Louisa Utilities Board Special Meeting 10/17/2019

• Louisa Utilities board met in special session on 10/17/2019 with Mayor Harold Slone presiding. Board members present were Jeff Kinser, Heath Preston and Sam Lester.
• The board discussed a request from the Lawrence County Housing authority to use the Pine Hill tank site to place an antenna receiver for a new security camera system. Motion by Heath Preston to approve as long as it doesn’t interfere with water telemetry. Second by Jeff Kinser. All approve.
• Motion by Jeff Kinser, Second by Sam Lester to approve minutes from the September 2019 Meeting. All approve.
• Board reviewed financials, no actions taken.
• Board opened bids for second round of bidding for downtown Sewer I & I project, after previous round of bids all came in over-budget.  One bid was received from Frederick & May Construction for a total bid of $3,450,000. The bid was still approx $500,000 over budget, which the board was advised that Kentucky Infrastructure Authority had noted a lot of bids across the state coming in over budget due to contractors high work load. No motion was made. Mayor will seek grants to pay for difference in bid and KIA Loan amount.
• Board was updated on downtown water main rehab project. The project is nearly complete, with 1-2 more days work on lines left and repaving started on 10/17/2019.
• Board heard purchase request from water treatment plant in regards to having a chemical tank cleaned out. The cost, due to the nature of the chemicals and requirements for disposal,  is in excess of $10,000. The board discussed alternatives, including using other empty chemical tanks at the water plant. No actions were taken, Mayor will inquire with Division of water if empty tanks can be used.
• Board reviewed customer adjustment requests. Motion by Jeff Kinser to approve. Second by Sam Lester. All approve.
• Mayor discussed with the board, new legislation from the state that allows municipalities to invest their monies held in bank accounts to earn more interest. Kentucky League of Cities offers an investment pool with an anticipated return rate of 3-4%. Current accounts at the utilities company earn from .2-.6% interest. Board discussed negotiating with local banks for higher rates on CD’s for more interest return on KIA Project reserve accounts. KLC will present at next board meeting.
• Board heard purchase request from Water Plant employee concerning Variable Frequency Drives (VFD’s) on raw water pumps. These drives would allow control of the speed of the pumps, potentially lowering electricity bills and extending the life of the pumps, with he VFD’s eventually paying for themselves. The VFD’s are approximately $15,000 each and 3 would be required. Mayor advised a purchase that large would need to be bid.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:54pm.