CRANE LAKE WATER & SANITARY DISTRICT (CLWSD)

BOARD OF MANAGERS REGULAR MEETING

September 1, 2004 – 7:30 P.M.

CRANE LAKE CHAPEL FELLOWSHIP HALL

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Michael White at 7:35 P.M.

Members present:  Managers Bud Bystrom, D. Scott, Rob Scott and Michael White.  Manager D. Congdon arrived at 7:40PM.

Members Absent: None

Also present: Jim Pucel of RLK Kuusisto, Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, a reporter from the Voyageur Sentinel, and 7 members of the community.

BUSINESS:

Motion by B. Bystrom, supported by D. Scott, to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 18, 2004.  Motion carried.

M. White reviewed the Treasurer’s Report.  A motion was made by B. Bystrom to approve the Treasurer’s Report as read and to pay the Administrative and Project Bills.  The motion died without a second to authorize discussion.

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

RLK-Kuusisto Project Status Report

• The EDU assignment recommendation for the houseboats was completed.
• Nine letters were received from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).  RLK and Wagner Construction will address the letters and provide corrective action.  Some of the pump stations will be adjusted by 5 to 10 feet, there are two issues with the main line location, one well has to be sealed and there is the possibility of a new well at another site.  Wagner Construction will be in Crane Lake near the end of this week or the beginning of next week to start the corrections.
• RLK will review how many existing septic systems are within the easement area.
• M. White requested a list of the remaining project items to complete and an estimate of completion dates for each item.
• RLK added to their report dates to the easement changes during construction were requested.
• A motion was made by B. Bystrom, supported by D. Congdon, authorizing any Board member to tentatively approve property owner permits with final approval at the following Board meetings.  Motion carried.

NTS – Operating Agreement

• Plant Start-up is ready and chemicals have been delivered.
• Meter reading  will require further discussion.
• There should be approximately $2,000 expense to the District for start-up.
• Contract Status was not discussed.

Operating Plan – 2004

• R. Scott reviewed the items discussed at the Plant Start-up Cost Review meeting held on Monday, August 30^th.
• After reviewing available funds and funds required, it was determined that there will be a remaining balance of $12,000 in project funds and $130,000 is special assessment funds.
• Scott Harder of EFG will review the 2004 forecast to adjust for late plant start-up.
• The forecast, at this time, has a positive balance and the Board does not anticipate any funding problems, even with the late plant start-up.

Funding Requirements

• M. White reviewed the remaining funding requirements for the project and stated that Scott Harder had determined that Special Assessment funds or Project funds would be available for septic abandonment within the easement.
• A motion was made by R. Scott, supported by D. Scott, to authorize $42,000 for service connection expense and $20,000 for abandonment expense.  Motion carried.

Rate Ordinance Status

• A motion was made by B. Bystrom, supported by D. Congdon, to authorized Mary Frances Skala of Fryberger to write the rate ordinance.  Motion carried.

2005 Levy

• A recommendation was made to the Board by M. White at the previous meeting to set the 2005 Levy at $50,000, a decrease from the 2004 Levy amount of $77,250, with a possible further reduction in December.
• A motion was made by D. Congdon, supported by B. Bystrom, to set the 2005 Levy amount at $50,000 to be reviewed in December.  Motion carried.

OTHER BUSINESS

M. White will begin work on a plan for the ESA, which can be used to initiate Board action when completed.

The September 15^th meeting will be held at the Groomer Garage, rather than the Fellowship Hall.

D. Congdon asked to revisit the Treasurer’s Report and payment of bills.  A motion was made by D. Congdon, supported by B. Bystrom, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as read and the payment of the following bills:  Administrative – Quill – $255.54; RVS Software – $997.50; NTS – $52.00; and Midwest Captions – $257.50.  Project – Lake Country Power – $99.88; N & R Services – $55.00, EFG – $1,475.00; Partial Pay Estimate for the Collection System – $13,896.83; and Partial Pay Estimate for the Treatment System – $13,448.57.  Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Larry Olson asked when permit work will begin and would like advance notice.  J. Pucel has requested a work schedule from Wagner Construction.

Virginia Clifford asked if Wagner was responsible for MDH work or connection work first.  The MDH work must be completed within 30 days.  A schedule has been requested from Wagner.

Paul Hamblin asked when the plant was scheduled for start-up.  J. Pucel confirmed that the plant had been tested and start-up will begin after there are some hook-ups.

There was further discussion of the funding of work within easements.

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 8:45P.M.

J. Pohlman

Clerk

NEXT MEETING:  SEPTEMBER 15, 2004, AT THE GROOMER GARAGE AT 7:30 P.M.