CRANE LAKE WATER & SANITARY DISTRICT (CLWSD)

BOARD OF MANAGERS’ REGULAR MEETING

Wednesday, March 6, 2019 –1:00 P.M.

CRANE LAKE CHAPEL FELLOWSHIP HALL

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Rob Scott at 1:12PM.

Members present:  Bruce Beste, Nick Roth, and Rob Scott. 

Members absent:  Mark Anderson & Darrell Scott.

Also present: Clerk/Treasurer Jo Ann Pohlman and one member of the community.

Opening Comment:  Chairman Scott offered condolences on behalf of the Board to the family of Bob Congdon, who passed away two days ago.

Minutes: A motion was made by N. Roth, supported by B. Beste, to approve the minutes of the 2/6/19 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 B. Beste, 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 January 2019 Financial Statements were presented to the Board.  February 2019 payroll:  Admin – $1,358.20, Operating – $2,403.70, Payroll Taxes – $754.74.  $4,000.00 was transferred from Operating Fund Checking to Debt Service Savings (Sept&Oct2018). $2,000.00 was transferred from Operating Fund Checking to Capital Reserve Savings (Sept&Oct2018).  A motion as made by N. Roth, supported by R. Scott, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented and the payment of bills as follows:  Admin:  Costin Group – $1,266.00; Fryberger, Buchanan – $1,123.20; Glorvigen – $280.00; and Lutefisk Tech. – $308.75.  Operating:  Lake Country Power – $1,177.02, $227.90, $340.92, $76.15, $244.00, & $67.00; Pace Analytical – $304.00; and Terry’s Operational Services – $1,405.91.  All voted in favor and the motion carried. 

Funding Balances:  $171,836.62 in Legacy 2 Grant Funds remains.  The Board discussed the possibility of a loan through the MPCA that could be considered should the District not receive additional grant funds.  A motion was made by B. Beste, supported by N. Roth, to approve going forward with an application for the loan through the Clean Water Partnership with a maximum of $2 million being considered.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Administration

• ISTS Rate Schedule: This topic will be removed from the Agenda.
• Management Plan II & III:  R. Scott and J. Pohlman discussed Ordinance 3 and Management Plan II & III with Mia Thibodeau of Fryberger, Buchanan on Monday.  Kicker Blvd. Annexation was also discussed and will be addressed below.  Management Plan II continues the current voluntary Management Plan I; the discussion focused on how to charge those with a functioning ISTS that wish to be part of the system and updating the Ordinance to reflect the Board’s decision, once a rate plan is reached.  Management Plan III addresses mandatory inclusion by all property owners in the District and would probably include a formal agreement with St. Louis County.  The District feels it is important to know what would be involved before consideration of mandatory inclusion.  

Joint Powers Board

• VNP Comprehensive Plan: Newly elected Commissioner Paul McDonald attended his first JPB meeting.  Kabetogamma is up and running; Island View needed an extension to finish their work; Ash River is still trying to establish a system for an unorganized area.  All construction related to the Comprehensive Plan is on hold until spring. 
• Kicker Blvd. Annex:  As stated above (Admin. – Management Plan II & III), annexation procedure was discussed with Mia Thibodeau of Fryberger, Buchanan.  An August Public Hearing date is being considered; hopefully, in conjunction with a JPB meeting, should it be scheduled for Crane Lake in August. S.E.H. will be engaged to begin the process by answering the Preliminary Statutory Question of need for services and drafting a legal description of the area to be annexed.
• State and Federal Grant Funding:  Grant applications are in the works and awaiting final legislative action.

CLWSD Meeting Minutes – March 6, 2019

S.E.H. Engineering  

• District Update:  There was no update.

O & M. Decentralized

• Management Program Update:  The pre-construction season meeting with the USFS is being set for the first part of April to discuss ISTS’s installed on leased lands in 2018 and future ISTS installations on leased lands.
• Deena Congdon stated that she will be able to assist S.E.H. with mapping of the newly installed ISTS’s.

 O & M Centralized

• Operations Report:  Terry Jackson provided a report to the Board stating that all standards continue to be maintained on the discharge samples collected at the plant. Four zones are currently being utilized on the recirculating sand filters.  The chemical feed pump was plugged with sludge; the tank and pump were cleaned and were placed back into service.  One of the floats was stuck at the pump shack, causing the pump to go on and off more than needed.  The issue will be resolved soon.
• Plant Manpower and Operators:  There was no report
• Winterization – Status and Temperatures:  Temperatures are logged daily at the plant and are currently in the 38 degree range. N. Roth reported that infusion has been increased to avoid any possible freezing and will order two new infusers to be added at two new locations in the District.
• MPCA Award:  The District is the recipient of a wastewater commendation from the MPCA for operations in 2018.  Terry Jackson will accept the award for the District.

PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 Minute Limit):  Bonnie Caughey asked if the loan the District is considering can be used to pay off other loans; the Board did not believe so.  Bonnie commented that she is aware of challenges St. Louis County has had working with Managed Sewer Districts.  She stated her concern of alerting customers should District contractors need to access their land for mapping purposes; the Board did not think anyone would need to go onto properties.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:15PM

Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk

NEXT MEETING:  BOARD OF MANAGERS’ MEETING – APRIL 3, 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.