1 May 2025 Dearborn County Regional Sewer District Meeting Notes

 1 May 2025 Dearborn County Regional Sewer District Meeting Notes

Steve Renihan - President, Brett Fehrman - Vice President, Russell Beiersdorfer, Doug Baer, Jeff Stenger, and Steward Cline 

Board Attorney - Frank Kramer (arriving late due to traffic)

Also present: Mike Hrezo of Hrezo Engineering and Jim Thatcher, Commissioner

Beiersdorfer read the Public Access Statement as legally required.

Minutes: April 17th Minutes - Approved- Renihan and Cline abstained as they were not at that meeting.

Financials from CPA were reviewed. Treasurers Report-  Cline said- Operating revenue is close to $11,000 monthly. $38,000 is YTD. It’s about $12,000/months average. Approved. 

Doug Baer and Kelly Shelton met with CPA this morning per Renihan. 

Public Comment: 

Josh Walker with A-1 Septic. Want to do business with the Guilford sewer. They want to dispose closer to Milan where they are located. Others are filled so they have to go further to dispose. Have all their permits and SOPs.He said they do residential septic- no grease traps etc. They do sample the dump before they are allowed at Madison. So that would help assess ammonia levels.  

Mike Hrezo said they need some front end equipment with meters to provide this service. Board will a get more info before deciding.

Project Updates:

Mike Hrezo- Brian Roth wanted to extend the main to Mallard Lane. This is down US 50.  Christy Harlan did the estimates for this. The total was $88,000. This does not include laterals. 

Cline- the sewer district has no capital to do additional projects. Discussion about how to have depositors pay for the line and if new ones come in with perhaps 10 years, they pay a share that goes back to the original investors. 

Mike Hrezo-Also discussion about capacity for this too. That needs to be checked. We need confirmation of capacity before we share this. There are some I and I issues. They fixed a lot of those. They may need to check the trailer park for issues. They could check the data on the lift station. 

They ran water dripping when freezing temps. The water meter readings are submitted to DCRSD for the sewer bill. The downspouts on Timberview etc might be a part of the problem. They will check this data out with Doug, Mike, and Kelly. 

Guilford- Mike Hrezo- contractor still putting the mains in. Fusing lines done later. 4500 ft are in the ground now. Still encountering some rock requiring open trenching. He’s been trying to get additional easements and they will record deeds for the DCRSD. 

Kramer- Easement has been signed by SEI Data and will deliver it for $16,500 per the agreement. An invoice is needed for that per Baer for the ARPA agreement funds. Kramer will get SEI Data to send the invoice to DCRSD. Approved. 

Cline said - no letter has been sent to the 103 prospective customers per Kelly. He drafted one today. This is important so when they get approached by CH and M for installation- they have advance preparation and notice. Send suggestions to him by Sunday and then he will update and get it to Kramer on Monday. They are to install an electrical disconnect. Get it out to new customers soon. Clarify what DCRSD pays for and what the resident does.  

New Business: Cline- continuing to work with Brock on rate study. Changed it up to use 2024 year end financials for the baseline. They are setting up some items to cover the SBOA audit costs $ 3,000/year. Assuming one rate for DCRSD customers. Annual cost for new pant os about $29,000. Putting in superintendent cost. Create a rate if they have to add $1million in debt service, just to see what the exposure is. He asked him to make time for May 15th. The rate study should be ready then. Also cut the board stipend as they will cut down to one meeting per year- $4200- and will cover the SBOA fees.    

Office Update: Baer want to be sure they keep interest on ARPA funds so it does not work into rates. They need to establish a salary ordinance and personnel policy. Also need an income budget. Try 1/12 of last years to compare per Cline. Need a salary ordinance for Kelly. The Gateway needs this data. Kelly is working on personnel policy.

Renihan- LLoyd got free pump and Ashcraft was to pay his in 90 days. It’s working well per Doug. Kelly will pull the invoice. He will be billed for it now. Doug will send to Christy and they will work the invoice for pump and panel up. He should have a copy of the invoice for the pump too. Couple other issues to be followed up on with Kelly.

Stenger-had RFP DRAFT so he wants their feedback sent back to him. 

Claims: one set of claims- Operating claims- $1499.28 Approved

Billing adjustment- availability charges $15 each to a few before capacity was there. Approved to refund. 

Discretion of the Board: Renihan-thanked Doug Baer and Stew Cline for all their work.

Stenger asked if anyone had notified Council to appoint Bill Shelton’s replacement. Jeff Bittner asked about it per Renihan. Iff they know pot others- pass them on.  

Adjourn: 6:30 PM 

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township