BMWC 28th Annual Meeting Minutes – March 5, 2024
Bob Schrumpf, President, called the 28th Annual Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting opened with Randy Haukap leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Attorney Jeffrey Mollet reported that the 1% quorum had been met with 82 contract holders in attendance.
Bob Schrumpf then introduced members of the Board, Engineer, Legal Counsel, Contractor, and employees.
In December 2023, David Frueh resigned his board member position after serving for 23 years.
Bob then turned the meeting over to Mike VonderHaar, Secretary of the Board, who provided proof of the Annual Meeting Notice and pointed out that the 2023 Annual Meeting minutes were included on the agenda. Stanley Frey made motion to accept the minutes. Ken Haller 2nd. Motion carried.
Mike VonderHaar gave an update on the Bond/Madison’s Rounding up for your Community Program. The Program was implemented in February 2020. Currently having approximately 328 contributors for a total collected in the past year of around $ 1762.75. Grand total collected since inception being $ 6519.42. The collected money was placed in special savings account with a balance of $ 1987.03 as of December 31, 2023. The Round Up committee met during the year and reviewed submitted applications. The following were approved recipients: The Simple Room, Pocahontas Little League, Bond County Senior Center, Bond County Humane Society, Pleasant Mound Community Center, Youth Core Ministries, Lemuel Rhodes Cancer Foundation, Bond County Law Enforcement Association, all in Bond County, Macoupin Art Collective in Macoupin County and Leaps of Love, Partners for Pets, in Madison County. The Board approved to make a $250.00 donation to each of the above-mentioned community organizations abiding by Bond/Madison’s Rounding up for your Community policy guidelines. Members were encouraged to donate to the Rounding Up for your Community Program by calling the office.
Mr. Eyman submitted the Treasurer’s Report directing the membership to review the Cashflow and Balance sheet printed on the agenda. Any questions could be answered at the meeting, or the office could be contacted later. With the financial reports being in good order, Don Grimm made motion to approve them. Darwin Kirsch 2nd. Motion carried.
Bob Massa of Juneau and Associates took the floor and reported the status of the EPA funding for the “Project” of water main looping, tower painting, telemetry system replacement, and water system improvements. “Project” is moving forward with preparation of IEPA contract, archaeological study, project design, easements, and title reports.
Attorney Jeffrey Mollet presented the slate of nominees and explained voting procedure. Incumbent
Mike VonderHaar of Bond County is running for a three-year term. Darren Apken has been nominated by the Village of Marine for a 3-year term representing the bulk users-Only bulk users will vote. Bond County candidate, Mike VonderHaar is running unopposed. Mollet asked for a motion to accept the slate as presented Stanley Frey made motion to accept. Bridget Grotts 2nd motion. Motion carried.
Madison County candidates, Kay Lange and Ryan Schonhoff will be running against each other, and a vote will be conducted. Each candidate took the floor to provide the members their educational background, work experience, key skills, desires, and strengths to secure the Madison County Director seat. A tally of votes was collected from members resulting in 38 votes for Kay Lange, 36 votes for Ryan Schonhoff, 3 ballots were blank.
Darren Apken was presented as unopposed nominee for bulk water representative. Mr. Mollet asked bulk representatives to accept the nomination of Darren Apken. Mr. Mollet asked for a motion to accept the slate as presented. Phil Decker (Grantfork representative) so moved. Don Grimm (Hamel representative) 2nd. Motion carried.
President Bob Schrumpf asked if there was any unfinished business. None stated. The President then asked if there was any new business for discussion. Marty Landmann, Manager/Operator, took the floor to inform the membership that regretfully Illinois American Water (IAWC), has filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) for a rate adjustment to be effective in January 2025. IAWC states increased rate structure is due to new environmental regulations, system improvements, inflation, fuel prices, chemicals, and electrical power. In February 2023, ICC approved a rate increase to IAWC for 27%. As more information is collected, the BMWC website will be updated as well as members being notified thru email. Landmann noted, 2023 income section included a Madison County ARPA fund $ 50,000.00 grant that was used to purchase assets for the company.
Stanley Frey made motion to adjourn meeting. Keith Haberer 2nd motion. Meeting adjourned.
Each member submitting signed invitation card at the registration desk to receive a BMWC $ 10.00 bill credit. BMWC $ 50.00 bill credit winners were: James Schlemer, Donald Reed and Jane Childerson of Bond County and Fred Faust, Mary Reinhardt, and Steve Henke from Madison County. Applebee’s Dinner/AMC Movie Theater gift cards winners were Nancy Hanratty and William Willmann.
