CRANE LAKE WATER & SANITARY DISTRICT (CLWSD)

BOARD OF MANAGERS’ REGULAR MEETING

Crane Lake Visitor Center

Wednesday, September 3, 2025 – 1:00 PM

The meeting was called to order at 1:05PM

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

Members absent:  Darrell Scott.

Minutes: A motion was made by B. Caughey, supported by M. Anderson, to approve the minutes of the 8/6/25 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

1. 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 July 2025 Financial Statements to the Board.  August 2025 payroll:  Admin – $2,792.00 & Operating – $7,510.25.  Payroll Taxes:  PERA – $1,645.92, Fed Dep. – $3,014.08, & MN Dep. – $478.00.   A motion was made by M. Anderson, supported by R. Scott, to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented and to approve the bills as follows:  Admin – $3,790.11, Legacy VI – $80,000.00, and Operating – $20,559.92.  All voted in favor and the motion carried

Funding Balances:  The balances were presented to the Board.

Administration

• Rate Study & Levy:  The Board reviewed and discussed the information provided to determine the 2026 levy and a possible 2026 rate increase.  A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by M. Anderson, to raise billing rates from $86 to $90 per month per EDU with the February 2026 billing; and to set the proposed 2025, payable 2026 levy at $83,400.00.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.
• Board Requirement (Options): The Board Manager requirement has been reduced from 5 to 3.  Mia Thibodeau, of Fryberger Law provided the procedure for the Board to reduce its manager requirements from 5 to 3.  The District is not required to do this, but may when they find it necessary.
• Debt Savings Transfer to Capital Reserve Savings:  A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by M. Anderson, to transfer $100,000.00 from Debt Savings to Capital Reserves Savings, upon final opinion from Jennifer of Glorvigen.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Joint Powers Board

• State and Federal Grant Funding:  An FYI – the September JPB meeting will be held at the Visitor Center in Crane Lake on Wednesday, September 24^th at 10AM.

S.E.H. Engineering Update 

• District Update:  There was no update needed.
• Expansion:  R. Scott reported on a discussion with Jason Chopp of S.E.H. about the options & expenses of a possible expansion within the District.

O & M. Update (Decentralized)

• Management Program Update:  The September 2025 Expansion Report was presented to the Board.
• Yearly O&M Review (Orton):  Jim Orton continues his review of St. Louis County required properties and provided a ‘Fix It List’ for the District.
• Yearly O&M Review (District):  The District’s maintenance team will be out on the lake this coming week for yearly maintenance and pumping.

CLWSD Meeting Minutes –September 3, 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 July.  The plant is operating well. The influent volume is running high, which is at normal summer levels. The new pH probe is working great. Jeff will have some pricing information for the shipping container project on Wednesday.

• Maintenance Facility:  Jeff Truebenbach reported that the containers where being set on site and presented price quotes for the roof structure over the two containers and the electrical work.  A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by D. Congdon, to accept the quotes presented for a roof structure ($16,686.21 from Toro Steel Buildings, USA Inc.) and electrical work ($3,235.78 from Fogelson Electric, LLC) plus up to $5,000 for additional expenses related to the project to be discussed with M. Anderson and Rob Scott, Jr. prior to expenditure.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.
• Pumper Truck:  There was no report.
• The Board is pleased with how the Operations and Maintenance is moving forward.  The O&M team will be providing a written report to the Board each month going forward.

Public Comments: There were none.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:05M

Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk/Treasurer

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