Valley Rural Utility Company
You recently received the monthly issue of the Echoes. For the most accurate and up to date information concerning VRUC please read the VRUC General Manager’s Update. The “GM Update” appears in the Echoes each month.
You will read about the work being done on the sewer system, the problems we are dealing with and the plans for the future.
Thank you,
Dana Hensley
VRUC Secretary
Valley Rural Utility Company Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
December 8, 2009 @6:00 PM
Board Members Present: Robert Sypniewski, President
Phil Harmeyer, Vice-President
Dana Hensley, Secretary
Ron Lask, Treasurer
Chuck Nichols, Member @ Large
Danny Armbrecht, Member @ Large
Board Members Absent: Bob Ziegler, Member @ Large - Excused
Staff Present: Floyd Ogden, Superintendent
Bill Blantz, Accounting Manager
Bonnie Starks, Office Administrator
Theresa Dold, Billing Clerk
Guests Present: Jeff Bittner Lot # 2365
Donna Lask Lot # 118
Jane Graham Lot # 2038
The Board of Directors meeting was called to order by Robert Sypniewski, President. He called for the Pledge of Allegiance and then asked that all cell phones be turned off or put on vibrate.
The Minutes from the last meeting were reviewed and a motion was made by Dana Hensley and seconded by Ron Lask to approve as written. The motion was unanimously approved.
MONTHLY REPORTS:
Bill Blantz :
(1) Review of Current Financial Statements:
The CASH FLOW STATEMENT shows that we started November with $446,000 and ended up with $4,000 more. The Balance Sheet shows the Assets at $450,000 also. Our debt is $2.2 million plus $300 thousand which will be due shortly. That brings the total to $2.5 million. The Profit and Loss Comparison for the month indicates that our income is up from last year. The Expenses are up also and the result is a small profit of $1,651. The monthly Budget Report shows that I estimated the Income Budget higher than it actually was. The Total Expenses were less than I budgeted. The PROFIT AND LOSS COMPARISON YTD shows that last year during the same time period year to date, the company had $50,000 more income than this year. The Expenses are slightly higher. The BUDGET REPORT YTD also is off because of this year’s variables which affected the bottom line such as consulting fees, sump pump inspections, and televising the pipe lines. Bill reported that last month we made a small profit but we lost money for the year.
(2) A motion to approve the Financial Statements as presented was made by Ron Lask and seconded by Dana Hensley. The motion was unanimously approved.
Danny Armbrecht asked about account 719, Sewer System Repairs, and what made it jump up. Bill responded that the expense was for the cross over pipe repair that went from the pump house to the lagoon.
Bob Sypniewski asked Ron Lask, Treasurer, to give a report on the financial progress of the modernization project for the pump house.
Ron stated that the Hrezo Engineering contract for the new pump station was for $310,000 and to date we have paid $281,934 leaving a balance of $28,066. On Thursday we hope to have the pump activated. There are two contracts for the televising the sewer pipes. One is for $175,764 and to date we paid $63,126 leaving a balance due of $112,638. The second phase of televising the pipes is contract of $173,136 and to date we paid $62,352 leaving a balance due of $110,784. We also had a contract to run a by-pass while they built the pumping house. The original estimate was $100,000 and was completed at $56,567. This was over $40,000 below the estimate.
Bill Blantz spoke and said we are holding back $28,000 on the pump house until we know the generator and pump are working.
Ron stated that nothing has come in over budget.
Bob Sypniewski then introduced the new Board member, Chuck Nichols, who will replace Jeff Bittner. Bob said “replace Jeff if possible” who served the VRUC for 14 years.
FLOYD OGDEN :
(1) Tap Report: Floyd stated that there were no taps.
(2) Water & Sewer Operations: We didn’t have any overflows.
Phil Harmeyer asked Floyd when we last had an overflow. Floyd told him he thought it was February of this year when it rained a lot and we hadn’t had the new pump installed yet. Since then we have not had an incident with the lagoon. Floyd said the pump house was not part of the Agreed Order with IDEM but it was necessary to replace the old one.
(3) I&I Report: The televising is still going on; however, with winter approaching, it is hard to say just how much more will get done. We do have the flow monitors out and Kendall from Hrezo Engineering is working with them. The new lift station will start up this Thursday.
OLD BUSINESS:
(1) Loan Update:
Floyd said that everything looks good for Jan. 20, 2010 to close on the loan. After consolidating the pump project and paying off the A1 bonds, the loan will be for $2.5 million.
(2) Wireless Towers:
Jeff Bittner stated that a lot of progress has been made. He installed another station today. The software should be here within a couple of days. Weather permitting, Jeff will install the other stations as soon as possible. John Watson is drawing up a contract for an easement from Willie’s to cover the antenna. Everything is moving along.
NEW BUSINESS:
(1) Mr. Niemeier, Lot 1171, has requested to be withdrawn from the Agenda. Jane Graham, Lot 2038, asked what was the issue. Bob Sypniewski responded that he had a backup into his lower level and his insurance refused coverage. Chuck Nichols stated that MSD in Cincinnati has the policy that if you have insurance then your coverage has to be adequate to cover the damage. Floyd stated that in Indiana if the blockage is out of the utility’s control then there is no liability for the company. Ron Lask stated that he pays extra for sewage coverage because his house sits below the main line. Both Ron and Floyd advised every home owner to check with their agent and make sure they have the proper coverage.
(2) Quarterly Meetings: The Board has decided to try this approach. The reasons for this decision are:
a) All Board members are available during the day hours now and can be available for special meetings anytime which will facilitate matters in a timely manner;
b) The company’s By-Laws state that there has to be an annual meeting only;
c) Because of the sparse attendance at the monthly meetings the Board will inform everyone through the Echoes article, ‘The General Manager’s Report’. We will start this policy in January 2010 and the meetings will be the second Tuesday of the quarterly month. There is an exception and that is the first meeting will be January 5, 2010.
(3) Title Changes: Floyd Ogden has been promoted to General Manager and Jesse Jones has been promoted to Field Supervisor. This will free up Floyd to concentrate more on the business side.
(4) Credit Card Capability: We have signed up with a company to facilitate the safe transmission of credit card information for bill payment. This service will be up and running shortly. There will be an extra charge of $5 called a convenience fee which totally goes to the processing company for their service. Dana Hensley said all of these changes will be in the next Echoes article. Jeff Bittner stated that because we opted out of IURC we are able to offer these changes.
Adjournment: The motion to adjourn was made by Danny Armbrecht and seconded by Chuck Nichols. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted by Bonnie Starks, Recording Secretary
812-539-3330 INDIANA
513-564-1500 OHIO
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812-290-7254
812-539-7625
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888-863-0032
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1-877-351-0486
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VALLEY RURAL UTILITY CO.
The Valley Rural Utility Company Board of Directors has approved the use of separate water meters, for outside watering (lawns, landscaping, power washing of decks, washing cars and etc), during the late spring and summer months.
This program will begin May 15, 2007 and end October 15, 2007. The separate water meters will be sold to homeowners for $90.00. If you are interested in this program or have any question call the office, 812-539-3330 or 513-564-1500
VALLEY RURAL UTILITY COMPANY
19435 ALPINE DRIVE
LAWRENCEBURG, IN 47025
PHONE 812-539-3330
513-564-1500
FAX 812-539-3332
Jeffrey P. Bittner, President- Elected - June 2008
Robert Sypniewski, Vice-President - Elected -June 2007
Dana Hensley, Secretary- Elected - June 2008
Ron Lask , Treasurer- Elected - June 2009
Bob Ziegler, Member @ Large- Elected June 2007-
Dan Armbrecht, Member @ Large ElectedJune 2007
Phil Harmeyer, Member @ Large - Elected - June 2009