Albert Iosue

The Board of Trustees of the Jefferson Water and Sewer District convened in a regular session. The primary action involved the approval of a resolution authorizing the District to contract and pay for a repair to a private water service line located at 8084 Ramseys Crossing Drive. The repair cost is set at $2,500.00, to be amortized over 12 months and added as monthly payments to the residents' water bill. The Board confirmed that all formal actions related to this resolution were conducted in open meetings in compliance with Ohio Revised Code requirements.

Key discussions during the meeting centered on crucial infrastructure and operational improvements. A primary focus was justifying the need for a new firehouse, detailing current high call volumes (averaging 70 runs daily) and poor response times in specific areas, including jurisdictional boundaries and transport issues. The board reviewed proposed locations for the new facility, noting issues with one potential site near a park due to neighborhood opposition and bureaucratic hurdles. Funding discussions involved authorization for a contract not to exceed $196,000 for replacing pumps at Roosevelt Field to increase pumping capacity to 9 million gallons per minute. Plant efficiencies were discussed, including reprogramming the system to run two transfer pumps simultaneously. Another significant topic involved capital improvements for the sanitary sewer system. This included authorizing contracts totaling approximately $73,000 for purchasing and installing generators, transfer switches, and control panels at various lift stations, many of which have outdated panels over 20 years old. The board is also initiating a comprehensive evaluation of the entire sanitary sewer system via an RFQ for an engineering firm, aiming to optimize flow and determine necessary improvements for the 2023 budget. Furthermore, action was required regarding manhole rehabilitation projects, authorizing a contract of $48,000 to line seven specific manholes identified on drawings, utilizing a material guaranteed for 10 years. Finally, an amendment to the employee handbook was discussed to define employment statuses (full-time regular, part-time, and seasonal) to facilitate the hiring of seasonal employees for hydrant painting and inspections.

The discussion focused on the operational procedures and challenges related to the redwater project, specifically concerning the five iron filters used to remove iron and manganese from the water. A speaker detailed the current practice of backwashing these filters sequentially between 2:30 PM and midnight to allow the resulting backwash water (sent to the redwater tank) eight hours to settle before being sent to the golf course. This timed approach deviates from the manufacturer's recommendation based on pressure gauge readings, potentially damaging the filter media, which was recently replaced at a significant cost. The original plant expansion plans included a second redwater tank and two additional sand filters to allow for proper settling time while maintaining operational flow, which is no longer being considered in the current, scaled-down improvement plans. The speaker is reviewing golf course contracts and intends to revert to manufacturer-recommended backwash procedures, which might temporarily affect the frequency of irrigation for the golf course until a solution, such as installing a second tank, is implemented and evaluated for return on investment. Additionally, the board was updated on efforts to evaluate potential new water sources in the area, with an analysis pending from geologists.

The Board of Trustees meeting included authorizing a contract with Arcadis US, Inc. for the development of a Water System Master Plan, not to exceed $62,600. The Board convened an executive session regarding confidential negotiations related to economic development assistance and public infrastructure improvements. The authorized strength for the Operator-in-Training position was amended to increase the pay grade and range to attract more candidates. An update was provided on the Iron Filter #1 underdrain repair and media replacement. The Board authorized the execution of Amendment No. 2 to water and sewer tap agreements for Courtyards at Morse Circle South, and approved the Water Tap Agreement and Sewer Tap Agreement for Woodland Preserve. Approval was also granted to accept OWDA funding for the Water Treatment Plant Sanitary Sewer Lift Station Project. The Board reviewed the June 2023 Financial Report, discussed a CD reinvestment update, and noted the 2022 Audit was underway. Furthermore, the Board approved declaring certain equipment surplus for disposal through various means and approved the Accounts Payable bills for June 2023. Following a second executive session concerning public employee compensation, the Board approved a one-time Pay for Performance Award to the Director.

The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees covered several key administrative and operational items. Discussions included the reinstatement of the maintenance agreement for the Havens & McOwen Water Towers with Utility Service Co., Inc., and the presentation and adoption of the Employee Cost Savings Incentive Plan designed to reward efficiency ideas. Updates were provided on ongoing fire hydrant painting efforts and positive overtime expense tracking. The Attorney reported on ratifying the Director's authority to execute a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Development for a $2.95 million Ohio BUILDS Water Infrastructure Grant, and provided an update on a watermain damage claim against a contractor's insurance carrier. The Controller reported on the completion of the 2022 Audit without exceptions, noting planned evaluations for the upcoming liability insurance renewal, and provided details on the July 2023 Financial Report, which showed lower water usage due to favorable weather. The Project Manager reported that the WTP Lift Station Improvement Project is nearing completion, with new pumps pending installation. The Office Manager reported that meter installations are on hold due to staffing, and usage reconciliation data from external sources was pending for the July report.