Quincy Reporter

City of Quincy Utilities Committee met Sept. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The monthly meeting of the Utilities Committee was held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Quincy City Hall. Members present were Dave Bauer, Dan Cook, Glenn Ebbing, Ken Hultz, and John Mast. Director of Public Works Jeffrey Conte, Assistant Corporation Counsel Bruce Alford, Mayor Mike Troup, Dustin Neese, John Schafer, and Theresa Alford were also present. The meeting was called to order at 4:08 p.m.

Approval of Minutes

Dan Cook, seconded by Alderman Ebbing moved that the minutes from the August 1, 2024, meeting be approved as distributed.

Public Comment

No one was present for comment.

Utility Fund Financial Update

Conte presented the financials. Operating revenue is up year-over-year for both funds. Water expenses are down year-over-year, while sewer expenses are up mainly due to sludge removal. The Water Fund reserve balance is $3.7 million and Sewer Fund reserve balance is $1.79 million.

Conte also discussed the need for a budget amendment for the Sewer Fund to account for unbudgeted revenues of $162,790 and increasing expenses by $600,000. The Comptroller’s Office will draft the amendment.

Action: Proceed with the budget amendment with Committee recommendation. Motion: Cook/Ebbing Motion Carried

New Business

Water Fund

Sludge Dome Demolition Update

The contract for the sludge dome building demolition was awarded to Blick’s Construction at the cost of $143,413 in June. The original intent was to utilize DCEO grant funding for the demolition of the building to allow for construction of an amphitheater in conjunction with the riverfront redevelopment project. Whereas the bid price for the project was significantly lower than estimated and does not require the entire $350,000 grant, the City desires to reallocate the funding to a future project and use water funds to pay for the demolition project.

Action: Send proposal to City Council with Committee recommendation. Motion: Mast/Cook Motion Carried

Water Meter Fittings

The Department received a quote in the amount of $34,300.00 from Midwest Meter for the purchase of couplings and flange bolts for one hundred 1.5” meters and one hundred fifty 2” meters.

Action: Send to City Council with Committee recommendation.

Motion: Mast/Ebbing Motion Carried

Sewer Fund

Sewer CCTV Replacement Cable

The Department requires the purchase of a 1000’ cable to replace a faulty cable on the sewer camera. E.J. Equipment of Troy submitted a quote in the amount of $7,688.23 for the purchase of the cable.

Action: Send to City Council with Committee recommendation.

Motion: Cook/Ebbing Motion Carried

Waste Water Treatment Plant Report

The plant continues to run well. The sludge press project is on-going, and it should be completed in approximately six weeks

The heat pump and air-conditioning unit failed and requires replacement. Conte has not reviewed the quotes, but the purchase and installation of the units is expected to be less than $40,000.

Action: Committee authorizes the replacement of the HVAC system if the low quote is less than $40,000.

Motion: Cook/Ebbing Motion Carried

Late Additions

Conte reported the person that sold the City the bucket machine in April of 2022 would like to buy the machine back from the City. The City has not used the machine to date because the vactor has been able to clear the large sewers to this point. Crews have not yet attempted to clean the largest diameter sewer so it unknown if the bucket machine will be required.

Action: Committee is not interested in selling the machine at this time.

Adjournment

With no other items to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 4:42 p.m. on a motion by Alderman Ebbing, seconded by Alderman Cook.

https://www.quincyil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/6916/638606251547400000