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CRANE LAKE WATER & SANITARY DISTRICT (CLWSD)

BOARD OF MANAGERS’ REGULAR MEETING

Wednesday, November 6, 2019 –1:00 P.M.

CRANE LAKE CHAPEL FELLOWSHIP HALL

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Rob Scott at 1:10PM.

Members present:  Mark Anderson, Bruce Beste, and Rob Scott.

Members absent:   Darrell Scott.

Also present:  District Liaison Deena Congdon, Ron Rutchasky of Rutchasky Enterprises, Clerk/Treasurer Jo Ann Pohlman and 1 member of the community.

Opening Comments:  Chairman Scott thanked Nick Roth for serving as a Board Manager and for working for the District.  Agenda item O & M Decentralized was moved forward in the meeting to accommodate those present.

O & M. Decentralized

  • Management Program Update:  Deena Congdon reviewed her report with input from Ron Rutchasky.  There was discussion of the issues with the system at the Richter property.  Ron will call Mr. Richter and will try again to remedy in the spring.  The McVeety system needs to be completed and will also be addressed in the spring.  A tank needs to be abandoned on the deHaas property, also to be done in the spring.  The washout on the Tieberg property was repaired. A partial load of rock was hauled to the Partridge property.  Deena will check with the County on the privy update at the Cunningham property.  Deena is waiting to hear from the USFS on the three installs on leased land this summer.  Some homeowners will not connect the plumbing and electric until spring.  Ron responded to Mr. Ellis’ questions regarding his property on Lindgren Shores.  Deena asked who would be installing the controller pump alarm on the systems.  Installs for 2019 were:  Cunningham, Filippi, Kline-Moore, Gove, Hagen, Schwanke, Smerillo, and Wiessner.  There is currently construction at the Groomer Garage. 
  •  Peat System vs Mini-Mound:  Deena stress the importance of the Board researching the near-term and long-term benefits of each system. There seem to be more yearly expenses for the peat systems.   Peat systems require a yearly inspection by the District that involves a payment to the County for each system inspected.  M. Anderson will talk to our County Commissioner requesting a blanket fee each year. 
  • New RV site:  Bill Congdon is considering construction of an RV operation including 40 sites across from the Forest Service Road.  He asked if the District would provide service via the main line or ISTS systems.  The Board felt that they would install individual tanks to be pumped.  The sites would be sold to individual customers.
  • ISTS Rates:  The Board discussed the monthly rates for new ISTS’s installed by the District on properties with no structures, structures with plumbing, and those without plumbing.  A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by M. Anderson, to charge $40 for empty lots or parcels not generating gray or black water; and to charge $80 for properties with existing structures generating grey or black water beginning with completion of ISTS installation and upon receipt of the Certification of Completion and Operating Permit from St. Louis County.  The $40 rate would be valid for one year, with the customer paying the $80 fee going forward.  The property owner could appear before the Board to request a variance to paying the $80 monthly fee and continue with the $40 monthly fee.  M. Anderson and R. Scott voted in favor; B. Beste abstained; and the motion carried.

Minutes: A motion was made by B. Beste, supported by R. Scott, to approve the minutes of the 10/2/19 Board of Managers’ 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 R. Scott, 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 reviewed the Treasurer’s Report. The September 2019 Financial Statements, which were Previous Year Comparisons, were presented to the Board.  October 2019 payroll:  Admin – $1,707.65; Operating – $3,171.40; and Payroll Taxes -$2,005.76. 3rd Quarter QuickBooks entries were reviewed with Jennifer of Glorvigen.  The 2017 Audit has been completed and 2017 QuickBooks adjustments have been made. An Agreement has been signed and communication has begun with Walker, Giroux, and Hahne for the 2018 Audit.  The new auditor has requested that the District look into PERA requirements.   A motion was made by M. Anderson, supported by B. Beste, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented and the payment of bills as follows:  Admin:  Costin Group – $1,250.00; and LMCIT – $65.19.  Legacy Fund:  Rutchasky Enterprises – $29,445.00; and Udovich Electric – $978.20. Operations:  Lake Country Power – $697.85, $179.23, $46.17, $45.10, $45.00, & $50.00; Anderson Outfitters – $660.00 & $39.83; Aqua-Pure – $3,000.00; LMCIT – $2,107.81; Dept. of Employment – $114.32; Northwoods True Value – $116.24; Pace Analytical – $481.00; Pelican Bay – $217.05; Robert J. Scott, Jr. – $1,248.56; and S.E.H. – $1,476.42.    All voted in favor and the motion carried.

CLWSD Meeting Minutes – November 6, 2019

Treasurer’s Report: (Cont.)

Rates:  R. Scott and J. Pohlman reviewed the Revenue and Expense Forecast through 2022 and agreed that the current rates could continue for 2020.  Near the end of 2020 the Board should review again with the thought of a rate increase process going forward.  The Board agreed.

Funding Balances:  An accounting of the Legacy II & Legacy III Funds was provided to the Board.

Clean Water Partnership Loan Program:  The Board is considering the loan as an option for the Legacy III matches and payment of the current $60,500 loan.  The CWPLP is either low interest or zero interest.  More research is required.

Administration

  • Management Plan – Rates:  The Board discussed raising the buy-in rate for the ISTS program, that is currently $7,500.  The Board agreed that the rate remain the same. 
  • Delinquent Account Certifications:  There were no delinquent customer accounts to certify to St. Louis County.
  • CLWSD Board Appointments by Twp.:  The Town of Crane Lake has posted and published the two Manager positions on the CLWSD to be appointed at the Township’s December meeting.

Joint Powers Board

  • VNP Comprehensive Plan:  There was no new report
  • Kicker Blvd. Annex:  The project is temporarily on hold.
  • State and Federal Grant Funding:  There was no new report.

S.E.H. Engineering  

  • District Update:  There was no new report.  Jason will be contacted regarding the status of the ISTS mapping laminated binders for the District.  
  • Land Purchase and Easement:  The Cowdens are in the process of a land purchase near the District’s waste water treatment plant and have requested road access and purchase of 3 acres of the District’s land. Jason has provided the necessary information to Mia Thibodeau of Fryberger, Buchanan to go forward with the easement and land purchase process.  Rural Development has been contacted regarding the land purchase as it relates to the District’s loan with RD.

O & M. Decentralized

  • Management Program Update:  Above.

O & M Centralized

  • Operations Report:  Rob Scott Jr. provided the following report:  The plant operations went smoothly last month and there was a noticeable decrease in influent with the busy summer season coming to an end.  The sludge levels have been pumped down to a low enough level that should get us through the winter.  Lance has ordered a new chemical pump as the current pump fails to stay primed. We met the MPCA effluent limits last month. On that note, it appears the phosphorus level in the effluent exceeded the limits for the months of July and August. Terry Jackson brought this to my attention recently and gave me some suggestions to correct this by making some adjustments to the plant operations. He said it has happened to him in the past and the adjustments that were made always corrected the issue. The phosphorus levels are now well below the effluent limit and with some proactive planning for next summer this shouldn’t happen again. It sounds like efforts are being made to get two new infusers installed plus getting pumps covered up.  We’ll be turning on the two heat tapes at the bridge and on Handberg road to get us ready to prevent winter freeze ups.
  • Other Operations Issues:  M. Anderson reported that a back-up pump is needed for chemicals.  A trip will need to be made to repair a pump. 
  • Winterization:  There are more tarps to be placed on grinders.  Heat tapes have been turned on and infusers will be programed by December.  A plumber has been contacted to install the two new infusers that need to be installed. 
  • Voyagaire Houseboat Pumping: There was no report.
  • Maintenance Facility Options:  The container concept as a storage building is not working out.  The District is now considering the purchase of a truck to store tools and to be able to transport equipment to sites for repair.    
  • Maintenance Personnel:  M. Anderson will continue to look for a maintenance worker for the District.

CLWSD Meeting Minutes – November 6, 2019

PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 Minute Limit):  There were none.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:10PM

Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk

NEXT MEETING:  BOARD OF MANAGERS’ MEETING – DECEMBER 4, 2019 – 1:00PM, 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.

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Crane Lake Water & Sanitary District
P.O. Box 306 · Crane Lake, Minnesota 55725
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