CRANE LAKE WATER & SANITARY DISTRICT (CLWSD)

BOARD OF MANAGERS REGULAR MEETING

October 20, 2004 – 7:30 P.M.

CRANE LAKE CHAPEL FELLOWSHIP HALL

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Michael White at 7:30 P.M.

Members present:  Managers Bud Bystrom, Darrell Scott, Rob Scott and Michael White.  Manager Deena Congdon arrived at 8:05PM.

Members Absent: None.

Also present: Jim Pucel of RLK Kuusisto, Mike Appelwick of NTS, Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, reporters from the Voyageur Sentinel and the Timberjay, and 2 members of the community.

BUSINESS:

Motion by B. Bystrom, supported by R. Scott, to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 6, 2004.  Motion carried.

The correspondence was presented to the Board.  A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by B. Bystrom, that the correspondence be placed on file and acted upon as required.  Motion carried.

RLK-Kuusisto Project Status Report

• MDH – All Minnesota Health Department issues have been resolved but the well for the Zullick property.  A liner is being considered for the well and RLK is waiting for information from the contractor before proceeding.  The MDH is aware of the well status and is working with RLK to complete the correction soon.  RLK will see if they can move ahead with the grinder connection.
• Service Connections/Abandonments – 60 of the 79 connections have been completed and inspected.
• Partial Payment Estimates – Partial Pay Estimates for Wagner and Rice Lake were sent to the Board for review prior to the meeting.  J. Pucel asked for approval of the pay estimates.  A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by D. Scott, to approve Partial Payment Estimate No. 12 for Rice Lake in the amount of $6, 367.85 and Partial Payment Estimate No. 12 for Wagner Construction in the amount of $18,430.00.  Motion carried.
• Plant Influent Meter – RLK is still waiting for cost estimates on the meter; they hope to have them by the next meeting.
• Status Report/Project Forecast – R. Scott requested that RLK update the forecast.  RLK will provide an updated forecast at the next meeting.
• Project Completion Schedule – The Board asked that RLK also update the Project Completion Schedule.  Mike Appelwick of NTS and engineers from RLK plan to meet with Rural Development representatives at the plant on November 2^nd to review the punch list items.  R. Scott stated that the Board needs to compare what was planned for the WSA with what was done considering easements, rates, EDU’s and the demand on the plant.
• Treatment Plant Capacity/Expansion – The current EDU count is 125; the plant was planned for 212 EDU’s or 50,000 gallons per day.  60% of the design capacity is assumed to be in use.  Watching the operation of the plant will determine if the actual flow matches the estimate.   RLK recommends the consideration of an equalization pond to store excess sewage should the plant reach capacity.  This would eliminate peak loads and maximize plant operations.

NTS  Report

• Facility Operations – The plant is operating well.  NTS is considering reducing the amount of chemical use, which will be a cost saving for the District.  They are working on the punch list items.

• Contract Status – M. Appelwick presented an addendum temporarily removing remote monitoring from the contract to the Board.  The addendum will be sent to the District’s attorney for review.
• Treatment Plant Modifications – RLK and NTS will review the needed modifications and will present their findings to the Board.
• Meter Reading – M. Appelwick said they were considering who would do the actual meter reading.

NTS Report (Cont.)

·         Alarms – NTS will develop a utilization plan for the system with phone numbers to call when the alarm goes off to be sent to customers.

• Snow Removal – B. Bystrom spoke with St. Louis County about snow removal.  The County would require a $40 filing fee plus $166.50 per year to provide snowplowing service for the plant, lift station, and the Fire Hall.  A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by D. Congdon to contract with the County to provide snowplowing service.  Motion carried.
• R. Scott reminded Mike Appelwick that a consolidated list of concerns and their completion status was discussed at the previous meeting.
• A letter was sent to Quality Control regarding winterization of grinder pumps.  NTS and RLK will pursue this issue and present their findings to the Board.  Mike Appelwick mentioned that the plant would also require winterizing procedures.

Rate Ordinance Status

• M. White reported that Ordinance No. 1 had been revised and Ordinance No. 3 for rates had been created by Mary Frances Skala of Fryberger.   The Board will review the ordinances and communicate questions and  comments via email before acting on the ordinances.

Accounting/Reporting System

• D. Congdon will communicate with Glorvigen regarding the financial statements for the year 2003.
• Glorvigen should have the chart of accounts to D. Congdon by the end of the week.

Eastern Service Area Plan

• A proposal was received from Gary Cerkvenik of Costin Group, Inc. for a short-term engagement to review the St. Louis County Health Department’s current ordinance as it pertains to the Eastern Service Area.  He suggests a two-month retainer at $750 per month.
• A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by B. Bystrom, to accept Mr. Cerkvenik’s proposal and requested that he also try to acquire the aerial photos of the District from Ayres.  Motion carried.

Property Owner Requirements

• Draft letters were prepared by M. White for Lorin Bergemann, Stuart McKie, and Allan McKie and were sent to the Board members for their review.

OTHER BUSINESS

M. White spoke to Scott Harder regarding a delinquent payment procedure.  A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by B. Bystrom for M. White to proceed with research on delinquent payments with collection to be achieved through property tax billings.  Motion carried.

EDU’s for houseboats will be addressed with Ordinance No. 3.

Jim Pucel asked for and received Board approval to complete paving of the Gold Coast Road in the spring.  The Contractor and Rural Develop were in agreement.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ruth L. Carlson complimented the Board and the Engineers on the design capacity of the plant.  There was concern expressed in Court that the plant was overbuilt and now future plant expansion is being considered.

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 8:55P.M.

J. Pohlman, Clerk

NEXT MEETING:  NOVEMBER 3, 2004, AT THE CRANE LAKE CHAPEL FELLOWSHIP HALL AT 7:30 P.M.