CRANE LAKE WATER & SANITARY DISTRICT (CLWSD)

BOARD OF MANAGERS’ REGULAR MEETING

Crane Lake Visitor Center

Wednesday, July 2, 2025 – 1:00 PM

The meeting was called to order at 1:06PM

Members present: Bonnie Caughey, Deena Congdon, and Rob Scott. Also present: Maintenance Worker Jeff Truebenbach and Clerk/Treasurer Jo Ann Pohlman.

Members absent:  Mark Anderson and Darrell Scott.

Minutes: A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by D. Congdon, to approve the minutes of the 6/4/25 Regular Meeting with a change to the following motion under Levy Considerations:  A motion was made by R Scott, supported by B. Caughey, to use Administrative Funds to pay operating expenses where appropriate and when needed with Board approval of each item.  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 May 2025 Financial Statements to the Board. June 2025 payroll:  Admin – $2,234.00 & Operating – $8,348.25.  Payroll Taxes:  PERA – $1,510.54, Fed Dep. – $2,981.02, & MN Dep. – $464.00.  Levy figures have been received and will be in the District’s bank account soon:  Levy & other SLC funds – $44,858.64 and Special Assessment – $13,217.73. A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by D. Congdon, to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented and to approve the bills as follows:  Admin – $10,440.40; Legacy V Funds – $5,560.00; ARPA Funds (match for Legacy VI) – $42,662.50; and Operating – $9,586.12.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Funding Balances:  The balances were reviewed with the Board. There were no changes.

Administration

• Rate Study:  The Board will consider the options, which include:  Rate raise, levy increase and a service fee.
• Board Requirement (Options):  The Board Member requirement has been reduced from 5 to 3.  Mia Thibodeau, of Fryberger Law is being consulted for this Board’s options.  Her response has not been received.
• Blaeser Letter:  A letter from the Blaesers was received requesting a change in the billing for their side of a duplex owned by an Owners’ Association.  The Board agreed that the issue should be taken up with the Owners’ Association and that the District should continue with the billing as is. The Clerk will restate the Board’s position via email.
• Insurance Waver:  A motion was made by D. Congdon, supported by R. Scott, that the District Does Not Waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability established by Minn. Stat. 466.94.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.
• Lutefisk Quarterly Computer Review:  A motion was made by D. Congdon, supported by B. Caughey, to contract with Lutefisk Technology for quarterly computer maintenance at $135.00 per hour (first two hours at half price).  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Joint Powers Board

• State and Federal Grant Funding:  There was nothing new.

S.E.H. Engineering Update 

• District Update:  There was no update needed.

O & M. Update (Decentralized)

• Management Program Update:  The July 2025 Expansion Report was reviewed with the Board.
• Yearly O&M Review:  B. Caughey continues to work with SLC to prepare the list for Orton’s review. The District’s maintenance team will begin 2025 maintenance and pumping.
• Admin Fee: The Board will be including an administrative fee to the billing of those customers with CLWSD installed systems outside the District boundaries beginning with the August billing.

CLWSD Meeting Minutes –July 2, 2025

O & M Update (Centralized)

• Operations Report:  Rob Scott Jr. provided the following report:  We met all the MPCA effluent limits for the month of May.  The plant is operating well. The influent volume is running a little lower than normal summer levels. Typically see higher flow volume this time of year.
• Maintenance Facility:  The containers for ISTS maintenance equipment storage will be arriving soon.  Electricity will be supplied and a roof for the containers is being considered.
• Pumper Truck:  There was no report.
• Jeff Truebenbach Report:  Jeff reported that the grease tank at VHB was pumped.  Pumping and cleaning of the plant tanks continues.  Jeff will begin ISTS maintenance work soon.

Public Comments: There were none.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:56PM

Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk

NEXT MEETING:   Board of Manager’s Meeting – August 6, 2025 – 1:00PM, Visitor Center

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.