CRANE LAKE WATER & SANITARY DISTRICT (CLWSD)

BOARD OF MANAGERS’ REGULAR MEETING

April 1, 2009 – 7:30 P.M.

CRANE LAKE CHAPEL FELLOWSHIP HALL

 

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Rob Scott at 7:34P.M.

 

Members present:  Managers Bill Congdon, Darrell Scott, Rob Scott and Mike White.

Members absent: Manager Dave Adams.

Also present:  Ron Rutchasky of Rutchasky Enterprises, Sewer Maintenance Worker Jim Pohlman, Clerk/Treasurer Jo Ann Pohlman, a representative from the Cook News-Herald and three members of the community.  Jim Johnson of SEH, Inc. arrived at 8:15PM.

 

Opening Comments:  Chairman Scott addressed the rumor that the CLWSD would be dissolved.  Mr. Scott clarified that the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) does not replace the CLWSD.  The CLWSD is represented in that authority.

 

BUSINESS:

 

A motion was made by B. Congdon, supported by D. Scott, to approve the minutes of the Board of Managers’ Regular Meeting of March 4, 2009. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

The correspondence list was reviewed by the Board.  A motion was made by D. Scott, supported by B Congdon, that the correspondence be placed on file and acted upon as required. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Clerk/Treasurer J. Pohlman reviewed the Treasurer’s Report.  February payroll expenses were as follows: Administrative - $635.38 and Operations - $1,809.13. The Board requested at the March meeting that the Clerk/Treasurer confer with Jennifer of Glorvigen regarding proper accounting procedure for the possible disbursement of $9,266.00 to NTS should it be required as stated in the Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release. Jennifer stated that the money would only need to be set aside if the disbursement was probable. The February 2009 financial statements were presented to the Board. The Clerk/Treasurer reviewed the current balances of the Administrative and Operating Funds with the Board recommending that the scheduled transfer of $4,000 from the Operating Fund to Debt Savings not be made at this time.  She also suggested that some funds transferred in 2008 from the Operating Fund to Debt Savings should be transferred back to the Operating Fund to pay bills.  A motion was made by B. Congdon, supported by M. White to hold on the $4,000 transfer and to transfer $10,000 back from Debt Savings to the Operating Fund.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  Invoices-on-hand were reviewed with the Board. A motion was made by D. Scott, supported by M. White, to approve the Treasurer’s report as presented and the payment of bills as follows:  Administrative:  Costin Group - $1,137.33; Fryberger, et all - $841.17; Glorvigen - $100.00; League of MN Cities - $41.29; Lutefisk Tech. - $37.50 and Postmaster - $126.00.  Operations:  Lake Country Power - $1,933.43, $73.38, $59.84 & $113.68; Terry’s Operational Services - $1,116.00; Ely Utilities Commission - $360.00; League of MN Cities - $424.71 and Quality Flow - $1,891.82 & $1,000.00. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Audit:  The Board has received an email copy of the 2007 audit and is expecting the hard copies in the mail.

 

Administration

·         Minimum Volume Charges:  Discussion on this item will be tabled until infiltration issues are resolved.

·         Service Connection Procedure:  There was nothing new to report; however, there was discussion and explanation of the draft service connection procedure.  A question was raised on the fee to be charged for the District to pump temporary holding tanks in the CSAH 24 expansion area.  The Board did not have an answer at this time.

 

VNP Project

·         The VNP Joint Powers Authority (JPA) held their first meeting on March 26th.  County Commissioner Mike Forsman was elected Chairman, Bob Nevalainen of Kabetogama Township was elected Vice-Chairman and Rob Scott of the CLWSD was elected Secretary.  The purpose of the JPA is to spearhead development of a comprehensive sewer plan impacting the VNP and including Kabetogama Township, Ash River and the CLWSD. $150,000 funding has been approved for planning purposes by St. Louis County and the IRRR, with an additional $50,000 expected from the IRRR by July.  SEH has submitted a proposal to do the planning work.  Other bids will be solicited and will be due April 20th, with a decision being made at the next JPA meeting on April 23rd. $40,000,000 in funding is being requested on the state and federal levels for the project.

CLWSD Meeting Minutes – April 1, 2009

 

 

Budget

·         2008/9 Rate Review-Analysis:  No action was taken.

·          USDA-RD Meeting:  The committee level meeting scheduled for 10AM on Tuesday, March 10th at the Fellowship Hall to outline an exception authority request and create a draft outline for a work out plan was cancelled.  New dates being considered are April 28th and 29th.   A meeting with the USDA-RD and the full Board will be scheduled following that meeting.

 

Legal Issues

·         RLK Collection System Offer:  A letter was sent to RLK revoking the offer proposed and the accompanying proposed Settlement and Mutual Release Agreement in Fryberger’s letter of February 10, 2009. 

 

 Collection System

·         Elevated Pump Readings:  Ron Rutchasky of Rutchasky Enterprises will communicate with Terry Jackson regarding supplies needed to complete the work related to infiltration at grinder stations.

  • SEH Collection System Analysis Proposal:  SEH anticipates having a draft report to the Board for review by mid-April. The Board may call a committee meeting prior to the May regular meeting to discuss the draft.
  • Insurance Claim:  Two items are still being reviewed prior to closing the claim.
  • Culvert:  A motion was made by M. White, supported by B. Congdon to approve up to $5,000 to cover costs to maintain the sewer line during culvert construction as recommended in an email from Marcus Hall of St. Louis County to County Commissioner Mike Forsman dated 9/10/08.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  B. Congdon will advise the County of the District’s approval; agreement forms will then be sent to the District by the County.

 

ESA Expansion

  • ESA Committee – There was no report.

 

Treatment Plant and Operations Report

  • Jim Pohlman reviewed Terry Jackson’s report with the Board. Regulatory effluent limitations were maintained during March.
  • The MPCA has implemented a total maximum daily load for mercury in 21 municipal permits. This should not be a concern to the CLWSD as we are meeting the 6.9 mg/L limit.  
  • The pumps at the main lift station were calibrated in March.
  • The panel of the main lift station continues to indicate a phase failure from time to time.  B. Congdon will communicate with Terry Jackson about the potential need for wiring the panel for 3-phase power.  T. Jackson has contacted Siemens Water Technology Corp., the company that designed the panel, to coordinate a resolution to the problem. 
  • Jim and Lance continue to pump the grinders at Bowser Court due to freezing.  SEH personnel were in Crane Lake to evaluate the problem on 3/31/09.  

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT (5 Minute Limit)  

 

Dave Beckmann advised the Board that his water meter records less water entering his home than what is being recorded on the grinder station meter as being discharged.

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30PM

 

 

 

Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk

 

NEXT MEETING:  MAY 6, 2009, 7:30PM, CRANE LAKE CHAPEL FELLOWSHIP HALL

 

 

 

This draft of the CLWSD minutes has been posted solely for preliminary informational purposes.  Minutes are unofficial and subject to change until they have been approved by the CLWSD Board of Managers.