CRANE LAKE WATER & SANITARY DISTRICT (CLWSD)

BOARD OF MANAGERS’ REGULAR MEETING

Crane Lake Visitor Center

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 – 1:00 PM

The meeting was called to order at 1:07PM

Members present: Mark Anderson, Deena Congdon, and Rob Scott. Also present: Maintenance Worker Jeff Truebenbach, and Clerk/Treasurer Jo Ann Pohlman.  Manager Bonnie Caughey arrived mid-meeting.

Members absent:  Darrell Scott.

Minutes: A motion was made by M. Anderson, supported by R. Scott, to approve the minutes of the 10/1/25 Regular Meeting.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

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

Treasurer’s Report:  Clerk/Treasurer J. Pohlman presented the September 2025 Financial Statements, which were Previous Year Comparisons and were reviewed with Jennifer of Glorvigen, to the Board.  October 2025 payroll:  Admin – $2,288.00 & Operating – $13,475.75.  Payroll Taxes:  PERA – $1,436.90, Fed Dep. – $2,513.14, & MN Dep. – $435.00.  A motion was made by M. Anderson, supported by R. Scott, to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented and to approve the bills as follows:  Admin – $2,192.50, Legacy VI – $12,400.63, and Operating – $17,837.96.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Funding Balances:  The balances were presented to the Board.

Administration

• Board Requirement (Options): The Board Manager requirement has been reduced from 5 to 3.  Mia Thibodeau, of Fryberger Law provided the procedure for the Board to reduce its manager requirements from 5 to 3.  The District is not required to do this, but may when they find it necessary. A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by D. Congdon, to adopt Resolution #2025-01 approving the Special Law (allowing the reduction of board managers from 5 to 3), which applies to the CLWSD Board and authorizing the Chair and Clerk to execute the Certificate and file the Certificate and a copy of this Resolution with the Secretary of State.   All voted in favor and the motion carried.  When, and if the District decides to reduce the Board from 5 members to 3, they must file a resolution with the Town of Crane Lake stating so.
• Delinquent Accounts:  There were no delinquent accounts to be certified to St. Louis County.
• Board Appointments for 2026:  There are two positions on the Board that will be posted as available for three-year terms, 2026-2028.
• Printer:  The District computer is in need of maintenance.  The Clerk will look into.  A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by M. Anderson, to spend up to $1,000 for a new printer, if necessary.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Joint Powers Board

• State and Federal Grant Funding:  The JPB continues to secure future funding for the area.  The JPB has been requested to find funding for the CLWSD’s aging sand filters at the waste water treatment plant.

S.E.H. Engineering Update 

• District Update:  There was no update needed.
• Sand Filters:  There was no report.

O & M. Update (Decentralized)

• Jeff Truebenbach Report: Pumping – There are five ISTS’s to be pumped this fall.  It is estimated that they can all be done in one day.  Canister Storage – One canister is insulated and wired; electrical work still needs to be done on the other canister.  A man door will be installed.  Closing the ends of the space between the canisters is being considered. Weston Property – The ISTS installation project is temporarily on hold until spring 2026. Communication with the property owner as to options available will be ongoing this winter.
• Management Program Update:  The November 2025 Expansion Report was presented to the Board.

CLWSD Meeting Minutes –November 5, 2025

O & M. Update (Decentralized) (Cont.)

• Yearly O&M Review (Orton):  Jim Orton has completed his property reviews for the season.
• Yearly O&M Review (District):  See Jeff Truebenbach’s report above.

O & M Update (Centralized)

• Jeff Truebenbach Report:  Blankets have been placed on grinder stations.  A few more will be ordered to complete the project of having a blanket on every grinder station along the original mainline.  Generator – The generator has been serviced.  Valve – A valve at the waste water treatment plant needs to be replaced – MN Pump has been contacted.  Sludge Hauling – The final loads will be hauled this coming week.  Infusers and Heat Tapes – Infusers and heat tapes will be turned on next week.  Jeff will look into a leak detector to be installed at the Brandon Anderson house to facilitate the infusion security at that site.
• Operations Report:  Rob Scott, Jr. provided the following report:  We met all the MPCA effluent limits for the month of September.  The plant is operating well. The influent volume is running a little lower, which is at normal autumn levels.  The new steel roof should be going up soon. The one container box now has a man door installed and has been spray foamed and wiring is being installed. The insulated blankets will be installed on all the grinder pumps soon. I ordered several more insulated blankets that should be arriving in the first week of November. Water infusions will also be turning on soon.
• Maintenance Vehicle:  The Board received two quotes for a vehicle to replace the Ranger.  The Board decided to go with the Five Season’s Sports quote, which was slightly higher than the other due to the availability of service.  A motion was made by R Scott, supported by M. Anderson, to approve purchase of a 2026 CAN-AM Defender Pro Limited Cab HD10 at $31,670.95 plus a Boss UTV plow at $5,638.00 from Five Seasons Sports.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  Jeff will see if Five Season’s wants the Ranger as a trade-in.
• Winter Plowing:  A thank you letter will be sent to Lance Ulen for providing plowing service at the WWTP.

• Pumper Truck:  An elbow is being replaced on the pumper truck.
• Winterization:  See Jeff’s report above.

Public Comments: There were none.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:10PM

Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk/Treasurer

NEXT MEETING:   Board of Manager’s Meeting – December 3, 2025 – 1:00PM, Visitor Center

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.