HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-21 BOWC MIN
Stillwater, Minnesota December 21, 2017
Regular Meeting:
The regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was held on Thursday
December 21, 2017 at 8:00 A.M.
All Commissioners were present, with President Speedling presiding. Also present was
Jim Tibbetts, Council Member Menikheim.
On motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting
“Aye”, the Agenda was accepted as presented.
On motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by President Speedling, all voting
“Aye, the minutes of the November 16, 2017 regular meeting were read and approved as
written.
On motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by President Speedling, all voting
“Aye”, Resolution No.1509 was approved for payment.
Jim reported to the Board that there were three watermain breaks since the last meeting.
They read the meter for the Ice Castle and will report back to the Board at the January
Meeting, also they will start working on wellhouse maintenance.
Manager Benson, after talking with City of Stillwater’s IT Manager Rose Holmen, she
informed the Board they will not be deciding on work management vendors in 2017.
Manager Benson provided the Board with a letter from a resident that was sent to Nick
Chaves, City of Stillwater Assistant Public Works Superintendent asking to be trained to
operate fire hydrants so they can flood the ice rinks in their neighborhood. Manager
Benson replied that the Water Department and City Staff are the only ones allowed to
operate hydrants and the repair of a frozen fire hydrant could cost thousands of dollars.
After further discussion with Shawn Sanders, City of Stillwater’s Public Works Director
and Tim Moore, City of Stillwater’s Public Works Superintendent the City of Stillwater
was also not in favor of being responsible for the repairs of a hydrant. Manager Benson
informed them that he will would bring this to the next Board Meeting. After discussion,
on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by President Speedling, all voting
“Aye”, the Board supports the use of water for flooding ice rinks and they expect
authorized city personal to operate the hydrants to minimize the risk of damage to the
Water Distribution System.
Manager Benson presented the Board with meeting dates for 2018 Board Meetings.
They are as follows:
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January 11 February 8 March 8 April 12
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May 10 June 14 July 12 August 9
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September 13 October 11 November 8 December 13
On motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by President Speedling, all voting
“Aye” the dates were approved. Manager Benson will forward a copy to Diane Ward,
City of Stillwater City Clerk for publication in the Stillwater Gazette.
Manager Benson provided the Board with a list of Depositories for 2018.
There are as follows:
MidwestOne First State Bank Bayport
Eagle Valley Bank Lake Elmo Bank
After discussion, on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by President
Speedling, all voting “Aye”, the depositories were approved.
Manager Benson presented the Board with the 2018 Expenditure Budget, and after
review, on motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Vania, all voting “Aye” the
2018 Expenditure Budget was approved as presented.
Manager Benson presented the Board with the 2018 Revenue Budget and after review, on
motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by President Speedling, all voting “Aye”,
the 2018 Revenue Budget was approved as presented.
The following items were discussed, with no action taken:
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1. Accounts receivable balance as of November 30 was $294,484.02 with the
actual amount being $331,143.51; this is $87,000.00 lower than last years.
2. Verne Jacobson with T.K.D.A updated the Board and answered questions on the
Wellhead Protection Plan.
3. Commissioner Jensen provided the Board with updates to the Community
Education (infographic) as they have changed the design. After discussion, she
will bring back more information to the January Meeting
4. Manager Benson informed the Board that there is a leak on a joint service line
feeding 419 Second St S and 322 Broadway St S, both of the properties are owned
by the same resident and Manger Benson informed the owner that this would be
the time to separate the lines as there is a separate curb stop coming off of Pine St
E. Manager Benson was instructed to send a letter to the owner stating the Board
recommends the separation of the service lines; but this is the owner’s choice to
make a spot repair or separate the service lines.
5. Manager Benson informed the Board that the joint service leak at 415 & 419
Greeley St N was repaired, but once exposed, the contractor found both services
lines to be leaking. The original cost will be split by both owners and the Water
Department will cover the balance.
6. Manager Benson informed the Board that as part of the Well #11 rehab they will
be purchasing new chlorine equipment for the wellhouse, the funding was
approved in the 2017 Capital Outlay Budget.
7. Manager Benson provided the Board with a letter from Kathy Newman along
with the payment in full, He also talked to Tom McCarty, City of Stillwater City
Administrator and explained the steps we took after the high usage.
Commissioner Vania pointed out that her usage was normal all year, then in the
third quarter spiked in 2016 and 2017, Manager Benson also informed her that
there was no app available at the time we completed our meter change out and
after talking with our meter company, there may be one available in the future and
that this would require a new register. The homeowner can always read the meter
and track their own usage, and after further discussion the Board will educate
residents on how to read their meters; this will be put on our website. The board
will respond with a letter after talking with Tom McCarty, City Administrator.
Commissioner Vania will contact the St. Paul Regional Water and find out if they
have an appeals process.
There being no further business, on motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by
Commissioner Jensen, all voting “Aye”, the meeting was adjourned.
Attest: Secretary