Board Meeting Minutes- September 22, 2025

Monday, September 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM | 601 Cherokee Leavenworth, KS 66048-0576

Directors in Attendance

• Richard Gervasini
• Eric Peterson
• Nick Poff

Directors Absent (Excused)

• William Daniels
• Chad Lough

Staff in Attendance

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

Others in Attendance

• Camalla Leonhard (2025 Board Candidate)
• Eric Price (2025 Board Candidate)

Director Gervasini called the meeting to order at 4:57 PM.

Director Gervasini noted that a quorum was present.

None

None

Upon motion from Director Poff and seconded by Director Peterson, motion passed 3-0…

RESOLVED (No. 15611), that the Board approved minutes from September 8, 2025.

Upon motion from Director Peterson and seconded by Director Poff, motion passed 3-0…

RESOLVED (No. 15612), that the Board approved the consent agenda as presented.

Upon motion from Director Daniels and seconded by Director Lough, motion passed 3-0…

RESOLVED (No. 15613), that the Board approved the August Financial Statements.

The General Manager reported that KDHE requested corrections to the change order no. 3 submitted for reimbursement. Specifically, it was requested that the change order reflect the final, total cost of the contract, and not unit cost prices for the total units installed.

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

RESOLVED (No. 15614), that the Board approve Change Order No. 3 with Hettinger Excavating for on KPWSRF Project 3102, Contract No. 1.

As mentioned in previous meetings, the General Manager noted that several employees have met, or will meet, the top of their pay ranges in 2026. He further noted that it is usually prudent to re-evaluate the entire pay scale when this occurs. To evaluate, the 2024 AWWA Salary Survey, composed of data from 2023, as well as a copy of Bonner Spring’s 2024 Compensation Study provided by Director Poff was utilized. It was noted that issues cited in the Bonner Springs study are all relevant human resource issues that we also encounter. Related positions in each compensation study were similar as to the pay ranges recommended.

The methodology used to determine the ranges was also similar. The midpoint of a pay range was determined, and the range was then established either side of the midpoint, particularly for the salaried positions. Hourly positions were influenced more by their relationship to work in the private sector. The General Manager noted that employees will not automatically receive a pay increase by establishing higher pay ranges. However, the employees will have their pay raised to the minimum amount of the applicable pay range if their current rate of pay falls below the adopted minimum.

He further requested that the pay for treatment plants shift differentials be increase from $0.67 per hour to $1.25 per hour for the 4-12 shift, and for the 12-8 shift, $1.00 to $1.67. Next the Board discussed the Distribution Manager’s recommendation for water certifications for Distribution personnel. The Board was
provided with a draft of the Water Certification Policy. It was noted that an employee can increase their pay up to $2 per hour by obtaining a nationally recognized certification in the field.

Discussion held by the Board and Management.

Upon motion from Director Peterson and seconded by Director Poff, motion passed 3-0…

RESOLVED (No. 15615), that the Board approved the adoption of the Pay Scale and Water Certification Policy, as presented, effective January 1, 2026.

Administration

1. Software conversions:
   • BS&A Software
     • implementation team will be back with us for the week of September 15th as a post go-live for questions and follow-ups.
2. August financial statements and reconciliations
3. 2026 budget prep
4. Toured the Mt. Olivet tank
5. Lacie Farr has submitted her resignation, so we are currently advertising for a Customer Service Representative

Distribution

Water Distribution Projects

1. Lead & Copper Service Inventory
   • Total 26/37 for the year.
2. Lecompton Water Main Replacement (2023)
   • Clean up being completed now.
3. Mount Olivet Project
   • Interior pics at the meeting.
4. Lawrence Ave
   • Britni working on 2nd Draft of our first in-house AUTOCad drawings.
5. Annual Free Chlorine burnout is in progress.

Water Distribution Operations

1. One main break since the last meeting; 928 Dakota, 1922 4” CI
2. Distribution completed our 1st inventory with the new BS&A software, seemed to go very well.

Water Treatment

Ohio Street Booster Station

1. C & B pulled pump #2 for a full rebuild.

North Plant Summary

1. R. E. Pedrotti started pulling wire for the new SCADA system.

South Plant Summary

1. A new employee started on September 18th.
2. R. E. Pedrotti started pulling wire for the new SCADA system.

General Manager

• KMU Safety Training held on September8th on “Blood Borne Pathogens” (annual requirement)
• Water Tank Project
  • Contract #1 Pipeline: KDHE SRF Program is requiring a Final Change Order.
  • Contract #2 Tank: DN Tank expects to have the tank wet by the meeting time, and their Subcontractor finishes the site by the end of October.
• South Treatment Plant Resiliency Project
  • Waiting on the Federal Appropriations process.
  • Contacted our Grant Writer about the NOFO for a potential grant through EPA, specifically for midsize and large water utilities.
• Worked on 2026 Pay Scale.
• Working on the 2026 budget preparation.
• Was informed by the KS Department of Emergency Management that the FEMA grant from the 2019 flood needed certain paperwork for them to close out the project. We provided paperwork and resolved the issue.

Upon motion from Director Peterson, seconded by Director Poff, motion passed 3-0.

Director Gervasini adjourned the meeting at 5:43 PM.