CRANE LAKE WATER & SANITARY DISTRICT (CLWSD)

BOARD OF MANAGERS’ REGULAR MEETING

Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, December 6, 2023– 1:00 P.M.

Members present: Mark Anderson, Bonnie Caughey, Darrell Scott and Rob Scott.  Also present: Gary Cerkvenik of the Costin Group and Clerk/Treasurer Jo Ann Pohlman.

Members absent:  Deena Congdon.

The meeting was called to order by Chair Rob Scott at 1:15PM.

Opening Comments:  Chairman Rob Scott moved the item Costin Group forward as Gary Cerkvenik was present. 

Costin Group – Gary Cerkvenik spoke to those present of the accomplishments of the Costin Group, which included – All the Legacy Grants for ISTS installations and the WWTP Update.  None of this would have happened without their help.  Also the Rural Development loan forgiveness is a direct result of their support.    On the horizon is a short Legislative Session that will end in May.  The concentration will be on a Bonding bill of 1.7Billion; 40% of which goes to small projects and 60% goes to the Universities, DNR, etc.  Our region has good representation with Rep. Roger Skraba and Sen. Grant Hauschild going forward.  The Costin Group will continue to work on the District’s behalf.

Minutes: A motion was made by M. Anderson, supported by D. Scott, to approve the minutes of the 11/1/23 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 B. Caughey, 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 October 2023 Financial Statements to the Board.  November payroll:  Admin – $1,997.50 & Operating – $7,337.00.  Payroll Taxes: PERA – $1,614.60, Federal Deposit – $2,858.82. October 23 Tax Apportionment was received:  Levy & other SLC funds (Admin) – $29,088.32; Special Assessment Revenue – $10,436.74.  Advance Year End Tax Apportionment of $483.00 (Admin) was also received.  A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by D. Scott, to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented and the payment of bills as follows: Admin Fund – $7,181.96; Legacy Fund – $62,000.00; and Operating Fund – $9,052.66. All voted in favor and the motion carried. 

Funding Balances:  The balances were reviewed with the Board. St. Louis County has approved an additional $150,000 in American Rescue Plan Funds for the District to be used for future ISTS’s.  The grant application for these funds is still in process.

Rural Development Loan:  The District has been assured by the Public Facilities Authority (PFA) that the loan forgiveness process will be completed by the end of 2023. 

Administration

• Ordinance & Procedure Review:  The District is reviewing their Ordinances and Procedures over the next few months. There was nothing new to report.
• Rate Study:  There was nothing new to report
• 2024 Meeting Date/Time Posting:  The Board reviewed the posting which will be posted before the end of the year.
• Surveys:  The surveys have been coming in and will be reviewed. 
• Levy Review:  The levy set in September is reviewed in December to determine if it should be raised or lowered.  The levy amount set in September of 2023, payable in 2024, will remain at $79,000.00.
• Costin Group:  See above. 

Joint Powers Board

• JPB Update:  There was no update.

 CLWSD Meeting Minutes – December 6, 2023

S.E.H. Engineering Update  

• District Updates:  Plant Upgrade:  The project is complete.  A motion was made by M. Anderson, supported, by R. Scott, to approve and sign the Certificate of Substantial Completion.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by D. Scott, to approve and sign Rachel Contracting’s Pay Request #7 for $23,866.85.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  There should be one final pay request coming.

O & M. (Decentralized)

• Management Program Update:  A report of current ISTS activity was presented to the Board.  Work is wrapping up for this season and applications for the 2024 installations are in process. 
• District Yearly O&M Review:  There was no report.

O & M Update (Centralized)

• Operations Report:  Rob Scott Jr. provided the following report:  We met all the MPCA effluent limits for the month of October.  The plant is operating well, and the influent volume is low which is normal for this time of year.  All the blankets have been installed and all the water infusion systems have been turned on. So, we should be ready for winter operations. The latest plant water temperature was recorded at 47 degrees.
• Winterizations:  Heat tapes have been turned on and infusers are operational.

Public Comments: There were none.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:00PM

Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk

NEXT MEETING:   Board of Manager’s Meeting – January 3, 2023 – 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.