CRANE LAKE WATER & SANITARY DISTRICT (CLWSD)

BOARD OF MANAGERS’ REGULAR MEETING

Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, April 3, 2024 – 1:00 P.M.

Members present: Mark Anderson, Bonnie Caughey, Deena Congdon, and Rob Scott.  Also present: Pumper Truck Driver Craig Campbell and Clerk/Treasurer Jo Ann Pohlman.

Members absent:  Darrell Scott.

The meeting was called to order at 1:05PM.

Opening Comments:  Chairman Rob Scott started the meeting off with Craig Campbell’s discussion on sludge transportation options.

Craig presented the option of transporting biosolids to North Koochiching Area Sanitary District in International Falls as a cost savings for the District.  Transport to Grand Rapids would be continued when needed.  The Board agreed with this change.  The Board also discussed the need to communicate with VHB on changes to the pumping process of their houseboat grinder tank as a result of the recent wastewater treatment plant update & grinder replacement.  A meeting to educate VHB management and staff on the changes and their responsibilities will be arranged.  The Board then discussed the pumping of business kitchen grease tanks that are not connected to the grinders.    A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by B. Caughey, to educate VHB on operation changes due to new grinder install and WWTP updates, to include their cost responsibilities.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by M. Anderson, to notify VHB of their costs involved in pumping their kitchen grease tank to include manpower, transport, equipment use and cleaning prior to pumping.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  A motion was made by D. Congdon, supported by M. Anderson, authorizing Craig Campbell to purchase a grease auger for up to $3,000.00 to assist in the grease tank pumping process.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  Scott Haldorson will be contacted about being an apprentice as pumper truck driver when Craig is not available.  The Board thanked Craig for his input and for attending the meeting.

Minutes: A motion was made by B. Caughey, supported by D. Congdon, to approve the minutes of the 3/6/24 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 February 2024 Financial Statements to the Board.  March payroll:  Admin – $2,009.00 & Operating – $6,419.00.  Payroll Taxes:  PERA – $1,401.73 & Fed Dep. – $1,820.14.  A motion was made by M. Anderson, supported by R. Scott, to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented and the approval of the April bills as follows:  Admin – $1,912.39; Legacy – $8,573.00; & Operating – $7,311.23.  All voted in favor and the motion carried. 

Funding Balances:  The balances were reviewed with the Board. The MPCA-CWP Loan was also reviewed.

Levy Considerations (Admin/Operations): No action.

EDU Classification Review:  The Board discussed Lori Sanborn’s variance request on an EDU increase. A motion was made by D. Congdon, Supported by R. Scott to deny the variance request – Ordinance 3 described their property as a Single Family Residence (SFR) plus Commercial Bldg. with plumbing to be charged 2 EDU’s.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  The Board will continue their review of the Ordinances.

Administration

• Rate Study:  No action.
• Cowden Road Agreement:  No action.  The property is in the process of being sold.

Joint Powers Board

• JPB Update:  There was no update.

CLWSD Meeting Minutes – April 3, 2024

S.E.H. Engineering Update 

• District Updates:  There was no update needed.

O & M. (Decentralized)

• Management Program Update:  A report of current ISTS activity was presented to the Board. Applications for 2024 installations are in process with a possible seven new installations.
• Yearly O&M Review:  There was no update.
• Jim Orton Update:  Jim was unable to attend and will be invited to the May meeting.

O & M Update (Centralized)

• Operations Report:  Rob Scott Jr. provided the following report:  We met all the MPCA effluent limits for the month of February.  The plant is operating well.  The latest plant water temperature was recorded at 40 degrees. Due to increased costs from Pace Labs for their wastewater sampling services, I have decreased sample collections from every week to only 3 sample collections per month. This will reduce the sample collections by one or two per month, depending on the month. Pace sample collections occur on Wednesdays and some months have 5 Wednesdays, like this coming May. So, this will save the district $6,400 per year by reducing the collections to 3 per month.  I have also informed the guys we are not to collect the houseboat wastewater at Voyagaire any further. We will let all Voyagaire wastewater influent to flow into the collection system to be treated at the plant. This will be a big savings in cost for the district per year.  The Board wishes to ask Rob how the change in Pace sampling occurred and if any further reduction can be made.

• Maintenance Facility: There was no update.
• Maintenance Vehicle:  The Board discussed the need for a maintenance truck.  M. Anderson continues to look into options.
• Winterization:  There was no update.

Public Comments: There were none.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:45PM

Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk

NEXT MEETING:   Board of Manager’s Meeting – May 1, 2024 – 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.