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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-07-12 BOWC MIN Stillwater, Minnesota June 14, 2018 Regular Meeting: The regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was held on Thursday June 14, 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 Commissioner Jensen, all voting "Aye", the minutes of the May 10, 2018 regular meeting were read and approved as written. On motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting "Aye", Resolution No.1517 was approved for payment. Jim Tibbetts reported to the Board that most of the watermain is in at The Lodges of Stillwater (Senior Living Center) phase one has been tested and approved, they are installing phase two now. On Olive Street (County Road 5) two new hydrants were installed and set back further as part of the project, On Third Street (County Rd 23) the water utility work will start around the second week of July and there will be four different shut-downs during the project and on Fourth St S (Osgood Ave/County Rd 24) the water utility work will begin around the end of July. We have a possible watermain leak on Hidden Valley Court and we will be working with the contractor to make the repairs and the streets have been repaired from the watermain breaks over the winter. Manager Benson updated the Board on the shutdown notification for these projects and the water should not be shut-down for more than four hours on a planned shutdown. Shutdown notices will be put on the Water Board, City and County websites, a 48 hour door hanger notice will be left with all affected parties. We are still waiting for quotes for the repairs at the #5 Olive Street Pumphouse. Manager Benson is working with Automatic Systems to upgrade the actuating valve at Well #11; they are waiting for parts from the supplier. Manager Benson has been working with a resident at 415 Greeley St N that is not satisfied with his yard restoration after the repair of his service line by the contractor, Manager Benson talked with the contractor and the issues will be addressed as soon as possible. Manager Benson explained to the Board that there is $9,000.00 in the Capital Outlay Budget for water meters, this will be used to purchase meters for new construction throughout the year; after discussion on motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting "Aye", the meters may be purchased not to exceed a cost of $9,000.00 Manager Benson informed the Board that there is $25,000.00 in the Capital Outlay Budget for the Wellhead Protection Plan. After much discussion, on motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting "Aye" the $25,000.00 was approved. Manager Benson brought up the plans and specs for a backup generator at Well #9 for $15,000.00; this is also in the Capital Outlay Budget, therefore on motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting "Aye" they were approved, not to exceed a total cost of $15,000.00. Manager Benson also brought up plans and specs for two pressure reducing valves, one at Willard St W and West St S. and one at Fourth St N and Wilkins St. W. After discussion, on motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting "Aye", the plans and specs were approved, not to exceed a total cost of $30,000.00. Manager Benson informed the Board that there is $35,000.00 in the Capital Outlay nd Budget for completing the watermain loop at Osgood Ave & 62 St; this is part of a county project and will be completed in July or August, therefore on motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting "Aye" the watermain loop was approved. The following items were discussed, with no action taken: 1. Accounts receivable balance as of May 31, 2018 was $164,992.22 with the actual amount being $205,734.76; this is $14,000.00 higher than last years. 2. Manager Benson informed the Board that 327 delinquent notices were sent out for a total of $72,568.54, after discussion, Commissioner Vania wants the staff to track their time spent hanging the notices and Manager Benson will bring it back to the next meeting and also make a policy for after hours’ notice’s 3. Commissioner Jensen updated the Board on the (infographic) and discussion was held on how to send it out to residents; either in the City of Stillwater newsletter or the July water bill, after discussion the infographic will be sent out with the City of Stillwater’s newsletter, there was also discussion about the City’s website verses the library’s website. Council member Menikheim will have the library Director Mark Troendle contact Manager Benson to discuss their website and he will report back to the Board at the next meeting. 4. Manager Benson updated the Board on the WBL/DNR Law Suit. Governor Dayton approved a Bill on May 21, 2018 to temporarily prohibit enforcement of certain water appropriation permit conditions until July 1, 2019. Manager Benson also provided an email from City of Stillwater Attorney Magnuson that just came from the Court of Appeals in which the order denies the motion of the DNR for a stay of the lower court order pending appeal, but they did remand the case to District Court and directed that District Court reconsider the motion for a stay that Judge Marrinan denied and to consider the special law that put a hold on things for a year. All the city’s gathered as a group surely has an impact on the Appellate Court. The Water Department has not heard back on their filing for a contested case hearing. Manager Benson was instructed to have T.K.D.A. work with LBG and prepare a technical brief stating why Well #11 does not have an effect on White Bear Lake for our contested case hearing so we will be ready when they call, and after discussion with City of Stillwater Administrator Tom McCarty, Manager Benson informed the Board there will be no laps in legal coverage with the retirement of Attorney Magnuson. 5. Manager Benson informed the Board on the open position, there were ten applicants, he will review them with Jim Tibbetts and select candidates to interview; these will be presented to the Board for review. 6. Discussion was held about the Lift Bridge Brewery expansion plans. Manager Benson was instructed to contact them and have them attend the July 2018 Board Meeting to discuss their future water needs, conservation and recycle plans, also if they plan on working with MN Tap (Minnesota Technical Assistance Program) as they design their new brewing process. 7. Discussion was held regarding the 16 million gallons of water that was used for the ice castle last year. Manager Benson will be talking with City of Stillwater Administrator Tom McCarty about the Board’s request to have the ice castle look into an alternative source rather than drinking water. 8. Discussion was held about the individual meetings by each Board Member with Council Member Weidner & Council Member Menikheim; these meetings were held at the request of Council Member Weidner. After discussion the Board Members will attend a one on one informal meeting at their own discretion with the understanding that the Council Member would attend the next Board Meeting and have a discussion with the full Board. 9. Commissioner Vania was reappointed to another three year term; this will expire th June 30, 2021. There being no further business, on motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting Aye”, the meeting was adjourned. Steve Speedling, President ATTEST: Robert G. Benson, Secretary