HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-21 BOWC MIN
Stillwater, Minnesota, February 21, 2019
Regular Meeting:
The regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was held on Thursday
February 21, 2019 at 8:00 A.M.
Vice President Jensen and Commissioner Vania present, President Speedling absent with
Vice President Jensen presiding, also present was Jim Tibbetts, Council Member
Polehna, Dan Gustafson with Sixteen Wins and Matt Ellingson with TKDA.
On motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by Commissioner Jensen, 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 January 10, 2019 regular meeting were read and approved as
written.
On motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by Commissioner Jensen, all voting
"Aye", Resolution No.1527 was approved for payment.
City Administrator Tom McCarty updated the Board on the Operational Review Process
for Public Works; they will be including the Water Department and the St. Croix Valley
Rec Center in the review process. City staff are working on a request for proposal for
consultants; this should be ready in two weeks for review by staff, with a team made up
of City Administrator Tom McCarty, Public Works Director Shawn Sanders, Finance
Director Sharon Provos, Water Board General Manager Robert Benson and Rec Center
Manager Doug Brady; the interview process will include the addition of one City Council
Member and one Water Board Member. The study will focus on high-level operational
review of structure and organization. There will be a joint City Council and Water Board
Meeting for the presentation from the consultant and they will come up with a joint
recommendation moving forward. The study should be completed by the end of June
2019.
Jim reported to the Board that there have been three watermain breaks since the last
Board Meeting, one at Second St N and Sycamore St W another at Nelson Street and
Second St S. and one at 203 Crestwood Terrace. Commissioner Vania requested that
pictures be taken at all main breaks which require more than a standard repair clamp. The
storm sewer on Nelson Street will have to be inspected before the street is paved in the
spring. We have also had two service leaks, one at 1109 Fourth St S and another at 712
Mulberry St W, a couple of freeze up’s from low water usage and also a number of
frozen meters. Staff continues to do pumphouse maintenance as well.
Manager Benson brought up the Emergency Response Plan/Vulnerability Assessment;
this is part of the 2018 Capital Outlay Budget carry-over for $10,000.00. After
discussion, on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by Commissioner Jensen,
all voting "Aye" the $10,000.00 was approved. Matt Ellingson with TKDA updated the
Board on the requirements for the Emergency Response Plan/Vulnerability Assessment
which will also cover the Risk & Resilience Assessment that was amended in Section
1433 of the Safe Water Drinking Act. There will be a walkthrough of all our sites to
make recommendations on moving forward.
Manager Benson asked the Board for approval for $10,000.00 to purchase water meters
throughout the year as needed, this was in the 2019 Capital Outlay Budget, therefore after
discussion on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by Commissioner Jensen,
all voting "Aye", the meters may be purchased.
Manager Benson informed the Board that the office computers will need to be replaced
this year; there is $4,000.00 in the Capital Outlay Budget for them, so after discussion on
motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by Commissioner Jensen, all voting
"Aye", the computers may be purchased not to exceed a total cost of $4,000.00.
Manager Benson provided the Board with a quote from Linner Electric, a division of
Mercury Electric in the amount of $6,820.00 to install a transfer switch for emergency
power from Fourth St N to the office; there was $6,500.00 in the 2019 Capital Outlay
Budget for this, therefore, after review on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded
by Commissioner Jensen, all voting "Aye" the quote of $6820.00 was approved to install
the transfer switch to provide emergency power to the office and SCADA system.
Manager Benson informed the Board that the Fire Sprinkler Monitoring System failed
and is not repairable and needs to be replaced. He provided the Board a quote for a new
system from Armor Security for $954.65 plus $475.00 to update the electrical connection
and after discussion, on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by Commissioner
Jensen, all voting "Aye" the installation was approved not to exceed a total cost of
$1,500.00.
The following items were discussed, with no action taken:
1. Accounts receivable as of January 31, 2019 was $157,190.11 with the actual
amount being $223,694.00; this is $36,000.00 higher than last years.
2. Commissioner Jensen brought up water messaging throughout the City; this
would include drinking water, storm water, and wastewater. She feels that we
need to do a better job to express our care for the water due to the fact that we are
right on the Scenic River Way, more messaging would help the residents have a
better understanding of water conservation and protecting the river through the
way they manage their properties. City Administrator, Tom McCarty explained
that the City is part of the Green Step City’s and this work will go through the
zoning administrator and he will be working with residents on education. The
City also works very closely with the St. Croix River Association and the Water
Shed Districts. There will also be studies this year for water, wastewater and
storm water funding.
3. Dan Gustafson with Sixteen Wins provided the Board with a site map for the new
website and after review there were no changes needed. Dan then moved on to the
wire frame document; this will make sure that we have the right content on the
pages before we get into the design process. Commissioner Jensen will continue
to work with Dan on the website and contact Manager Benson if needed.
Manager Benson will work with Dan on a maintenance program and bring it back
to the Board for approval.
4. Matt Ellingson with TKDA updated the Board on the Wellhead Protection, after
discussion Manager Benson will continue working with Matt as this is a ten-year
plan. Chapter 5 Objectives and Plans of Action will be updated and sent to the
Board for approval. The dead line for submittal is March 4, 2019.
5. There is no new information for the next City Council Meeting; this will be
discussed at the March Board Meeting.
6. Commissioner Vania brought up the service line repair for Jim Cummings,
Manager Benson informed the Board that he was contacted by Jim’s lawyer, he
informed her of the process that was used to make the repair; there has been no
further contact. Manager Benson will move forward with the assessment
paperwork.
There being no further business, on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded
by Commissioner Jensen, all voting "Aye", the meeting was adjourned.
.
__________________________
Steve Speedling, President
ATTEST:
__________________________
Robert G. Benson, Secretary