Board Meeting Minutes- June 23, 2025

Monday, June 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM | 601 Cherokee Leavenworth, KS 66048-0576

Directors in Attendance

• Richard Gervasini
• Nick Poff
• William Daniels
• Eric Peterson

Directors Absent (Excused)

• Chad Lough

Staff in Attendance

• Joel Mahnken, General Manager
• John Hodgden, Distribution Manager
• Neil Seichepine, Treatment Manager
• Britni Huff, Staff Engineer

Others in Attendance

• Thomas Koch, 513 Olive Street

Director Gervasini called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.

Director Gervasini noted that a quorum was present.

Thomas Koch inquired as to the reason for the recent rate increase and asked to receive a copy of the May Financial Statements. The General Manager explained the riverbed degradation affecting the North Treatment Plant Intake and the proposed improvements to the South Treatment Plant. Additional revenue needs to be generated for debt payments for these improvements for system reliability.

None

Upon motion from Director Poff and seconded by Director Daniels, motion passed 4-0…

RESOLVED (No. 15588), that the Board approved minutes from May 27, 2025.

Upon motion from Director Peterson and seconded by Director Daniels, motion passed 4-0…

RESOLVED (No. 15589), that the Board approved the consent agenda as presented.

After discussion and a request for clarification of some operating statistics,

Upon motion from Director Poff and seconded by Director Peterson, motion
passed 4-0…

RESOLVED (No. 15590), that the Board approved the May Financial Statements.

The draft of a policy statement for the handling of potential insurance claims as related to water damage from main breaks was reviewed by the Board. Although the Waterworks is protected by sovereign immunity and claims are limited to $500,000 by State Statute, the Board felt that we should take steps to assist property owners with restoration of damages due to water damage from main breaks. With a few changes needed, it was the consensus of the Board to adopt the policy statement at their next meeting.

Administration

1. BS&A Software - go live date July 28th
   • Continuing to work with the conversion team
     1. Bi-weekly meeting to discuss status and questions
     2. On-site training begins July 22nd
     3. Working with BS&A on new bill design
        • We have received 2nd draft
2. Info Send
   • Conducting weekly meetings to discuss status and questions
   • We have provided draft for the back of the bill info
3. Held a continuing education/staff development day on the topic of HR June 17th
4. Attended AWWA ACE Conference June 8th through June 11th
   • Met with several vendors including CDM Smith, Black & Veatch, DNTanks, US Pipe, Carollo, Sherwin Williams, Hach, Pedrotti
   • Attended various classes all day Monday through Wednesday
   • Attended Kansas section of the AWWA lunch
   • Attended Women in Water networking lunch and social
5. Looking ahead
   • Annual Leave June 23rd to June 27th

Distribution

Water Distribution Projects

1. Lead & Copper Service Inventory
   • Total 16/37 for the year.
2. Lecompton Water Main Replacement (2023)
   • MCON has installed all of the pipe from 92 to 22nd St., and completed the tie-ins in that area. Pictures on the z:drive.
3. Mount Olivet Project
   • Most of the wall/roof panels are installed, pictures on the z:drive.
4. Lawrence Ave
   • Survey 10% complete, expected delivery in 8-10 weeks.

Water Distribution Operations

1. One main breaks since last meeting, Short & 7th St., 1991 D.I.
2. Working on Property Damage Policy.
3. Service line and valves on-going maintenance.

Water Treatment

Ohio Street Booster Station

1. Nothing new to report.

North Plant Summary

1. Alliance finished installing the gearbox on the slow mix.
2. Lost an employee.

South Plant Summary

1. We attended HR training.
2. Discussed Pellet Softening Process with Carollo, does not look feasible for our needs.

General Manager

• Water Tank Project
  • Contract #1 Pipeline: Waiting on Final Pay Request.
  • Contract #2 Tank: DN Tank has made excellent progress.
• South Treatment Plant Resiliency Project
  • Was informed by BKF committee that the potential CDS grant did not qualify due to normal Federal funding sources.
  • Attended meeting with Carollo Engineering at the STP.
• MCON is nearly half complete on the Lecompton WMR project.
• Working with AT&T on Network on Demand service renewal for Plants.

At 6:17 pm, the Board recessed the regular meeting to enter Executive Session to discuss personnel matters of nonelected personnel for ten minutes with the General Manager.

Upon motion from Director Peterson, seconded by Director Daniels, motion passed 4-0.

RESOLVED (No. 15591), that the Board recess the regular meeting to enter Executive Session to discuss personnel matters of nonelected personnel for ten minutes.

At 6:27 pm, the Board ended the executive session and resumed the regular meeting

Upon motion from Director Daniels, seconded by Director Poff, motion passed 4-0.

RESOLVED (No. 15592), that the Board end the executive session and resume the regular meeting

No further action was taken

Upon motion from Director Daniels, seconded by Director Poff, motion passed 4-0.

Director Gervasini adjourned the meeting at 6:28 PM.