Board Meeting Minutes- August 25, 2025

Monday, August 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM | 601 Cherokee Leavenworth, KS 66048-0576

Directors in Attendance

• Richard Gervasini
• Eric Peterson
• Chad Lough
• Nick Poff

Directors Absent (Excused)

• William Daniels

Staff in Attendance

• Joel Mahnken, General Manager
• Dana Splichal, Finance Manager
• Britni Huff, Staff Engineer

Others in Attendance

• Eric Price (2025 Board Candidate)

Director Gervasini called the meeting to order at 4:58 PM.

Director Gervasini noted that a quorum was present.

None

None

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

RESOLVED (No. 15605), that the Board approved minutes from July 28, 2025.

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

RESOLVED (No. 15606), that the Board approved the consent agenda as presented.

The General Manager identified several areas of concern in the preparation of the 2026 budget and asked for the Board’s input on any item, particularly the potential rate increase for next year. The Chair stated that if we can keep our rates competitive and be in the lower one-third of water utilities in this region, it would be desirable. This was the consensus of the rest of the Board, but they need to see the proposed budget numbers. Board also directed staff to review the pay scale for all positions. Staff is currently working on the budget and will present a draft in late September.

Administration

1. Software conversions:
   • BS&A Software
   • Conversion team training ended on August 20, 2025.
     • Will be back with us for a week in September as a post go-live for questions and follow-ups.
2. We have now billed all cycles through BS&A.
3. All customers have received a new format of bill. Paperless customers only received an electronic bill.
4. Working on reconciling data transferred from old software to new.
5. Month end reconciliations
6. Continue training on new software
7. July financial statements are in process and will be presented at the September 8th board meeting.

Distribution

Water Distribution Projects

1. Lead & Copper Service Inventory
   • Total 24/37 for the year.
2. Lecompton Water Main Replacement (2023)
   • Eastern 12” line to the booster installed and tied in to BPS, bacti’s finished, tie-in being completed
     now.
3. Mount Olivet Project
   • External shotcrete mostly finished, interior work currently, will have a final walk through before we start filling.
4. Lawrence Ave
   • Survey complete, Britni has started drawing.
5. Annual Free Chlorine burnout scheduled, purchasing systems notified.

Water Distribution Operations

1. 928 Olive, 2” CI 1957
2. Distribution is getting used to the new work order process.

Water Treatment

Ohio Street Booster Station

1. Nothing new to report.

North Plant Summary

1. Plant is back online 24/7.
2. New operator started August 18th.

South Plant Summary

1. Working with Steve Blaser on the lagoon sludge removal.
2. C.I.P 75% completed
3. New SCADA equipment is starting to arrive,

General Manager

• KMU Safety Training held on August 11th on “Job Hazard Analysis”
  • Safety Committee also met to work on the Safety Manual review and update.
• Water Tank Project
  • Contract #1 Pipeline: Our Attorney delivered response to Hettinger’s regarding liquidated damages.
  • Contract #2 Tank: DN Tank expects to have the tank wet by the second week of September, and their Subcontractor to finish the site by the end of October.
• South Treatment Plant Resiliency Project
  • Hosted Senator Marshall’s tour STP on August 13th who wished to learn more about our project.
  • Contacted our Grant Writer about the NOFO for a potential grant through EPA, specifically for midsize and large water utilities.
• Working on the 2026 budget preparation.
• Attended the August 20th Kansas Water Authority meeting in Manhattan on behalf of the Missouri Regional Advisory Committee.

The General Manager provided the update and noted that the Contractor was agreeable to the settlement proposal drafted by the Board’s attorney, less current legal fees. The General Manager and attorney recommended acceptance by the board, avoiding the cost of potential arbitration or mediation.

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

RESOLVED (No. 15607), that the Board approved the settlement with Hettinger Excavating, LLC as presented.

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

Director Gervasini adjourned the meeting at 5:26 PM.