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Capacity Indicator: Finances
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Essential Indicators
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Yes
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All revenues and expenses for the utility are listed in the utility budget. |
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Yes
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The utility has adopted a balanced realistic budget. |
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Yes
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Monthly financial reports are prepared and submitted to the policy making board. |
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Yes
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The utility is current in paying all water/wastewater electric bills. |
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Yes
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The utility has on hand a year's adequate fuel supply or it has a financial plan to purchase an adequate supply. |
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Yes
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The utility is receiving revenues (user fees or other sources) sufficient to cover operating expenses. |
Sustainable Indicators
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Yes
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The utility is receiving revenues (user fees or other sources sufficient to cover operating expenses and Repair & Replacement (R) costs. |
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Yes
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YTD revenues are at a level equal to or above those budgeted. |
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Yes
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YTD expenditures are at a level equal to or below those budgeted. |
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Yes
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A monthly manager's report is prepared. |
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Yes
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Budget amendments are completed and adopted as necessary. |
| Finances Comment: |
The city's fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. The FY13 budget realistically shows a projected increase of four percent in water and wastewater utility expenses. These expenses take into account increased insurance rates, planned repairs and maintenance, and freight charges. The city anticipates that user fees will be sufficient to cover all of the utility's associated expenses in FY13.
The city contracts with Alaska Business Partners, a Ketchikan-based bookkeeping service, to have monthly financial reports prepared for the city council. These reports include a balance sheet and a budget versus actual comparison on the profit and loss statement. The reports show the gross profits, expenses, and net income of the city's utility enterprises for the relevant time period. A thorough, written manager's financial report is also provided to the council at each regular meeting which explains income and expense amounts and narrates potential cost-saving financial strategies. The financial reports show that year-to-date revenues are at those budgeted and that year-to-date expenditures are below the amount budgeted for the relevant portion of the current fiscal year.
The city adopted an amended FY13 budget in January 2013, to reflect revenues and expenditures thus far in the fiscal year.
The Alaska Power Company (APT) provides electrical service to the City of Coffman Cove. RUBA staff reviewed five service statements and found that the utility is current in paying all of its electric bills to APT and that Power Cost Equalization (PCE) credits are applied as appropriate.
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Capacity Indicator: Accounting Systems
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Essential Indicators
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Yes
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The utility has adopted a collection policy and actively follows it. |
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Yes
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The utility bills customers on a regular basis. |
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Yes
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An accounts receivable system is in place which tracks customers and reports past due accounts and amounts. |
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Yes
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An accounts payable system is in place. |
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Yes
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The payroll system correctly calculates payroll and keeps records. |
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Yes
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A cash receipt system is in place that records incoming money and how it was spent. |
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Yes
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The utility has a cash disbursement system that records how money was spent. |
Sustainable Indicators
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Yes
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A chart of accounts is used that identifies categories in a reasonable, usable manner. |
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Yes
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Monthly bank reconciliations have been completed for all utility accounts. |
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Yes
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The utility has a purchasing system that requires approval prior to purchase, and the approval process compares proposed purchases to budgeted amounts. |
| Accounting Systems Comment: |
Bills for city services are mailed to customers the first week of each month on a postcard that includes the customer's name and address, the amount due for water and wastewater services, previous statement balances, late fees, net balances, and the due date. While the postcard billings have saved the city significant money on postage, upon request, standard statements enclosed in an envelope are provided to customers with privacy concerns.
Customers have until the 25th day of each month to submit their payments by mail, in person during the city's business hours, by credit card, or through a regularly occurring 'auto-pay' charge system. If a customer does not pay within 45 days, their account is considered delinquent and the city actively enforces its adopted collections policy. That policy is outlined in Title VII of the Coffman Cove Municipal Code and provides for a late payment fee, disconnection, reconnection fees, and denial of other city services such as harbor, internet, and garbage service. Delinquent accounts may also be referred to a third-party collection agency. Customers may, however, appeal any decision resulting in these actions to the city council at the next regular council meeting.
QuickBooks accounting software is used for the accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll processes. Customers are also offered a written receipt of their service payment from a receipt book that records the customer's name and address, the date, the payment amount, what the payment was for, the form of payment, and who the payment was received by. All payments are then recorded in a detailed logbook and the QuickBooks system which can clearly identify customers who are current in their payments and those who are 30 days, 60 days, or 90 days past due.
The city's cash disbursement system consists of a logical chart of accounts, a purchase order process, and a check register. The carbon copy purchase orders are individually numbered, show how money will be spent, and include space for an authorizing signature. Section 4.04.050 of the city's code of ordinances only mandates that purchases of supplies, materials, equipment, or contractual services costing more than $2,000 require prior approval of the city council. However, purchase orders are completed by utility staff prior to every purchase and all purchases are closely monitored by the city administrator.
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Capacity Indicator: Tax Problems
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Essential Indicators
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Yes
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The utility has a system to accurately calculate, track, and report payroll tax liabilities. |
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Yes
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The utility is current on filing tax reports. |
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Yes
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The utility is current on making tax deposits. |
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N/A
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If there are any past due tax liabilities or recorded tax liens, a lien release has been issued or a repayment agreement has been signed and repayments are current. |
| Tax Problems Comment: |
The City of Coffman Cove contracts with Alaska Business Partners in Ketchikan who accurately calculates, tracks, and reports the city's payroll tax liabilities. The IRS Taxpayer Advocacy Office confirmed on March 8, 2013, that Coffman Cove is current in its federal tax reports and filings and that the IRS has no liens against the city. The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development confirmed on March 19, 2013, that all state tax payments are current as well.
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Capacity Indicator: Personnel System
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Essential Indicators
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Yes
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The utility has a posted workers compensation insurance policy in effect. |
Sustainable Indicators
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Yes
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The utility has adopted and uses a Personnel Policy, which has been reviewed by an attorney, AML or Commerce for topics and language. |
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Yes
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The utility has adequate written job descriptions for all positions. |
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Yes
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The utility has adopted and follows a written personnel evaluation process that ties the job description to the evaluation. |
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Yes
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The utility has an adequate written hiring process. |
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Yes
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The utility has personnel folders on every employee that contain at least: I-9, Job Application and Letter of Acceptance. |
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Yes
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The utility has a probationary period for new hires that includes orientation, job training/oversight, and evaluations. |
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Yes
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The utility provides training opportunities to staff as needed and available. |
| Personnel System Comment: |
All city employees are covered by an Alaska Municipal League Joint Insurance Association (AMLJIA) workers compensation insurance policy. The FY13 policy is effective from July 1, 2012 through July 1, 2013. The policy covers work-related accidents and occupational diseases up to the Alaska statutory limits for each occurrence. Proof of coverage is posted at the city office. RUBA staff verified that the city is current in its payments to AMLJIA and that adequate funds have been allocated in the annual budget for payments over the remainder of the fiscal year, confirmed as of March 1, 2013.
The City of Coffman Cove implements a comprehensive personnel management system with the mayor, vice mayor, and city council continually reviewing personnel matters. A personnel handbook adopted by resolution on March 15, 2002 outlines the hiring and evaluation process, conditions of employment, a probationary period, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and general workplace expectations. The outdated and unenforced personnel section outlined in their municipal code was formally repealed in August 2012 by ordinance. The adopted ordinance also permits the city council to formally adopt and amend a the separate personnel handbook that has been used in practice, by resolution. All city staff, including the water and wastewater operator, have formal written job descriptions that explain their position's purpose, duties, supervisor, and required skills and qualifications. The descriptions also list whether the position is full-time or part-time, whether travel is required, and the position's salary range. Each employee undergoes an annual performance review which evaluates how well the employee is meeting their position's duties on a one to five scale. The review also considers job knowledge, the employee's representation of the city, communication skills, and goals as agreed upon by the employee and city administrator.
Signed copies of the job descriptions and performance reviews are filed in individual personnel files. The files also contain W-4s, Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9s, copies of relevant certifications, and letters of acceptance.
The city continues to budget for and provide training opportunities to its staff as needed and available. City staff have successfully completed several of the 32-hour RUBA management trainings, including 'Financial Management for Rural Utilities' in August 2011 and 'Clerks Management for Rural Utilities' in April and September 2012. RUBA staff has provided onsite training to the city council and city staff as requested.
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Capacity Indicator: Organizational Management
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Essential Indicators
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Yes
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The entity that owns the utility is known; the entity that will operate the utility is set. |
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Yes
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The policy making body is active in policy making of the utility. |
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Yes
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The policy making body enforces utility policy. |
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Yes
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The utility has an adequately trained manager. |
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Yes
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The utility has an adequately trained bookkeeper. |
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Yes
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The utility has an adequately trained operator or operators. |
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Yes
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The utility has adopted the necessary ordinances (or rules and regulations) necessary to give it the authority to operate. |
Sustainable Indicators
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Yes
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The utility has adopted an organizational chart that reflects the current structure. |
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Yes
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The policy making body meets as required. |
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Yes
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The utility complies with the open meeting act for all meetings. |
| Organizational Management Comment: |
The City of Coffman Cove owns and operates the community's sanitation systems. Ordinances giving the city the necessary operational and regulatory authority have been adopted and properly codified in Title VII of the local municipal code, which is readily available in print at the city office and online at the city's website.
The seven-member city council is the city's governing authority and the utility's policy-making body. The council holds regular meetings as required by Alaska Statutes Title 29 on the third Thursday of each month. To comply with Alaska's Open Meetings Act, the city consistently posts notice of each meeting at least five days in advance at the city hall, the library, the post office, a local liquor store, and a local grocery store. Each notice indicates the type of meeting to be held, as well as its location, date, and time.
The city council is active in policy-making for the utility, as evidenced in the six months of council meeting minutes reviewed by RUBA staff. The meetings minutes show that council is provided with written financial narratives, briefings on ongoing utility upgrade projects, staffing issues, training requests, and concerns of the public. The minutes also show that municipal acts, including resolutions and budget amendments, are adopted as necessary and in accordance with standard rules of parliamentary procedure.
The city council has given itself the authority to amend its utility fee schedule and enter into billing arrangements and repayment plans with utility customers by resolution. All additional rules and regulations for water and wastewater service are outlined in Chapter 7.04 of the municipal code. The chapter's provisions are properly enforced; customers are assessed late fees, issued delinquency notices, and disconnected from service as required.
The city administrator serves as utility manager. The administrator has received formal training from RUBA staff in the roles and responsibilities of public officials, ordinances and resolutions, budgeting, rate setting, Title 29 of state statute, the local municipal code, strategies for effective meetings, the Alaska Open Meetings Act, executive sessions, ex parte contact, and conflict of interest. From years of operating her own small business, the city administrator also brings critical financial management experience the city. She and other city officials actively seek management assistance from RUBA staff when necessary. The city administrator has attended RUBA UTM trainings including the planning training and personnel training. The city's clerk and treasurer have also attended the RUBA financial management training.
As noted in previous sections, the city utilizes the professional services of Alaska Business Partners in Ketchikan for most of its financial, accounting, tax-payment, and bookkeeping needs. Staff at Alaska Business Partners are willing and able to provide city officials with the financial resources and information that they need to effectively manage the community's utilities. Additionally, the city recently hired a new treasurer and a new city clerk who will be cross-trained to assist in utility billings and bookkeeping. These staff participated in the same formal trainings as the city administrator and the city clerk has received one-on-one training from RUBA staff on elements of her job description.
The State of Alaska's Division of Water has rated Coffman Cove's water treatment system at the Class 2 level based on the plant's various components. Its primary operator, is fully certified with a Level 2 endorsement that expires on December 31, 2015, and has already obtained the requisite number of Continued Education Units (CEUs)to renew certification.
The city council has approved and formally adopted an organizational chart that reflects the current staff structure of the city.
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Capacity Indicator: Operation of Utility
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Essential Indicators
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Yes
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The utility operator(s) are actively working towards necessary certification. |
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Yes
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The utility has a preventative maintenance plan developed for the existing sanitation facilities. |
Sustainable Indicators
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Yes
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The manager receives a monthly O&M report from the utility operator and routinely "spot checks" the facilities to see that the maintenance items are being completed. |
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Yes
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The utility has a safety manual and holds safety meetings. |
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Yes
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Utility facilities have not suffered any major problems/outages due to management issues that are unresolved. |
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Yes
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The utility is operating at the level of service that was proposed. |
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Yes
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The operator provides status reports to the manager on a routine basis. |
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Yes
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The utility has completed and distributed its "Consumer Confidence Report". |
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No
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The utility is not on the "Significant Non-Complier" (SNC) list. |
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Yes
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The utility maintains an inventory control list. |
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Yes
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The utility maintains a critical spare parts list. |
| Operation of Utility Comment: |
As noted in the 'Organizational Management' section, the primary utility operator is adequately certified at the appropriate classification level for the city's water treatment and water distribution systems and continues to meet his CEU requirements on time. His current water treatment certificate expires December 31, 2015. The operator's distribution certificate is current and expires December 31, 2015. The primary operator is assisted by three uncertified - yet adequately trained - back-up operators. All utility staff follow a safety manual and preventative maintenance plan specific to Coffman Cove's equipment and participate in regular safety meetings. The meetings are documented on forms provided by AMLJIA that list the date of the meeting, the training topics discussed, the titles of any materials issued, and the names of employees present. Resources explaining general safety practices such as lifting and common workplace hazards are also available.
Coffman Cove's sanitation facilities have not suffered any major outages due to management issues and continue to operate at the proposed level of service.
City officials consult with the primary operator regularly and written utility status reports are given to the council each month. The utility now has an inventory control list, as well as a list of identifiable critical spare parts that includes the quantity on hand and quantity needed. It also includes a description of the parts as needed.
Village Safe Water staff conducted a site visit to observe the progress of the replacement of a leaky valve vault of lift station number one and install a new control panel. The VSW Project Engineer reported that CRW advertised for bids from specialty contractors. The lowest bid was $27,000 more than the project can afford. Utility staff advised that they can seal the leaks with Avanti AV-330 grout, which the city has on hand, for a fraction of the contractor's cost. CRW gave the city the permission to do this.
The project required removing an existing power pole and placing it in a new location. The pole had been removed and replaced but in a location different than that shown on the plans. The location shown in the plans is in rock. CRW approved the change.
The water utility is currently on the Significant Non-Complier list, due to MCL violations.
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