
Approval of Committee Minutes: Motion was made by ALD. HOLMES and seconded by ALD. BEWLEY to approve the meeting minutes of the Water, Sewer & Storm Drain Committee meeting held on November 26, 2018 as presented. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement.
Motion was made by ALD. BERTRAND and seconded by ALD. HOLMES to approve the meeting minutes of the Personnel Committee meeting held on January 29, 2019 as presented. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement.
Old Business: ALD. HOLMES requested an update on the South Lagoon Aeration project. DPW Blaser reported the pumps need to run about 9-months and then a sludge judge will be completed. A sonar boat will be utilized to complete the sludge judge.
ALD. Chausse reported he had not seen any vultures perching on top of the South Water Tower recently. Other staff noted they have seen vultures since the placement of the vulture effigy. The tower was reported to be fairly clean when placing the effigy, per City Staff.
New Business:
Discussion on a Systems Operation Agreement between the City of Aledo and Illinois- American Water: DPW Blaser reported Water/Wastewater Worker Mark Weeks resigned on May 15th. Mark Blythe continues to maintain the division as a contractual services agreement. Other City staff is assisting in the operation as well. CHIEF Sullivan reported he contacted Illinois-American Water Company to inquire if assistance can be completed by the utility company. City Staff met with Illinois-American Water recently and provided them with a tour of city facilities. DPW has been in communication with Roger Goodson, Senior Manager, Production & Field Services Western Division, Illinois-American Water Co. to establish what services will be requested for a systems operation agreement. JULIE’s will also be completed by ILAW and the City currently averages 700-plus a year.
CHIEF reported if the City is to enter into a short-term services agreement with ILAW, this will be beneficial especially during our busier time of year. It was reported Blythe can only work 598 hours each year per the contractual agreement. With that said, we will require Blythe complete his contractual obligations and have ILAW complete the remainder of the work needed in the water division. If the City enters into a short-term services agreement with ILAW, ILAW can review the system and provide the City with a “soft-offer” to purchase the City’s water/sewer infrastructure and WTP. Then, the City would need to send out a request-for-proposals before a formal proposal could be received to sell. There is also a 30-day termination clause as well within the short-term services agreement with IAW if the City should decide not to move forward with a sale of water/sewer services.
CHIEF Sullivan recommended the City utilize both options at this time. Those options being to enter into a service agreement with ILAW and to also advertise for hire the positions of water/wastewater superintendent (with a Class “A” Water Operator License) and water/wastewater worker position. DPW noted a draft short-term services agreement has not been received yet by ILAW and tentatively is set to be a 60-90 day agreement with a possible renewal.
The joint Committee debated the issue of competitive pay for licensed employees within the water division. Current stipends were reviewed by the Committee. Wages to be evaluated due to the short time frame regarding potential hiring of two (2) positions within the water division.
MAYOR Hagloch reported interest was also voiced by the village of Joy, IL and Village of Seaton, IL to connect to the City’s services as well. DPW reported the City is also on the verge of having to update the lagoon system or the City could be required in the future by IEPA to upgrade to a sewer treatment plant facility. No final requirements of a sewer treatment plant have been required by the IEPA to date.
ILAW currently is working with Farmington, IL and Andalusia, IL and the MAYOR to reach out to those communities to inquire on current services being received by ILAW.
Discussion on Intent to Advertise for Public Works: Water/Wastewater Superintendent Position: Committee recommended advertising for the position. City staff requested input on what the City can offer to hire a Class “A” Water Operator.
Discussion on Intent to Advertise for Public Works: Water/Wastewater Worker Position:
Committee recommended advertising for the position.
The Joint Committee reaffirmed and recommended the hiring of a Class “A” Water Operator and Class “D” Water Operator to fill the positions of Water/Wastewater Superintendent and Water/Wastewater Worker and requested a short-term services operation agreement with Illinois-American Water Company. The Joint Committee recommended advertising immediately for those two (2) positions and to bring recommended rates back to City Council.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, motion was made by ALDERMAN BEWLEY and seconded by ALDERMAN DIXON that the meeting be adjourned. Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement. Meeting was adjourned at 7:20 P.M.
http://aledoil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05232019-180
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