CRANE LAKE WATER & SANITARY DISTRICT (CLWSD)

BOARD OF MANAGERS’ REGULAR MEETING

Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, May 5, 2021 – 1:00 P.M.

Members present:  Mark Anderson, Bonnie Caughey, Deena Congdon, Darrell Scott, and Rob Scott

Members absent:  None

Also present: Clerk/Treasurer Jo Ann Pohlman and two members of the community

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Rob Scott at 1:05PM.

Opening Comments:  Chairman Scott welcomed Mike and Emily Schwanke to the meeting and moved their concerns to the beginning of the meeting. 

Schwanke Expansion Letter:  The Schwankes had two things to discuss.  A heat tape was installed at their property when the system froze last winter.  The heat tape was a good solution, but there is now a leak where the heat tape was secured with silicone.  Ron Rutchasky will look at remedy options.  A motion was made by M. Anderson, supported by R. Scott, to credit the Schwankes two months billing or $160.00 for the inconvenience.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  The second issue was their plan for expansion on their property.  They are considering building up to six small 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom rental ‘tents’ on the Northern half of their property at Crane View North.  They have spoken with Jim Orton as to feasibility and options.  It is understood that if a new ISTS was installed there would be the $350 application fee and the $7,500 connection fee.  Their question to the Board was how the monthly fee would be addressed.  R. Scott stated that this would be the first commercial system in the District’s Management Program.  If the system installation was over $30,000, the Schwanke’s would be responsible for anything in excess of that amount.  The Board suggested that the monthly fee would be treated similarly to those on the Centralized System at between $30 and $40 per unit.  Jim Orton will visit the property near the end of May or early June to assess the system needs. 

Minutes: A motion was made by M. Anderson, supported by B. Caughey, to approve the minutes of the 4/7/21 Regular Meeting.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Correspondence:  The correspondence list was reviewed by the Board.  A motion was made by B. Caughey, 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 presented the March 2021 Financial Statements, which were Previous-Year Comparisons and reviewed with Jennifer of Glorvigen, to the Board.  April 2021 payroll:  Admin – $2,030.00, Operating – $4,605.00 plus Payroll Taxes – PERA – $986.30, Federal Deposit – $1,507.20 & MN Rev – $612.00.  A motion was made by M. Anderson, supported by R. Scott, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented and the payment of bills as follows:  Admin Fund – $9,656.13; Legacy III Fund – $18,195.27; and Operating Fund – $12,094.50.    All voted in favor and the motion carried. 

Funding Balances:  A Report of current grant funding balances was presented to the Board.       

Administration

• Funding Opportunity:  St. Louis County has received $54 million through the Federal Rescue Plan.  The District sent letters to St. Louis County Commissioners Jugovich, McDonald and Nelson requesting $400,000 for Debt Relief for the District.  This was not an applicable option for the funds.  The letter was resent to the same three Commissioners requesting $385,000 for capital improvements.  The District will continue to pursue debt relief options.
• Financial Analysis – Carl Brown:  Carl Brown recommends doing a short review for the District in 2021 for $162.90 per hour.  The short review would take from 5 to 8 hours.  A full review in 2022 would be around $1,500.  B. Caughey is currently working on new ISTS expenses and income as part of the District rate review.
• Deena Congdon terminated her Agreement with the District for Liaison Services now that she is a Board Manager.

Joint Powers Board

• VNP Comprehensive Plan: The draft copy of the Comprehensive Plan will be available for Board review and comment in June, it will then go to the Township for review, then back to the JPB for approval. 
• Grant Funding:  Legacy Funds for expansion and updating amounting to $350,000 may be available to the District in July; with another $350,000 in 2022.

CLWSD Meeting Minutes – May 5, 2021

S.E.H. Engineering  

District Update:  Jason Chopp provided the following relating to the Wastewater Treatment Plant Flow Equalization Project:  A 60-day public notice for the modifications to the NPDES Permit starts this week and will run into July.  Updates of information from the MPCA will be provided as it is received.

O & M. (Decentralized)

• Management Program Update:  D. Congdon reported that Ron Rutchasky would follow-up on work needed at the Schwanke’s and Richter’s.  There are currently 5 ISTS installations in progress.
• Cowden ISTS and Land Acquisition Request:  A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by M. Anderson, to invoice the Cowdens for administrative expenses related to the land purchase in the amount of $5,300.88.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

O & M Update (Centralized)

• Operations Report:  Rob Scott Jr. provided the following report:  We met all the effluent limits for last month.  Things are running well.  The plant water temperature is now in the 40’s so the threat of freezing has passed.  More chemical was purchased in anticipation of a busy summer season.  There has been correspondence with S.E.H and the MPCA for the new operating permit being submitted to the MPCA for the plant upgrades.  A new sludge judge was purchased.
• M. Anderson reported that we are waiting to see what will be needed to upgrade the rock beds.  The pumper truck has been repaired and inspected by Mn DOT.  Jeff Truebenbach will begin training for plant maintenance work. Issues at the Groomer Garage have been resolved.
• Voyagaire:  An email was sent to the new owners at Voyagaire offering assistance with any sewer related issues and advising that expansion plans could be presented to the Chairman.
• Drake Dill Letter of Support:  Drake Dill requested a letter of support be sent to St. Louis County related to his expansion plans for Cabins on Crane.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 2.20PM

Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk

NEXT MEETING:   Board of Manager’s Meeting – June 2, 2021 6:00PM, 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.