Joint Working Session
SFTR POA Board of Directors
and
SFTR Metro District Board of Directors
April
21, 2001,
11:30am
Trinidad State Junior College, Sullivan Room
| Board Members from either board: Bill Bumstead Jim Davis Michael Hughes Richard Johnson Paul Miner Will Potter Carol Rawle Dave Schroepfer Harriet Vaugeois Robert Walton (by proxy) Bill Wenstrom John Woods |
Assistant: Lisa Stigall |
Guests: Carol Alfs Steve & Carol Bolton Gene Downs Michelle Minion Frances Purswell Vaughn & Joanne Roundy Mike & Mary Shelton Jerry & Betty Withington |
Three contractors who are still participating in the project performed the design and construction of the system. They are:
While attempting to move forward with the water system last summer and fall, deficiencies were found that stopped the project from advancing any further. It is unclear as to the sequence in which the problems must be fixed and which contractors are responsible. The following issues are now being explored by the newly reformulated POA Water Committee to try to move the process forward. The committee consists of Rick Johnson, Chair, Jim Davis, Harriet Vaugeois, Michael Hughes, John Woods, Will Potter, and Mike Shelton. Other POA members are encouraged to join this committee or otherwise become involved.
The primary objective is to get to the point of testing to determine any other leaks for OPEC to fix and then get the system up and running.
Securing an expert analysis from an outside source
The
committee received a bid from a local engineer recommended by the City of
Trinidad. Jim Davis anticipates receiving another bid from a Pueblo
engineer.
Jim Davis met with the Water Superintendent for the City as well as a gentleman that designs water systems to seek their assistance in looking at SFTR’s current system and offering their opinion as to what needs to be done to get it up and running. They referred Jim Davis to a local engineer. It is possible, however, that at a later date, the City would be interested in assisting SFTR with maintenance and repair of the system.
Jim Davis met with the local engineer. He would approach the project with a model to evaluate the system and offer recommendations. His bid was very high and when approached by Jim Davis he offered to reevaluate the bid and resubmit.
The Rural Water Association recommended an engineer based in Pueblo. He would start at the beginning of the system and repair as he goes along.
Locating a potential operator
A retired city water worker
was approached about being a contracted operator for the system. He is not
interested at this time. However, the search will continue.
Complete repairs and modifications to address known
problems
The immediate roadblock is the safe operation of the pump
system. Strainers not put in place were an engineering deficiency that caused
pump failure due to debris in the system. This has since been corrected at Pump
1 and Pump 5. The pumps also did not have cut off valves installed to allow work
to be done on the pumps without having to drain all the water out of the lines.
Specifications were drawn up and a local contractor was hired to modify Pump 1.
The work has been initiated.
Our attorney recommended we stop further modifications for the moment until all the contractors agree to move forward with their share of the necessary modifications. This repair process has been halted until the attorney can get some questions answered.
Verify pumps will work automatically and fill the
tanks
Fluid Automation came out and made necessary adjustments. One
of the pumps went down during their assessment so they were unable to complete
the process. Having since been repaired, Fluid Automation has agreed to return
at some future date to observe system start-up and insure proper pump
operation.
Leak testing and sanitizing the system
OPEC is
responsible for this process as well as obtaining over-all Health Department
approval. OPEC is also obligated to repair the sinkholes in the roads.
Analyzing current and future funding options
Current cash
assets are very low. Selling unused supplies and plumbing components has yet
been unsuccessful. A couple of new housing developments in town may be
approached about purchasing the material. However, any money recovered will be
minimal.
The $12,000.00 loan from the POA’s Emergency Reserve to METRO will be executed.
Other options under consideration are:
Attorney involvement
On April 5, 2001, Jim Davis had a
conference call with John Mitchell, the attorney for the POA when the contract
with OPEC was signed and his associate, Bob Winter, who specializes in
construction contracts and litigation. Discussion revolved around their
recommendations on how to proceed to reach our goals. They recommended that the
POA contact the construction contractor’s bond company and alert them to the
deficiencies in the system. The bonding company may then take a more active role
in getting the job done. Such a letter will be prepared and mailed.
Additional information
All meetings of the new committee
are open to POA members. Information concerning the time and place of the first
and subsequent committee meetings will be posted on the bulletin board and the
website. The website currently supports a members’ only section with additional
water system information.